Question 1

Ineptitude : competence ::
A)duress : coercion
B)discord : harmony
C)enmity : animosity
D)dubiety : doubtfulness

Accepted Answer

Ineptitude means the lack of ability, and competence means skill or aptitude. They are antonyms, so look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), duress and coercion both imply pressure or force, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), enmity and animosity are synonyms for hostility, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), dubiety is a state of doubtfulness, so eliminate that choice. The only pair that is antonyms are found in choice (B). Discord means dissonance or conflict, not harmony, so that is the correct choice.

Question 2

Vilify : pillory ::
A)attenuate : empower
B)dissuade : deter
C)ascribe : credit
D)acquire : obtain

Accepted Answer

To vilify and to pillory means to speak ill of or to disparage. So, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (B), to dissuade and to deter means to advise against or to talk out of, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), to ascribe means to give credit to, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), to acquire means to obtain or to get, so eliminate that choice. The only answer pair that contains antonyms is choice (A). To attenuate means to weaken, not to empower, so that is the correct choice.

Question 3

Innocuous : offensive ::
A)interim : provisional
B)profuse : lavish
C)effervescent ; bubbly
D)doleful : celebratory

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, innocuous means harmless or innocent, not offensive. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), interim means temporary or provisional, not permanent. In choice (B), profuse and lavish both mean abundant or bountiful, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), effervescent means bubbly or vibrant, so those are synonyms. Choice (D) is correct; doleful means sad or sorrowful, not celebratory.

Question 4

Intrepid : audacious ::
A)ludicrous : prudent
B)salient : significant
C)implicit : stated
D)condign : undeserved

Accepted Answer

Intrepid and audacious both mean bold and daring, so look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), ludicrous means nonsensical or absurd, and prudent means thoughtful or wise, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), implicit means unspoken or implied, not stated, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), condign means well-deserved or appropriate, not undeserved, so eliminate that choice. The only answer choice that contains synonyms is choice (B). Salient means relevant, or significant, so that is the correct choice.

Question 5

Anomaly : deviates
A)astringent : expands
B)recidivist : relapses
C)denouement : questions
D)euphoria : disheartens

Accepted Answer

An anomaly is something that deviates from the norm. So, find the answer choice in which the second term is the action taken by the first term. Choice (A) is incorrect because an astringent does not expand something, but shrinks it. In choice (C), a denouement is the outcome or solution, the unraveling of a plot, so it does not question. In choice (D), euphoria is a state of pleased excitement, so it is not disheartening. Choice (B) is correct; a recidivist is one who relapses.

Question 6

Inveterate : intermittent ::
A)contiguous : adjoining
B)deferential : respectful
C)capricious : predictable
D)potent : heady

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, inveterate means enduring or entrenched, and intermittent means sporadic or irregular. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. Choice (A) contains synonyms. Contiguous means neighboring or adjoining, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), deferential means respectful or reverent, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), potent and heady are similar; potent means strong, and heady means intoxicating or exhilarating. However, they do not have the same relationship as the first half of the analogy. In choice (C), capricious means impulsive and changeable, not predictable. Therefore, choice (C) is correct.

Question 7

Intrepid : timorous ::
A)paranoid : distrustful
B)nominal : negligible
C)permutation : transformation
D)contumacious : obedient

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, intrepid means fearless, and timorous means nervous or fearful. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. The words in choice (A) are synonyms. Someone who is paranoid is suspicious or distrustful of others. In choice (B), nominal and negligible are also synonyms, meaning minimal or minor. In choice (C), a permutation and a transformation are both changes or variations, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), contumacious means stubbornly rebellious, not obedient, so that is the correct answer.

Question 8

Judicious : prudent ::
A)prolific : fruitless
B)noxious : injurious
C)preeminent : inferior
D)fatuous : sensible

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, judicious and prudent mean the same thing - thoughtful and well thought out. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), prolific means productive or fertile, not fruitless. In choice (C), preeminent means the most excellent or unsurpassed, not inferior, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), fatuous means foolish or pointless, not sensible. Choice (B) is the only pair of synonyms. Noxious means harmful or injurious.

Question 9

Labyrinthine : complicated ::
A)peripatetic : itinerant
B)recumbent : upright
C)dulcet : guttural
D)froward : concordant

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, labyrinthine means intricate and complicated (like a labyrinth or a maze). Therefore, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (B), recumbent means reclining, not upright, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), dulcet means sweet or melodic, not guttural, which means harsh or gravelly, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), froward means ornery and stubborn, and concordant means agreeable and harmonious. These are antonyms, so eliminate that choice. In choice (A), peripatetic means traveling, wandering, or itinerant.

Question 10

Lassitude : weariness ::
A)plethora : scarcity
B)deportment : conduct
C)moderation : surfeit
D)retrospective : anticipation

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, lassitude and weariness are synonyms for exhaustion. Therefore, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), plethora means an overabundance, the opposite of scarcity. In choice (C), moderation means restraint or without excess, while surfeit means a surplus or oversupply. These words are not closely related, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a retrospective is something that looks back to the past, not something to anticipate. Choice (B) contains synonyms. Deportment is another word for behavior or conduct.

Question 11

Onomatopoeia : hiss ::
A)portmanteau : scuba
B)palindrome : kayak
C)superlative : quicker
D)mnemonic : memory

Accepted Answer

Consider the relationship of the words in the first half of the analogy. Onomatopoeia is a word that is used to imitate a sound, such as hiss. The relationship of these words is that the second word is an example of the first word. In choice (A), a portmanteau is a blending of two words to form a new word that is related to the original words. For example, 'brunch' is a portmanteau - a blend of breakfast and lunch. In choice (C), a superlative is a word that designates the highest form of comparison. In this example, consider 'quick-quicker-quickest'. Quickest is the superlative form, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a mnemonic is used to improve one's memory; the relationship between these words is different, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), a palindrome is a word that is spelled the same way both forward and backward, such as kayak.

Question 12

Fait accompli : completed ::
A)modus operandi : perfunctory
B)bona fide : genuine
C)ad hoc : general
D)pro bono : indigenous

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the second word is the definition of the Latin phrase. A fait accompli is a "done deed" - something that has been completed. In choice (A), a modus operandi is a method of operation, and does not have anything to do with something that is perfunctory, or automatic. In choice (C), ad hoc means for a specific purpose, not general. In choice (D), pro bono means free of charge, and is not related to being indigenous, which means originating in a certain area. The correct choice is (B). Bona fide means genuine or authentic.

Question 13

Carat : weight ::
A)ampere : capacity
B)fathom : depth
C)league : perspective
D)stone : current

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, a carat is the unit of measure used to determine weight, as in gold and diamonds. So, look for the pair that has the same relationship. In choice (A), an ampere is used to measure electric current, not capacity. In choice (C), a league is a measurement of distance, typically nautical distance. It has nothing to do with perspective, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a stone is an arcane measurement of weight; a stone is equal to 14 pounds. Therefore, the correct choice is (B). A fathom is the unit of measure used to determine depth.

Question 14

Malleable : acquiescent ::
A)perfidious : traitorous
B)amalgamate : separate
C)dogmatic : equivocal
D)altruistic : selfish

Accepted Answer

Malleable and acquiescent both mean compliant, so look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (B), amalgamate means to mix or combine, not to separate, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), dogmatic means certain or positive, and equivocal means ambivalent or undecided, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), altruistic means charitable, not selfish. In choice (A), perfidious means disloyal or traitorous, so that is the correct choice.

Question 15

Banal : commonplace
A)assiduous : cognizant
B)covetous : avaricious
C)disparate : homogeneous
D)ignoble : dignified

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, banal means lacking originality, or commonplace, so look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), someone who is assiduous is diligent and hard-working; cognizant means aware, so those words are not clearly related. In choice (C), disparate means different, which is the opposite of homogeneous. In choice (D), someone who is ignoble is dishonorable, not dignified. In choice (B), covetous and avaricious are synonyms; they mean greedy and desirous of something.

Question 16

Mercurial : fickle ::
A)bromidic : creative
B)laconic : verbose
C)intractable : unruly
D)inimical : affable

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, mercurial means the same as fickle, or indecisive and unpredictable. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), something that is bromidic lacks originality. Creative is an antonym for bromidic, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), laconic means concise and to the point, while verbose means wordy and redundant, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), inimical means hostile and unfriendly, while affable means pleasant and easygoing. The only choice that contains synonyms is (C). Intractable means unruly or difficult to control.

Question 17

Meticulous : fastidious ::
A)nugatory : critical
B)invidious : benign
C)erratic : stable
D)circumspect : cautious

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, meticulous and fastidious are synonyms that mean painstaking and careful. In choice (A), nugatory means inconsequential, not critical, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), invidious means offensive or obnoxious, not benign or caring. In choice (C), erratic means unpredictable, not stable, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), someone who is circumspect is cautious or careful.

Question 18

Defalcate: embezzler ::
A)genuflect : megalomaniac
B)discipline : martinet
C)conform : maverick
D)prevaricate : connoisseur

Accepted Answer

Consider the relationship of the words in the first half of the analogy. To defalcate means to embezzle or misappropriate funds. Therefore, the relationship is the second word is the title or label of a person who performs the first word. In choice (A), to genuflect means to kneel, as in reverence. A megalomaniac has delusions of grandeur of omnipotence, so he/she would not kneel to anyone. In choice (C), to conform means to go along with, and a maverick is a rebel, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), to prevaricate means to lie. A connoisseur is someone who has specialized knowledge about something. These words are unrelated, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), a martinet is a strict disciplinarian, so that is the correct answer.

Question 19

Mollify : enrage ::
A)exculpate : exonerate
B)insinuate : bifurcate
C)quell : incite
D)inveigh : denounce

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, mollify means to calm or soothe, not to enrage. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), to exculpate means the same thing as exonerate - to free from blame, or to acquit. In choice (B), to insinuate means to suggest something indirectly, while to bifurcate means to split or divide something. These words are not related, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), to inveigh means to protest strongly or to denounce. These are synonyms, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), to quell means to subdue, or put down, which is the opposite of incite, which means to provoke.

Question 20

Mundane : exotic ::
A)limpid : transparent
B)implacable : callous
C)minatory : menacing
D)rapacious : munificent

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, mundane means dull, which is the opposite of exotic. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), limpid means clear or transparent, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), implacable means relentless or callous, so eliminate choice (B). In choice (C), minatory means threatening, or menacing. The only choice that contains antonyms is (D). Rapacious means greedy, related to money, in particular. Munificent means charitable and giving, so choice (D) is correct.

Quiz 1: Analogies

Ineptitude : competence ::

Vilify : pillory ::

Innocuous : offensive ::

Intrepid : audacious ::

Anomaly : deviates

Inveterate : intermittent ::

Intrepid : timorous ::

Judicious : prudent ::

Labyrinthine : complicated ::

Lassitude : weariness ::

Onomatopoeia : hiss ::

Fait accompli : completed ::

Carat : weight ::

Malleable : acquiescent ::

Banal : commonplace

Mercurial : fickle ::

Meticulous : fastidious ::

Defalcate: embezzler ::

Mollify : enrage ::

Mundane : exotic ::