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. An investigation or inquiry






2. Express grieve - deplore - bewail






3. Controversy - argument - verbal attack - refutation






4. Self contradictory






5. A trace of something that once was present






6. Clearly and directly stated - opposite of implicit






7. Fearless - adventurous - audacious - plucky - gallant






8. Using an inoffensive word instead of an offensive one






9. Unclear or doubtful in meaning






10. Commonplace - everyday occurrence - banal






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






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






13. Old/antique/bygone/stale






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






15. Coming into being; in early developmental stages






16. Easily aroused






17. Mark of disgrace






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






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






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






21. Stubborn; hardheaded; uncompromising - adamant - intransigent - intractable






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






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






24. Assuage - relieve - to make more bearable - placate






25. Absolute - certain - explicit - categorical






26. Excess






27. Purposeful exaggeration for effect - embellishment - inflation






28. Mournful speech - funeral hymn - elegy






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






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






31. Airtight; secret; obscure; magical; mysterious






32. Suggest - propose an explanation






33. Rude and bad-tempered - grumpy






34. Well-spoken; expressive; articulate - meticulous






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






36. Extreme devotion/frenzied/zealous






37. Dictatorial in one's opinion - imperious






38. To choose not to do something






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






40. Book - usually large and academic






41. Flamboyant/verve/dash






42. Differing in kind; dissimilar; varied






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






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






45. Coalesce - fuse






46. Dormant - unused - unseeded - idle






47. Pretentious/grandiloquent/pompous






48. Nonsensical talk - specialized language - argot - cant - slang






49. Determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason






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