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. Expressing yourself easily or characterized by clear expressive language






2. Pretentious/grandiloquent/pompous






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






4. Clearly and directly stated - opposite of implicit






5. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






6. Wandering and unpredictable






7. Theft of property






8. A puzzle - a mystery - conundrum - perplexity






9. Self contradictory






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






11. Old/antique/bygone/stale






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






13. Hackneyed - trite - commonplace - quotidian






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






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






16. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






17. Recklessly wasteful; extravagant; profuse; lavish






18. Deep hole






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






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






21. Book - usually large and academic






22. Clever - deceptive






23. Mark of disgrace






24. Purposeful exaggeration for effect - embellishment - inflation






25. Brilliant/glowing






26. A compact or close knit body of people or animals or things - legion






27. Effective writing or speaking






28. No variation; tediously the same in sound






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






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






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






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






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






34. Excess






35. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






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






37. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






38. Nonsensical talk - specialized language - argot - cant - slang






39. Caution/thrift/widom






40. 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 ...






41. Impossible to penetrate - impregnable






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






43. Fearless - adventurous - audacious - plucky - gallant






44. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






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






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






47. Intricate and complicated - byzantine - labyrinthine - tangled






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






49. Frolicsome/ playful






50. Easily aroused