Adjectives Practice 1
Directions: Replace the underlined part of each sentence with an adjective from the box
with a similar meaning. Use a dictionary as necessary.

accomplished apprehensive conscientious essential

gloomy motivated mundane nostalgic
self-reliant sensitive

1. He’s an outstanding footballer and it’s absolutely necessary that he plays in the final
on Saturday.

2. Sandra is an excellent secretary as she’s so careful and correct in her work.

3. When her son went off to college, Mary felt affectionately about the past as she
remembered the fun she’d had as a student.

4. As well as being bilingual, all his children are skilled musicians.

5. Teachers generally enjoy teaching students who are hard-working and keen to learn.

6. I don’t much like that artist’s work – I find his pictures rather dark and depressing.

7. Although he’s only nine, their son is very able to act independently. He can even
cook himself a simple meal.

8. I have a maths test tomorrow and it’s far from being my best subject, so I’m feeling a
bit worried about how I will get on.

9. Gina would make an excellent nurse because she’s very good at understanding other
people’s feelings.

10. You shouldn’t complain about being given uninteresting tasks to do at work – after
all, you’ve only been in the job for two weeks!
  
 

Answer Key:
 
1. essential
2. conscientious
3. nostalgic
4. accomplished
5. motivated
6. gloomy
7. self-reliant
8. apprehensive
9. sensitive
10. mundane