One Word Substitution — GK Questions with Answers

1. One who does not believe in the existence of God is an —
   1. agnostic
   2. atheist
   3. theist
   4. sceptic
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   Answer: (B) atheist

   An atheist denies God; an agnostic says nothing can be known.

2. The killing of a king is called —
   1. homicide
   2. regicide
   3. genocide
   4. fratricide
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   Answer: (B) regicide

   Rex means king, so regicide.

3. One who walks in his sleep is a —
   1. somniloquist
   2. somnambulist
   3. insomniac
   4. hypnotist
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   Answer: (B) somnambulist

   Somnambulist — from somnus (sleep) and ambulare (to walk).

4. A place where bees are kept is an —
   1. aviary
   2. apiary
   3. aquarium
   4. arsenal
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   Answer: (B) apiary

   Apiary for bees; an aviary is for birds.

5. The study of insects is called —
   1. etymology
   2. entomology
   3. ornithology
   4. anthropology
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   Answer: (B) entomology

   Entomology is insects; etymology is the origin of words.

6. Government by officials is —
   1. democracy
   2. aristocracy
   3. bureaucracy
   4. plutocracy
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   Answer: (C) bureaucracy

   Bureaucracy — rule by officials of the bureau.

7. Absence of government is called —
   1. anarchy
   2. monarchy
   3. oligarchy
   4. autocracy
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   Answer: (A) anarchy

   Anarchy means literally without a ruler.

8. One who can use both hands equally well is —
   1. ambivalent
   2. ambidextrous
   3. amphibious
   4. ambiguous
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   Answer: (B) ambidextrous

   Ambidextrous — ambi (both) and dexter (right hand).

9. A speech made without preparation is —
   1. eulogy
   2. extempore
   3. elegy
   4. epilogue
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   Answer: (B) extempore

   Extempore or impromptu.

10. Defamation in written or printed form is —
    1. slander
    2. libel
    3. perjury
    4. blasphemy
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    Answer: (B) libel

    Libel is written; slander is spoken.

11. An animal that eats both plants and flesh is —
    1. carnivorous
    2. herbivorous
    3. omnivorous
    4. insectivorous
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    Answer: (C) omnivorous

    Omni means all, so omnivorous.

12. One who hates mankind is a —
    1. philanthropist
    2. misanthrope
    3. misogynist
    4. misogamist
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    Answer: (B) misanthrope

    Misanthrope — miso (hate) and anthropos (man).

13. An irrational fear of enclosed spaces is —
    1. agoraphobia
    2. claustrophobia
    3. acrophobia
    4. hydrophobia
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    Answer: (B) claustrophobia

    Claustrophobia is of closed spaces; agoraphobia is of open ones.

14. One who foretells the future by the stars is an —
    1. astronomer
    2. astrologer
    3. astronaut
    4. meteorologist
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    Answer: (B) astrologer

    An astrologer foretells; an astronomer studies the heavens scientifically.

15. That which cannot be corrected is —
    1. incredible
    2. inevitable
    3. incorrigible
    4. inexplicable
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    Answer: (C) incorrigible

    Incorrigible — beyond correction.

16. One who hates mankind is a —
    1. philanthropist
    2. misanthrope
    3. misogynist
    4. egotist
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    Answer: (B) misanthrope

    Mis- hate + anthrop man.

17. One who walks in his sleep is a —
    1. somniloquist
    2. somnambulist
    3. insomniac
    4. sleepwalker
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    Answer: (B) somnambulist

    Somn sleep + ambul walk.

18. A person who leaves his own country to settle in another is an —
    1. immigrant
    2. emigrant
    3. itinerant
    4. exile
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    Answer: (B) emigrant

    Emigrant goes out; immigrant comes in.

19. One who collects coins is a —
    1. philatelist
    2. numismatist
    3. lexicographer
    4. archaeologist
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    Answer: (B) numismatist

    A numismatist; a philatelist collects stamps.

20. One who compiles a dictionary is a —
    1. bibliophile
    2. lexicographer
    3. etymologist
    4. philologist
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    Answer: (B) lexicographer

    Lexicographer.

21. One who studies insects is an —
    1. etymologist
    2. entomologist
    3. ornithologist
    4. ecologist
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    Answer: (B) entomologist

    Entomologist; an etymologist studies word origins.

22. One who believes that the existence of God cannot be known is an —
    1. atheist
    2. agnostic
    3. theist
    4. pantheist
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    Answer: (B) agnostic

    An agnostic suspends judgement.

23. One who believes God is present in everything is a —
    1. monotheist
    2. polytheist
    3. pantheist
    4. deist
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    Answer: (C) pantheist

    Pan all + theos god.

24. One who gives up his religious faith is an —
    1. ascetic
    2. apostate
    3. agnostic
    4. anchorite
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    Answer: (B) apostate

    Apostate, also called a renegade.

25. That which cannot be satisfied is —
    1. insatiable
    2. inevitable
    3. inexplicable
    4. invincible
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    Answer: (A) insatiable

    Insatiable.

26. That which cannot be expressed in words is —
    1. illegible
    2. inaudible
    3. ineffable
    4. intangible
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    Answer: (C) ineffable

    Ineffable — too great to be put into words.

27. Water fit for drinking is —
    1. edible
    2. potable
    3. soluble
    4. portable
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    Answer: (B) potable

    Potable; portable means able to be carried.

28. A substance that lets light pass but cannot be seen through is —
    1. transparent
    2. translucent
    3. opaque
    4. luminous
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    Answer: (B) translucent

    Translucent.

29. An event happening once in two years is —
    1. biannual
    2. biennial
    3. bimonthly
    4. perennial
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    Answer: (B) biennial

    Biennial is every two years; biannual is twice a year.

30. To give up a throne voluntarily is to —
    1. abolish
    2. abdicate
    3. absolve
    4. abrogate
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    Answer: (B) abdicate

    Abdicate.

31. To set free from slavery is to —
    1. exonerate
    2. emancipate
    3. evacuate
    4. extricate
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    Answer: (B) emancipate

    Emancipate.

32. A formal charge brought against a public official is —
    1. indictment
    2. impeachment
    3. injunction
    4. imprecation
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    Answer: (B) impeachment

    Impeachment.

33. A defamatory statement in writing is —
    1. slander
    2. libel
    3. calumny
    4. invective
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    Answer: (B) libel

    Libel is written; slander is spoken.

34. Words inscribed on a tomb are an —
    1. elegy
    2. epitaph
    3. epigram
    4. eulogy
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    Answer: (B) epitaph

    Epitaph.

35. A place where bees are kept is an —
    1. aviary
    2. apiary
    3. aquarium
    4. arboretum
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    Answer: (B) apiary

    Apiary; an aviary is for birds.

36. One who is unduly devoted to his own country is a —
    1. patriot
    2. chauvinist
    3. nationalist
    4. loyalist
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    Answer: (B) chauvinist

    A chauvinist or jingoist — the word carries blame.

37. One who flatters to gain advantage is a —
    1. philanthropist
    2. sycophant
    3. stoic
    4. cynic
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    Answer: (B) sycophant

    A sycophant or toady.

More chapters in this subject

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• Phonetics & Phonetic Transcription40 questions
• Phrasal Verbs25 questions