Free One Word Substitution MCQs with Answers

173 One Word Substitution MCQs from English, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

One-word substitution replaces a descriptive phrase with a single precise word, such as a person who cannot read or a place where aircraft are kept. Questions test vocabulary for people, actions, qualities, places and systems, along with distinctions between near-synonyms and correct spelling.

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173 questions · page 1 of 9

  • A. Ignorant
  • B. Illiterate
  • C. Illegible
  • D. Illegitimate

Explanation: "Illiterate" describes a person unable to read or write. "Illegible" describes handwriting that cannot be read, and "ignorant" means…

Correct answer: Illiterate
Very hard
  • A. agnostic
  • B. atheist
  • C. theist
  • D. sceptic

Explanation: An atheist denies the existence of God, while an agnostic holds that it cannot be known either way, which is the distinction the question…

Correct answer: atheist
Fairly easy
  • A. antibiotic
  • B. antidote
  • C. antiseptic
  • D. analgesic

Explanation: An antidote reverses the effect of a poison, while an antibiotic kills bacteria, an antiseptic prevents infection on a surface and an…

Correct answer: antidote
  • A. eloquent
  • B. extempore
  • C. verbose
  • D. monologue

Explanation: An extempore or impromptu speech is delivered on the spur of the moment with no rehearsal.

Correct answer: extempore
Moderate
  • A. physiologist
  • B. anatomist
  • C. pathologist
  • D. pharmacist

Explanation: Anatomy is the study of structure, so an anatomist examines how the body is built, while a physiologist studies how it functions.

Correct answer: anatomist
Very hard
  • A. laboratory
  • B. dispensary
  • C. clinic
  • D. ward

Explanation: A dispensary is where medicines are made up and issued, while a clinic is where patients are examined and a ward is where they are…

Correct answer: dispensary
  • A. credible
  • B. credulous
  • C. incredible
  • D. creditable

Explanation: Credible means believable, while credulous describes a person who believes too readily, and confusing the two is the point of the…

Correct answer: credible
  • A. autocracy
  • B. democracy
  • C. bureaucracy
  • D. aristocracy

Explanation: The Greek demos means people and kratos means rule, so democracy is rule by the people.

Correct answer: democracy
  • A. credible
  • B. gullible
  • C. sceptical
  • D. cynical

Explanation: Gullible describes someone who believes claims too readily and is therefore easily fooled, and it is close in meaning to credulous.

Correct answer: gullible
Hard
  • A. Bibliophile
  • B. Photophile
  • C. Orophile
  • D. Selenophile

Explanation: An orophile is a person who loves mountains; “oro-” comes from a word meaning mountain.

Correct answer: Orophile
Moderate
  • A. Iconoclast
  • B. Iconography
  • C. Iconolater
  • D. Iconoclasm

Explanation: Iconoclasm is the destruction or rejection of religious images and icons.

Correct answer: Iconoclasm
Very hard
  • A. Impregnable
  • B. Inviolable
  • C. Unassailable
  • D. Invulnerable

Explanation: “Impregnable” describes something that cannot be captured or overcome, especially a fortress.

Correct answer: Impregnable
Easy
  • A. Epitaph
  • B. Epicure
  • C. Fatal
  • D. Fresco

Explanation: A fresco is a mural painted with water-based pigments on wet plaster, so it becomes part of the wall as the plaster dries.

Correct answer: Fresco
Easy
  • A. Bigamy
  • B. Bulletin
  • C. Biped
  • D. Carnivore

Explanation: A biped is an animal or person that walks on two feet, from bi meaning two and ped meaning foot.

Correct answer: Biped
Fairly easy
  • A. Brail
  • B. Anarchist
  • C. Biped
  • D. Crank

Explanation: An anarchist seeks the abolition of government or established authority and order.

Correct answer: Anarchist
Easy
  • A. Fatal
  • B. Congenital
  • C. Feather
  • D. None

Explanation: “Fatal” means causing or capable of causing death, so it can describe a disease that causes death.

Correct answer: Fatal
Hard
  • A. Cacophony
  • B. Harangue
  • C. Hullabaloo
  • D. Pandemonium

Explanation: A harangue is a lengthy, forceful and often aggressive speech delivered to an audience.

Correct answer: Harangue
Fairly easy
  • A. Pedophile
  • B. Fatalist
  • C. Pediatrician
  • D. Pedagogue

Explanation: A pediatrician is a doctor who specialises in treating children. A pedagogue is a teacher, while a pedophile is a person sexually…

Correct answer: Pediatrician
Fairly easy
  • A. Borrower
  • B. Insolvent
  • C. Lender
  • D. Allen

Explanation: An insolvent person cannot pay his or her debts. A borrower takes a loan, while a lender provides one.

Correct answer: Insolvent
Moderate
  • A. Stoic
  • B. Sadist
  • C. Psychiatrist
  • D. Aristocrat

Explanation: A stoic remains calm and apparently unaffected by pain, hardship or pleasure.

Correct answer: Stoic

One Word Substitution MCQs: common questions

Are these One Word Substitution MCQs free?

Yes. All One Word Substitution MCQs from English are free on TestUstad, with unlimited attempts and no account needed. Nothing on this page is a sample or a trial.

How many One Word Substitution MCQs are on this page?

There are 173 One Word Substitution MCQs in the English bank, shown 20 to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.

Does every One Word Substitution MCQ have an explanation?

Yes. Each One Word Substitution question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.

Can I take a timed One Word Substitution test?

Yes. The practice button on this page starts a free One Word Substitution test drawn from the English bank. It marks each answer instantly, gives you a score at the end, and can be retaken as many times as you like.