MCQ Test on One Word Substitution

MCQ Test on One Word Substitution 

One Word Substitution is a key topic in competitive exams. 

1. A person who thinks only about himself/herself and not others.  

   a) Egoist  

   b) Optimist  

   c) Pessimist  

   d) Altruist

2. One who cannot be corrected or reformed.  

   a) Incorrigible  

   b) Incurable  

   c) Invulnerable  

   d) Indelible

3. A speech made without preparation.  

   a) Impromptu  

   b) Extempore  

   c) Rhetoric  

   d) Oratory

4. The dead body of a human being.  

   a) Corpse  

   b) Carcass  

   c) Hearse  

   d) Coffin

5. A person who compiles a dictionary.  

   a) Lexicographer  

   b) Cartographer  

   c) Biographer  

   d) Calligrapher

6. One who hates mankind.  

   a) Misanthropist  

   b) Philanthropist  

   c) Misogynist  

   d) Feminist

7. A place where public or historical records are kept.  

   a) Archive  

   b) Museum  

   c) Library  

   d) Treasury

8. A person who is fond of company and social gatherings.  

   a) Gregarious  

   b) Solitary  

   c) Introvert  

   d) Recluse

9. An imaginary ideal society free from poverty and suffering.  

   a) Utopia  

   b) Dystopia  

   c) Republic  

   d) Monarchy

10. The practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.  

    a) Plagiarism  

    b) Copyright  

    c) Forgery  

    d) Imitation

11. A person who believes in the existence of God.  

    a) Theist  

    b) Atheist  

    c) Agnostic  

    d) Pantheist

12. One who speaks many languages.  

    a) Linguist  

    b) Polyglot  

    c) Bilingual  

    d) Translator

13. A government by the people.  

    a) Democracy  

    b) Autocracy  

    c) Oligarchy  

    d) Monarchy

14. A person who draws maps.  

    a) Cartographer  

    b) Geographer  

    c) Draftsman  

    d) Architect

15. A statement that can be interpreted in more than one way.  

    a) Ambiguous  

    b) Ambivalent  

    c) Equivocal  

    d) Paradox

16. One who is excessively concerned with minor details or rules.  

    a) Pedantic  

    b) Pragmatic  

    c) Sarcastic  

    d) Cynical

17. The scientific study of birds.  

    a) Ornithology  

    b) Entomology  

    c) Anthropology  

    d) Zoology

18. A person who renounces the world and practices self-discipline to attain salvation.  

    a) Ascetic  

    b) Apostate  

    c) Heretic  

    d) Sceptic

19. A vehicle used to carry dead bodies to the cemetery.  

    a) Hearse  

    b) Ambulance  

    c) Coffin  

    d) Bier

20. A medicine or remedy that can cure all diseases.  

    a) Panacea  

    b) Placebo  

    c) Vaccine  

    d) Antidote

21. One who does not believe in the existence of God.  

    a) Atheist  

    b) Theist  

    c) Agnostic  

    d) Fatalist

22. A period of thousand years.  

    a) Millennium  

    b) Century  

    c) Decade  

    d) Epoch

23. A person who is unable to pay his debts.  

    a) Bankrupt  

    b) Insolvent  

    c) Pauper  

    d) Beggar

24. The art of beautiful handwriting.  

    a) Calligraphy  

    b) Typography  

    c) Cartography  

    d) Choreography

25. A person who walks on foot.  

    a) Pedestrian  

    b) Nomad  

    c) Vagabond  

    d) Traveller

26. One who is present everywhere.  

    a) Omnipresent  

    b) Omniscient  

    c) Omnipotent  

    d) Omnivora

27. A government ruled by a king or queen.  

    a) Monarchy  

    b) Aristocracy  

    c) Plutocracy  

    d) Theocracy

28. A person who eats human flesh.  

    a) Cannibal  

    b) Herbivore  

    c) Carnivore  

    d) Vegetarian

29. A book or paper written by hand.  

    a) Manuscript  

    b) Transcript  

    c) Autobiography  

    d) Biography

30. Fear of closed or confined spaces.  

    a) Claustrophobia  

    b) Agoraphobia  

    c) Hydrophobia  

    d) Acrophobia

How to Use This Test

- Attempt all 30 questions based on vocabulary knowledge.

