TNPSC One Word Substitution Test 5

Concept Booster – TNPSC One Word Substitution Test 5

Great job attempting the quiz! Now, let’s strengthen your understanding of One Word Substitution Test. Read the explanations carefully to improve your vocabulary and avoid similar mistakes in the exam.

1. Choose the one word for “A person who studies ancient writings”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Palaeographer is a person who studies ancient handwriting, manuscripts, and historical writings. Palaeography helps historians understand old documents, scripts, and civilizations.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Ethnologist – A person who studies different cultures and ethnic groups.
• Archaeologist – A person who studies ancient civilizations through artifacts and physical remains.
• Historian – A person who studies and records past events and history.

Example:

A palaeographer may study ancient Tamil inscriptions or medieval manuscripts to understand historical events.

Exam Tip:

Do not confuse Palaeographer with Archaeologist. A palaeographer studies ancient writings, whereas an archaeologist studies ancient objects and remains.

✅ Answer:

C. Palaeographer

2. Choose the one word for “A person who loves solitude”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Recluse is a person who prefers to live alone and avoids social interaction. Such individuals enjoy solitude and privacy.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Socialite – A person who enjoys social activities and public gatherings.
• Optimist – A person who expects positive outcomes.
• Patriot – A person who strongly supports and loves their country.

Example:

Many writers and philosophers have lived as recluses to focus on their work.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Recluse = prefers isolation, while Socialite = enjoys society.

✅ Answer:

A. Recluse

3. Choose the one word for “A person who studies diseases of the skin”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Dermatologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats diseases related to the skin, hair, and nails.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Cardiologist – A doctor specializing in heart diseases.
• Neurologist – A doctor specializing in the nervous system.
• Pathologist – A specialist who studies diseases through laboratory analysis.

Example:

People suffering from acne, eczema, or skin allergies usually consult a dermatologist.

Exam Tip:

The prefix “Derma” refers to skin, making it easy to remember Dermatologist.

✅ Answer:

B. Dermatologist

4. Choose the one word for “A person who performs dangerous acts in films”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Stuntman is a person who performs dangerous or physically challenging scenes in movies and television productions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Actor – A person who performs a role in films or dramas.
• Acrobat – A person skilled in gymnastic and balancing acts.
• Director – A person who supervises and directs a film.

Example:

Many action films use professional stuntmen to perform risky scenes safely.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Stuntman = performs dangerous scenes, not the main acting role.

✅ Answer:

C. Stuntman

5. Choose the one word for “A person who journeys on foot”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Pilgrim is a person who travels, often on foot, to a sacred or religious place for spiritual reasons.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Pedestrian – A person who travels on foot in general, especially on roads.
• Wanderer – A person who travels without a fixed destination.
• Traveller – A general term for someone who travels from one place to another.

Example:

Thousands of pilgrims walk to holy places such as Palani and Sabarimala every year.

Exam Tip:

Do not confuse Pilgrim with Pedestrian. A pilgrim travels mainly for a religious purpose.

✅ Answer:

C. Pilgrim

6. Choose the one word for “A person who studies the heart”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Cardiologist is a medical specialist who studies, diagnoses, and treats diseases related to the heart and blood vessels. Cardiologists help patients maintain heart health and manage heart-related conditions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Neurologist – A doctor who specializes in the nervous system and brain disorders.
• Physician – A general medical practitioner who treats various illnesses.
• Surgeon – A doctor who performs surgical operations.

Example:

A patient experiencing chest pain or irregular heartbeat may consult a cardiologist.

Exam Tip:

Remember the root word “Cardio”, which means heart.

✅ Answer:

A. Cardiologist

7. Choose the one word for “A person who studies the nervous system”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Neurologist is a medical specialist who studies, diagnoses, and treats disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Neurologists deal with conditions affecting the body’s nerve functions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Psychologist – A person who studies human behavior and mental processes.
• Pathologist – A specialist who studies diseases through laboratory examinations.
• Biologist – A scientist who studies living organisms.

Example:

Patients suffering from epilepsy, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease often consult a neurologist.

Exam Tip:

The prefix “Neuro” always refers to nerves or the nervous system.

✅ Answer:

B. Neurologist

8. Choose the one word for “A person who cannot be persuaded to change his opinion”:

Answer & Meaning:

An Obstinate person is someone who stubbornly refuses to change their opinion, attitude, or behavior despite advice or persuasion from others.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Flexible – A person who is willing to change or adapt.
• Loyal – A person who remains faithful and devoted.
• Honest – A person who tells the truth and behaves sincerely.

Example:

Despite receiving proper guidance, the obstinate student refused to change his decision.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Obstinate = Stubborn. Both words have nearly the same meaning.

✅ Answer:

D. Obstinate

9. Choose the one word for “A person who welcomes guests”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Host is a person who receives, entertains, and takes care of guests or visitors at an event, home, or gathering.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Visitor – A person who visits someone or a place.
• Steward – A person who manages or supervises services.
• Agent – A person who acts on behalf of another person.

Example:

The host welcomed all the guests warmly at the wedding reception.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Host receives guests, while Guest receives hospitality.

✅ Answer:

A. Host

10. Choose the one word for “A person who is unable to speak clearly”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Stammerer is a person who has difficulty speaking fluently and often repeats sounds, syllables, or words involuntarily.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Mute – A person who cannot speak at all.
• Dumb – Traditionally used for a person unable to speak; now considered outdated in many contexts.
• Deaf – A person who has difficulty hearing.

