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. Ductile/easily shaped/pliable/adaptable






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






3. Social outcast






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






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






6. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






7. To perceive or recognize






8. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






9. Growing in number quickly/spawn






10. To choose not to do something






11. Influence or domination over






12. Differing in kind; dissimilar; varied






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






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






15. Not controlled by conscience; unscrupulous






16. A woman making a debut in high society/lady






17. Fearless - adventurous - audacious - plucky - gallant






18. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






19. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






20. Adamant - stubborn -unruly - obstinate - intransigent






21. Speak - plead - or argue in favour of






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






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






24. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






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






26. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






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






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






29. Self contradictory






30. Book - usually large and academic






31. Tolerant - broad-minded






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






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






34. Clearly and directly stated - opposite of implicit






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






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






37. Expressing yourself easily or characterized by clear expressive language






38. Deceptive scheme; clever trick






39. Truthfulness






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






41. Deep hole






42. A puzzle - a mystery - conundrum - perplexity






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






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






45. Equivalent to - alike - parallel






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






47. Hackneyed - trite - commonplace - quotidian






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






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






50. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous