Question 1

Blatant : furtive ::
A)spontaneous : planned
B)rapacious : predatory
C)prurient : lascivious
D)obligatory : compulsory

Accepted Answer

Blatant means obvious, and furtive means secretive, so look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. One who is rapacious is predatory or greedy, so eliminate choice (B). One who is prurient and lascivious is overtly interested in sex, so eliminate choice (C). Obligatory and compulsory mean the same thing - required. All of the answer choices contain synonyms except choice (A). Spontaneous means on the spur-of-the-moment or unplanned, so choice (A) is correct.

Question 2

Vassal : corvee ::
A)physician : appointment
B)volunteer : service
C)professor : instruction
D)adjudicator : deliberation

Accepted Answer

Corvee is unpaid work performed by a vassal for a feudal lord. A physician does not conduct appointments that are unpaid, as a professor does not typically provide instruction without payment. An adjudicator, or judge, does not actually deliberate, so eliminate that choice. A volunteer offers to serve without pay, so that is the most appropriate choice.

Question 3

Codicil : supplement ::
A)eulogy : funeral
B)monument : assail
C)caliper : describe
D)condiment : flavor

Accepted Answer

A codicil is an appendix to a will, used to supplement or explain further. Therefore, look for the answer choice in which the second term describes the function of the first term. In choice (A), a funeral is not the function of a eulogy. In choice (B), a monument is not used to assail, or attack. In choice (C), calipers are used to measure, not to describe. In choice (D), the purpose of condiments is to flavor food. Therefore, choice (D) is correct.

Question 4

Homage : invective
A)admiring : derogatory
B)speech : dialogue
C)hypocritical : fanatical
D)condemning : voluntary

Accepted Answer

This analogy is a 1-3, 2-4 analogy, in which the first term is related to the 3rd term, and the 2nd term is related to the 4th term. An homage is a speech that praises or admires someone, and an invective is a speech or tirade that is derogatory. Choice (B) is incorrect because speech and dialogue are types of orations, but they do not have the same relationship as the initial pair. Choice (C) denotes possible characteristics of orations, but an homage is not hypocritical, and an invective is not necessarily fanatical. Likewise, in choice (D) condemning would need to go with homage, due to the 1-3, 2-4 structure, and it does not.

Question 5

Caustic : sarcastic ::
A)rancid : unsullied
B)succulent : desiccated
C)ephemeral : permanent
D)vehement : fervent

Accepted Answer

Caustic means severely critical or sarcastic, so look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. Rancid means rotten or stale, and unsullied means pure or untarnished, so those are antonyms. Something that is succulent is juicy, and something that is desiccated is dry, so eliminate that pair. Something that is ephemeral is transient or temporary, not permanent. In choice (D), vehement means passionate, as does fervent. Choice (D) is the synonym pair.

Question 6

Business : remunerative ::
A)regime : punitive
B)preamble : probationary
C)pastime : noncommercial
D)tenure : precarious

Accepted Answer

A business has the characteristic of being remunerative, meaning it is profitable. Choice (A) is incorrect because a regime, or established government, is not necessarily punitive, or punishing. A preamble is the introduction to a document, and does not have anything to do with probationary, which means provisional or experimental. Although someone's tenure (term or status) may be precarious or uncertain, it does not have the same relationship as the initial term in the analogy. Therefore, choice (C) is correct. A pastime, or hobby, is not typically done for profit, so it is noncommercial.

Question 7

Protégé : patronage
A)neophyte : novice
B)subordinate : supervision
C)misanthrope : hatred
D)mélange : mixture

Accepted Answer

A protégé is under the patronage of someone who is interested in their welfare. Likewise, in choice (B), a subordinate is under the supervision of someone else, often in a business setting. Choice (A) is incorrect because these are simply synonyms. A neophyte, or novice, is someone who is new to something. A misanthrope is someone who experiences hatred for mankind, but this pair does not have the same relationship as the initial pair in the analogy. A mélange is a mixture; these are synonyms, and do not have the same relationship as the initial pair.

