Chapter 1: Core Vocabulary I

Question 0

Anomaly

Answer 0

Deviation from the norm or what is expected

Question 1

Ambivalent

Answer 1

Having mixed or opposing ideas at the same time

Question 2

Sarcastic, Sardonic, Snide

Answer 2

Mocking; derisive; taunting; stinging

Question 3

Dearth, Paucity

Answer 3

A scarcity or shortage of something

Question 4

Prattle

Answer 4

To speak in a foolish manner; to babble incessantly

Question 5

Wry, Droll

Answer 5

Dry; humorous with a clever twist and a touch of irony

Question 6

Unconventional, Unorthodox

Answer 6

Not ordinary or typical; characterized by avoiding customary conventions and behaviors

Question 7

Meticulous, Painstaking, Fastidious

Answer 7

Extremely careful; very EXACTING

Question 8

Audacious

Answer 8

Fearlessly, often recklessly daring; very bold

Question 9

Indifferent, Apathetic

Answer 9

Marked by a lack of interest or concern; NONCHALANT

Question 10

Diffident, Self-effacing

Answer 10

Hesitant due to a lack of self-confidence; unassertive; shy; retiring

Question 11

Pragmatic

Answer 11

Practical; sensible; NOT idealistic or romantic

Question 12

Evocation

Answer 12

An imaginative re-creation of something; a calling forth

Question 13

Presumptuous

Answer 13

Taking liberties; brashly overstepping one’s place; impertinently bold; displaying EFFRONTERY

Question 14

Recalcitrant

Answer 14

Stubbornly resistance and defiant; OBSTINATE; OBDURATE; REFRACTORY; disobedient

Question 15

Boon

Answer 15

A timely benefit; blessing

Question 16

Bane

Answer 16

A source of harm and ruin

Question 17

Clandestine, Surreptitious

Answer 17

Secret; covert; not open; NOT ABOVEBOARD

Question 18

Affable, Amiable, Genial, Gregarious

Answer 18

Agreeable; marked by a pleasing personality; warm and friendly

Question 19

Austere

Answer 19

Having no adornment or ornamentation; bare; not ORNATE

Question 20

Austerity

Answer 20

Great self-denial, economy, discipline; lack or adornment

Question 21

Altrusim

Answer 21

Unselfish concern for the welfare of others

Question 22

Ambiguity

Answer 22

The quality or state of having more than one possible meaning; doubtful; EQUIVOCAL

Question 23

Upbraid, Reproach, Castigate

Answer 23

To express disaproval; to scold; to rebuke; to CENSURE

Question 24

**Nostalgia**

Answer 24

A WISTFUL, sentimental longing for a place of time in the past

Question 25

**Conjecture**

Answer 25

An inference based upon guesswork; a SUPPOSITION

Question 26

**Obsolete, Archaic, Antiquated**

Answer 26

No longer in used outmoded in design or style

Question 27

**Auspicious, Propitious**

Answer 27

Very favorable

Question 28

**Gaffe**

Answer 28

A blunder; a faux pas; a clumsy social or diplomatic error

Question 29

**Impasse**

Answer 29

A deadlock; stalemate; failure to reach an agreement

Question 30

**Anachronism**

Answer 30

The false assignment of an event, person, scene, or language to a time when the event, person, scene, or word did not exist

Question 31

**Belie**

Answer 31

To contradict; to prove false, used of appearances that are misrepresentative

Question 32

**Mitigate, Mollify, Assuage, Alleviate**

Answer 32

To relieve; to lessen; to ease

Question 33

Covet

Answer 33

To strongly desire; to crave

Question 34

**Covetous**

Answer 34

Grasping, greedy, eager to obtain something; AVARICIOUS

Question 35

**Antithesis**

Answer 35

The direct of exact opposite; extreme contrast; ANTIPODE

Question 36

**Anthithetical**

Answer 36

Exactly opposite; ANTIPODAL

Question 37

**Prototype**

Answer 37

An original model; an initial design

Question 38

**Aloof**

Answer 38

Detached; distance physically or emotionally; reserved; standing near but apart

Question 39

**Trite, Hackneyed, Banal, Platitudinous, Insipid**

Answer 39

Unoriginal; commonplace; overused; CLICHED

Question 40

**Antecedent**

Answer 40

A preceding event; a FORERUNNER; a PRECURSOR

Question 41

**Plausible**

Answer 41

Believable; credible

Question 42

**Implausbile**

Answer 42

Unbelievable; incredible

Question 43

**Prudent**

Answer 43

Careful; cautious; sensible

Question 44

**Aesthetic**

Answer 44

Relating to the nature of beauty, art, and taste; having a sense of what is beautiful, attractive, or pleasing

Question 45

**Paradox**

Answer 45

A seemingly contradictory statement that nonetheless expresses the truth

Question 46

**Enigmatic, Inscrutable**

Answer 46

Mysterious; puzzling; unfathomable; baffling

Question 47

**Acquiesce**

Answer 47

To comply; to agree; to give in

Question 48

**Naive, Gullible**

Answer 48

Unaffectedly simple; lacking worldly expertise; overly CREDULOUS; unsophisticated; immature; inexperienced; INGENUOUS

Question 49

**Autonomy**

Answer 49

Independence; self-governance

Question 50

**Autonomous**

Answer 50

Acting independently, or having the freedom to do so; not controlled by others; self-governing

Question 51

**Futile**

Answer 51

Completely useless; doomed to failure; in vain

Question 52

**Indigenous, Endemic**

Answer 52

Native to an area

Question 53

**Ubiquitous, Prevalent**

Answer 53

Characterized by being everywhere; omnipresent; widespread; PERVASIVE

Question 54

**Pandemic**

Answer 54

An epidemic that is geographically widespread and affects a large proportion of the population

Question 55

**Fortitude**

Answer 55

Strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage