Daily Vocabulary Test – 24 July 2026
✓ Editorials Covered: 3
✓ Total Questions: 80
✓ Difficulty: Moderate–Advanced
✓ Estimated Time: 45 Minutes
Covers:
✓ Vocabulary MCQs
✓ Synonyms
✓ Antonyms
✓ Idioms & Phrases
✓ One Word Substitution
✓ Fill in the Blanks
✓ Word Formation
✓ Spotting the Error
✓ Spelling Test
✓ Cloze Test
Start Test ↓
SECTION A/10: VOCABULARY MASTERY
1. In the context of government action, what does the adjective ‘wanton’ mean?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Deliberate and unprovoked in a cruel or violent manner
💡 Explanation: Wanton means malicious, unjustified, unprovoked, or senseless cruelty or violence.
2. Which of the following best defines a ‘fragile’ state of affairs in diplomacy or geopolitics?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Easily destroyed, broken, or threatened; vulnerable
💡 Explanation: Fragile refers to something weak, delicate, tenuous, or highly vulnerable to disruption.
3. When an issue is described as ‘systemic’, it means it is:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Underlying, fundamental, comprehensive, or structural
💡 Explanation: Systemic denotes something that is structural, fundamental, and affects an entire system.
4. What is the meaning of ‘infamy’?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. The state of being well known for some bad quality or deed
💡 Explanation: Infamy refers to notoriety, disrepute, disgrace, or shame for a bad deed.
5. The term ‘escalation’ in a conflict refers to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. A rapid increase in intensity or seriousness
💡 Explanation: Escalation means a rise, intensification, amplification, or surge in conflict or seriousness.
6. In economic terms, a ‘contraction’ indicates:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Shrinkage, decline, decrease, or reduction
💡 Explanation: Contraction refers to a shrinkage, decline, or reduction in economic output or size.
7. An event that is ‘unprecedented’ is:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Never done or known before; unparalleled
💡 Explanation: Unprecedented means unequalled, unmatched, record-breaking, or never known before.
8. What does ‘reliance’ mean in the context of international trade?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Dependence, leaning, or trust on a particular entity or route
💡 Explanation: Reliance means dependence, trust, or leaning on someone or something.
9. Which of the following best defines a ‘barometer’ in an economic context?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. An indicator, measure, gauge, or benchmark
💡 Explanation: A barometer figuratively serves as an indicator, measure, or benchmark for assessing conditions.
10. The word ‘desperation’ refers to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Hopelessness, despair, distress, or misery
💡 Explanation: Desperation is a state of hopelessness, despair, distress, or extreme misery.
11. In maritime trade, a ‘chokepoint’ is:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. A point of congestion or blockage, such as a narrow strategic strait
💡 Explanation: A chokepoint is a bottleneck, narrow passage, or strategic blockage point.
12. What does ‘double-counting’ mean in economic statistics?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. The error of counting the same value more than once in an index
💡 Explanation: Double-counting is a duplicate or redundant calculation error in economics.
13. The ‘gutting’ of an institution implies:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. The process of removing its internal or essential parts, destroying its core function
💡 Explanation: Gutting means dismantling, hollowing out, emptying, or destroying the core of something.
14. What does the process of ‘desalination’ involve?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Removing salt from seawater to make it drinkable or usable
💡 Explanation: Desalination is water purification, salt removal, or de-salting of seawater.
15. In policy making, ‘inclusion’ means:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Incorporation, addition, insertion, or involvement
💡 Explanation: Inclusion means the act of incorporating, adding, or involving elements into a group.
SECTION B/10: SYNONYMS
16. Choose the closest synonym for ‘brutal’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Savage
💡 Explanation: Brutal means savagely violent or harsh; cruel, savage, vicious, ruthless.
17. Choose the closest synonym for ‘constrain’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Restrict
💡 Explanation: Constrain means to limit, curb, or restrict.
18. Choose the closest synonym for ‘slump’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Decline
💡 Explanation: Slump means a fall, decline, drop, downturn, or collapse.
