Question 1

Dearth : glut ::
A)accolade : tribute
B)conundrum : dilemma
C)halcyon : tumultuous
D)impediment : obstruction

Accepted Answer

The term dearth means the shortage or lack of something, and glut is exactly the opposite, meaning overabundance or excess. So, look for the answer choice in which the terms have an opposite relationship. In choice (A), an accolade is a tribute or honor, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), a conundrum is a dilemma or enigma, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), an impediment is the same thing as an obstruction; both are barriers. In choice (C), halcyon means calm and peaceful, not tumultuous or chaotic, so that is the correct choice.

Question 2

Deferential : disrespectful ::
A)deferential : disrespectful ::
B)obsequious : assertive
C)irascible : petulant
D)maladroit : awkward

Accepted Answer

Deferential means courteous and reverent, not disrespectful, so look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), imperative means urgent or essential, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), irascible means grumpy and quick-tempered, which is the same as petulant. In choice (D), maladroit means awkward or inept. The only choice that contains antonyms is choice (B). Obsequious means submissive and eager to serve, not assertive.

Question 3

Denigrate : malign ::
A)placate : incense
B)permeate : saturate
C)ostracize : include
D)transgress : behave

Accepted Answer

Denigrate and malign both means to belittle or degrade. In choice (A), placate means to soothe or calm and incense means to anger. In choice (C), to ostracize means to exclude, not to include. In choice (D), to transgress means to disobey or misbehave. The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (B). To permeate means to infuse, fill, or saturate.

Question 4

Derivative : original ::
A)jubilation : despondency
B)anticlimax : disappointment
C)clandestine : surreptitious
D)wizened : shriveled

Accepted Answer

The word derivative means copied or unoriginal. Therefore, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. An anticlimax is a letdown or a disappointment, so eliminate choice (B). Clandestine means secretly or in a surreptitious manner, so eliminate choice (C). Wizened means wrinkled or shriveled, so eliminate that choice. Jubilation means joy or delight, not despondency or sadness.

Question 5

Diatribe : tirade ::
A)torrent : trickle
B)sophistry : creativity
C)vernacular : dialect

Accepted Answer

A diatribe is a rant or verbal attack, the same as a tirade. Therefore, look for the answer choice with synonyms. In choice (A), a torrent is a surge or violent flow, not a trickle. In choice (B), sophistry means a lack of imagination or lack of creativity. Choice (C) is the only pair that contains synonyms. Vernacular means the colloquial speech or dialect of a region.

Question 6

Incantation : enchants
A)subpoena : disappoints
B)salvo : discharges
C)rejoinder : repels
D)precedent : misleads

Accepted Answer

An incantation is a spell or a charm, and may be designed to enchant. In choice (A), a subpoena is a summons to court, and while it may be disappointing, that is not the intent of it. In choice (C), a rejoinder is an answer or response, and is not designed to repel or keep away. In choice (D), a precedent is an example or a model, and is designed to guide, not mislead. Therefore, the correct choice is (B). A salvo is a round of artillery fire, discharged simultaneously as a salute.

Question 7

Discreet : tactless ::
A)otiose : slothful
B)opprobrious : shameful
C)inclement : pleasant
D)prolific : productive

Accepted Answer

Discreet means cautious and careful, not tactless, so look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. Choice (A) is incorrect, because someone who is otiose is idle, useless, and slothful. Choice (B) is incorrect, because opprobrious means outrageously disgraceful or shameful. Choice (D) is incorrect, because if someone is prolific, they are productive. Choice (C) is the only answer that contains antonyms. Inclement means stormy or foul, not pleasant.

Question 8

Disheveled : unkempt ::
A)officious : retiring
B)latent : dormant
C)lackadaisical : vigorous
D)monolithic : minute

Accepted Answer

Something that is disheveled is messy or unkempt. Therefore, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), officious means someone who is meddling and overenthusiastic about offering their opinion, which is exactly the opposite of retiring. In choice (C), lackadaisical means half-hearted and apathetic, not vigorous and energetic. In choice (D), monolithic means massive, not minute or tiny. Choice (B) is the only answer choice that contains synonyms. Latent means underlying or dormant, so that is the choice that contains synonyms.

