Spelling

Question 1

Generous

Answer 1

A generous person gives more of something, especially money, than is usual or expected. Dietler is generous with his time and money.
generously [ADV with v] adverb We would like to thank all the judges who gave so generously of their time.
A generous person is friendly, helpful, and willing to see the good qualities in someone or something. He was always generous in sharing his enormous knowledge.
generously [ADV with v] adverb The students generously gave them instruction in social responsibility.
A generous amount of something is much larger than is usual or necessary. He should be able to keep his room tidy with the generous amount of storage space.
generously adverb Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper.

Question 2

Glamorous

Answer 2

If you describe someone or something as glamorous, you mean that they are more attractive, exciting, or interesting than ordinary people or things. …some of the world’s most beautiful and glamorous women.

Question 3

Marvellous

Answer 3

If you describe someone or something as marvelous, you are emphasizing that they are very good. It’s the most marvelous piece of music.
marvelously adverb We want people to think he’s doing marvelously.

Question 4

Mischievous

Answer 4

A mischievous person likes to have fun by playing harmless tricks on people or doing things they are not supposed to do. She rocks back and forth on her chair like a mischievous child.
mischievously adverb Kathryn winked mischievously.
A mischievous act or suggestion is intended to cause trouble. “I have a few mischievous plans,” says Zevon.
mischievously adverb That does not require “massive” military intervention, as some have mischievously claimed.

Question 5

Mountainous

Answer 5

A mountainous place has a lot of mountains. …the mountainous region of New Mexico.
(To Express Emphasis) You use mountainous to emphasize that something is great in size, quantity, or degree. The plan is designed to reduce some of the company’s mountainous debt.

Question 6

Ridiculous

Answer 6

If you say that something or someone is ridiculous, you mean that they are very foolish. It is ridiculous to suggest we are having a romance.

Question 7

Rigorous

Answer 7

A test, system, or procedure that is rigorous is very thorough and strict. The selection process is based on rigorous tests of competence and experience.
rigorously adverb …rigorously conducted research.
If someone is rigorous in the way that they do something, they are very careful and thorough. He is rigorous in his control of expenditure.

Question 8

Villainous

Answer 8

A villainous person is very bad and willing to harm other people or break the law in order to get what he or she wants. He was branded by the press as “villainous” and “diabolical.”

Question 9

Acclaim

Answer 9

(Formal) If someone or something is acclaimed, they are praised enthusiastically. The restaurant has been widely acclaimed for its excellent French cuisine. He was acclaimed as America’s greatest filmmaker.
acclaimed adjective She has published six highly acclaimed novels.
uncount noun
(Formal) Acclaim is public praise for someone or something. Angela Bassett has won critical acclaim for her excellent performance.

Question 10

Challenge

Answer 10

A challenge is something new and difficult which requires great effort and determination. The new government’s first challenge is the economy.
A challenge to something is a questioning of its truth or value. A challenge to someone is a questioning of their authority. The demonstrators have now made a direct challenge to the authority of the government.
phrase
If someone rises to the challenge, they act in response to a difficult situation which is new to them and are successful. The new Germany must rise to the challenge of its enhanced responsibilities.
transitive verb
If you challenge ideas or people, you question their truth, value, or authority. Democratic leaders have challenged the president to sign the bill. The move was immediately challenged by two of the republics.
If you challenge someone, you invite them to fight or compete with you in some way. Marsyas thought he could play the flute better than Apollo and challenged the god to a contest. He left a note at the scene of the crime, challenging detectives to catch him.
count noun
Challenge is also a noun. A third presidential candidate emerged to mount a serious challenge and throw the campaign wide open.
See also challenging

Question 11

Professional

Answer 11

Professional means relating to a person’s work, especially work that requires special training. His professional career started at Colgate University.
professionally adverb …a professionally-qualified architect.
Professional people have jobs that require advanced education or training. …highly qualified professional people like doctors and engineers.
You use professional to describe people who do a particular thing to earn money rather than as a hobby. This has been my worst time for injuries since I started as a professional player.
Professional sports are played for money rather than as a hobby. …an art student who had played professional football for a short time.
(To Express Approval) If you say something that someone does or produces is professional, you approve of it because you think that it is of a very high standard. They run it with a truly professional but personal touch.
count noun
Professional is also a noun. My father wanted me to become a professional and have more stability.
Professional is also a noun. He had been a professional since March 1985.
professionally [ADV after v] adverb By age 16 he was playing professionally with bands in Greenwich Village.
Professional is also a noun. …a dedicated professional who worked harmoniously with the cast and crew.
professionally [ADV with v] adverb These tickets have been produced very professionally.

Question 12

Amateur

Answer 12

An amateur is someone who does something as a hobby and not as a job. Jerry is an amateur who dances because he feels like it.
adjective
Amateur sports or activities are done by people as a hobby and not as a job. …professional athletes and amateur runners.

Question 13

Champion

Answer 13

A champion is someone who has won the first prize in a competition, contest, or fight. …a former Olympic champion. Kasparov became world champion.
If you are a champion of a person, a cause, or a principle, you support or defend them. He received acclaim as a champion of the oppressed.
transitive verb
If you champion a person, a cause, or a principle, you support or defend them. He passionately championed the poor.

Question 14

Specialise

Answer 14

If you specialize in a thing, you know a lot about it and concentrate a great deal of your time and energy on it, especially in your work or when you are studying or training. You also use specialize to talk about a restaurant which concentrates on a particular type of food. …a University professor who specializes in the history of the Russian empire.
specialization (spɛʃəlɪzeɪʃən) (plural) specializations variable noun This degree offers a major specialization in social policy alongside a course in sociology.