- One word substitutions improve precision and conciseness in English.

Each answer includes:

- The correct option

- The precise meaning of the word

- Why it fits the given phrase

- Common confusions or related words (where helpful for exams)

Correct Answers with Explanations:

1. **a) Egoist**  

   A person who thinks only about himself/herself and not others.  

   **Meaning**: A selfish person who is primarily concerned with their own interests and needs.  

   **Explanation**: "Egoist" comes from "ego" (self). It describes self-centered behavior.  

   **Common confusion**: Altruist (opposite – concerned about others' welfare).

2. **a) Incorrigible**  

   One who cannot be corrected or reformed.  

   **Meaning**: Incapable of being corrected or improved (especially in behavior or habits).  

   **Explanation**: Used for stubborn people or habits that resist change (e.g., an incorrigible liar).  

   **Note**: "Incurable" is for diseases, not behavior.

3. **b) Extempore**  

   A speech made without preparation.  

   **Meaning**: Spoken or done without prior planning or rehearsal; spontaneous.  

   **Explanation**: "Extempore" (or extemporaneous) is the standard term in exams for an unprepared speech. "Impromptu" is similar but often implies even more suddenness.

4. **a) Corpse**  

   The dead body of a human being.  

   **Meaning**: The dead body of a person.  

   **Explanation**: "Corpse" specifically refers to a human body after death. "Carcass" is usually for animals.

5. **a) Lexicographer**  

   A person who compiles a dictionary.  

   **Meaning**: Someone who writes or edits a dictionary.  

   **Explanation**: From "lexicon" (vocabulary). Samuel Johnson and Noah Webster are famous lexicographers.

6. **a) Misanthropist**  

   One who hates mankind.  

   **Meaning**: A person who dislikes or distrusts humankind and avoids society.  

   **Explanation**: "Misanthrope/misanthropist" = mis (hate) + anthropos (human). Opposite: Philanthropist.

7. **a) Archive**  

   A place where public or historical records are kept.  

   **Meaning**: A collection or place storing historical documents and records.  

   **Explanation**: Archives preserve official papers, unlike a general library (books) or museum (objects).

8. **a) Gregarious**  

   A person who is fond of company and social gatherings.  

   **Meaning**: Sociable; enjoying the company of others.  

   **Explanation**: From Latin "grex" (flock/herd). Opposite: Solitary or recluse.

9. **a) Utopia**  

   An imaginary ideal society free from poverty and suffering.  

   **Meaning**: An imagined perfect place or society.  

   **Explanation**: Coined by Sir Thomas More. Opposite: Dystopia (nightmarish society).

10. **a) Plagiarism**  

    The practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.  

    **Meaning**: Copying and claiming another's work as your own.  

    **Explanation**: Common in academic and creative contexts. It is a serious ethical offence.

11. **a) Theist**  

    A person who believes in the existence of God.  

    **Meaning**: Someone who believes in one or more gods.  

    **Explanation**: Opposite: Atheist (does not believe in God). Agnostic = unsure.

12. **b) Polyglot**  

    One who speaks many languages.  

    **Meaning**: A person who knows and uses several languages.  

    **Explanation**: "Poly" (many) + "glot" (tongue/language). "Linguist" studies languages scientifically.

13. **a) Democracy**  

    A government by the people.  

    **Meaning**: A system where power is vested in the people, directly or through elected representatives.  

    **Explanation**: From Greek "demos" (people) + "kratos" (rule). Standard term in exams.

14. **a) Cartographer**  

    A person who draws maps.  

    **Meaning**: A map-maker.  

    **Explanation**: "Carta" (map/chart) + "grapher" (writer). Different from geographer (studies earth).

15. **a) Ambiguous**  

    A statement that can be interpreted in more than one way.  

