Civil Service Exam Vocabulary · Module 1
Governance, law and public administration
Ten words you meet in memos, audit reports and office orders: acquiesce, ad hoc, anomaly, arbitrary, ascertain, assiduous, autonomous, bureaucracy, cognizant and compliance.
✓ Last checked: November 2026 · meanings checked against Merriam-Webster
I earned my Career Service Professional eligibility in 2012 and have spent more than 15 years in government service. These are study notes, not official exam material: for the exam schedule, rules and coverage, always check the Civil Service Commission.
acquiesce verb
To accept or agree to something quietly, without protest.
Example: The department head acquiesced to the auditor's request for the original receipts.
Same meaning: comply, consent, yield
Opposite: resist, object, defy
Exam tip: Usually followed by "to" or "in": acquiesce to a request, acquiesce in a decision.
ad hoc adjective
Formed or done for one particular purpose only, not as a permanent arrangement.
Example: The mayor created an ad hoc committee to look into the delayed payroll.
Same meaning: temporary, special, improvised
Opposite: permanent, standing, regular
Exam tip: A "standing committee" is the permanent kind; an "ad hoc committee" ends when its job is done.
anomaly noun
Something that is different from what is normal or expected.
Example: The cashier flagged an anomaly: two official receipts carried the same serial number.
Same meaning: irregularity, deviation, aberration
Opposite: norm, rule, standard
Exam tip: In news about government, "anomaly" often hints at wrongdoing, but the word itself only means something out of the ordinary.
arbitrary adjective
Based on personal choice or chance, not on a reason, rule or law.
Example: Fees must be set by ordinance, not by an arbitrary decision at the counter.
Same meaning: random, unreasoned, whimsical
Opposite: reasoned, lawful, systematic
Exam tip: Often paired with "capricious": an arbitrary and capricious act is one without legal basis.
ascertain verb
To find out something for certain.
Example: Before releasing the check, the treasurer ascertained that the payee's documents were complete.
Same meaning: determine, verify, establish
Opposite: guess, assume, overlook
Exam tip: Pronounced "as-er-TAYN". It is about making sure, not just finding out.
assiduous adjective
Showing great care and steady, hard work.
Example: Her assiduous record-keeping made the year-end audit quick and clean.
Same meaning: diligent, industrious, meticulous
Opposite: careless, negligent, lazy
Exam tip: Close to "diligent"; both describe effort that keeps going over time.
autonomous adjective
Able to govern itself or act on its own, without outside control.
Example: Under the 1987 Constitution, local governments enjoy local autonomy, though they remain under the general supervision of the President.
Same meaning: self-governing, self-ruling, independent
Opposite: dependent, subordinate, controlled
Exam tip: Noun: autonomy. "Local autonomy" is a key phrase in the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160).
bureaucracy noun
A system of government offices run by appointed officials who follow set rules and procedures; also used for too many rules that slow things down.
Example: The new online permit system cut through the bureaucracy that used to take a week.
Same meaning: administration, officialdom, red tape
Exam tip: Neutral in public administration books, but often negative in everyday speech, meaning "red tape".
cognizant adjective
Aware of something; having knowledge of it.
Example: Officers must be cognizant of the budget ceiling before approving any purchase.
Same meaning: aware, mindful, conscious
Opposite: unaware, ignorant, oblivious
Exam tip: Usually followed by "of": cognizant of the rules.
compliance noun
The act of following a rule, law, order or standard.
Example: This quarter, the office was in full compliance with the deadlines for its monthly reports.
Same meaning: adherence, conformity, obedience
Opposite: violation, breach, defiance
Exam tip: "In compliance with" is a common opening in official letters: "In compliance with your memo..."
Practice
Answer first, then open the answer to check yourself.
Choose the word closest in meaning to ASSIDUOUS.
- careless
- diligent
- arrogant
- silent
Show answer
B. diligent Assiduous means careful and hard-working, like diligent.
Choose the word opposite in meaning to COGNIZANT.
- aware
- mindful
- oblivious
- informed
Show answer
C. oblivious Cognizant means aware; oblivious means not aware at all.
Complete the sentence: The council formed an ____ committee that will be dissolved once the flood relief audit is finished.
- autonomous
- arbitrary
- ad hoc
- assiduous
Show answer
C. ad hoc A committee made for one task and dissolved afterward is an ad hoc committee.
ANOMALY is to IRREGULARITY as COMPLIANCE is to ____.
- adherence
- violation
- audit
- penalty
Show answer
A. adherence The first pair are synonyms, so the answer is the synonym of compliance: adherence.
Which sentence uses ACQUIESCE correctly?
- The clerk acquiesced the receipts in the drawer.
- After a short discussion, the supplier acquiesced to the new delivery schedule.
- The auditor acquiesced loudly against the findings.
- The office was acquiesced by the new rules.
Show answer
B. After a short discussion, the supplier acquiesced to the new delivery schedule. Acquiesce means to agree quietly and is followed by "to" or "in". Choice A uses it to mean "put away", C to mean "protest", and D wrongly makes it passive.