Question 15

Arrangement

Answer 15

Arrangements are plans and preparations that you make so that something will happen or be possible. The staff is working frantically on final arrangements for the summit. She telephoned Ellen, but made no arrangements to see her.
An arrangement is an agreement that you make with someone to do something. The caves can be visited only by prior arrangement.
An arrangement of things, for example, flowers or furniture, is a group of them displayed in a particular way. The house was always decorated with imaginative flower arrangements.
If someone makes an arrangement of a piece of music, they change it so that it is suitable for particular voices or instruments, or for a particular performance. …an arrangement of a well-known piece by Mozart.

Question 16

Circuit

Answer 16

An electrical circuit is a complete route which an electric current can flow around. Any attempts to cut through the cabling will break the electrical circuit.
A circuit is a series of places that are visited regularly by a person or group, especially as a part of their job. It’s a common problem, the one I’m asked about most when I’m on the lecture circuit.

Question 17

Spectator

Answer 17

A spectator is someone who watches something, especially a sports event. Thirty thousand spectators watched the final game.

Question 18

Association

Answer 18

An association is an official group of people who have the same job, aim, or interest. …the National Basketball Association.
Your association with a person or a thing such as an organization is the connection that you have with them. …the company’s six-year association with retailer J.C. Penney Co.
If something has particular associations for you, it is connected in your mind with a particular memory, idea, or feeling. He has a shelf full of things, each of which has associations for him.
phrase
If you do something in association with someone else, you do it together. The changes I instigated in association with the board 18 months ago were because I love this company.

Question 19

Circular

Answer 19

Something that is circular is shaped like a circle. …a circular hole twelve feet wide and two feet deep.
A circular journey or route is one in which you go to a place and return by a different route. Both sides of the river can be explored on this circular walk.
count noun
A circular is an official letter or advertisement that is sent to a large number of people at the same time. The proposal has been widely publicized in press information circulars sent to 1,800 newspapers.

Question 20

Strength

Answer 20

Your strength is the physical energy that you have, which gives you the ability to perform various actions, such as lifting or moving things. She has always been encouraged to swim to build up the strength of her muscles. He threw it forward with all his strength.
Someone’s strength in a difficult situation is their confidence or courage. Something gave me the strength to overcome the difficulty. He copes incredibly well. His strength is an inspiration to me in my life.
The strength of an object or material is its ability to be treated roughly, or to carry heavy weights, without being damaged or destroyed. He checked the strength of the cables.
The strength of a person, organization, or country is the power or influence that they have. America values its economic leadership, and the political and military strength that goes with it. The alliance, in its first show of strength, drew a hundred thousand-strong crowd to a rally.
If you refer to the strength of a feeling, opinion, or belief, you are talking about how deeply it is felt or believed by people, or how much they are influenced by it. He was surprised at the strength of his own feeling.
If you refer to the strength of a currency, economy, or industry, you mean that its value or success is steady or increasing. …the long-term competitive strength of the economy.
The strength of a group of people is the total number of people in it. …elite forces, comprising about one-tenth of the strength of the army.
The strength of a wind, current, or other force is its power or speed. Its oscillation depends on the strength of the gravitational field.
The strength of a drink, chemical, or drug is the amount of the particular substance in it that gives it its particular effect. It is very alcoholic, sometimes near the strength of port.
variable noun
Someone’s strengths are the qualities and abilities that they have which are an advantage to them, or which make them successful. Take into account your own strengths and weaknesses. Tact was never Mr. Moore’s strength.
phrase
If a person or organization goes from strength to strength, they become more and more successful or confident. A decade later, the company has gone from strength to strength.
If a team or army is at full strength, all the members that it needs or usually has are present. He needed more time to bring U.S. forces there up to full strength.
If one thing is done on the strength of another, it is done because of the influence of that other thing. He was elected to power on the strength of his charisma.

Question 21

Athletic

Answer 21

Athletic means relating to athletes and athletics. They have been given college scholarships purely on athletic ability.
An athletic person is fit, and able to perform energetic movements easily. Xandra is an athletic 36-year-old with a 21-year-old’s body.

Question 22

Contestant

Answer 22

A contestant in a competition or game show is a person who takes part in it. Later he applied to be a contestant on the television show.

Question 23

Supporter

Answer 23

Supporters are people who support someone or something, for example a political leader or a sports team. Attacks against opposition supporters are continuing at levels higher than before the election.

Question 24

Attempt

Answer 24

If you attempt to do something, especially something difficult, you try to do it. The only time that we attempted to do something like that was in the city of Philadelphia.
count noun
If you make an attempt to do something, you try to do it, often without success. …a deliberate attempt to destabilize the defense.
An attempt on someone’s life is an attempt to kill them. …an attempt on the life of the former Iranian prime minister.

Question 25

Individual

Answer 25

Individual means relating to one person or thing, rather than to a large group. ...waiting for the group to decide rather than making individual decisions. individually adverb ...individually crafted tiles. (To Express Approval) If you describe someone or something as individual, you mean that you admire them because they are very unusual and do not try to imitate other people or things. It was really all part of her very individual personality. count noun An individual is a person. ...anonymous individuals who are doing good things within our community.

Question 26

Weariness

Answer 26

If you are weary, you are very tired. Rachel looked pale and weary. If you are weary of something, you have become tired of it and have lost your enthusiasm for it. They're getting awfully weary of this silly war.

Question 27

Attendance

Answer 27

Someone's attendance at an event or an institution is the fact that they are present at the event or go regularly to the institution. Her attendance in school was sporadic. variable noun The attendance at an event is the number of people who are present at it. Rain played a big part in the air show's drop in attendance.

Question 28

Presentation

Answer 28

Presentation is the appearance of something, that someone has worked to create. We serve traditional French food cooked in a lighter way, keeping the presentation simple. count noun A presentation is a formal event at which someone is given a prize or award. ...after receiving his award at a presentation in Kansas City yesterday. When someone gives a presentation, they give a formal talk, often in order to sell something or get support for a proposal. James Watson, Philip Mayo and I gave a slide and video presentation.

