One word that says what a whole phrase says: a person who cannot be corrected is incorrigible, the study of birds is ornithology, the killing of a king is regicide. This lesson shows how the questions are asked, the word parts that unlock most of them, and the pairs of look-alike answers that CUET uses as traps.
A one-word substitution question gives a phrase, "a person who walks in his sleep", and asks for the single word that means it: somnambulist. The options are usually four real words that look alike, so knowing roughly what the answer means is not enough. You have to know which of the look-alikes is which.
One-word substitution is not on NTA's list of item types. It is here because the papers since 2022 have asked up to seven a shift. It is also the chapter where a little learning goes furthest, because most answers are built from a few dozen word parts.
These parts account for a large share of the answers. Once you know them, a word like "fratricide" explains itself: frater, brother, and -cide, killing.
| Part | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -cide | killing | homicide, regicide, genocide, patricide |
| -cracy, -archy | rule | democracy, autocracy, monarchy, anarchy |
| -logy | study of | biology, geology, psychology, ornithology |
| -phile | lover of | bibliophile |
| phil- | love | philanthropist, philately |
| mis- | hatred | misanthrope, misogynist |
| omni- | all | omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent |
| mono-, bi-, poly- | one, two, many | monologue, bilingual, polyglot |
| in-, im- ... -ible, -able | cannot be | invisible, incurable, indelible |
| -ist | a person who | atheist, pacifist, numismatist |
Example 1 · Build it from its parts
Choose the one word for: the killing of one's own mother. Options: patricide; fratricide; matricide; homicide.
The -cide ending is shared by all four, so it does not help choose. The first part does.
Mater means mother, as in maternal and maternity. Pater is father and frater is brother.
Matricide.
Homicide is the killing of any person, which is true but not precise. One-word substitution always wants the most exact word.
A large group of answers is "in-" or "im-" plus a root plus "-ible" or "-able". Know the root and you know the word:
Example 2 · Pick the right root
Choose the one word for: something that cannot be divided. Options: invisible; inaudible; indivisible; invincible.
All four share the "in- ... -ible" frame, so read the middle.
"Divis" is divide, as in division. "Vis" is see, "aud" is hear, "vinc" is conquer.
Indivisible.
Invisible is the eye-trap: it differs from indivisible by only two letters, and many readers see what they expect.
CUET places one of these partners among the options more often than any other kind of wrong answer. Learn them as pairs.
| This | means | Not to be confused with | which means |
|---|---|---|---|
| emigrant | one who leaves a country | immigrant | one who comes into it |
| biennial | every two years | biannual | twice a year |
| epidemic | spreading in one area | pandemic | spreading across the world |
| astronomy | science of the stars | astrology | belief that stars shape lives |
| entomology | study of insects | etymology | study of word origins |
| sceptic | one who doubts claims | cynic | one who thinks people are selfish |
| atheist | denies that God exists | agnostic | says it cannot be known |
| philatelist | collects stamps | philanthropist | gives to help people |
Watch out
The most exact word wins. For "a man whose wife has died", widow is a real word and close, but it is the woman. For "a disease that cannot be cured", chronic is close, but chronic means long-lasting, not incurable. When two options are nearly right, reread the phrase for the one detail only one of them matches.
Roots
Method
Pairs
The spelling of many of these words is tested too, in confusable words and spelling.
Every word the questions below test, with the meaning they test it in. Tap a word for an example and to add it to My words, where it comes back for review over the next two weeks.
180 questions, grouped by type, easy to hard. Pick an answer and check it. The worked solution opens when you ask for it.
Choose the one word for: a person who does not believe that God exists.
AnswerB · atheist
An atheist does not believe in God: "a-" means without and "theos" means god.
Worth noting
Agnostic is close but different: an agnostic says we cannot know, not that God does not exist.
Choose the one word for: a lively, confident person who enjoys being with other people.
AnswerC · extrovert
An extrovert enjoys company: "extro-" means outwards.
Worth noting
Introvert is the opposite, someone who turns inwards.
Choose the one word for: a quiet person who prefers to be alone or with a few people.
AnswerB · introvert
An introvert prefers quiet and few people: "intro-" means inwards.
Worth noting
Intruder looks alike but is someone who enters without permission.
Choose the one word for: a person who eats far too much.
AnswerD · glutton
A glutton eats far too much.
Worth noting
Gourmet is a person who enjoys fine food, which is about taste, not quantity.
Choose the one word for: a person who pretends to be good or to believe what they do not.
AnswerD · hypocrite
A hypocrite pretends to have beliefs or goodness they do not have.
Worth noting
Critic shares the ending but is someone who judges others' work.
Choose the one word for: a child whose parents are dead.
AnswerA · orphan
An orphan is a child whose parents are dead.
Worth noting
Widow is a woman whose husband has died.
Choose the one word for: a person who walks on the road rather than travelling in a vehicle.
AnswerB · pedestrian
A pedestrian is a person walking on a street.
Worth noting
Passenger travels in a vehicle driven by someone else.
Choose the one word for: a person who is among the first to do something new.
AnswerD · pioneer
A pioneer is one of the first to do something new.
