GRE: Antonyms
Hi all! This week I am going to comment on GRE Antonyms- the most puzzling and baffling section of GRE. Truly speaking, GRE Antonyms section is not that hard as you imagine it to be. It is much easier. Once in possession with some effective learning tools and strategies you will see yourself cracking this section effortlessly.
An Antonym is the ‘opposite’ of the given word. In the GRE exam you are expected to read the word aloud in your mind and once you comprehend its meaning, look for a word from the five given answer options that is ‘nearly’ the opposite of the given word. For example if the given word is ‘Beautiful’, the option that is ‘nearly’ the opposite of the word will be ‘Ugly’. Hope this elucidates the above mentioned point.
You will find 13 questions on Antonyms Section in the GRE Computer Based Test. This is how the question appears in the actual GRE:
Directions: Each sample question in this section consists of a word printed in capital letters followed by five lettered words or phrases. Choose the lettered word or phrase that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters. Since some of the questions require you to distinguish fine shades of meaning, be sure to consider all the choices before deciding which one is best. (There are 13 questions in this section.)
Let us now work on a sample GRE Antonyms question. This will explain the question type and the ways to answer it better.
- Loquacious ( That is the Question)
Now let us look at the answer choices
- whimsical
- gloomy
- taciturn
- gregarious
- vociferous
If you had gone through all the word lists at Learnwordlist.com you would instantly know the opposite of the word. Now that’s an ideal situation isn’t it? So let us imagine a situation where in you (the student) are unaware of the meaning of the word. This is the time to pool up all your learning tools and strategies for gaining points for that question. Look at the word closely. Can you relate this word to any other word that has the part of the given word ‘loq’? And ‘acious’ suggests that it is a person’s character. The word is an adjective, describing a person or the quality of a person. Now technically speaking that is the ‘root’ of the word. The words that most of us remember at this juncture are: eloquent, grandiloquent, magniloquent etc…so obviously the meanings of these words relate to speech, talk etc, don’t they? Apparently a person who talks (more at that) is loquacious. How intelligently you guessed the meaning of the word! Congratulations! Now you need to identify the ‘opposite’ of the word. Let us now consider the options: Option A: Whimsical…whimsical, an adjective suggests a person full of whimsy (peculiarity, fancy). Can that be opposite of the word ‘Loquacious’? Obviously NO! Option B: gloomy…the word gloomy means sad, dull…. well again it is the wrong option. Let us go to the Option C: taciturn. Taciturn means reserved, recluse, silent…can that be the answer choice for the given word? Is it nearly the opposite of the word? Well do not jump to conclusions, it could prove risky. The word could possibly be the opposite of the given word. Let us hold it for a while. We have two more options to consider, haven’t we? Option D: the word gregarious means highly sociable and outgoing. This cannot be the opposite of the given word. So we can strike it off coolly. The last option choice has some thing to do with voice, talk, speech…Vociferous; ( think of other words like vocal etc that mean sound) the meaning of this word is close to vocalization a vehement vocalization that too… so it is something close to the given word but not the opposite. So what’s the right answer choice? C…and no doubt in that!
Dear Students, you are supposed to intelligently guess the opposites of the words that you are not familiar with. The Process of eliminating (POE) close options, synonyms and irrelevant options will help you reach the right answer choice that is nearly the opposite of the given word. Underneath are mentioned a few strategies as stated by the ETS. Please do run through, and register them in your mind!
**(Here are some approaches that may be helpful in answering antonym questions:
- Remember that you are looking for the word that is the most nearly opposite to the given word; you are not looking for a synonym (meaning). Many words do not have a precise opposite, so you must look for the answer choice that expresses a concept most nearly opposite to that of the given word.
- In some cases, more than one of the answer choices may appear at first to be opposite to the given word. When this happens, try to define more precisely or in greater detail the meaning of the given word.
- In weighing answer choices, it is often useful to make up a sentence using the given word or words. Substitute the answer choices in the phrase or sentence and see which best fits. The best answer will be the one that reverses the meaning or tone of the sentence or phrase.
- Remember that a particular word may have more than one meaning.
- Use your knowledge of root, prefix, and suffix meanings to help you determine the meanings of unfamiliar words.))**
It doesn’t mean you spend a chunk of time guessing. You should be smart and brisk at that. Do you realize you have only half-a-minute to answer one question in GRE? Can you keep guessing then? What do you understand from this?
