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ASVAB Word Knowledge Practice Questions and Study Tips
Word Knowledge tests your vocabulary. You pick the word that means most nearly the same as the underlined word, either on its own or in a sentence. It is one of the four AFQT subtests, and together with Paragraph Comprehension it makes up your Verbal Expression score, which counts double in the AFQT.
| Questions (paper ASVAB) | 35 |
|---|---|
| Time limit | 11 minutes |
| Abbreviation | WK |
| Counts toward AFQT? | Yes, it is one of the four AFQT subtests. |
The computer version of the ASVAB (CAT-ASVAB) has fewer questions and adjusts the difficulty to your answers, but it covers the same material.
What the Word Knowledge subtest covers
- Synonyms: choosing the word closest in meaning
- Words in context: working out meaning from a sentence
- Common prefixes, suffixes and roots
Word Knowledge practice questions
Try these 20 questions written in the ASVAB style. Some ask for a word on its own and some put it in a sentence. Decide on your answer before you open the explanation.
1. Candid most nearly means:
- Frank
- Secretive
- Hostile
- Cheerful
Show answer
A. Frank A candid person speaks openly and honestly.
2. Mitigate most nearly means:
- Worsen
- Lessen
- Ignore
- Delay
Show answer
B. Lessen To mitigate something is to make it less severe.
3. The sergeant’s terse reply ended the discussion. Terse most nearly means:
- Brief
- Angry
- Polite
- Confusing
Show answer
A. Brief Terse means using very few words.
4. Abundant most nearly means:
- Scarce
- Plentiful
- Expensive
- Hidden
Show answer
B. Plentiful Abundant means more than enough. Scarce is its opposite.
5. Diligent most nearly means:
- Careless
- Lazy
- Hardworking
- Clever
Show answer
C. Hardworking A diligent person works carefully and steadily.
6. Obsolete most nearly means:
- Out of date
- Fragile
- Valuable
- Common
Show answer
A. Out of date Something obsolete is no longer used because something newer replaced it.
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7. Reluctant most nearly means:
- Eager
- Unwilling
- Nervous
- Curious
Show answer
B. Unwilling Reluctant means not wanting to do something. Eager is the opposite.
8. Feasible most nearly means:
- Possible
- Expensive
- Foolish
- Popular
Show answer
A. Possible A feasible plan is one that can be done.
9. Hostile most nearly means:
- Friendly
- Quiet
- Tired
- Unfriendly
Show answer
D. Unfriendly Hostile means unfriendly or aggressive.
10. The medic stayed composed while treating the injured. Composed most nearly means:
- Calm
- Written
- Confused
- Hurried
Show answer
A. Calm In this sentence composed describes a person, so it means calm. "Written" fits a different use of the word, which is why reading the sentence matters.
11. Ambiguous most nearly means:
- Obvious
- Open to more than one meaning
- Ancient
- Ambitious
Show answer
B. Open to more than one meaning An ambiguous order could be understood in more than one way. Ambitious only looks similar.
12. Prudent most nearly means:
- Proud
- Rude
- Fast
- Wise
Show answer
D. Wise A prudent person thinks ahead and acts sensibly.
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13. Supplies were scarce after the storm. Scarce most nearly means:
- Plentiful
- Frightening
- In short supply
- Damaged
Show answer
C. In short supply Scarce means there is not enough of something.
14. Benevolent most nearly means:
- Kind
- Wealthy
- Harmful
- Strict
Show answer
A. Kind The root bene means good, as in benefit. A benevolent person means well.
15. Concise most nearly means:
- Long-winded
- Brief and clear
- Exact in time
- Rude
Show answer
B. Brief and clear A concise report says what it needs to in few words.
16. Adhere most nearly means:
- Listen
- Admire
- Leave
- Stick
Show answer
D. Stick To adhere is to stick to something, like tape or a rule.
17. The plan was abandoned after the first attempt failed. Abandoned most nearly means:
- Repeated
- Given up
- Improved
- Delayed
Show answer
B. Given up To abandon a plan is to give it up completely.
18. Vigilant most nearly means:
- Watchful
- Violent
- Lazy
- Loud
Show answer
A. Watchful A vigilant guard stays alert for danger.
Want to know where you stand? The free 25-question diagnostic covers all nine subtests and shows your weakest one. No account needed to start.
