set 2

Question 1

fastidious

Answer 1

Extremely attentive to detail; hard to please. She’s fastidious about cleanliness and notices every speck of dust.

Question 2

adulation

Answer 2

Excessive praise or flattery. The actor was overwhelmed by the adulation of his fans.

Question 3

guile

Answer 3

Sly or cunning intelligence; deceit. He used guile to trick the guards and escape.

Question 4

induce*

Answer 4

To bring about or cause something to happen. The medication may induce sleepiness.

Question 5

prodigious

Answer 5

Remarkably great in size, force, or extent; amazing. She had a prodigious memory for names and faces.

Question 6

magnanimous

Answer 6

Generous, especially to a rival or someone less powerful. Despite losing, he was magnanimous in defeat.

Question 7

hedonism

Answer 7

The pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence. His life of hedonism left him unfulfilled in the end.

Question 8

demure

Answer 8

Quiet, modest, and reserved—sometimes falsely so. She wore a demure dress and spoke softly.

Question 9

scrupulous*

Answer 9

Showing great care, effort, and attention to detail. He is scrupulous in recording every expense.

Question 10

terse

Answer 10

Brief and direct in a way that may seem rude. Her terse reply indicated she was not in the mood to talk.

Question 11

clamor

Answer 11

Loud noise or outcry from many people. The clamor of the protest could be heard for blocks.

Question 12

colloquial

Answer 12

Informal or conversational in style. Avoid colloquial language in your academic essays.

Question 13

acquiesce

Answer 13

To accept or agree to something passively or without protest. He acquiesced to her demands without argument.

Question 14

irreproachable*

Answer 14

Beyond criticism; perfect in behavior or character. Her integrity was irreproachable and admired by all.

Question 15

loquacious

Answer 15

Very talkative. The loquacious tour guide kept us entertained the whole trip.

Question 16

haughty

Answer 16

Arrogantly superior and disdainful. She gave them a haughty glance and walked away.

Question 17

deft

Answer 17

Skillful and quick in movement or action. His deft hands stitched the fabric perfectly.

Question 18

idiosyncratic*

Answer 18

Unique or peculiar to an individual. Her idiosyncratic habit of humming while studying was oddly endearing.

Question 19

bereft

Answer 19

Lacking something, especially something important. He was bereft of hope after the tragedy.

Question 20

curt

Answer 20

Rudely brief or abrupt. His curt tone suggested annoyance.

Question 21

perfunctory

Answer 21

Done routinely and with little interest or care. She gave a perfunctory wave and walked away.

Question 22

rancor

Answer 22

Deep resentment or bitterness. Years of rancor made reconciliation difficult.

Question 23

belligerent

Answer 23

Aggressive or hostile. His belligerent attitude got him into many fights.

Question 24

contrite

Answer 24

Feeling or showing remorse for wrongdoing. She looked contrite after realizing her mistake.

Question 25

omniscient

Answer 25

All-knowing; having complete knowledge. The narrator in the novel is omniscient and knows every character’s thoughts.

Question 26

untenable

Answer 26

Unable to be defended or justified. His excuse for missing work was clearly untenable.

Question 27

orthodox*

Answer 27

Following traditional beliefs or practices. She follows a very orthodox diet based on ancient texts.

Question 28

decorous

Answer 28

Proper, polite, and restrained in behavior. The students were decorous at the formal ceremony.

Question 29

pertinent

Answer 29

Relevant or applicable to the matter at hand. Please only ask questions that are pertinent to the topic.