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






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






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






4. Commute/replace/superceded






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






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






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






8. Expressing yourself easily or characterized by clear expressive language






9. Hackneyed - trite - commonplace - quotidian






10. Express grieve - deplore - bewail






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






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






13. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






14. Mark of disgrace






15. Coming into being; in early developmental stages






16. Not controlled by conscience; unscrupulous






17. Humble oneself in a demeaning way - cringe - fawn - toady - kowtow - bootlick






18. Consistent/uniform in composition/ opposite of heterogeneous






19. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






20. 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 ...






21. Suggest - propose an explanation






22. Sociable; fond of the company of others






23. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






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






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






26. Fresh and clean; uncorrupted ex - A ... beach






27. Excess






28. Clever - deceptive






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






30. To attack or assault - beset






31. Perceptive/sharp






32. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






33. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






34. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






35. To disavow/reject validity of/deny/disown






36. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






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






38. Deceptive scheme; clever trick






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






40. Using or showing good judgment - wise - sensible






41. Caution/thrift/widom






42. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






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






44. Equivalent to - alike - parallel






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






46. Set fire/excite






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






48. To polish






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






50. No variation; tediously the same in sound