set 3

Question 1

banal

Answer 1

So common or overused that it’s boring. The speech was filled with banal clichés and lacked originality.

Question 2

allay

Answer 2

To reduce or relieve fear, pain, or doubt. The teacher’s kind words helped allay the student’s anxiety.

Question 3

spurious*

Answer 3

False or fake; not genuine. The defendant claimed the evidence was spurious and fabricated.

Question 4

surreptitious

Answer 4

Done in secret, often to avoid notice. She took a surreptitious glance at the answer sheet.

Question 5

bilk

Answer 5

To cheat or trick someone, especially out of money. The scammer bilked thousands of dollars from investors.

Question 6

egregious

Answer 6

Shockingly bad or offensive. His egregious error cost the team the championship.

Question 7

antipathy

Answer 7

A strong feeling of dislike or aversion. He felt a deep antipathy toward dishonest politicians.

Question 8

incongruous*

Answer 8

Out of place or not in harmony with surroundings. His cheerful mood was incongruous with the somber occasion.

Question 9

acrimony

Answer 9

Harsh or bitter speech, behavior, or disposition. Their divorce was marked by acrimony and resentment.

Question 10

disparage

Answer 10

To speak down about someone or something. She disparaged his work even though it was impressive.

Question 11

fervent

Answer 11

Showing passionate intensity. He was a fervent supporter of the environmental cause.

Question 12

dubious

Answer 12

Doubtful or questionable. She gave a dubious excuse for missing the meeting.

Question 13

venerable*

Answer 13

Deserving respect because of age, wisdom, or character. The venerable professor had taught for over fifty years.

Question 14

curmudgeon

Answer 14

A cranky, stubborn, or grumpy person. The old curmudgeon complained about everything.

Question 15

convivial

Answer 15

Friendly and cheerful; fond of socializing. The party had a convivial atmosphere with lots of laughter.

Question 16

extol

Answer 16

To praise highly. She extolled the virtues of honest leadership.

Question 17

admonish

Answer 17

To caution or reprimand gently. The coach admonished the player for being careless.

Question 18

partite*

Answer 18

Divided into parts. The power structure of the government was tripartite—legislative, executive, and judicial.

Question 19

capricious

Answer 19

Acting on a whim; unpredictable. Her capricious behavior made her difficult to work with.

Question 20

dogmatic

Answer 20

Stubbornly asserting opinions as truth. His dogmatic views left no room for discussion.

Question 21

accretion

Answer 21

A gradual increase or accumulation. The accretion of dust signaled the room hadn’t been cleaned in weeks.

Question 22

omnipresent*

Answer 22

Present everywhere at once. The internet has become an omnipresent part of modern life.

Question 23

extemporaneous

Answer 23

Done without preparation; spontaneous. His extemporaneous speech was surprisingly effective.

Question 24

inviolable

Answer 24

Not to be violated or broken; sacred. They saw the agreement as inviolable and refused to change it.

Question 25

untoward*

Answer 25

Inappropriate, unexpected, or inconvenient. He apologized for any untoward comments he had made.

Question 26

assent

Answer 26

To agree or give approval. The board gave its assent to the new policy.

Question 27

taciturn

Answer 27

Quiet, reserved, and not talkative. The taciturn boy rarely spoke in class.

Question 28

trite

Answer 28

Overused and lacking originality. The poem was full of trite expressions.

Question 29

hew*

Answer 29

To cut or shape something with force (especially with an ax). The workers hewed logs for the fire.