Functional Skills English L2

Vocabulary

25 free practice questions with explanations

PassNova has 25 free Functional Skills English L2 practice questions on Vocabulary, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.

Sample questions

Vocabulary: example questions & answers

25 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback on every answer.

  1. Which word means 'to increase in size or scope'?

    • AExpand
    • BDiminish
    • CCompress
    • DContract

    Answer: 'Expand' means to become or make larger. 'Contract' is the opposite.

  2. What does 'procrastinate' mean?

    • ATo delay or postpone unnecessarily
    • BTo organise tasks into a set running order
    • CTo plan each stage of a task carefully
    • DTo work quickly

    Answer: 'Procrastinate' means to delay doing something, often unnecessarily.

  3. Which word is a synonym for 'diligent'?

    • ACareful and hardworking
    • BLazy and unwilling to make an effort
    • CImpatient, easily frustrated by delays
    • DCareless and often unreliable

    Answer: 'Diligent' means showing careful and persistent effort in work.

  4. What does 'ambiguous' mean?

    • AClear and definite in its meaning
    • BCertainly true and well established
    • CVery obvious
    • DOpen to multiple interpretations

    Answer: 'Ambiguous' means unclear or open to more than one interpretation.

  5. Which word means 'to disapprove of something'?

    • ACondone
    • BEndorse
    • CCondemn
    • DApprove

    Answer: 'Condemn' means to disapprove of or express strong disapproval.

  6. What is the meaning of 'meticulous'?

    • AObvious, easy to quickly understand
    • BCareless and rushed in approach
    • CVery careful and precise
    • DQuick, efficient, but not thorough

    Answer: 'Meticulous' means very careful, precise, and thorough.

  7. Which word is the opposite of 'abundant'?

    • ACommon
    • BScarce
    • CPlentiful
    • DAvailable

    Answer: 'Abundant' means existing in large quantities. 'Scarce' is the opposite.

  8. What does 'implement' mean?

    • ATo think about something for a while
    • BTo draw up a plan without acting
    • CTo put a plan into action
    • DTo avoid doing something

    Answer: 'Implement' means to carry out or put a plan, system, or idea into effect.

  9. Which word means 'to reduce gradually'?

    • AAccelerate
    • BDiminish
    • CIncrease
    • DEscalate

    Answer: 'Diminish' means to become or make smaller or less.

  10. What does 'concise' mean?

    • ABrief and clear
    • BConfusing
    • CLong and detailed
    • DComplicated

    Answer: 'Concise' means expressing something briefly and clearly without unnecessary words.

  11. Which word means 'something that is not exact'?

    • AAccurate
    • BApproximate
    • CPrecise
    • DExact

    Answer: 'Approximate' means estimated or roughly accurate, not exact.

  12. What is a synonym for 'persistent'?

    • ADetermined and continuing despite difficulty
    • BQuick to give up when things get hard
    • CEasily discouraged by small setbacks
    • DBrief, temporary and short-lived

    Answer: 'Persistent' means continuing firmly or stubbornly in a course of action.

  13. Which word means 'to set something apart officially for a particular purpose'?

    • ADistribute
    • BDelegate
    • CDesignate
    • DPostpone

    Answer: To designate something is to set it apart officially for a particular purpose or role, as in a designated fire exit or a designated driver. To distribute is to hand things out among several people, to delegate is to pass a task to someone else, and to postpone is to move something to a later time. Only one of those carries the sense of an official setting-apart.

  14. What does 'facilitate' mean?

    • ATo make something easier
    • BTo delay something
    • CTo prevent something
    • DTo make something harder

    Answer: 'Facilitate' means to make something easier or simpler.

  15. Which word is the opposite of 'beneficial'?

    • APositive
    • BUseful
    • CHelpful
    • DHarmful

    Answer: 'Beneficial' means helpful or advantageous. 'Harmful' is the opposite.

  16. What does 'compensate' mean?

    • ATo praise someone, usually in front of others
    • BTo pay someone for loss or work
    • CTo promote or transfer someone
    • DTo punish or dismiss someone

    Answer: 'Compensate' means to pay someone money for loss, damage, or work.

  17. Which word means 'too much'?

    • AModerate
    • BAdequate
    • CMinimal
    • DExcessive

    Answer: 'Excessive' means more than is necessary or reasonable.

  18. What is the meaning of 'obsolete'?

    • ANo longer in use or needed
    • BRecently invented, now in wide daily use
    • CUp to the minute
    • DAlways in current use

    Answer: 'Obsolete' means no longer in use or no longer useful.

  19. Which word means 'willing and eager'?

    • AUncertain
    • BKeen
    • CReluctant
    • DHesitant

    Answer: 'Keen' means eager or enthusiastic about doing something.

  20. What does 'collaborate' mean?

    • ATo work together
    • BTo work against someone
    • CTo avoid others
    • DTo compete with someone

    Answer: 'Collaborate' means to work together with others towards a common goal.

  21. Which word means 'to influence or persuade'?

    • AResist
    • BOppose
    • CMaintain
    • DSway

    Answer: 'Sway' means to influence or persuade someone to change their opinion.

  22. What is the meaning of 'prudent'?

    • AWise and careful in decision-making
    • BImpulsive and quick to act without thinking
    • CFoolish, unwilling to listen to advice
    • DCareless with money, time, effort and materials

    Answer: 'Prudent' means showing good judgement and being careful in decision-making.

  23. Which word means 'to make something valid or official'?

    • AValidate
    • BDecline
    • CInvalidate
    • DReject

    Answer: 'Validate' means to confirm the validity of something or make it official.

  24. What does 'cohesive' mean?

    • ASplit, tense and uneasy
    • BUnited and working together
    • CFragmented
    • DDivided and scattered

    Answer: 'Cohesive' means acting as a unified whole or sticking together.

  25. Which word means 'to officially ban'?

    • AProhibit
    • BAllow
    • CPermit
    • DApprove

    Answer: 'Prohibit' means to forbid or ban something officially.

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