NDA (II) 2019 General Ability Test · Question 7 of 148

Correct — D, abusive. 'Vitriolic' describes speech that is savagely bitter, hostile and full of harsh criticism, and 'abusive' language is exactly that — cutting and insulting — so it is the nearest synonym.

• (a)imaginative — 'Imaginative' means creative and inventive; it is a positive quality unrelated to bitter hostility.
• (b)sprightly — 'Sprightly' means lively and full of energy; it describes cheerful liveliness, not venom.
• (c)vivacious — 'Vivacious' means attractively lively and animated — again a warm quality, the opposite of vitriolic.

This is a synonym item — pick the word nearest in meaning to 'vitriolic' (savagely bitter, hostile); the closest match is 'abusive'.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Select the word nearest in meaning to 'scathing'.

  • (a)gentle
  • (b)harsh
  • (c)mild
  • (d)kind

  Answer(b) harsh — a 'scathing' remark is severely critical and cutting.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Select the word nearest in meaning to 'caustic' (remark).

  • (a)soothing
  • (b)biting
  • (c)flattering
  • (d)cheerful

  Answer(b) biting — a 'caustic' remark is sharply sarcastic and biting.