Next CSE-PPT: 14 March 2027 · Professional & Subprofessional
Civil Service Exam verbal ability reviewer with more synonyms and antonyms of words often used in government, law and the workplace, each explained with its meaning and usage.
Word meaning is the first item in the Verbal Ability scope of the Civil Service Exam. This set adds more synonyms and antonyms, focusing on words that appear in government documents, laws and office communication, such as accountable, impartial, mandate and comply.
If you do not know a word, look for familiar parts: prefixes like "im-" and "dis-" often mean not, and roots like "spect" (look) or "port" (carry) give clues. Each explanation shows how the word is used.
Correct answer: C. Responsible
To be accountable is to be responsible for one's actions and able to explain them. The Constitution states that public officers must at all times be accountable to the people.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Fair
An impartial person treats all sides equally and fairly, without favouring anyone. "Biased" and "partial" mean the opposite. Judges and examiners are expected to be impartial.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Obey
To comply is to act according to a rule, order or request. Offices often ask clients to "comply with the requirements". "Complain" is a look-alike distractor.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. An official order or authority
A mandate is an official order, or the authority given to an office or official to act. For example, the CSC has the constitutional mandate to administer the civil service.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Improve
To enhance is to improve the quality, value or extent of something, as in "enhancing public service delivery". "Reduce" is closer to an antonym.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Brief and clear
Concise writing says what is needed in few words without losing meaning. Memos and letters in government should be concise.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Possible and practical
A feasible plan can be carried out in practice. Project proposals often include a "feasibility study" to check whether the plan can work.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Put an end to
To abolish is to formally end a law, system or practice. For example, RA 9346 abolished the imposition of the death penalty in 2006.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Assign or distribute for a purpose
To allocate is to set aside or distribute resources for a particular purpose, as in allocating a budget to health or disaster preparedness.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Postpone
To defer is to put off to a later time. "The decision was deferred to the next meeting." It can also mean to yield respectfully to someone's judgement, but "postpone" is the meaning tested here.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Secretive
In governance, a transparent process is open to public view. Its opposite is secretive. "Clear", "honest" and "open" are close to transparent in meaning.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Wasteful
An efficient office achieves results with little waste of time or resources. Its opposite is wasteful. "Productive" and "skilled" are related to efficiency, not opposite.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Reject
To approve is to officially accept or agree to something. The opposite is reject. "Accept" and "endorse" are close in meaning to approve.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Illegal
Legitimate means allowed by law or rules. Its opposite is illegal. "Lawful", "official" and "valid" are synonyms or near-synonyms of legitimate.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Decrease
To increase is to become larger in number or amount, and to decrease is to become smaller. The other options all mean growth of some kind.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Compulsory
Voluntary means done by choice. Its opposite is compulsory, meaning required. "Optional" and "willing" are close to voluntary.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Convict
To acquit is to declare a person not guilty of a charge; to convict is to declare a person guilty. "Release", "excuse" and "free" are close to acquit in meaning.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Careful
Negligent means failing to take proper care. Its opposite is careful or diligent. Gross negligence in duty can be a ground for disciplinary action.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Adjourn
To convene is to come together for a meeting; to adjourn is to end or suspend it. Congress, for example, convenes and adjourns its sessions.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Clear
Ambiguous means open to more than one meaning. Its opposite is clear. Good laws and memos avoid ambiguous wording so that everyone understands them the same way.
Read details