Question 1

Magnate : mogul
A)luminary : nonentity
B)physician : osteopath
C)progeny : ancestor
D)epicure : bon vivant

Accepted Answer

A magnate is a person of great influence, particularly in an area of business. Mogul is synonymous with magnate. Therefore, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), a luminary is an achiever or star, not a nonentity, or a nobody. In choice (B), a physician may be an osteopath, or someone who believes in treating disorders with various manipulative techniques in addition to conventional therapies. However, these two words do not have the same relationship as magnate and mogul. In choice (C), a progeny is an offspring, not an ancestor. In choice (D), an epicure, also known as a bon vivant is someone who is fond of luxurious things.

Question 2

Propinquity : aloofness
A)ascetic : self-indulgent
B)compunction : regret
C)equanimity : composure
D)exuberance : enthusiasm

Accepted Answer

Propinquity means closeness or nearness, the opposite of aloofness, which suggests detachment. In choice (B), having compunction means having second thoughts, or regret. To have equanimity means to have composure and level-headedness. Since those are synonyms, eliminate choice (C). In choice (D), exuberance means full of enthusiasm and energy, so eliminate choice (C). Choice (A) is the only pair that contains antonyms. Ascetic means austere, abstinent, or severe, which is the direct opposite of self-indulgent, so choice (A) is correct.

Question 3

Poseur : impress
A)malcontent : appeasement
B)extrovert : conceal
C)ruffian : ruminate
D)proselyte : convert

Accepted Answer

Consider the relationship of the words in the first half of an analogy. A poseur changes something about himself to please or impress others. A malcontent complains, and does not change anything about himself to appease others. An extrovert does not attempt to conceal anything, so eliminate choice (B). A ruffian (or bully) does not to ruminate, or think deeply, so eliminate choice (C). A proselyte changes something about himself, typically converting from one opinion or one religion to another.

Question 4

Scholar : erudite ::
A)philanderer : scrupulous
B)reprobate : depraved
C)termagant : peaceful
D)virtuoso : whimsical

Accepted Answer

A scholar is erudite, or well-educated and intellectual. Therefore, look for an answer choice in which the second word describes the first. Choice (A) is incorrect because a philanderer, or womanizer, is far from scrupulous, or honest. Choice (C) is incorrect because a termagant is a shrewish woman, and therefore, not peaceful. Choice (D) is incorrect because a virtuoso is someone with specialized knowledge in a field, particularly music. A virtuoso would be serious, then, and not whimsical, or fanciful. In choice (B), a reprobate is a person who is depraved, or a good-for-nothing.

Question 5

Excoriate : commend ::
A)traduce : slander
B)spurn : rebuff
C)query : riposte
D)vituperate : revile

Accepted Answer

To excoriate means to berate or criticize someone, which is the opposite of commending them. Therefore, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. Choice (A) is incorrect because the two words are synonyms. Traduce and slander both mean to speak about someone in a malicious and false way. Choice (B) is incorrect because to spurn someone means to rebuff them, or to reject or look down on them. Choice (D) is incorrect because vituperate means to revile or address someone with harsh language. Choice (C) is correct because to query means to ask a question. A riposte is a reply or a retort.

Question 6

Exigency : crisis
A)solace : aggravation
B)restitution : recompense
C)longevity : transitory
D)kitsch : refinement

Accepted Answer

An exigency is a crisis or a predicament, so these two words are synonyms. Look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), solace means comfort, not aggravation, so eliminate that choice. Choice (C) is incorrect because longevity means a long length of time, and transitory means short-lived, which are opposites. Choice (D) is incorrect because kitsch means tastelessness or brashness, which is the opposite of refinement. In choice (B), restitution and recompense both mean money that is paid to someone, usually as compensation for something that was lost or damaged. These words are synonyms, so choice (B) is correct.

Question 7

Exorbitant : reasonable ::
A)stringent : rigorous
B)querulous : argumentative
C)preternatural : miraculous
D)multifarious : homogeneous

Accepted Answer

Something that is exorbitant is unreasonably costly, so the two words in the first half of the analogy are antonyms. Choice (A) is incorrect, because stringent and rigorous are synonyms that mean strict and inflexible. Choice (B) is incorrect because someone who is querulous is argumentative. Choice (C) is incorrect because the words preternatural and miraculous are synonyms that mean supernatural. In choice (D), multifarious means varied or assorted, and homogeneous means uniform and consistent. These words are antonyms, so choice (D) is correct.

