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 taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






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






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






4. Intricate and complicated - byzantine - labyrinthine - tangled






5. Assuage - relieve - to make more bearable - placate






6. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous






7. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






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






9. Deep hole






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






11. To choose not to do something






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






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






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






15. Commonplace - everyday occurrence - banal






16. Wordy/not succinct/ineloquent






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






18. Influence or domination over






19. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






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






21. An expert in matters of culture - food - or wine






22. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






23. To perceive or recognize






24. Truthfulness






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






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






27. Using or showing good judgment - wise - sensible






28. Adamant - stubborn -unruly - obstinate - intransigent






29. Frolicsome/ playful






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






31. To expand like a woman in labor






32. To attack or assault - beset






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






34. Old/antique/bygone/stale






35. An investigation or inquiry






36. Flamboyant/verve/dash






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






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






39. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






40. Bourgeois/ vulgarian/ boor/ materialistic not appreciating artistic or intellectual value






41. Appease/mollify/to soothe or pacify






42. Tolerant - broad-minded






43. Turmoil/disorder






44. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






45. Easily aroused






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






47. To polish






48. Rebellion - mutiny






49. An orator who appeals to the passions and prejudices of his audience - false leader






50. A song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person