SSC Vocabulary Quiz unlimited · real PYQs

Latest SSC 2025–26 vocabulary questions (sample)

A few of the latest questions with answers. The quiz above has all 5,557.

1. SSC CHSL 2025 T-1 Synonyms

   Select the most appropriate synonym of the word: RETICENT

   ATalkativeBReservedCLoudDOpen
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: B) Reserved

   "Reticent" means not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; tending to be uncommunicative; quiet and introspective. The most appropriate synonym is "Reserved" — slow to reveal emotions or opinions; showing restraint in speaking. Talkative, Loud, and Open are all antonyms of reticent.

2. SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025 Idioms & Phrases

   Choose the correct meaning of the given idiom/phrase from the options:
   "Pull the wool over someone's eyes"

   ATo keep someone warmBTo deceive someoneCTo make a mistakeDTo give advice
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: B) To deceive someone

   The idiom 'Pull the wool over someone's eyes' means to deceive or trick someone.
   Option 2 (To deceive someone) is correct as it accurately conveys the idiomatic meaning.
   Option 1 (To keep someone warm) is wrong because it is a literal interpretation, not the idiom's meaning.
   Option 3 (To make a mistake) is wrong as making mistakes is unrelated to deception.
   Option 4 (To give advice) is wrong because giving advice has no link to the idiom's meaning.

3. SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Synonyms

   Select the synonym of Reluctant.

   AWillingBHesitantCPromptDEager
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: B) Hesitant

   Meaning: reluctant = unwilling, holding back, doing something without any desire to do it *(अनिच्छुक, हिचकिचाने वाला)*.
   From Latin *reluctari* — *re-* (back, against) + *luctari* (to struggle), so the literal sense is "struggling against" something.
   hesitant = slow to act or speak because of doubt or unwillingness *(झिझकने वाला, हिचकिचाता हुआ)*.
   It describes the same holding back, and it fits the very same sentence: *She was reluctant / hesitant to speak before the crowd.*
   Why the others are wrong.
   • willing = ready and happy to do something *(तैयार, इच्छुक)* — the direct antonym.
   • prompt = quick, without delay *(तत्पर, शीघ्र)* — this is about speed, not desire; a person can be prompt and s

4. SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Graduate Level) Antonyms

   Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word. Contumacious

   AStubbornBRebelliousCObedientDDefiant
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: C) Obedient

   Meaning: contumacious = stubbornly disobedient to authority, especially to a court *(अवज्ञाकारी, हठी, उद्दंड)*.
   Its opposite is Obedient = willing to follow orders and rules *(आज्ञाकारी)*.
   
   Why the others are wrong.
   #B Stubborn = refusing to change one's mind *(ज़िद्दी)* — a synonym, not an antonym.
   #B Rebellious = resisting authority or control *(विद्रोही)* — a synonym.
   #B Defiant = openly resisting or challenging *(अवज्ञापूर्ण, ललकारने वाला)* — a synonym.
   
   Answer: Obedient
   
   *Three options mean the same as the word — the odd one out is the antonym.*

5. SSC CGL 2025 T-1 One Word Substitution

   Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions'.

   AIconoclastBMartyrCMonarchistDIdealist
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: A) Iconoclast

   An 'iconoclast' is a person who attacks or challenges traditional beliefs and established institutions.
   A martyr suffers for a cause; a monarchist supports monarchy; an idealist follows high principles.
   Hence 'iconoclast' is correct.

6. SSC MTS 2025 Antonyms

   Choose the word that is the antonym of Foreign.

   ADomesticBAlienCOverseasDExternal
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: A) Domestic

   Correct Answer: Domestic (Option 1)
   'Foreign' means belonging to or coming from another country. Its antonym is 'Domestic,' which means relating to one's own country — the direct opposite.
   Why the other options are wrong:
   Option 2 - 'Alien' means belonging to a foreign country or place — a synonym of foreign.
   Option 3 - 'Overseas' means in or to a foreign country — a synonym of foreign.
   Option 4 - 'External' means relating to the outside — related to foreign, not its antonym.

7. SSC CGL 2025 T-1 Idioms & Phrases

   Choose the correct meaning of idiom:
   Flash in the pan

   AA bright ideaBA sudden success that fails to lastCA criminal planDA methodical worker
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: B) A sudden success that fails to last

   - 'Flash in the pan' refers to something that shows promise initially but fails to produce lasting results.
   - Meaning: A sudden success that fails to last.

8. SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Idioms & Phrases

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
   To hit the nail on the head

   ATo miss the pointBTo guess correctlyCTo be very accurateDTo strike something hard
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: C) To be very accurate

   Meaning: to hit the nail on the head = to say or do exactly the right thing, to be precisely accurate *(सटीक बात कहना, ठीक निशाने पर बात करना)*.
   A carpenter who strikes the nail squarely on its head drives it straight in — the image is of exactness, not of force.
   Why the others are wrong.
   • to miss the point = to fail to grasp what really matters *(असल बात न समझना)* — the exact opposite of the idiom.
   • to guess correctly = to be right by chance *(अंदाज़ा सही बैठना)* — the closest trap, but this idiom praises insight, not luck.
   • to strike something hard = to hit with force *(ज़ोर से मारना)* — the literal reading of the words, which an idiom never keeps.
   Word help.
   accurate = exactly right, f

9. SSC MTS 2025 One Word Substitution

   Choose the most suitable one-word substitution for the following.
   "A person who writes screenplays."

   AScriptwriterBScreenplayerCPlaywrightDGhostwriter
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: A) Scriptwriter

   "Scriptwriter" is the correct one-word substitution for a person who writes screenplays or scripts for films, television, or radio.
   Why other options are wrong:
   Option 2 - Screenplayer : not a standard English word.
   Option 3 - Playwright: a person who writes plays for the stage — not specifically screenplays.
   Option 4 - Ghostwriter: a person who writes on behalf of another person who is named as the author — different meaning.

10. SSC MTS 2025 Idioms & Phrases

    Which of the following idiom given in the alternatives has the meaning?
    To reveal private, sensitive, or confidential information that should have been kept within a specific group, context, or place.

    AWork one's way through schoolBWag schoolCSchool one in somethingDTell tales out of school
    Answer & explanation

    Answer: D) Tell tales out of school

    Correct Answer: Tell tales out of school (Option 4)
    'Tell tales out of school' means to reveal secret or private information about a group or organization to outsiders. This perfectly matches the given meaning.
    Why the other options are wrong:
    Option 1 - 'Work one's way through school' means to earn money while studying.
    Option 2 - 'Wag school' means to skip school or play truant.
    Option 3 - 'School one in something' means to teach or train someone in a subject.