Question 8

Appetite : voracious ::
A)action : unconscionable
B)indecision : vacillate
C)laugh : snicker
D)protégé : talented

Accepted Answer

When considering the first part of the analogy, think about how these words are related. If someone's appetite is voracious, it is enormous and ravenous. So, choose the answer pair that has words related to the same degree. In choice (B), indecision may cause someone to vacillate, or waver, but these words are not related in the same way that appetite and voracious are. In choice (C), laugh and snicker are similar, but a snicker is a small, mocking laugh, so eliminate choice (C). In choice (D), a protégé is talented, but that pair of words is not related to the same degree that appetite and voracious are. In choice (A), someone's action can be unconscionable, which means excessively or extremely unscrupulous. This pair has the same relationship as the initial pair in the analogy.

Question 9

Zephyr : gale ::
A)sanctity : holiness
B)stupor : daze
C)sanctuary : refuge
D)smattering : plethora

Accepted Answer

In the initial pair of the analogy, compare the degrees of the words. A zephyr is a light, gentle breeze, and a gale is a very strong wind. So, look for a pair in which the degree of difference is significant. In choice (A), sanctity is a synonym for holiness, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), someone in a stupor is may be said to be in a daze. Those words do not have a significant degree of difference. In choice (C), sanctuary is the same as refuge, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a smattering refers to a tiny bit, while a plethora indicates an abundance. This is the only answer choice in which the words show a significant difference in degree.

Question 10

Extricate : disentangle ::
A)obfuscate : clarify
B)inundate : overwhelm
C)remonstrate : acquiesce
D)sanction : prohibit

Accepted Answer

In the initial word pair of the analogy, extricate means to free or to extract, as does disentangle. So, look for the synonym pair in the other answer choices. Choice (A) is incorrect because obfuscate means to confuse or complicate, not clarify, or make clear. Choice (C) is incorrect because to remonstrate means to argue or dispute, and to acquiesce means to agree or consent. In choice (D,) to sanction means to allow or authorize, not to prohibit. Choice (B) is the only answer pair that contains synonyms. To inundate means to flood or overwhelm, so choice (B) is correct.

Question 11

Facetious : earnest ::
A)sanguine : uncertain
B)supercilious : condescending
C)urbane : debonair
D)salubrious : healthy

Accepted Answer

Someone who is being facetious is humorous or teasing, and someone who is earnest is serious. These are antonyms, so look for the answer pair that contains antonyms.
Choice (B) contains synonyms; supercilious means condescending and arrogant. In choice (C), urbane means suave and sophisticated - the same as debonair, so eliminate that choice. The words in choice (D) are synonyms; salubrious means healthy and wholesome. The only choice that contains antonyms is choice (A). Someone who is sanguine is confident and optimistic, not uncertain.

Question 12

Ferret : rummage ::
A)abate : augment
B)burgeon : dwindle
C)wend : proceed
D)curtail : expand

Accepted Answer

In the initial part of the analogy, to ferret and to rummage both indicate searching or hunting for something. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. Choice (A) is incorrect because to abate means to lessen or subside, and to augment means to increase, so eliminate that choice. Choice (B) is incorrect because to burgeon means to prosper or flourish, not to dwindle or lessen. Choice (D) is incorrect because to curtail means to cut back or decrease, not expand. Choice (C) contains the synonym pair. To wend means to proceed or to go.

Question 13

Fetid : squalid :: (syn)
A)disingenuous : forthright
B)feckless : dynamic
C)heinous : atrocious
D)impudent : respectful

Accepted Answer

In the first part of the analogy, the word fetid means rotten, putrid, or squalid. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), disingenuous means insincere or devious, not forthright. In choice (B), feckless means ineffective or incompetent, not dynamic. In choice (D), impudent means rude and impolite, not respectful. In choice (C), heinous is a synonym for atrocious, so that is the correct choice.

Question 14

Dirge : lugubrious
A)burden : onerous
B)journey : perilous
C)relapse : predictable
D)gemstone : lackluster

Accepted Answer

A dirge is a mournful song that is played at a funeral. Dirges, then, by definition, are lugubrious, or excessively sad and melanchology. A journey is - most times - not perilous, or dangerous, so eliminate choice (B). Likewise, in choice (C), a relapse is not always predictable, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), most gemstones are polished to a shine, and are not lackluster or dull. In choice (A), a burden is, by definition, onerous - arduous and difficult. Therefore, choice (A) is correct.

