Building Your Vocabulary

Question 1

Accoutrement

Answer 1

Noun - additional clothing or equipment/accessories

Question 2

Affectation

Answer 2

Noun - a display of behaviour or attitude that is artificial or pretentious but meant to impress others

Question 3

Allegory

Answer 3

Noun - The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures or events in narrative, dramatic or pictorial form

Question 4

Altruism

Answer 4

Noun - A selfless commitment to the service of others

Question 5

Aphorism

Answer 5

Noun - A brief statement containing a general truth or opinion; an adage

Question 6

Apocryphal

Answer 6

Adjective - Of doubtful authority or authenticity but widely made out to be the truth

Question 7

Arcane

Answer 7

Adjective - Understood by a select few who have the knowledge or interest; mysterious; concealed

Question 8

Bellwether

Answer 8

Noun - Someone who leads the flock; a person or entity at the forefront of a trend, profession, industry or any other endeavour; trendsetter

Question 9

Bifurcate

Answer 9

Verb - To divide into two seperate branches; forked

Question 10

Caveat

Answer 10

Noun - A warning or word of caution; specific limits

Question 11

Chicanery

Answer 11

Noun- The use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)

Question 12

Circumlocution

Answer 12

Noun - An indirect way of conveying one’s thoughts and ideas; excessive use of words to express a simple meaning

Question 13

Circumvent

Answer 13

Verb - to evade or avoid using strategic or deceptive means; to bypass or go around; to entrap

Question 14

Conundrum

Answer 14

Noun - A serious problem with some degree of difficulty; a puzzle, riddle or question asked for the sake of amusement

Question 15

Conviviality

Answer 15

Noun - A quality marked by good cheer, liveliness and friendliness

Question 16

Cupidity

Answer 16

Noun - Overwhelming desire (to the point of greed); excessive urge to possess or covetousness

Question 17

Cynosure

Answer 17

Noun - The centre of attention because of it’s beauty; a guid

Question 18

Demagogue

Answer 18

Noun - A leader who tries to stir up people by appealing to their emotions and prejudices for the purpose of gaining power

Question 19

Discombobulated

Answer 19

Verb - to upset, disconcert; to provoke feelings of confusion or frustration

Question 20

Ebullient

Answer 20

Adjective- energetic, enthusiastic or in high spirits; in a boiling state

Question 21

Eclectic

Answer 21

Adjective- adopting, made up of or combining elements from various sources; acceptance of or adherence to more than one system of thought, belief, culture or practice