Question 8

Imposter : mendacious ::
A)trickster : Machiavellian
B)benefactor : malevolent
C)pacifist : litigious
D)luminary : insignificant

Accepted Answer

A characteristic of an imposter is that they are mendacious, or misleading, so look for the pair that has a similar relationship. In choice (B), a benefactor is someone who supports, not someone who is malevolent (spiteful and wicked). In choice (C), a pacifist is a peacekeeper, not someone who is litigious, bringing debate. In choice (D), a luminary is someone who is a celebrity or achiever, and therefore, not insignificant. In choice (A), a trickster is deceitful and cunning, which is the definition of Machiavellian.

Question 9

Confluence : rivers ::
A)path : labyrinths
B)track : locomotives
C)junction : highways
D)skyscrapers : metropolis

Accepted Answer

A confluence means joining together or meeting, so look for the pair that has a similar relationship. In choice (A), a labyrinth is a tangled maze, which does not have a clear path. These words do not have the same relationship as confluence and rivers. A locomotive runs on a track, but is not closely related in the same way as the first part of the analogy. Skyscrapers may be part of a metropolis, or a large city, but it does not have anything to do with joining together or meeting. The only pair the has the relationship of coming together is junction and highways, so choice (C) is correct.

Question 10

Rambunctious : child ::
A)opulent : nuptials
B)pastoral : landscape
C)prodigious : mammal
D)turbulent : rapids

Accepted Answer

A rambunctious child is one who is out of control, so look for the answer choice with a similar relationship. Opulent means luxurious, which could describe nuptials, or a wedding, but the relationship between that pair is dissimilar from the first pair. A pastoral landscape is one that is calm and tranquil. Prodigious means unusual, and is not usually used to describe a mammal. The only choice that has a similar relationship to the first half of the analogy is choice (D). Rapids that are turbulent are chaotic, violent, and out of control, similar to a rambunctious child.

Question 11

Collusion : conspiracy ::
A)larceny : premeditation
B)meditation : advisement
C)maelstrom : whirlpool
D)liaison : disassociation

Accepted Answer

A collusion and a conspiracy are the same thing - a secret agreement. Therefore, look for the set of terms that are synonyms. A larceny is a burglary and may be premeditated or planned, but the relationship is not the same. Meditation is a quiet introspection, and does not really relate to advisement of any sort. A liaison provides a connection, and is not disassociated from anything, so eliminate choice (D). A maelstrom is a strong whirlpool, so choice (C) is correct.

Question 12

Conciliatory : provocative ::
A)copious : abundant
B)diminutive : colossal
C)fortuitous : unexpected
D)tedious : monotonous

Accepted Answer

A person who is conciliatory is a peace-maker, and tries to appease. A provocative person is one who is confrontational and challenges others. These terms are opposites, so look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. Copious and abundant are synonyms that mean having large amounts. Something that is fortuitous is accidental or unexpected, in a positive way. Something that is tedious is monotonous, meaning tiresome and boring. Choice (B) contains the antonyms. Diminutive means small, and colossal means very large, so choice (B) is correct.

Question 13

Conspicuous : noticeable ::
A)ostentatious : unpretentious
B)garrulous : reserved
C)sporadic : recurring
D)temperate : pleasant

Accepted Answer

Something that is conspicuous is noticeable, so look in the answer choices for the pair that are synonyms. Something that is ostentatious is flamboyant and showy, which is the exact opposite of unpretentious. A garrulous person is talking and outgoing, not reserved. Something that is sporadic happens in an irregular fashion, not as a consistent, recurring event. The only pair that contains antonyms is choice (D). Something that is temperate is pleasant, such as temperate weather.

Question 14

Xenophile : foreign
A)hippophile : animals
B)bibliophile : Bibles
C)anglophile : mathematics
D)oenophile : wine

Accepted Answer

A xenophile is a person who is interested in foreign cultures, and an oenophile is a person who is interested in wine. Choice (A) is incorrect, because a hippophile is someone who is interested in horses. A bibliophile is one who loves books, and an anglophile is a person who is interested in all things English. Therefore, choice (D) is the correct answer.