Worth noting
Follower is the opposite. Veteran has long experience, which is not the same as being first.
Choose the one word for: a person who does not eat meat or fish.
AnswerB · vegetarian
A vegetarian is a person who eats no meat or fish.
Worth noting
Herbivore is close but is used of animals that eat only plants, like cows.
Choose the one word for: a person with long experience of something.
AnswerA · veteran
A veteran has long experience.
Worth noting
Novice and apprentice are the opposite: people just starting.
Choose the one word for: a woman whose husband has died.
AnswerC · widow
A widow is a woman whose husband has died.
Worth noting
Widower is a man whose wife has died, and spinster an unmarried woman.
Choose the one word for: a person who dies for a cause or belief.
AnswerC · martyr
A martyr dies for a cause.
Worth noting
Hero and patriot need not die; victim suffers harm, but not for a cause.
Choose the one word for: a person who moves from place to place and has no fixed home.
AnswerB · nomad
A nomad moves from place to place with no fixed home.
Worth noting
Pilgrim travels to a holy place and returns home.
Choose the one word for: a person who betrays his country.
AnswerA · traitor
A traitor betrays his country or friends.
Worth noting
Patriot is the opposite. Spy gathers secrets, but may do so loyally for his own country.
Choose the one word for: a person who pretends to be a doctor.
AnswerB · quack
A quack pretends to have medical skill.
Worth noting
Surgeon, nurse and chemist all have real training.
Choose the one word for: a ruler who uses his power cruelly and unfairly.
AnswerC · tyrant
A tyrant rules cruelly and unfairly.
Worth noting
Monarch is any king or queen, cruel or not.
Choose the one word for: a person who does something for pleasure, not as a paid job.
AnswerD · amateur
An amateur does something for pleasure, not pay.
Worth noting
Professional is the opposite. Volunteer works for no pay too, but for a cause, not a hobby.
Choose the one word for: a person who loves and serves his country.
AnswerB · patriot
A patriot loves and serves his country.
Worth noting
Traitor is the opposite, and citizen is only a member of a country.
Choose the one word for: a person who always expects good things to happen.
AnswerA · optimist
An optimist expects good things.
Worth noting
Pessimist is the opposite.
Choose the one word for: a person who always expects the worst.
AnswerC · pessimist
A pessimist expects bad things to happen.
Worth noting
Sceptic doubts claims but does not necessarily expect the worst.
Choose the one word for: a man whose wife has died.
AnswerD · widower
A widower is a man whose wife has died.
Worth noting
Widow is a woman whose husband has died.
Choose the one word for: a person who dislikes other people and avoids them.
AnswerC · misanthrope
A misanthrope dislikes people: "mis-" means hate and "anthrop" means human being.
Worth noting
Philanthropist is the opposite, a lover of people who helps them.
Choose the one word for: a rich person who gives money to help others.
AnswerB · philanthropist
A philanthropist gives to help people: "phil-" means love and "anthrop" means human being.
Worth noting
Philatelist also begins with "phil-", but it is a collector of stamps.
Choose the one word for: a man who hates women.
AnswerD · misogynist
A misogynist hates women: "mis-" means hate and "gyn" means woman.
Worth noting
Misanthrope hates all people, not women in particular.
Choose the one word for: a person who collects stamps.
AnswerA · philatelist
A philatelist collects stamps.
Worth noting
Numismatist collects coins, the other collector's word CUET often pairs with it.
Choose the one word for: a person who loves books.
AnswerC · bibliophile
A bibliophile loves books: "biblio" means book and "-phile" means lover.
Worth noting
Librarian looks after books as a job, which is not the same as loving them.
Choose the one word for: a person who speaks many languages.
AnswerD · polyglot
A polyglot speaks many languages: "poly" means many and "glot" means tongue.
Worth noting
Polymath shares "poly" but is a person who knows many subjects. Bilingual means two languages.
Choose the one word for: a ruler who has total power.
AnswerC · autocrat
An autocrat rules with total power: "auto" means self and "-crat" means ruler.
Worth noting
Bureaucrat is a government official, and aristocrat is a member of a noble family.
Choose the one word for: a person who thinks only of himself or herself.
AnswerA · egoist
An egoist thinks only of himself: "ego" means I or self.
Worth noting
Altruist is the opposite, someone who thinks of others first.
Choose the one word for: a person who copies another's writing and presents it as their own.
AnswerC · plagiarist
A plagiarist copies another's words or ideas and calls them his own.
Worth noting
Forger is close, but a forger makes a fake document or signature, not copied writing.
Choose the one word for: a person who doubts that things are true.
AnswerB · sceptic
A sceptic doubts claims until they are proved.
Worth noting
Cynic is close but different: a cynic believes people are selfish, while a sceptic doubts claims.
Choose the one word for: a person who spends money carelessly and wastes it.
AnswerA · spendthrift
A spendthrift wastes money.
Worth noting
Miser is the opposite. The "thrift" in spendthrift fools readers, but the word means someone who spends it all.
Choose the one word for: a person who draws maps.
