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11+ synonyms and antonyms: practice with answers

Practise choosing similar meanings and opposites in one short question set. Use the answer explanations to discuss unfamiliar words together.

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How do we use this synonyms and antonyms practice?

Read the question carefully before choosing an option: a synonym has a similar meaning, while an antonym has an opposite meaning. The first eight questions ask for synonyms, and the last four ask for antonyms. Try the questions on paper or aloud, then use the explanations to talk through any unfamiliar meanings together.

This is original practice using our approved public example words. It is not an official exam paper, a timed assessment or a prediction of an 11+ result. No account is needed. Print it from your browser if your child prefers working on paper; the answer key follows the questions.

For worked examples before starting, read how synonym questions work and how antonym questions work.

Can your child spot similar meanings and opposites?

Ask your child to explain the question word before choosing an answer. If they do not know it, look at the explanation together and return to that question later. A similar-looking answer may be a synonym when the question asks for an opposite, so check the instruction again before making the final choice.

Go to answers and explanations

  1. Which word means nearly the same as meticulous?

    1. careful
    2. unwilling
    3. scarce
    4. calm

  2. Which word means nearly the same as reluctant?

    1. plentiful
    2. unwilling
    3. calm
    4. precise

  3. Which word means nearly the same as abundant?

    1. rare
    2. careful
    3. plentiful
    4. hesitant

  4. Which word means nearly the same as tranquil?

    1. unwilling
    2. careful
    3. rare
    4. calm

  5. Which word means nearly the same as scarce?

    1. rare
    2. plentiful
    3. serene
    4. thorough

  6. Which word means nearly the same as diligent?

    1. hesitant
    2. industrious
    3. scanty
    4. calm

  7. Which word means nearly the same as cautious?

    1. ample
    2. unwilling
    3. wary
    4. serene

  8. Which word is closest to resilient in the sense of recovering after a setback?

    1. rare
    2. hesitant
    3. plentiful
    4. tough

  9. Which word means the opposite of abundant?

    1. plentiful
    2. ample
    3. scarce
    4. copious

  10. Which word means the opposite of scarce?

    1. rare
    2. plentiful
    3. scanty
    4. sparse

  11. Which word means the opposite of meticulous?

    1. precise
    2. careful
    3. thorough
    4. careless

  12. Which word means the opposite of reluctant?

    1. willing
    2. unwilling
    3. hesitant
    4. disinclined

Why are these the right answers?

Check each answer after attempting the questions. Explain the meaning in your own words before trying again.

  1. careful. Meticulous means very careful about small details. Careful is the closest meaning among these options.

  2. unwilling. A reluctant person is not keen to agree or act. Unwilling is the closest meaning here.

  3. plentiful. Abundant means there is more than enough. Plentiful also describes a large supply.

  4. calm. Tranquil describes a calm, peaceful situation. It does not describe how much of something is available.

  5. rare. Scarce means there is very little available. Rare is the closest choice, although the two words are not interchangeable in every sentence.

  6. industrious. Diligent and industrious both describe working hard and carefully. Neither simply means being calm.

  7. wary. Cautious and wary both describe taking care because there may be a risk or problem.

  8. tough. Tough is the closest option here. Resilient specifically describes being able to recover, rather than never finding anything difficult.

  9. scarce. Abundant describes plenty; scarce describes very little. The other three choices are similar in meaning to abundant.

  10. plentiful. Plentiful describes a large supply. Rare, scanty and sparse all suggest a smaller amount or limited availability.

  11. careless. Meticulous describes close attention to details. Careless describes not giving enough attention; the other choices are similar to meticulous.

  12. willing. Reluctant describes not being keen to act. Willing describes being ready to do it; the other choices stay close to reluctant.

Return to the questions

What should we do with words that need more practice?

Choose a few unfamiliar meanings and use each in a sentence about something your child knows. Compare the word with its synonym or opposite, then revisit it after a gap. A correct choice made by guessing is still worth discussing. Keep the amount manageable and notice progress in explaining meanings rather than chasing a score.

Our 11+ vocabulary guide explains how to use words encountered in reading and practice work. Cloze questions offer another way to think about meaning in a sentence. VocabGecko's app prepares picture cards and practice questions for parent approval before a child uses them.

Ready to try it with your child's own words?

Join the free beta waitlist. Once you have a place, you type in the words from your next practice test and check the first cards. Joining takes about a minute. VocabGecko is free during the beta, needs no card, and works alongside the prep platform or tutor you already use.

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