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. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






2. Equivalent to - alike - parallel






3. To overwhelm - to cover with water - to deluge - submerge..etc






4. Blocked path - dilemma with no solution - cul-de-sac - deadlock - stalemate






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






6. Dirge - lament - a sorrowful speech or poem






7. Extremely generous or extravagant - exuberant - opulent - prodigal - profuse - bombastic






8. Temporary; lasting a brief time






9. Growth process from conception to birth - pregnancy - gravidity






10. Submission to another's will; respect; courtesy






11. Suggest - propose an explanation






12. Lacking energy or enthusiasm - lethargic - indolent - languid - like ready in spanish






13. No variation; tediously the same in sound






14. Deep hole






15. Deceptive scheme; clever trick






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






17. To polish






18. Differing in kind; dissimilar; varied






19. Not controlled by conscience; unscrupulous






20. Beliefs or character of a group - ethics - philosophy






21. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






22. Old/antique/bygone/stale






23. Book - usually large and academic






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






25. Set fire/excite






26. Determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason






27. Funeral bell/ omen of death






28. Fearless - adventurous - audacious - plucky - gallant






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






30. Influence or domination over






31. To anger - to provoke - incite - vex - or pester






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






33. Growing in number quickly/spawn






34. Philistine/bourgeois/superficial/materialistic






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






36. Intricate and complicated - byzantine - labyrinthine - tangled






37. Excess






38. A puzzle - a mystery - conundrum - perplexity






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






40. Clearly and directly stated - opposite of implicit






41. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






42. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






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






44. Purposeful exaggeration for effect - embellishment - inflation






45. Ductile/easily shaped/pliable/adaptable






46. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






47. The trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally






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






49. Appease/mollify/to soothe or pacify






50. Imbue - permeate - penetrate - suffuse