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AFOQT practice questions

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Question 1Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

HOT : COLD :: LIGHT : ______

  1. Bright
  2. Heavy
  3. Dark Correct answer.
  4. Soft

Explanation

The stem pair consists of opposites: cold is the direct antonym of hot. The same relationship must hold for light, whose opposite in the sense of illumination is dark.

Question 2Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word CANDID most nearly means:

  1. Wealthy
  2. Frank Correct answer.
  3. Careful
  4. Angry

Explanation

Candid describes speech or behavior that is open and straightforward, so frank is the closest match. The other choices name qualities from unrelated categories such as caution, money, and emotion.

Question 3Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

AUTHOR : NOVEL :: COMPOSER : ______

  1. Choir
  2. Piano
  3. Violin
  4. Opera Correct answer.

Explanation

The stem shows a creator paired with a type of work that person creates: an author writes a novel. A composer creates an opera in the same way.

Question 4Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word ABUNDANT most nearly means:

  1. Rare
  2. Ample Correct answer.
  3. Hidden
  4. Fragile

Explanation

Abundant means existing in large quantity, and ample carries the same sense of being more than enough. The other options describe scarcity, concealment, or breakability instead of quantity.

Question 5Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

CHAPTER : BOOK :: VERSE : ______

  1. Poem Correct answer.
  2. Prose
  3. Novel
  4. Page

Explanation

The stem is a part-to-whole relationship: a chapter is a division of a book. In the same way, a verse is a division of a poem.

Question 6Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word BRIEF most nearly means:

  1. Short Correct answer.
  2. Loud
  3. Late
  4. Long

Explanation

Brief means lasting only a little time or using few words, which matches short. The remaining choices describe length in the opposite direction, volume, or timing.

Question 7Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

PENCIL : WRITE :: KNIFE : ______

  1. Metal
  2. Cut Correct answer.
  3. Sharp
  4. Draw

Explanation

The stem pairs a tool with its characteristic function: a pencil is used to write. A knife is used to cut, so the second pair must follow the same tool-and-purpose pattern.

Question 8Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word RAPID most nearly means:

  1. Steady
  2. Swift Correct answer.
  3. Slow
  4. Careless

Explanation

Rapid describes something that moves or happens quickly, and swift carries the same meaning. The other choices refer to low speed, evenness of movement, or lack of care.

Question 9Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

OASIS : DESERT :: ISLAND : ______

  1. Harbor
  2. Volcano
  3. Beach
  4. Ocean Correct answer.

Explanation

An oasis is a small fertile spot entirely surrounded by desert, so the pair relates a thing to the larger region enclosing it. An island is land entirely surrounded by ocean, which fills the same role.

Question 10Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word GREGARIOUS most nearly means:

  1. Sociable Correct answer.
  2. Solitary
  3. Aggressive
  4. Timid

Explanation

Gregarious describes a person or animal that seeks out the company of others, so sociable is the closest equivalent. The other options describe being alone, hostility, or shyness.

Question 11Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

MISER : MONEY :: GLUTTON : ______

  1. Wealth
  2. Sleep
  3. Praise
  4. Food Correct answer.

Explanation

A miser is defined by excessive attachment to money, hoarding it far beyond need. A glutton is defined by excessive consumption of food, matching the same person-to-object-of-excess pattern.

Question 12Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word AMBIGUOUS most nearly means:

  1. Brief
  2. Unclear Correct answer.
  3. Definite
  4. Rapid

Explanation

Ambiguous describes something open to more than one interpretation, which makes it unclear. The other choices describe certainty, length, or speed.

Question 13Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

THERMOMETER : TEMPERATURE :: BAROMETER : ______

  1. Precipitation
  2. Pressure Correct answer.
  3. Speed
  4. Temperature

Explanation

The stem pairs a measuring instrument with the quantity it measures: a thermometer measures temperature. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure, so that is the matching quantity.

Question 14Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word TENACIOUS most nearly means:

  1. Fragile
  2. Dogged Correct answer.
  3. Silent
  4. Generous

Explanation

Tenacious describes someone who holds firmly to a purpose and refuses to give up, which matches dogged. The remaining choices concern breakability, giving, or quietness.

Question 15Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

SURGEON : HOSPITAL :: TEACHER : ______

  1. Student
  2. Textbook
  3. School Correct answer.
  4. Library

Explanation

The stem pairs a professional with the institution where that professional normally works. A teacher ordinarily works in a school, just as a surgeon works in a hospital.

Question 16Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word FRUGAL most nearly means:

  1. Cheerful
  2. Rigid
  3. Wasteful
  4. Thrifty Correct answer.

Explanation

Frugal describes careful management of resources and avoidance of waste, so thrifty is the closest match. The other options describe extravagance, mood, or inflexibility.

Question 17Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

SCULPTOR : CHISEL :: PAINTER : ______

  1. Gallery
  2. Canvas
  3. Palette
  4. Brush Correct answer.

Explanation

The stem pairs a craftsperson with the hand tool used to shape the work. A painter uses a brush as the corresponding tool.

Question 18Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word CENSURE most nearly means:

  1. Praise
  2. Blame Correct answer.
  3. Delay
  4. Measure

Explanation

To censure is to express strong disapproval of someone or something, which matches blame. The other choices describe approval, measurement, or postponement.

Question 19Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

WARM : SCORCHING :: COOL : ______

  1. Balmy
  2. Windy
  3. Mild
  4. Freezing Correct answer.

Explanation

The stem shows a gradation in which the second word names an extreme degree of the first. Freezing is the extreme degree of cool, matching that pattern.

Question 20Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word EPHEMERAL most nearly means:

  1. Fleeting Correct answer.
  2. Permanent
  3. Eternal
  4. Costly

Explanation

Ephemeral describes something that lasts only a very short time, so fleeting is the closest equivalent. The other choices describe permanence or price.

Question 21Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

ICONOCLAST : ORTHODOXY :: PACIFIST : ______

  1. Treaty
  2. War Correct answer.
  3. Soldier
  4. Peace

Explanation

An iconoclast is defined by attacking accepted beliefs, so the pair links a person to the established thing that person opposes. A pacifist is defined by opposition to war, matching that relationship.

Question 22Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word LACONIC most nearly means:

  1. Terse Correct answer.
  2. Melancholy
  3. Talkative
  4. Ornate

Explanation

Laconic describes speech that is brief and uses very few words, which matches terse. The other choices describe excessive talking, sadness, or elaboration.

Question 23Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

OBDURATE : PERSUASION :: INEVITABLE : ______

  1. Repetition
  2. Certainty
  3. Delay
  4. Avoidance Correct answer.

Explanation

Obdurate means incapable of being moved by persuasion, so the pair links a quality to the thing it renders impossible. Inevitable means incapable of being avoided, which fits the same pattern.

Question 24Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word PRAGMATIC most nearly means:

  1. Hesitant
  2. Theoretical
  3. Practical Correct answer.
  4. Idealistic

Explanation

Pragmatic describes an approach that deals with matters according to what actually works rather than by abstract principle, so practical is the closest match. The other choices describe visionary aims, abstraction, or indecision.

Question 25Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

PRODIGAL : THRIFT :: CRAVEN : ______

  1. Courage Correct answer.
  2. Strength
  3. Prudence
  4. Wealth

Explanation

Prodigal describes reckless wastefulness, meaning a lack of thrift, so the pair links a vice to the quality it lacks. Craven means contemptibly fearful, meaning a lack of courage, which completes the pattern.

Question 26Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

BEE : HIVE :: BIRD : ______

  1. beak
  2. wing
  3. nest Correct answer.
  4. feather

Explanation

The first pair names a creature and the structure it lives in: a bee dwells in a hive. The matching choice must be the structure a bird lives in, which is a nest.