AnswerD · cartographer
A cartographer draws maps: "carto" comes from a word for map or chart.
Worth noting
Geographer studies the earth, which is not the same as drawing maps.
Choose the one word for: a person who leaves his own country to settle in another.
AnswerA · emigrant
An emigrant leaves his country: "e-" means out of.
Worth noting
Immigrant is the same person seen from the new country: one who comes in.
Choose the one word for: a person who comes to live in a country from another.
AnswerC · immigrant
An immigrant comes into a country to live: "im-" means into.
Worth noting
Emigrant is the one who leaves, seen from the country left behind.
Choose the one word for: a person who is running away, especially from the police.
AnswerD · fugitive
A fugitive is running away from the law.
Worth noting
Refugee has also fled, but from war or danger, not from the police.
Choose the one word for: a person who pretends to be someone else to deceive others.
AnswerC · impostor
An impostor pretends to be another person to deceive.
Worth noting
Hypocrite pretends to have good beliefs, not to be someone else. Actor plays a role, but not to deceive.
Choose the one word for: a child with an unusually great talent.
AnswerA · prodigy
A prodigy is a child with an unusual talent.
Worth noting
Prodigal looks alike but means wasteful. Genius is close, but it is not specifically a child.
Choose the one word for: a person whose beliefs are so strong that he will not listen to reason.
AnswerB · fanatic
A fanatic holds beliefs so strongly that he is unreasonable.
Worth noting
Fan is where the word "fan" came from, but a fan only likes something very much.
Choose the one word for: a person who collects or studies coins.
AnswerA · numismatist
A numismatist collects or studies coins.
Worth noting
Numerologist looks alike but is someone who believes numbers affect our lives.
Choose the one word for: a person who believes it is impossible to know whether God exists.
AnswerB · agnostic
An agnostic holds that we cannot know whether God exists.
Worth noting
Atheist is the trap: an atheist denies God, while an agnostic only says it cannot be known.
Choose the one word for: a person who is married to two people at the same time.
AnswerD · bigamist
A bigamist has two marriages at the same time: "bi-" means two.
Worth noting
Monogamist has one marriage, and a celibate none. Misogamist, a hater of marriage, only looks alike.
Choose the one word for: an expert judge of art, food or music.
AnswerA · connoisseur
A connoisseur is an expert who can judge the quality of art, food or music.
Worth noting
Critic is close, but a critic's job is to review; a connoisseur is an expert in taste. Amateur and novice are the opposite.
Choose the one word for: a soldier who fights for any country that pays him.
AnswerC · mercenary
A mercenary fights for money, not for his own country.
Worth noting
Patriot is the opposite: one who serves out of love for his country.
Choose the one word for: a person who bears pain or trouble without complaining.
AnswerD · stoic
A stoic bears pain and trouble without complaint.
Worth noting
Martyr is close, but a martyr suffers or dies for a cause; a stoic simply endures without fuss.
Choose the one word for: a person who never drinks alcohol.
AnswerC · teetotaller
A teetotaller never drinks alcohol.
Worth noting
Drunkard is the opposite, and vegetarian is about food, not drink.
Choose the one word for: a person skilled in beautiful handwriting.
AnswerB · calligrapher
A calligrapher writes beautifully by hand: "calli" means beauty and "graph" means writing.
Worth noting
Stenographer writes shorthand quickly, for speed, not beauty.
Choose the one word for: a person who believes that people act only for selfish reasons.
AnswerA · cynic
A cynic believes people are always selfish.
Worth noting
Sceptic is the trap: a sceptic doubts claims, but does not assume the worst of people.
Choose the one word for: a person who writes dictionaries.
AnswerB · lexicographer
A lexicographer writes dictionaries: "lexicon" means a list of words.
Worth noting
Linguist studies language in general; biographer writes life stories.
Choose the one word for: a person who believes that all war is wrong.
AnswerD · pacifist
A pacifist opposes war and violence: "pac" means peace.
Worth noting
Activist works for a cause, which may or may not be peace.
Choose the one word for: a person who believes there should be no government or laws.
AnswerA · anarchist
An anarchist believes in no government: "an-" means without and "archy" means rule.
Worth noting
Monarchist supports rule by a king, close to the opposite.
Choose the one word for: a person who knows and enjoys fine food and drink.
AnswerD · epicure
An epicure enjoys and understands fine food and drink.
Worth noting
Glutton is the trap: a glutton eats too much; an epicure cares about quality.
Choose the one word for: a person who lends money at a very high rate of interest.
AnswerB · usurer
A usurer lends money at very high interest.
Worth noting
Usurper looks alike but is someone who takes power or a throne unlawfully. Debtor is the borrower.
Choose the one word for: a person with great skill in music.
AnswerD · virtuoso
A virtuoso has outstanding skill in music or another art.
Worth noting
Composer writes music, which is not the same as great skill in playing it.
Choose the one word for: a person who walks in his sleep.
AnswerA · somnambulist
A somnambulist walks in his sleep: "somn" means sleep and "ambul" means walk.
Worth noting
Insomniac is someone who cannot sleep, close to the opposite.
