Lesson 2: Speaking

Question 1

bombastic (bom-BAS-tic)

Answer 1

adj. using language in a pompous, showy way; speaking to impress others

Question 2

circumlocution (sir-kum-low-Q-shun)

Answer 2

n. speaking in circles; roundabout speech

Question 3

colloquial (kuh-LOW-kwee-ul)

Answer 3

adj. pertaining to common everyday speech; conversational

Question 4

diffuse (dih-FEWS)

Answer 4

adj. spread out; not concise; wordy

Question 5

digress (die-GRES)

Answer 5

vb. to wander off from the subject or topic spoken about

Question 6

eloquence (EH-low-kwens)

Answer 6

n. artful ease with speaking; speech that can influence people’s feelings

Question 7

garrulous (GAR-u-lus)

Answer 7

adj. talkative; loquacious

Question 8

grandiloquent (gran-DIH-luh-kwent)

Answer 8

adj. using big and fancy words when speaking for the purpose of impressing others

Question 9

loquacious (low-KWAY-shus)

Answer 9

adj. very talkative; liking to talk; garrulous

Question 10

prattle (PRA-tl)

Answer 10

vb. to speak on and on in a senseless and silly manner; to talk foolishly

Question 11

ramble (RAM-bul)

Answer 11

vb. to talk on and on pointlessly, without clear direction

Question 12

rant (RANT)

Answer 12

vb. to talk very loudly, even wildly; rave

Question 13

rhetorical (re-TOR-uh-kul)

Answer 13

adj. relating to speech that is used to persuade or have some effect; insincere in expression

Question 14

verbose (vur-BOSE)

Answer 14

adj. using too many words; wordy; long-winded

Question 15

voluble (VOL-you-bul)

Answer 15

adj. talking a great deal with ease; glib