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CBSE · Class 12 · English

Synonyms and Antonyms

Standard difficulty · 20 questions · 40 marks

Name: Date: Score: ____ / 40

Write full answers in Sections B and C. Answers are on the last page — try every question first!

Section A — Choose the correct answer8 × 1 = 8 marks
1.
Choose the word closest in meaning to “impeccable”.
  1. gentle
  2. faultless
  3. imperfect
  4. expressive
2.
Choose the word closest in meaning to “acrimonious”.
  1. hostile
  2. brief
  3. cordial
  4. wicked
3.
Choose the word closest in meaning to “recalcitrant”.
  1. reserved
  2. taciturn
  3. unruly
  4. compliant
4.
Choose the word closest in meaning to “lucid”.
  1. reduce
  2. coherent
  3. big-hearted
  4. confusing
5.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to “gregarious”.
  1. reserved
  2. friendly
  3. defiant
  4. pacify
6.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to “resilient”.
  1. vulnerable
  2. mitigate
  3. adaptable
  4. wise
7.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to “circumspect”.
  1. omnipresent
  2. prudent
  3. vague
  4. reckless
8.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to “vindicate”.
  1. incriminate
  2. resilient
  3. exonerate
  4. universal
Section B — Short answer8 × 2 = 16 marks
9.
Write one synonym (a word with the same meaning) for each: “gullible”, “alleviate”.
10.
Write one synonym (a word with the same meaning) for each: “placate”, “magnanimous”.
11.
Write one synonym (a word with the same meaning) for each: “scrupulous”, “ambiguous”.
12.
Write one antonym (a word with the opposite meaning) for each: “whimsical”, “cogent”.
13.
Write one antonym (a word with the opposite meaning) for each: “diffident”, “meticulous”.
14.
Write one antonym (a word with the opposite meaning) for each: “zealous”, “sagacious”.
15.
Rewrite each sentence, replacing the word in capitals with a word of OPPOSITE meaning: (a) It is hard to DISCERN the truth from rumours. (b) The TACITURN watchman only nodded when we passed.
16.
Rewrite each sentence, replacing the word in capitals with a word of OPPOSITE meaning: (a) The good results helped BOLSTER her confidence. (b) The question seemed INNOCUOUS, but it upset him.
Section C — Longer answers4 × 4 = 16 marks
17.
For the word “nonchalant”: (a) write what it means, (b) give one synonym and one antonym, (c) use it in a sentence of your own.
18.
For the word “exacerbate”: (a) write what it means, (b) give one synonym and one antonym, (c) use it in a sentence of your own.
19.
Sort these six words into three pairs of OPPOSITES: “careless”, “fastidious”, “exacerbate”, “improve”, “pragmatic”, “impractical”.
20.
Sort these six words into three pairs of words with the SAME meaning: “conscientious”, “mitigate”, “acrimonious”, “lessen”, “scrupulous”, “rancorous”.
AmbifulWorksheets
Practice that never repeats
CBSE · Class 12 · English

Answer key

Synonyms and Antonyms · AW-12E-SYN-2026-V1 · For parents — fold back or tear off before handing the sheet to your child.

QAnswerWorking
1(b) faultlessImpeccable: without any fault. Synonyms: flawless, perfect, faultless.
2(a) hostileAcrimonious: angry and bitter. Synonyms: bitter, hostile, rancorous.
3(c) unrulyRecalcitrant: refusing to obey or co-operate. Synonyms: defiant, unruly, disobedient.
4(b) coherentLucid: clearly expressed and easy to understand. Synonyms: clear, intelligible, coherent.
5(a) reservedGregarious: fond of the company of others. Opposites: reserved, unsociable.
6(a) vulnerableResilient: able to recover quickly from difficulty. Opposites: fragile, vulnerable.
7(d) recklessCircumspect: careful to consider all risks before acting. Opposites: reckless, rash.
8(a) incriminateVindicate: to show that someone was right or not guilty. Opposites: accuse, incriminate.
9gullible: credulous (or naive, trusting); alleviate: relieve (or ease, lessen)Any one listed synonym, or another word with the same meaning.
10placate: pacify (or calm, appease); magnanimous: generous (or big-hearted, noble)Any one listed synonym, or another word with the same meaning.
11scrupulous: principled (or conscientious, upright); ambiguous: unclear (or vague, equivocal)Any one listed synonym, or another word with the same meaning.
12whimsical: serious (or sober); cogent: weak (or unconvincing)Any one listed antonym, or another word with the opposite meaning.
13diffident: confident (or assertive); meticulous: sloppy (or careless)Any one listed antonym, or another word with the opposite meaning.
14zealous: apathetic (or indifferent); sagacious: foolish (or unwise)Any one listed antonym, or another word with the opposite meaning.
15(a) overlook (or miss) (b) talkative (or garrulous)The sentence may need a small change to read well with the new word.
16(a) weaken (or undermine) (b) harmful (or offensive)The sentence may need a small change to read well with the new word.
17(a) Calm and seeming not to care. (b) Synonym: unconcerned (or casual, indifferent); antonym: anxious (or concerned). (c) Sample: She looked nonchalant even as the deadline came close.Any sentence that uses the word correctly.
18(a) To make a bad situation worse. (b) Synonym: worsen (or aggravate, intensify); antonym: improve (or ease). (c) Sample: Burning crop stubble can exacerbate air pollution.Any sentence that uses the word correctly.
19fastidious – careless; exacerbate – improve; pragmatic – impractical—
20mitigate – lessen; acrimonious – rancorous; scrupulous – conscientious—