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






2. Growing in number quickly/spawn






3. Fearless - adventurous - audacious - plucky - gallant






4. Absolute - certain - explicit - categorical






5. Theft of property






6. Perceptive/sharp






7. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






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






9. Capricious; randomly chosen; tyrannical






10. High secluded place - a nest built high in the air; an elevated - often secluded - dwelling






11. Rebellion - mutiny






12. Influence or domination over






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






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






15. Appease/mollify/to soothe or pacify






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






17. Sociable; fond of the company of others






18. A ghost of a living person seen just before his or her death - apparition - bogeyman - phantasm






19. Earthbound - commonplace - down-to-earth - tellurian - quotidian






20. Turmoil/disorder






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






22. Brilliant/glowing






23. A trace of something that once was present






24. Point of culmination/ pinnacle/ acme






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






26. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






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






28. Dirge - lament - a sorrowful speech or poem






29. Speak - plead - or argue in favour of






30. Truthfulness






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






32. To choose not to do something






33. Pretentious/grandiloquent/pompous






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






35. Set fire/excite






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






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






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






39. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






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






41. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






42. Undecorated - stern in appearance - bleak - grim






43. Self contradictory






44. Old/antique/bygone/stale






45. Ungrateful person - cad - churl






46. Mark of disgrace






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






48. Sluggish/listless/apathetic






49. Dormant - unused - unseeded - idle






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