Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Vocabulary in Context 2

Question 1

The organisation was described as 'bureaucratic'. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Involving excessive official procedures

Answer

'Bureaucratic' describes excessive use of official rules and procedures, often to the point of inefficiency. It implies rigid adherence to process.

Question 2

The manager used the word 'expedite' in her email. What did she mean?

Accepted Answer

Speed up

Answer

'Expedite' means to make something happen sooner or more quickly. She was asking for the process to be accelerated.

Question 3

The CEO described the merger as 'synergistic'. What did she mean?

Accepted Answer

The combined entities would produce a better outcome than separately

Answer

'Synergy' means the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. Synergistic describes this quality.

Question 4

The policy document used the word 'mitigate'. What does it mean?

Accepted Answer

Lessen or reduce the severity of

Answer

'Mitigate' means to make something less severe, serious, or painful. You mitigate risks by reducing their impact.

Question 5

The press release described the development as 'unprecedented'. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Never having happened before

Answer

'Unprecedented' means never done or known before. An unprecedented event is one with no historical precedent.

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Vocabulary in Context 2