Reading Vocabulary

Question 1

Inscrutable

Answer 1

inscrutable | inˈskro͞odəb(ə)l |
adjective
impossible to understand or interpret: Guy looked blankly inscrutable.
DERIVATIVES
inscrutability | inˌskro͞odəˈbilədē | noun
inscrutably | inˈskro͞odəblē | adverb
inscrutableness noun
ORIGIN
late Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin inscrutabilis, from in- ‘not’ + scrutari ‘to search’ (see scrutiny).

Question 2

Austere

Answer 2

austere | ôˈstir |
adjective (austerer | ôˈsti(ə)rər |, austerest | ôˈsti(ə)rist |)
severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance: an austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook | an austere expression.
* (of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries; harsh or ascetic: conditions in the prison could hardly be more austere.
* having an extremely plain and simple style or appearance; unadorned: the cathedral is impressive in its austere simplicity.
* (of an economic policy or measure) designed to reduce a budget deficit, especially by cutting public expenditure.
DERIVATIVES
austerely | ôˈstirlē | adverb
ORIGIN
Middle English: via Old French from Latin austerus, from Greek austēros ‘severe’.

Question 3

Bleak

Answer 3

bleak1 | blēk |
adjective
(of an area of land) lacking vegetation and exposed to the elements: a bleak and barren moor.
* (of a building or room) charmless and inhospitable; dreary: he looked around the bleak little room in despair.
* (of the weather) cold and miserable: a bleak midwinter’s day.
* (of a situation or future prospect) not hopeful or encouraging; unlikely to have a favorable outcome: he paints a bleak picture of a company that has lost its way.
* (of a person or a person’s expression) cold and forbidding: his bleak, near vacant eyes grew remote.
DERIVATIVES
bleakly | ˈblēklē | adverb
ORIGIN
Old English blāc ‘shining, white’, or in later use from synonymous Old Norse bleikr; ultimately of Germanic origin and related to bleach.
bleak2 | blēk |
noun
a small silvery shoaling fish of the minnow family, found in Eurasian rivers.
Genera Alburnus and Chalcalburnus, family Cyprinidae: several species, in particular A. alburnus
ORIGIN
late 15th century: from Old Norse bleikja.

Question 4

Stellar

Answer 4

stellar | ˈstelər |
adjective
relating to a star or stars: stellar structure and evolution.
* informal featuring or having the quality of a star performer or performers: a stellar cast had been assembled.
* informal exceptionally good; outstanding: his restaurant has received stellar ratings in the guides.
DERIVATIVES
stelliform | ˈsteləˌfôrm | adjective
ORIGIN
mid 17th century: from late Latin stellaris, from Latin stella ‘star’.

Question 5

Innate

Answer 5

innate | iˈnāt |
adjective
inborn; natural: her innate capacity for organization.
* Philosophy originating in the mind.
DERIVATIVES
innateness | iˈnātnəs | noun
ORIGIN
late Middle English: from Latin innatus, past participle of innasci, from in- ‘into’ + nasci ‘be born’.

Question 6

Primal

Answer 6

primal | ˈprīm(ə)l |
adjective
1 relating to an early stage in evolutionary development; primeval: primal hunting societies.
* Psychology relating to or denoting the needs, fears, or behavior that are postulated (especially in Freudian theory) to form the origins of emotional life. See also primal scene: he preys on people’s primal fears.
2 essential; fundamental: rivers were the primal highways of life.
DERIVATIVES
primally | ˈprīməlē | adverb
ORIGIN
early 17th century: from medieval Latin primalis, from Latin primus ‘first’.

Question 7

Exhort

Answer 7

exhort | iɡˈzôrt, eɡˈzôrt |
verb [with object and infinitive]
strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something: [with direct speech] : “Come on, you guys,” exhorted Linda | the media have been exhorting people to turn out for the demonstration.
DERIVATIVES
exhortative | iɡˈzôrdədiv | adjective
exhorter | iɡˈzôrdər, eɡˈzôrdər | noun
ORIGIN
late Middle English: from Old French exhorter or Latin exhortari, from ex- ‘thoroughly’ + hortari ‘encourage’.

Question 8

Vigor

Answer 8

vigor | ˈviɡər | (vigour British English)
noun
physical strength and good health: I was 79, but still full of vigor and vitality | he has managed to retain his youthful vigor.
* effort, energy, and enthusiasm: they set about the new task with vigor.
PHRASES
in vigour
in force or operation: he says there is no deal but since he has a contract in vigor he will continue as usual.
DERIVATIVES
vigourless (vigourless British English) adjective
ORIGIN
Middle English: from Old French, from Latin vigor, from vigere ‘be lively’.

