This is the Vocab24 daily quiz of 15 May 2026, the same 26 questions the app served that day, on the day's vocabulary and editorial. One mark for a right answer, minus 0.25 for a wrong one; the explanation opens as soon as you tap.
Out of the given alternatives select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of given word.
Directive
Explanation: Directive means an official instruction, order, or guiding rule; therefore, Command is the most suitable answer. Request, Suggestion, and Option are not correct because they indicate choice or advice rather than an official order or instruction. Hence, Command best expresses the meaning of Directive.
Out of the given alternatives select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of given word.
Backdrop
Explanation: Backdrop means the background, setting, scene, or context behind an event or situation; therefore, Context is the correct answer. Foreground, Centerpiece, and Focus are opposite in sense because they refer to the front or main part rather than the background. Hence, Context best expresses the meaning of Backdrop.
Out of the given alternatives select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of given word.
Headway
Explanation: Headway means progress or forward movement, especially after effort or difficulty; therefore, Advancement is the correct answer. Stagnation, Setback, and Regression are opposite in sense because they suggest no progress or backward movement. Hence, Advancement best expresses the meaning of Headway.
Out of the given alternatives select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of given word.
Drawback
Explanation: Drawback means a disadvantage, problem, or negative point in something; therefore, Limitation is the correct answer. Benefit, Strength, and Merit are not suitable because they express positive qualities rather than negative points. Hence, Limitation best expresses the meaning of Drawback.
Out of the given alternatives select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
Downturn
Explanation: Downturn means a decline or reduction in economic, business, or general activity, so its opposite is Boom. Slump, Decline, and Recession are similar in meaning to Downturn because all indicate falling activity or poor performance. Hence, Boom best expresses the opposite of Downturn.
Out of the given alternatives select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
Shortfall
Explanation: Shortfall means a shortage or deficit in the required amount or level, so its opposite is Surplus. Deficit, Shortage, and Lack are close to the meaning of Shortfall and therefore cannot be its antonyms. Hence, Surplus best expresses the opposite of Shortfall.
Out of the given alternatives select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
Standstill
Explanation: Standstill means a situation in which movement, activity, or progress completely stops, so its opposite is Flow. Halt, Deadlock, and Stoppage are similar to Standstill because they all suggest stopping or lack of movement. Hence, Flow best expresses the opposite of Standstill.
Out of the given alternatives select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
Groundwork
Explanation: Groundwork means the basic or preliminary work done to prepare for something, so its opposite is Completion. Foundation, Preparation, and Basis are related to the meaning of Groundwork because they refer to initial preparation. Hence, Completion best expresses the opposite of Groundwork.
Out of given alternatives, choose the word which can be substituted for the given words/ sentence.
The background or setting behind an event, scene, or situation.
Explanation: Backdrop means the background or setting behind an event, scene, or situation, so it correctly substitutes the given sentence. Directive means an official instruction, Shortfall means a shortage or deficit, and Downturn means a decline in activity. Hence, Backdrop is the correct one-word substitution.
Out of given alternatives, choose the word which can be substituted for the given words/ sentence.
The basic or preliminary work done to prepare for something.
Explanation: Groundwork means the basic or preliminary work done to prepare for something, so it correctly substitutes the given sentence. Standstill means complete stoppage, Spillover means spread beyond a limit, and Narrative means a story or account. Hence, Groundwork is the correct one-word substitution.
Out of given alternatives, choose the word which can be substituted for the given words/ sentence.
The spread of something beyond its original or intended area, limit, or situation.
Explanation: Spillover means the spread of something beyond its original or intended area, limit, or situation, so it correctly substitutes the given sentence. Headway means progress, Drawback means disadvantage, and Backdrop means background or setting. Hence, Spillover is the correct one-word substitution.
Out of given alternatives, choose the word which can be substituted for the given words/ sentence.
A shortage or deficit in the required amount or level.
Explanation: Shortfall means a shortage or deficit in the required amount or level, so it correctly substitutes the given sentence. Directive refers to an official order, Narrative refers to an account or story, and Groundwork refers to preliminary preparation. Hence, Shortfall is the correct one-word substitution.
A statement with one blank is given below. Choose the set of words from the given options which can be used to fill the given blank.
The sudden ______ in sales created pressure on the company’s planning team.
Explanation: Downturn is the correct word because it means a decline or reduction in economic, business, or general activity. Recovery, Boom, and Upturn suggest improvement or growth, which does not fit the negative sense of pressure in the sentence. Hence, Downturn is the most suitable answer.
A statement with one blank is given below. Choose the set of words from the given options which can be used to fill the given blank.
The mountains formed a beautiful ______ for the village festival.
Explanation: Backdrop is the correct word because it means the background or setting behind an event, scene, or situation. Foreground, Centerpiece, and Focus refer to the front or main element, while the sentence needs a word for the setting behind the festival. Hence, Backdrop is the most suitable answer.
A statement with one blank is given below. Choose the set of words from the given options which can be used to fill the given blank.
The economic crisis had a ______ effect on nearby regions.
Explanation: Spillover is the correct word because it means the spread of something beyond its original or intended area or situation. Restriction, Retention, and Confinement suggest control or limitation, which is opposite to the idea of an effect spreading to nearby regions. Hence, Spillover is the most suitable answer.
Out of given alternatives select the option which best expresses the meaning of given idiom/ phrase.
