1
One who knows everything:
Correct answer: C. Omniscient
Omniscient = all-knowing. Omnipotent = all-powerful, omnipresent = present everywhere, omnivorous = eating all kinds of food.
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One-Word Substitution MCQs
Solved English MCQs on one-word substitution: single words for common phrases, with meanings, for PPSC, FPSC, NTS and other competitive exams.
25 MCQsUpdated 27 October 2026
One-word substitution asks for a single word that replaces a phrase, such as a person who knows everything (omniscient) or an extreme fear of heights (acrophobia). This set covers the forms most often seen in papers.
Many of these words come from Greek or Latin roots. Learning common roots, such as -cide (killing), -phobia (fear) and -logy (study of), helps you work out unfamiliar words in the exam hall.
- 2
One who has unlimited power:
Correct answer: D. Omnipotent
Omnipotent means having unlimited power.
easy - 3
Present everywhere at the same time:
Correct answer: A. Omnipresent
Omnipresent means present everywhere at once, a quality usually attributed to God. Omnivorous means eating all kinds of food.
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An extreme fear of heights:
Correct answer: B. Acrophobia
Acrophobia is fear of heights. Claustrophobia is fear of enclosed spaces, and hydrophobia is fear of water.
medium - 5
A fear of closed or narrow spaces:
Correct answer: A. Claustrophobia
Claustrophobia is the fear of confined spaces. Xenophobia is dislike of foreigners and nyctophobia is fear of the dark.
medium - 6
The scientific study of birds:
Correct answer: D. Ornithology
Ornithology is the study of birds. Entomology is the study of insects and herpetology of reptiles.
easy - 7
The scientific study of earthquakes:
Correct answer: B. Seismology
Seismology studies earthquakes and seismic waves. Meteorology is the study of weather.
easy - 8
A place where bees are kept:
Correct answer: D. Apiary
An apiary is a place where beehives are kept. An aviary is for birds.
medium - 9
A large cage or enclosure for keeping birds:
Correct answer: D. Aviary
An aviary houses birds. A kennel is for dogs and a stable for horses.
easy - 10
A speech made without any preparation:
Correct answer: C. Extempore
An extempore speech is delivered on the spot. A soliloquy is a character speaking their thoughts aloud alone, usually in a play.
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A remedy for all diseases or problems:
Correct answer: D. Panacea
A panacea is a cure-all. An antidote counters a particular poison.
medium - 12
A word or phrase that reads the same backwards as forwards, such as "level":
Correct answer: D. Palindrome
Palindromes include "madam", "radar" and "level". An anagram rearranges the letters of a word, for example "listen" to "silent".
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A person who does not believe in the existence of God:
Correct answer: D. Atheist
An atheist denies the existence of God. An agnostic believes it cannot be known whether God exists.
medium - 14
The life story of a person written by that person:
Correct answer: A. Autobiography
An autobiography is written by the person themselves. A biography is written by someone else.
easy - 15
An animal that eats both plants and meat:
Correct answer: C. Omnivore
Omnivores, such as bears and humans, eat both plant and animal food.
easy - 16
An animal or person that is active at night:
Correct answer: A. Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals, like owls and bats, are active at night. Diurnal means active during the day.
easy - 17
Government by a small group of powerful people:
Correct answer: C. Oligarchy
Oligarchy is rule by a few. Monarchy is rule by a king or queen, and anarchy is the absence of government.
medium - 18
Government of the people, by the people, for the people:
Correct answer: D. Democracy
This well-known definition of democracy comes from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
easy - 19
The killing of a king:
Correct answer: A. Regicide
Regicide is killing a king. Patricide is killing one's father and genocide is the deliberate destruction of a whole people.
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A person who leaves their own country to settle permanently in another:
Correct answer: C. Emigrant
An emigrant is someone leaving their country (emigrate = exit). The same person is an immigrant in the country they move to.
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