19. Choose the closest synonym for ‘hapless’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Unlucky
💡 Explanation: Hapless means unlucky, unfortunate, wretched, or miserable.
20. Choose the closest synonym for ‘consequential’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Significant
💡 Explanation: Consequential means having significant consequences; important, major, impactful.
21. Choose the closest synonym for ‘surge’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Escalate
💡 Explanation: Surge means to increase suddenly; rise suddenly, escalate, skyrocket, jump.
22. Choose the closest synonym for ‘obsolete’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Outdated
💡 Explanation: Obsolete means out of date, outdated, outmoded, or archaic.
23. Choose the closest synonym for ‘influential’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Powerful
💡 Explanation: Influential means powerful, dominant, significant, or authoritative.
24. Choose the closest synonym for ‘shortcoming’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Flaw
💡 Explanation: Shortcoming means a flaw, defect, deficiency, or weakness.
25. Choose the closest synonym for ‘arrogance’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Hubris
💡 Explanation: Arrogance is the quality of being arrogant; conceit, haughtiness, pride, hubris.
SECTION C/10: ANTONYMS
26. Choose the antonym for ‘cowardice’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Courage
💡 Explanation: Cowardice is the lack of courage or firmness. Courage is its direct antonym.
27. Choose the antonym for ‘unwinnable’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Achievable
💡 Explanation: Unwinnable means impossible to win or succeed in. Achievable is its antonym.
28. Choose the antonym for ‘contraction’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Expansion
💡 Explanation: Contraction means a shrinkage or decline. Expansion means growth or increase.
29. Choose the antonym for ‘broken’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Functional
💡 Explanation: Broken means dysfunctional, damaged, or ruined. Functional is its opposite.
30. Choose the antonym for ‘fragile’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Robust
💡 Explanation: Fragile means easily damaged or delicate. Robust means strong and sturdy.
31. Choose the antonym for ‘up-to-date’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Outdated
💡 Explanation: Up-to-date incorporates the latest trends. Outdated is the exact opposite.
32. Choose the antonym for ‘affordable’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Expensive
💡 Explanation: Affordable means inexpensive or reasonably priced. Expensive is its antonym.
33. Choose the antonym for ‘deepen’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Alleviate
💡 Explanation: Deepen means to make worse or intensify. Alleviate means to lessen or relieve.
34. Choose the antonym for ‘vital’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Insignificant
💡 Explanation: Vital means absolutely necessary or essential. Insignificant means lacking importance.
35. Choose the antonym for ‘inclusion’.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Exclusion
💡 Explanation: Inclusion means incorporation or addition. Exclusion is the act of leaving something out.
SECTION D/10: IDIOMS & PHRASES
36. What does the phrase ‘gather momentum’ signify?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. To gain traction, accelerate, or speed up
💡 Explanation: ‘Gather momentum’ means to gain traction, accelerate, speed up, or build up.
37. If an analyst ‘paints a grim picture’, they are:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Describing a situation in a way that makes it seem very bad or hopeless
💡 Explanation: ‘Paint a grim picture’ means to depict a bleak scenario or present a depressing outlook.
38. The phrasal verb ‘wear off’ means to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Lose effectiveness or intensity; fade or diminish
💡 Explanation: ‘Wear off’ means to lose effectiveness or intensity, fade, diminish, or dwindle.
39. A leader who is ‘out of touch’ is:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Lacking knowledge or awareness of current events, ideas, or standards
💡 Explanation: ‘Out of touch’ means unaware, ignorant, disconnected, or ill-informed.
40. What does the phrasal verb ‘fall apart’ indicate?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. To break down, collapse, or fail completely
💡 Explanation: ‘Fall apart’ means to break down, collapse, disintegrate, or fail completely.
SECTION E/10: ONE WORD SUBSTITUTION
41. The uniform nomenclature of security forces in India under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs, deployed to maintain internal security, is collectively known as:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)
💡 Explanation: CAPFs is the uniform nomenclature of Indian security forces under MHA.
