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. Assuage - relieve - to make more bearable - placate






2. To expand like a woman in labor






3. Respected because of age






4. Something bringing change to something else indirectly - impetus - goad - stimulant






5. Deep hole






6. To choose not to do something






7. Suggest - propose an explanation






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






9. Well-spoken; expressive; articulate - meticulous






10. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous






11. Self-evident truth - adage - maxim - apothegm






12. No variation; tediously the same in sound






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






14. Growth process from conception to birth - pregnancy - gravidity






15. To perceive or recognize






16. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






17. Sway/dither/flutter/fluctuate






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






19. Excess






20. Hackneyed - trite - commonplace - quotidian






21. Temporary suppression or suspension - remission - delay






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






23. Not harmful or injurious; harmless






24. Caution/thrift/widom






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






26. Influence or domination over






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






28. To attack or assault - beset






29. Perceptive/sharp






30. Sociable; fond of the company of others






31. Mark of disgrace






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






33. Social outcast






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






35. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






36. Having bad connotation - disparaging - belittling - insulting






37. Brilliant/glowing






38. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






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






40. A ghost of a living person seen just before his or her death - apparition - bogeyman - phantasm






41. Funeral bell/ omen of death






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






43. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






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






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






46. Differing in kind; dissimilar; varied






47. Tolerant - broad-minded






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






49. Philistine/bourgeois/superficial/materialistic






50. Imbue - permeate - penetrate - suffuse