Question 29

Aghast

Answer 29

(Formal) If you are aghast, you are filled with horror and surprise. While she watched, aghast, his eyes glazed over as his life flowed away.

Question 30

Ilumination

Answer 30

(Formal) Illumination is the lighting that a place has. The only illumination came from a small window high in the opposite wall.

Question 31

Puncture

Answer 31

A puncture is a small hole in a car tire or bicycle tire that has been made by a sharp object. Somebody helped me to mend the puncture. A puncture is a small hole in someone's skin that has been made by or with a sharp object. An instrument called a trocar makes a puncture in the abdominal wall. transitive verb If a sharp object punctures something, it makes a hole in it. The bullet punctured the skull. transitive verb, intransitive verb If a car tire or bicycle tire punctures or if something punctures it, a hole is made in the tire. His bike's rear tire punctured.

Question 32

Amount

Answer 32

The amount of something is how much there is, or how much you have, need, or get. He needs that amount of money to survive. I still do a certain amount of work for them. intransitive verb If something amounts to a particular total, all the parts of it add up to that total. Consumer spending on sports-related items amounted to $9.75 billion.

Question 33

Instruction

Answer 33

An instruction is something that someone tells you to do. Two lawyers were told not to leave the building but no reason for this instruction was given. uncount noun (Formal) If someone gives you instruction in a subject or skill, they teach it to you. Each candidate is given instruction in safety. plural noun Instructions are clear and detailed information on how to do something. This book gives instructions for making a wide range of skin and hand creams.

Question 34

Recognition

Answer 34

Recognition is the act of recognizing someone or identifying something when you see it. He searched for a sign of recognition on her face, but there was none. Recognitionof something is an understanding and acceptance of it. Recognition of the importance of career development is increasing. When a government gives diplomatic recognition to another country, they officially accept that its status is valid. His government did not receive full recognition by the United States until July. When a person receives recognition for the things that they have done, people acknowledge the value or skill of their work. At last, her father's work has received popular recognition. phrase If something is done in recognition of someone's achievements, it is done as a way of showing official appreciation of them. ...a small plaque in recognition of her contribution to the university.

Question 35

Appointment

Answer 35

The appointment of a person to a particular job is the choice of that person to do it. His appointment to the cabinet would please the right wing. count noun An appointment is a job or position of responsibility. Mr. Fay is to take up an appointment as a researcher. If you have an appointment with someone, you have arranged to see them at a particular time, usually in connection with their work or for a serious purpose. She has an appointment with her accountant. phrase If something can be done by appointment, people can arrange in advance to do it at a particular time. Viewing is by appointment only.

Question 36

Intrusion

Answer 36

If someone disturbs you when you are in a private place or having a private conversation, you can call this event an intrusion. I hope you don't mind this intrusion, Jon. An intrusion is something that disturbs your mood or your life in a way you do not like. I felt it was a grotesque intrusion into our lives.

Question 37

Remuneration

Answer 37

(Formal) Someone's remuneration is the amount of money that they are paid for the work that they do. ...the continuing marked increases in the remuneration of the company's directors.

Question 38

Bicycle

Answer 38

A bicycle is a vehicle with two wheels which you ride by sitting on it and pushing two pedals with your feet. You steer it by turning a bar that is connected to the front wheel.

Question 39

Invasion

Answer 39

If there is an invasion of a country, a foreign army enters it by force. ...seven years after the Roman invasion of Britain. If you refer to the arrival of a large number of people or things as an invasion, you are emphasizing that they are unpleasant or difficult to deal with. ...this year's annual invasion of flies, wasps and ants. (To Express Disapproval) If you describe an action as an invasion, you disapprove of it because it affects someone or something in a way that is not wanted. Is reading a child's diary always a gross invasion of privacy?

Question 40

Revenue

Answer 40

(Business) Revenue is money that a company, organization, or government receives from people. ...a boom year at the movies, with record advertising revenue and the highest ticket sales since 1980.

Question 41

Discussion

Answer 41

If there is discussion about something, people talk about it, often in order to reach a decision. There was a lot of discussion about the wording of the report. Board members are due to have informal discussions later on today. phrase If something is under discussion, it is still being talked about and a final decision has not yet been reached. count noun A discussion of a subject is a piece of writing or a lecture in which someone talks about it in detail. For a discussion of biology and sexual politics, see chapter 4. adjective A discussion document or paper is one that contains information and usually proposals for people to discuss. ...a NASA discussion paper on long-duration ballooning.

Question 42

Number

Answer 42

a numeral or group of numerals. the sum, total, count, or aggregate of a collection of units, or the like: A number of people were hurt in the accident. The number of homeless children in the city has risen alarmingly. a word or symbol, or a combination of words or symbols, used in counting or in noting a total. the particular numeral assigned to an object so as to designate its place in a series: house number; license number. one of a series of things distinguished by or marked with numerals. a certain collection, company, or quantity not precisely reckoned, but usually considerable or large: I've gone there a number of times. the full count of a collection or company. a collection or company. a quantity of individuals: Their number was more than 20,000. numbers. a considerable amount or quantity; many: Numbers flocked to the city to see the parade. metrical feet; verse. musical periods, measures, or groups of notes. numbers pool (def 1). Informal. the figures representing the actual cost, expense, profit, etc.: We won't make a decision until we see the numbers. Obsolete, arithmetic. quantity as composed of units: to increase the number of eligible voters. numerical strength or superiority; complement: The garrison is not up to its full number. a tune or arrangement for singing or dancing. a single or distinct performance within a show, as a song or dance: The comic routine followed the dance number. a single part of a program made up of a group of similar parts: For her third number she played a nocturne. any of a collection of poems or songs. a distinct part of an extended musical work or one in a sequence of compositions. conformity in music or verse to regular beat or measure; rhythm. a single part of a book published in a series of parts. a single issue of a periodical: several numbers of a popular magazine. a code of numerals, letters, or a combination of these assigned to a particular telephone: Did you call the right number? Grammar. a category of noun, verb, or adjective inflection found in many languages, as English, Latin, and Arabic, used to indicate whether a word has one or more than one referent. There may be a two-way distinction in number, as between singular and plural, three-way, as between singular, dual, and plural, or more. Informal. person; individual: the attractive number standing at the bar. Informal. an article of merchandise, especially of wearing apparel, offered for sale: Put those leather numbers in the display window. mathematics regarded as a science, a basic concept, and a mode of thought: Number is the basis of science. —verb (used with object) to mark with or distinguish by numbers: Number each of the definitions. to amount to or comprise in number; total: The manuscript already numbers 425 pages. to consider or include in a number: I number myself among his friends. to count over one by one; tell: to number one's blessings. to mention individually or one by one; enumerate: They numbered the highlights of their trip at length. to set or fix the number of; limit in number; make few in number: The sick old man's days are numbered. to live or have lived (a number of years). to ascertain the number of; count. to apportion or divide: The players were numbered into two teams. —verb (used without object) to make a total; reach an amount: Casualties numbered in the thousands. to be numbered or included (usually followed by among or with ): Several eminent scientists number among his friends. to count. —Idioms by the numbers, according to standard procedure, rules, customs, etc.; orthodoxly; by the book: We're going to run things here by the numbers. together or in unison to a called-out count: calisthenics by the numbers. do a number on, Slang. to undermine, defeat, humiliate, or criticize thoroughly: The committee really did a number on the mayor's proposal. to discuss or discourse about, especially in an entertaining way: She could do a number on anything from dentistry to the Bomb. do one's number, to give a performance; perform: It's time for you to get on stage and do your number. Slang. to behave in a predictable or customary manner: Whenever I call, he does his number about being too busy to talk. get / have someone's number, Informal. to become informed about someone's real motives, character, intentions, etc.: He was only interested in her fortune, but she got his number fast. have one's number on it, Slang. to be thought of as the instrument of fate in the death of a person: That bullet had his number on it. one's number is (was, will be) up, Slang. one is (was, will be) in serious trouble. one is (was, will be) on the point of death: Convinced that her number was up anyway, she refused to see doctors. without number, of unknown or countless number; vast: stars without number. —Related forms num·ber·a·ble, adjective num·ber·er, noun de·num·ber, verb (used with object) mis·num·ber, verb pre·num·ber, verb (used with object), noun re·num·ber, verb (used with object) sub·num·ber, noun Can be confused: amount, number (see usage note at amount). numb2 —adjective, numb·er, numb·est. deprived of physical sensation or the ability to move: fingers numb with cold. manifesting or resembling numbness: a numb sensation. incapable of action or of feeling emotion; enervated; prostrate: numb with grief. lacking or deficient in emotion or feeling; indifferent: She was numb to their pleas for mercy. —verb (used with object) to make numb.

Question 43

Suspension

Answer 43

The suspension of something is the act of delaying or stopping it for a while or until a decision is made about it. There's been a temporary suspension of flights out of LA. variable noun Someone's suspension is their removal from a job or position for a period of time or until a decision is made about them. The minister warned that any civil servant not at his desk faced immediate suspension. A vehicle's suspension consists of the springs and other devices attached to the wheels, which give a smooth ride over uneven ground. ...the only small car with independent front suspension.

Question 44

Distinguish

Answer 44

If you can distinguish one thing from another or distinguish between two things, you can see or understand how they are different. Could he distinguish right from wrong? Research suggests that babies learn to see by distinguishing between areas of light and dark. transitive verb A feature or quality that distinguishes one thing from another causes the two things to be regarded as different, because only the first thing has the feature or quality. There is something about music that distinguishes it from all other art forms. (Formal) If you can distinguish something, you can see, hear, or taste it although it is very difficult to detect. There were cries, calls. He could distinguish voices. If you distinguish yourself, you do something that makes you famous or important. Over the next few years he distinguished himself as a leading constitutional scholar

Question 45

Principal

Answer 45

first or highest in rank, importance, value, etc.; chief; foremost. of, of the nature of, or constituting principal or capital: a principal investment. Geometry. (of an axis of a conic) passing through the foci. —noun a chief or head. the head or director of a school or, especially in England, a college. a person who takes a leading part in any activity, as a play; chief actor or doer. the first player of a division of instruments in an orchestra (excepting the leader of the first violins). something of principal or chief importance. Law. a person who authorizes another, as an agent, to represent him or her. a person directly responsible for a crime, either as an actual perpetrator or as an abettor present at its commission. Compare accessory (def 3). a person primarily liable for an obligation, in contrast with an endorser, or the like. the main body of an estate, or the like, as distinguished from income. Finance. a capital sum, as distinguished from interest or profit. Music. an organ stop. the subject of a fugue. (in a framed structure) a member, as a truss, upon which adjacent or similar members depend for support or reinforcement. each of the combatants in a duel, as distinguished from the seconds.

Question 46

Truly

Answer 46

(To Express Emphasis) You use truly to emphasize that something has all the features or qualities of a particular thing, or is the case to the fullest possible extent. ...a truly democratic system. Not all doctors truly understand the reproductive cycle. (To Express Emphasis) You can use truly in order to emphasize your description of something. ...a truly splendid man. (To Express Emphasis) You use truly to emphasize that feelings are genuine and sincere. Believe me, Susan, I am truly sorry. well and truly3 convention (Old-fashioned) You write Yours truly at the end of a formal letter, and before signing your name, to someone you do not know very well. Yours truly, Phil Turner.

