Vocabulary in Context Flashcards
6 cards from real Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Vocabulary in Context flashcards as text
The organisation was described as 'bureaucratic'. What does this suggest?
Answer: Involving excessive official procedures
'Bureaucratic' describes excessive use of official rules and procedures, often to the point of inefficiency. It implies rigid adherence to process.
The manager used the word 'expedite' in her email. What did she mean?
Answer: Speed up
'Expedite' means to make something happen sooner or more quickly. She was asking for the process to be accelerated.
The CEO described the merger as 'synergistic'. What did she mean?
Answer: The combined entities would produce a better outcome than separately
'Synergy' means the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. Synergistic describes this quality.
The policy document used the word 'mitigate'. What does it mean?
Answer: Lessen or reduce the severity of
'Mitigate' means to make something less severe, serious, or painful. You mitigate risks by reducing their impact.
The press release described the development as 'unprecedented'. What does this mean?
Answer: Never having happened before
'Unprecedented' means never done or known before. An unprecedented event is one with no historical precedent.
In a job advertisement, the role is described as requiring 'acumen'. What does this mean?
Answer: Sharpness of mind and good judgement
'Acumen' refers to the ability to make good judgements and quick decisions — shrewd business sense or intelligence.