- Start preparing for your GRE well in advance.
- Familiarize yourself with most of the roots, prefixes and suffixes
- Please do not mug up. Instead spend some time with the word.
- Dissect a word to understand the word root, prefix and suffix
- Relate the word you ‘kind of know’ or ‘don’t know’ to words having similar roots, sounds, prefixes, suffixes etc
You can now use these strategies and take the Antonyms’ Tests displayed on the website. Get back to me in case you could not determine the opposite of the word using the above mentioned techniques.
Wishing you great success!!
Anu Veluri
Learnwordlist.com
(** these lines are taken from the site www.ets.org)
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Am interested in more sample questions please. it is keep me when idle
Hey Robert are u taking GRE? This site is visited mostly by GRE aspirants although the word lists displayed certainly help one and all…Robert there are so many GRE Model tests already available on the site..have you taken them? If not, pls take these tests they are model questions and will help you evaluate your performance…
http://learnwordlist.com/word-list-quiz.html
This is the link for an easier access to the tests!!
in one of the tests on antonyms , word “benign”s antonym should be ” malignant”. pl clarify.
Dear Mukesh, you are right! Benign takes malignant as opposite…that’s the right answer, we will look into it and rectify..thanks for coming up with it..
Regards,
Hello!Thanks a lot…It was a blessed rain..I found so many interesting things I had to learn..I couldn’t be good student but I’m trying to improve my knowledges / l,R,W,S/ and certainly extending my vocabulary /. And of course, put my hopes in the future to obtain satisfaction / I know it is hard / , but from time to time it is great pleasure. This is charming …
Best …… from me …
Dear Christina thanks so much!! In fact students like you inspire us to come up with better things. Your enthusiasm shows that you are a very good student. Keep up the spirit. Yes, do keep in touch with us and take our tests if you the one aspiring to do wonders in GRE..ok??
Wishing you success!!
Thanks for suggesting us about to solve antonyms problem.
Sir, i am searching GRE essay answer topic ,but i have their topics name but i didn’t get their answer yet, Please give site name . I know very well that some site is available but i don’t know exactly.
Dear Vikky, AWA is a ‘writing assessment as we all know and there will be no standard answer for a question. Answers vary according to the question asked. And no one can suggest exact set of questions asked in AWA. I am afraid depending on a particular answer would be a bad idea. However you can run through a few model answers for better understanding. We will come up with a GRE: AWA blog too shortly. Pls do stay tuned to the site.
Regards,
Sir, I want to know more about “Prefix” & “Suffix”.Because i am unable to how to recognize the meaning of any word.Sir please help me.
Dear Pankaj, thanks so much for the interest shown. Pankaj you will happy to know that there are almost 50 Vocabulary flash cards that exclusively deal in word prefix, suffix and root. All with contextual use to!!…and moreover there are many blogs that comment exclusively on vocabulary improvement. I suggest you to run through them. Pls tour around the website carefully to lay hands on all useful;l posts and tests. I suggest a few links for a quicker access. Hope you will follow them all..
http://learnwordlist.com/grevocabulary/category/vocabulary-flash-cards
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/vocabulary-learning/2009/05/gre-word-list-test-blog-barrons-vocabulary
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/a-test-of-verbal-responsiveness/2009/06/gre-word-list-test-blog-barrons-vocabulary
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/try-these%E2%80%A6/2009/04/gre-word-list-test-blog-barrons-vocabulary
http://learnwordlist.com/grevocabulary/category/gre-vocabulary-root-words
Wishing you success!!
hi
thank you wholeheartedly for what you are doing to GRE learners worldwide.
Thanks Sina, I wish you read all the articles pertaining to GRE..Sina have you taken the tests displayed on the website..I am sure you will benefit a lot by taking them..I give u the link for a quicker access…
http://learnwordlist.com/word-list-quiz.html
Regards,
Thank you very much for your information. Would you please practice me on the three main testing components of the GRE consecutively.
Best regards,
Hi Abeba, there are many blogs here that enlighten u on all the major GRE testing components. I dont think u surveyed the blog segment thoroughly. Pls follow the following links..
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/gre-analogy-segment-strategies-and-techniques/2009/10/gre-word-list-test-blog-barrons-vocabulary
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/gre-analogy-questions/2009/09/gre-word-list-test-blog-barrons-vocabulary
http://learnwordlist.com/blog/gre-reading-comprehension
Besides these there are still many more GRE related blogs…pls follow them all..
