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






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






3. A puzzle - a mystery - conundrum - perplexity






4. Make impure/debase






5. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






6. Sway/dither/flutter/fluctuate






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






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






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






10. Clever - deceptive






11. Purposeful exaggeration for effect - embellishment - inflation






12. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






13. Imbue - permeate - penetrate - suffuse






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






15. A trace of something that once was present






16. To perceive or recognize






17. Determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason






18. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






19. Meal or mealtime - feast - banquet






20. Fundamentally distinct or dissimilar






21. Social outcast






22. Wandering and unpredictable






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






24. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






25. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






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






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






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






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






30. Tolerant - broad-minded






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






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






33. An investigation or inquiry






34. Point of culmination/ pinnacle/ acme






35. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






36. (of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious






37. Hackneyed - trite - commonplace - quotidian






38. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous






39. Deceptive scheme; clever trick






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






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






42. Sluggish/listless/apathetic






43. Ductile/easily shaped/pliable/adaptable






44. Respected because of age






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






46. Well-spoken; expressive; articulate - meticulous






47. Coalesce - fuse






48. Deep hole






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






50. Not apparent/dormant/quiescent/inert like hidden energy