Vocabulary and Word Usage
What the domain tests
Vocabulary and Word Usage tests synonyms and antonyms, collocation, idioms and phrasal verbs, word formation, homonyms, and register. The aim is not to show a large word list but to choose the word that fits the sentence’s meaning, grammar and tone.
Core rules
- Context decides meaning. A synonym is not always interchangeable: small and minute differ in register and emphasis.
- Collocation: learn words in partnership: make a decision, do homework, take an examination, pay attention, heavy rain.
- Idioms are non-literal: break the ice means start a conversation, not damage frozen water.
- Affixes change meaning and word class: care → careless → carelessly; possible → impossible.
- Homophones and confusables: principal/principle, stationary/stationery, beside/besides.
- Register: formal writing avoids contractions and slang; a notice uses neutral, impersonal wording.
Worked example
The committee’s decision was ___ because it saved both time and money. (a) economic (b) economical (c) economy (d) economically
Reasoning: the blank needs an adjective after was. Economic means relating to the economy; economical means saving money or resources. The clause saved both time and money points to economical. Economy is a noun and economically is an adverb. Answer: (b).
Traps that cost marks
- Choosing a near-synonym without checking collocation or register.
- Reading an idiom literally.
- Using the right root but the wrong form: He is very economic instead of economical.
- Confusing affect/effect, adopt/adapt, lose/loose.
- Adding a prefix that does not exist, such as unpossible instead of impossible.