|
|
Answers to Sample GRE Antonyms Questions
1. MOROSE:
A. overawed
B. agitated
C. cherubic
D. decisive
E. cheerful
Explanation:
To be “morose” means to be gloomy or sullen. It is used to describe
people’s dispositions. A “cheerful” person is not gloomy or sullen. The
correct answer is E. to be “overawed” means to be overcome by superior
power or authority. To be “agitated” means to be excited or disturbed.
It does not necessarily imply good humor. A gloomy person may or may not
be “agitated”. “Cherubic” is usually used to describe a person’s
appearance as rosy, innocent, or childlike. A cherub is not likely to
appear “morose”, but “cherubic” does not necessarily indicate a sunny
disposition. A “decisive” person is able to make decisions and stick by
them. A decisive person may or may not have a cheerful disposition.
2. OFFHAND:
A. accurate
B. universal
C. appropriate
D. premeditated
E. disputatious
Explanation:
“Offhand” means done without preparation or much prior thought. It
refers to a person’s actions or statements. D is the correct answer.
“Premeditated” means thought about or prepared for ahead of time. To be
“accurate” means to be correct or free from error. An “offhand”
statement is not necessary an inaccurate one. To be “universal” means to
be applicable everywhere. It does not imply anything about prior thought
or preparation. Something “offhand” is not by definition the opposite of
“appropriate”. To be “disputatious” means to be likely to argue. This
quality does not imply anything about either preparation or lack of
preparation.
3. WARMONGER:
A. commentator
B. liaison
C. lobbyist
D. emissary
E. pacifist
Explanation:
A “warmonger” is one who incites other to make war. E is the correct
answer. A “pacifist” is one who actively oppose war. A “commentator” is
one who reports, usually in an objective manner and without taking sides
on issues. A “liaison” is a person who provides a link between people or
groups. A “liaison” does not necessarily have particular views about
war. A “lobbyist” is one who promotes a particular point of view in
order to influence public officials. No single view necessarily
characterizes every “lobbyist”. An “emissary” is a messenger or agent.
No particular view necessarily characterizes an “emissary”.
4. PERSEVERE:
A. put into
B. send out
C. take away
D. give up
E. bring forward
Explanation:
To “persevere” means to continue in an enterprise in spite of opposition
or other difficulties. D is the correct answer. To “give up” can mean to
cease to try to accomplish something. To “put into” could mean to
invest, as energy, or, more generally, to insert. To “send out” means to
emit. To “take away” means to subtract, to relieve someone of something,
or to remove. To “bring forward” can mean to move up or to carry over.
It does not suggest a lack of perseverance.
5. EXPIRE:
A. evolve
B. stabilize
C. come to life
D. grow to fruition
E. bring to light
Explanation:
To “expire” means to die or to run out of time. C is the correct answer.
To “come to life” (to begin living) is the opposite of to die (to end
life). To “evolve” means to develop gradually. The process of evolution
must involve life, but to “evolve” is not the opposite of to die. to
“stabilize” means to make steady or to maintain without change. To
remain in a stabilized condition may mean to remain alive, but it is not
the opposite of dying (ending life). To “growth to fruition” means to
develop to the point of being productive. It is necessary to be alive in
order to “grow to fruition,” but the condition of being productive is
not the opposite of dying. To “bring to light” means to reveal. It is
done to another person or to a thing.
6. METAMORPHOSE:
A. move ahead
B. remain unaltered
C. descend slowly
D. examine in haste
E. prepare in advance
Explanation:
To “metamorphose” means to change or be transformed into something else.
B is the correct answer. To “remain unaltered” is the opposite of
changing or being transformed into something else. Metamorphosis might
be part of a process of moving ahead, but to “metamorphose” is not the
opposite of moving ahead. To “descend slowly” means to come down without
speed. Coming down is not the opposite of transformation. Examining in
haste has no clear relationship to metamorphosis. Preparing in advance
is a preliminary step, not the opposite of transforming.
7. PUNGENCY:
A. boredom
B. redundancy
C. unresponsiveness
D. blandness
E. insignificance
Explanation:
In some contexts, “pungency” is a quality that is directly perceived. It
implies sharpness, a stinging quality, and frequently applies to smells
or tastes. D is the correct answer. “Blandness” means lacking flavor,
not irritating, stimulating, sharp, or stinging. It is frequently used
to describe tastes. Something that is the opposite of pungent might
cause “boredom,” but “boredom” is a feeling rather than a quality.
“Redundancy” refers to that which is extra, unnecessary, or repetitive.
“Pungency” is a quality that might provoke a response, but
“unresponsiveness” is a characteristic of the perceiver, not of the
thing perceived. “Insignificance” is a quality, but it does not
necessarily imply a lack of sharpness. It is not a common quality of
tastes or smells.
8. DIVESTITURE:
A. acquisition
B. promotion
C. subsidization
D. consultation
E. monopolization
Explanation:
“Divestiture” is a taking away of something, presumably desirable, that
was formerly possessed or owned. One can divest oneself, or one can be
divested of something during “divestiture”. A is the correct answer.
“Acquisition” means coming into possession of something desired.
“Promotion” means the act of advancing or raising to a new, better
position. One could be divested of a new position, but the idea of a
position is not included in the definition of “divestiture” as it is in
the definition of “promotion”. “Subsidization” means the act of giving
money or aid in any of several possible situations. “Subsidization”
refers to a continuing process of being granted something rather than to
the point at which something is attained. “Consultation” means a
conferring among people. It does not have to do with giving or taking.
“Monopolization” implies having all of something, whereas “divestiture”
does not imply amount or degree of divesting.
9. DISPATCH:
A. serenity
B. leisureliness
C. heedlessness
D. irregularity
E. aversion
Explanation:
“Dispatch” in this question means quick efficiency. Although “dispatch”
can also be used as a verb, “serenity” in the first choice is used only
as a noun and not as a verb, so “dispatch” must also be used as a noun.
“Leisureliness” means unhurried pace. It implies slowness and lack of
quick efficiency. “Serenity” means calmness, and may suggest a state of
mind or an appearance of calm. Though “dispatch” suggests activity, it
is not incompatible with “serenity”. “Heedlessness” means lack of care
in performance. It implies a lack of efficiency but implies nothing
about the speed of operation. “Irregularity” can suggest dishonesty or a
lack of continuity in action. It does not imply lack of either speed or
efficiency. An “aversion” is a feeling of dislike or a desire to avoid,
rather than a way of behaving.
|
