ASVAB Word Knowledge Practice and Tips
How the Word Knowledge subtest works, five strategies that save points, and 8 practice questions with answers.
How Word Knowledge works
You get 15 questions in 9 minutes on the computer ASVAB — about 36 seconds each. Each question gives a word, alone or in a sentence, and asks which choice is closest in meaning. Word Knowledge counts double in the AFQT (together with Paragraph Comprehension), so every word you learn is worth a lot.
Five strategies
- Look for the synonym, not the opposite. A common trap is a choice that means the opposite of the word.
- Use the sentence. When the word is in a sentence, cover it and think of an easy word that fits; then pick the closest choice.
- Break the word into parts. *Bene* means good, *mal* means bad, *dis-* and *un-* mean not, *-less* means without.
- Feel the tone. If a word sounds negative (callous, belligerent), the answer is negative too.
- Don't get stuck. If you don't know it, eliminate and guess — then move on.
How to learn more words
Study a small set of words every day, review the ones you miss a few days later, and read in English as much as you can. Spaced review — seeing a word again after 1, 3 and 7 days — is what makes words stick.
Practice questions
1. Which word is closest in meaning to frugal?
- thrifty
- loud
- lazy
- generous
Show answer
Answer: thrifty. Frugal means careful with money.
2. The arduous climb left the whole team exhausted. The word in bold most nearly means
- short
- pleasant
- dangerous
- very difficult
Show answer
Answer: very difficult. An arduous task is hard and tiring.
3. Which word is closest in meaning to benevolent?
- kind
- shy
- wealthy
- angry
Show answer
Answer: kind. Bene means good: a benevolent person wishes others well.
4. Which word is closest in meaning to obstinate?
- obvious
- stubborn
- quiet
- careful
Show answer
Answer: stubborn. Obstinate means refusing to change your mind.
5. The witness gave a candid account of what happened. The word in bold most nearly means
- secret
- honest
- short
- confusing
Show answer
Answer: honest. Candid means frank and honest.
6. Which word is closest in meaning to scarce?
- scary
- rare
- plenty
- cheap
Show answer
Answer: rare. Scarce means hard to find. "Plenty" is the opposite.
7. Which word is closest in meaning to vigilant?
- watchful
- violent
- tired
- careless
Show answer
Answer: watchful. A vigilant guard watches carefully for danger.
8. The speaker's verbose answer took ten minutes and said very little. The word in bold most nearly means
- clear
- brief
- wordy
- angry
Show answer
Answer: wordy. Verbose means using more words than needed.