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. A woman making a debut in high society/lady






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






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






4. Impossible to see through - preventing the passage of light - obscure






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






6. An investigation or inquiry






7. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






8. Absolute - certain - explicit - categorical






9. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






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






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






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






13. Adamant - stubborn -unruly - obstinate - intransigent






14. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






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






16. Growing in number quickly/spawn






17. Temporary; lasting a brief time






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






19. Using or showing good judgment - wise - sensible






20. Pertaining to beauty






21. Mark of disgrace






22. Bucolic - rural






23. Impossible to penetrate - impregnable






24. Brilliant/glowing






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






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






27. Effective writing or speaking






28. Clever - deceptive






29. Funeral bell/ omen of death






30. To judge a dispute - adjudge - adjudicate - intervene - referee - rule






31. Caution/thrift/widom






32. Intricate and complicated - byzantine - labyrinthine - tangled






33. Humble oneself in a demeaning way - cringe - fawn - toady - kowtow - bootlick






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






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






36. To attack or assault - beset






37. Stubborn; hardheaded; uncompromising - adamant - intransigent - intractable






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






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






40. Perceptive/sharp






41. An amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge






42. Clear and easily understood - limpid - intelligible






43. Dirge - lament - a sorrowful speech or poem






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






45. High secluded place - a nest built high in the air; an elevated - often secluded - dwelling






46. Wandering and unpredictable






47. Meal or mealtime - feast - banquet






48. Self contradictory






49. Set fire/excite






50. Sway/dither/flutter/fluctuate