ASVAB Questions - Part 1 Word Knowledge

By John Phoenix

Most of the ASVAB questions in the Word Knowledge chapter involve straight synonyms. You will be provided with a word and you need to select which word from the list of four choices that which has the closest equivalent meaning to the given word. 

There are a total of 35 ASVAB questions in the Word Knowledge subtest with a time limit of 11 minutes only. The time limit is very short because of the expected quick and immediate answering response to the questions. 

One example of this type of question is as follows: 

Example 1: 

Legible most nearly means: 

a. negotiable 

b. readable 

c. confusing 

d. legal 

In this sample item, the correct answer is (B) readable. Among the choices given, readable has the closest meaning to legible. 

Aside from straight synonym ASVAB questions, another popular structure is the use of context clues. In these type of ASVAB questions, the given word is usually included in the context of a sentence. If you find the given word rather unusual or difficult, you can use other words in the sentence as hints. You can find below an example of an ASVAB question in the Word Knowledge part involving context clues. 

Example 2 

The feline manifested her anger by purring and scratching. 

a. woman 

b. impersonator 

c. cat 

d. actress 

In this sample item, the correct answer is (C) cat. The sentence includes two words associated with cats, namely, purring and scratching. These two words are examples of semantic or meaning clues. Other types of context clues are syntactic or word order clues, synonym or repeat context clues, antonym or contrast context clues, definition context clues, example context clues, word-part context clues, and general sense of context clues. 

The best preparation for the ASVAB questions in the Word Knowledge category would be enriching an individual's vocabulary. But such preparation is not as simple as a walk in the park. A strategic way of learning words would be highly recommended. You can use any vocabulary-building book. Ten new words a day would be a great step to enhancing your vocabulary. Familiarize with root words, suffixes and prefixes. Learning words with their corresponding synonyms and antonyms will also be very helpful. 

As you study and enhance your vocabulary, taking a personalized approach would be important so your strategy would fit your learning style. Flashcards and vocabulary cards are some of the common methods used. You can also use mnemonics and learning aids. If you have difficulties in arriving at a specific choice, you can use the process of elimination. You can eliminate the choices which, most likely, would not fit in as the correct answer to the question then choose among the remaining choices which would have the closest meaning. 

The best way to prepare for the ASVAB questions in the Word Knowledge rich vocabulary is to be a reader. If you are not used to reading, you can start off by reading your daily newspapers or magazines. You can also practice analyzing context clues. If you come across any word that seems unfamiliar or unusual to you, take note of it and look up its meaning in the dictionary or thesaurus.

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Article Source: ASVAB Questions - Part 1 Word Knowledge