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PSAT/NMSQT Vocabulary & Idioms Questions
Practise vocabulary & idioms (english) for the Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying 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
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Q1.Meaning of the idiom “to burn the midnight oil”.
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Answer: C — To work late into the night
It means to work or study late at night.
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Q2.One word for: A government by the people.
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Answer: B — Democracy
Democracy = government by the people, directly or through representatives.
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Q3.Choose the word closest in meaning to INNOCUOUS.
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Answer: A — Harmless
Innocuous means not harmful or offensive.
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Q4.Meaning of the idiom “a blessing in disguise”.
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Answer: A — A good thing that seemed bad at first
Something that seems unfortunate but turns out to be beneficial.
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Q5.Choose the synonym of MITIGATE.
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Answer: A — Lessen
Mitigate means make less severe or painful.
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Q6.One word for: Something that cannot be read.
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Answer: C — Illegible
Illegible means not clear enough to be read.
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Q7.Choose the word closest in meaning to CORROBORATE.
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Answer: A — Confirm
Corroborate means confirm or give support to a statement.
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Q8.Choose the word closest in meaning to ENIGMATIC.
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Answer: D — Mysterious
Enigmatic means difficult to interpret — mysterious.
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Q9.Choose the synonym of ARDUOUS.
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Answer: A — Difficult
Arduous means involving great effort — difficult.
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Q10.Choose the synonym of ABUNDANT.
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Answer: B — Plentiful
Abundant means existing in large quantities — plentiful.
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 PSAT/NMSQT
Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test — conducted by College Board & National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The practice SAT that also screens for National Merit Scholarships.
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.
PSAT/NMSQT practice topics
| Topic | Section | Question source |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra | Mathematics | Calculated (new numbers every set) |
| Percentages | Quantitative aptitude | Calculated (new numbers every set) |
| English Grammar | English | Question bank |
| Vocabulary & Idioms | English | Question bank |