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Question 1

devious (2)

Answer 1

1) using skillful use of sneaky tactics to achieve one’s goals
eg. he’s a devious politician
2) longer and less direct route/journey
eg. arrived by taking a devious route

Question 2

underhanded

Answer 2

acting, done in a dishonest way
eg. underhanded tactics to snatch clients from competitors

Question 3

diffidence

Answer 3

modesty/shyness from lack of self-confidence
eg. I have diffidence in group discussions

Question 4

miserliness

Answer 4

excessive desire to save money, extreme meanness
eg. none of my friends are miserly
eg. damaged the reputation of the firm by being miserliness

Question 5

mischievous

Answer 5

intended to cause harm, trouble in a playful way
eg. Kenta was a mischievous child

Question 6

meager

Answer 6

lacking in quantity or quality, thin
eg. meager diet of beans and bread

Question 7

harmonously

Answer 7

figuratively, in a way that forms or is consistent with the whole
eg. harmoniously blends with the natural surroundings

Question 8

vestigial

Answer 8

forming a very small remnant of something that was once much larger, noticeable
eg. vestigial flicker of anger from last night

Question 9

plastic (2)

Answer 9

1) easily shaped or molded physically. figuratively means exhibiting adaptability, offering scope for creativity
eg. writer is drawn to words as a plastic medium
2) insincere, shallow, lacking authenticiy
eg. she gave him a plastic smile

Question 10

nascent

Answer 10

just coming into existence and beginning to display some potential
eg. nascent analyst at the firm

Question 11

malleable

Answer 11

physically and figuratively, easy to shape, influence
eg. shaken enough to be malleable

Question 12

pliable (2)

Answer 12

1) easily bent, malleable
eg. pliable metal
2) easily influenced
eg. pliable teenage minds

Question 13

contend (2)

Answer 13

1) struggle to overcome a struggle/danger/difficulty
eg. he had to content with her attitude
2) assert something as a position in an argument
eg. he contends that the judge was wrong

Question 14

supine

Answer 14

failing to act, protest as a result of moral weakness
eg. they remained supine in the face of seeing abuse in front of them

Question 15

indolence

Answer 15

avoiding of activity, being lazy
eg. my social life failure is partly due to my indolence

Question 16

flaccid (2)

Answer 16

1) physically soft and hanging loose
eg. flaccid dick
2) lacking force or effectiveness
eg. flaccid leadership on this team

Question 17

meekly

Answer 17

in a quiet, gently and submissive manner
eg. smiled and nodded meekly to keep peace

Question 18

preposterous

Answer 18

contrary to reason, just absurd and ridiculous
eg. a preposterous suggestion by LP

Question 19

baleful

Answer 19

threatening harm, having a harmful/destructive effect
eg. drug money has had baleful impact in Colombia

Question 20

outlay

Answer 20

to spend money on something/the money itself being spent
eg. government outlay on infrastructure

Question 21

fib

Answer 21

a lie
eg. that a fib