NUMS — Medical & Dental Entry Test

NUMS English — Vocabulary: Meanings, Synonyms and Antonyms (Set 1)

Take the NUMS English — Vocabulary: Meanings, Synonyms and Antonyms (Set 1): 30 multiple-choice questions (40 minutes) with instant scoring and a full…

What this test covers

• 30 NUMS English

Sample questions with answers

The first 5 questions of this test, with the correct answer and explanation.

1. Q1. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The BENEVOLENT landlord waived three months' rent for the flood victims."

   • A. Kind-hearted ✓
   • B. Timid
   • C. Greedy
   • D. Cruel

   Answer: A. Kind-hearted

   Explanation: Benevolent means well-meaning and kindly; cruel is its opposite.

2. Q2. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The relief from the painkiller was EPHEMERAL, and the headache soon returned."

   • A. Permanent
   • B. Short-lived ✓
   • C. Visible
   • D. Ancient

   Answer: B. Short-lived

   Explanation: Ephemeral describes something lasting a very short time.

3. Q3. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The professor gave a CANDID assessment of the weaknesses in my thesis."

   • A. Frank ✓
   • B. Jealous
   • C. Cautious
   • D. Secretive

   Answer: A. Frank

   Explanation: A candid remark is open, honest and frank.

4. Q4. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "She kept METICULOUS records of every patient's blood-sugar readings."

   • A. Painstaking ✓
   • B. Lazy
   • C. Hasty
   • D. Careless

   Answer: A. Painstaking

   Explanation: Meticulous means showing great attention to detail, i.e. painstaking.

5. Q5. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "After the long night shift, the house officer felt LETHARGIC all morning."

   • A. Cheerful
   • B. Anxious
   • C. Energetic
   • D. Sluggish ✓

   Answer: D. Sluggish

   Explanation: Lethargic means lacking energy, sluggish; energetic is its opposite.

The other 25 questions

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6. Q6. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "It would be PRUDENT to save some of your stipend for emergencies."

   • A. Sensible
   • B. Arrogant
   • C. Generous
   • D. Reckless

7. Q7. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Mercury thermometers have become largely OBSOLETE in modern hospitals."

   • A. Outdated
   • B. Modern
   • C. Fragile
   • D. Costly

8. Q8. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Being GREGARIOUS, Zara quickly made friends in the new hostel."

   • A. Sociable
   • B. Quarrelsome
   • C. Talented
   • D. Shy

9. Q9. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Planting trees along the road can MITIGATE the effects of air pollution."

   • A. Explain
   • B. Lessen
   • C. Ignore
   • D. Worsen

10. Q10. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The ADROIT negotiator settled the dispute between the two departments within an hour."

    • A. Clumsy
    • B. Stubborn
    • C. Skilful
    • D. Honest

11. Q11. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Only a DILIGENT student can cover the entire syllabus in three months."

    • A. Polite
    • B. Intelligent
    • C. Hardworking
    • D. Idle

12. Q12. Choose the word opposite in meaning to ABUNDANT.

    • A. Generous
    • B. Plentiful
    • C. Ample
    • D. Scarce

13. Q13. Choose the word opposite in meaning to FRUGAL.

    • A. Economical
    • B. Extravagant
    • C. Thrifty
    • D. Careful

14. Q14. Choose the word opposite in meaning to CONCISE.

    • A. Clear
    • B. Precise
    • C. Wordy
    • D. Brief

15. Q15. Choose the word opposite in meaning to AUGMENT.

    • A. Increase
    • B. Diminish
    • C. Supplement
    • D. Enlarge

16. Q16. Choose the word opposite in meaning to LUCID.

    • A. Bright
    • B. Clear
    • C. Obscure
    • D. Rational

17. Q17. Choose the word opposite in meaning to BENIGN (as used of a tumour).

    • A. Gentle
    • B. Mild
    • C. Harmless
    • D. Malignant

18. Q18. Choose the word opposite in meaning to CONCEAL.

    • A. Hide
    • B. Reveal
    • C. Mask
    • D. Cover

19. Q19. Choose the word opposite in meaning to HOSTILE.

    • A. Friendly
    • B. Opposed
    • C. Aggressive
    • D. Unkind

20. Q20. Choose the word opposite in meaning to TRANSPARENT.

    • A. Glassy
    • B. Clear
    • C. Thin
    • D. Opaque

21. Q21. Choose the word opposite in meaning to AMELIORATE.

    • A. Relieve
    • B. Aggravate
    • C. Improve
    • D. Soothe

22. Q22. In the sentence 'The patient's cough was exacerbated by the cold, damp weather', the word EXACERBATED means:

    • A. caused
    • B. cured
    • C. hidden
    • D. made worse

23. Q23. In the sentence 'The witness's account was corroborated by the CCTV footage', the word CORROBORATED means:

    • A. confirmed
    • B. contradicted
    • C. questioned
    • D. recorded

24. Q24. In the sentence 'The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy', CONTRAINDICATED means:

    • A. strongly recommended
    • B. tested
    • C. advised against
    • D. freely available

25. Q25. In the sentence 'Asthma is a chronic condition that needs long-term management', the word CHRONIC means:

    • A. persisting for a long time
    • B. sudden and severe
    • C. easily cured
    • D. contagious

26. Q26. In the sentence 'Her plan was ambiguous, so the team interpreted it in three different ways', AMBIGUOUS means:

    • A. very brief
    • B. open to more than one interpretation
    • C. clearly explained
    • D. completely false

27. Q27. In the sentence 'The surgeon's dexterity allowed her to repair the tiny blood vessels', DEXTERITY means:

    • A. good fortune
    • B. skill with the hands
    • C. bravery
    • D. knowledge of drugs

28. Q28. In the sentence 'Despite repeated warnings, the public showed complete apathy towards the vaccination drive', APATHY means:

    • A. great enthusiasm
    • B. strong anger
    • C. deep fear
    • D. lack of interest

29. Q29. In the sentence 'Rather than theorise endlessly, the committee took a pragmatic approach to the shortage', PRAGMATIC means:

    • A. careless
    • B. emotional
    • C. idealistic
    • D. practical

30. Q30. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: Infection is an almost ___ result of leaving a deep wound uncleaned.

    • A. improbable
    • B. optional
    • C. accidental
    • D. inevitable