Regards,
Thanks a lot. Will be writing the test in a couple of weeks. What is the minimum score recommended
Well done! Those are indeed helpful guidances!
I really appreciate!
Yes, there is no problem and i have something to tell you about me!
My names, i think appear in your records and beside, I am Rwandan holder of Bachelors Degrre in Law got in 2008 Academic Year from the National University of Rwanda.
I am now a Legal Officer of the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA) a Public Institution dealing with Public Tenders. I’m single, and what i’m aspiring for is actually keeping on looking for how perfect i can achieve! so i’m very interested in your fruitful site! yes, will for sure stay tuned
safe occupations!
Hi, thanks..are you preparing for GRE? If so there are many other blogs that comment on GRE segments..do read them all to get the best out of your exam..
“The Crossword Puzzle” is both interesting and innovative. I am looking forward with great interest towards the introducing of the AWA Blog.
Thanks and Regards
Girija-V.
Hi Girija, yes we shall come up with the AWA Blog shortly..just stay tuned..
Thanks a lot for this site. It has not only equipped me with Gre prep tools but has actually improved my vocabulary. I am grateful.
i had 960 score last year. Can I acquire a scholarship.
Thanks
Thanks Roland, there are many blogs on high frequency GRE words..did you read them?? Pls do survey all the items in the blog section..and we are going to come up with many more articles on High Frequency GRE words..
Hi Roland…sorry that’s a pretty low score..I am afraid you need to improve your GRE Score by taking it again!
Well,
I am finding this site really wonderful…..
Amarjit if you are aspiring for GRE read all the blogs too and pls do not forget taking the tests. In fact spend some time surveying the site..it has many segments designed exclusively for GRE aspirants..
thanxx a lot for your easy way of analysing d words..
its helpful!!
Pooja there are many more articles in the blog segment dealing with tougher words..have you gone through them?? All?? If not please do, you will find it very very useful..
To Anu..
can you give me tips to prepare well for the written section.
Thanks.
Hi Tanvi..do u mean AWA??..we will shortly come up with that..as of now I can tell u to stay focused to the topic you are commenting on..dont make hasty generalizations or introduce irrelevant material when answering..do not beat about the bush..and yes stuff your essays with good number of proofs and evidences..I mean real life examples..have a euphemistic tone..the tone of GRE is bland..it is never harsh..and do not show or talk about any kind of discrimination..like supporting a particular group or ideas..:-)..is that fine dear?
Hi am quit becoming perfect soon but there some staffs which need serious reading but thanks for your help and big up.
Hi anu
This webite is awesome.I would like to learn more words from you.
Hey thanks..what staff are u talking abt?
yes Ishu sure..we are coming up with an other word list shortly..
Sites avant grade, can be better best. Can we get GRE certified with a scholarship or such programs. Can we be delivered certificate by mail. It’s essential to have overedosed with certificates to be feat in the competitive populaces. Hope you can furnish these rquisites.
No Akshay we only train students for GRE..we do not award certificates..
please let me appreciate on your TEST called GRE as best ever but some time it is a diffecult test but all it needs is to do it most of the time. iam Malawian boy desparate for scholarship please help me.
GRE is the way you become fulent with out any financial prblem and improving your life style but the test some times the words in the test are not match the level of the person who answer it, so i suggest to start from the easer to harder
Ohh that’s a good piece of advice, we shall try to implement..
good suggestions especially finding the roots, prefix and sufix of the options related…..
Its really too much helpful to prepare anyone yourself for the GRE exam.
thanks a lot u r serving mankind
god bless u
hii Rana
Thanks for these wonderfull word.
shipra
Thanks for good news!
hii chanel
thanks
All predictions are based on assumption that participant familiar with the sense of the word, but with my limited vocabulary it’s useless.
Well, anyway thanks a lot.))
Hi there
I wish to thank you because of your helpful materials.Learn word list.com is unique indeed.but a question,do you have any listening program.
hii mohammad , right now we don’t have any voice utility ,but tell me for which section you want voice utility or what else you want.I am promising you we shall give it a serious thought and if find suitable we shall implement it.
I have very wide vision to develep my knowledge.Please help me to find this sholarship.