Choose the one word for: a person who speaks without moving his lips, so that his voice seems to come from a puppet.
AnswerC · ventriloquist
A ventriloquist makes his voice seem to come from somewhere else, usually a puppet.
Worth noting
Mimic copies other people's voices, but does not throw his own voice into a puppet.
Choose the one word for: a person who stays unmarried, often for religious reasons.
AnswerA · celibate
A celibate stays unmarried by choice, often for religious reasons.
Worth noting
Bachelor is simply an unmarried man; it says nothing about choosing to stay so.
Choose the one word for: unable to pay one's debts.
AnswerD · insolvent
Insolvent means unable to pay one's debts.
Worth noting
Insolent looks alike but means rude. Indigent means poor, which is not quite the same as unable to pay debts.
Choose the one word for: a person who enjoys causing pain to others.
AnswerC · sadist
A sadist enjoys causing others pain.
Worth noting
Stoic bears pain without complaint, which is nothing like causing it.
Choose the one word for: a person who takes up an art only for amusement, without serious study.
AnswerB · dilettante
A dilettante dabbles in an art for fun, without serious study.
Worth noting
Virtuoso and connoisseur are the opposite: people of real skill or knowledge.
Choose the one word for: the study of the past through old remains dug out of the ground.
AnswerD · archaeology
Archaeology studies the past from remains such as tools, pots and buildings.
Worth noting
History studies the past mainly from written records, not from digging.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of the stars and planets.
AnswerC · astronomy
Astronomy is the science of the stars, planets and space.
Worth noting
Astrology looks alike but is the belief that stars affect people's lives; it is not a science.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of plants.
AnswerD · botany
Botany is the study of plants.
Worth noting
Biology studies all living things, plants and animals together.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of animals.
AnswerA · zoology
Zoology is the study of animals.
Worth noting
Ornithology and entomology study only birds and insects.
Choose the one word for: the study of knowledge, reality and how to live rightly.
AnswerB · philosophy
Philosophy studies the nature of knowledge, reality and right living: "philo" means love and "sophia" wisdom.
Worth noting
Theology studies religion and God, which is only part of what philosophers ask.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of the mind and behaviour.
AnswerC · psychology
Psychology studies the mind: "psyche" means mind.
Worth noting
Physiology studies the body, not the mind.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of rocks and the earth's structure.
AnswerC · geology
Geology is the study of rocks and the structure of the earth.
Worth noting
Geography studies places, land and people on the earth's surface.
Choose the one word for: the study of how living things relate to one another and to their surroundings.
AnswerD · ecology
Ecology studies how living things and their surroundings affect each other.
Worth noting
Economy is about money and trade, though it begins with the same letters.
Choose the one word for: the story of a person's life written by that person.
AnswerA · autobiography
An autobiography is a life story written by the person himself: "auto" means self.
Worth noting
Biography is written by someone else.
Choose the one word for: the story of a person's life written by someone else.
AnswerD · biography
A biography is a life story written by another person.
Worth noting
Autobiography is written by the person himself.
Choose the one word for: a book or document written by hand.
AnswerC · manuscript
A manuscript is written by hand: "manu" means hand and "script" writing.
Worth noting
Typescript is typed, and transcript is a written copy of something spoken.
Choose the one word for: the belief that the positions of the stars and planets affect people's lives.
AnswerA · astrology
Astrology is the belief that stars and planets shape people's lives.
Worth noting
Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, not a belief about fortune.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine that deals with the heart.
AnswerC · cardiology
Cardiology deals with the heart: "cardio" means heart.
Worth noting
Neurology deals with the nerves and brain.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine that deals with the skin.
AnswerB · dermatology
Dermatology deals with the skin: "derma" means skin.
Worth noting
Ophthalmology deals with the eyes, and orthopaedics with bones.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of birds.
AnswerB · ornithology
Ornithology is the study of birds.
Worth noting
Entomology studies insects, and ichthyology fish.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine that deals with children.
AnswerC · paediatrics
Paediatrics deals with children: "paed" means child.
Worth noting
Geriatrics is the opposite: the medicine of old age.
Choose the one word for: the art of beautiful handwriting.
AnswerA · calligraphy
Calligraphy is beautiful handwriting.
Worth noting
Stenography is shorthand, and typography is the design of printed letters.
Choose the one word for: the growing of fruit, vegetables and flowers.
AnswerB · horticulture
Horticulture is the growing of fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Worth noting
Floriculture is only flowers, and agriculture is farming in general, including crops and animals.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of the weather.
AnswerD · meteorology
Meteorology is the study of weather.
Worth noting
Astronomy is the trap: "meteor" sounds like space, but meteorology is about the air and weather.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of the oceans.
AnswerA · oceanography
Oceanography studies the oceans.
Worth noting
Hydrology studies water on land, such as rivers and groundwater.
Choose the one word for: the study of what is morally right and wrong.
AnswerA · ethics
Ethics studies moral right and wrong.
Worth noting
Aesthetics studies beauty, and logic studies correct reasoning.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine that deals with bones and joints.
AnswerB · orthopaedics
Orthopaedics treats bones and joints.
