Test your basic knowledge |

Challenging Words

Subjects : english, vocabulary
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Beliefs or character of a group - ethics - philosophy






2. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






3. To polish






4. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






5. Suggest - propose an explanation






6. Credulous/ easily deceived/ simple minded/ingenuous/gullible






7. Elaborated to excess: overdone - extremely excited: agitated - hectic - frenzied - heated Ex - She became ... when she heard that her child was missing






8. Old/antique/bygone/stale






9. Make impure/debase






10. Funeral bell/ omen of death






11. Well-spoken; expressive; articulate - meticulous






12. Characterized by severe suffering or sorrow - serious or grave






13. Self-evident truth - adage - maxim - apothegm






14. An investigation or inquiry






15. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






16. Adamant - stubborn -unruly - obstinate - intransigent






17. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






18. To choose not to do something






19. Clear and easily understood - limpid - intelligible






20. A woman making a debut in high society/lady






21. To disavow/reject validity of/deny/disown






22. Bell tower - room where bell is hung - steeple - spire






23. Equivalent to - alike - parallel






24. Speak - plead - or argue in favour of






25. Wordy/not succinct/ineloquent






26. A compact or close knit body of people or animals or things - legion






27. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






28. Intricate and complicated - byzantine - labyrinthine - tangled






29. Book - usually large and academic






30. Capricious; randomly chosen; tyrannical






31. Temporary; lasting a brief time






32. A ghost of a living person seen just before his or her death - apparition - bogeyman - phantasm






33. Sharp and irritating to the senses - acrid - acrimonious - piquant - caustic - poignant






34. To inspire; to permeate; to fill with a mood or tone - to pervade






35. Relaxation - tranquility






36. Finely sensitive to feelings or in perception. Ex - ... of the danger posed by the approaching hurricane






37. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






38. Perceptive/sharp






39. A gradual increase or the peak of a gradual increase. Ex - complaints about stifling smog conditions reached a ...






40. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






41. Set fire/excite






42. To act confusedly or without a purpose - waver - falter - hesitate - vacillate






43. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






44. Courageous; brave; valiant; valorous - audacious - intrepid






45. Dormant - unused - unseeded - idle






46. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






47. Mark of disgrace






48. Not harmful or injurious; harmless






49. Respected because of age






50. Excess