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. Sociable; fond of the company of others






2. Equivalent to - alike - parallel






3. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






4. Commonplace - everyday occurrence - banal






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






6. Not controlled by conscience; unscrupulous






7. Deceptive scheme; clever trick






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






9. Impossible to penetrate - impregnable






10. Wordy/not succinct/ineloquent






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






12. Fresh and clean; uncorrupted ex - A ... beach






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






14. Sluggish/listless/apathetic






15. Set fire/excite






16. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






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






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






19. Rebellion - mutiny






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






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






22. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






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






24. Growing in number quickly/spawn






25. Suggest - propose an explanation






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






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






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






29. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






30. Excess






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






32. Capricious; randomly chosen; tyrannical






33. Brilliant/glowing






34. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






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






36. Altruism/ charity






37. Mournful speech - funeral hymn - elegy






38. Ductile/easily shaped/pliable/adaptable






39. Theft of property






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






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






42. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






43. To add ornamental or fictitious details - adorn - bedeck - elaborate






44. To grow together and form a single whole - amalgamate - fuse - condense






45. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






46. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






47. Temporary; lasting a brief time






48. Innocent - simple - frank - sincere - naiive - credulous - gullible






49. Clear and easily understood - limpid - intelligible






50. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish