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. Point of culmination/ pinnacle/ acme






2. To attack or assault - beset






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






4. (of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious






5. Pertaining to beauty






6. Ungrateful person - cad - churl






7. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






8. Effective writing or speaking






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






10. Dirge - lament - a sorrowful speech or poem






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






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






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






14. Sociable; fond of the company of others






15. Philistine/bourgeois/superficial/materialistic






16. Suggest - propose an explanation






17. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






18. To choose not to do something






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






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






21. Clear and easily understood - limpid - intelligible






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






23. To penetrate through spaces; to spread throughout - imbue - pervade






24. Easily deceived - credulous - naiive - ingenguous






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






26. Altruism/ charity






27. Truthfulness






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






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






30. Relaxation - tranquility






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






32. Growing in number quickly/spawn






33. Imbue - permeate - penetrate - suffuse






34. Perceptive/sharp






35. Pretentious/grandiloquent/pompous






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






37. Funeral bell/ omen of death






38. Fearless - adventurous - audacious - plucky - gallant






39. Theft of property






40. Brilliant/glowing






41. Bucolic - rural






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






43. Wordy/not succinct/ineloquent






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






45. Coalesce - fuse






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






47. Easily aroused






48. To perceive or recognize






49. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






50. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious