One-Word Substitution MCQs

Solved English MCQs on one-word substitutes for phrases (people, fields of study, fears, killings and more), as asked in SSC CGL, CHSL and MTS papers.

1. 1

   Choose the one-word substitute for: a person who cannot read or write.

   AIlliterateBInfantCIgnorantDInnocent

   Correct answer: A. Illiterate

   Illiterate = unable to read or write. Ignorant means lacking knowledge in general.

   easyShow answer
2. 2

   Choose the one-word substitute for: the story of a person's life written by that person.

   ABiographyBAutobiographyCDiaryDMemoir

   Correct answer: B. Autobiography

   An autobiography is written by the person themselves; a biography is written by someone else.

   easyShow answer
3. 3

   Choose the one-word substitute for: a place where dead bodies are kept before burial or cremation.

   AMortuaryBAsylumCCemeteryDGranary

   Correct answer: A. Mortuary

   A mortuary keeps dead bodies; a cemetery is where they are buried.

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4. 4

   Choose the one-word substitute for: government of the people, by the people, for the people.

   AMonarchyBOligarchyCAutocracyDDemocracy

   Correct answer: D. Democracy

   Abraham Lincoln's famous phrase describes democracy.

   easyShow answer
5. 5

   Choose the one-word substitute for: a person who eats human flesh.

   AHerbivoreBCarnivoreCCannibalDVegetarian

   Correct answer: C. Cannibal

   A cannibal eats the flesh of its own species; a carnivore eats meat in general.

   easyShow answer
6. 6

   Choose the one-word substitute for: a person who can speak many languages.

   ALinguistBTranslatorCPolyglotDBilingual

   Correct answer: C. Polyglot

   A polyglot knows many languages; bilingual means knowing two.

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7. 7

   Choose the one-word substitute for: an abnormal fear of water.

   AClaustrophobiaBAcrophobiaCXenophobiaDHydrophobia

   Correct answer: D. Hydrophobia

   Claustrophobia is fear of closed spaces; xenophobia is fear or dislike of foreigners.

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8. 8

   Choose the one-word substitute for: a person who loves mankind and works for others' welfare.

   APhilatelistBMisanthropeCOptimistDPhilanthropist

   Correct answer: D. Philanthropist

   A philanthropist helps others, often by giving money; a misanthrope dislikes people; a philatelist collects stamps.

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9. 9

   Choose the one-word substitute for: the scientific study of birds.

   AOrnithologyBHerpetologyCEntomologyDZoology

   Correct answer: A. Ornithology

   Entomology is the study of insects and herpetology the study of reptiles and amphibians.

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10. 10

    Choose the one-word substitute for: a home where children without parents are looked after.

    AHostelBOrphanageCCrecheDNursery

    Correct answer: B. Orphanage

    A creche looks after young children during the day while parents work.

    easyShow answer
12. 11

    Choose the one-word substitute for: something that cannot be avoided.

    AInvincibleBIncredibleCInevitableDInvisible

    Correct answer: C. Inevitable

    Inevitable = certain to happen. Invincible means impossible to defeat.

    easyShow answer
13. 12

    Choose the one-word substitute for: a person who travels on foot.

    ATouristBPedestrianCPilgrimDPassenger

    Correct answer: B. Pedestrian

    A pedestrian walks, especially along a road; a pilgrim travels to a holy place.

    easyShow answer
14. 13

    Choose the one-word substitute for: the killing of one's brother.

    APatricideBGenocideCHomicideDFratricide

    Correct answer: D. Fratricide

    Fratricide (from Latin frater, brother); patricide is killing one's father.

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15. 14

    Choose the one-word substitute for: a person who hates women.

    AMisanthropeBMisogynistCBachelorDFeminist

    Correct answer: B. Misogynist

    A misogynist hates women; a misanthrope dislikes all humankind.

    hardShow answer
16. 15

    Choose the one-word substitute for: one who is present everywhere.

    AOmnivorousBOmniscientCOmnipresentDOmnipotent

    Correct answer: C. Omnipresent

    Omniscient = knowing everything; omnipotent = all-powerful; omnivorous = eating everything.

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17. 16

    Choose the one-word substitute for: a speech made without any preparation.

    AExtemporeBDialogueCEpilogueDMonologue

    Correct answer: A. Extempore

    An extempore speech is spoken on the spot; an epilogue comes at the end of a book or play.

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18. 17

    Choose the one-word substitute for: animals that feed on flesh.

    AHerbivoresBCarnivoresCOmnivoresDInsectivores

    Correct answer: B. Carnivores

    Carnivores (such as tigers) eat meat; herbivores eat plants; omnivores eat both.

    easyShow answer
19. 18

    Choose the one-word substitute for: a collection of poems or other writings by different authors.

    AAtlasBDictionaryCBiographyDAnthology

    Correct answer: D. Anthology

    An anthology gathers selected poems, stories or essays into one book.

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20. 19

    Choose the one-word substitute for: one who believes that everything is decided by fate.

    AFatalistBAtheistCTheistDRealist

    Correct answer: A. Fatalist

    A fatalist believes events are fixed in advance and cannot be changed.

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21. 20

    Choose the one-word substitute for: a list of items to be discussed at a meeting.

    AMemorandumBMinutesCAgendaDCatalogue

    Correct answer: C. Agenda

    The agenda is planned before a meeting; the minutes record what was said and decided.

    easyShow answer