Example:

A stammerer may repeat certain sounds before completing a sentence.

Exam Tip:

Do not confuse Stammerer with Mute. A stammerer can speak but not fluently.

✅ Answer:

C. Stammerer

11. Choose the one word for “A person who studies the eye”:

Answer & Meaning:

An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders related to the eyes and vision.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Optician – A professional who prepares and sells eyeglasses and lenses.
• Physician – A general medical practitioner.
• Surgeon – A doctor who performs operations in various medical fields.

Example:

People suffering from cataracts, glaucoma, or vision problems consult an ophthalmologist.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Ophthalmologist treats eye diseases, whereas an Optician provides eyeglasses.

✅ Answer:

B. Ophthalmologist

12. Choose the one word for “A person who makes wooden furniture”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Carpenter is a skilled worker who builds, repairs, and creates objects and structures made from wood.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Mason – A worker who builds with stone, brick, or concrete.
• Architect – A professional who designs buildings.
• Blacksmith – A craftsman who works with iron and metal.

Example:

A carpenter can build furniture such as tables, chairs, cupboards, and doors.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Carpenter = Wood, Blacksmith = Metal, Mason = Stone.

✅ Answer:

A. Carpenter

13. Choose the one word for “A person who loves art”:

Answer & Meaning:

An Aesthete is a person who has a deep appreciation for beauty, art, and artistic expression. They value artistic and aesthetic experiences.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Artist – A person who creates art.
• Painter – A person who paints pictures.
• Sculptor – A person who creates sculptures.

Example:

An aesthete enjoys visiting art galleries, museums, and cultural exhibitions.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Aesthete = lover of art and beauty, not necessarily the creator of art.

✅ Answer:

C. Aesthete

14. Choose the one word for “A person who studies crime”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Criminologist is a person who scientifically studies crime, criminal behavior, and methods of crime prevention.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Detective – A person who investigates crimes.
• Lawyer – A person who practices law and represents clients.
• Judge – A person who presides over legal proceedings.

Example:

Criminologists analyze the causes of crime and suggest preventive measures.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Criminologist studies crime, whereas a Detective investigates crime.

✅ Answer:

B. Criminologist

15. Choose the one word for “A person who cannot keep a secret”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Blabbermouth is a person who talks excessively and carelessly reveals confidential or private information.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Loyal – A person who remains faithful and trustworthy.
• Trustworthy – A person who can be depended upon.
• Talkative – A person who talks a lot but does not necessarily reveal secrets.

Example:

People avoid sharing confidential information with a blabbermouth.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Blabbermouth = reveals secrets, while Talkative = talks excessively.

✅ Answer:

D. Blabbermouth

16. Choose the one word for “A person who serves food in a restaurant”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Waiter is a person who serves food and beverages to customers in restaurants, hotels, and other dining establishments. Waiters also take orders and ensure customer satisfaction.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Chef – A professional cook who prepares food.
• Cook – A person who cooks food but does not usually serve customers.
• Manager – A person who supervises and manages the restaurant operations.

Example:

The waiter politely took our order and served the food on time.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Chef prepares the food, while a Waiter serves the food.

✅ Answer:

C. Waiter

17. Choose the one word for “A person who studies languages scientifically”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Linguist is a person who scientifically studies languages, their structure, development, sounds, and usage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Translator – A person who converts text or speech from one language to another.
• Polyglot – A person who can speak many languages.
• Grammarian – A person who studies grammar and language rules.

Example:

Linguists study how languages evolve and differ across cultures.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Linguist = studies language scientifically, while Polyglot = speaks many languages.

✅ Answer:

A. Linguist

18. Choose the one word for “A person who studies the kidneys”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Urologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats diseases related to the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Cardiologist – A doctor specializing in heart diseases.
• Dermatologist – A doctor specializing in skin diseases.
• Neurologist – A doctor specializing in the nervous system.

Example:

Patients with kidney stones or urinary disorders often consult a urologist.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Uro = urinary system, which includes the kidneys.

✅ Answer:

A. Urologist

19. Choose the one word for “A person who makes ornaments from gold and precious metals”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Goldsmith is a skilled craftsman who designs, makes, and repairs ornaments and jewelry using gold and other precious metals.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Carpenter – A person who works with wood.
• Mason – A person who works with bricks and stones.
• Tailor – A person who stitches and alters clothes.

Example:

A goldsmith carefully crafts necklaces, rings, and other jewelry items.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Goldsmith = works with gold and precious metals, just as Blacksmith = works with iron.

✅ Answer:

B. Goldsmith

20. Choose the one word for “A person who studies volcanoes”:

Answer & Meaning:

A Volcanologist is a scientist who studies volcanoes, volcanic eruptions, magma, and related geological activities.

Why Other Options Are Wrong?

• Geologist – A scientist who studies the Earth, rocks, and geological processes in general.
• Meteorologist – A scientist who studies weather and atmospheric conditions.
• Ecologist – A scientist who studies the relationship between organisms and their environment.

Example:

Volcanologists monitor active volcanoes to predict eruptions and reduce disaster risks.

Exam Tip:

Remember: Volcano + ologist = Volcanologist, a specialist who studies volcanoes specifically.

✅ Answer:

B. Volcanologist

Authority Reference:
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries – One Word Meanings and Usage