The Word Knowledge (WK) section of the ASVAB plays a major role in determining your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. That means it directly impacts your ability to enlist and the military jobs (MOS/AFSC/Rating) available to you.
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| ASVAB Word Knowledge Practice Test 2025: 25 Questions with Answers and Vocabulary Tips |
In this 2025 practice guide, you'll get 25 carefully selected questions that reflect the real ASVAB style, each with detailed explanations. You’ll also receive proven vocabulary tips to help you improve quickly.
Whether English is your first
language or not, mastering this section will help you:
- Improve reading comprehension
- Expand military-relevant vocabulary
- Perform better in other ASVAB sections like Paragraph
Comprehension
Part 1: Word Knowledge Questions 1–10 (Beginner Level)
✅ Question 1: The word "abundant" most nearly means:
A. scarce
B. generous
C. plentiful
D. dry
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: "Abundant" means available in large quantities,
which is closest to "plentiful."
✅ Question 2: Select the word most similar in meaning to "dormant."
A. active
B. sleeping
C. moving
D. aware
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Dormant" describes something that is temporarily
inactive—like sleeping.
✅ Question 3: "Vital" most nearly means:
A. dead
B. unimportant
C. essential
D. minor
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: "Vital" refers to something crucial or essential.
✅ Question 4: Choose the word that means the opposite of "hostile."
A. mean
B. friendly
C. aggressive
D. enemy
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Hostile" means unfriendly or aggressive. Its
opposite is "friendly."
✅ Question 5: "Reluctant" most nearly means:
A. willing
B. hesitant
C. confident
D. careless
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Reluctant" means unsure or unwilling, similar to
"hesitant."
✅ Question 6: Which word is closest in meaning to "benevolent"?
A. cruel
B. kind
C. wealthy
D. bored
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Benevolent" means kind and generous.
✅ Question 7: The word "omit" most nearly means:
A. include
B. remove
C. observe
D. examine
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Omit" means to leave out or skip.
✅ Question 8: "Inevitable" most nearly means:
A. unlikely
B. certain
C. avoidable
D. delayed
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Inevitable" means certain to happen.
✅ Question 9: Select the synonym of "fragile."
A. strong
B. durable
C. delicate
D. massive
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: "Fragile" means easily broken or delicate.
✅ Question 10: "Summon" most nearly means:
A. ignore
B. call upon
C. divide
D. remove
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "To summon" means to call someone or something to
come.
📘
Part 2: Intermediate Questions (11–20) — Context Clues & Word Relationships
✅ Question 11:
The word “reluctant” most nearly means:A. Eager
B. Unwilling
C. Prepared
D. Confident
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Reluctant means hesitant or unwilling to do something.
✅ Question 12:
Which word is the opposite of “scarce”?A. Rare
B. Abundant
C. Limited
D. Diminished
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Scarce means in short supply; its antonym is abundant, meaning plentiful.
✅ Question 13:
Choose the best definition for “vivid”:A. Pale
B. Sharp and clear
C. Boring
D. Unnoticeable
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Vivid describes something intensely bright or full of life.
✅ Question 14:
The sentence "She displayed integrity in every decision she made" implies that:A. She was forgetful
B. She was dishonest
C. She was moral and honest
D. She lacked direction
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Integrity refers to strong moral principles and honesty.
✅ Question 15:
What is the meaning of “revise” in this sentence:“You should revise your essay before submitting it.”
A. Delete it
B. Review and make changes
C. Copy it again
D. Approve it
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Revise means to go back and improve or correct something.
✅ Question 16:
Which word is similar in meaning to “lenient”?A. Harsh
B. Forgiving
C. Angry
D. Unfair
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Lenient means not harsh or strict—more forgiving or tolerant.
✅ Question 17:
What is the closest meaning of “elaborate” in this context:“She gave an elaborate explanation”?
A. Detailed
B. Silent
C. Quick
D. Inaccurate
✅ Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Elaborate in this context means detailed and thorough.
✅ Question 18:
Choose the correct synonym for “adjacent”:A. Far
B. Unrelated
C. Next to
D. Above
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Adjacent means next to or adjoining.
✅ Question 19:
If someone is “prudent”, they are:A. Reckless
B. Careful and wise
C. Unaware
D. Passive
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Prudent means acting with care and thought for the future.
✅ Question 20:
What does “jeopardize” mean in the sentence:“Taking shortcuts may jeopardize the mission”?
A. Strengthen
B. Risk or endanger
C. Ignore
D. Complete
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Jeopardize means to put something in danger or at risk.
🧠
Part 3: Advanced Questions (21–25) — Inferences, Idioms, and Multiple Meanings
✅ Question 21:
What can be inferred from the sentence:“Despite the storm, the crew remained steadfast”?
A. The crew gave up quickly.
B. The crew panicked.
C. The crew stayed firm and loyal.
D. The crew disbanded.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Steadfast means staying strong and committed, even in difficult times.
✅ Question 22:
Choose the best meaning of the idiom:“He passed the test with flying colors.”
A. He barely passed.
B. He failed.
C. He passed very successfully.
D. He was unsure.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The idiom “with flying colors” means with great success.
✅ Question 23:
Which of the following sentences uses the word “bark” as a verb?A. The bark of the tree was rough.
B. The dog began to bark loudly.
C. The bark fell off in chunks.
D. He collected bark samples.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bark can be both a noun and a verb. Here, it's used as a verb (the dog barked).
✅ Question 24:
What does the phrase “under the weather” most likely mean in this context:“He didn’t come to work today because he was feeling under the weather”?
A. He had a weather-related task.
B. He felt ill or sick.
C. He had to travel.
D. He went hiking.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Under the weather is an idiom that means feeling sick or unwell.
✅ Question 25:
What does the sentence suggest?“The commander gave a cryptic message that puzzled the entire unit.”
A. The message was clear.
B. The message was short.
C. The message was mysterious or unclear.
D. The message was humorous.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cryptic means mysterious, difficult to understand, or vague.
📌 Final Tips to Master Word Knowledge on the ASVAB:
- Study common prefixes, suffixes, and roots. (e.g., bene- = good, pre- = before)
- Use context clues
to figure out meanings of unfamiliar words.
- Read regularly
— especially non-fiction and technical texts.
- Practice with idioms and multiple meanings.
- Keep a vocabulary journal and review tricky words often.