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. Temporary suppression or suspension - remission - delay






2. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






3. Adamant - stubborn -unruly - obstinate - intransigent






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






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






6. Dormant - unused - unseeded - idle






7. An investigation or inquiry






8. Funeral bell/ omen of death






9. Fundamentally distinct or dissimilar






10. Eject/discard like in excess fuel






11. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






12. To expand like a woman in labor






13. Easily deceived - credulous - naiive - ingenguous






14. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






15. Commonplace - everyday occurrence - banal






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






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






18. Effective writing or speaking






19. Impossible to penetrate - impregnable






20. Coming into being; in early developmental stages






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






22. Deep hole






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






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






25. To please someone so as to gain an advantage. Ex - ... themselves with the leaders.






26. Sway/dither/flutter/fluctuate






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






28. Coalesce - fuse






29. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






30. Flamboyant/verve/dash






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






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






33. To choose not to do something






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






35. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






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






37. Wandering and unpredictable






38. Recklessly wasteful; extravagant; profuse; lavish






39. Imbue - permeate - penetrate - suffuse






40. To polish






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






42. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






43. Excess






44. Temporary; lasting a brief time






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






46. Bucolic - rural






47. Influence or domination over






48. Dirge - lament - a sorrowful speech or poem






49. Intricate and complicated - byzantine - labyrinthine - tangled






50. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy