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CogAT Nonverbal study materials
CogAT Nonverbal study resources

CogAT Nonverbal practice questions

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Question 1Verbal

Which word best completes the analogy? Book is to reading as piano is to ____.

  1. playing Correct answer.
  2. listening
  3. buying
  4. tuning

Explanation

An analogy pairs an object with the action it is designed for. A book is made for reading, just as a piano is made for playing. The relationship is object-to-purpose, so the matching action must describe what the object is used for.

Question 2Verbal

Which pair of words has the same relationship as hot is to cold?

  1. wet is to dry Correct answer.
  2. loud is to noisy
  3. large is to big
  4. fast is to quick

Explanation

Hot and cold are opposites on the same scale. The answer must also be a pair of opposites, and wet and dry are opposite conditions. The other pairs list synonyms, which is a different relationship.

Question 3Verbal

Choose the word that belongs with the others: tulip, daisy, rose, ____

  1. oak
  2. lily Correct answer.
  3. fern
  4. maple

Explanation

Tulip, daisy, and rose are all flowers, so the missing word must also name a flower. Lily is a flower and fits the category. Oak, fern, and maple are plants but not flowers in this sense.

Question 4Verbal

Which word does not belong with the others?

  1. rectangle
  2. triangle
  3. circle Correct answer.
  4. square

Explanation

A triangle, square, and rectangle are all polygons built from straight line segments. A circle has no straight sides, so it is the odd one out. The shared feature is having straight edges.

Question 5Verbal

Which sentence uses the word 'bank' in the sense of the land along a river?

  1. She went to the bank to cash a check.
  2. The bank raised interest rates this week.
  3. He works at the bank downtown.
  4. We sat on the bank and watched the water. Correct answer.

Explanation

Many words have more than one meaning, and the context decides which one applies. Sitting by the water and watching it signals the riverside meaning of bank. The other sentences involve money and financial institutions.

Question 6Verbal

Which word is the opposite of 'expand'?

  1. shrink Correct answer.
  2. stretch
  3. grow
  4. widen

Explanation

Expand means to become larger. The opposite must mean to become smaller, and shrink does exactly that. Stretch, grow, and widen all mean to increase in size, which is the same direction as expand.

Question 7Verbal

Which word best fits the sentence? The detective examined every ____ of the case before deciding.

  1. weather
  2. detail Correct answer.
  3. engine
  4. feather

Explanation

The sentence is about a detective studying a case carefully. Only detail fits the meaning of a small part of a case being examined. The other words name unrelated objects that make no sense in this context.

Question 8Verbal

Choose the pair that completes the analogy. Bird is to nest as bee is to ____.

  1. flower
  2. honey
  3. hive Correct answer.
  4. sting

Explanation

A nest is the structure where a bird lives. The matching structure for a bee is a hive, so the relationship is animal-to-home. Honey, flowers, and stings are associated with bees but are not their dwellings.

Question 9Verbal

Which word completes the analogy? Glove is to hand as sock is to ____.

  1. leg
  2. toe
  3. foot Correct answer.
  4. shoe

Explanation

A glove is clothing worn directly on a hand. The item worn directly on the corresponding body part is a sock on a foot. A shoe goes over a sock, so it is one layer removed from the pattern.

Question 10Verbal

Which word belongs in the same group as the others: hammer, wrench, pliers, ____

  1. nail
  2. board
  3. screwdriver Correct answer.
  4. paint

Explanation

Hammer, wrench, and pliers are all tools. A screwdriver is also a tool, so it completes the group. A nail, a board, and paint are materials or supplies that tools work on.

Question 11Verbal

Which item does not belong with the others?

  1. viola
  2. trumpet Correct answer.
  3. cello
  4. violin

Explanation

The violin, cello, and viola are string instruments played with a bow. A trumpet is a brass instrument played with the lips, so it is the odd one out. The shared feature is the instrument family.

Question 12Verbal

Read the sentence: The speaker's remarks were so terse that the audience wished for more explanation. What does 'terse' most nearly mean?

  1. confusing
  2. angry
  3. lengthy
  4. brief Correct answer.

Explanation

The audience wanted more explanation, which shows the remarks were too short. Terse means brief and to the point, sometimes abruptly so. The clue about wishing for more confirms the shortness.

Question 13Verbal

Which sentence uses 'light' to mean not heavy?

  1. The light was red at the corner.
  2. The box was light enough to carry. Correct answer.
  3. She used a match to light the candle.
  4. Turn on the light in the hall.

Explanation

The word light has several meanings, including illumination, a traffic signal, to ignite, and low weight. Only the sentence about carrying a box refers to weight. The context of lifting shows the not-heavy meaning.

Question 14Verbal

Which word is the best synonym for 'cautious'?

  1. careful Correct answer.
  2. hurried
  3. brave
  4. careless

Explanation

Cautious describes someone who acts with care to avoid danger. Careful carries the same sense of taking pains to avoid mistakes. Careless and hurried describe the opposite behavior, and brave is unrelated.

Question 15Verbal

Which word completes the analogy? Library is to books as gallery is to ____.

  1. paintings Correct answer.
  2. visitors
  3. artists
  4. tickets

Explanation

A library is a place that holds and displays books for people to use. A gallery is a place that holds and displays paintings. Both are place-to-collection relationships, so paintings is the match.

Question 16Verbal

Which pair of words has the same relationship as seed is to plant?

  1. nest is to egg
  2. water is to rain
  3. egg is to bird Correct answer.
  4. tree is to leaf

Explanation

A seed grows into a plant, so the relationship is a starting form that develops into a later form. An egg develops into a bird, which matches the same growth pattern. The other pairs describe different relationships.

Question 17Verbal

In the sentence 'The scientist's conclusion was tentative, so she planned more trials,' what does 'tentative' mean?

  1. incorrect
  2. secret
  3. uncertain Correct answer.
  4. final

Explanation

The scientist plans more trials, which shows she is not fully settled on the conclusion. Tentative means not definite or provisional. The clue about extra trials supports the uncertain meaning.

Question 18Verbal

Which word is the opposite of 'scarce'?

  1. limited
  2. plentiful Correct answer.
  3. rare
  4. thin

Explanation

Scarce means in short supply. The opposite is abundant, and plentiful expresses that. Rare, limited, and thin all suggest a small amount, which matches scarce rather than contrasting with it.

Question 19Verbal

Choose the word that best completes the analogy. Whisper is to shout as stroll is to ____.

  1. run Correct answer.
  2. walk
  3. stand
  4. rest

Explanation

Whisper and shout are quiet and loud versions of speaking, so the relationship is intensity on the same action. Stroll is a slow, relaxed way to move, and its high-intensity counterpart is run. The other options do not increase intensity in the same way.

Question 20Verbal

Which word completes the analogy? Frugal is to spendthrift as timid is to ____.

  1. bold Correct answer.
  2. shy
  3. quiet
  4. fearful

Explanation

Frugal and spendthrift are opposites in how people handle money. The analogy requires an opposite of timid, and bold is the opposite of timid. Fearful, quiet, and shy are closer to timid, so they do not fit the contrast.

Question 21Verbal

Read the sentence: 'Her praise was faint, delivered with a shrug that undercut every compliment.' What does 'undercut' mean here?

  1. repeated
  2. weakened Correct answer.
  3. translated
  4. strengthened

Explanation

The shrug works against the compliments, making the praise seem less sincere. Undercut in this context means to weaken or undermine. The contrast between praise and the shrug is the clue.

Question 22Verbal

Which sentence uses 'spring' in a figurative sense rather than a physical one?

  1. The cat can spring onto the fence.
  2. Hope began to spring up among the villagers. Correct answer.
  3. We drank from a cold spring in the hills.
  4. The coil spring snapped under pressure.

Explanation

A figurative use extends a word beyond its physical meaning. Hope springing up is a metaphor for hope growing suddenly, not a physical jump. The other sentences use spring for a coiled object, a water source, and a literal leap.

Question 23Verbal

Choose the word that best completes the analogy. Meticulous is to careless as candid is to ____.

  1. honest
  2. evasive Correct answer.
  3. frank
  4. open

Explanation

Meticulous and careless are opposites in how carefully someone works. The analogy needs an opposite of candid, which means open and honest. Evasive means avoiding direct answers, so it supplies the contrast. Honest, open, and frank are all close in meaning to candid.

Question 24Verbal

In the sentence 'The committee's report was deliberately ambiguous, leaving room for multiple interpretations,' what does 'ambiguous' most nearly mean?

  1. Based on strong evidence
  2. Clearly and precisely stated
  3. Open to more than one meaning Correct answer.
  4. Unusually lengthy

Explanation

The phrase 'leaving room for multiple interpretations' directly signals that ambiguous means open to more than one meaning. Context clues often restate a word's meaning, so the surrounding phrase confirms the correct choice.

Question 25Verbal

Which word completes the analogy? Sculptor is to chisel as surgeon is to ____.

  1. hospital
  2. patient
  3. operation
  4. scalpel Correct answer.

Explanation

A sculptor uses a chisel as a primary tool of the trade, so the matching relationship is a professional and the characteristic tool. A surgeon's characteristic tool is a scalpel, making that the only option that fits the tool relationship.

Question 26Verbal

Which word does not belong with the group: elated, jubilant, ecstatic, dejected?

  1. dejected Correct answer.
  2. elated
  3. ecstatic
  4. jubilant

Explanation

Elated, jubilant, and ecstatic all describe intense happiness, while dejected describes low spirits and sadness. The odd word is the one whose meaning falls outside the shared emotional category.

Question 27Verbal

Read the sentence: 'The witness gave a terse account, offering only the barest facts before stepping away.' What does 'terse' mean here?

  1. Angry and hostile
  2. Using few words Correct answer.
  3. Full of exaggeration
  4. Confusing and disorganized

Explanation

The phrase 'offering only the barest facts' restates the meaning of terse as using few words. Context clues that follow a word often clarify its meaning directly.

Question 28Verbal

Which sentence uses the word 'crane' in its sense as a verb?

  1. She had to crane her neck to see the stage. Correct answer.
  2. A crane stood motionless in the shallow water.
  3. The construction crane was painted bright yellow.
  4. The crane lifted the steel beam onto the roof.

Explanation

As a verb, crane means to stretch out one's neck to see something, which is exactly what happens in the sentence about seeing the stage. The other sentences use crane as a noun for a machine or a bird.

Question 29Verbal

Which word is the opposite of 'rigid'?

  1. solid
  2. firm
  3. flexible Correct answer.
  4. stiff

Explanation

Rigid means stiff and unable to bend, so its opposite is flexible, meaning able to bend easily. The other options are synonyms or near-synonyms of rigid rather than antonyms.

Question 30Verbal

Which word completes the analogy? Novel is to chapter as symphony is to ____.

  1. concert
  2. movement Correct answer.
  3. composer
  4. orchestra

Explanation

A novel is made up of chapters, its major sections, so the relationship is whole to part. A symphony is made up of movements, making movement the correct part.

Question 31Verbal

Which word belongs in the same group as the others: crimson, scarlet, vermilion, ____?

  1. ruby Correct answer.
  2. azure
  3. amber
  4. emerald

Explanation

Crimson, scarlet, and vermilion are all shades of red, so the missing word must also be a shade of red. Ruby is a deep red color, while azure is blue, emerald is green, and amber is yellow-orange.

Question 32Verbal

Read the sentence: 'The scientist's findings were provisional, so the team planned further experiments before publishing.' What does 'provisional' mean?

  1. Temporary and subject to change Correct answer.
  2. Final and unchangeable
  3. Widely accepted
  4. Completely unsupported

Explanation

The team planned further experiments before publishing, indicating the findings were not final. Provisional therefore means temporary and subject to change.

Question 33Verbal

Which sentence uses the word 'volume' in the sense of a book?

  1. The volume of water in the tank doubled overnight.
  2. He placed the leather-bound volume on the shelf. Correct answer.
  3. She turned down the volume on the television.
  4. The volume of the music was too loud for the small room.

Explanation

In the sentence about the leather-bound volume on the shelf, volume refers to a book. The other sentences use volume to mean loudness or quantity.

Question 34Verbal

Which word completes the analogy? Meticulous is to error as vigilant is to ____.

  1. attention
  2. carelessness Correct answer.
  3. safety
  4. danger

Explanation

A meticulous person avoids error, so the relationship is a quality that guards against a negative outcome. A vigilant person guards against carelessness, making carelessness the correct match.

Question 35Verbal

In the sentence 'The critic's review was scathing, sparing none of the director's choices,' what does 'scathing' mean?

  1. Mildly confused
  2. Highly praising
  3. Severely critical Correct answer.
  4. Carefully neutral

Explanation

The phrase 'sparing none of the director's choices' indicates harsh criticism, so scathing means severely critical. The context makes clear the review was not favorable.

Question 36Verbal

Which sentence uses 'root' in a figurative sense?

  1. She pulled the carrot by its root.
  2. The tree's roots spread deep into the soil.
  3. The root of the problem lay in poor communication. Correct answer.
  4. The dentist examined the root of the tooth.

Explanation

In 'the root of the problem,' root is used figuratively to mean the source or cause of an issue, not a physical plant part. The other sentences refer to literal roots of plants or teeth.

Question 37Verbal

Which word is the best synonym for 'tenacious'?

  1. Fragile
  2. Indifferent
  3. Hesitant
  4. Persistent Correct answer.

Explanation

Tenacious means holding firmly and not giving up, which matches persistent. The other options describe weakness, lack of interest, or uncertainty, none of which align with tenacity.

Question 38Verbal

Choose the pair that completes the analogy. Teacher is to student as ____.

  1. chef is to kitchen
  2. coach is to athlete Correct answer.
  3. author is to book
  4. driver is to vehicle

Explanation

A teacher instructs and guides a student, so the relationship is a professional and the person they mentor. A coach similarly instructs and guides an athlete, matching the relationship.

