Lesson: Antonyms - 03

Antonym: Strategies for higher Score

In the previous section, you picked up some valuable ideas for gaining a tactical advantage on Antonyms for higher score on the test. Here you’ll review those ideas and learn about some others. As a whole, these strategies will give you the insights into Antonyms that you need to be able to think clearly about them and handle them efficiently. They’ll also help you avoid the kinds of blunders that average test-takers might commit.

Don’t Expect to Find a Perfect Opposite Every Time

In many Antonyms, you won’t find a perfect opposite among the five choices. Here’s a example:

Example

Explanation

The correct answer is (B). To SATE is to “fully satisfy an appetite or desire,” as in He sated his appetite. The word deprive, which means “withhold a need or want,” is probably the best antonym, but it’s not among the five choices. One meaning of the word want is “to be without or to lack.” Though not as good an antonym as deprive, the word want is certainly contrary to SATE in meaning, and it’s the best of the five listed choices.

Resolve Close Judgment Calls in Favor of the More Specific Antonym

Among the test designers’ favorite Antonym strategies—especially for more challenging questions is to provide a “runner-up answer choice that is wrong because it is not quite as specific or on-target as the correct choice.

Example

Explanation

The correct answer is (B). A person who is careful, thoughtful, and ponderous in his or her actions and decisions is said to be DELIBERATIVE. The only viable choices are (B) and (D). Slowness to make decisions may appear to be indecisive behavior, but what characterizes a deliberative person is not decisiveness as much as the thought and care used in deciding.

Think of a Common Synonym for an Uncommon Headword

It can be difficult to analyze answer choices accompanying an austere (“troublesome or difficult”) headword. Assuming you have an idea what the headword means, try thinking of an everyday synonym of the headword—a less austere word or short phrase—and then compare the five answer choices with that commonly used word.

Example

Explanation

The correct answer is (D). VITRIOLIC means “caustic or scathing.” But even these two synonyms are a bit unwieldy, so try using an easier word, such as mean or nasty. Now it’s easier to spot the best antonym among the five choices. The opposite of mean is kind.

Next to display next topic in the chapter.

Antonym questions test not only your vocabulary but also your ability to reason from a concept to its opposite. So while a solid vocabulary is the most important factor in success, a bit of logic comes into play as well. As always, we’ll get things started with an X-ray.