Question 1

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to PROLIFIC.

Accepted Answer

PROLIFIC (adjective) means producing much fruit, foliage, or many offspring; producing much work or many results. From Latin 'proles' (offspring). In SSC RC passages, it describes writers, artists, or organisms that produce abundantly. The correct antonym is BARREN, which means unable to produce or lacking fertility.

Question 2

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to CANDID.

Accepted Answer

CANDID (adjective) means frank, honest, and straightforward; expressing oneself openly without concealment. It comes from Latin 'candidus' (white, pure—implying clarity/honesty). In SSC and IBPS papers, it often describes honest opinions or transparent communication. The correct synonym is FRANK, which means honest and direct in speech. EVASIVE means avoiding direct answers (opposite). AMBIGUOUS means unclear/unclear (unrelated). SUBTLE means delicate/understated (opposite of candid's directness).

Question 3

Read the following passage and answer the question.

"The village elder was known for his BENEVOLENT nature. He would often distribute food among the poor and help young students pay their school fees. People from neighbouring villages also came to seek his advice and assistance. His kind deeds had earned him great respect in the entire region. Even government officials acknowledged his contributions to the community. Everyone who met him left with a smile, feeling genuinely cared for and supported."

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to the word 'BENEVOLENT' as used in the passage.

Accepted Answer

'Benevolent' comes from Latin 'bene' (well) + 'volens' (wishing) — meaning 'one who wishes others well.' In the passage, the elder distributes food and helps students, confirming a kind, generous character. 'Charitable' is the closest synonym. 'Malevolent' is the direct antonym. 'Indifferent' means uncaring. 'Arrogant' means excessively proud — a common distractor as students confuse respected/admired people with arrogance.

Question 4

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to PROLIFIC.

Accepted Answer

PROLIFIC (adjective) means producing much fruit, foliage, or many offspring; highly productive or fertile. It comes from Latin 'proles' (offspring) + 'facere' (to make). In SSC RC passages, it describes writers, artists, or organisms that produce abundantly. The correct antonym is BARREN, which means unable to produce; sterile or unproductive. VERBOSE means wordy (unrelated to productivity). OBSCURE means unclear/hidden. DORMANT means inactive/sleeping (related but not opposite on the productivity scale).

Question 5

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to VERBOSE.

Accepted Answer

Verbose (adjective) means using or containing more words than necessary; wordy or long-winded. From Latin 'verbosus' (full of words). Common in SSC passages criticising poor communication or praising concise writing. The correct antonym is 'concise' or 'terse' (using few words; brief and clear). 'Eloquent' means expressive and fluent but doesn't address word quantity. 'Articulate' means clearly expressed but can be verbose. 'Ambiguous' means unclear in meaning, unrelated to word quantity.

Question 6

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to METICULOUS.

Accepted Answer

METICULOUS (adjective) means showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. It comes from Latin 'meticulosus' (fearful, timid—originally implying careful caution). In IBPS and SSC papers, it often describes work quality or professional standards. The correct synonym is PAINSTAKING, which means taking great care and effort with details. NEGLIGENT means careless (opposite). HASTY means quick/rushed. SUPERFICIAL means shallow/not thorough.

Question 7

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to EPHEMERAL.

Accepted Answer

EPHEMERAL (adjective) means lasting for a very short time; temporary or fleeting. It comes from Greek 'ephemeros' (lasting only a day). In SSC RC passages, it often describes short-lived phenomena like trends, beauty, or moments. The correct antonym is PERMANENT, which means lasting indefinitely or forever. FRAGILE means delicate/easily broken (related to weakness, not duration). TRIVIAL means unimportant. TRANSIENT is actually a synonym of ephemeral, not an antonym.

Question 8

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to CANDID.

Accepted Answer

CANDID (adjective) means frank, honest, and straightforward in expression; not hiding one's thoughts. From Latin 'candidus' (white, pure). In SSC papers, it often describes a person's speech or opinion given without reservation. The correct synonym is FORTHRIGHT, which also means direct, honest, and without evasion.

Question 9

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to VERBOSE.

