Part-I MCQs: the 20 compulsory synonym and antonym questions of the CSS 2025 English (Precis & Composition) paper, with answers and meanings.

About these MCQs

These are the MCQs from the official FPSC paper. FPSC does not publish an answer key, so each answer is given with the word's meaning; where two options are defensible (6 of 20 here), the note says so.

(a) Synonyms: nearest in meaning

1. FRABJOUS (A) Wonderful (B) Surprising (C) Blithe (D) Gusto Answer: (A) Wonderful. A word coined by Lewis Carroll ("O frabjous day!"), blending fabulous and joyous: wonderful, delightful.

2. ACCUBATION (A) Conversation (B) Reclining (C) Ambulation (D) Occupation Answer: (B) Reclining. The ancient practice of reclining, especially at meals.

3. LEVITATE (A) Sink (B) Float (C) Plod (D) Wander Answer: (B) Float. To rise or float in the air. "Sink" is the opposite.

4. SIBYLLINE (A) Enigmatic (B) Obvious (C) Transparent (D) Subtle Answer: (A) Enigmatic. Like the prophecies of a sibyl: mysterious, cryptic.

5. MACADAMIZED (A) Graveled (B) Mudded (C) Turfed (D) Paved Answer: (D) Paved. Surfaced with compacted layers of broken stone (macadam), i.e. a paved road. "Graveled" is close, but macadam is a road-paving method, so "paved" fits best.

6. FINAGLE (A) Surrender (B) Manipulate (C) Cooperate (D) Wheedle Answer: (B) Manipulate. To obtain something by trickery or devious means. "Wheedle" (to coax by flattery) is near, but "manipulate" carries the sense of scheming; answer by best fit.

7. DESIDERIUM (A) Craving (B) Satisfaction (C) Fulfillment (D) Contentment Answer: (A) Craving. An ardent longing, especially for something lost.

8. AMANUENSIS (A) Secretary (B) Assistant (C) Clerk (D) Scribe Answer: (A) Secretary. A person who writes from dictation or copies manuscripts. "Scribe" is close; dictionaries define the word as a literary secretary, so (A) is the usual key.

9. CROMULENT (A) Acceptable (B) Unacceptable (C) Questionable (D) Dubious Answer: (A) Acceptable. A humorous coinage (from The Simpsons, 1996) now in dictionaries: acceptable, adequate.

10. PROPINQUITY (A) Distance (B) Closeness (C) Remoteness (D) Isolation Answer: (B) Closeness. Nearness in place, time or relationship.

(b) Antonyms: most opposite in meaning

11. PERSPICACITY (A) Acumen (B) Astuteness (C) Naivety (D) Intelligence Answer: (C) Naivety. Perspicacity is keen insight; the other three options are synonyms.

12. CONFABULATION (A) Verification (B) Fabrication (C) Distortion (D) Exaggeration Answer: (A) Verification. Confabulation means fabricating or filling gaps in memory with invented detail; its opposite is checking facts, verification.

13. DILETTANTE (A) Amateur (B) Connoisseur (C) Novice (D) Enthusiast Answer: (B) Connoisseur. A dilettante dabbles superficially; a connoisseur has expert knowledge. (The paper misprints the word as "Dilenttante".)

14. KILTER (A) Balance (B) Order (C) Harmony (D) Out-of-sync Answer: (D) Out-of-sync. Kilter is good working order or balance, as in "out of kilter".

15. RHUBARB (A) Serenity (B) Cacophony (C) Harmony (D) Sweetness Answer: (C) Harmony. Informally, a rhubarb is a heated quarrel or row. Its opposite is harmony (agreement); "serenity" opposes commotion rather than dispute, so (C) is the closer antonym, though some keys give (A).

16. CORUSCATING (A) Mundane (B) Tenebrous (C) Sparkling (D) Brilliant Answer: (B) Tenebrous. Coruscating means flashing or glittering; tenebrous means dark and shadowy, the direct opposite of that literal sense. When the word describes wit ("coruscating humour"), "mundane" is the opposite, so expect both keys.

17. VELLEITY (A) Aversion (B) Passion (C) Indifference (D) Apathy Answer: (B) Passion. A velleity is a mere wish too weak to act on; its opposite is a strong, driving desire, passion.

18. BAROQUE (A) Minimalist (B) Ornate (C) Classical (D) Rococo Answer: (A) Minimalist. Baroque means highly ornate; minimalist is its opposite.

19. CAVEAT (A) Guarantee (B) Warning (C) Assurance (D) Disclaimer Answer: (A) Guarantee. A caveat is a warning or a qualification attached to a statement; a guarantee is an unconditional promise. "Assurance" is also defensible.

20. BLUSTER (A) Bravado (B) Boast (C) Confidence (D) Meekness Answer: (D) Meekness. Bluster is loud, aggressive talk; meekness is its opposite.

How to prepare

The 2025 paper used rare and literary words (frabjous, cromulent, velleity, desiderium). Learn words with their roots (sibyl, macadam, propinquus = near) and practise choosing the closest option rather than a perfect match, since several items have two near answers.