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Vocabulary in Context

English Language · Usage & Vocabulary

Useful for: SSC CGL, IBPS Banking, CTET, KVS, NVS, OTET, OSSTET, EMRS

and 21 more exams

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Overview

Vocabulary items test the exact meaning of a word in context; context and word roots help when the word is unfamiliar.

Key points

A synonym has the same meaning; an antonym has the opposite meaning.
Prefixes: un-, in-, im-, dis-, mal- often make a negative; bene- means good.
Roots: "chron" = time, "graph" = write, "philo" = love, "poly" = many.
Context decides the sense of words with several meanings.
One-word substitution replaces a phrase with a single precise word.

Explanation

Eliminate options with the opposite tone first (positive vs negative).
Watch for "near-synonyms" that differ in degree (angry vs furious).
Learn words in groups: candid–frank–blunt; timid–shy–diffident.
For antonyms, the answer must be opposite in the same sense used in the sentence.

Step by step

Read the context.
Decide the tone.
Choose the most precise option.

Examples

"Our new neighbour is an amiable man" → amiable means friendly.
Antonym of "scarce" → abundant.
One who knows many languages → polyglot.

Traps and advanced points

Trap: Choosing a word with the right topic but the wrong tone.
Trap: Ignoring the sentence context.
Trap: Confusing near-synonyms of different degree.

Quick revision

Tone first, then precision.
Use roots and prefixes.
Context decides meaning.

Practice MCQs

Vocabulary drill (Tara, Mysuru). Read: “The resilient town was rebuilt quickly after the flood.” Choose the word opposite in meaning (antonym) to “resilient”.
1. fragile
2. obscure
3. careless
4. remote
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Answer: (a) fragile. The opposite sense is “fragile”.
Vocabulary drill (analyst, Nagpur). Read: “The eloquent speaker moved the whole audience with her powerful words.” Choose the word opposite in meaning (antonym) to “eloquent”.
1. inarticulate
2. reserved
3. remote
4. extravagant
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Answer: (a) inarticulate. The opposite sense is “inarticulate”.
Vocabulary drill (auditor, Patna). Read: “The flight was cancelled because of adverse weather conditions.” Choose the word closest in meaning (synonym) to “adverse”.
1. honour
2. unspoken
3. unfavourable
4. not moving
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Answer: (c) unfavourable. “adverse” is closest to “unfavourable”.
Vocabulary drill (clerk, Pune). Read: “The zealous volunteers worked day and night to help the flood victims.” Choose the word closest in meaning (synonym) to “zealous”.
1. enthusiastic
2. convincing
3. honour
4. clear from blame
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Answer: (a) enthusiastic. “zealous” is closest to “enthusiastic”.
Vocabulary drill (coach, Surat). Read: “The diligent student revised her notes every single day and never missed a class.” Choose the word opposite in meaning (antonym) to “diligent”.
1. safe
2. careless
3. despise
4. worsen
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Answer: (b) careless. The opposite sense is “careless”.
Choose the SYNONYM of 'Abundant':
1. Empty
2. Little
3. Plentiful
4. Scarce
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Answer: (c) Plentiful. Abundant = bahut zyada (plentiful).
Choose the ANTONYM of 'Benevolent':
1. Kind
2. Generous
3. Gentle
4. Cruel
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Answer: (d) Cruel. Benevolent = dayaalu/kind.
One word for 'A person who cannot read or write':
1. Illiterate
2. Ignorant
3. Novice
4. Amateur
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Answer: (a) Illiterate. Illiterate = jo padh-likh na sake (anpadh).
Choose the SYNONYM of 'Diligent':
1. Lazy
2. Careless
3. Slow
4. Hardworking
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Answer: (d) Hardworking. Diligent = mehnati (hardworking).
One word for 'A place where birds are kept':
1. Aquarium
2. Sanctuary
3. Aviary
4. Apiary
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Answer: (c) Aviary. Aviary = pakshiyon ke rakhne ki jagah.
Choose the ANTONYM of 'Transparent':
1. Visible
2. Glassy
3. Opaque
4. Clear
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Answer: (c) Opaque. Transparent = paardarshi (jise aar-paar dekh sakein).
The idiom 'to break the ice' means:
1. To end a friendship
2. To start a conversation
3. To break something
4. To feel cold
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Answer: (b) To start a conversation. 'Break the ice' = baat-cheet shuru karna (awkward silence todna).
Choose the SYNONYM of 'Candid':
1. Secretive
2. Dishonest
3. Shy
4. Frank
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Answer: (d) Frank. Candid = spashtvadi/frank (khulkar sach bolne wala).
One word for 'Government by the people':
1. Monarchy
2. Aristocracy
3. Anarchy
4. Democracy
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Answer: (d) Democracy. Democracy = janta ka shasan (by the people).
The idiom 'a white elephant' means:
1. A white-coloured thing
2. A costly but useless possession
3. A rare animal
4. A big success
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Answer: (b) A costly but useless possession. 'White elephant' = mehanga par bekaar cheez (jise maintain karna costly ho par kaam ki na ho).