Vocabulary for Exams: Synonyms, Antonyms and Word Roots
A practical method for building exam vocabulary using roots, prefixes, context and daily review, with useful root examples.
Vocabulary questions ask for synonyms, antonyms, meanings in context and fill-in-the-blank words. A smart method beats memorising long lists.
Learn words in families
Many English words are built from Latin and Greek roots. Learn the roots, and you can guess many words.
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| bene | good | benefit, benevolent |
| mal | bad | malice, malfunction |
| dict | say | dictate, predict |
| spect | look | inspect, spectator |
| port | carry | transport, portable |
| scrib / script | write | describe, manuscript |
| vid / vis | see | video, visible |
| chron | time | chronic, chronology |
| bio | life | biology, biography |
Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| un-, in-, im-, dis- | not | unhappy, invisible, dishonest |
| re- | again | rewrite |
| pre- | before | prepare |
| anti- | against | antisocial |
| sub- | under | submarine |
| inter- | between | international |
Learn with context
A word learned in a sentence sticks better than one learned alone. Write a short sentence for each new word.
Synonyms and antonyms
- Learn pairs together: generous / stingy, rigid / flexible, scarce / abundant.
- Note shades of meaning. "Thin", "slim" and "skinny" differ in tone.
- Watch for words with several meanings.
A daily routine
- Learn 5 to 10 new words a day.
- Write each with a meaning and a sentence.
- Review yesterday's words first thing.
- Revisit weekly, and test yourself.
- Use the words in speaking or writing.
Sources
- Newspaper editorials and articles.
- Books and magazines.
- Past exam questions.
- A dictionary for precise meanings.
Answering vocabulary questions
- Read the sentence for context.
- Eliminate clearly wrong options.
- Consider the tone: positive or negative?
- Check that your choice fits grammatically.
Tips
- Don't memorise without using.
- Keep a notebook or phone list.
- Revise often instead of cramming.
Practice
Short daily vocabulary sets build the habit and keep words fresh.
Online Exam Question & Answer
Practice questions for SSC, Bank, IBPS, GATE, UPSC, RRB, CAT, MAT and more
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