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Verbal reasoning: word relationships

These questions test synonyms, antonyms and related words from a set of choices. Take care over words with more than one meaning and always test the choice in a sentence.

What is tested

  • Words closest or opposite in meaning
  • Words that go with a given pair
  • Choosing the word that fits between two words

Worked example

Choose the word closest in meaning to 'huge': tiny, enormous, quick, strong.

  1. 'Huge' means very big.
  2. 'Enormous' means very big.

Answer: enormous

Exam-day checklist

  • Decide first: synonym or antonym?
  • Test each option in a sentence.
  • Check the word class matches.
  • Avoid options that are only loosely related.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing an antonym when a synonym is asked.
  • Selecting a related word instead of a meaning match.
  • Not checking all the options.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the opposite of 'ancient': old, modern, distant, wise.

Show answer

modern

Ancient means very old; modern is the opposite.

2. Which word means 'to hide': conceal, reveal, display, show?

Show answer

conceal

To conceal is to hide.

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More topic guides

Ratio and proportionPercentages, fractions and decimalsAlgebra: equations and sequencesProbabilityVerbal reasoning: codesVerbal reasoning: logic and orderingNon-verbal reasoning: sequences and matricesEnglish: inference and comprehensionArithmeticNumber and place valueFractionsDecimalsProportionNumber sequencesGeometry: angles and shapesMeasurementTimeMoneyAveragesData handlingMulti-step problemsWorded problems3D shapes: volume and surface areaCoordinates and translationsSpeed, distance and timeVenn and Carroll diagramsEnglish: grammarEnglish: spellingEnglish: punctuationEnglish: vocabularyEnglish: editing and proofreadingEnglish: comprehensionEnglish: comparing two textsEnglish: paragraph ordering and cohesionEnglish: register and purposeEnglish: deductionEnglish: sentence completionEnglish: contextEnglish: word relationshipsEnglish: literary understandingEnglish: creative writingShuffled sentencesClauses: main, subordinate and relativeVerbal reasoning: analogiesVerbal reasoning: classificationVerbal reasoning: letter and word sequencesVerbal reasoning: hidden wordsVerbal reasoning: compound wordsVerbal reasoning: letter patternsMove a letterInsert a letterAnagrams and word laddersLetter and symbol sumsNon-verbal reasoning: transformationsNon-verbal reasoning: rotationsNon-verbal reasoning: reflectionsNon-verbal reasoning: symmetryNon-verbal reasoning: spatial reasoningNon-verbal reasoning: analogiesNon-verbal reasoning: paper foldingNon-verbal reasoning: cube netsNon-verbal reasoning: odd one outPlans and elevations (3D views)Shape assemblyTime management in the examEliminating incorrect optionsIdentifying distractorsChecking your workReading questions carefullySkipping and returning to questionsWorking under pressureHandling unfamiliar questions

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