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. Point of culmination/ pinnacle/ acme






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






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






4. Bell tower - room where bell is hung - steeple - spire






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






6. Ungrateful person - cad - churl






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






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






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






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






11. Effective writing or speaking






12. Perceptive/sharp






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






14. Peripheral - irrelevant - digressive - extraneous diverting - inconsequential






15. Sluggish/listless/apathetic






16. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






17. Deceptive scheme; clever trick






18. To choose not to do something






19. Relaxation - tranquility






20. Temporary; lasting a brief time






21. Speak - plead - or argue in favour of






22. Excess






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






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






25. Commonplace - everyday occurrence - banal






26. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






27. Mournful speech - funeral hymn - elegy






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






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






30. Turmoil/disorder






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






32. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






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






34. Wandering and unpredictable






35. Suggest - propose an explanation






36. Using or showing good judgment - wise - sensible






37. Clearly and directly stated - opposite of implicit






38. A puzzle - a mystery - conundrum - perplexity






39. Easily deceived - credulous - naiive - ingenguous






40. Consistent/uniform in composition/ opposite of heterogeneous






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






42. Ductile/easily shaped/pliable/adaptable






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






44. Expressing yourself easily or characterized by clear expressive language






45. Book - usually large and academic






46. Undecorated - stern in appearance - bleak - grim






47. Rebellion - mutiny






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






49. To act confusedly or without a purpose - waver - falter - hesitate - vacillate






50. Respected because of age