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. Impossible to see through - preventing the passage of light - obscure






3. No variation; tediously the same in sound






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






5. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






6. Recklessly wasteful; extravagant; profuse; lavish






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






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






9. Sociable; fond of the company of others






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






11. Having bad connotation - disparaging - belittling - insulting






12. Clearly and directly stated - opposite of implicit






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






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






15. Coming into being; in early developmental stages






16. Influence or domination over






17. Inertia/standstill/ stagnation






18. Imbue - permeate - penetrate - suffuse






19. Impossible to penetrate - impregnable






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






21. Perceptive/sharp






22. Absolute - certain - explicit - categorical






23. Dormant - unused - unseeded - idle






24. A puzzle - a mystery - conundrum - perplexity






25. Coalesce - fuse






26. Tolerant - broad-minded






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






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






29. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






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






31. To choose not to do something






32. Philistine/bourgeois/superficial/materialistic






33. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






34. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






35. Meal or mealtime - feast - banquet






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






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






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






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






40. The trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally






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






42. Temporary suppression or suspension - remission - delay






43. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous






44. To polish






45. An investigation or inquiry






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






47. Pretentious/grandiloquent/pompous






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






49. Excess






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