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






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






3. A puzzle - a mystery - conundrum - perplexity






4. Sway/dither/flutter/fluctuate






5. Mark of disgrace






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






7. A trace of something that once was present






8. Impossible to penetrate - impregnable






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






10. Eject/discard like in excess fuel






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






12. Lacking energy or enthusiasm - lethargic - indolent - languid - like ready in spanish






13. Respected because of age






14. Expressing yourself easily or characterized by clear expressive language






15. (of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious






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






17. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






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






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






20. Brilliant/glowing






21. Recklessly wasteful; extravagant; profuse; lavish






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






23. Growing in number quickly/spawn






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






25. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






26. Point of culmination/ pinnacle/ acme






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






28. Excess






29. Tolerant - broad-minded






30. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






31. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






32. Easily aroused






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






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






35. Express grieve - deplore - bewail






36. Philistine/bourgeois/superficial/materialistic






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






38. To attack or assault - beset






39. Book - usually large and academic






40. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






41. Perceptive/sharp






42. Theft of property






43. To perceive or recognize






44. Relaxation - tranquility






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






46. Not harmful or injurious; harmless






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






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






49. Commonplace - everyday occurrence - banal






50. Pretentious/grandiloquent/pompous