Worth noting
Orthodontics deals with straightening teeth.
Choose the one word for: a long speech by one person.
AnswerB · monologue
A monologue is a long speech by one person: "mono" means one.
Worth noting
Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people.
Choose the one word for: a short part added at the end of a book or play.
AnswerB · epilogue
An epilogue comes at the end.
Worth noting
Prologue and preface come at the beginning.
Choose the one word for: an introduction at the beginning of a play or poem.
AnswerD · prologue
A prologue is an introduction at the start: "pro" means before.
Worth noting
Epilogue is the opposite, at the end.
Choose the one word for: the study of human beings, their origins, development and cultures.
AnswerB · anthropology
Anthropology studies humankind, where it came from and its ways of life: "anthrop" means human.
Worth noting
Archaeology digs up the remains of the past, and philanthropy is giving to help others.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of insects.
AnswerA · entomology
Entomology is the study of insects.
Worth noting
Etymology is the famous trap: it differs by two letters and is the study of where words come from.
Choose the one word for: the study of the origin and history of words.
AnswerD · etymology
Etymology studies where words come from and how they changed.
Worth noting
Entomology, the study of insects, looks almost the same.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine that deals with the eyes.
AnswerC · ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine dealing with the eyes and their diseases.
Worth noting
Optometry tests eyesight for glasses, but it is not a branch of medicine.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine that deals with old people.
AnswerA · geriatrics
Geriatrics deals with the health of old people.
Worth noting
Gerontocracy also comes from the Greek word for old man, but it means rule by old people.
Choose the one word for: the study of diseases and their causes.
AnswerD · pathology
Pathology is the study of diseases: "patho" means suffering or disease.
Worth noting
Physiology studies how a healthy body works, and pharmacology studies drugs.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of earthquakes.
AnswerA · seismology
Seismology studies earthquakes: "seismos" means shaking.
Worth noting
Geology studies rocks and the earth's structure in general, and volcanology volcanoes.
Choose the one word for: the study of religion and ideas about God.
AnswerD · theology
Theology is the study of God and religion: "theo" means god.
Worth noting
Theocracy is a state ruled by religious leaders. Mythology is the collection of myths.
Choose the one word for: the study of family history and ancestors.
AnswerB · genealogy
Genealogy traces family history.
Worth noting
Genetics studies how features pass through genes, which is biology, not family records.
Choose the one word for: the collection and study of coins.
AnswerB · numismatics
Numismatics is the study and collection of coins.
Worth noting
Philately is the stamp collector's hobby. Numerology is the belief that numbers affect our lives.
Choose the one word for: the collection and study of postage stamps.
AnswerD · philately
Philately is stamp collecting.
Worth noting
Philanthropy begins with the same letters but is giving money to help people.
Choose the one word for: the art and science of making maps.
AnswerC · cartography
Cartography is map-making.
Worth noting
Topography is the shape of the land that a map shows, not the making of the map.
Choose the one word for: the rearing of silkworms to produce silk.
AnswerD · sericulture
Sericulture is silk farming: "seri" comes from the word for silk.
Worth noting
Apiculture is bees and pisciculture fish, the two it is usually tested beside.
Choose the one word for: the keeping of bees.
AnswerC · apiculture
Apiculture is beekeeping: "apis" means bee.
Worth noting
Aviculture is the keeping of birds, which differs by one letter.
Choose the one word for: the breeding of fish.
AnswerA · pisciculture
Pisciculture is fish farming: "pisces" means fish.
Worth noting
Viticulture is the growing of grapes.
Choose the one word for: the study of population figures such as births, deaths and ages.
AnswerB · demography
Demography studies population statistics: "demos" means people.
Worth noting
Democracy shares "demo", but it is rule by the people, not a study of them.
Choose the one word for: the scientific study of language.
AnswerC · linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of language.
Worth noting
Phonetics studies only speech sounds, and lexicography the making of dictionaries.
Choose the one word for: the art of cooking and eating good food.
AnswerB · gastronomy
Gastronomy is the art of good food.
Worth noting
Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine dealing with the stomach.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine dealing with the nerves and the brain.
AnswerC · neurology
Neurology deals with the nerves and brain: "neuro" means nerve.
Worth noting
Nephrology deals with the kidneys. Psychology studies the mind, but it is not a branch of medicine.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine that deals with cancer.
AnswerD · oncology
Oncology is the medical study and treatment of cancer.
Worth noting
Osteology studies bones, and ontology is a branch of philosophy.
Choose the one word for: the study of fossils to learn about life in the distant past.
AnswerB · palaeontology
Palaeontology studies fossils: "palaeo" means ancient.
Worth noting
Archaeology studies human remains and objects, not fossils of ancient plants and animals.
Choose the one word for: the study of poisons and their effects.
AnswerA · toxicology
Toxicology is the study of poisons: "toxic" means poisonous.
Worth noting
Taxonomy looks alike but is the naming and grouping of living things.
Choose the one word for: the study of the sounds of human speech.
AnswerD · phonetics
Phonetics studies speech sounds: "phone" means sound or voice.
