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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. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






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






3. Fearless - adventurous - audacious - plucky - gallant






4. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






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






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






7. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous






8. Mournful speech - funeral hymn - elegy






9. Equivalent to - alike - parallel






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






11. Having bad connotation - disparaging - belittling - insulting






12. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






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






14. Commute/replace/superceded






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






16. Express grieve - deplore - bewail






17. A trace of something that once was present






18. Set fire/excite






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






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






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






22. Theft of property






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






24. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






25. Consistent/uniform in composition/ opposite of heterogeneous






26. 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 ...






27. To choose not to do something






28. Abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will.. opposite of euphemism possibly






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






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






31. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






32. Stubborn; hardheaded; uncompromising - adamant - intransigent - intractable






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






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






35. Assuage - relieve - to make more bearable - placate






36. Turmoil/disorder






37. Altruism/ charity






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






39. Perceptive/sharp






40. Pretentious/grandiloquent/pompous






41. Frolicsome/ playful






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






43. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






44. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






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






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






47. Ductile/easily shaped/pliable/adaptable






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






49. Pertaining to beauty






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