S-6

5 WORDS A DAY
High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

BANAL
◦ Meaning: predictable, cliche, boring
◦ He used BANAL phrases like Have a nice day, or Another day, another dollar.
◦ Related words:
◦ BANALIR: the quality of being banal
◦ Words with similar meanings:
BLAND BROMIDIC CLICHED
COMMONPLACE FATUOUS HACKNEYED
INNOCUOUS INSIPID JEJUNE
MUSTY PLATITUDINOUS PROSAIC
QUOTIDIAN SHOPWORN STALE
STEREOTYPIC THREADBARE TIMEWORN
TIRED TRITE VAPID
WORN-OUT.
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

BOLSTER
◦ Meaning: to support; to prop up
◦ Example: The presence of giant footprints BOLSTERED the argument
that Sasquatch was in the area.
◦ Words with similar meanings:
◦ BRACE BUTTRESS PROP
SUPPORT SUSTAIN UNDERPIN
UPHOLD
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

BOMBASTIC
◦ Meaning: pompous in speech and manner
◦ Example: Mussolini's speeches were mostly BOMBASTIC; his boasting and
outrageous claims had no basis in fact.
◦ Related words:
◦ BOMBAST: pompous speech or writing
◦ Words with similar meanings:
BLOATED DECLAMATORY FUSTIAN
GRANDILOQUENT GRANDIOSE HIGH-FLOWN
MAGNILOQUENT OROTUND PRETENTIOUS
RHETORICAL SELF-IMPORTANT
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

CACOPHONY
◦ Meaning: harsh, jarring noise
◦ Example: The junior high orchestra created an almost unbearable
CACOPHONY as they tried to tune their instruments.
◦ Words with similar meanings:
DISCORD CHAOS DISHARMONY
NOISE CLAMOR DIN
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

CANDID
◦ Meaning: Impartial and honest in speech
◦ Example: The observations of a child can be charming since they are
CANDID and unpretentious.
◦ Words with similar meanings:
DIRECT FORTHRIGHT FRANK
HONEST OPEN SINCERE
STRAIGHT STRAIGHTFORWARD UNDISGUISED
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

What is the one word for the given

meaning?
1
to hold up or serve as a foundation for

a. Paramount
b. Foundry
c. Hindrance
d. Bolster
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Fill in the Blank

2
The instructor's script is _________, relying heavily on images of
waves on a beach or clouds in the sky.

a. Astute
b. Fresh
c. Banal
d. Uncommon
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Which of the following is not the

antonym of “Cacophony”?
3
a. Buzz
b. Lull
c. Hush
d. Still
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

What is the one word for the given

meaning?
4
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless
words and phrases

a. Eloquent
b. Matter-of-the-fact
c. Talkative
d. Bombastic
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Which of the following is not the

synonym of “Candid”?
5
a. Unequivocal
b. Forthright
c. Frontal
d. Laconic
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Fill in the Blank

6
It was a ___________ speech intended to impress the voters in her
congressional district.

a. Bombastic
b. Affluent
c. Prosaic
d. Stark
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Which of the following is not the

antonym of “Banal”?
7
a. Enlivening
b. Intriguing
c. Riveting
d. Blah
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Fill in the Blank

8
The _____________ in the crowded classroom drowned out the
principal’s announcement.

a. Satire
b. Sarcasm
c. Loudness
d. Cacophony
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Fill in the Blank

9
A couple of tournament wins would __________ the extravagant claims
that have been made on behalf of the young golfer.

a. Fasten
b. Undermine
c. Halt
d. Bolster
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Fill in the Blank

10
To be ________, I have wondered whether it is fair to write about a man
for whom I cannot help but feel a real distaste.

a. Quiet
b. Hush
c. Candid
d. Captive
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Which of the following is not the

antonym of “Bolster”?
11
a. Aid
b. Halt
c. Barricade
d. Undercut
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

What is the one word for the given

meaning?
12
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound

a. Sharp
b. Phony
c. Cacophony
d. Euphoric
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

What is the one word for the given

meaning?
13
Abundance of dullness

a. Animating
b. Atypical
c. Banal
d. Gripping
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

Which of the following is not the

synonym of “Bombastic”?
14
a. Grandiose
b. Euphuistic
c. Ranting
d. Restrained
 High Frequency Words for Competitive Exams

What is the one word for the given

meaning?
15
free from bias, prejudice, or malice

a. Partial
b. Nepotistic
c. Candid
d. Artful