NLN NEX EXAM & PRACTICE EXAM
REALISTIC PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: VERBAL ABILITY – WORD KNOWLEDGE
(Questions 1–40)
Question 1: The word "benevolent" is best defined as:
A) Hostile
B) Kind and generous
C) Indifferent
D) Secretive
Correct Answer: B) Kind and generous
Rationale: "Benevolent" comes from Latin "bene" (well) and "volens"
(wishing), meaning well-wishing or kind. It describes someone who is
charitable, generous, and disposed to do good. Hostile is the opposite,
indifferent means unconcerned, and secretive means hidden.
Question 2: Which word is the closest antonym for "ephemeral"?
A) Brief
B) Permanent
,C) Fleeting
D) Temporary
Correct Answer: B) Permanent
Rationale: "Ephemeral" means lasting for a very short time (fleeting, brief,
temporary). Its antonym is "permanent," meaning lasting indefinitely or
enduring. The other options are synonyms of ephemeral.
Question 3: The word "mitigate" most nearly means:
A) Intensify
B) Lessen or alleviate
C) Ignore
D) Celebrate
Correct Answer: B) Lessen or alleviate
Rationale: "Mitigate" means to make less severe, serious, or painful. For
example, medication can mitigate pain. Intensify is the opposite, ignore
means disregard, and celebrate means honor.
Question 4: Select the word that correctly completes the sentence: "The
professor's ______ remarks made the student feel embarrassed."
A) Equivocal
B) Caustic
C) Inert
D) Benevolent
Correct Answer: B) Caustic
,Rationale: "Caustic" means sarcastic or cutting in a way that hurts feelings.
This would make a student feel embarrassed. Equivocal means ambiguous,
inert means inactive, and benevolent means kind—none of these would
cause embarrassment.
Question 5: The word "juxtapose" means:
A) To place side by side for comparison
B) To combine into one
C) To separate completely
D) To oppose forcefully
Correct Answer: A) To place side by side for comparison
Rationale: "Juxtapose" comes from Latin "juxta" (near) and "ponere" (to
place). It means to place two or more things together side by side, often to
highlight contrast or comparison. It does not mean combine, separate, or
oppose.
Question 6: Which of the following is a synonym for "arduous"?
A) Easy
B) Difficult and laborious
C) Pleasant
D) Quick
Correct Answer: B) Difficult and laborious
Rationale: "Arduous" means requiring great effort, difficult, or strenuous.
Climbing a mountain is an arduous task. Easy is the opposite, pleasant
relates to enjoyment, and quick relates to speed.
, Question 7: The word "prolific" most closely means:
A) Scarce
B) Productive and fertile
C) Lazy
D) Unimportant
Correct Answer: B) Productive and fertile
Rationale: "Prolific" describes someone or something that produces
abundantly—a prolific writer produces many works, a prolific garden yields
much fruit. Scarce, lazy, and unimportant are all antonyms.
Question 8: Choose the word that best fits: "The witness gave a ______
account of the events, leaving no doubt about what happened."
A) Vague
B) Lucid
C) Ambiguous
D) Obscure
Correct Answer: B) Lucid
Rationale: "Lucid" means clear and easy to understand. A lucid account
leaves no doubt. Vague, ambiguous, and obscure all mean unclear or
confusing—the opposite of what the sentence requires.
Question 9: The prefix "bene-" as in "beneficial" means:
REALISTIC PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: VERBAL ABILITY – WORD KNOWLEDGE
(Questions 1–40)
Question 1: The word "benevolent" is best defined as:
A) Hostile
B) Kind and generous
C) Indifferent
D) Secretive
Correct Answer: B) Kind and generous
Rationale: "Benevolent" comes from Latin "bene" (well) and "volens"
(wishing), meaning well-wishing or kind. It describes someone who is
charitable, generous, and disposed to do good. Hostile is the opposite,
indifferent means unconcerned, and secretive means hidden.
Question 2: Which word is the closest antonym for "ephemeral"?
A) Brief
B) Permanent
,C) Fleeting
D) Temporary
Correct Answer: B) Permanent
Rationale: "Ephemeral" means lasting for a very short time (fleeting, brief,
temporary). Its antonym is "permanent," meaning lasting indefinitely or
enduring. The other options are synonyms of ephemeral.
Question 3: The word "mitigate" most nearly means:
A) Intensify
B) Lessen or alleviate
C) Ignore
D) Celebrate
Correct Answer: B) Lessen or alleviate
Rationale: "Mitigate" means to make less severe, serious, or painful. For
example, medication can mitigate pain. Intensify is the opposite, ignore
means disregard, and celebrate means honor.
Question 4: Select the word that correctly completes the sentence: "The
professor's ______ remarks made the student feel embarrassed."
A) Equivocal
B) Caustic
C) Inert
D) Benevolent
Correct Answer: B) Caustic
,Rationale: "Caustic" means sarcastic or cutting in a way that hurts feelings.
This would make a student feel embarrassed. Equivocal means ambiguous,
inert means inactive, and benevolent means kind—none of these would
cause embarrassment.
Question 5: The word "juxtapose" means:
A) To place side by side for comparison
B) To combine into one
C) To separate completely
D) To oppose forcefully
Correct Answer: A) To place side by side for comparison
Rationale: "Juxtapose" comes from Latin "juxta" (near) and "ponere" (to
place). It means to place two or more things together side by side, often to
highlight contrast or comparison. It does not mean combine, separate, or
oppose.
Question 6: Which of the following is a synonym for "arduous"?
A) Easy
B) Difficult and laborious
C) Pleasant
D) Quick
Correct Answer: B) Difficult and laborious
Rationale: "Arduous" means requiring great effort, difficult, or strenuous.
Climbing a mountain is an arduous task. Easy is the opposite, pleasant
relates to enjoyment, and quick relates to speed.
, Question 7: The word "prolific" most closely means:
A) Scarce
B) Productive and fertile
C) Lazy
D) Unimportant
Correct Answer: B) Productive and fertile
Rationale: "Prolific" describes someone or something that produces
abundantly—a prolific writer produces many works, a prolific garden yields
much fruit. Scarce, lazy, and unimportant are all antonyms.
Question 8: Choose the word that best fits: "The witness gave a ______
account of the events, leaving no doubt about what happened."
A) Vague
B) Lucid
C) Ambiguous
D) Obscure
Correct Answer: B) Lucid
Rationale: "Lucid" means clear and easy to understand. A lucid account
leaves no doubt. Vague, ambiguous, and obscure all mean unclear or
confusing—the opposite of what the sentence requires.
Question 9: The prefix "bene-" as in "beneficial" means:
