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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. Appease/mollify/to soothe or pacify






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






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






4. Dormant - unused - unseeded - idle






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






6. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






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






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






9. An investigation or inquiry






10. To polish






11. Impossible to penetrate - impregnable






12. Cooperation - mutual helpfulness - interdependence






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






14. Social outcast






15. Self contradictory






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






17. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






18. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






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






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






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






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






23. Theft of property






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






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






26. Express grieve - deplore - bewail






27. Turmoil/disorder






28. Truthfulness






29. Peripheral - irrelevant - digressive - extraneous diverting - inconsequential






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






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






32. Expressing yourself easily or characterized by clear expressive language






33. Submission to another's will; respect; courtesy






34. Consistent/uniform in composition/ opposite of heterogeneous






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






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






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






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






39. A trace of something that once was present






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






41. Excess






42. Undecorated - stern in appearance - bleak - grim






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






44. Flamboyant/verve/dash






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






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






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






48. Eject/discard like in excess fuel






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






50. Mournful speech - funeral hymn - elegy