Question 47

Distribution

Answer 47

The distribution of things involves giving or delivering them to a number of people or places. ...the council which controls the distribution of foreign aid. variable noun The distribution of something is how much of it there is in each place or at each time, or how much of it each person has. Mr. Roh's economic planners sought to achieve a more equitable distribution of wealth.

Question 48

Progress

Answer 48

Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something. The medical community continues to make progress in the fight against cancer. singular noun The progress of a situation or action is the way in which it develops. The president is reported to have been delighted with the progress of the first day's talks. intransitive verb To progress means to move over a period of time to a stronger, more advanced, or more desirable state. He will visit once every two weeks to see how his new employees are progressing. If events progress, they continue to happen gradually over a period of time. As the evening progressed, sadness turned to rage. transitive verb (British, Formal) If you progress something, you cause it to develop. phrase If something is in progress, it has started and is still continuing. The game was already in progress when we took our seats

Question 49

Accidentally

Answer 49

An accidental event happens by chance or as the result of an accident, and is not intended. ...the tragic accidental shooting of his younger brother. accidentally (æksɪdɛntli) [ADV with v] adverb A policeman accidentally killed his two best friends with a single bullet.

Question 50

Extremely

Answer 50

(To Express Emphasis) You use extremely in front of adjectives and adverbs to emphasize that the specified quality is present to a very great degree. My cellphone is extremely useful. Three of them are working extremely well.

Question 51

Permanently

Answer 51

Something that is permanent lasts forever. Heavy drinking can cause permanent damage to the brain. ...a permanent solution to the problem. permanently adverb His confidence had been permanently affected by the ordeal. permanence uncount noun Anything which threatens the permanence of the treaty is a threat to stability and to peace. You use permanent to describe situations or states that keep occurring or that seem to exist all the time; used especially to describe problems or difficulties. ...a permanent state of tension. They feel under permanent threat. permanently adverb ...the heavy, permanently locked gate. A permanent employee is one who is employed for an unlimited length of time. At the end of the probationary period you will become a permanent employee. permanently [ADV with v] adverb ...permanently employed lifeguards. Your permanent home or your permanent address is the one at which you spend most of your time or the one that you return to after having stayed in other places. They had no permanent address. count noun (American) A permanent is a treatment in which a hairstylist curls your hair and treats it with a chemical so that it stays curly for several months. Her hair had had a permanent, but had grown out.

Question 52

Achievement

Answer 52

An achievement is something that someone has succeeded in doing, especially after a lot of effort. It was a great achievement that a month later a global agreement was reached. uncount noun Achievement is the process of achieving something. It is only the achievement of these goals that will finally bring lasting peace.

Question 53

Flexible

Answer 53

A flexible object or material can be bent easily without breaking. ...brushes with long, flexible bristles. flexibility (flɛksɪbɪlɪti) uncount noun The flexibility of the lens decreases with age; it is therefore common for our sight to worsen as we get older. (To Express Approval) Something or someone that is flexible is able to change easily and adapt to different conditions and circumstances as they occur. ...flexible working hours. flexibility uncount noun The flexibility of distance learning would be particularly suited to busy managers.

Question 54

Poverty

Answer 54

the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of being poor. Synonyms: privation, neediness, destitution, indigence, pauperism, penury. Antonyms: riches, wealth, plenty. deficiency of necessary or desirable ingredients, qualities, etc.: poverty of the soil. Synonyms: thinness, poorness, insufficiency. scantiness; insufficiency: Their efforts to stamp out disease were hampered by a poverty of medical supplies. Synonyms: meagerness, inadequacy, sparseness, shortage, paucity, dearth. Antonyms: abundance, surfeit, sufficiency, bounty, glut.

Question 55

Awkwardly

Answer 55

An awkward situation is embarrassing and difficult to deal with. I was the first to ask him awkward questions but there'll be harder ones to come. awkwardly [ADV adj/-ed] adverb There was an awkwardly long silence. Something that is awkward to use or carry is difficult to use or carry because of its design. A job that is awkward is difficult to do. It was small but heavy enough to make it awkward to carry. awkwardly [ADV -ed] adverb The front window switches are awkwardly placed on the dashboard. An awkward movement or position is uncomfortable or clumsy. Amy made an awkward gesture with her hands. awkwardly [ADV with v] adverb He fell awkwardly and went down in agony clutching his right knee. Someone who feels awkward behaves in a shy or embarrassed way. Women frequently say that they feel awkward taking the initiative in sex. awkwardly [ADV with v] adverb "This is Malcolm," the girl said awkwardly, to fill the silence.

Question 56

Genuine

Answer 56

Genuine is used to describe people and things that are exactly what they appear to be, and are not false or an imitation. There was a risk of genuine refugees being returned to Vietnam. ...genuine leather. Genuine refers to things such as emotions that are real and not pretended. If this offer is genuine, I will gladly accept it. genuinely adverb He was genuinely surprised. (To Express Approval) If you describe a person as genuine, you approve of them because they are honest, truthful, and sincere in the way they live and in their relationships with other people. She is very caring and very genuine.

Question 57

Rigid

Answer 57

(To Express Disapproval) Laws, rules, or systems that are rigid cannot be changed or varied, and are therefore considered to be rather severe. Several colleges in our study have rigid rules about student conduct. rigidity (rɪdʒɪdɪti) uncount noun ...the rigidity of government policy. rigidly [ADV with v] adverb The caste system was so rigidly enforced that non-Hindus were not even allowed inside a Hindu house. (To Express Disapproval) If you disapprove of someone because you think they are not willing to change their way of thinking or behaving, you can describe them as rigid. She was a fairly rigid person who had strong religious views. A rigid substance or object is stiff and does not bend, stretch, or twist easily. ...rigid plastic containers. rigidity uncount noun ...the strength and rigidity of glass.

Question 58

Boastfully

Answer 58

(To Express Disapproval) If someone is boastful, they talk too proudly about something that they have done or that they own. I'm not being boastful. ...boastful predictions.

Question 59

Gracefully

Answer 59

Someone or something that is graceful moves in a smooth and controlled way that is attractive to watch. His movements were so graceful they seemed effortless. gracefully [ADV with v] adverb She stepped gracefully onto the stage. Something that is graceful is attractive because it has a pleasing shape or style. His handwriting, from earliest young manhood, was flowing and graceful. gracefully [ADV adj/-ed] adverb She loved the gracefully high ceiling, with its white-painted cornice.

Question 60

Scarcity

Answer 60

(Formal) If there is a scarcity of something, there is not enough of it for the people who need it or want it. ...an ever increasing scarcity of water.

Question 61

Confusion

Answer 61

If there is confusion about something, it is not clear what the true situation is, especially because people believe different things. There's still confusion about the number of students. uncount noun Confusion is a situation in which everything is in disorder, especially because there are lots of things happening at the same time. There was confusion when a man fired shots.

Question 62

Hostile

Answer 62

If you are hostile to another person or an idea, you disagree with them or disapprove of them, often showing this in your behavior. Many people felt he would be hostile to the idea of foreign intervention. The West has gradually relaxed its hostile attitude to this influential state. Someone who is hostile is unfriendly and aggressive. Drinking may make a person feel relaxed and happy, or it may make her hostile, violent, or depressed. Hostile situations and conditions make it difficult for you to achieve something. ...some of the most hostile climatic conditions in the world. (Business) A hostile takeover bid is one that is opposed by the company that is being bid for. Soon after he arrived, Kingfisher launched a hostile bid for Dixons. In a war, you use hostile to describe your enemy's forces, organizations, weapons, land, and activities. The city is encircled by a hostile army.

Question 63

Temporarily

Answer 63

Something that is temporary lasts for only a limited time. His job here is only temporary. Most adolescent problems are temporary. temporarily (tɛmpərɛərɪli) adverb The peace agreement has at least temporarily halted the civil war.

Question 64

Contraction

Answer 64

When a woman who is about to give birth has contractions, she experiences a very strong, painful tightening of the muscles of her womb. The contractions were getting stronger. A contraction is a shortened form of a word or words. "It's" (with an apostrophe) can be used as a contraction for "it is."

Question 65

Wealth

Answer 65

Wealth is the possession of a large amount of money, property, or other valuable things. You can also refer to a particular person's money or property as their wealth. Economic reform has brought relative wealth to peasant farmers. singular noun (Formal, To Express Emphasis) If you say that someone or something has a wealth of good qualities or things, you are emphasizing that they have a very large number or amount of them. Their websites contain a wealth of information on the topic. The city boasts a wealth of beautiful churches.

Question 66

Expansion

Answer 66

Expansion is the process of becoming greater in size, number, or amount. ...the rapid expansion of private health insurance.

Question 67

Moderately

Answer 67

Moderate political opinions or policies are not extreme. He was an easygoing man of very moderate views. You use moderate to describe people or groups who have moderate political opinions or policies. ...a moderate Democrat. You use moderate to describe something that is neither large nor small in amount or degree. While a moderate amount of stress can be beneficial, too much stress can exhaust you. moderately adverb Both are moderately large insects, with a wingspan of around four centimeters. A moderate change in something is a change that is not great. Most drugs offer either no real improvement or, at best, only moderate improvements. moderately [ADV after v] adverb Share prices on the Tokyo Exchange declined moderately. count noun A moderate is someone with moderate political opinions. If he presents himself as a radical he risks scaring off the moderates whose votes he so desperately needs. transitive verb, intransitive verb If you moderate something or if it moderates, it becomes less extreme or violent and easier to deal with or accept. They are hoping that once in office he can be persuaded to moderate his views. moderation (mɒdəreɪʃən) uncount noun A moderation in food prices helped to offset the first increase in energy prices.

Question 68

Agreed

Answer 68

If people are agreed on something, they have reached a joint decision on it or have the same opinion about it. Okay, so are we agreed on going north? See also agree inflections: agrees, agreeing, agreed reciprocal verb If people agree with each other about something, they have the same opinion about it or say that they have the same opinion. Both have agreed on the need for the money. So we both agree there's a problem? I agree with you that the open system is by far the best. "It's appalling."—"It is. I agree." I agree with every word you've just said. If people agree on something, they all decide to accept or do something. The warring sides have agreed on an unconditional ceasefire. In grammar, if a word agrees with a noun or pronoun, it has a form that is appropriate to the number or gender of the noun or pronoun. For example, in "He hates it," the singular verb agrees with the singular pronoun "he." If one account of an event or one set of figures agrees with another, the two accounts or sets of figures are the same or are consistent with each other. His second statement agrees with facts as stated by the other witnesses. transitive verb, intransitive verb If you agree to do something, you say that you will do it. If you agree to a proposal, you accept it. He agreed to pay me for the drawings. intransitive verb If you agree with an action or suggestion, you approve of it. You didn't want to ask anybody whether they agreed with what you were doing. phrase If two people who are arguing about something agree to disagree or agree to differ, they decide to stop arguing because neither of them is going to change their opinion. You and I are going to have to agree to disagree then.

Question 69

Conference

Answer 69

A conference is a meeting, often lasting a few days, which is organized on a particular subject or to bring together people who have a common interest. The president took the unprecedented step of summoning all the state governors to a conference on education. ...the Alternative Energy conference. A conference is a meeting at which formal discussions take place. They sat down at the dinner table for a conference.

