Q1: Synonyms and Antonyms (20 MCQs)

Understanding the topic

The 2023 vocabulary section mixes synonyms and antonyms in a single run rather than separating them into two blocks, so the first thing to read on each item is not the word but the instruction above it.

Synonyms

2. ABSEIL: (A) Descent · 4. ASSUAGE: (B) Mollify · 6. INURE: (A) Accustom

8. MUNIFICENCE: (C) Generosity · 10. DEMIT: (D) Resign · 11. INVEIGH: (B) Rant

12. PALLIATE: (A) Mitigate · 13. ADROITNESS: (C) Dexterity · 14. AFICIONADO: (A) Enthusiast

15. PANACEA: (B) Remedy

Antonyms

1. BRUSQUE: (B) Pleasant · 3. CONVALESCE: (D) Deteriorate · 5. TYRO: (B) Veteran

7. DALLY: (A) Hasten · 9. RANCOR: (A) Veneration · 16. DOTE: (C) Criticize

17. MODICUM: (A) Mound · 18. TEMERITY: (C) Reticence · 19. VILE: (C) Viable

20. ABET: (D) Deter

The trap in this set

Look at question 4 and question 12 side by side. ASSUAGE means to soothe and PALLIATE means to ease without curing, and the correct answers, mollify and mitigate, are close cousins of each other. Papers built this way reward candidates who know a small set of words precisely over candidates who half recognise a large set.

Question 5 shows the other common trick. TYRO means a beginner, so "novice" is sitting there as the first option, tempting anyone who read the instruction as "similar" rather than "opposite". Whenever the obvious synonym appears as option (A) in an antonym question, treat it as a deliberate trap.