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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 trace of something that once was present






2. Finely sensitive to feelings or in perception. Ex - ... of the danger posed by the approaching hurricane






3. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






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






5. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






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






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






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






9. Social outcast






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






11. Mark of disgrace






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






13. Deceptive scheme; clever trick






14. Effective writing or speaking






15. Coming into being; in early developmental stages






16. Coalesce - fuse






17. Sway/dither/flutter/fluctuate






18. Elaborated to excess: overdone - extremely excited: agitated - hectic - frenzied - heated Ex - She became ... when she heard that her child was missing






19. Imbue - permeate - penetrate - suffuse






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






21. Equivalent to - alike - parallel






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






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






24. Appease/mollify/to soothe or pacify






25. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






26. Brilliant/glowing






27. Funeral bell/ omen of death






28. To penetrate through spaces; to spread throughout - imbue - pervade






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






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






31. To perceive or recognize






32. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






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






34. Eject/discard like in excess fuel






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






36. Excess






37. Self contradictory






38. Recklessly wasteful; extravagant; profuse; lavish






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






40. Rebellion - mutiny






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






42. An investigation or inquiry






43. Theft of property






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






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






46. Truthfulness






47. Flamboyant/verve/dash






48. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






49. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






50. (of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious