set 4

Question 1

profligate

Answer 1

Wasteful, especially with money or resources. The company was known for its profligate spending habits.

Question 2

ubiquitous

Answer 2

Found everywhere; very common. Smartphones are ubiquitous in today’s society.

Question 3

adroit

Answer 3

Skillful and clever, especially with the hands or mind. She’s an adroit negotiator who always finds a middle ground.

Question 4

castigate

Answer 4

To severely criticize or punish. The coach castigated the team for their lack of effort.

Question 5

brusque

Answer 5

Rudely brief or abrupt. His brusque reply ended the conversation.

Question 6

secular

Answer 6

Not connected with religion; worldly. The country has a secular education system.

Question 7

pious

Answer 7

Very religious or devout. Her pious devotion to daily prayer inspired others.

Question 8

amenable

Answer 8

Willing to cooperate or be influenced. The committee was amenable to making changes.

Question 9

furtive

Answer 9

Secretive or sneaky. He cast a furtive glance at the answer sheet.

Question 10

edify

Answer 10

To educate or improve someone morally or intellectually. The teacher’s story was meant to edify the students.

Question 11

assiduous

Answer 11

Showing great care and effort. She was an assiduous student, always completing her assignments early.

Question 12

heretic

Answer 12

Someone who goes against accepted beliefs, especially religious ones. Galileo was once considered a heretic for his scientific theories.

Question 13

incorrigible

Answer 13

Impossible to correct or reform. The child’s behavior was so wild it seemed incorrigible.

Question 14

auspicious

Answer 14

Favorable; likely to lead to success. Their wedding day began under auspicious weather.

Question 15

avarice

Answer 15

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain. His avarice led him to betray even his closest friends.

Question 16

egalitarian

Answer 16

Based on the belief in equality for all people. The movement fought for egalitarian rights in education.

Question 17

circumspect

Answer 17

Careful and cautious, especially in decision-making. She was circumspect about investing in the risky business.

Question 18

byzantine

Answer 18

Highly complicated and intricate. The byzantine tax code confused most citizens.

Question 19

arcane

Answer 19

Understood by very few; mysterious or obscure. He studied arcane symbols in ancient texts.

Question 20

feckless

Answer 20

Lacking strength or effectiveness; irresponsible. His feckless leadership nearly ruined the project.

Question 21

ardent

Answer 21

Passionate or enthusiastic. She was an ardent supporter of the arts.

Question 22

expedient

Answer 22

Convenient and practical, though possibly improper. It was expedient to lie, though it wasn’t ethical.

Question 23

ascetic

Answer 23

Practicing severe self-discipline, often for religious reasons. The monk lived an ascetic life with no indulgences.

Question 24

onerous

Answer 24

Burdensome or difficult to carry out. Fulfilling the contract turned out to be more onerous than expected.

Question 25

sagacious

Answer 25

Wise and insightful. The sagacious old man offered advice that proved invaluable.

Question 26

indelible

Answer 26

Impossible to remove or forget. The trip left an indelible mark on her memory.

Question 27

aspersion

Answer 27

A false or damaging remark. He cast aspersions on her character without any evidence.

Question 28

innocuous

Answer 28

Harmless; not offensive. Though he meant no harm, his joke was not as innocuous as he thought.

Question 29

impious

Answer 29

Lacking respect for what is sacred or religious. The impious remarks offended many at the ceremony.

Question 30

assuage

Answer 30

To relieve or ease feelings of pain, fear, or guilt. He tried to assuage her fears before the exam.