ASVAB Practice Test Vocabulary Summary

Abundant means existing in large amounts, or plentiful. Example: "The farm had an abundant harvest."

Wrong choices

• (A) costly: Costly means expensive, not plentiful.
• (B) heavy: Heavy describes weight, not amount.
• (D) scarce: Scarce means hard to find, which is the opposite of abundant.

A candid person speaks openly and honestly. Example: "She gave a candid opinion of the plan."

Wrong choices

• (A) cheerful: Cheerful means happy, not honest.
• (C) careful: Careful means taking care to avoid mistakes, not speaking openly.
• (D) secret: Secret is almost the opposite of candid.

To postpone is to move something to a later time. The words "until Friday" show that the meeting will still happen, just later.

Wrong choices

• (A) cancel: Cancel means to call off for good; "until Friday" shows the meeting will still happen.
• (C) attend: Attend means to go to the meeting.
• (D) plan: Plan means to arrange in advance, not to move to a later time.

Something fragile breaks or gets damaged easily, like thin glass. Boxes marked "FRAGILE" must be handled gently.

Wrong choices

• (A) very old: Very old items may or may not break easily; old is not the meaning.
• (C) very heavy: Very heavy describes weight, not how easily something breaks.
• (D) brightly colored: Brightly colored describes appearance.

Reluctant means not wanting to do something, or unwilling. She did not really want to lend her new car.

Wrong choices

• (A) eager: Eager means wanting very much to do something, the opposite of reluctant.
• (B) quick: Quick describes speed, not willingness.
• (D) able: Able means having the power to do something, not the feeling about it.

Vacant means empty or not in use. Example: "The apartment has been vacant for two months."

Wrong choices

• (A) crowded: Crowded means full of people, the opposite of vacant.
• (B) noisy: Noisy means loud.
• (D) costly: Costly means expensive.

A hazard is a danger or a risk. Example: "Wet floors are a slipping hazard."

Wrong choices

• (A) shortcut: A shortcut is a quicker way to go.
• (B) mistake: A mistake is an error; a hazard may cause one, but it is not the same thing.
• (D) reward: A reward is something good you receive.

Valor means great courage, especially in battle. Awards for valor honor bravery.

Wrong choices

• (A) skill: Skill is ability; a skilled person is not always brave.
• (B) speed: Speed is how fast someone moves.
• (D) fear: Fear is the opposite of valor.

A diligent person works hard and carefully. Example: "A diligent mechanic checks every bolt."

Wrong choices

• (A) intelligent: Intelligent means smart; a smart person is not always hardworking.
• (B) lazy: Lazy is the opposite of diligent.
• (C) polite: Polite means having good manners.

To curtail is to cut something short or reduce it. The new rules will mean less overtime.

Wrong choices

• (B) record: Record means to write down.
• (C) pay: Pay means to give money for something.
• (D) extend: Extend means to make longer, the opposite of curtail.