Choosing Between Near Synonyms

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Fill in the blank (dropdown)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   After several tests, the technician discovered which component was responsible. She had finally ___ the cause of the fault.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. verified
   2. identified
   3. modified
   4. clarified
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   identified

   Identified means discovered exactly what the cause was. Verified would mean checked an already proposed cause.

2. Question 2 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The component cannot be repaired. The company will ___ it with a new one free of charge.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. restore
   2. replace
   3. reinforce
   4. adjust
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   replace

   Replace means remove one item and put another in its place; restore and adjust would work on the existing item.

3. Question 3 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The data has already been collected and stored. We now need to ___ it to identify patterns before drawing conclusions.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. preserve
   2. compile
   3. analyse
   4. transfer
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   analyse

   Analyse means examine information to understand patterns. Compile concerns gathering it, which has already been done.

4. Question 4 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The instructions explain every step in language a beginner can understand. They are particularly ___.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. concise
   2. brief
   3. clear
   4. formal
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   clear

   Clear describes ease of understanding. Concise and brief concern length, which the context does not specify.

5. Question 5 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The update lowers the chance of data loss but cannot eliminate it. It should ___ the risk.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. remove
   2. maintain
   3. reduce
   4. increase
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   reduce

   Reduce means make smaller; remove would wrongly claim that the risk disappears completely.

6. Question 6 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Please check your details to ___ that they are correct before submitting.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. insure
   2. assure
   3. ensure
   4. reassure
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   ensure

   Ensure that means make certain that. Assure and reassure normally take a person as their object.

7. Question 7 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The files express the same ideas using different words. They differ in ___ rather than meaning.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. purpose
   2. content
   3. wording
   4. subject
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   wording

   Wording is the choice of words; the content and subject remain the same.

8. Question 8 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The device signals the presence of changes too small to see. Its purpose is to ___ them.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. detect
   2. cause
   3. amplify
   4. conceal
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   detect

   Detect means discover that something is present; the other verbs would create, increase or hide a change.

9. Question 9 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The new model lasts fifty per cent longer on a charge. It ___ the old one in battery life.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. outperforms
   2. resembles
   3. matches
   4. approaches
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   outperforms

   Outperforms means does better. Matches would suggest equal performance.

10. Question 10 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

    Choose the correct option for each blank.

    The figures were estimated and rounded. They are ___, not exact.

    Choices for blank 1

    1. precise
    2. approximate
    3. definitive
    4. verified
    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    approximate

    Approximate figures are close estimates rather than exact amounts.

11. Question 11 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

    Choose the correct option for each blank.

    The feature blocks accidental deletion before it happens. It was designed to ___ such deletion.

    Choices for blank 1

    1. reverse
    2. record
    3. correct
    4. prevent
    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    prevent

    Prevent means stop an event from happening; reverse and correct describe action after a problem.

12. Question 12 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

    Choose the correct option for each blank.

    Every observation supports the explanation, and none contradicts it. The explanation is ___ with the evidence.

    Choices for blank 1

    1. identical
    2. consistent
    3. inconsistent
    4. familiar
    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    consistent

    Consistent with means in agreement with. An explanation is not identical to the observations supporting it.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.