Question 27Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word TIMID most nearly means:

  1. stern
  2. hasty
  3. shy Correct answer.
  4. bold

Explanation

Timid describes a person who lacks confidence and is easily frightened or hesitant. Shy carries the same core sense of reserve and hesitancy. The remaining options describe courage, severity, or speed instead.

Question 28Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

PEN : INK :: CANDLE : ______

  1. flame
  2. wax Correct answer.
  3. wick
  4. light

Explanation

A pen holds and consumes ink as the substance that makes it function. The matching choice is the substance a candle holds and consumes, which is wax. Flame, light, and wick are products or components rather than the consumed material.

Question 29Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

AUDACIOUS : TIMIDITY :: IMPECCABLE : ______

  1. precision
  2. fault Correct answer.
  3. doubt
  4. elegance

Explanation

The first pair links a quality to the defect it lacks: an audacious person is free of timidity. Likewise, impeccable means free of fault, so the missing term must be the defect that is absent.

Question 30Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word VERBOSE most nearly means:

  1. gentle
  2. hesitant
  3. truthful
  4. wordy Correct answer.

Explanation

Verbose comes from a root meaning 'word' and describes speech or writing that uses more words than needed. Wordy expresses exactly that excess. The distractors concern honesty, uncertainty, or mildness.

Question 31Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word INEPT most nearly means:

  1. eager
  2. clumsy Correct answer.
  3. stubborn
  4. sincere

Explanation

Inept means lacking skill or competence in doing something, and clumsy captures that awkward lack of proficiency. The other choices describe honesty, enthusiasm, or unwillingness to change, none of which involves skill level.

Question 32Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

FRAGILE : SHATTER :: COMBUSTIBLE : ______

  1. glow
  2. burn Correct answer.
  3. rust
  4. melt

Explanation

Something fragile breaks with little force, so the pairing is an object and the damaging action it undergoes easily. A combustible material is one that catches fire readily, making 'burn' the fitting parallel.

Question 33Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word OSTENTATIOUS most nearly means:

  1. humble
  2. generous
  3. suspicious
  4. showy Correct answer.

Explanation

Ostentatious describes display intended to attract attention and admiration, so showy is the closest match. The word carries a note of conspicuous display rather than of giving, doubting, or modesty.

Question 34Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

DROUGHT : FAMINE :: NEGLIGENCE : ______

  1. safety
  2. delay
  3. precision
  4. accident Correct answer.

Explanation

The first pair sets up a cause-and-effect link: a prolonged drought brings about famine. In the same way, negligence in carrying out a duty tends to bring about an accident.

Question 35Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word MITIGATE most nearly means:

  1. worsen
  2. lessen Correct answer.
  3. measure
  4. delay

Explanation

To mitigate is to make something less severe or intense, so lessen is the direct equivalent. The word concerns reduction of force or harm rather than intensification, postponement, or assessment.

Question 36Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

TRICKLE : FLOOD :: WHISPER : ______

  1. speech
  2. murmur
  3. silence
  4. scream Correct answer.

Explanation

The first pair relates a small, weak version of a flow to an overwhelming version of the same flow. A whisper is a quiet, weak use of the voice, so the matching term is its overwhelming counterpart, a scream.

Question 37Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word PUSILLANIMOUS most nearly means:

  1. stubborn
  2. generous
  3. cowardly Correct answer.
  4. eloquent

Explanation

Pusillanimous derives from roots meaning 'small spirit' and describes a person who is faint-hearted and easily discouraged by danger. Cowardly best captures that lack of courage. The other options concern giving, inflexibility, or speaking ability.

Question 38Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

PHILANTHROPIST : BENEFICENCE :: RECLUSE : ______

  1. solitude Correct answer.
  2. kindness
  3. fame
  4. wealth

Explanation

The first pair matches a type of person with the quality that defines the type: a philanthropist is characterized by generous giving. A recluse is defined by living apart from others, so the defining quality is solitude.

