Dec3

Question 1

ambiguous
adv. ambiguously
n. ambiguity

Answer 1

adj. of unclear meaning; something that can be understood in more than one way
syn. vague

The men received an ambiguous message from their boss.
Her letter was full of ambiguities.

Question 2

Arbitrary
adv. arbitrarily
n. Arbitrariness

Answer 2

adj. an action or decision made with a little thought, order ,or reason
syn. haphazard

Her choice of closing seemed arbitrary.
The teacher arbitrarily decided to give the class a test.

Question 3

assert
adv. assertively
n. assertiveness
n. assertion
adj. assertive

Answer 3

v. to express, or defend oneself strongly; to state positively
syn. declare

The government asserted its control over the banking system.
The company president is an assertive individual.

Question 4

Astounding
v. Astound
adv. Astoundingly

Answer 4

adj. Very surprising
syn. Astonishing

Did scientists made an astounding discovery.
The fans were astounded by their teams success.

Question 5

astute
adj. astutely
n. astuteness

Answer 5

adj. very intelligent, smart, clever
syn. Perceptive

He was an astute worker, finishing in half the time it took the others to finish.
They astutely determined that there would be no chance to finish on time.

Question 6

concur
n. Concurrence

Answer 6

v. to have the same opinion or draw the same conclusion
syn. agree

The Director concurred with the conclusions of committee’s report.
Do you concur with the details of the business plan?

Question 7

deceptively
adj. deceptive
v. deceive
n. deception

Answer 7

adv. making something appear true or good when it is false or bad
syn. misleadingly

The magician deceptively made the rabbit disappear.
Richard deceived Joe about the cost of the coat.

Question 8

designate
n. Designation
n. Designator

Answer 8

v. to specify, name, or select to do a task; to indicate
syn. assign

The president designated the vice president to represent him at the meeting.
The designated driver drove everyone home after the party.

Question 9

determined
n. Determination
v. Determine

Answer 9

adj. strong in one’s opinion, firm in conviction, to find out
syn. resolute

They were determined to go to graduate school.
The judge determined that the man was lying.

Question 10

elicit
n. elicitation

Answer 10

v. to get the facts or draw out the truth
syn. extract

A lawyer will elicit all the facts necessary to prove her case.
Elicitation of the truth can be difficult at times.

Question 11

embody
n. Embodiment

Answer 11

v. to be a good example of a concept or idea
syn. exemplify

The constitution is an embodiment of American ideals.
Charlotte embodies all the qualities of a good leader.

Question 12

instigate
n. Instigator
adj. Instigative
adv. Instigatively

Answer 12

v. to cause a conflict or argument
syn. Initiate

No one knew who had instigated the demonstrations.
Dissatisfaction with government policies instigated the resolution.

Question 13

Mundane
adv. Mundanely
n. Mundaneness
n. Mundanity

Answer 13

adj. Common or routine
syn. Ordinary

This student’s mundane summer job frustrated her.
His mother asked him to do all the mundane household chores.

Question 14

petition
n. Petition

Answer 14

v. to make a request
syn. appeal

Canada petitioned the United Nations to consider its case.
The student’s petition was denied.

Question 15

relinquish
n. Relinquishment

Answer 15

v. To give up control
syn. Abdicate

The troubled executive relinquished her control of the company.
The relinquishment of his claim to the building will allow the building to be sold.

Question 16

resilient
adv. Resiliently
n. Resilience

Answer 16

adj. Strong enough to recover from difficulty or disease
syn. Tenacious

She has a resilient personality and will soon feel better.
The doctor was surprised by his patient’s resilience.

Question 17

stagnant
n. Stagnation
v. Stagnate

Answer 17

adj. Not moving or developing
syn. Still

The stagnant water was perfect home for frogs.
Some say that television causes the mind to stagnate.