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. Theft of property






2. Having bad connotation - disparaging - belittling - insulting






3. Self contradictory






4. No variation; tediously the same in sound






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






6. Make impure/debase






7. Abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will.. opposite of euphemism possibly






8. Hackneyed - trite - commonplace - quotidian






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






10. Clearly and directly stated - opposite of implicit






11. To expand like a woman in labor






12. Wordy/not succinct/ineloquent






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






14. An investigation or inquiry






15. Truthfulness






16. A trace of something that once was present






17. Perceptive/sharp






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






19. Sluggish/listless/apathetic






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






21. Imbue - permeate - penetrate - suffuse






22. Fundamentally distinct or dissimilar






23. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






24. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






25. To injure or destroy the surface or appearance of; to damage the value - influence - or effect of; to face down - outshine






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






27. Frolicsome/ playful






28. To choose not to do something






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






30. Pertaining to beauty






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






32. Tolerant - broad-minded






33. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






34. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






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






36. Social outcast






37. Not controlled by conscience; unscrupulous






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






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






40. Extremely careful; particular about details - scrupulous - picky - finicky - similar to articulate






41. Earthbound - commonplace - down-to-earth - tellurian - quotidian






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






43. Deep hole






44. The highest point (of something) - zenith - pinnacle






45. Suffused with light: luminous - clear to the understanding: intelligible - sane. Ex - His ... history of this grim subject is scrupulously accurate - so far as I am able to judge ...






46. Appease/mollify/to soothe or pacify






47. Easily deceived - credulous - naiive - ingenguous






48. Long harsh speech or verbal attack - diatribe - fulmination - harangue - vilification - obloquy






49. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous






50. Ungrateful person - cad - churl