Accepted Answer

VERBOSE (adjective) means using or containing more words than necessary; wordy or long-winded. It derives from Latin 'verbosus' (full of words). In competitive exams, it describes unnecessarily lengthy writing or speech. The correct antonym is CONCISE, which means brief and to the point. ELOQUENT means fluent/expressive (unrelated to length). TERSE means brief but can also mean rude (partially related but not the best antonym). CRYPTIC means mysterious/unclear (unrelated).

Question 10

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to METICULOUS.

Accepted Answer

METICULOUS (adjective) means showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. It comes from Latin 'meticulosus' (fearful/timid), originally implying careful caution. In SSC/IBPS papers, it describes someone who works with extreme care. The correct synonym is FASTIDIOUS, which means very careful about details and standards. NEGLIGENT means careless (opposite). SUPERFICIAL means shallow/not thorough (opposite). AMBIGUOUS means unclear/vague (unrelated).

Question 11

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to EPHEMERAL.

Accepted Answer

EPHEMERAL (adjective) means lasting for a very short time; temporary. It derives from Greek 'ephemeros' (lasting only a day). In banking and competitive exams, it appears in passages about fleeting opportunities or temporary trends. The correct antonym is PERMANENT, which means lasting indefinitely or forever. TRANSIENT is a near-synonym (also means temporary). FRAGILE means delicate/easily broken (unrelated to duration). TRIVIAL means unimportant (unrelated).

Question 12

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to BENEVOLENT.

Accepted Answer

BENEVOLENT (adjective) means kind, generous, and showing goodwill towards others. It comes from Latin 'bene' (well) + 'volens' (wishing). In SSC papers, it often appears in passages about charitable organisations or kind-hearted individuals. The correct answer is PHILANTHROPIC, which means showing love for humanity through charitable acts. MALEVOLENT is its direct antonym (meaning harmful/evil). INDIFFERENT means unconcerned (opposite in spirit). PRAGMATIC means practical/realistic (unrelated).

Question 13

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to EPHEMERAL as used in the passage below:

'The beauty of cherry blossoms lies in their ephemeral nature. These delicate flowers bloom for only a few days each spring, reminding us that some of life's most precious moments are fleeting and temporary. Tourists travel from across the world to witness this brief spectacle before the petals fall.'

Accepted Answer

EPHEMERAL means lasting for a very short time; transitory or fleeting. In the passage, it describes how cherry blossoms exist only briefly. The correct synonym is TRANSIENT (lasting only a short time). PERMANENT means lasting indefinitely (opposite meaning). FRAGRANT relates to smell, not duration. DELICATE refers to physical fragility, not temporal brevity, though it appears in the passage describing the flowers themselves.

Question 14

Read the passage and answer the question.

The government's new policy on renewable energy is designed to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. By investing in solar and wind technologies, policymakers hope to obviate the need for fossil fuels within the next two decades. However, critics argue that such measures are merely palliative and do not address the root causes of environmental degradation. Despite these objections, the initiative represents a significant step towards sustainable development.

Which of the following best captures the meaning of OBVIATE as used in the passage?

Accepted Answer

OBVIATE (verb) means to remove the need for something; to make unnecessary. From Latin 'obviare' (to meet/prevent). In the passage, 'obviate the need for fossil fuels' means to eliminate/remove the necessity of using fossil fuels. The correct answer is ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR, which directly matches the context. REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON is weaker (partial reduction, not elimination). DELAY THE USE OF misses the sense of removing necessity. REGULATE THE PRODUCTION OF is unrelated.

Question 15

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

The government's decision to curtail subsidies has been met with widespread criticism from agricultural communities. Farmers argue that reducing financial support will exacerbate their already precarious situation. However, economists contend that prolonged subsidies create market distortions and hinder long-term economic growth. The debate remains contentious, with both sides presenting compelling arguments about the future of rural development.

Which of the following is most SIMILAR in meaning to the word 'curtail' as used in the passage?

Accepted Answer

The word 'curtail' in the passage means to reduce or limit something. In the context of government subsidies, it refers to cutting back or decreasing financial support. The correct answer is 'reduce' because it directly conveys the meaning of making something smaller or less in amount. 'Curtail' (from Latin 'curtus' meaning short) is a formal synonym for 'reduce' or 'cut back.' The other options represent common false synonyms that test whether students confuse similar-sounding words with actual meaning. 'Suspend' means to temporarily stop (not necessarily reduce), 'eliminate' means to remove entirely (too extreme), and 'regulate' means to control or govern (different concept). In SSC CGL papers, 'curtail' frequently appears in RC passages about policy decisions, making this a high-frequency vocabulary item.