Question 15

Contiguous : distant ::
A)fictitious : fabricated
B)licentious : immoral
C)imperceptible : conspicuous
D)morose : sullen

Accepted Answer

Contiguous means neighboring or adjacent, not distant, so look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. Something that is fictitious is made up, or fabricated. Someone who is licentious is immoral or wicked. Someone who is morose is sad or sullen. The only answer choice that contains antonyms is choice (C). Something that is imperceptible is not noticeable, and something that is conspicuous is obvious.

Question 16

Caveat emptor : buyer
A)vox populi : people
B)corpus delecti : army
C)ex parte : juror
D)in loco parentis : school

Accepted Answer

The term caveat emptor means 'let the buyer beware'. The relationship between this pair is whom the phrase is referring to. In choice (B), corpus delecti means the 'body of a crime', which does not have anything to do with an army. In choice (C), ex parte means 'from a partisan point of view', and you would not expect a juror to be partisan, or biased. In choice (D), in loco parentis means 'in the place of a parent'. Parent is who the term is referring to, so eliminate that choice. In choice (A), vox populi means 'voice of the people'.

Question 17

Serenity : tranquility
A)solitude : trepidation
B)disquietude : anxiety
C)humiliation : repulsion
D)magnanimity : pettiness

Accepted Answer

A feeling of serenity is characterized by tranquility, just as a feeling of disquietude is characterized by anxiety, as in choice (B). Choice (A) is incorrect, because solitude, or seclusion, is not usually accompanied by trepidation, or dread. Choice (C) is incorrect because a feeling of humiliation is not really related to repulsion or disgust. Choice (D) is incorrect because magnanimity means generous, so it could not be characterized by pettiness.

Question 18

Credulous : naïve ::
A)nebulous : precise
B)ornate : unadorned
C)resplendent : magnificent
D)pugnacious : peaceable

Accepted Answer

Credulous and naïve are synonyms that mean trusting, so look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), nebulous means hazy and ill-defined, not precise. In choice (B), ornate means elaborate and ornamental, not unadorned. In choice (D), pugnacious means argumentative, not peaceable. Therefore, choice (C) is the only pair that contains synonyms, as resplendent means magnificent or dazzling.

Question 19

Cumbersome : unwieldy ::
A)abstruse : obscure
B)cursory : scrupulous
C)indelible : fleeting
D)phlegmatic : vigorous

Accepted Answer

Something that is cumbersome is clumsy or unwieldy, so look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. Abstruse means obsolete or hidden, as does obscure, so that is the synonym pair. Choice (B) is incorrect, because cursory means hasty or hurried and scrupulous means careful and thorough. Something that is indelible is permanent, not fleeting, so eliminate choice (C). Someone who is phlegmatic is apathetic or indifferent, not vigorous and energetic.

Question 20

Curmudgeon : cantankerous
A)churl : agreeable
B)demagogue : dispassionate
C)pundit : uninformed
D)boor : offensive

Accepted Answer

A curmudgeon is a person who is cantankerous, or bad-tempered. Therefore, look for an answer choice in which the second term describes the first term. In choice (A), a churl is rude, not agreeable. In choice (B), a demagogue is a person who passionately appeals to the emotions of others, not dispassionate. A pundit is an authority on a subject, and therefore not uninformed, so eliminate choice (C). In choice (D), a boor is someone who is rude and offensive.

Quiz 1: Analogies

Blatant : furtive ::

Vassal : corvee ::

Codicil : supplement ::

Homage : invective

Caustic : sarcastic ::

Business : remunerative ::

Protégé : patronage

Imposter : mendacious ::

Confluence : rivers ::

Rambunctious : child ::

Collusion : conspiracy ::

Conciliatory : provocative ::

Conspicuous : noticeable ::

Xenophile : foreign

Contiguous : distant ::

Caveat emptor : buyer

Serenity : tranquility

Credulous : naïve ::

Cumbersome : unwieldy ::

Curmudgeon : cantankerous