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English Grammar - One Word Substitution: 12 MCQs with Answers

One Word Substitution - English Grammar
English Grammar - One Word Substitution

English Grammar- One Word Substitution

One Word Substitution — HTET / CTET अभ्यास प्रश्न।
5 min read 12 Questions

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Q1. Choose the correct one word substitution : A disease that spreads over a large area.

Right Answer: epidemic

Explanation:

A one word substitution replaces a long descriptive phrase with a single precise word. A disease that spreads rapidly over a large area and affects a great number of people at the same time is called an epidemic; when it spreads across countries it becomes a pandemic. The other options carry entirely different meanings: 'effeminate' means womanish in manner, 'germicide' is a substance that kills germs, and 'illicit' means forbidden or unlawful. None of these describes a widespread disease. Hence the correct answer is epidemic.
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Q2. Choose the correct option : 'Misanthrop' is :

Right Answer: One who hates mankind

Explanation:

The word 'misanthrope', sometimes spelt misanthrop, comes from the Greek roots misein meaning to hate and anthropos meaning mankind. It therefore denotes a person who hates or distrusts all human beings and avoids their society. Related words are philanthrope for a lover of mankind and misogynist for a hater of women. The other options describe different ideas: something imaginary is fictitious, something not based on facts is baseless, and a calf for sacrifice is a scapegoat. Hence the correct answer is 'one who hates mankind'.
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Q3. One word for 'A child whose parents are dead' is :

Right Answer: Orphan

Explanation:

The one word for 'a child whose parents are dead' is 'orphan'. Such single words used in place of a whole phrase are known as one word substitutions and are commonly asked in competitive examinations. The other options have quite different meanings — a 'sibling' is a brother or a sister; a 'bigot' is a person who is intolerant towards the opinions or beliefs of others; and a 'bastard' is a child born to parents who are not married to each other. The place where orphans live is called an orphanage.

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Q4. Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'An official reprimand or strong criticism'.

Right Answer: Censure

Explanation:

The phrase describes a formal expression of severe disapproval issued by an authority. 'Censure' precisely conveys this meaning, as it refers to an official reprimand, often passed as a formal motion by a legislature or professional body. It is therefore the correct one-word substitute. 'Accusation' merely means a charge that someone has done wrong and carries no sense of official rebuke. 'Denunciation' is a public condemnation but need not be official. 'Indictment' is a formal charge that begins a criminal prosecution, which is a legal step rather than a reprimand. Hence the correct answer is Censure.
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Q5. Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A person who abstains from all forms of indulgence'.

Right Answer: Ascetic

Explanation:

The description refers to someone who deliberately gives up comfort, luxury and pleasure, usually for spiritual or moral reasons. 'Ascetic' names exactly such a person, one who practises severe self-discipline and abstinence, so it is the correct one-word substitute. The other options describe different ideas altogether. An 'agnostic' is a person who believes that the existence of God cannot be known. A 'mystic' seeks direct union with the divine through contemplation, which need not involve abstinence. A 'skeptic' is someone inclined to doubt accepted opinions. Hence the correct answer is Ascetic.
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Q6. Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A state of disuse or inactivity'.

Right Answer: Desuetude

Explanation:

The phrase describes something that has fallen out of use and now lies dormant, as when an old law is no longer enforced. 'Desuetude' names precisely this condition of disuse and is commonly used in legal English in the phrase 'fallen into desuetude', so it is the correct one-word substitute. The other options differ: a 'hiatus' is a temporary pause or gap in a continuous activity, 'oblivion' is the state of being completely forgotten, and an 'interregnum' is the interval between two reigns or governments. Hence the correct answer is Desuetude.
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Q7. Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A state of disuse or inactivity'.

Right Answer: Desuetude

Explanation:

The word 'desuetude' means a state in which something, especially a law, custom or practice, has fallen out of use over a long period. We often say that an old rule has fallen into desuetude when nobody applies it any more. The other choices carry different meanings. A 'hiatus' is a temporary pause or gap in a continuous activity, 'oblivion' is the state of being completely forgotten or unaware, and an 'interregnum' is the interval between two reigns or governments when normal authority is suspended. Hence the correct one-word substitute is 'Desuetude'.
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Q8. Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A political system based on the rule of the wealthy'.

Right Answer: Plutocracy

Explanation:

A 'plutocracy' is a political system in which power rests with the wealthy, from the Greek 'ploutos' meaning wealth and 'kratos' meaning rule. This matches the given definition exactly. The distractors describe different bases of power. An 'oligarchy' is rule by a small group, though not necessarily a rich one. An 'aristocracy' is rule by a hereditary noble class, where birth rather than money confers status. A 'meritocracy' is rule by those with ability and talent, judged on achievement. Only wealth is the defining criterion in the question. Hence option three is correct.
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Q9. Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A state of temporary disuse or suspension'.

Right Answer: Abeyance

Explanation:

'Intermission' refers to a short break, typically during a performance or event, not a suspension of a rule, right, or process. 'Recess' refers to a temporary halt in proceedings, often used for legislative or school breaks, which is closer but not precise. 'Dormancy' refers to a state of inactivity, often used biologically, such as a dormant volcano or seed. The word that precisely means 'a state of temporary disuse or suspension', especially of a law, right, custom, or title until it is revived, is 'Abeyance'. This term is commonly used in legal and administrative contexts. Therefore, the correct answer is option 3.
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Q10. Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A professional who prepares maps'.

Right Answer: Cartographer

Explanation:

A 'Cartographer' is a professional who specializes in the science and art of creating maps, using data from surveys, satellite imagery, and geographic information systems to accurately represent geographical features. A 'Topographer' studies and records the physical features of land surfaces, which is related but not specifically focused on map-making itself. A 'Geodesist' studies the Earth's shape, size, and gravitational field, while an 'Archivist' manages and preserves historical records and documents, both unrelated to map preparation. Since the definition precisely matches the specialized role of creating maps, 'Cartographer' is the most accurate one-word substitute. The correct answer is option 2, Cartographer.
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Q11. Aircraft with two pairs of wings, one above the other. (single word)

Right Answer: Biplane

Explanation:

दो जोड़ी पंखों (एक के ऊपर एक) वाले वायुयान को 'Biplane' कहा जाता है।
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Q12. Incapable of making mistakes or doing wrong. (single word)

Right Answer: Infallible

Explanation:

गलती करने में असमर्थ (त्रुटिरहित) होने के लिए अंग्रेज़ी शब्द 'Infallible' प्रयुक्त होता है।
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Published: 27 July 2026 | Last Updated: 03 September 2026 |

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Deepak - Educational Content Creator

Written by Deepak

Educational Content Creator

I am an educational content creator dedicated to making learning simple, engaging, and accessible for students preparing for competitive exams. He specializes in creating high-quality study materials, including notes, multiple-choice questions (MCQs), previous year question papers, practice tests, and exam-oriented resources.

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