MLAT Near-Synonym Vocabulary Discrimination

Question 1

Which word is most precisely synonymous with MELANCHOLY?

Accepted Answer

Sorrowful

Answer

Melancholy means a deep, persistent sadness or unhappiness. Sorrowful is the closest synonym — it directly describes the feeling of grief or sadness. Nostalgic implies wistful longing for the past; somber means dark or serious in mood or tone; weary means physically or mentally tired.

Question 2

TENACIOUS most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

Persistent

Answer

Tenacious means holding firmly to a purpose or plan and continuing despite obstacles. Persistent is the closest match — it captures determined, continued effort. Stubborn implies unreasonable resistance without a positive connotation; aggressive implies hostility; forceful emphasizes physical or rhetorical power.

Question 3

Which word is the closest synonym for FRUGAL?

Accepted Answer

Thrifty

Answer

Frugal means being careful and economical with money or resources without waste. Thrifty is the closest synonym — both describe prudent resource management positively. Miserly implies extreme, unpleasant stinginess beyond what frugal conveys; impoverished means lacking money; cautious relates to avoiding risk, not spending.

Question 4

ALLEVIATE most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

Ease

Answer

Alleviate means to make something bad, especially pain or a problem, less severe — not to remove it entirely. Ease is the closest match. Eliminate and cure both imply complete removal, which alleviate does not; prevent means to stop something from happening at all.

Question 5

RETICENT most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

Reserved

Answer

Reticent means unwilling to speak freely or share one's thoughts — a deliberate restraint in expression. Reserved is the closest synonym. Shy implies social anxiety or fear; secretive suggests intentionally hiding things from others; timid implies fearfulness, not communicative restraint.

(MLAT) Modern Language Aptitude Test Practice Test

(MLAT) Modern Language Aptitude Test Practice Test

MLAT Near-Synonym Vocabulary Discrimination