42. A form of government with a monarch at the head, such as a kingdom or realm, is called a:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Monarchy
💡 Explanation: A monarchy is a government led by a monarch (kingdom, realm, sovereign state).
43. The official, comprehensive financial records that summarize a country’s economic activity, including GDP and national income, are called:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. National accounts
💡 Explanation: National accounts are the official financial records summarizing a country’s economic activity.
44. The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems, is termed:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
💡 Explanation: Artificial Intelligence (AI) simulates human intelligence via machines and computer systems.
45. A 1,200-km pipeline in Saudi Arabia transporting crude oil from eastern oilfields to the western port of Yanbu is known as the:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. East-West Pipeline
💡 Explanation: The East-West Pipeline is a major crude oil pipeline traversing Saudi Arabia to Yanbu.
SECTION F/10: FILL IN THE BLANKS
46. For the last few weeks, peaceful protests by young students against examination paper leaks and the general ______ in the education system have gathered momentum.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. decay
💡 Explanation: ‘Decay’ means deterioration, decline, degradation, or rot in the system.
47. Saudi Arabia, whose crude exports have been severely ______ by Iran’s blockade, has increased its reliance on Red Sea ports.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. constrained
💡 Explanation: ‘Constrained’ means restricted, limited, or curbed due to the blockade.
48. The previous eight sectors have become nine, with the vital ______ of the iron ore sector.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. inclusion
💡 Explanation: ‘Inclusion’ denotes the incorporation, addition, or insertion of the new sector.
49. The Narendra Modi government has responded to their courage with ______ and wanton cruelty.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. cowardice
💡 Explanation: ‘Cowardice’ reflects a lack of courage or firmness; fearfulness.
50. This is a ______ upgrade that makes the index more representative of the economy.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. welcome
💡 Explanation: ‘Welcome’ means pleasing, agreeable, encouraging, or gratifying.
51. President Donald Trump had an opportunity to ______ himself from the conflict when he signed a memorandum of understanding.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. extricate
💡 Explanation: ‘Extricate’ means to free someone from a constraint or difficulty; free, release.
52. The NTA itself is a hapless, ______ body which relies entirely on an army of private contractors.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. chronically-understaffed
💡 Explanation: It means severely and persistently lacking the necessary amount of personnel.
53. The addition of a sector would naturally change the ______ of weights of the sectors in the index.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. distribution
💡 Explanation: ‘Distribution’ means allocation, allotment, apportionment, or sharing.
54. If the Houthis enforce a total blockade, Riyadh could face far ______ economic disruption.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. deeper
💡 Explanation: ‘Deeper’ means more intense, severe, profound, or serious.
55. We all remember vividly how ______ policemen and paramilitary forces savaged university campuses.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. armed
💡 Explanation: ‘Armed’ means equipped with or carrying a weapon or weapons.
SECTION G/10: WORD FORMATION
56. What is the noun form of the verb ‘politicise’?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Politicisation
💡 Explanation: ‘Politicisation’ is the action of causing an activity to become political in character.
57. Which of the following is the adjective form related to the noun ‘system’?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Systemic
💡 Explanation: ‘Systemic’ is the adjective meaning underlying, fundamental, comprehensive, structural.
58. What is the noun form describing the state of being ‘desperate’?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Desperation
💡 Explanation: ‘Desperation’ is the noun meaning hopelessness, despair, distress, misery.
59. What is the adverb form of the adjective ‘respective’?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Respectively
💡 Explanation: ‘Respectively’ means separately or individually and in the order already mentioned.
60. Which of the following is the adjective form of the noun ‘influence’?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Influential
💡 Explanation: ‘Influential’ is the adjective meaning powerful, dominant, significant, or authoritative.
SECTION H/10: SPOTTING THE ERROR
61. Read the following sentence to find if there is any grammatical error:
The student protests is the consequence of the Narendra Modi government’s policies.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. is the consequence of
💡 Explanation: The plural subject ‘protests’ requires the plural verb ‘are’ instead of ‘is’.