Question 9

Viscous : oil ::
A)treacly : syrup
B)liniment : ointment
C)unambiguous : mirage
D)fluid : waterfall

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the first word, viscous, describes the consistency of oil. So, look for the answer pair that has the same relationship. Choice (B) is incorrect because liniment is a cream or ointment; liniment does not describe the consistency. Choice (C) is incorrect because a mirage is not unambiguous. Unambiguous means clear and definite, which a mirage is definitely not. Although a waterfall might be considered fluid, those words do not really have the same relationship as viscous and oil. Choice (A) is the only pair in which the first word describes the consistency of the second. Syrup is treacly and molasses-like.

Question 10

Disseminate : distribute ::
A)renounce : relinquish
B)shirk : acknowledge
C)transmogrify : appear

Accepted Answer

To disseminate means to distribute or circulate, so look for the answer choice that contains a pair of synonyms. In choice (B), to shirk means to avoid (such as a responsibility), which is the opposite of acknowledge. Eliminate choice (C), because to transmogrify means to change the appearance of something, not to appear. The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (A). To renounce means to give up or relinquish.

Question 11

Threnody : funeral
A)concerto : orchestra
B)regatta : sea
C)motif : theme
D)debutante : cotillion

Accepted Answer

A threnody is a dirge or song of lamentation - a funeral song. The relationship between the words in the first half of the analogy is that a threnody takes place at a funeral. So, look for the answer choice that contains words with the same relationship. Choice (A) is incorrect because an orchestra plays a concerto. Choice (C) is incorrect because a motif is a recurring theme in an artistic work, but it does not have the same relationship as the pair in the first half of the analogy. Choice (D) is incorrect because a debutante attends a cotillion, which is a different relationship. The only answer pair that has the same relationship as threnody and funeral is choice (B) - regatta and sea. A regatta is a boat race, which takes place on the sea.

Question 12

Transmute : metamorphose ::
A)meander : scuttle
B)masticate : detest
C)propagate : plant
D)instigate : incite

Accepted Answer

Transmute and metamorphose both mean to change or alter. Therefore, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), meander means to stroll or ramble, while scuttle means to hurry or rush. In choice (B), to masticate means to chew or crunch, not detest or hate. In choice (C), propagate means to spread or reproduce, which plants can do, but the relationship is not the same as in the first half of the analogy. Choice (D) is the only pair that contains synonyms, since to instigate means to stir up, or incite.

Question 13

Lexicologist : words
A)somnambulist : sleep
B)lapidary : gems
C)plaintiff : juries
D)quorum : majority

Accepted Answer

A lexicologist is a person who writes dictionaries, and is therefore, an expert in words. Choice (A) is incorrect because a somnambulist is a sleepwalker, and therefore not an expert in sleep. Choice (C) is incorrect because a plaintiff is someone who brings a lawsuit, and is not typically an expert in juries. Choice (D) is incorrect because although a quorum is a majority, those words do not have the same relationship as the first half of the analogy. Choice (B) is correct because a lapidary is one who is an expert in precious stones.

Question 14

Duplicity : treachery ::
A)pejorative : depreciatory
B)repulsion : allure
C)surfeit : deficit
D)terrestrial : otherworldly

Accepted Answer

Duplicity and treachery are synonyms that mean deceitful or fraudulent. So, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (B), repulsion means disgust, while something that has allure is appealing or desirable. Choice (C) is incorrect because surfeit means excess or oversupply, not a deficit or lack of something. Choice (D) is incorrect because terrestrial means earthly or global, not otherworldly. Choice (A) is the only answer pair that contains synonyms. Pejorative means the same a depreciatory, that is, critical or uncomplimentary.

