Synonyms — General English Worksheet | AAI ATC

Before you begin

Formulas you will need

Key formulas Ask what kind of thing is being described — a word that suits a person may not suit an object
Roots that repay learning: luc- light · pecc- fault · ten- hold · ambi- both
Where several options share one meaning, none of them is usually the answer
A plain word offered among elaborate ones is often the correct synonym

How to use this worksheet. Check which option matches the kind of thing described. In one of the previous year questions, three of the four options describe a friendly person and the sentence is about a shawl — which settles it before you weigh the meanings at all.

Section A · Level 1

Everyday synonyms

Ten questions. Read the sentence, not just the word.

Q1

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The report was concise.

Concise means expressed in few words. Option 1 is its opposite.

Q2

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
His explanation was lucid.

Lucid means easily understood. The root is the Latin lux, light.

Q3

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
She gave a candid reply.

Candid means open and truthful. It is not the same as rude, which adds a judgement the word does not carry.

Q4

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The task proved arduous.

Arduous means demanding great effort.

Q5

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
He is a diligent worker.

Diligent means showing steady and careful effort. Option 4 is close in tone but describes ability rather than effort.

Q6

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The room was immaculate.

Immaculate means perfectly clean.

Q7

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
His remarks were trivial.

Trivial means of little value or importance.

Q8

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
She was reluctant to speak.

Reluctant means unwilling and hesitant.

Q9

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The evidence was ample.

Ample means more than enough.

Q10

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
He spoke with fervour.

Fervour is intense and passionate feeling.

Section B · Level 2

Harder synonyms and word roots

Ten questions. Roots often give the meaning away.

Q11

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The old man was frail.

Frail means physically weak and delicate.

Q12

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
His conduct was impeccable.

Impeccable means without fault. The pecc- root means sin or fault, as in peccadillo.

Q13

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The crowd grew boisterous.

Boisterous means noisy and energetic.

Q14

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
She has a tenacious spirit.

Tenacious means holding on firmly, that is determined. This word appeared in a real AAI comprehension passage.

Q15

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The instructions were ambiguous.

Ambiguous means open to more than one interpretation. It is the direct opposite of lucid from Section A.

Q16

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
He remained steadfast in his belief.

Steadfast means firmly fixed and unwavering.

Q17

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The speech was eloquent.

Eloquent describes fluent and persuasive speech.

Q18

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The child showed audacity.

Audacity is daring boldness, sometimes to the point of impudence.

Q19

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
He gave a meticulous account.

Meticulous means showing great attention to detail.

Q20

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The offer was lucrative.

Lucrative means producing a good profit.

Section C · Previous year questions and near-miss options

Straight from the AAI ATC papers

Ten questions. Three are real previous year questions.

Q21PYQ 2021 · Shift 3

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The design on the hand-woven shawl was beautiful.

Exquisite means finely and delicately beautiful, which suits a hand-woven design. The trap here is that affable, amiable and agreeable all describe a pleasant person, not an object — three options share a meaning that cannot apply to a shawl.

Q22PYQ 2021 · Shift 3

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The handmade chocolates were heavenly.

Delectable means delicious, which is the right sense for food. Dazzling refers to brightness, and dull and mundane are both opposites. Always ask which option matches the kind of thing being described.

Q23PYQ 2021 · Shift 3

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The sunrise at Kanyakumari is gorgeous.

Lovely is the plain synonym for gorgeous. Beguiling and enticing both suggest tempting or misleading, which adds a meaning the original does not have, and deterring is an opposite. When a simple word is offered alongside more elaborate ones, the simple word is often right.

Q24

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The manager was affable.

Affable means friendly and easy to talk to. Note that this word was a wrong option in question 21 — learning why it did not fit there is what makes it easy here.

Q25

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The path was treacherous.

Treacherous means hazardous, with hidden dangers.

Q26

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
She spoke in a sombre tone.

Sombre means dark, serious or gloomy.

Q27

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The rules were stringent.

Stringent means strict and rigorously enforced.

Q28

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
He made a prudent decision.

Prudent means showing care and good judgement about the future.

Q29

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
The scenery was picturesque.

Picturesque means visually attractive, as though fit for a picture.

Q30

Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
His argument was cogent.

Cogent means clear, logical and convincing.

Answer key

Answers

Check only after you have attempted every question. Tap any question above to see the full explanation.

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