Synonyms and Shades of Meaning

Synonyms and Shades of Meaning MDCAT MCQs with answers

20 past paper MCQs on Synonyms and Shades of Meaning, from the Formal and Lexical Aspect of Language unit of MDCAT English. The year each question appeared is shown where known; tap “Show answer” for the correct option and a short solution.

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1.Which literary device involves using words or phrases that convey the opposite of their literal meaning? (KMU MDCAT 2025)

  1. Irony
  2. Parody
  3. Satire
  4. Sarcasm
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Correct answer: (a) Irony

Saying the opposite of what is meant is irony.

2.What is the effect of using synonyms with different shades of meaning in satire? (SZABMU MDCAT 2025)

  1. To create a serious tone
  2. To highlight the absurdity or irony of a situation
  3. To confuse the reader
  4. To add complexity to the language
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Correct answer: (b) To highlight the absurdity or irony of a situation

Satire sets a flattering word beside an unworthy thing, and the mismatch shows up the absurdity.

3.Find out synonym for "Elated" (KMU MDCAT 2024)

  1. Confused
  2. Disappointed
  3. Nervous
  4. Overjoyed
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Correct answer: (d) Overjoyed

To be elated is to be overjoyed.

4.Which of the following words is a synonym for "meticulous"? (KMU MDCAT 2024)

  1. Abhorrent
  2. Heedless
  3. Incautious
  4. Precise
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Correct answer: (d) Precise

To be meticulous is to be exact and careful over detail.

5.Q.177 Synonym of the word "Capricious" is: (UHS MDCAT 2023)

  1. Fickle
  2. Predictable
  3. Uniform
  4. Invariable
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Correct answer: (a) Fickle

To be capricious is to change one’s mind without reason, that is to be fickle.

6.Q.179 Choose the most appropriate antonym for "abandonment": (UHS MDCAT 2023)

  1. cessation
  2. stoppage
  3. halt
  4. extension
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Correct answer: (d) extension

Abandonment is a giving up; its opposite is a carrying on, that is extension.

7.Choose the similar meaning of the bracketed word. (Providentially), his mind was not injured. (UHS MDCAT 2023)

  1. Slowly
  2. Steadily
  3. Really
  4. Luckily
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Correct answer: (d) Luckily

Providentially means by good fortune, that is luckily.

8.What is a synonym of the word ‘pedestrian’? (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. Pavement
  2. Passerby
  3. Precinct
  4. Person
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Correct answer: (b) Passerby

A pedestrian is one who goes on foot, that is a passer-by.

9.I’m now going to give you 10 _______ tips for running a really successful website. (PMC Practice 2021)

  1. Invaluable
  2. Valueless
  3. Unworthy
  4. Unprofitable
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Correct answer: (a) Invaluable

Invaluable means beyond price, that is extremely valuable.

10.The prince abdicated the crown and returned to his castle. Abdicated means; (UHS MDCAT 2019)

  1. Gave up
  2. Sold
  3. Reinvested into
  4. Auctioned
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Correct answer: (a) Gave up

To abdicate is to give up a throne or an office.

11.EMPATHY (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. Understanding
  2. Animosity
  3. Friendship
  4. Sympathy PLSPOT 14 of 20
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Correct answer: (d) Sympathy PLSPOT 14 of 20

Empathy is entering into another’s feeling, and of these sympathy is the nearest.

12.FELICITY (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. Boredom
  2. Business
  3. Happiness
  4. Relaxation
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Correct answer: (c) Happiness

Felicity is great happiness.

13.UNCANNY (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. Exact
  2. Opposite
  3. Good
  4. Strange
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Correct answer: (d) Strange

Uncanny means strange in an unsettling way.

14.VIRULENT (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. Progressive
  2. Harmful
  3. Healthy
  4. Positive
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Correct answer: (b) Harmful

Virulent means severely harmful or poisonous.

15.RAPT (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. Trumpet
  2. Bewitched
  3. Rapid
  4. Rash
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Correct answer: (b) Bewitched

To be rapt is to be spellbound.

16.PEDAGOGY (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. The study of pediatrics
  2. The study of teaching methods
  3. The study of cultural heritage
  4. The study of pectoral muscle
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Correct answer: (b) The study of teaching methods

Pedagogy is the study of teaching.

17.INDICTMENT (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. Humiliation
  2. Offended
  3. Accusation
  4. Invisible
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Correct answer: (c) Accusation

An indictment is a formal accusation.

18.MITIGATION (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. Alleviation
  2. Classification
  3. Formidable
  4. Poisonous
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Correct answer: (a) Alleviation

To mitigate is to make less severe, that is to alleviate.

19.CONCERTED (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. Strenuous
  2. Furious
  3. Curious
  4. Precious
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Correct answer: (a) Strenuous

A concerted effort is a strenuous, combined one.

20.ARCANE (UHS MDCAT 2015)

  1. Mysterious
  2. Furious
  3. Arid
  4. Clear BIOLOGY
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Correct answer: (a) Mysterious

Arcane means hidden or mysterious.

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