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. Respected because of age






2. Purposeful exaggeration for effect - embellishment - inflation






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






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






5. To expand like a woman in labor






6. A trace of something that once was present






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






8. Turmoil/disorder






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






10. Suggest - propose an explanation






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






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






13. Not apparent/dormant/quiescent/inert like hidden energy






14. Capricious; randomly chosen; tyrannical






15. To disavow/reject validity of/deny/disown






16. Lacking energy or enthusiasm - lethargic - indolent - languid - like ready in spanish






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






18. Fundamentally distinct or dissimilar






19. Undecorated - stern in appearance - bleak - grim






20. Consistent/uniform in composition/ opposite of heterogeneous






21. Finely sensitive to feelings or in perception. Ex - ... of the danger posed by the approaching hurricane






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






23. Easily aroused






24. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






25. An investigation or inquiry






26. Absolute - certain - explicit - categorical






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






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






29. Mournful speech - funeral hymn - elegy






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






31. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






32. To add ornamental or fictitious details - adorn - bedeck - elaborate






33. To judge a dispute - adjudge - adjudicate - intervene - referee - rule






34. Sluggish/listless/apathetic






35. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






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






37. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






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






39. Sway/dither/flutter/fluctuate






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






41. Coming into being; in early developmental stages






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






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






44. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






45. Set fire/excite






46. Passion - excitement - fervor - ardency






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






48. No variation; tediously the same in sound






49. Wandering and unpredictable






50. Intricate and complicated - byzantine - labyrinthine - tangled