62. Spot the error:
The Houthi blockade have increased its reliance on Red Sea ports, especially Yanbu.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. have increased its
💡 Explanation: ‘Blockade’ is a singular subject and requires the singular verb ‘has’ instead of ‘have’.
63. Spot the error:
The Index of Core Industries has finally joining the country’s other economic metrics.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. joining the country’s
💡 Explanation: The present perfect tense requires the past participle ‘joined’, not the gerund ‘joining’.
64. Spot the error:
The second issue is the gutting of India’s public examination system, which have undergone the processes of centralisation.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. which have undergone the
💡 Explanation: The relative pronoun ‘which’ refers to the singular ‘system’, so it must be followed by ‘has’.
65. Spot the error:
If Mr. Trump wants a way out, he should change course, pushes for an immediate ceasefire and return to diplomacy.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. pushes for an immediate
💡 Explanation: To maintain parallelism with ‘change’, the base form ‘push’ must be used instead of ‘pushes’.
66. Spot the error:
However, two of the strong growth numbers was due to a statistical base effect.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. numbers was due to
💡 Explanation: The subject ‘two’ is plural; therefore, the plural verb ‘were’ is required instead of ‘was’.
67. Spot the error:
With high-quality, affordable public education inaccessible, families in India has been forced to spend out of pocket.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. families in India has been
💡 Explanation: The subject ‘families’ is plural, so it must take the plural verb ‘have’.
68. Spot the error:
Donald Trump had an opportunity to extricating himself from the conflict when he signed a memorandum.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. opportunity to extricating
💡 Explanation: The infinitive marker ‘to’ must be followed by the base verb ‘extricate’, not the gerund.
69. Spot the error:
The update of the ICI and the recent upgrade of the WPI would has been a good time for a broader reorganisation.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. would has been a good time
💡 Explanation: The modal auxiliary ‘would’ must always be followed by the base form ‘have’, never ‘has’.
70. Spot the error:
Instead of reaching out with understanding, it unleash the repressive power of the state on them.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. it unleash the repressive
💡 Explanation: The sentence is describing a past event; therefore, the past tense ‘unleashed’ is required.
SECTION I/10: SPELLING TEST
71. Choose the correctly spelled word.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Authoritarian
💡 Explanation: Authoritarian means dictatorial, autocratic, or despotic.
72. Choose the correctly spelled word.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Desalination
💡 Explanation: Desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater.
73. Choose the correctly spelled word.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Methodologies
💡 Explanation: Methodologies are systems of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.
74. Choose the correctly spelled word.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Unprecedented
💡 Explanation: Unprecedented means never done or known before.
75. Choose the correctly spelled word.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Infrastructure
💡 Explanation: Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities.
SECTION J/10: CLOZE TEST
Directions (Questions 76-80): Read the passage below and fill in the blanks with the most appropriate words from the options provided.
“The Index of Core Industries (ICI) has finally joined the country’s other economic (76)______ in becoming (77)______ and (78)______ of the economy. The other metrics (79)______ as the national accounts, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wholesale Price Index (WPI), and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) were updated earlier this year, (80)______ even those were after considerable delays.”
76. Choose the most appropriate word for blank (76).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. metrics
💡 Explanation: ‘Metrics’ are economic indicators, gauges, or performance benchmarks.
77. Choose the most appropriate word for blank (77).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. up-to-date
💡 Explanation: ‘Up-to-date’ means incorporating the latest developments; modern, current.
78. Choose the most appropriate word for blank (78).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. representative
💡 Explanation: ‘Representative’ means serving as a typical or characteristic example.
79. Choose the most appropriate word for blank (79).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. such
💡 Explanation: ‘Such as’ is a phrase used to provide examples (e.g., such as the national accounts).
80. Choose the most appropriate word for blank (80).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. although
💡 Explanation: ‘Although’ is a conjunction meaning in spite of the fact that; even though.
Test Completed
You have completed today’s Editorial Words Daily Vocabulary Test.