19. The unit had to deplete its reserve of water before resupply arrived. Deplete most nearly means:
- Refill
- Protect
- Use up
- Measure
Show answer
C. Use up To deplete a supply is to use it up. Refill is the opposite.
20. Imminent most nearly means:
- Important
- About to happen
- Famous
- Far away
Show answer
B. About to happen An imminent storm is coming very soon. Don’t confuse it with eminent, which means famous or important.
Two kinds of Word Knowledge questions
Synonym questions show a word on its own and ask which choice "most nearly means" the same thing. You either recognize the word or work it out from its root, so these reward a big vocabulary.
Words in context put the word in a sentence. Here the sentence is your best clue: replace the word with each choice and keep the one that preserves the meaning. Context questions also catch people out when a word has more than one meaning, so always check the sentence rather than going with the meaning you know best.
Word roots worth knowing
Many ASVAB words are built from a small set of Latin and Greek parts. Knowing them lets you work out words you have never seen.
- bene (good): benefit, benevolent
- mal (bad): malfunction, malicious
- dict (say): predict, contradict
- port (carry): transport, portable
- spect (look): inspect, spectator
- chron (time): chronic, chronological
- un-, in-, im-, dis- (not): unable, inactive, impossible, dishonest
- -less (without): fearless, reckless
20 words worth knowing
These words are the kind that appear in ASVAB-style vocabulary questions. Learn each with a short definition and a sentence of your own.
- adept: skilled
- brevity: shortness
- cautious: careful to avoid danger
- deter: discourage or prevent
- diminish: make or become smaller
- endure: last, or put up with
- frugal: careful with money
- hinder: get in the way of
- impartial: fair, not taking sides
- lethargic: sluggish, lacking energy
- meticulous: extremely careful about details
- novice: beginner
- ominous: threatening, suggesting something bad
- placid: calm and peaceful
- rigid: stiff, not bending
- tenacious: refusing to give up
- vague: unclear
- wary: on guard, cautious
- zeal: great enthusiasm
- yield: give way, or produce
Members can drill a vocabulary deck built from every Word Knowledge question in the bank.
How to study vocabulary so it sticks
- Learn words in small batches of 15 to 20, and review older batches before adding new ones.
- Say each word in a sentence about your own life. A word you have used is much easier to remember.
- Group words by root or theme: bene- words together, words about speech together.
- Test yourself from the definition back to the word as well as from the word to the definition.
Common mistakes
- Picking a word that looks or sounds like the question word (ambiguous and ambitious).
- Choosing the opposite. Test writers often include an antonym as a trap.
- Using the most common meaning when the sentence uses a different one, as with composed.
- Spending too long on one word. You have about 19 seconds per question.
Time strategy
The paper test gives you 11 minutes for 35 questions, about 19 seconds each, the tightest timing of the four AFQT subtests. Either you know a word or you don't, so answer quickly, use roots to make a smart guess, and keep moving. On the computer test (CAT-ASVAB) you can't go back, so answer every question.
A 7-day plan for Word Knowledge
- Day 1: Take the free diagnostic, then learn the roots above.
- Days 2 to 6: Learn 20 new words a day with flashcards and review the previous days' words before starting new ones.
- Every day: Read something for 15 minutes, such as news or a book, and look up words you don't know.
- Day 7: Time yourself on 35 questions in 11 minutes, then add every miss to your flashcards.
Tips for the Word Knowledge subtest
- Learn common roots like bene (good), mal (bad) and dict (say). They unlock hundreds of words.
- Cross out answers you know are wrong, then compare what's left.
- When a word appears in a sentence, try each answer in its place and see which keeps the meaning.
- Study a few new words every day. Flashcards work well for this subtest.
Questions people ask
How many questions are on ASVAB Word Knowledge?
The paper ASVAB has 35 Word Knowledge questions with an 11-minute time limit. The computer version has fewer questions.
Does Word Knowledge count toward the AFQT?
Yes, it is one of the four AFQT subtests.
How can I improve my ASVAB Word Knowledge score fast?
Learn the common prefixes and roots first, since one root unlocks many words. Then study 20 new words a day with flashcards and review them daily.
Why does Word Knowledge matter so much?
Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension form the verbal part of the AFQT, and the verbal part counts twice. See how it works in the AFQT calculator.
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