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Comprehension & Précis

Vocabulary and Language Skills

Approach to synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutions, idioms and confusables, with useful word lists

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The "other aspects of language testing" in Part B usually include synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutions, idioms and commonly confused words. You cannot cram an entire dictionary, but you can learn how to attack these questions and build a working stock of high-yield words. The lists below are starting points; extend them as you read.

How to attack vocabulary questions

  1. Use context first. In a sentence, the surrounding words narrow the meaning. Substitute each option and keep the one that reads naturally.
  2. Use word roots. Many words share Latin or Greek roots. "Bene" means good (benefit, benevolent); "mal" means bad (malice, malign); "-cide" means killing (homicide, pesticide). Roots let you guess unfamiliar words.
  3. Use word charge. Decide whether the word is positive, negative or neutral. This alone eliminates wrong options. "Frugal" is positive (careful with money); "miserly" is negative (mean with money), though both relate to spending little.
  4. For antonyms, find the exact opposite, not just any contrast. The opposite of "transparent" is "opaque", not merely "dark".
  5. For idioms, never read the words literally. Learn the fixed meaning.

Word charge, a quick example

Words that look similar can carry opposite feelings. Choosing the wrong charge in your own writing changes your meaning.

Positive Neutral Negative
thrifty careful with money stingy
confident self-assured arrogant
firm decided stubborn
curious interested nosy
youthful young childish

Synonyms, a high-yield list

Word Common synonyms
augment increase, enlarge, boost
candid frank, honest, straightforward
diligent hard-working, industrious, careful
eminent distinguished, renowned, notable
lucid clear, easy to understand
prudent wise, cautious, sensible
resilient tough, able to recover quickly
transparent open, clear, easy to see through
vital essential, crucial
zeal enthusiasm, passion, eagerness

Antonyms, a high-yield list

Word Common antonyms
abundant scarce, sparse
benevolent cruel, malevolent
concise wordy, lengthy
genuine fake, counterfeit
humble arrogant, proud
optimist pessimist
transparent opaque
unite divide, split
victory defeat
wax (grow) wane (shrink)

One-word substitutions

A favourite question type: a phrase is given and you supply the single word for it.

Phrase One word
A government by the people Democracy
A government by a few Oligarchy
Rule by religious leaders Theocracy
A person who knows many languages Polyglot
A person who eats everything Omnivore
A person who does not believe in God Atheist
A speech made without preparation Impromptu
One who is present everywhere Omnipresent
One who is all-powerful Omnipotent
Words inscribed on a tomb Epitaph
A list of books Bibliography
A place where weapons are stored Armoury
A soldier who fights for money Mercenary
A person who deserts their country Traitor
Animals that live in water and on land Amphibians
One who studies the weather Meteorologist
A medicine that kills germs Antiseptic
Free from infection Sterile
That which cannot be corrected Incorrigible
That which cannot be avoided Inevitable

Idioms and phrases

Learn the meaning, not the literal words. A few that recur:

Idiom Meaning
to call it a day to stop work for now
to turn a blind eye to ignore deliberately
to bite the bullet to face a hardship bravely
to be in hot water to be in trouble
to cut corners to do something cheaply or carelessly
to add fuel to the fire to make a bad situation worse
once in a blue moon very rarely
to keep at bay to keep at a safe distance
a blessing in disguise a good thing that at first seemed bad
to face the music to accept the consequences
to read between the lines to find a hidden meaning
to hit the nail on the head to be exactly right
to let the cat out of the bag to reveal a secret
to burn the midnight oil to work or study late into the night

Commonly confused words

These pairs cost marks in error spotting and in your own writing. Keep the distinction sharp.

Words Distinction
affect / effect affect is usually a verb (to influence); effect is usually a noun (the result)
principal / principle principal means chief or head; principle means a rule or belief
stationary / stationery stationary means not moving; stationery means writing materials
complement / compliment complement completes something; compliment is praise
accept / except accept means to receive; except means leaving out
advice / advise advice is the noun; advise is the verb
ensure / insure / assure ensure means make certain; insure relates to insurance; assure means to reassure a person
eminent / imminent eminent means distinguished; imminent means about to happen
elicit / illicit elicit means to draw out; illicit means unlawful
councillor / counsellor a councillor sits on a council; a counsellor gives counsel or advice
loose / lose loose means not tight; lose means to misplace or be defeated
disinterested / uninterested disinterested means impartial; uninterested means not interested

Examples in use:

  • The new rule will affect morale; its effect will show within a month.
  • The principal stressed the principle of fair play.
  • A good investigator stays disinterested, even when the public is uninterested in the case.

Building vocabulary the right way

  • Read editorials daily and note words you half-know; look them up and write one sentence with each.
  • Group words by root, charge and theme rather than learning random lists.
  • Revise in short, frequent sessions; vocabulary fades without review.
  • Practise the words in your own writing for the essay and the counter-argument, where precise word choice earns marks.

Cross-references

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