Question 39Verbal - Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge

The word ENERVATE most nearly means:

  1. weaken Correct answer.
  2. frighten
  3. energize
  4. confuse

Explanation

Enervate comes from a Latin root meaning 'to cut the sinew' and means to drain strength or vitality. Weaken matches that sense of depletion. Its resemblance to 'energy' misleads many test takers into choosing its opposite.

Question 40Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

A jacket originally priced at $80 is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price?

  1. $55
  2. $20
  3. $60 Correct answer.
  4. $65

Explanation

A 25% discount on $80 equals 0.25 × $80 = $20, and the sale price is the original price minus the discount: $80 − $20 = $60. The discount amount is subtracted from the original price rather than reported as the final price.

Question 41Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

A recipe uses 3/4 cup of sugar per batch. How much sugar is needed for 6 batches?

  1. 4 1/2 cups Correct answer.
  2. 5 cups
  3. 3 3/4 cups
  4. 4 cups

Explanation

The amount per batch is multiplied by the number of batches: 3/4 × 6 = 18/4 = 4 1/2 cups. Multiplying, rather than adding, is what scales a per-batch quantity to several batches.

Question 42Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

What is the average (arithmetic mean) of 12, 18, 20, 25, and 30?

  1. 22
  2. 21 Correct answer.
  3. 23
  4. 20

Explanation

The mean is the sum of the values divided by the count: 12 + 18 + 20 + 25 + 30 = 105, and 105 ÷ 5 = 21. The mean is not the same as the middle value of the ordered list.

Question 43Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

Evaluate 3 + 4 × 2² − 6.

  1. 25
  2. 13 Correct answer.
  3. 5
  4. 19

Explanation

Order of operations requires exponents first, then multiplication, then addition and subtraction from left to right: 2² = 4, so 4 × 4 = 16, and 3 + 16 − 6 = 13.

Question 44Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

A rectangle is 9 feet long and 4 feet wide. What is its perimeter?

  1. 26 feet Correct answer.
  2. 36 feet
  3. 22 feet
  4. 13 feet

Explanation

Perimeter is the total distance around the figure: P = 2(length + width) = 2(9 + 4) = 26 feet. Perimeter is measured in linear units, not square units.

Question 45Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

How many ounces are in 3.5 pounds?

  1. 56 ounces Correct answer.
  2. 48 ounces
  3. 42 ounces
  4. 64 ounces

Explanation

There are 16 ounces in one pound, so converting pounds to ounces means multiplying: 16 × 3.5 = 56 ounces.

Question 46Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

In a class of 30 students, the ratio of boys to girls is 2 to 3. How many girls are in the class?

  1. 18 Correct answer.
  2. 15
  3. 12
  4. 20

Explanation

The ratio creates 2 + 3 = 5 equal parts, so each part is 30 ÷ 5 = 6 students. Girls make up 3 parts, giving 3 × 6 = 18.

Question 47Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

Solve for x: 5x − 7 = 23.

  1. 4
  2. 3.2
  3. 9
  4. 6 Correct answer.

Explanation

Add 7 to both sides to isolate the term containing x, giving 5x = 30, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = 6.

Question 48Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

The price of a share of stock rises from $40 to $50. What is the percent increase?

  1. 80%
  2. 20%
  3. 10%
  4. 25% Correct answer.

Explanation

Percent change is the amount of change divided by the original value: ($50 − $40) ÷ $40 = 10 ÷ 40 = 0.25, or 25%.

Question 49Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

A car travels 195 miles in 3 hours at a constant speed. At the same speed, how far will it travel in 5 hours?

  1. 390 miles
  2. 325 miles Correct answer.
  3. 300 miles
  4. 260 miles

Explanation

The constant speed is 195 ÷ 3 = 65 miles per hour. Multiplying the rate by 5 hours gives 65 × 5 = 325 miles.

Question 50Quantitative - Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge

What is the area of a triangle with a base of 12 inches and a height of 9 inches?

  1. 21 square inches
  2. 42 square inches
  3. 108 square inches
  4. 54 square inches Correct answer.

Explanation

The area of a triangle is one-half the base times the height: A = ½(12)(9) = 54 square inches.