Grouping of Words

The task

You are given a random list of about twenty words of moderate difficulty and asked to arrange them in pairs, either of similar meaning (synonyms) or of opposite meaning (antonyms), as the question directs. Each correct pair earns marks, so accuracy matters more than speed.

Strategy

• Read the instruction carefully: synonyms or antonyms?
• Start with the words you are sure of and cross them off.
• Check the part of speech: an adjective pairs with an adjective, a verb with a verb.
• Use prefixes and roots as clues: 'bene-' (good) vs 'male-' (bad); 'in-', 'im-', 'un-', 'dis-' often make opposites.
• Leave the most doubtful words to the end; by elimination they often pair with each other.
• Build vocabulary through the Synonyms & Antonyms section and regular reading.

Practice set 1: pair the synonyms

Abundant, Frank, Stubborn, Transient, Diligent, Viable, Lucid, Ample, Sociable, Scrupulous, Candid, Feasible, Clear, Industrious, Ephemeral, Gregarious, Meticulous, Obstinate, Prudent, Wise

Answers to set 1

Practice set 2: pair the antonyms

Affluent, Malevolent, Indolent, Extravagant, Zenith, Obscure, Arrogant, Opaque, Pessimistic, Evasive, Impoverished, Benevolent, Diligent, Frugal, Humble, Lucid, Optimistic, Transparent, Candid, Nadir

Answers to set 2