Question 1

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to the foreign phrase: "Ad hoc"

Accepted Answer

Ad hoc (Latin origin: 'ad' = to, 'hoc' = this) means 'for this specific purpose' or 'arranged or done for a particular purpose as necessary, rather than being planned in advance.' It refers to something temporary or improvised for a specific situation. In Indian competitive exams, this phrase frequently appears in passages discussing governance, committees, and decision-making. For example: 'The government formed an ad hoc committee to address the flood crisis.' The closest synonymous option is 'For a specific purpose,' while 'Permanent arrangement' is antonymous, 'Hastily done' misses the deliberate aspect, and 'Without planning' is partially true but incomplete—ad hoc solutions are often carefully tailored to the immediate need, just not pre-planned generally.

Question 2

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to PROFLIGATE.

Accepted Answer

Profligate (adjective) means recklessly extravagant or wasteful; dissolute. From Latin 'profligatus' (ruined/debauched). This word appears in SSC CGL passages about financial mismanagement and moral conduct.

Question 3

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to SANGUINE.

Accepted Answer

Sanguine (Latin 'sanguis' = blood; originally meant ruddy/blood-red complexion, later came to mean optimistic) means optimistic or positive in outlook. The correct answer is 'Optimistic' which means hopeful about the future. 'Sanguinary' (similar spelling!) means bloodthirsty/violent—a dangerous trap. 'Pessimistic' is the opposite. 'Phlegmatic' means calm/unemotional.

Question 4

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to INSOUCIANT.

Accepted Answer

Insouciant (pronounced in-SOO-see-unt) is a French loanword meaning carefree, unconcerned, or nonchalant about something. It describes someone who shows a lack of worry or concern, often in a lighthearted way. The correct answer is 'carefree' because it captures the exact sense of freedom from anxiety. 'Indifferent' is close but lacks the cheerful tone; 'reckless' implies danger and irresponsibility; 'anxious' is the opposite.

Question 5

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to PRAGMATIC.

Accepted Answer

Pragmatic (from Greek 'pragma' = deed/action) means dealing with things in a practical, realistic way based on actual circumstances rather than theory or ideology. This word appears frequently in SSC CGL passages about governance, business, and decision-making. The correct answer is 'practical' because it captures the core meaning of being realistic and action-oriented. 'Theoretical' is the opposite. 'Flexible' means adaptable but doesn't emphasise the practical aspect. 'Cautious' means careful but is unrelated to pragmatism.

Question 6

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to SANGUINE.

Accepted Answer

Sanguine (from Latin 'sanguis' = blood, referring to a blood-red complexion associated with optimism in medieval medicine) means optimistic or positive in outlook, especially in an unjustifiably confident way. It appears in SSC CGL reading passages discussing attitudes and expectations.

Question 7

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to BÊTE NOIRE.

Accepted Answer

BÊTE NOIRE is a French phrase meaning 'black beast' or 'black cat,' used in English to describe a person or thing that is particularly disliked or avoided. It refers to a persistent source of annoyance or a nemesis. The correct answer is 'pet peeve' — a minor annoyance that particularly bothers someone. This phrase appears frequently in SSC CGL and banking papers as a vocabulary test for candidates' knowledge of commonly used foreign expressions in English.

Question 8

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to PERSPICACIOUS.

Accepted Answer

Perspicacious (from Latin 'perspicax' = seeing clearly) means having keen insight, sharp judgment, or the ability to understand things clearly. It is a high-frequency word in SSC CGL Tier-2 and IBPS PO vocabulary sections.

Question 9

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to OBSEQUIOUS.

Accepted Answer

Obsequious (from Latin obsequi, 'to comply with') means excessively eager to please, servile, or fawning. It describes someone who shows excessive respect or compliance, often insincerely. The correct answer is 'servile' because it shares the core meaning of slavish compliance and excessive deference. 'Obstinate' means stubborn (opposite). 'Eloquent' means articulate (unrelated). 'Pragmatic' means practical (unrelated).

Question 10

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to the foreign phrase: 'CARTE BLANCHE'

Accepted Answer

Carte blanche is a French phrase meaning 'blank card' or 'white card.' It is used in English to denote complete freedom to act as one wishes without any restrictions or limitations. The phrase literally translates to 'blank check' in modern usage. In the context of SSC exams, this phrase frequently appears in comprehension passages and vocabulary sections. The correct answer is 'unrestricted authority' because it captures the essence of having full power to make decisions without any constraints. Distractors include words that sound authoritative but do not convey the freedom aspect: 'limited permission' restricts the meaning, 'official sanction' suggests formal approval rather than freedom, and 'conditional approval' introduces limitations that contradict the phrase's meaning.

Question 11

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to RAPPROCHEMENT.

Accepted Answer

Rapprochement (noun) means the establishment of friendly relations or reconciliation between parties that were previously estranged or hostile. It comes from French 'rapprocher' (to bring closer). The word is commonly used in diplomatic and political contexts in SSC/IBPS passages.

Question 12

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to SANGUINE.

Accepted Answer

SANGUINE (adjective) means optimistic, positive, or hopeful about the future. From Latin 'sanguineus' (blood-red, hence 'full of life'). Example: 'Despite setbacks, she remained sanguine about the project's success.' The correct answer is PESSIMISTIC because it means expecting negative outcomes, the direct opposite of hopeful optimism. BUOYANT means cheerful/optimistic (synonym). EBULLIENT means enthusiastic (synonym). CYNICAL means distrustful but not strictly opposite to sanguine.

Question 13

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to PELLUCID.

Accepted Answer

Pellucid (adjective) derives from Latin 'pellucidus' (translucent, clear). It means transparently clear in style or meaning, easy to understand, or literally transparent. In SSC/Banking exams, it appears in passages describing clear writing, transparent communication, or literal clarity. It's a favourite word in comprehension passages about effective communication.

Question 14

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to PROPITIOUS.

Accepted Answer

Propitious (from Latin propitius: pro=forward + petere=to seek) means favourable or giving a good chance of success. It is commonly tested in SSC CGL Tier-1 vocabulary sections and IBPS reading comprehension passages.

Question 15

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to RAPPROCHEMENT.

Accepted Answer

Rapprochement (French origin: rapprocher = to bring together) means the establishment of friendly relations or reconciliation between previously hostile parties. It is commonly used in diplomatic and political contexts in SSC and banking exams.

Question 16

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to PUSILLANIMOUS.

Accepted Answer

Pusillanimous (adjective) means lacking courage; cowardly. From Latin 'pusillus' (very small) + 'animus' (spirit/courage). Tested in SSC CGL Tier-1 as a high-difficulty vocabulary item describing moral weakness or timidity.

Question 17

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to OBFUSCATE.

Accepted Answer

OBFUSCATE (verb) means to deliberately make something unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand. It comes from Latin 'obfuscare' (to darken). In SSC/Banking contexts, it appears in passages about deceptive communication or intentional confusion of facts.

Correct Answer: B (OBSCURE)

OBSCURE as a verb means to make unclear or hidden from view, which directly parallels obfuscate's core meaning of deliberate concealment through confusion.

Why other options fail:
- A (ELUCIDATE): Means to clarify or explain clearly — the OPPOSITE of obfuscate. This is a common trap because both words deal with clarity/understanding, but in opposite directions.
- C (OBLIGE): Means to do a favour or comply — completely unrelated. The similar spelling 'ob-' prefix creates false familiarity.
- D (OBLITERATE): Means to destroy completely. While it shares the 'ob-' prefix and involves removal, it doesn't capture the 'deliberate confusion' element central to obfuscate.

Question 18

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to PERSPICACIOUS.

Accepted Answer

Perspicacious (adjective) means having keen insight, sharp judgment, or the ability to understand things clearly and quickly. It derives from Latin 'perspicax' (seeing clearly). In SSC/Banking papers, it appears in reading comprehension passages testing advanced vocabulary. The correct answer is 'discerning' — both words describe the quality of having sharp mental perception and good judgment. 'Discerning' (from Latin 'discernere' = to distinguish) is the closest synonym. Distractors exploit partial overlaps: 'meticulous' relates to careful attention but lacks the insight component; 'eloquent' means articulate/fluent but has no connection to judgment; 'obstinate' means stubborn, which is opposite in spirit.

Question 19

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to PELLUCID.

Accepted Answer

Pellucid (adjective) means transparently clear in style or meaning; easy to understand. From Latin 'pellucidus' (translucent). Frequently tested in SSC CGL Tier-1 reading comprehension passages about communication clarity.

Question 20

The Latin phrase 'status quo' is most commonly used to mean which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Origin: Latin — 'status' (state) + 'quo' (in which). 'Status quo' literally means 'the state in which' and refers to the existing condition or situation, especially in social or political contexts. Distractor (a) is the exact opposite — it implies change, which is what disrupting the status quo means. Distractors (c) and (d) confuse it with legal Latin terms such as 'habeas corpus' or 'modus vivendi'. SSC context: 'The government was reluctant to disturb the status quo in the border regions.'

Canara Bank PO Foreign Words & Phrases

Foreign Words & Phrases— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Foreign Words & Phrases — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Foreign Words & Phrases