Lay the groundwork
Explanation: The phrase lay the groundwork means to do the basic or preliminary work needed to prepare for something. It does not mean completing the final result, stopping movement, or creating a shortage. Hence, option c best expresses the meaning of the phrase.
Out of given alternatives select the option which best expresses the meaning of given idiom/ phrase.
Make headway
Explanation: The phrase make headway means to make progress or move forward, especially after effort or difficulty. It does not mean facing a decline, creating a background, or issuing an official order. Hence, option a best expresses the meaning of the phrase.
Out of given alternatives select the option which best expresses the meaning of given idiom/ phrase.
Come to a standstill
Explanation: The phrase come to a standstill means that movement, activity, or progress has completely stopped. It does not mean spreading beyond a limit, narrating an event, or creating a benefit. Hence, option b best expresses the meaning of the phrase.
Which of phrases given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold type to make the grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, mark 'd' as the answer.
The committee <strong>laid the groundwork</strong> for the successful implementation of the new policy.
Explanation: The phrase laid the groundwork is grammatically correct because the sentence refers to a completed action in the past. The alternatives either disturb the tense or make the phrase incomplete. Therefore, no correction is required.
Which of phrases given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold type to make the grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, mark 'd' as the answer.
Heavy rain <strong>brought the traffic in a complete standstill</strong>.
Explanation: The correct phrase is brought the traffic to a complete standstill, which means that traffic completely stopped. The use of in, for, or by does not fit correctly with this expression. Therefore, option a is the correct replacement.
Which of phrases given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold type to make the grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, mark 'd' as the answer.
The team <strong>made good headway for completing</strong> the project before the deadline.
Explanation: The correct phrase is made good headway in completing because Headway means progress, and the preposition in is suitable when referring to progress in doing something. The phrases with for, to, and by do not express the intended meaning correctly. Hence, option b is the correct replacement.
DIRECTIONS: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions. <br><br><br> A district education office issued a directive to improve safety standards in schools before the rainy season. The team first laid the groundwork by checking buildings, preparing reports, and identifying risky areas. Although some schools made quick headway, a shortage of funds created a serious shortfall in the repair plan. In one village, heavy rain brought road movement to a standstill, delaying the delivery of materials. The officials later prepared a clear narrative of the problems so that the administration could understand both the direct impact and the spillover effect on nearby schools.
What was the main purpose of the directive in the passage?
Explanation: The passage clearly states that the district education office issued a directive to improve safety standards in schools before the rainy season. The other options are not correct because the shortage, road standstill, and narrative appear later as problems or actions connected with implementation, not as the main purpose of the directive.
DIRECTIONS: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions. <br><br><br> A district education office issued a directive to improve safety standards in schools before the rainy season. The team first laid the groundwork by checking buildings, preparing reports, and identifying risky areas. Although some schools made quick headway, a shortage of funds created a serious shortfall in the repair plan. In one village, heavy rain brought road movement to a standstill, delaying the delivery of materials. The officials later prepared a clear narrative of the problems so that the administration could understand both the direct impact and the spillover effect on nearby schools.
In the passage, the word groundwork means:
Explanation: In the passage, the team laid the groundwork by checking buildings, preparing reports, and identifying risky areas. This shows that Groundwork means basic or preliminary preparation before a larger task. The other options refer to outcome, standstill, or spillover, so they are not suitable.
DIRECTIONS: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions. <br><br><br> A district education office issued a directive to improve safety standards in schools before the rainy season. The team first laid the groundwork by checking buildings, preparing reports, and identifying risky areas. Although some schools made quick headway, a shortage of funds created a serious shortfall in the repair plan. In one village, heavy rain brought road movement to a standstill, delaying the delivery of materials. The officials later prepared a clear narrative of the problems so that the administration could understand both the direct impact and the spillover effect on nearby schools.
Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
Explanation: The passage says that a shortage of funds created a serious shortfall in the repair plan, which means the plan was affected by a lack of required funds. The other statements are false because all schools did not complete repairs smoothly, rain delayed delivery, and the directive was issued before the rainy season.
DIRECTIONS: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions. <br><br><br> A district education office issued a directive to improve safety standards in schools before the rainy season. The team first laid the groundwork by checking buildings, preparing reports, and identifying risky areas. Although some schools made quick headway, a shortage of funds created a serious shortfall in the repair plan. In one village, heavy rain brought road movement to a standstill, delaying the delivery of materials. The officials later prepared a clear narrative of the problems so that the administration could understand both the direct impact and the spillover effect on nearby schools.
Which word from the passage is closest in meaning to progress?
Explanation: Headway means progress or forward movement, especially after effort or difficulty. In the passage, some schools made quick headway, meaning they progressed quickly. Standstill means complete stoppage, Shortfall means shortage, and Narrative means an account or description, so they are not correct.
DIRECTIONS: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions. <br><br><br> A district education office issued a directive to improve safety standards in schools before the rainy season. The team first laid the groundwork by checking buildings, preparing reports, and identifying risky areas. Although some schools made quick headway, a shortage of funds created a serious shortfall in the repair plan. In one village, heavy rain brought road movement to a standstill, delaying the delivery of materials. The officials later prepared a clear narrative of the problems so that the administration could understand both the direct impact and the spillover effect on nearby schools.
Which word from the passage is opposite in meaning to containment?
Explanation: Spillover means the spread of something beyond its original or intended area, while containment means keeping something within limits. Therefore, Spillover is opposite in meaning to containment. Directive, Groundwork, and Shortfall do not express this opposite relationship.
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