Question 1

Preclude : facilitate ::
A)affront : disrespect
B)besmirch : defile
C)capitulate : withstand
D)ameliorate : improve

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, preclude and facilitate are antonyms. To preclude means to prevent or prohibit, and to facilitate means to ease or assist. Therefore, look for the answer pair that contains antonyms. In choice (A), to affront means to insult or disrespect, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), the words are synonyms; to besmirch means to defile or to make dirty. In choice (D), to ameliorate means to improve or upgrade, so eliminate that choice. The only answer choice that contains antonyms is choice (C). To capitulate means to surrender, resist, or withstand. Therefore, choice (C) is correct.

Question 2

Preponderance : supremacy ::
A)avarice : greed
B)cohesion : separation
C)fidelity : betrayal
D)generality : detail

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, preponderance means dominance or supreme, so look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (B), cohesion means to hold together or unity, not separation. In choice (C), fidelity means faithfulness, not betrayal, which is the opposite. In choice (D), generality means an overview, not detailed, so eliminate that choice. The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (A). Avarice and greed are synonyms.

Question 3

Proclivity : inclination ::
A)germane : irrelevant
B)delusion : ideal
C)haughtiness : empathy
D)fervor : zeal

Accepted Answer

Proclivity and inclination are both synonyms that mean tendency. Therefore, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), germane means relevant and useful, not irrelevant, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), a delusion is a fantasy or illusion, and does not really have anything to do with being ideal or perfect. In choice (C), haughtiness means arrogant or conceit, not empathy, which means understanding and compassionate. The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (D). Fervor is another word for zeal or passion.

Question 4

Prodigious : copious ::
A)cavalier : meek
B)convivial : unpleasant
C)disputatious : argumentative
D)feral : domesticated

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, prodigious and copious both refer to an amount that is huge or vast. So, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (A), someone who is cavalier is casually arrogant, not meek, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), someone who is convivial is warm and welcoming, not unpleasant, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), an animal that is feral is wild, not domesticated or tamed, so eliminate that choice. Choice (C) contains the synonyms. Someone who is disputatious engages in disputes, and is argumentative.

Question 5

Propagate: proliferate ::
A)atrophy : gestate
B)expurgate : purify
C)censure : commend
D)hew : combine

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, propagate and proliferate are synonyms; they both mean to reproduce or multiply. So, look for the answer pair that contains the synonyms. In choice (A), to atrophy means to waste away, and to gestate means to evolve, as in the prenatal stage. These are not synonyms, so eliminate this choice. In choice (C), to censure means to blame, not to commend, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), to hew means to chop - typically with an ax - not to combine, so eliminate choice (D). The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (B). To expurgate means to purge or to purify, so that choice is correct.

Question 6

Protracted : succinct ::
A)cursory : casual
B)estranged : alienated
C)headlong : thoughtfully
D)reminiscent : redolent

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, protracted and succinct are antonyms. Protracted means extended and drawn-out, and succinct means concise and to the point. So, look for the answer pair that contains antonyms. In choice (A), something that is cursory is hasty and superficial, perhaps casual. They are not antonyms, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), someone who is estranged is alienated or separated; these are synonyms, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), reminiscent and redolent are synonyms meaning 'suggestive of'. The only choice that contains antonyms is choice (C). Someone who pursues something in a headlong fashion is hasty and impulsive, and is not pursuing in a thoughtful manner. Therefore, choice (C) is correct.

Question 7

Provident : ill-prepared ::
A)crestfallen : dejected
B)dauntless : bold
C)diffident : brazen
D)esoteric : obscure

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, provident means visionary and far-seeing, not ill-prepared. So, select the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), someone who is crestfallen is disappointed and dejected, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), someone who is dauntless is bold and confident, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), something that is esoteric is obscure and mysterious, so eliminate that choice. The only choice that contains antonyms is choice (C). Someone who is diffident is shy and reserved, not brazen and bold.