Worth noting
Acoustics studies sound in general, as in a hall, not speech.
Choose the one word for: the study of medicines and their effects on the body.
AnswerC · pharmacology
Pharmacology studies drugs and how they act.
Worth noting
Toxicology studies poisons, a narrower field.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine dealing with the blood.
AnswerB · haematology
Haematology deals with the blood: "haem" means blood.
Worth noting
Cardiology deals with the heart, which pumps blood but is a different field.
Choose the one word for: the art of preserving and stuffing dead animals so that they look alive.
AnswerA · taxidermy
Taxidermy is preparing and stuffing animal skins so they look alive.
Worth noting
Embalming preserves human bodies, not animals for display.
Choose the one word for: the study of beauty and art.
AnswerA · aesthetics
Aesthetics is the study of beauty.
Worth noting
Anaesthetics are drugs that stop pain, and they only look alike.
Choose the one word for: the study and use of secret codes.
AnswerD · cryptography
Cryptography is the study of codes: "crypto" means hidden.
Worth noting
Choreography is the planning of dance steps.
Choose the one word for: the work of writing dictionaries.
AnswerC · lexicography
Lexicography is the writing of dictionaries.
Worth noting
Bibliography is a list of books, and orthography the rules of spelling.
Choose the one word for: the branch of medicine dealing with women's health.
AnswerC · gynaecology
Gynaecology deals with women's health: "gyn" means woman.
Worth noting
Genealogy is family history; it only looks alike.
Choose the one word for: the study of water on and under the land.
AnswerB · hydrology
Hydrology studies water on and under land: "hydro" means water.
Worth noting
Hydraulics is the use of liquid pressure to work machines.
Choose the one word for: a collection of poems or stories by different writers.
AnswerA · anthology
An anthology is a collection of writings by different authors.
Worth noting
Anthropology looks alike but is the study of humankind.
Choose the one word for: words written on a tomb in memory of the person buried there.
AnswerD · epitaph
An epitaph is written on a tomb.
Worth noting
Obituary is printed in a newspaper, not carved on a tomb.
Choose the one word for: a newspaper report about a person who has recently died.
AnswerC · obituary
An obituary is a newspaper notice of someone's death and life.
Worth noting
Epitaph is the words on a tomb.
Choose the one word for: a list of the books and articles used in writing a work.
AnswerA · bibliography
A bibliography lists the books and articles a writer used.
Worth noting
Glossary lists hard words with meanings, and index lists topics with page numbers.
Choose the one word for: a system in which a king or queen rules.
AnswerB · monarchy
A monarchy is rule by a king or queen: "mono" means one.
Worth noting
Democracy is rule by the people.
Choose the one word for: government by the people through elected representatives.
AnswerA · democracy
Democracy is rule by the people: "demos" means people.
Worth noting
Bureaucracy is rule by officials, who are appointed, not elected.
Choose the one word for: a disease that spreads quickly among many people in one area.
AnswerB · epidemic
An epidemic spreads quickly in one area.
Worth noting
Pandemic spreads across many countries, and endemic stays present in one region all the time.
Choose the one word for: a disease that spreads across the whole world.
AnswerC · pandemic
A pandemic spreads across many countries: "pan" means all.
Worth noting
Epidemic stays within one area.
Choose the one word for: something that cannot be avoided.
AnswerA · inevitable
Inevitable means certain to happen, impossible to avoid.
Worth noting
Invisible, invaluable and invincible share "in-" and mean cannot be seen, very precious, and cannot be beaten.
Choose the one word for: writing that cannot be read.
AnswerB · illegible
Illegible writing cannot be read: "legible" means readable.
Worth noting
Ineligible looks alike but means not allowed to take part.
Choose the one word for: a sound that cannot be heard.
AnswerD · inaudible
Inaudible means too quiet to be heard: "audio" means hearing.
Worth noting
Invisible means cannot be seen and illegible cannot be read.
Choose the one word for: a disease that cannot be cured.
AnswerA · incurable
An incurable disease cannot be cured.
Worth noting
Chronic means lasting a long time, which is not the same as impossible to cure.
Choose the one word for: not fit to be eaten.
AnswerD · inedible
Inedible means not fit to eat.
Worth noting
Edible is the opposite, and indelible means cannot be removed.
Choose the one word for: fit to be eaten.
AnswerA · edible
Edible means safe and fit to eat.
Worth noting
Inedible is the opposite, and audible means able to be heard.
Choose the one word for: qualified or allowed to be chosen.
AnswerC · eligible
Eligible means qualified or allowed, as for a job or a vote.
Worth noting
Legible means readable, and it looks alike.
Choose the one word for: causing death.
AnswerB · fatal
Fatal means causing death.
Worth noting
Fateful means having important results, not necessarily deadly, and injurious means harmful.
Choose the one word for: a letter whose writer is not known.
AnswerD · anonymous
An anonymous letter has no known writer: "an-" means without and "onym" means name.
Worth noting
Unanimous looks alike but means agreed by everyone.
Choose the one word for: able to speak two languages equally well.
AnswerA · bilingual
Bilingual means speaking two languages: "bi" means two and "lingua" tongue.