Question 70

Metre

Answer 70

A meter is a device that measures and records something such as the amount of gas or electricity that you have used. He was there to read the electricity meter. A meter is the same as a parking meter . A meter is a metric unit of length equal to 100 centimeters. She's running the 1,500 meters here. transitive verb To meter something such as gas or electricity means to use a meter to measure how much of it people use, usually in order to calculate how much they have to pay. Only a third of these households thought it reasonable to meter water.

Question 71

Banquet

Answer 71

A banquet is a grand formal dinner. ...this week's Greater Cleveland Sports Commission awards banquet. ...a wedding banquet.

Question 72

Constitution

Answer 72

The constitution of a country or organization is the system of laws which formally states people's rights and duties. The king was forced to adopt a new constitution which reduced his powers. Your constitution is your health. He must have an extremely strong constitution.

Question 73

Rival

Answer 73

Your rival is a person, business, or organization who you are competing or fighting against in the same area or for the same things. The world champion finished more than two seconds ahead of his nearest rival. If you say that someone or something has no rivals or is without rival, you mean that it is best of its type. The area is famous for its wonderfully fragrant wine which has no rivals in the Rhone. transitive verb If you say that one thing rivals another, you mean that they are both of the same standard or quality. Cassette recorders cannot rival the sound quality of CDs.

Question 74

Bickering

Answer 74

When people bicker, they argue or quarrel about unimportant things. I went into medicine to care for patients, not to waste time bickering over budgets. ...as states bicker over territory. bickering uncount noun The election will end months of political bickering.

Question 75

Delicate

Answer 75

Something that is delicate is small and beautifully shaped. He had delicate hands. delicately [ADV adj/-ed] adverb She was a shy, delicately pretty girl with enormous blue eyes. Something that is delicate has a color, taste, or smell which is pleasant and not strong or intense. Young haricot beans have a tender texture and a delicate, subtle flavor. delicately [ADV -ed/adj] adverb ...a soup delicately flavored with nutmeg. If something is delicate, it is easy to harm, damage, or break, and needs to be handled or treated carefully. Although the coral looks hard, it is very delicate. Someone who is delicate is not healthy and strong, and becomes ill easily. She was physically delicate and psychologically unstable. You use delicate to describe a situation, problem, matter, or discussion that needs to be dealt with carefully and sensitively in order to avoid upsetting things or offending people. Ottawa and Washington have to find a delicate balance between the free flow of commerce and legitimate security concerns. delicately [ADV with v] adverb Clearly, the situation remains delicately poised. A delicate task, movement, action, or product needs or shows great skill and attention to detail. ...a long and delicate operation carried out at a hospital in Pittsburgh. delicately [ADV with v] adverb ...the delicately embroidered sheets.

Question 76

Shrewd

Answer 76

A shrewd person is able to understand and judge a situation quickly and to use this understanding to their own advantage. She's a shrewd businesswoman.

Question 77

Tiresome

Answer 77

If you describe someone or something as tiresome, you mean that you find them irritating or boring. ...the tiresome old lady next door.

Question 78

Inclined

Answer 78

If you are inclined to behave in a particular way, you often behave in that way, or you want to do so. Nobody felt inclined to argue with Smith. He was inclined to self-pity. (To Express Vagueness) If you say that you are inclined to have a particular opinion, you mean that you hold this opinion but you are not expressing it strongly. I am inclined to agree with Alan. Someone who is mathematically inclined or artistically inclined, for example, has a natural talent for mathematics or art. ...the needs of academically inclined pupils. See also incline inflections: inclines, inclining, inclined count noun (Formal) An incline is land that slopes at an angle. He came to a halt at the edge of a steep incline. transitive verb (Written) If you incline your head, you bend your neck so that your head is leaning forward. Jack inclined his head very slightly. (Formal) If you incline to think or act in a particular way, or if something inclines you to it, you are likely to think or act in that way. ...the factors that incline us toward particular beliefs. Those who fail incline to blame the world for their failure.

Question 79

Memento

Answer 79

A memento is an object which you keep because it reminds you of a person or a special occasion. More anglers are taking cameras when they go fishing to provide a memento of catches.

Question 80

Disastrous

Answer 80

A disastrous event has extremely bad consequences and effects. ...the recent, disastrous earthquake. disastrously adverb The vegetable harvest is disastrously behind schedule. If you describe something as disastrous, you mean that it was very unsuccessful. ...after their disastrous performance in the election. disastrously adverb ...debts resulting from the company's disastrously timed venture into property development.

Question 81

Auxiliary

Answer 81

Auxiliary equipment is extra equipment that is available for use when necessary. ...an auxiliary motor. Auxiliary staff and troops assist other staff and troops. The government's first concern was to augment the army and auxiliary forces. count noun An auxiliary is a person who is employed to assist other people in their work. Auxiliaries are often medical workers or members of the armed forces. Nursing auxiliaries provide basic care, but are not qualified nurses. In grammar, an auxiliary or auxiliary verb is a verb that is used with a main verb, for example, to form different tenses or to make the verb passive. In English, the basic auxiliary verbs are "be," "have," and "do." Modal verbs such as "can" and "will" are also sometimes called auxiliaries.

Question 82

Circumstances

Answer 82

The circumstances of a particular situation are the conditions which affect what happens. Recent opinion polls show that 60 percent favor abortion under certain circumstances. The strategy was too dangerous in the explosive circumstances of the times. plural noun The circumstances of an event are the way it happened or the causes of it. I'm making inquiries about the circumstances of Mary Dean's murder. Your circumstances are the conditions of your life, especially the amount of money that you have. ...help and support for the single mother, whatever her circumstances. uncount noun Events and situations which cannot be controlled are sometimes referred to as circumstance. There are those, you know, who, by circumstance, end up homeless. phrase (To Express Emphasis) You can emphasize that something must not or will not happen by saying that it must not or will not happen under any circumstances. Racism is wholly unacceptable under any circumstances. You can use in the circumstances or under the circumstances before or after a statement to indicate that you have considered the conditions affecting the situation before making the statement. In the circumstances, Paisley's plans looked highly appropriate.

