Opposite meanings
The paper gives a word in capitals and five others, and one means nearly the opposite. A word that means the same is often there as a trap.
What the question looks like
EARLY
How Thena would solve it
Say what the word in capitals means: early is before the time.
early: before the time
Say "not" before it and look for the option that means that: after the time is late.
not early: after the time = late
Soon and quick are about time too, so they look right, but neither is the opposite. The answer is late.
Answer: late
The usual mistakes
Picking a word that means the same
A word with the same meaning is often an option. Check yours says the reverse.
Picking a word about the same thing
Soon is about time but it isn’t the opposite of early.
Not saying "not"
Say "not" and the word, then find the option that means it.
Try ten
Ten opposite meanings questions
A new set every time, marked when you finish.
Have paper and a pencil ready for working out.
Questions parents ask
How do you answer Opposite meanings questions?
Say what the word in capitals means, then say "not" before it. Look for the option that means that. A word that means the same is often there as a trap.
More in what words mean
- Closest in meaningThe word that means the same, not the opposite.
- Two odd ones outThe two words that don’t go with the other three.
- Word analogies"A is to B as C is to?", said as a sentence.
- One word, two meaningsOne word that fits two pairs with different meanings.
All 21 kinds of verbal reasoning question
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