NUMS — Medical & Dental Entry Test

NUMS English — Vocabulary: Meanings, Synonyms and Antonyms (Set 6)

Take the NUMS English — Vocabulary: Meanings, Synonyms and Antonyms (Set 6): 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 climbers crossed a PRECARIOUS ledge with no rope to hold them."

   • A. Spacious
   • B. Unsafe ✓
   • C. Familiar
   • D. Sheltered

   Answer: B. Unsafe

   Explanation: 'Precarious' means not securely held or dangerously unstable; 'unsafe' is closest.

2. Q2. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "After weeks of illness, his face looked GAUNT."

   • A. Rosy
   • B. Sleepy
   • C. Plump
   • D. Bony ✓

   Answer: D. Bony

   Explanation: 'Gaunt' describes a thin, bony and hollow appearance, usually from illness or hunger.

3. Q3. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Their meeting at the airport was entirely FORTUITOUS; neither had planned it."

   • A. Arranged
   • B. Regrettable
   • C. Inevitable
   • D. Accidental ✓

   Answer: D. Accidental

   Explanation: 'Fortuitous' means happening by chance, so 'accidental' fits.

4. Q4. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Heavy snow IMPEDED the progress of the rescue teams."

   • A. Guided
   • B. Hindered ✓
   • C. Honoured
   • D. Hastened

   Answer: B. Hindered

   Explanation: To impede is to obstruct or slow something; 'hindered' is the closest meaning.

5. Q5. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The charity runs a free clinic for INDIGENT families."

   • A. Famous
   • B. Wealthy
   • C. Needy ✓
   • D. Foreign

   Answer: C. Needy

   Explanation: 'Indigent' means very poor; 'needy' is the synonym.

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: "The auditor rejected the SPURIOUS claim for repairs that were never carried out."

   • A. Modest
   • B. Bogus
   • C. Delayed
   • D. Genuine

7. Q7. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "A PROLIFIC writer, she published forty novels in thirty years."

   • A. Productive
   • B. Retired
   • C. Obscure
   • D. Cautious

8. Q8. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "The tablet will ALLEVIATE the pain within half an hour."

   • A. Ignore
   • B. Intensify
   • C. Relieve
   • D. Conceal

9. Q9. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Despite his glamorous job, his daily routine was surprisingly MUNDANE."

   • A. Secretive
   • B. Ordinary
   • C. Luxurious
   • D. Thrilling

10. Q10. Choose the word closest in meaning to the capitalised word as used in the sentence: "Young cricketers often EMULATE the batting style of their heroes."

    • A. Envy
    • B. Criticise
    • C. Imitate
    • D. Overtake

11. Q11. Choose the word opposite in meaning to PRISTINE (as in "a pristine mountain lake").

    • A. Ancient
    • B. Spotless
    • C. Polluted
    • D. Hidden

12. Q12. Choose the word opposite in meaning to INNOCUOUS (as in "an innocuous remark").

    • A. Lengthy
    • B. Casual
    • C. Injurious
    • D. Anonymous

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

    • A. Splendid
    • B. Noisy
    • C. Scanty
    • D. Careful

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

    • A. Clever
    • B. Indolent
    • C. Cautious
    • D. Humble

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

    • A. Turbulent
    • B. Distant
    • C. Lonely
    • D. Shallow

16. Q16. Choose the word opposite in meaning to HAMPER (as a verb).

    • A. Overlook
    • B. Facilitate
    • C. Regret
    • D. Postpone

17. Q17. Choose the word opposite in meaning to OSTENTATIOUS.

    • A. Modest
    • B. Careless
    • C. Ancient
    • D. Fragile

18. Q18. Choose the single word that means 'one who collects and loves books'.

    • A. Philatelist
    • B. Librarian
    • C. Bibliophile
    • D. Bibliographer

19. Q19. Choose the single word that means 'a remedy for all diseases or difficulties'.

    • A. Sedative
    • B. Tonic
    • C. Placebo
    • D. Panacea

20. Q20. Choose the single word that means 'present or found everywhere'.

    • A. Ambiguous
    • B. Ubiquitous
    • C. Eloquent
    • D. Meticulous

21. Q21. Choose the single word that means 'unable to pay one's debts'.

    • A. Insolent
    • B. Insipid
    • C. Insolvent
    • D. Indolent

22. Q22. What does the expression 'a red herring' mean?

    • A. A distraction from the real issue
    • B. A fish kept for a special occasion
    • C. A mistake that is easy to correct
    • D. A sign that a plan will succeed

23. Q23. What does the idiom 'to turn over a new leaf' mean?

    • A. To read the next page of a book
    • B. To plant a tree in new soil
    • C. To make a fresh start by changing one's conduct
    • D. To search carefully among old papers

24. Q24. What does the idiom 'to bury the hatchet' mean?

    • A. To destroy an old weapon
    • B. To prepare for a fierce fight
    • C. To end a quarrel and become friendly again
    • D. To hide something valuable in the ground

25. Q25. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The new law will ___ the powers of local officials by requiring council approval for every decision.

    • A. curtail
    • B. embellish
    • C. amplify
    • D. extend

26. Q26. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The manager tried to ___ the furious customer with a sincere apology.

    • A. incite
    • B. bewilder
    • C. placate
    • D. provoke

27. Q27. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The scientist's theory, though elegant, proved ___ when the experiment gave the opposite result.

    • A. unanimous
    • B. untenable
    • C. inevitable
    • D. spectacular

28. Q28. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: His ___ speech, which repeated the same point five times, tired the audience.

    • A. succinct
    • B. laconic
    • C. verbose
    • D. cogent

29. Q29. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: Her ___ temperament made her an ideal negotiator; she never lost her composure under pressure.

    • A. equable
    • B. volatile
    • C. capricious
    • D. irascible

30. Q30. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The accountant's ___ examination of the records uncovered a discrepancy of a few rupees.

    • A. meticulous
    • B. perfunctory
    • C. cursory
    • D. haphazard