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Difficulty: HardIdentifying Synonym and Near-Synonym Pairs

Match each advanced GRE vocabulary word in the left column with its closest semantic near-synonym in the right column based on subtle nuances in academic usage. Which right-column term correctly corresponds to each left-column target word?

  • mercurialcapricious
  • truculentpugnacious
  • munificentopenhanded
  • perspicuouslucid

Answer

'Mercurial' pairs with 'capricious', 'truculent' pairs with 'pugnacious', 'munificent' pairs with 'openhanded', and 'perspicuous' pairs with 'lucid'.
Each left-column target word aligns directly with its functional near-synonym based on shared semantic core: 'mercurial' matches 'capricious' (unpredictable/volatile); 'truculent' matches 'pugnacious' (combative/quarrelsome); 'munificent' matches 'openhanded' (lavishly generous); and 'perspicuous' matches 'lucid' (clearly expressed and easily intelligible).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of 'mercurial'
Identified 'capricious' as the corresponding near-synonym.
Both terms denote unpredictable volatility or sudden changes in temperament.
2
Analyze the meaning of 'truculent'
Identified 'pugnacious' as the corresponding near-synonym.
Both words describe a bellicose, eager-to-fight attitude.
3
Analyze the meaning of 'munificent'
Identified 'openhanded' as the corresponding near-synonym.
Both terms characterize lavish, unsparing generosity.
4
Analyze the meaning of 'perspicuous'
Identified 'lucid' as the corresponding near-synonym.
Both adjectives describe clear, readily comprehensible prose or reasoning.

Key Concept

Identifying Synonym and Near-Synonym Pairs
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Topics

Identifying Synonym and Near-Synonym Pairs

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