Synonyms and antonyms

What this topic covers

Synonyms are words with similar meanings; antonyms are words with opposite meanings. NCET asks you to pick the closest synonym or antonym for a word, often as it is used in a sentence.

How to solve it

• Read the question carefully: synonym or antonym? Students lose easy marks by mixing them up.
• Think of the word in a sentence, then try each option in its place.
• Use word parts where Chinese has them: prefixes and roots often signal meaning or opposite meaning.
• Watch for options that are related to the word but are neither similar nor opposite.

How to build vocabulary

• Learn words in groups: a word, two synonyms, two antonyms and an example sentence.
• Revise your list every week; vocabulary is learned by repetition.