Question 9

Morose

Answer 9

morose | məˈrōs |
adjective
sullen and ill-tempered: she was morose and silent when she got home.
DERIVATIVES
morosely | məˈrōslē | adverb
moroseness | məˈrōsnəs | noun
ORIGIN
mid 16th century: from Latin morosus ‘peevish’, from mos, mor- ‘manner’.

Question 10

Bliss

Answer 10

bliss | blis |
noun
perfect happiness; great joy: she gave a sigh of bliss.
* a state of spiritual blessedness, typically that reached after death: the bliss of heaven.
verb [no object] informal
(bliss out or be blissed out) reach a state of perfect happiness, typically so as to be oblivious of everything else: [as adjective] : blissed-out hippies.
ORIGIN
Old English blīths, bliss, of Germanic origin; related to blithe.

Question 11

Ataraxia

Answer 11

ataraxy | ˈadəˌraksē | (also ataraxia | atəˈraksiə |)
noun literary
a state of serene calmness.
DERIVATIVES
ataractic | ˌadəˈraktik | adjective
ataraxic | ˌadəˈraksik | adjective
ORIGIN
early 17th century: from French ataraxie, from Greek ataraxia ‘impassiveness’, from a- ‘not’ + tarassein ‘disturb’.

Question 12

Stoic

Answer 12

stoic | ˈstōik |
noun
1 a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining.
2 (Stoic) a member of the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism.
adjective
1 another term for stoical: a look of stoic resignation.
2 (Stoic) of or belonging to the Stoics or their school of philosophy: the Stoic philosophers | Seneca preached Stoic abstinence.
ORIGIN
late Middle English: via Latin from Greek stōïkos, from stoa (with reference to Zeno’s teaching in the Stoa Poikilē or Painted Porch, at Athens).

Question 13

Conviviality

Answer 13

conviviality | kənˌvivēˈalədē |
noun
the quality of being friendly and lively; friendliness: the conviviality of the evening.

Question 14

Aversion

Answer 14

a •ver•sion
noun
a strong dislike or disinclination: he had a deep-seated aversion to most forms of exercise | they made plain their aversion to the use of force.
• a person or thing that arouses strong feelings of dislike: my dog’s pet aversion is visitors, particularly males.
ORIGIN
late 16th century (originally denoting the action of turning away or averting one’s eyes): from Latin aversion-), from avertere
‘turn away from’ (see avert).

Question 15

Abhorrence

Answer 15

ab•hor•rence
I ab’hôrens
noun
a feeling of repulsion; disgusted loathing: the thought of marrying him filled her with abhorrence | society’s abhorrence of crime.

Question 16

Impel

Answer 16

im•pel | im’pel l verb (impels, impelling | im’peliNG
I, impelled | im’peld |) [with object] drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something: financial difficulties impelled him to desperate measures | [with object and infinitive] : a lack of equality impelled the oppressed to fight.
• drive forward; propel: vital energies impel him in unforeseen directions.

Question 17

What is the definition of ‘ominous’?

Answer 17

‘Ominous’ is an adjective that gives the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; it is threatening or inauspicious.

Question 18

What are some synonyms for ‘ominous’?

Answer 18

Some synonyms for ‘ominous’ include threatening, menacing, baleful, forbidding, sinister, doomy, inauspicious, unpropitious, portentous, unfavourable, dire, and unpromising.

Question 19

What is the definition of nostalgic?

Answer 19

Characterized by or exhibiting feelings of nostalgia

Nostalgia refers to a sentimental longing for the past.

Question 20

What are synonyms for the term nostalgic?

Answer 20

• Wistful
• Evocative
• Longing
• Yearning
• Pining for the past
• Romantic
• Sentimental
• Emotional about the past
• Regretful
• Dewy-eyed
• Maudlin
• Homesick

These synonyms reflect various emotional responses associated with nostalgia.

Question 21

What does nostalgia typically refer to?

Answer 21

A sentimentality for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations

Nostalgia often evokes fond memories and a sense of longing.

Question 22

What is the noun form of nostalgic?

Answer 22

Nostalgic person

This term describes someone who experiences nostalgia.

Question 23

True or False: Nostalgia is a recent phenomenon.

Answer 23

False

Nostalgia has been a common human experience throughout history.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Nostalgia is characterized by _______.

Answer 24

[feelings of nostalgia]

Feelings of nostalgia can include longing for the past or sentimental emotions.

Question 25

What is one common emotional response associated with nostalgia?

