set 5

Question 1

perspicacious

Answer 1

Having keen understanding and good judgment. Her perspicacious analysis helped the team see the problem clearly.

Question 2

abstruse

Answer 2

Difficult to understand; complex. The professor’s lectures on quantum mechanics were abstruse to most students.

Question 3

petulant

Answer 3

Irritable or bad-tempered in a childish way. His petulant behavior after losing the game annoyed everyone.

Question 4

abase

Answer 4

To humiliate or belittle someone. The bully tried to abase his classmates with cruel jokes.

Question 5

latent

Answer 5

Present but hidden or not yet developed. She had a latent talent for painting that emerged later in life.

Question 6

abdicate

Answer 6

To formally give up a position or responsibility. The king chose to abdicate the throne in favor of his son.

Question 7

obstreperous

Answer 7

Noisy and difficult to control. The obstreperous children disrupted the entire performance.

Question 8

harbinger

Answer 8

A person or thing that signals what is to come. Dark clouds are often a harbinger of a storm.

Question 9

beguile

Answer 9

To deceive or charm someone in a misleading way. She was beguiled by the salesman’s friendly attitude.

Question 10

irreverent

Answer 10

Showing a lack of respect for things that are generally taken seriously. His irreverent jokes upset the audience at the formal event.

Question 11

parity

Answer 11

Equality, especially in status or pay. The company aims to achieve parity in wages between men and women.

Question 12

callow

Answer 12

Immature or inexperienced. The callow intern made several mistakes in his first week.

Question 13

perfunctory

Answer 13

Done with minimal effort or interest; routine. She gave a perfunctory smile and walked away.

Question 14

dearth

Answer 14

A lack or scarcity of something. There is a dearth of affordable housing in the city.

Question 15

enigma

Answer 15

A person or thing that is mysterious or hard to understand. The detective saw the case as a true enigma.

Question 16

amiable

Answer 16

Friendly and pleasant. He was an amiable host who made everyone feel welcome.

Question 17

eminent

Answer 17

Famous and respected within a particular field. She’s an eminent scientist known for her cancer research.

Question 18

pragmatic

Answer 18

Dealing with things realistically rather than theoretically. His pragmatic approach helped solve the issue quickly.

Question 19

iconoclast

Answer 19

Someone who attacks traditional beliefs or institutions. The artist was known as an iconoclast who rejected mainstream styles.

Question 20

antipathy

Answer 20

A deep and lasting dislike. There was clear antipathy between the rival politicians.

Question 21

penitent

Answer 21

Feeling or showing sorrow for wrongdoing. The penitent thief returned the stolen goods.

Question 22

magnate

Answer 22

A powerful or influential person, especially in business. The tech magnate donated millions to education reform.

Question 23

gregarious

Answer 23

Sociable and fond of company. She was a gregarious person who thrived at social events.

Question 24

languid

Answer 24

Lacking energy or vitality; weak. After the flu, he felt too languid to get out of bed.

Question 25

affable

Answer 25

Easy to talk to; friendly. The new teacher was warm and affable with students.

Question 26

hapless

Answer 26

Unfortunate or unlucky. The hapless traveler missed every connecting flight.

Question 27

palliate

Answer 27

To ease or relieve pain or discomfort without curing. The medication helped palliate the patient’s symptoms.