EXAMINATION VOCABULARY IN LITERATURE 0486

Key Words
Synonyms
(used in IGCSE questions)

Attractive, impressive, dynamic, noteworthy, wondrous, dazzling,

1. Striking
prominent, stunning, out of the ordinary.

Expressive, startling, electrifying, melodramatic, theatrical, farcical,

2. Dramatic
thespian, climactic, sensational, affecting.

Contradictory, quick-witted, defiant, incongruous, exaggerated, pungent,

3. Ironic
trenchant, paradoxical, sharp, mordant.

Exciting, diverting, cheerful, engaging, gratifying, jovial, humorous, lively,

4. Amusing
jocular

Absurd, merry, playful, jovial, good-humoured, hysterical, priceless,

5. Comic
waggish, jolly, whimsical.

Compulsory, fascinating, forcefully, imperative, coercive, constraining,

6. Compelling
intimidating, obligatory, imperious, mandatory.

Active, bright, meaningful, high-spirited, shining, distinct, colourful, brilliant,

7. Vivid
vigorous, flamboyant.

Important, meaningful, indicative, representative, symbolic, weighty,

8. Significant
momentous, valid, denoting, cogent.

Strained, rigid, firm, taut, stiff, stressful, unyielding, hard put, nerve
9. Tense
wrecking, chocked.

Essential, foremost, primarily, ponderous, conspicuous, relevant,

10. Important
paramount, determining, serious, vital.

Heart-felt, touching, emotional, gripping, heartrending, heartening, stirring,

11. Moving
poignant, impelling, awakening.

Alluring, enchanting, stimulating, riveting, bewitching, captivating,

12. Intriguing
spellbinding, hypnotic, magnetic, mesmerizing.

Eventful, momentous, unforgettable, indelible, inerasable, unforgettable,

13. Memorable
ingraining, enduring, illustrious.

Alarming, agitating, discomforting, troubling, impending, wearisome,

14. Disturbing
unpleasant, severe, perplexing, dismaying.

Note: It is a good idea to close your paragraphs with Key Word(s) from question but it will be monotonous if
you use it quite a number of times, say 6-8 times in 6-8 paragraphs in a literature response. Thus, it is essential
that candidates use a variety of words that are similar to the Key Word given in the question. In this context, the
table above is truly handy. Try them. Good luck!

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