UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the UK Clinical Aptitude Test with our comprehensive test guide. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to enhance your preparation. Be exam ready!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which word would best describe someone who is trying hard but failing?

  1. Vain

  2. In vain

  3. Exquisite

  4. Potent

The correct answer is: In vain

The term "in vain" effectively conveys the idea of someone who is making significant efforts but ultimately not achieving their desired outcomes. This phrase specifically encapsulates the notion of striving for success or a goal without obtaining any fruitful results, highlighting both the effort and the lack of effectiveness. In contrast, "vain" refers to a person who has an excessively high opinion of their appearance or abilities, which does not necessarily correlate to effort or failure; "exquisite" describes something that is beautifully made or exceptionally pleasing, which does not relate to the idea of trying hard and failing; and "potent" suggests strength, influence, or effectiveness, indicating success rather than failure. Thus, "in vain" is the most appropriate choice to describe someone who is diligently attempting something without success.