Question 8

Puritan : prudish ::
A)medium : fatuous
B)coquette : flirtatious
C)Bohemian : conventional
D)confidante : distrustful

Accepted Answer

In the initial part of the analogy, consider the relationship between the words Puritan and prudish. In this relationship, the second word - prudish - describes a Puritan. So, select the answer choice that has words with a similar relationship. In choice (A), a medium is someone who is clairvoyant or psychic, not fatuous or foolish, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), a bohemian is unconventional in an artistic way, not conventional, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a confidante is someone who is a trusted friend, not someone who is distrustful, so eliminate that choice. Choice (B) is correct. A coquette is a coy woman who is flirtatious.

Question 9

Alcove : enclosed
A)debacle : serene
B)lesson : didactic
C)ego : inflated
D)grotto : cavern

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, consider the relationship of alcove and enclosed. The second word - enclosed - describes the first word. So, select the answer pair in which the words have a similar relationship. In choice (A), a debacle is a disaster or catastrophe, and is not serene or peaceful, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), someone's ego might be inflated, but that is not an absolute characteristic, as with alcove and enclosed. In choice (D), a grotto and a cavern are the same thing; they have a synonymous relationship, so eliminate this choice. In choice (B), a lesson is didactic - educational or instructive. Therefore, choice (B) is correct.

Question 10

Quixotic : pragmatic ::
A)droll : amusing
B)fastidious : fussy
C)flamboyant : ostentatious
D)hapless : fortunate

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the words quixotic and pragmatic are antonyms. Quixotic means idealistic, and pragmatic means practical. In choice (A), droll means amusing or witty, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), someone who is fastidious is fussy and difficult to please, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), flamboyant and ostentatious are synonyms meaning showy and flashy. The only answer choice that contains antonyms is choice (D). Hapless means unlucky and ill-fated, not fortunate, so that is the correct answer.

Question 11

Bombast : pompous
A)junket : itinerary
B)largess : discreet
C)encomium : praising
D)maelstrom : Machiavellian

Accepted Answer

A bombast is a pompous speech, so in this word set, the second word is descriptive of the first one. You can eliminate choice (A), because a junket or trip might require an itinerary, but an itinerary is not an adjective that describes junket. In choice (B), a largess is a generous gift, and may or may not be given in a discreet or cautious way, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), a maelstrom is a violent whirlpool, and does not have anything to do with being Machiavellian or crafty, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), an encomium is a formal, praising eulogy, so that is the correct answer.

Question 12

Rancorous : acrimonious ::
A)foppish : uncaring
B)garish : overbright
C)ignoble : worthy
D)judicious : robed

Accepted Answer

In the initial part of the analogy, rancorous and acrimonious are synonyms that mean bitter and spiteful. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), someone who is foppish is vain, not uncaring, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), something that is ignoble is dishonorable, not worthy, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), something that is judicious is sensible and well thought-out, not robed, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), the word garish means gaudy or showy - overbright in color.

Question 13

Recalcitrant : compliant ::
A)forlorn : desolate
B)heedless : disregarding
C)magniloquent : unassuming

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the words recalcitrant and compliant are antonyms. Recalcitrant means unruly or disobedient, not compliant and submissive. So, look for the answer pair that contains antonyms. In choice (A), someone who is forlorn is very sad, and desolate refers to something that is isolated, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), heedless and disregarding are synonyms meaning oblivious or without regard. Choice (C) contains antonyms. Magniloquent means boastful or pompous, the opposite of unassuming.

Question 14

Recondite : esoteric ::
A)macabre : gruesome
B)nebulous : precise
C)inopportune : timely
D)orthodox : nontraditional

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, recondite and esoteric are synonyms that mean little known or obscure. So, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (B), something that is nebulous is hazy or difficult to define, not precise, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), something that happens at an inopportune time is inconvenient or ill-timed, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), orthodox means conventional or accepted, not nontraditional, so eliminate that. In choice (A), something that is macabre is gruesome or grisly, so that is the correct choice.

