- No data uploaded
- Instant results
NSW Selective Test Vocabulary & Idioms Questions
Practise vocabulary & idioms (english) for the NSW Selective High School Placement Test: 10 multiple-choice questions, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. Click an option to check it, or “New questions” for another set.
Vocabulary & Idioms practice
-
Q1.Choose the synonym of CANDID.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D — Frank
Candid means truthful and straightforward — frank.
-
Q2.Choose the antonym of VERBOSE.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A — Concise
Verbose = using more words than needed; concise = brief.
-
Q3.Choose the antonym of OPTIMISTIC.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D — Pessimistic
Optimistic = expecting good outcomes; pessimistic = expecting the worst.
-
Q4.Choose the word closest in meaning to CORROBORATE.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D — Confirm
Corroborate means confirm or give support to a statement.
-
Q5.Choose the synonym of ABUNDANT.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B — Plentiful
Abundant means existing in large quantities — plentiful.
-
Q6.Meaning of the idiom “to burn the midnight oil”.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A — To work late into the night
It means to work or study late at night.
-
Q7.Choose the antonym of ZENITH.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D — Nadir
Zenith = highest point; nadir = lowest point.
-
Q8.Choose the correctly spelt word.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A — Occurrence
Occurrence: double c, double r, -ence.
-
Q9.Choose the antonym of CANDOUR.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C — Deceit
Candour = openness and honesty; deceit is its opposite.
-
Q10.Choose the antonym of FRUGAL.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D — Extravagant
Frugal = sparing with money; extravagant = spending excessively.
How to approach vocabulary & idioms questions
Learn words in synonym/antonym pairs and by roots (bene = good, mal = bad, chron = time). For idioms, think of the figurative meaning, not the literal one.
About NSW Selective Test
NSW Selective High School Placement Test — conducted by NSW Department of Education. Placement test for selective high schools in New South Wales: reading, maths, thinking skills and writing.
Original practice questions written for this site in the style and difficulty of each exam’s syllabus. They are not past papers and the site is not affiliated with any exam body. Exam patterns, marking schemes and syllabi change — always check the latest official notification.
NSW Selective Test practice topics
| Topic | Section | Question source |
|---|---|---|
| Percentages | Quantitative aptitude | Calculated (new numbers every set) |
| Number System & Simplification | Quantitative aptitude | Calculated (new numbers every set) |
| Logical Reasoning | Reasoning | Calculated (new numbers every set) |
| Vocabulary & Idioms | English | Question bank |