Answer 25

Yearning ## Footnote Yearning is a strong emotional response that often accompanies nostalgic feelings.

Question 26

What does 'implicit' mean in the context of being implied but not plainly expressed?

Answer 26

Implied though not plainly expressed ## Footnote Example: comments seen as implicit criticism of the policies.

Question 27

How can 'implicit' be defined in relation to values and connection?

Answer 27

Essentially or very closely connected with; always to be found in ## Footnote Example: the values implicit in the school ethos.

Question 28

What does it mean when something is described as having 'implicit' qualities?

Answer 28

With no qualification or question; absolute ## Footnote Example: an implicit faith in God.

Question 29

In mathematics, how is a function described as 'implicit'?

Answer 29

Not expressed directly in terms of independent variables.

Question 30

What is the pronunciation and part of speech for 'confounded'?

Answer 30

/ken'faundad/ adjective. ## Footnote Used for emphasis, especially to express anger or annoyance.

Question 31

What is the pronunciation and part of speech for 'confound'?

Answer 31

/ken'faund/ verb. ## Footnote To cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations.

Question 32

What does 'confound' mean?

Answer 32

To mix up (something) with something else so that the individual elements become difficult to distinguish.

Question 33

What are some synonyms for 'confounded'?

Answer 33

Damn, damned, blasted, blessed, flaming, precious, confounded, rotten.

Question 34

What are some synonyms for 'confound'?

Answer 34

Amaze, astonish, dumbfound, stagger, surprise, startle, stun, stupefy, daze, nonplus, mix up, muddle up.

Question 35

What is the definition of determination?

Answer 35

Firmness of purpose; resoluteness ## Footnote Determination can also refer to the process of establishing something exactly by calculation or research.

Question 36

What does determination refer to in terms of outcomes?

Answer 36

The controlling or deciding of something's nature or outcome ## Footnote This includes the cessation of an estate or interest.

Question 37

What is a tendency associated with determination?

Answer 37

A tendency to move in a fixed direction ## Footnote This reflects the resolute nature of determination.

Question 38

List three synonyms for determination.

Answer 38

* Resolution * Resolve * Resoluteness ## Footnote Additional synonyms include calculation, discovery, ascertainment.

Question 39

What are some processes related to determination?

Answer 39

* Establishment * Fixing * Deduction * Diagnosis * Verification ## Footnote These processes contribute to the overall understanding of determination.

Question 40

True or False: Determination can refer to a decision about something.

Answer 40

True ## Footnote Determination often involves making choices, nominations, and appointments.

Question 41

Fill in the blank: Determination involves the _______ of an estate or interest.

Answer 41

cessation ## Footnote This aspect of determination highlights its legal implications.

Question 42

What does determination encompass in terms of discovery?

Answer 42

Ascertainment ## Footnote This refers to the process of finding out or establishing facts.

Question 43

What is meant by 'specification' in the context of determination?

Answer 43

It refers to the detailed description or identification of something ## Footnote This is crucial in establishing clear parameters in various contexts.

Question 44

What is the definition of indoctrinate?

Answer 44

Teach (a person or group) to accept a set of beliefs uncritically ## Footnote The term is often associated with teaching beliefs without critical examination.

Question 45

What are some synonyms for indoctrinate?

Answer 45

* brainwash * propagandize * proselytize * inculcate * re-educate * persuade * convince * condition * discipline * mould ## Footnote These synonyms reflect various methods of influencing beliefs or behaviors.

Question 46

What is the definition of villainy?

Answer 46

wicked or criminal behavior ## Footnote The term encompasses actions that are morally wrong or unlawful.

Question 47

What are synonyms for villainy?

Answer 47

* wickedness * badness * evil * evil-doing * sin * sinfulness * iniquity * vileness * baseness * wrong * wrongdoing * dishonesty * double-dealing * unscrupulousness * roguery * rascality * delinquency * disgrace * viciousness * degeneracy * depravity * dissolution * dissipation * immorality * turpitude * devilry * devilishness * heinousness ## Footnote These synonyms highlight different aspects of immoral or unethical behavior.

Question 48

What is the definition of inexhaustible?

Answer 48

Unable to be used up because existing in abundance ## Footnote New Oxford American Dictionary

Question 49

What is the definition of 'giddy' as an adjective?

Answer 49

Having a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall or stagger; dizzy.

Question 50

What is the verb form of 'giddy'?

Answer 50

To make (someone) feel excited to the point of disorientation.

Question 51

List some synonyms for 'giddy'.

Answer 51

* dizzy * light-headed * faint * weak * weak at the knees * unsteady * shaky * wobbly * off balance