Question 15

Refulgent : lackluster ::
A)hibernal : wintry
B)illusive : deceptive
C)loath : reluctant
D)methodical : disorderly

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, refulgent means shining brightly, not lackluster, which refers to something that is dreary or bland. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), something that is hibernal relates to the winter, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), something that is illusive is deceptive or misleading - not real, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), loath and reluctant are synonyms; if I am loath to study, that means I am reluctant. Choice (D) is correct, as methodical means orderly and systematic, not disorderly.

Question 16

Regicide : king ::
A)feticide : animal
B)patricide : grandparent
C)tyrannicide : despot
D)populicide : ruler

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the word regicide means the killing of a king. Therefore, choose the answer choice in which the first word is the term for the killing of the entity named in the second term. In choice (A), feticide is not the killing of an animal, but the killing of a fetus, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), patricide is the killing of one's father, not grandparent, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), populicide is the killing of a population of people, not a ruler, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), tyrannicide is the killing of a tyrant, dictator, or despot, so that is the correct answer.

Question 17

Remonstrate : concur ::
A)glean : garner
B)imbue : saturate
C)aggrandize : belittle
D)ostracize : banish

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, to remonstrate means to plead in protest, not to concur or agree, so look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (A), to glean and to garner mean the same thing - to gather or collect. In choice (B), to imbue means to soak thoroughly or saturate, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), to ostracize means to banish, or to make someone an outcast, so eliminate that choice. The only choice that contains antonyms is choice (C). To aggrandize means to make something greater or exaggerate, not to belittle or demean.

Question 18

Rescind : quash ::
A)flout : reject
B)impede : facilitate
C)inundate : weaken
D)obtrude : comply

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, to rescind means to overturn or quash something. So, look for the answer choice that contains synonyms. In choice (B), to impede means to block, not to facilitate or ease, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), to inundate means to flood or overflow, not weaken. In choice (D), to obtrude means to impose, not comply or obey, so eliminate that choice. Choice (A) is the only one that contains synonyms. To flout means to defy or reject something.

Question 19

Restive : agitated ::
A)monolithic : changeable
B)obligatory : elective
C)fraught : full
D)palatable : edible

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, someone who is restive is restless and agitated - on edge. So, look for the answer pair that contains synonyms. In choice (A), something that is monolithic is solidly uniform, not changeable, so eliminate that pair. In choice (B), something that is obligatory is required, not elective or optional, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), something that is palatable is not only edible, but it is pleasing to the taste. Although these words are related, they do not have the same relationship as the words in the first half of the analogy. In choice (C), something that is fraught is full or weighed down.

Question 20

Reticent : glib ::
A)flippant : serious
B)hirsute : hairy
C)immutable : unchangeable
D)maudlin : sentimental

Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the words reticent and glib are antonyms. Reticent means reserved and quiet, and glib means conversational and fluent. So, look for the answer choice that contains antonyms. In choice (B), something that is hirsute is hairy, so eliminate that choice. In choice (C), something that is immutable is absolute or unchangeable. In choice (D), someone who is maudlin is overly sentimental or sappy, so eliminate that choice. The only answer choice that contains antonyms is choice (A). Flippant refers to something that is frivolous or offhand, not serious, so that is the correct choice.

Quiz 1: Analogies

Preclude : facilitate ::

Preponderance : supremacy ::

Proclivity : inclination ::

Prodigious : copious ::

Propagate: proliferate ::

Protracted : succinct ::

Provident : ill-prepared ::

Puritan : prudish ::

Alcove : enclosed

Quixotic : pragmatic ::

Bombast : pompous

Rancorous : acrimonious ::

Recalcitrant : compliant ::

Recondite : esoteric ::

Refulgent : lackluster ::

Regicide : king ::

Remonstrate : concur ::

Rescind : quash ::

Restive : agitated ::

Reticent : glib ::