Understand the rule first
A precise synonym preserves meaning and intensity; an antonym reverses the important meaning. Test the replacement in a short sentence.
Synonyms & antonyms 11+ practice
Choose synonyms and antonyms with the correct strength, tone and context.
Choose the closest synonym for ‘reluctant’.
- Reluctant describes not wanting to act.
- Unwilling preserves that meaning.
- Slow might describe the action but not the attitude.
A common misconception
Choosing a word from the same topic rather than one with the same or opposite meaning.
Reusable method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.Question 1 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich word is closest in meaning to ‘drowsy’?
- Afurious
- Bsleepy
- Ccareful
- Dnoisy
Need a hint?
Think of how a person feels just before falling asleep.
Show worked answer
Answer B: sleepy
Drowsy means sleepy or ready to sleep.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.
Question 2 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich word is the best antonym of ‘expand’?
- Aexplain
- Bextend
- Ccontract
- Dincrease
Need a hint?
Look for a word meaning to become smaller.
Show worked answer
Answer C: contract
Contract is the direct opposite of expand.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.
Question 3 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich word is closest in meaning to ‘meticulous’?
- Aordinary
- Brapid
- Cuncertain
- Dvery careful
Need a hint?
Focus on attention to small details.
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Answer D: very careful
Meticulous means extremely careful and precise.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.
Question 4 of 10 Englishexam-styleWhich word is the best antonym of ‘transparent’ when describing an explanation?
- Aunclear
- Bcolourless
- Cfragile
- Dhonest
Need a hint?
The context is communication, not a physical material.
Show worked answer
Answer A: unclear
A transparent explanation is clear and open; unclear is the best opposite here.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.
Question 5 of 10 Englishexam-styleWhich word is closest in meaning to ‘resilient’?
- Adelicate
- Bable to recover
- Cunmoving
- Dfortunate
Need a hint?
Think about returning to strength after difficulty.
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Answer B: able to recover
Resilient means able to recover or adapt after setbacks.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.
Question 6 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich word is closest in meaning to ‘concise’?
- Abrief
- Bconfusing
- Cpolite
- Ddetailed
Need a hint?
Think of writing that uses few words.
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Answer A: brief
Concise means brief and clearly expressed without unnecessary words.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.
Question 7 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich word is the best antonym of ‘expand’?
- Aextend
- Bcontract
- Cexplain
- Dincrease
Need a hint?
Choose the word meaning become smaller.
Show worked answer
Answer B: contract
Contract means become smaller, the opposite of expand.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.
Question 8 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich phrase is closest in meaning to ‘a glimmer’?
- Aa loud crash
- Ba complete darkness
- Ca faint light
- Da steady rhythm
Need a hint?
Think of something weak but just visible.
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Answer C: a faint light
A glimmer is a faint, unsteady light or a small sign of something.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.
Question 9 of 10 EnglishexamIn ‘He gave a resentful reply after being overlooked’, which word best replaces ‘resentful’?
- Agrateful
- Bcareless
- Cpuzzled
- Dbitter
Need a hint?
The character feels unfairly treated.
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Answer D: bitter
Bitter captures the anger and hurt caused by feeling unfairly treated.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.
Question 10 of 10 EnglishstretchFragile is to shatter as flexible is to ___.
- Abend
- Bbreak
- Charden
- Dcrack
Need a hint?
Match each property to the action it allows or makes likely.
Show worked answer
Answer A: bend
Something fragile may shatter; something flexible can bend.
Quick method: Say a short definition before inspecting the options.