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Synonyms and opposites

English, Language. Usually met in years 7 to 11.

Choose a word with the same meaning, or the opposite, to build a bigger vocabulary.

What you practise

Starts with everyday words and ends with words such as ephemeral and ubiquitous. Practice moves up a level when a round goes well and down when it does not.

Sample questions

Each sample comes with the method and the reason every wrong option is wrong. Real practice rounds are ten questions at your level.

Sample question, level 2 of 5

Which word is the opposite of “cheap”?

  1. small
  2. light
  3. plain
  4. dull
  5. expensive
Show the answer and method

Answer: E, expensive

The method: “cheap” means costing little money. “expensive” means the opposite.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • A, small: “small” is not the opposite of “cheap”.
  • B, light: “light” is not the opposite of “cheap”.
  • C, plain: “plain” is not the opposite of “cheap”.
  • D, dull: “dull” is not the opposite of “cheap”.

Sample question, level 4 of 5

Which word means the same as “ambiguous”?

  1. obvious
  2. accurate
  3. unclear
  4. ancient
  5. dangerous
Show the answer and method

Answer: C, unclear

The method: “ambiguous” means having more than one possible meaning. “unclear” means the same.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • A, obvious: “obvious” does not mean the same as “ambiguous”.
  • B, accurate: “accurate” does not mean the same as “ambiguous”.
  • D, ancient: “ancient” does not mean the same as “ambiguous”.
  • E, dangerous: “dangerous” does not mean the same as “ambiguous”.

See where this fits: GCSE English with AQA and Key Stage 3.

Related topics: Language techniques.