Start learning →

GRE Unit 8B: Synonyms, Antonyms and Lexical Nuance — practice questions

Explore 15 free Unit 8B: Synonyms, Antonyms and Lexical Nuance questions in GRE English Language. Open each question or exercise to read its content, reference answers and available explanation.

Practise Unit 8B: Synonyms, Antonyms and Lexical Nuance with Quill →

Unit 8B: Synonyms, Antonyms and Lexical Nuance questions and exercises with answers

Showing questions 1–15 of 15.

True or false: what a synonym isRead the answer and worked solution →Spot the word that does not belongRead the answer and worked solution →Flip and pair: headword with a synonymRead the answer and worked solution →Tap every word Fernald lists under ABANDONRead the answer and worked solution →Assertion and reasonRead the answer and worked solution →Two are true, one is notRead the answer and worked solution →Three of these are wrong. Find the one that holds.Read the answer and worked solution →Positive or negative in tone?Read the answer and worked solution →Reading a synonym entryRead the answer and worked solution →Complete the idea of a synonymRead the answer and worked solution →Order the steps: pick the best synonymRead the answer and worked solution →Which shade of meaning?Read the answer and worked solution →True or false: choosing between near wordsRead the answer and worked solution →More synonym groupsRead the answer and worked solution →Spot the intruderRead the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

True or false: what a synonym is

Read exercise and reference answers
Questions
  1. Statement is true
    Yes
    Statement
    A synonym is a word close in meaning to another.
  2. Statement is true
    No
    Statement
    Synonyms are always perfectly interchangeable.
  3. Statement is true
    Yes
    Statement
    'Courageous' is listed as a synonym of brave.
  4. Statement is true
    Yes
    Statement
    'Arduous' is listed as a synonym of difficult.
  5. Statement is true
    No
    Statement
    'Timid' is listed as a synonym of brave.
Fernald's whole book exists because synonyms are near, not identical. Source: English Synonyms and Antonyms, Fernald (1896), public domain.

Open this exercise →

Spot the word that does not belong

Read exercise and reference answers
Questions
  1. Items
    1. fearless
    2. toilsome
    3. dauntless
    Odd item
    toilsome
  2. Items
    1. arduous
    2. laborious
    3. jocund
    Odd item
    jocund
  3. Items
    1. upright
    2. blithe
    3. merry
    Odd item
    upright
  4. Items
    1. candid
    2. gallant
    3. sincere
    Odd item
    gallant
One word in each group comes from a different entry. Source: English Synonyms and Antonyms, Fernald (1896), public domain.

Open this exercise →

Flip and pair: headword with a synonym

Read exercise and reference answers
Matching pairs
  1. A
    BRAVE
    B
    gallant
  2. A
    DIFFICULT
    B
    onerous
  3. A
    HAPPY
    B
    blissful
  4. A
    HONEST
    B
    genuine
  5. A
    ABANDON
    B
    relinquish
Straight from the entries. Source: English Synonyms and Antonyms, Fernald (1896), public domain.

Open this exercise →

How to practise

  1. Choose a Unit 8B: Synonyms, Antonyms and Lexical Nuance question and try to work out your answer.
  2. Open the question to check the correct answer and read its worked solution.
  3. Continue in the app for bite-sized lessons, explanations and review with Quill. You can start without creating an account.

Put it into practice

Continue with Unit 8B: Synonyms, Antonyms and Lexical Nuance practice for GRE. Read explanations as you go. No signup form needed to start.

Practise Unit 8B: Synonyms, Antonyms and Lexical Nuance →

More English Language topics

Unit 1B: Evidence and Argument Structure in NonfictionUnit 1A: Rhetorical Reading & Claims AnalysisUnit 8A: Contextual Vocabulary and Word FormationAntonymsUnit 6: Syntax and Sentence StructureUnit 7A: Sentence Boundaries and Structural ImprovementUnit 1C: Purpose, Audience and Context in Rhetoric