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. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






2. To expand like a woman in labor






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






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






5. Temporary suppression or suspension - remission - delay






6. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






7. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






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






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






10. Differing in kind; dissimilar; varied






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






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






13. Purposeful exaggeration for effect - embellishment - inflation






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






15. Fearless - adventurous - audacious - plucky - gallant






16. Not controlled by conscience; unscrupulous






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






18. Caution/thrift/widom






19. Easily aroused






20. Unsettled - swaying - fluctuate - vacillate - wandering from one place to another - waver






21. To inspire; to permeate; to fill with a mood or tone - to pervade






22. Uncompromising - refusing to reconcile - obstinate - stubborn - intractable






23. Undecorated - stern in appearance - bleak - grim






24. High secluded place - a nest built high in the air; an elevated - often secluded - dwelling






25. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






26. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






27. Make impure/debase






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






29. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous






30. Perceptive/sharp






31. Expressing yourself easily or characterized by clear expressive language






32. Wandering and unpredictable






33. Influence or domination over






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






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






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






37. Respected because of age






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






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






40. Sluggish/listless/apathetic






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






42. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






43. Well-spoken; expressive; articulate - meticulous






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






45. Suggest - propose an explanation






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






47. Express grieve - deplore - bewail






48. Flamboyant/verve/dash






49. Eject/discard like in excess fuel






50. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious