Antonyms — General English Worksheet | AAI ATC

Before you begin

Formulas you will need

Key formulas Eliminate the synonyms first. In almost every antonym question, two or three options mean the same as the given word
Prefix clues: bene- good against male- bad · a- up against de- down · non- and in- negate
If no option is a true opposite, the odd one out is the intended answer
Beware the near-synonym placed first in the list — it catches hurried readers

How to use this worksheet. Work by elimination, not recognition. Look at all four options and strike out every one that means the same as the given word — in seven of the eight previous year questions here, that leaves exactly one option standing.

Section A · Level 1

Everyday antonyms

Ten questions. Strike out the synonyms first.

Q1

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
ABUNDANT

Scarce is the opposite of abundant. Notice that the other three are all synonyms of it — a pattern you will see again and again.

Q2

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
TRANSPARENT

Opaque means not allowing light through.

Q3

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
ASCEND

Descend means to go down. The prefixes give it away: a- up, de- down.

Q4

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
OPTIMIST

Pessimist is the direct opposite. A realist is neither.

Q5

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
PROHIBIT

Permit means to allow. The other three all mean to stop something.

Q6

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
HUMBLE

Arrogant is the opposite of humble.

Q7

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
TEMPORARY

Permanent means lasting indefinitely.

Q8

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
VICTORY

Defeat is the opposite. The remaining three are synonyms of victory.

Q9

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
GENEROUS

Stingy means unwilling to give or spend.

Q10

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
ARTIFICIAL

Natural is the opposite of artificial.

Section B · Level 2

Harder antonyms and prefixes

Ten questions. bene-, male-, a- and de- carry the meaning.

Q11

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
CONDEMN

Praise is the opposite. The other three all mean to criticise.

Q12

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
FRUGAL

Extravagant means spending freely. Frugal, thrifty, economical and sparing all sit together.

Q13

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
OBSCURE

Clear is the opposite of obscure.

Q14

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
BENEVOLENT

Malevolent means wishing harm. The prefixes are the clue: bene- good, male- bad.

Q15

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
DILIGENT

Indolent means lazy.

Q16

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
CONCEAL

Reveal means to make known. The other three all mean to hide.

Q17

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
FEEBLE

Robust means strong and healthy.

Q18

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
MANDATORY

Optional means left to choice. Three options mean compulsory.

Q19

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
SCATTER

Gather means to bring together.

Q20

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
ACCELERATE

Decelerate means to slow down.

Section C · Previous year questions

Straight from the AAI ATC papers

Ten questions. Eight are real previous year questions.

Q21PYQ 2021 · Shift 3

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word.
I thanked the editor for carefully reading the paper and pointing out several oversights.

An oversight is something missed by mistake, so the opposite is precision. Options 1 and 2 are both near-synonyms of oversight, placed there for anyone who reads quickly and picks the first familiar word.

Q22PYQ 2023 · Morning

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word.
We must acknowledge that something is wrong with the system.

To acknowledge is to admit, so the opposite is to deny. Recognise is a straight synonym, sitting in the very next position.

Q23PYQ 2023 · Morning

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word.
There is no proof of his involvement in the incident.

The direct opposite is non-engagement. Both engagement and participation are synonyms, and obliviousness means unawareness, which is a different idea altogether.

Q24PYQ 2025 · Shift 1

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
GREGARIOUS

Gregarious means fond of company, so the opposite is reserved. The other three — sociable, affable and talkative — all describe the same outgoing quality, so they can be struck out as a group.

Q25PYQ 2025 · Shift 2

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
GROTESQUE

Grotesque means ugly or distorted, so the opposite is normal. Hideous, bizarre and deformed all cluster with the original word.

Q26PYQ 2025 · Shift 2

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
DETONATE

To detonate is to explode, so the opposite is to dismantle, that is to take apart safely. Discharge, burst and explode are all synonyms.

Q27PYQ 2025 · Shift 2

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
TRIVIAL

Trivial means of little value, so the opposite is important. Note that options 2 and 3 are synonyms of trivial rather than antonyms.

Q28PYQ 2025 · Shift 2

Which word is the ANTONYM of ‘pioneering’ as used in a passage?

Pioneering means breaking new ground, so the opposite is traditional. Revolutionary, progressive and innovative all mean much the same as pioneering.

Q29PYQ 2025 · Shift 1

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
DETERMINED

This question is imperfectly framed, since suspicious is not a true opposite of determined. But resolute, stubborn and firm are all clear synonyms, so suspicious is the only option that can be intended. When no option is a genuine antonym, eliminate the synonyms and take what remains — that technique earns the mark on a flawed question.

Q30

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.
AMBIGUOUS

Explicit means stated clearly and leaving no room for doubt.

Answer key

Answers

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↓ Free download — Antonyms PDF

All thirty questions with the formula sheet printed on the front page and ruled working space for your circuit reductions. Print it, solve it, keep it.

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