ASVAB — All Questions

"Abundant" most nearly means:

• a.scarce
• b.costly
• c.hidden
• d.plentiful✓

Abundant describes something existing in large quantity or great supply. Plentiful is its closest synonym. Scarce is an antonym meaning in short supply.

"Cautious" most nearly means:

• a.reckless
• b.cheerful
• c.curious
• d.careful✓

Cautious means acting with care to avoid danger or mistakes. Careful is the nearest match. Reckless is the opposite, meaning careless.

"Vacant" most nearly means:

• a.empty✓
• b.dirty
• c.locked
• d.crowded

Vacant means not occupied or containing nothing. Empty is the closest synonym. A vacant lot or apartment has no one in it.

"Fatigue" most nearly means:

• a.hunger
• b.tiredness✓
• c.anger
• d.strength

Fatigue is a state of extreme weariness or exhaustion, usually from exertion. Tiredness is its nearest meaning. It is the opposite of feeling energetic.

"Rigid" most nearly means:

• a.warm
• b.flexible
• c.stiff✓
• d.smooth

Rigid means stiff and unable to bend easily. Stiff is the closest synonym. Flexible is the antonym, describing something that bends readily.

"Conceal" most nearly means:

• a.gather
• b.clean
• c.reveal
• d.hide✓

To conceal something is to keep it out of sight or secret. Hide is its nearest synonym. Reveal is the opposite, meaning to show.

"Ample" most nearly means:

• a.sufficient✓
• b.tiny
• c.broken
• d.rapid

Ample means more than enough or fully adequate in amount. Sufficient captures this meaning of an adequate supply. It is the opposite of insufficient.

"Diminish" most nearly means:

• a.repair
• b.brighten
• c.expand
• d.decrease✓

To diminish is to make or become smaller or less. Decrease is the closest synonym. Expand, meaning to grow larger, is its antonym.

"Novice" most nearly means:

• a.expert
• b.leader
• c.traitor
• d.beginner✓

A novice is a person new to a field or activity. Beginner is the nearest match. An expert, being highly skilled, is the opposite.

"Verify" most nearly means:

• a.confirm✓
• b.delay
• c.forget
• d.deny

To verify is to check or prove that something is true or accurate. Confirm is the closest synonym. Deny is an antonym meaning to reject as untrue.

"Hostile" most nearly means:

• a.quiet
• b.unfriendly✓
• c.welcoming
• d.wealthy

Hostile describes an unfriendly or antagonistic attitude. Unfriendly is the nearest meaning. Welcoming is the opposite.

"Fragment" most nearly means:

• a.engine
• b.piece✓
• c.signal
• d.whole

A fragment is a small broken-off part of something larger. Piece is the closest synonym. It contrasts with a whole or complete object.

"Prohibit" most nearly means:

• a.measure
• b.forbid✓
• c.praise
• d.allow

To prohibit something is to formally forbid it by rule or law. Forbid is the nearest synonym. Allow is the antonym, meaning to permit.

"Sturdy" most nearly means:

• a.strong✓
• b.fragile
• c.distant
• d.gentle

Sturdy means solidly built and strong. Strong is the closest match. Fragile, meaning easily broken, is its opposite.

"Vivid" most nearly means:

• a.heavy
• b.bright✓
• c.silent
• d.dull

Vivid describes something bright, intense, or strikingly clear. Bright is the nearest synonym. Dull is the antonym, meaning lacking brightness.

"Assemble" most nearly means:

• a.sell
• b.gather✓
• c.scatter
• d.ignore

To assemble is to bring or come together into a group or whole. Gather is the closest synonym. Scatter is the opposite, meaning to spread apart.

Abate most nearly means

• a.subside✓
• b.conclude
• c.repeat
• d.enlarge

To abate is to lessen or die down, as a storm abates. Enlarge is its opposite, and the other choices describe different actions entirely.

The sergeant gave a terse reply. Terse most nearly means

• a.brief✓
• b.loud
• c.rude
• d.long-winded

Terse describes speech that is short and to the point. It can sound abrupt, but the meaning is about length rather than politeness or volume.