Worth noting
Polyglot speaks many languages, not exactly two. Bilateral means involving two sides.
Choose the one word for: a place where birds and animals are protected.
AnswerA · sanctuary
A sanctuary is a place where wild birds and animals are protected.
Worth noting
Zoo keeps animals for people to see, and aviary keeps birds in a cage.
Choose the one word for: a building where grain is stored.
AnswerA · granary
A granary stores grain.
Worth noting
Granite is a rock, and it only looks alike.
Choose the one word for: the killing of one person by another.
AnswerD · homicide
Homicide is the killing of a human being by another: "homo" means human.
Worth noting
Suicide is killing oneself.
Choose the one word for: the killing of a whole group of people of one race or nation.
AnswerC · genocide
Genocide is the killing of a whole people: "genos" means race or tribe.
Worth noting
Massacre is the killing of many people at once, but it need not target a whole race.
Choose the one word for: the inability to sleep.
AnswerD · insomnia
Insomnia is being unable to sleep: "in-" means not and "somnus" means sleep.
Worth noting
Somnambulism is sleepwalking, and amnesia is loss of memory.
Choose the one word for: loss of memory.
AnswerB · amnesia
Amnesia is loss of memory.
Worth noting
Anaemia is a lack of red blood cells; it only sounds alike.
Choose the one word for: a state of disorder in which there is no government or law.
AnswerD · anarchy
Anarchy is a state without government or law: "an-" means without and "archy" means rule.
Worth noting
Monarchy is rule by a king, close to the opposite.
Choose the one word for: copying another person's work and presenting it as your own.
AnswerD · plagiarism
Plagiarism is passing off someone else's work as your own.
Worth noting
Piracy is illegal copying of films, music or books for sale, not claiming them as yours.
Choose the one word for: a person who cannot be corrected.
AnswerB · incorrigible
An incorrigible person is too bad to be corrected.
Worth noting
Incurable is used of diseases, not of behaviour.
Choose the one word for: something that cannot be defeated.
AnswerC · invincible
Invincible means too strong to be defeated.
Worth noting
Invisible looks alike but means cannot be seen.
Choose the one word for: an illness that lasts for a long time.
AnswerB · chronic
A chronic illness lasts a long time: "chronos" means time.
Worth noting
Acute is the opposite: sudden and short but severe.
Choose the one word for: the killing of a king.
AnswerC · regicide
Regicide is the killing of a king: "regi" means king and "-cide" means killing.
Worth noting
Genocide is the killing of a whole people, and patricide of one's father.
Choose the one word for: the killing of one's own father.
AnswerA · patricide
Patricide is killing one's father: "pater" means father.
Worth noting
Matricide is killing one's mother, and fratricide one's brother.
Choose the one word for: the killing of one's own brother.
AnswerB · fratricide
Fratricide is killing one's brother: "frater" means brother.
Worth noting
Patricide is the killing of a father.
Choose the one word for: the killing of a baby.
AnswerA · infanticide
Infanticide is the killing of a baby: "infant" means baby.
Worth noting
Infantry looks alike but means foot soldiers.
Choose the one word for: the practice of giving jobs unfairly to one's own relatives.
AnswerC · nepotism
Nepotism is favouring your own relatives for jobs.
Worth noting
Favouritism is close but wider: it can mean favouring anyone, not only family.
Choose the one word for: government by one person who has total power.
AnswerB · autocracy
Autocracy is rule by one person with total power: "auto" means self.
Worth noting
Aristocracy is rule by a noble class, not one person.
Choose the one word for: government by the rich.
AnswerC · plutocracy
Plutocracy is rule by the wealthy: "plutos" means wealth.
Worth noting
Aristocracy is rule by nobles by birth, who may or may not be rich.
Choose the one word for: a system of government run by officials and their rules.
AnswerA · bureaucracy
Bureaucracy is government by officials: "bureau" means office.
Worth noting
Meritocracy is a system where people rise by ability.
Choose the one word for: government by a small group of powerful people.
AnswerD · oligarchy
Oligarchy is rule by a few: "oligos" means few.
Worth noting
Monarchy is rule by one, and democracy rule by many.
Choose the one word for: government by religious leaders.
AnswerB · theocracy
Theocracy is rule by religious leaders in the name of God: "theo" means god.
Worth noting
Theology is the study of religion, not a form of government.
Choose the one word for: the highest social class, with titles and land passed down in families.
AnswerC · aristocracy
The aristocracy is the class of nobles with inherited titles and land.
Worth noting
Plutocracy is rule by the rich, who need not be noble by birth.
Choose the one word for: the painless killing of a person with an incurable disease, to end suffering.
AnswerA · euthanasia
Euthanasia is ending the life of an incurably ill person painlessly: "eu" means good and "thanatos" death.
Worth noting
Anaesthesia is the use of drugs to stop pain during an operation; it does not end life.
Choose the one word for: a speech given without any preparation.
AnswerD · extempore
An extempore speech is given without preparation.
Worth noting
Rehearsed is the opposite, and verbatim means word for word.
Choose the one word for: in exactly the same words.
AnswerA · verbatim
Verbatim means word for word.
Worth noting
Verbose means using too many words, and verbal means spoken.
Choose the one word for: coming or happening after a person's death.
AnswerC · posthumous
A posthumous award is given after the person has died.
Worth noting
Prenatal means before birth; premature means too early.
Choose the one word for: knowing everything.
AnswerA · omniscient
Omniscient means knowing everything: "omni" means all and "scient" knowing.
Worth noting
Omnipotent is all-powerful, and omnipresent is everywhere. They are the usual pair of traps.
Choose the one word for: having unlimited power.
AnswerB · omnipotent
Omnipotent means all-powerful: "potent" means powerful.
Worth noting
Omniscient means knowing everything, a different quality.
Choose the one word for: present everywhere at the same time.
AnswerD · omnipresent
Omnipresent means present everywhere at once.
Worth noting
Omniscient and omnipotent are its usual partners: knowing everything and all-powerful.
Choose the one word for: incapable of making a mistake.
AnswerD · infallible
Infallible means never making mistakes: "fall" as in error.
Worth noting
Invincible means unable to be defeated, which is a different kind of perfection.
Choose the one word for: ink or a mark that cannot be removed.
AnswerC · indelible
Indelible means impossible to remove, like the ink put on voters' fingers.
Worth noting
Inedible means not fit to eat; the two are often confused.
Choose the one word for: easily set on fire.
AnswerC · inflammable
Inflammable means easily set on fire. Oddly, it means the same as "flammable".
Worth noting
Incombustible and fireproof are the opposite; readers who take "in-" as "not" fall for them.
Choose the one word for: a fort that cannot be captured.
AnswerB · impregnable
Impregnable is used of a fort or position too strong to be captured.
Worth noting
Invincible is close, but it is used of armies and teams that cannot be beaten, not of forts.
Choose the one word for: a decision that cannot be changed or taken back.
AnswerA · irrevocable
An irrevocable decision cannot be taken back.
Worth noting
Irrelevant means not connected, and it only looks alike.
Choose the one word for: able to use both hands equally well.
AnswerB · ambidextrous
Ambidextrous means able to use both hands equally: "ambi" means both.
Worth noting
Dexterous means skilful with the hands, but not both equally. Amphibious means living on land and in water.
Choose the one word for: belonging to the same period of time.
AnswerD · contemporary
Contemporaries live or happen at the same time: "con" means together and "tempor" means time.
Worth noting
Temporary means lasting a short time, and modern means of the present day.
Choose the one word for: a post held without pay.
AnswerC · honorary
An honorary post is held without pay, as an honour.
Worth noting
Honourable means deserving respect, and salaried is the opposite: paid.
Choose the one word for: passed down from parent to child.
AnswerA · hereditary
Hereditary means passed from parent to child.
Worth noting
Heredity is the noun, the process itself, so it cannot describe a disease or a title.
Choose the one word for: happening once every two years.
AnswerC · biennial
Biennial means once every two years.
Worth noting
Biannual is the classic trap: it means twice a year.
Choose the one word for: the hundredth anniversary of an event.
AnswerD · centenary
A centenary is a hundredth anniversary.
Worth noting
Century is the period of a hundred years, not the anniversary, and a centurion was a Roman officer.
Choose the one word for: a remedy for all diseases or problems.
AnswerB · panacea
A panacea is a cure for everything: "pan" means all.
Worth noting
Antidote cures one poison, not everything. Placebo is a fake medicine.
Choose the one word for: proof that a person was elsewhere when a crime took place.
AnswerC · alibi
An alibi is proof that you were somewhere else at the time.
Worth noting
Excuse and evidence are close but general; only alibi means proof of being elsewhere.
Choose the one word for: a large cage where birds are kept.
AnswerD · aviary
An aviary is where birds are kept: "avis" means bird.
Worth noting
Apiary is where bees are kept, and it differs by one letter.
Choose the one word for: a place where weapons are stored.
AnswerD · arsenal
An arsenal is a store of weapons.
Worth noting
Barracks is where soldiers live, not where weapons are kept.
Choose the one word for: a large building where aircraft are kept.
AnswerB · hangar
A hangar houses aircraft.
Worth noting
Hanger, spelt with an e, is what you hang clothes on.
Choose the one word for: a place where a country's coins are made.
AnswerC · mint
A mint is where coins are made.
Worth noting
Treasury looks after a country's money but does not make coins, and mine digs out metal.
NTA's English syllabus is one page. It names two skill areas: Reading Comprehension, with three kinds of passage of at most 300 words each (factual, narrative and literary), and Verbal Ability, with four item types (rearranging the parts, match the following, choosing the correct word, synonyms and antonyms). It says the questions are not limited to these, and prints no chapters and no split of the 50 questions. So the chapters here are ours. Reading is split by the kind of passage, because a poem is not read the way a report is. Verbal Ability is split into three areas of our own: Vocabulary, Sentence & paragraph order, and Grammar & usage. Where a chapter covers something past NTA's short list, it says so, and it is there because the papers since 2022 have asked it.