Question 15

Ebullient : jovial ::
A)unassuming : arrogant
B)languid : leisurely
C)abashed : brazen
D)puerile : mature

Accepted Answer

Ebullient and jovial both mean cheerful and bright, so look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. Choice (A) is incorrect because someone who is unassuming is modest and humble, not arrogant. Choice (C) is incorrect because abashed means embarrassed or ashamed, not brazen or shameless. Choice (D) is incorrect because puerile means childish, and therefore not mature. Choice (B) is the answer pair that contains synonyms, as languid means relaxed and leisurely.

Question 16

Superfluous : obligatory
A)precarious : unsteady
B)recalcitrant : rebellious
C)sublime : lofty
D)pragmatic : idealistic

Accepted Answer

Superfluous means extra or excessive, beyond what is required, while obligatory means essential or mandatory. So, look for the answer pair that contains antonyms. Choice (A) contains synonyms. Precarious means unsteady or shaky, so eliminate that choice. Choice (B) also contains synonyms. One who is recalcitrant is rebellious or resistant. Sublime means lofty or magnificent, so eliminate that synonym set. The only choice that contains antonyms is choice (D). Pragmatic means sensible and realistic, not idealistic and impractical.

Question 17

Encumbrance : impediment ::
A)prelude : culmination
B)malapropism : verbiage
C)ministration : neglect
D)schematic : diagram

Accepted Answer

An encumbrance and an impediment are the same things - burdens or hindrances. So, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), a prelude is an introduction, often to a literary work or musical piece, and a culmination is the ending. Since these are antonyms, eliminate this choice. In choice (B), a malapropism is a ridiculous misuse of a word, and verbiage has to do with the choice of words. These words do not have the same relationship as encumbrance and impediment. In choice (C), ministration means care or assistance, not neglect, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a schematic is a graphic or a diagram, so that is the correct choice.

Question 18

Seraphic : angel ::
A)sacerdotal : priest
B)despot : oppressor
C)unimaginative : visionary
D)cynical : zealot

Accepted Answer

Something that is seraphic has to do with angels, and is seraphim-like. In choice (B), a despot and an oppressor are the same thing; the first word is not descriptive of the second, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), a visionary is someone who is inventive, not unimaginative, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a zealot is a fervent believer, not a cynic. The only answer choice in which the first term is descriptive of the second term is choice (A). Sacerdotal describes something that is priestly.

Question 19

Ample : copious ::
A)frugal : thrifty
B)lethargic : sluggish
C)bad : egregious
D)profound : insightful

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, consider the degrees to which these terms refer. An ample amount means sufficient, but a copious amount means bountiful and plentiful. In choice (A), frugal and thrift are synonyms, and mean that a person is economical. There is not a significant difference in degree between these words. This is also the case for choices (B) and (D). In choice (B), lethargic and sluggish are synonyms, with no difference in degree. In choice (D), profound and insightful are synonyms that do not differ in degree. In choice (C), a significant difference exists between bad and egregious. A mistake, for example, might be bad, but an egregious mistake is extraordinarily awful, perhaps unforgivable.

Question 20

Enthrall : mesmerize ::
A)relinquish : retain
B)stipulate : specify
C)stagnate : revolutionize
D)congeal : liquefy

Accepted Answer

To enthrall means to charm, captivate, or mesmerize. Therefore, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), to relinquish means to give up, not to retain or keep. Choice (C) is incorrect because the pair is antonyms. Stagnate means to be idle or stand still, not to revolutionize. Choice (D) is incorrect because to congeal means to thicken or set, not to liquefy. The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (B). To stipulate means to specify or instruct.

Quiz 1: Analogies

Dearth : glut ::

Deferential : disrespectful ::

Denigrate : malign ::

Derivative : original ::

Diatribe : tirade ::

Incantation : enchants

Discreet : tactless ::

Disheveled : unkempt ::

Viscous : oil ::

Disseminate : distribute ::

Threnody : funeral

Transmute : metamorphose ::

Lexicologist : words

Duplicity : treachery ::

Ebullient : jovial ::

Superfluous : obligatory

Encumbrance : impediment ::

Seraphic : angel ::

Ample : copious ::

Enthrall : mesmerize ::