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. Coming into being; in early developmental stages






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






3. A song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person






4. Assuage - relieve - to make more bearable - placate






5. Mournful speech - funeral hymn - elegy






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






7. Ductile/easily shaped/pliable/adaptable






8. Mark of disgrace






9. Excess






10. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






11. Temporary suppression or suspension - remission - delay






12. Speak - plead - or argue in favour of






13. Rebellion - mutiny






14. Not apparent/dormant/quiescent/inert like hidden energy






15. Adamant - stubborn -unruly - obstinate - intransigent






16. A subtle expression of meaning or quality - gradation - tone






17. Altruism/ charity






18. Something bringing change to something else indirectly - impetus - goad - stimulant






19. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






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






21. Nonsensical talk - specialized language - argot - cant - slang






22. To calm down or moderate - to temperate - quench - satisfy






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






24. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






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






26. Purposeful exaggeration for effect - embellishment - inflation






27. Tending to be thrifty or cheap - prudence - sparing - parsimony






28. Commonplace - everyday occurrence - banal






29. Caution/thrift/widom






30. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






31. Pretentious/grandiloquent/pompous






32. Clearly and directly stated - opposite of implicit






33. Deep hole






34. Relaxation - tranquility






35. Fluctuate between choices - to dither - vacillate - oscillate






36. Bourgeois/ vulgarian/ boor/ materialistic not appreciating artistic or intellectual value






37. Unsettled - swaying - fluctuate - vacillate - wandering from one place to another - waver






38. An orator who appeals to the passions and prejudices of his audience - false leader






39. An expert in matters of culture - food - or wine






40. To attack or assault - beset






41. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






42. Know or understood by only a few - abstruse - arcane






43. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






44. Effective writing or speaking






45. Easily aroused






46. Fearless - intrepid - venturesome - valiant - valorous - game - gallant - plucky






47. Speech in praise of someone - laud - extol - commend






48. Bucolic - rural






49. Impossible to penetrate - impregnable






50. Well-spoken; expressive; articulate - meticulous