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






2. Clearly and directly stated - opposite of implicit






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






4. Unsettled - swaying - fluctuate - vacillate - wandering from one place to another - waver






5. Clever - deceptive






6. Clear and easily understood - limpid - intelligible






7. No variation; tediously the same in sound






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






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






10. Sway/dither/flutter/fluctuate






11. Pertaining to beauty






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






13. Effective writing or speaking






14. Credulous/ easily deceived/ simple minded/ingenuous/gullible






15. Rebellion - mutiny






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






17. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous






18. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






19. To polish






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






21. Point of culmination/ pinnacle/ acme






22. Tolerant - broad-minded






23. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






24. Ornament against evil/talisman/fetish






25. Express grieve - deplore - bewail






26. Easily deceived - credulous - naiive - ingenguous






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






28. Temporary; lasting a brief time






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






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






31. Plastic/phony/pretentious






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






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






34. Ductile/easily shaped/pliable/adaptable






35. Set fire/excite






36. Altruism/ charity






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






38. Adamant - stubborn -unruly - obstinate - intransigent






39. Wordy/not succinct/ineloquent






40. Equivalent to - alike - parallel






41. Excess






42. Brilliant/glowing






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






44. To perceive or recognize






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






46. Flamboyant/verve/dash






47. Not harmful or injurious; harmless






48. To grow together and form a single whole - amalgamate - fuse - condense






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






50. Philistine/bourgeois/superficial/materialistic