Question 16

Read the following passage and answer the question.

'The government's decision to impose a moratorium on loan repayments was seen as a prudent measure to alleviate the financial distress faced by millions of small businesses during the economic slowdown. Critics, however, argued that such a deferral could lead to an accumulation of non-performing assets in the banking sector, ultimately jeopardising the stability of financial institutions. Economists remained divided on whether the short-term relief would offset the long-term structural damage to the credit ecosystem.'

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to the word 'ALLEVIATE' as used in the passage.

Accepted Answer

'Alleviate' comes from Latin 'alleviare' meaning 'to lighten.' It means to make suffering, pain, or a problem less severe. 'Mitigate' is its closest synonym, also meaning to lessen or reduce the intensity of something unpleasant. 'Aggravate' is its antonym (to worsen). 'Exacerbate' also means to worsen — a common distractor. 'Elucidate' means to explain or clarify, which is a meaning trap for learners who confuse the 'al-' prefix words. In SSC CGL papers, alleviate–mitigate is a frequently tested synonym pair.

Question 17

Read the passage and answer the question.

The government's new policy aims to ameliorate the living conditions of rural communities by providing better infrastructure and educational facilities. However, critics argue that such measures are merely superficial and do not address the root causes of poverty. The initiative, though well-intentioned, may prove ineffectual without sustained funding and genuine commitment from local administrators. Only through persistent effort can real change be achieved in these underprivileged regions.

Which of the following is most SIMILAR in meaning to 'ameliorate' as used in the passage?

Accepted Answer

The word 'ameliorate' means to make something better or improve it. In the passage, it refers to improving the living conditions of rural communities. The correct answer is 'improve' because it directly conveys the sense of making something better. 'Ameliorate' comes from Latin 'melior' (better) and is commonly used in formal/official contexts in SSC and banking exams. The passage context—'aims to ameliorate the living conditions'—clearly indicates a positive change or betterment.

Question 18

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to TACITURN.

Accepted Answer

TACITURN (adjective) means habitually reserved, uncommunicative, or saying little. From Latin 'tacitus' (silent). Context: 'The taciturn old man rarely spoke more than a few words at family gatherings.' The correct answer is RETICENT because both mean unwilling to speak or reserved. GARRULOUS is the opposite (talkative). TIMID means fearful. OBSTINATE means stubborn.

Question 19

Read the passage and answer the question.

The government's recent policy on agricultural subsidies has been widely criticised for its opaque implementation and lack of accountability. Farmers claim that the bureaucratic machinery obfuscates the eligibility criteria, making it nearly impossible for small landholders to access benefits. Critics argue that such obfuscation serves vested interests rather than the farming community.

Which of the following best describes the author's attitude towards the subsidy policy?

Accepted Answer

This RC question tests vocabulary comprehension in context. The words 'opaque,' 'obfuscates,' and 'obfuscation' are key to understanding the author's critical stance. The passage uses these terms to convey disapproval of deliberate concealment.

Question 20

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

The government's decision to curtail subsidies has been met with considerable opprobrium from agricultural communities. Farmers argue that such austerity measures will impoverish rural populations and exacerbate existing inequalities. However, economists contend that these reductions are imperative for fiscal stability. The debate remains contentious, with both sides presenting cogent arguments about the nation's economic future.

Which of the following words is most OPPOSITE in meaning to 'curtail' as used in the passage?

Accepted Answer

The word 'curtail' means to reduce, limit, or restrict something. In the passage, it refers to reducing subsidies. The opposite would be to increase, expand, or extend something. 'Augment' (option B) means to make greater in size or quantity, which is the direct antonym. 'Diminish' (A) is a synonym of curtail. 'Suspend' (C) means to temporarily stop, which is related but not the true opposite. 'Regulate' (D) means to control or manage, which is neither synonymous nor antonymous.

NVS TGT Vocabulary in RC

Vocabulary in RC— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Vocabulary in RC — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Vocabulary in RC