Question 15

Crimson : vermillion ::
A)ivory : auburn
B)emerald : ecru
C)cerulean : azure
D)magenta : indigo

Accepted Answer

In the first pair, crimson and vermillion are both shades of red. So, look for the pair in which both words denote shades of the same color. In choice (A), ivory is a shade of off-white, and auburn is a cross between orange and brown, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), emerald is a shade of green, and ecru is an off-white/beige color, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), magenta is a cross between purple and red, and indigo is a shade of dark blue. The only choice in which both words denote shades of the same color is choice (C). Cerulean and azure are both shades of blue.

Question 16

Foible : idiosyncrasy ::
A)fete : convention
B)euphemism : expression
C)precursor : successor
D)resurgence : repercussion

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the words foible and idiosyncrasy are synonyms that mean a quirk or a bad habit. So, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), a fete is a celebration or festival, not a convention. In choice (C), a precursor is a forerunner or originator, not a successor, or one that comes after. In choice (D), a resurgence is a recovery or revival, and a repercussion is a hostile response. Those words are not related, so eliminate that choice.
Choice (B) contains synonyms, and therefore is the correct choice. A euphemism is an expression that is substituted to ease harshness. For example, "to pass away" is a euphemism of "to die".

Question 17

Fracas : noisy ::
A)ballerina : ungainly
B)tycoon : destitute
C)surrogate : egocentric
D)warrior : sanguinary

Accepted Answer

A fracas is a disturbance or a noisy argument. So, in the first half of the analogy, the second word describes the first. Look for the answer pair that has the same relationship. In choice (A), ungainly means clumsy or awkward, which is not descriptive of a ballerina, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), a tycoon is someone who is wealthy, not destitute, or poor, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), a surrogate is a stand-in or proxy, and does not tend to be egocentric, or selfish, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a warrior is sanguinary. Sanguinary means bloodthirsty, which is descriptive of a warrior.

Question 18

Frenetic : chaotic ::
A)venial : excusable
B)winsome : repugnant
C)lofty : self-effacing
D)jocose : despondent

Accepted Answer

The first part of the analogy contains synonyms; frenetic and chaotic both mean frantic and hectic. Therefore, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (B), winsome and repugnant are antonyms. Winsome means pleasant and attractive and repugnant means disgusting, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), lofty means haughty and proud, and self-effacing means modest and meek. Since those are antonyms, eliminate that choice. In choice (D), jocose means comical and playful, and despondent means very unhappy. These are antonyms, so eliminate that choice. In choice (A), the word venial means excusable or forgivable. Therefore, (A) is the correct choice.

Question 19

Frugal : parsimonious ::
A)noncommittal : distinct
B)laconic : terse
C)precipitous : gentle

Accepted Answer

In the initial pair in the analogy, frugal and parsimonious are synonyms that mean thrifty and prudent with money. Therefore, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), noncommittal means evasive or unrevealing, not distinct. In choice (C), precipitous means steep or abrupt, not gentle. In choice (B), laconic means short and terse, so that is the correct choice.

Question 20

Regimen : habitual
A)tryst : rendezvous
B)hurl : trajectory
C)surveillance : surreptitious
D)aristocracy : common

Accepted Answer

In the initial pair, consider the relationship between the two words. A regimen is habitual or scheduled, so the second word describes the first in this pair. In choice (A), tryst and rendezvous are synonyms; the second does not describe the first, so eliminate that pair. In choice (B), something that is hurled or thrown has a trajectory or trail that it follows, but these words are not related in the same way as the initial pair in the analogy. In choice (D), the aristocracy is considered to be the highest class of people, not the most common, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), surveillance means to observe someone, most typically without their knowledge, or surreptitiously and secretly. This is the only pair in which the second term describes the first.

Quiz 1: Analogies

Magnate : mogul

Propinquity : aloofness

Poseur : impress

Scholar : erudite ::

Excoriate : commend ::

Exigency : crisis

Exorbitant : reasonable ::

Appetite : voracious ::

Zephyr : gale ::

Extricate : disentangle ::

Facetious : earnest ::

Ferret : rummage ::

Fetid : squalid :: (syn)

Dirge : lugubrious

Crimson : vermillion ::

Foible : idiosyncrasy ::

Fracas : noisy ::

Frenetic : chaotic ::

Frugal : parsimonious ::

Regimen : habitual