    **Meaning**: Open to more than one interpretation; unclear.  

    **Explanation**: Often used for language or instructions. "Equivocal" is similar but implies deliberate vagueness.

16. **a) Pedantic**  

    One who is excessively concerned with minor details or rules.  

    **Meaning**: Overly focused on formal rules, minor details, or bookish knowledge.  

    **Explanation**: Often carries a negative tone (showing off learning).

17. **a) Ornithology**  

    The scientific study of birds.  

    **Meaning**: The branch of zoology dealing with birds.  

    **Explanation**: "Ornithos" (bird) + "logos" (study). Entomology = study of insects.

18. **a) Ascetic**  

    A person who renounces the world and practices self-discipline to attain salvation.  

    **Meaning**: A person who lives a life of strict self-denial and simplicity for religious reasons.  

    **Explanation**: Common in religious contexts (e.g., monks, sadhus).

19. **a) Hearse**  

    A vehicle used to carry dead bodies to the cemetery.  

    **Meaning**: A funeral vehicle for carrying a coffin.  

    **Explanation**: Distinct from ambulance (for living patients) or coffin (the box itself).

20. **a) Panacea**  

    A medicine or remedy that can cure all diseases.  

    **Meaning**: A solution or remedy for all problems or diseases (universal cure).  

    **Explanation**: Often used figuratively (e.g., "no panacea for economic issues").

21. **a) Atheist**  

    One who does not believe in the existence of God.  

    **Meaning**: A person who denies or disbelieves the existence of God.  

    **Explanation**: Opposite of Theist. Agnostic = claims we cannot know.

22. **a) Millennium**  

    A period of thousand years.  

    **Meaning**: A span of 1,000 years.  

    **Explanation**: "Milli" (thousand) + "annum" (year). Century = 100 years.

23. **b) Insolvent**  

    A person who is unable to pay his debts.  

    **Meaning**: Legally unable to pay debts owed (financially bankrupt).  

    **Explanation**: "Insolvent" is the precise legal/financial term. "Bankrupt" is also common but "insolvent" fits better in many exam contexts.

24. **a) Calligraphy**  

    The art of beautiful handwriting.  

    **Meaning**: Decorative or artistic handwriting.  

    **Explanation**: "Calli" (beautiful) + "graphy" (writing). Different from typography (printing).

25. **a) Pedestrian**  

    A person who walks on foot.  

    **Meaning**: Someone traveling on foot (as opposed to in a vehicle).  

    **Explanation**: Also used for dull writing ("pedestrian style"). "Nomad" = wanderer.

26. **a) Omnipresent**  

    One who is present everywhere.  

    **Meaning**: Present in all places at the same time (usually for God).  

    **Explanation**: "Omni" (all) + "present". Omnipotent = all-powerful; Omniscient = all-knowing.

27. **a) Monarchy**  

    A government ruled by a king or queen.  

    **Meaning**: A system of government with a hereditary ruler (king/queen/emperor).  

    **Explanation**: "Mono" (one) + "archy" (rule). Opposite: Democracy.

28. **a) Cannibal**  

    A person who eats human flesh.  

    **Meaning**: Someone who eats the flesh of other human beings.  

    **Explanation**: Also used for animals that eat their own species.

29. **a) Manuscript**  

    A book or paper written by hand.  

    **Meaning**: A document written by hand (before printing).  

    **Explanation**: "Manus" (hand) + "script" (written). Now often means an author's draft.

30. **a) Claustrophobia**  

    Fear of closed or confined spaces.  

    **Meaning**: Irrational fear of being in enclosed or narrow spaces.  

    **Explanation**: "Claustrum" (closed place) + "phobia" (fear). Agoraphobia = fear of open spaces.

Quick Tips for One Word Substitution:

- Learn roots/prefixes (e.g., mis- = hate, philo- = love, omni- = all).

- Group by categories: Phobias, Government types, Professions, People’s nature.