Lenient most nearly means

• a.punctual
• b.tolerant✓
• c.strict
• d.unforgiving

A lenient supervisor is easygoing about the rules and slow to punish. Strict and unforgiving both point the other way.

Candid most nearly means

• a.hidden
• b.clumsy
• c.formal
• d.frank✓

A candid remark is honest and unguarded. Hidden is the reverse, and formal describes tone rather than honesty.

Deter most nearly means

• a.determine
• b.deteriorate
• c.postpone
• d.discourage✓

To deter is to prevent someone from acting by making the action unattractive. Postponing an act only delays it, and the other choices concern deciding and decaying.

Frugal most nearly means

• a.thrifty✓
• b.hungry
• c.careless
• d.wealthy

A frugal person spends sparingly. Wealth is unrelated, since a rich person may be frugal and a poor person may not be.

The bridge was declared obsolete. Obsolete most nearly means

• a.unstable
• b.crowded
• c.outdated✓
• d.expensive

Something obsolete has been replaced by something newer and is no longer in use. An obsolete item may still be perfectly sound structurally.

Meager most nearly means

• a.scant✓
• b.steady
• c.bright
• d.heavy

Meager means small in amount and less than is needed, as in a meager portion.

Placid most nearly means

• a.sour
• b.flat
• c.calm✓
• d.tense

Placid describes something untroubled and still, such as a placid lake or a placid temperament. Tense is its opposite.

Taut most nearly means

• a.tight✓
• b.sudden
• c.damp
• d.hollow

A taut rope is pulled tight with no slack left in it. The word says nothing about moisture, weight, or speed.

Vigilant most nearly means

• a.truthful
• b.cheerful
• c.restless
• d.watchful✓

A vigilant sentry stays alert for danger. Restless describes an inability to keep still, which is a different idea.

Fledgling most nearly means

• a.soldier
• b.specialist
• c.beginner✓
• d.teacher

A fledgling bird has only just left the nest, and the word carries over to anyone just starting out. A specialist sits at the opposite end of the same scale.

Fog began to shroud the harbor. Shroud most nearly means

• a.carry
• b.clean
• c.find
• d.hide✓

To shroud something is to cover it so that it cannot be seen. Find is roughly its opposite.

Diligent most nearly means

• a.forgetful
• b.talkative
• c.hardworking✓
• d.unpredictable

A diligent worker applies steady, careful effort. The word describes effort, not results or personality.

The corporal's account of the incident was accurate. Accurate most nearly means

• a.correct✓
• b.recent
• c.lengthy
• d.unusual

An accurate account matches the facts. Its length and how recently it was given say nothing about whether it is right.

Adjacent most nearly means

• a.distant
• b.neighboring✓
• c.concealed
• d.crooked

Adjacent things lie next to each other, as in adjacent rooms. Distant is its opposite.

Potent most nearly means

• a.gentle
• b.clever
• c.hollow
• d.strong✓

A potent dose or a potent argument carries great force or effect. Gentle suggests the opposite kind of strength.

Perilous most nearly means

• a.risky✓
• b.doubtful
• c.pleasant
• d.lengthy

A perilous route is one that puts a traveler at risk. Doubtful concerns uncertainty rather than danger.

Halt most nearly means

• a.climb
• b.join
• c.rush
• d.stop✓

To halt is to bring movement to an end, as a column halts on command. Rush points the opposite way.

Reluctant most nearly means

• a.prompt
• b.capable
• c.hesitant✓
• d.enthusiastic

A reluctant volunteer holds back. Enthusiastic is its opposite, and capable concerns ability rather than willingness.

Lethargy most nearly means

• a.irritation
• b.tiredness✓
• c.hunger
• d.muscle

Lethargy is a heavy lack of energy and unwillingness to move. Hunger and irritation are different states entirely.

Void most nearly means

• a.narrow
• b.hidden
• c.filled
• d.empty✓

A void space contains nothing at all. Filled is its opposite, and the other choices describe shape and visibility.

Summit most nearly means

• a.border
• b.peak✓
• c.valley
• d.meadow

The summit is the highest point of a mountain. Valley is the low ground between mountains.

