WORD KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE SET 1

1. For each question, select the answer choice that most closely matches the meaning of the underlined word. This question set has 16 practice questions, which is the number of Word Knowledge questions you will see if you take the CAT-ASVAB.

1. Ghastly most nearly means
   1. fun
   2. lazy
   3. torrid
   4. awful
2. The brothers ran away in cowardice.
   1. pain
   2. fear
   3. hopelessness
   4. temperance
3. Resignation most nearly means
   1. losing
   2. waste
   3. acceptance
   4. pride
4. She promised to cooperate with the authorities.
   1. fight
   2. talk
   3. work with
   4. placate
5. It is imperative that you pursue training or education beyond high school in order to get a good job.
   1. sad
   2. timely
   3. open
   4. crucial
6. Everyone says he lost the election due to lack of initiative.
   1. satisfaction
   2. irritation
   3. money
   4. ambition
7. The city council sought reparations for the oil spill.
   1. compensation
   2. sadness
   3. thanks
   4. antipathy
8. Many times, the older sibling holds dominion over her younger siblings.
   1. authority
   2. safety
   3. ability
   4. guilt
9. The professor did his best to appear universally erudite, even when asked questions about subjects he knew little about.
   1. civil
   2. progressive
   3. scholarly
   4. amoral
10. Tangible most nearly means
    1. real
    2. open
    3. graphic
    4. costly
11. Alleviate most nearly means
    1. elevate
    2. improve
    3. encompass
    4. make foreign
12. Trite most nearly means
    1. snug
    2. correct
    3. modern
    4. stale
13. Imitating a marching band, the children used pots and pans to make a loud clamor.
    1. noise
    2. protest
    3. music
    4. harmony
14. Candid most nearly means
    1. able
    2. whimsical
    3. valid
    4. honest
15. After careful study, he was able to discern which model would be the best car for his needs.
    1. avoid
    2. spoil
    3. perceive
    4. savor
16. Dupe most nearly means
    1. double
    2. delay
    3. deceive
    4. delight

WORD KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE SET 2

1. For each question, select the answer choice that most closely matches the meaning of the underlined word. This question set has 16 practice questions, which is the number of Word Knowledge questions you will see if you take the CAT-ASVAB.

1. The athlete trained for the competition with vigor.

   1. stiffness
   2. intensity
   3. swelling
   4. concern

2. Enigma most nearly means

   1. puzzle
   2. motor
   3. energy
   4. clarity

3. She displayed fortitude in finishing the race despite the pain in her foot.

   1. speed
   2. cheerfulness
   3. courage
   4. vulnerability

4. The frugal man was always reluctant to spend money.

   1. fearful
   2. thrifty
   3. imprudent
   4. lavish

5. Finding just the right part for her old car at the swap meet was fortuitous.

   1. expected
   2. interesting
   3. lucky
   4. exciting

6. By his third fall, Jack’s enthusiasm for roller skating had abated.

   1. waned
   2. solidified
   3. renewed
   4. flourished

7. Congeniality most nearly means

   1. agreeability
   2. coldness
   3. competence
   4. beauty

8. His brusque responses discouraged further questions from the students.

   1. amusing
   2. curt
   3. empathetic
   4. articulate

9. Eminence most nearly means

   1. mischief
   2. devotion
   3. greatness
   4. dishonor

10. The unwitting clerk was absolved when her manager confessed to embezzling the money.

    1. impressed
    2. accused
    3. incarcerated
    4. exonerated

11. Disdain most nearly means

    1. sympathy
    2. dishonesty
    3. contempt
    4. flattery

12. The presiding judge was assigned the controversial case because of his sagacity in dealing with difficult issues.

    1. preconceptions
    2. wisdom
    3. enthusiasm
    4. ineptness

13. Abnegate most nearly means

    1. approve
    2. hope
    3. deny
    4. recognize

14. Although she was not exactly friendly, she treated us with civility.

    1. honesty
    2. courtesy
    3. compliance
    4. rudeness

15. Deranged most nearly means
    

    1. unapologetic
    2. tamed
    3. relocated
    4. crazy

16. Although he never accused her outright, he insinuated that she had lied about the incident.

    1. implied
    2. insisted
    3. concealed
    4. disavowed

Review and Reflect

As you review your work on these practice questions, ask yourself some questions:

• Did you remember to apply strategies, such as using word parts or using real-life remembered context?
• How often were you able to sense whether a word had a positive or negative charge?
• How well did you use context on the In-Context questions?
• Use your thoughts about these questions to guide your review of this chapter.