Question 39Verbal

Which word does not belong with the others: prudent, judicious, rash, circumspect?

  1. rash Correct answer.
  2. circumspect
  3. judicious
  4. prudent

Explanation

Prudent, judicious, and circumspect all describe careful, sensible decision-making, while rash describes acting too quickly without thought. The odd word is the one that contrasts with the group's theme of caution.

Question 40Verbal

Read the sentence: 'Her apology was perfunctory, delivered without warmth or genuine regret.' What does 'perfunctory' mean?

  1. Angry and confrontational
  2. Elaborate and detailed
  3. Done routinely with little care Correct answer.
  4. Deeply heartfelt

Explanation

The phrase 'without warmth or genuine regret' shows the apology was done as a routine duty rather than with feeling. Perfunctory therefore means done routinely with little care or interest.

Question 41Verbal

Which sentence uses 'bark' in a sense that is not related to a tree or a dog?

  1. The sergeant's bark startled the new recruits. Correct answer.
  2. The dog's bark echoed across the yard.
  3. He peeled the bark from the branch.
  4. The bark of the oak was rough to the touch.

Explanation

In the sentence about the sergeant, bark is used figuratively to mean a sharp, loud command, unrelated to trees or dogs. The other sentences refer to the sound a dog makes or the covering of a tree.

Question 42Verbal

Which word completes the analogy? Ephemeral is to permanence as ____ is to silence.

  1. noisy Correct answer.
  2. quiet
  3. still
  4. hushed

Explanation

Ephemeral means lasting a very short time, which is the opposite of permanence. The analogy therefore calls for a word that is the opposite of silence, and noisy is the only option that contrasts directly with silence.

Question 43Verbal

Which word is the opposite of 'benevolent'?

  1. generous
  2. kindly
  3. charitable
  4. malevolent Correct answer.

Explanation

Benevolent means kind and wishing to do good, so its opposite is malevolent, meaning wishing harm to others. The other options are synonyms or near-synonyms of benevolent.

Question 44Verbal

In the sentence 'The CEO's remarks were cryptic, leaving investors to guess at her true intentions,' what does 'cryptic' mean?

  1. Highly enthusiastic
  2. Easily understood
  3. Overly lengthy
  4. Deliberately mysterious Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'leaving investors to guess' indicates the remarks were not clear, so cryptic means deliberately mysterious or obscure in meaning. The context shows the remarks hid rather than revealed intentions.

Question 45Verbal

Which sentence uses 'grasp' in an intellectual rather than a physical sense?

  1. She grasped the railing to steady herself.
  2. The child grasped the toy tightly.
  3. He grasped the concept after a brief explanation. Correct answer.
  4. She grasped the rope and pulled herself up.

Explanation

In the sentence about understanding a concept, grasp means to comprehend mentally, not to hold physically. The other sentences describe physically holding or seizing an object.

Question 46Verbal

Which word completes the analogy? Inept is to skill as ____ is to courage.

  1. cowardly Correct answer.
  2. fearless
  3. bold
  4. valiant

Explanation

Inept means lacking skill, so the relationship is a word meaning the absence of a quality. The matching word for courage must mean lacking courage, which is cowardly.

Question 47Verbal

Which word does not belong with the others: loquacious, garrulous, taciturn, voluble?

  1. garrulous
  2. taciturn Correct answer.
  3. voluble
  4. loquacious

Explanation

Loquacious, garrulous, and voluble all describe a person who talks a great deal, while taciturn describes a person who speaks very little. The odd word is the one whose meaning is opposite to the group's theme.

Question 48Verbal

Read the sentence: 'The negotiator's proposal was a double-edged sword, resolving the dispute but alienating key allies.' What does 'double-edged sword' mean in this context?

  1. A weapon used in the negotiation
  2. A plan that was kept secret
  3. A proposal that was completely rejected
  4. A solution with both benefits and drawbacks Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence explains that the proposal resolved the dispute but also alienated allies, showing it had both a positive and a negative effect. A double-edged sword is an idiom for something that has both advantages and disadvantages.

Question 49Verbal

Which word belongs with the group: tulip, daffodil, crocus, ____?

  1. oak
  2. maple
  3. fern
  4. orchid Correct answer.

Explanation

The group consists of flowers that grow from bulbs and bloom in spring. Orchid is a flower, while oak, fern, and maple are not flowering bulbs; oak and maple are trees and fern is a non-flowering plant.

Question 50Verbal

Which word completes the analogy? Pen is to write as needle is to ____.

  1. sharp
  2. sew Correct answer.
  3. metal
  4. thread

Explanation

The analogy pairs a tool with its primary action: a pen is used to write, just as a needle is used to sew. The other options describe a quality, a related object, or a material, not the action performed.