Ponder most nearly means

• a.consider✓
• b.release
• c.forget
• d.measure

To ponder is to think something over carefully before acting.

Legible most nearly means

• a.breakable
• b.lawful
• c.spoken
• d.readable✓

Legible handwriting can be made out easily. Lawful sounds similar to legal but is a different word family from legible.

Barren most nearly means

• a.bare✓
• b.rocky
• c.muddy
• d.green

Barren land produces little or no vegetation. Rocky ground can still support plants, so it is not the same idea.

Congregate most nearly means

• a.inspect
• b.deliver
• c.disperse
• d.gather✓

To congregate is to come together in a crowd. Disperse is its opposite, describing a crowd breaking up.

The colonel issued a stern warning. Stern most nearly means

• a.vague
• b.final
• c.harsh✓
• d.brief

A stern warning is severe and unsmiling in tone. It may be short, but shortness is not what the word means.

Prudent most nearly means

• a.generous
• b.wealthy
• c.sensible✓
• d.stubborn

A prudent decision shows good judgment and forethought about consequences.

Detect most nearly means

• a.gather
• b.forbid
• c.notice✓
• d.repair

To detect is to discover the presence of something, often something faint or concealed.

Endorse most nearly means

• a.question
• b.support✓
• c.delay
• d.cancel

To endorse a plan is to give it public backing. The word also means to sign the back of a check, which is a form of approval.

Sever most nearly means

• a.soak
• b.bend
• c.cut✓
• d.join

To sever is to cut something apart completely. Join is its opposite.

Robust most nearly means

• a.sturdy✓
• b.fragile
• c.hollow
• d.hasty

Robust means strong and healthy, or strongly built. Fragile is its opposite.

Ration most nearly means

• a.shortage
• b.container
• c.surplus
• d.allotment✓

A ration is a fixed share handed out to one person. A shortage may be the reason rations are issued, but the word names the share itself.

Erratic most nearly means

• a.gradual
• b.precise
• c.permanent
• d.unsteady✓

Erratic behavior is irregular and unpredictable. Gradual describes a steady rate of change, which is nearly the reverse.

Comply most nearly means

• a.argue
• b.boast
• c.plead
• d.obey✓

To comply is to act in accordance with an order or a rule. Argue points the other way.

Ascend most nearly means

• a.fall
• b.drift
• c.rise✓
• d.pause

To ascend is to move upward. Fall is its opposite, and drift carries no sense of direction.

Hoist most nearly means

• a.lift✓
• b.clamp
• c.drop
• d.twist

To hoist is to raise a load, usually with a rope, pulley, or crane.

Immerse most nearly means

• a.submerge✓
• b.evaporate
• c.decorate
• d.sprinkle

To immerse is to put something completely under a liquid. Sprinkling wets only the surface.

Sparse most nearly means

• a.rough
• b.dense
• c.plain
• d.thin✓

Sparse describes things thinly scattered, such as sparse vegetation. Dense is its opposite.

The recruit showed remarkable poise under pressure. Poise most nearly means

• a.determination
• b.talent
• c.composure✓
• d.strength

Poise is calm self-possession in a difficult moment. Strength and talent describe capability rather than steadiness.

Hasten most nearly means

• a.stroll
• b.hurry✓
• c.delay
• d.linger

To hasten is to move or act quickly, or to make something happen sooner. Delay and linger both point the opposite way.

Obstruct most nearly means

• a.block✓
• b.repair
• c.permit
• d.follow

To obstruct is to get in the way of movement or progress. Permit is its opposite.

Trivial most nearly means

• a.dangerous
• b.expensive
• c.temporary
• d.unimportant✓

A trivial detail carries little weight. Temporary concerns duration, not importance.

Wary most nearly means

• a.cautious✓
• b.good-natured
• c.weary
• d.reckless

To be wary is to be on guard against trouble. Weary looks almost identical but means tired.

Convene most nearly means

• a.postpone
• b.announce
• c.assemble✓
• d.adjourn

To convene a meeting is to bring it together. Adjourn is the opposite act of ending one.