R-Z

Question 1

Restive

adj

reh-stihv

Answer 1

The passengers became restive after having to wait in line for hours and began to shout complaints at the airline staff.

Impatient, uneasy, or restless

Question 2

Unbraid

verb

uhp-brayd

Answer 2

The teacher unbraided the students for scrawling graffitti all over the walls of the school.

to scold sharply

Question 3

Soporific

adj

sahp-uhr-inf-ink

Answer 3

The movie proved to be so soporific that soon loud snores were heard throughout the cinema.

causing sleep or lethargy

Question 4

Trenchant

adj

trehn-chunnt

Answer 4

Tyrone’s trenchant observation in class made him the profressor’s favorite student.

Acute, sharp, or inclusive; forceful; effective

Question 5

Torpor

noun

tohr-puhr

Answer 5

After the surgery, the patient torpor lasted several hours until the anesthesia wore off.

extreme mental and physical sluggishness.

Question 6

Umbrage

noun

uhm-brihj

Answer 6

The entrepreneur took umbrage at the security guard’s accusation that he had sholifted a packet of gum.

offense; resentment

Question 7

Sublime

(adj)

suh-bliem

Answer 7

The music was so sublime that that it transformed the rude surrounding into a special place.

lofty; grand

Question 8

Scintilla

noun

sihn-tihl-uh

Answer 8

This poison is so powerful that no more than a scintilla of its needed to kill a horse.

trace amount

Question 9

Zealot

noun

zeh-luht

Answer 9

The religious zealot had no time for those who failed to share his strong beliefs.

someone passionately devoted to a cause

Question 10

T

Turgid

adj

tuhr-jihd

Answer 10

In the process of osmosis, water passes through the walls of turgid cells, ensuring that they never contain too much water.

swollen, as from a fluid; Bloated

Question 11

Slake

verb

slayk

Answer 11

In order to slake his curiosity, Bryan finally took a tour backstage at the theather.

to calm down; moderate

Question 12

Xenophobia

noun

zee-nuh-foh-bee-uh

Answer 12

Countries in which xenophobia is prevalent often have more restrictive immigration policies than countries that are more open to foreign influences.

a fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers.

Question 13

Terrestrial

adj

tuh-reh0 stress-uhl

Answer 13

Many “extraterrestrial” objects turn out to be terrestrial in origin, as whn flying saucers turn out to be normal airplanes.

earthly; down to earth; commonplace

Question 14

Seraphic

adj

seh-rah-tihk

Answer 14

Selena’s seraphic appearance belied her nasty, bitter personality.

angelic; sweet

Question 15

Surfeit

noun

suhr-fint

Answer 15

Because of the surfeit of the pigs, pork proces have never been lower.

excessive amount

Question 16

Variegated

adj

vaar-ee-uh-gayt-ehd

Answer 16

The variegated foliage of the jungle allows it to support thousands of different animal species.

varied; marked with different colors.

Question 17

Repast

noun

rih-paasst

Answer 17

Ravi prepared a delicious repast of chicken tikka and naan.

meal or mealtime

Question 18

Redress

noun

rih-drehs

Answer 18

Seeking redress for the injuries she had received in the accident, Doreen sued the driver of the truck that had hit her.

relief from wrong or injuries

Question 19

Sentient

adj

sehn-shuhnt

Answer 19

The anesthetic didn’t work, and I was still sentient when the dentist started drilling!

Aware; conscious; able to perceive

Question 20

Rarefy

verb

rayr-uh-fie

Answer 20

Since the atmosphere rarefies as the altitudes increases, the air at the top of very tall mountains is too thin to breathe.

To become thinner or sparser.

Question 21

Volatile

adj

Answer 21

His volatile personality made it difficult to predict his reaction to anything.

easily aroused or changeable; lively or explosive

Question 22

Wily

adj

Answer 22

Yet again, the wily fox managed to elude the ranchers who wanted to capture it.

clever; deceptive

Question 23

Raconteur

noun

Answer 23

The raconteur kept all the passengers entertained with his stories during thr six hours flight.

A witty, skilled storyteller

Question 24

Tangential

adj

Answer 24

Your argument is interesting, but it’s tangential to the matter at hand, so I suggest we get back to the point.

Digressing; diverting

Question 25

Toady | noun

Answer 25

The king was surrounded by **toadies** who rushed to agree with whatever outrageous thing he said. | one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors

Question 26

Sinecure | noun ## Footnote sien ih kyoor

Answer 26

The corrupt mayor made sure to set up all his relatives in **sinecures** within the administration. | a well-paying job or office that requires little or no work

Question 27

Venerate | verb ## Footnote (vehn uhr ayt)

Answer 27

In a traditional Confucian society, the young **venerate** their elders, deferring to the elders’ wisdom and experience. | to respect deeply

Question 28

Vex | verb ## Footnote vehks

Answer 28

The old man who loved his peace and quiet was **vexed** by his neighbor’s loud music. | to annoy, irritate, puzzle, or confuse

Question 29

Syncopation | noun ## Footnote (sihn cuh pay shun)

Answer 29

A jazz enthusiast will appreciate the use of **syncopation** in that musical genre. | temporary irregularity in musical rhythm

Question 30

Vicissitude | noun ## Footnote vih sih sih tood

Answer 30

Investors must be prepared for **vicissitudes** of the stock market. | a change or variation

Question 31

Ribald | adj ## Footnote rih buhld

Answer 31

The court jester’s **ribald** brand of humor delighted the rather uncouth king. | humorous in a vulgar way

Question 32

Spartan | adj

Answer 32

When he was in training, the athlete preferred to live in a **spartan** room so he could shut out all distractions. | highly self-disciplined; frugal; austere

Question 33

Sagacious | adj ## Footnote suh gay shuhs

Answer 33

Owls have a reputation for being **sagacious**, perhaps because of their big eyes, which resemble glasses. | shrewd; wise

Question 34

Usury | noun ## Footnote yoo zhuh ree

Answer 34

The moneylender was convicted of **usury** when it was discovered that he charged 50 percent interest on all his loans. | the practice of lending money at exorbitant rates

Question 35

Sportive | adj ## Footnote spohr tihv

Answer 35

The lakeside vacation meant more **sportive** opportunities for the kids than the wine tour through France. | frolicsome; playful

Question 36

Repudiate | verb ## Footnote ree pyoo dee ayt

Answer 36

The old woman’s claim that she was Russian royalty was **repudiated** by other known relatives. | to reject the validity of

Question 37

Requite | verb

Answer 37

Thanks for offering to lend me $1,000, but I know I'll never be able to requite your generosity. | to return or repay

Question 38

Satiate | verb

Answer 38

His desire for power was so great that nothing less than complete control of the country could satiate it. | To satify fully or overindulge.

Question 39

Symbiosis | noun ## Footnote sihm bee oh sihs

Answer 39

The rhino and the tick-eating bird live in **symbiosis**; the rhino gives the bird food in the form of ticks, and the bird rids the rhino of parasites. | cooperation; mutual helpfulness

Question 40

Wizened | adj ## Footnote wih zuhnd

Answer 40

The **wizened** old man was told that the plastic surgery necessary to make him look young again would cost more money than he could imagine. | shriveled; withered; wrinkled