NUMS — Medical & Dental Entry Test

NUMS English — Vocabulary: Meanings, Synonyms and Antonyms (Set 5)

Take the NUMS English — Vocabulary: Meanings, Synonyms and Antonyms (Set 5): 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.

Q1. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The GARRULOUS neighbour kept the nurse talking at the gate for an hour."
- A. Generous
- B. Curious
- C. Talkative ✓
- D. Hostile
Answer: C. Talkative
Explanation: Garrulous means excessively talkative.
Q2. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The evidence against the accused was TENUOUS, so the case was dismissed."
- A. Forged
- B. Hidden
- C. Weak ✓
- D. Overwhelming
Answer: C. Weak
Explanation: Tenuous means very slight or weak, with little to support it.
Q3. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The two doctors had an ACRIMONIOUS argument over the choice of treatment."
- A. Bitter ✓
- B. Scientific
- C. Polite
- D. Brief
Answer: A. Bitter
Explanation: Acrimonious describes an angry and bitter exchange.
Q4. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The CAPRICIOUS weather ruined every plan for the picnic."
- A. Humid
- B. Unpredictable ✓
- C. Pleasant
- D. Severe
Answer: B. Unpredictable
Explanation: Capricious means changing suddenly and without apparent reason.
Q5. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The newspaper EXTOLLED the young surgeon's courage during the flood."
- A. Praised ✓
- B. Questioned
- C. Overlooked
- D. Imitated
Answer: A. Praised
Explanation: To extol is to praise enthusiastically.

The other 25 questions

Take the timed test (free, no sign-up) to see your score and the answer and explanation for every question.

Q6. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The committee REPUDIATED the claim that the funds had been misused."
- A. Rejected
- B. Postponed
- C. Confirmed
- D. Investigated
Q7. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The professor's lecture on quantum theory was too ABSTRUSE for first-year students."
- A. Difficult to understand
- B. Very entertaining
- C. Poorly attended
- D. Unusually brief
Q8. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "It was an AUDACIOUS plan to build a hospital in the mountains within a year."
- A. Careless
- B. Practical
- C. Expensive
- D. Bold
Q9. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Critics DISPARAGED the film as dull and badly acted."
- A. Belittled
- B. Admired
- C. Advertised
- D. Analysed
Q10. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Clay is MALLEABLE, so the potter could shape it easily."
- A. Easily burnt
- B. Easily broken
- C. Easily moulded
- D. Easily dissolved
Q11. Choose the word opposite in meaning to SEDENTARY (as in "a sedentary lifestyle").
- A. Active
- B. Silent
- C. Elderly
- D. Cautious
Q12. Choose the word opposite in meaning to NOXIOUS.
- A. Visible
- B. Plentiful
- C. Harmless
- D. Fragrant
Q13. Choose the word opposite in meaning to AUSPICIOUS.
- A. Hesitant
- B. Ancient
- C. Ordinary
- D. Unfavourable
Q14. Choose the word opposite in meaning to UNCOUTH.
- A. Rebellious
- B. Refined
- C. Wealthy
- D. Lonely
Q15. Choose the word opposite in meaning to CONVENE.
- A. Examine
- B. Disperse
- C. Postpone
- D. Declare
Q16. Choose the word opposite in meaning to FLIMSY.
- A. Decorative
- B. Transparent
- C. Sturdy
- D. Narrow
Q17. Choose the word opposite in meaning to LAUD.
- A. Protect
- B. Summon
- C. Ignore
- D. Criticise
Q18. Choose the word opposite in meaning to FICKLE.
- A. Careless
- B. Steadfast
- C. Shy
- D. Frank
Q19. Choose the word opposite in meaning to ANTIPATHY.
- A. Suspicion
- B. Rivalry
- C. Affection
- D. Jealousy
Q20. Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The red scarf ___ her dark green coat perfectly.
- A. complemented
- B. complimented
- C. contrasted
- D. completed
Q21. Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: A good teacher knows how to ___ answers from shy students.
- A. solicit
- B. illicit
- C. explicit
- D. elicit
Q22. Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: I can ___ you that the report will be ready by Monday.
- A. ascertain
- B. ensure
- C. insure
- D. assure
Q23. What does the idiom 'to jump the gun' mean?
- A. To start a race fairly
- B. To give up in the middle
- C. To act too early
- D. To fire at a target
Q24. What does the idiom 'to be under the weather' mean?
- A. To be caught in a storm
- B. To feel extremely happy
- C. To feel slightly unwell
- D. To be very busy
Q25. What does the idiom 'to beat around the bush' mean?
- A. To work very hard
- B. To search a place carefully
- C. To avoid coming to the main point
- D. To frighten someone away
Q26. Choose the single word that means 'a person who can speak many languages'.
- A. Linguist
- B. Interpreter
- C. Polyglot
- D. Orator
Q27. Choose the single word that means 'a medicine given to counteract the effect of a poison'.
- A. Sedative
- B. Antibiotic
- C. Antidote
- D. Antiseptic
Q28. Choose the single word that means 'a person who lives alone and avoids all contact with society'.
- A. Pedestrian
- B. Recluse
- C. Patriot
- D. Nomad
Q29. In the sentence 'The professor's remarks were PERTINENT to the discussion', the word PERTINENT means:
- A. Obscure
- B. Relevant
- C. Lengthy
- D. Offensive
Q30. In the sentence 'The board RATIFIED the agreement after a short debate', the word RATIFIED means:
- A. Carefully rewrote
- B. Briefly summarised
- C. Formally approved
- D. Strongly opposed