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ASVAB Word Knowledge practice test
10 free questions · scored as you go · every answer explained
Synonyms and meaning in context. Half of the verbal score that counts twice in your AFQT. On the computer-based ASVAB you get 15 Word Knowledge questions in 9 minutes, about 36 seconds per question. It is one of the four subtests that make up your AFQT, the score that decides whether you can enlist.
Your score
0/ 10
Practice scores from original questions, not official ASVAB scores. ASVAB Test is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT1 of 10
Abate most nearly means:
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Answer: D. Lessen
To abate is to become less intense or widespread: a storm abates, pain abates, noise abates. Think of 'a-BATE' as beating something down to a lower level.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT2 of 10
Candid most nearly means:
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Answer: A. Honest
Candid means truthful and direct, even when the truth is uncomfortable: a candid opinion. A 'candid photo' is honest in the same way, catching people as they really are.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT3 of 10
Fortify most nearly means:
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Answer: C. Strengthen
To fortify is to make stronger, whether a position, a building or the body. The root 'fort' means strong, as in fortress and effort.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT4 of 10
Obsolete most nearly means:
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Answer: B. Outdated
Obsolete describes something no longer in use because something better replaced it, like floppy disks. It is stronger than 'old': obsolete means past its useful life.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT5 of 10
The sentry remained vigilant through the night, scanning the perimeter for any movement. Vigilant most nearly means:
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Answer: A. Watchful
Vigilant means keeping careful watch for danger. The sentence's clue is 'scanning the perimeter.' The root is Latin 'vigil,' to stay awake, as in a vigil.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT6 of 10
Concise most nearly means:
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Answer: A. Brief and clear
Concise means saying much in few words: a concise report covers the facts without padding. It implies clarity, not just shortness.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT7 of 10
Prohibit most nearly means:
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Answer: C. Forbid
To prohibit is to forbid by rule or law: smoking is prohibited near the fuel point. Its opposite is permit.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT8 of 10
Frugal most nearly means:
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Answer: B. Thrifty
Frugal means careful with money and resources, spending only what is needed. It is praise for economy, unlike 'stingy,' which criticizes.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT9 of 10
The prefix 'pre-' in words like preliminary and preflight means:
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Answer: B. Before
'Pre-' means before: a preflight check happens before flight, a preliminary round comes before the main event. Knowing common prefixes unlocks unfamiliar words.
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WKWord KnowledgeAFQT10 of 10
Hazardous most nearly means:
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Answer: D. Dangerous
Hazardous means posing danger or risk: hazardous materials, hazardous duty. A hazard is the danger itself.
What Word Knowledge covers
The facts and methods behind the questions, from the app's study notes. Questions on test day are different, but they test the same things.
Synonyms
Synonyms: "X most nearly means" with four single-word choices. Vocabulary breadth wins; roots rescue you when breadth runs out.
- Answer the shade, not the vibe. Pick the CLOSEST meaning, not a related word: frugal → thrifty (not cheap or poor). Eliminate opposites first; they are planted deliberately.
- Confusable pairs. adverse/averse, imminent/eminent, stationary/stationery. One letter changes everything; the test loves these.
- Build daily. This app’s flashcards drill the high-frequency ASVAB words. Ten new words a day for a month moves this subtest more than any other study.
Words in context
Words in context: the sentence contains the clue — the right answer keeps the sentence’s logic intact.
- Substitute to check. Drop each choice into the sentence; only one preserves the meaning the rest of the sentence demands ("scanning the perimeter" → vigilant = watchful).
- Watch contrast words. "Although", "despite", "but" flip the direction: the blank means the opposite of the other clause.
- Common words, technical senses. Context can select an uncommon sense: a fire "break", a contract that is "void". Let the sentence, not habit, decide.
Word structure
Word structure: prefixes, roots and suffixes decode words you have never seen.
- High-value prefixes. pre- before, re- again, mis- wrongly, in-/un- not, ex- out, sub- under, trans- across, co- together.
- High-value roots. port carry, dict say, spect look, duc/duct lead, ject throw, rupt break, ver true, chron time, aud hear, tact/tang touch, dur last, nov new.
- Suffixes set the part of speech. -ology study of, -able can be done, -ify to make, -ous full of, -tion the act of. Prefix + root + suffix: in-aud-ible = cannot be heard.
Keep going in the app. All 69 Word Knowledge questions, practice that brings back the ones you miss, and full exams timed subtest by subtest like the real test.
Practice the other subtests
Or take the full free practice test: 30 questions from all 10 subtests, with a rough AFQT estimate at the end.
These are original practice questions; real ASVAB items are confidential. Practice scores are estimates, not official ASVAB scores. ASVAB Test is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense or any military branch.