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 calm down or moderate - to temperate - quench - satisfy






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






3. Commute/replace/superceded






4. Respected because of age






5. Bucolic - rural






6. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






7. Mournful speech - funeral hymn - elegy






8. Wandering and unpredictable






9. Perceptive/sharp






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






11. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






12. Capricious; randomly chosen; tyrannical






13. Flamboyant/verve/dash






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






15. Fearless - adventurous - audacious - plucky - gallant






16. Theft of property






17. A firmly held opinion - especially a religious belief






18. Speech in praise of someone - laud - extol - commend






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






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






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






22. Meal or mealtime - feast - banquet






23. To taint or tarnish - besmirch - defile






24. Tending to be thrifty or cheap - prudence - sparing - parsimony






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






26. To choose not to do something






27. Deceptive scheme; clever trick






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






29. Clear and easily understood - limpid - intelligible






30. Undecorated - stern in appearance - bleak - grim






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






32. Influence or domination over






33. To overwhelm - to cover with water - to deluge - submerge..etc






34. Funeral bell/ omen of death






35. Altruism/ charity






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






37. Fundamentally distinct or dissimilar






38. Coalesce - fuse






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






40. Using or showing good judgment - wise - sensible






41. Deep hole






42. Fresh and clean; uncorrupted ex - A ... beach






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






44. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






45. Effective writing or speaking






46. Well-spoken; expressive; articulate - meticulous






47. Turmoil/disorder






48. Suggest - propose an explanation






49. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






50. Dirge - lament - a sorrowful speech or poem