Synonyms Questions and Answers

Answer: B

Invaluable means so valuable that its value cannot be estimated, which is the sense of priceless. Pure, cheap and expansive do not carry this sense: pure means free from mixture, cheap means low in price, which is nearly the opposite, and expansive describes something wide or generous in manner. The word 'invaluable' is also often mistaken for its opposite, valueless, but it does not mean that. The answer is Priceless, option (B).

Answer: C

The synonym of 'contemporary' that fits the blank is 'modern'. In the sentence 'Their house has been furnished in a modern style', contemporary means belonging to the present time, and so does modern.

'Dated' means old-fashioned, which is the opposite of contemporary. 'Cliched' means overused and unoriginal, and 'muted' means toned down or subdued in colour or sound. Neither of these is a synonym of contemporary, so the third option is correct.

Answer: C

The synonym is Planned.

'Intended' means planned. The sentence says they had no plans to offer holidays in Europe.

'Invented', 'toured' and 'visited' do not mean the same as 'intended'.

Intended and planned both mean that something was meant to be done. The sentence says they had no plans to do so, which supports the choice. 'Invented' means created, and 'toured' and 'visited' mean travelled, which do not suit the sentence.

Answer: B

The synonym is Beguile.

To hoodwink is to deceive or trick, and to beguile is to deceive or charm. 'Wink' is a blink, and 'unveil' and 'uncover' mean the opposite, to reveal.

So only beguile is close in meaning.

The word 'hoodwink' means to trick or deceive someone. 'Beguile' can mean to charm or deceive, and in this sense they are close. 'Unveil' and 'uncover' mean the reverse, to reveal, so they are antonyms rather than synonyms.

Answer: B

The word that can replace 'myopic' is shortsighted.

Myopic literally means near-sighted; used figuratively, as here, it means lacking foresight. The sentence confirms this sense: the decision gave up long-term stability for short-term gains, which is exactly what a shortsighted decision does.

Visionary means the opposite, showing foresight. Progressive (favouring reform) and innovative (introducing new ideas) are positive qualities that do not fit a decision criticised for sacrificing the long term.

Answer: A

The word is Accelerate.

Expedite, hasten and hurry all mean to make something happen or move faster. Accelerate, to increase speed, belongs to the same group: 'the new process will accelerate approvals'.

Retard means the opposite, to slow down or delay. Provide means to supply or make available, and disable means to make something unable to work; neither has anything to do with speed.

Answer: B

The closest meaning is Freedom.

Latitude, apart from its geographical sense, means scope or freedom to act or think as one chooses: 'the manager gave the team considerable latitude in choosing their methods'.

Eligibility is the state of meeting the conditions for something, such as a post or an award. Coercion is the opposite of latitude: forcing someone to act against their will. Meticulousness is great care and attention to detail, which has nothing to do with the freedom to choose.

Answer: C

To gesticulate is to make expressive gestures while speaking.

The verb comes from the Latin gesticulari, from gestus, a gesture. Someone who gesticulates uses hand and arm movements, usually with energy, to add emphasis to what they say.

The other options define different words. To think about a topic seriously is to ponder or deliberate. To abandon or forsake is to desert or relinquish. 'To neutralize fast' describes no English verb of this form and is a pure distractor.

Answer: B

The synonym of deference is Humble submission and respect.

Deference means polite respect shown to someone, often by yielding to their judgement because of their rank, age or experience. The sentence supports this: the young lawyer defers to the judge because he acknowledges her years of experience and wisdom.

The other options are wrong. A disrespectful attitude and aggressive opposition are the opposite of deference, and indifference or lack of concern is the absence of any attitude towards the judge, which does not fit a lawyer who is acknowledging her experience.

Answer: B

The synonym of disaster is Calamity.

A disaster is a sudden event causing great damage, loss or suffering, such as a flood or an earthquake. A calamity is the same: an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress.

Disease and illness are conditions of ill health, which can follow a disaster but do not mean one. A problem is a difficulty to be solved, far weaker than a disaster.