Question 83

Impending

Answer 83

(Formal) An impending event is one that is going to happen very soon. On the morning of the expedition, I awoke with a feeling of impending disaster.

Question 84

Simultaneous

Answer 84

Things which are simultaneous happen or exist at the same time. ...the simultaneous release of the book and the CD. simultaneously adverb The two guns fired almost simultaneously.

Question 85

Vigilance

Answer 85

state or quality of being vigilant; watchfulness: Vigilance is required in the event of treachery.

Question 86

Contemplate

Answer 86

If you contemplate an action, you think about whether to do it or not. For a time he contemplated a career as an army medical doctor. If you contemplate an idea or subject, you think about it carefully for a long time. As he lay in his hospital bed that night, he cried as he contemplated his future. contemplation (kɒntəmpleɪʃən) uncount noun It is a place of quiet contemplation. If you contemplate something or someone, you look at them for a long time. He contemplated his hands, still frowning. contemplation uncount noun He was lost in the contemplation of the landscape for a while.

Question 87

Negligence

Answer 87

(Formal) If someone is guilty of negligence, they have failed to do something which they ought to do. The soldiers were ordered to appear before a disciplinary council on charges of negligence.

Question 88

Perilous

Answer 88

(Literary) Something that is perilous is very dangerous. ...a perilous journey across the war zone. The road grew even steeper and more perilous. perilously adverb The track snaked perilously upwards.

Question 89

Admirable

Answer 89

An admirable quality or action is one that deserves to be praised and admired. She did an admirable job of holding the audience's attention. admirably (ædmɪrəbli) adverb Peter had dealt admirably with the sudden questions about Keith.

Question 90

Innumerable

Answer 90

(Formal) Innumerable means very many, or too many to be counted. He has invented innumerable excuses, told endless lies.

Question 91

Inflicting

Answer 91

To inflict harm or damage on someone or something means to make them suffer it. ...the damage being inflicted on industries by the recession.

Question 92

Ludicrous

Answer 92

(To Express Emphasis) If you describe something as ludicrous, you are emphasizing that you think it is foolish, unreasonable, or unsuitable. It was ludicrous to suggest that the visit could be kept secret. ludicrously adverb By Western standards the prices are ludicrously low.

Question 93

Insolvent

Answer 93

(Formal, Business) A person or organization that is insolvent does not have enough money to pay their debts. Two years later, the bank was declared insolvent.

Question 94

Respectably

Answer 94

``` Someone or something that is respectable is approved of by society and considered to be morally correct. He came from a perfectly respectable middle-class family. respectability (rɪspɛktəbɪlɪti) uncount noun If she divorced Tony, she would lose the respectability she had as Mrs. Tony Tatterton. You can say that something is respectable when you mean that it is good enough or acceptable. ...investments that offer respectable and highly attractive rates of return. ```

Question 95

Guerilla

Answer 95

A guerrilla is someone who fights as part of an unofficial army, usually against an official army or police force. The guerrillas threatened to kill their hostages.

Question 96

Vocation

Answer 96

If you have a vocation, you have a strong feeling that you are especially suited to do a particular job or to fulfill a particular role in life, especially one that involves helping other people. It could well be that he has a real vocation. If you refer to your job or profession as your vocation, you feel that you are particularly suited to it. Her vocation is her work as an actress.

Question 97

Attainment

Answer 97

(Formal) The attainment of an aim is the achieving of it. ...the attainment of independence. count noun (Formal) An attainment is a skill you have learned or something you have achieved. ...their educational attainments.

Question 98

Exemption

Answer 98

the circumstances of a taxpayer, as age or number of dependents, that allow him or her to make certain deductions from taxable income.

Question 99

Flagrant

Answer 99

(To Express Disapproval) You can use flagrant to describe an action, situation, or someone's behavior that you find extremely bad or shocking in a very obvious way. The judge called the decision "a flagrant violation of international law."

Question 100

Authority

Answer 100

Theauthorities are the people who have the power to make decisions and to make sure that laws are obeyed. This provided a pretext for the authorities to cancel the elections. count noun An authority is an official organization or government department that has the power to make decisions. ...the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Someone who is an authority on a particular subject knows a lot about it. He's universally recognized as an authority on Russian affairs. See also local authority uncount noun Authority is the right to command and control other people. A family member in a family business has a position of authority and power. If someone has authority, they have a quality which makes other people take notice of what they say. He had no natural authority and no capacity for imposing his will on others. Authority is official permission to do something. The prison governor has refused to let him go, saying he must first be given authority from his own superiors.

Question 101

Incentive

Answer 101

If something is an incentive to do something, it encourages you to do it. There is little or no incentive to adopt such measures.

Question 102

Vigorous

Answer 102

Vigorous physical activities involve using a lot of energy, usually to do short and repeated actions. Very vigorous exercise can increase the risk of heart attacks. vigorously [ADV after v] adverb He shook his head vigorously. A vigorous person does things with great energy and enthusiasm. A vigorous campaign or activity is done with great energy and enthusiasm. Theodore Roosevelt was a strong and vigorous politician. vigorously [ADV with v] adverb The police vigorously denied that excessive force had been used.

Question 103

Acquittal

Answer 103

Acquittal is a formal declaration in a court of law that someone who has been accused of a crime is innocent. ...the acquittal of six police officers charged with beating up a suspect. The jury voted 8-to-4 in favor of acquittal.

Question 104

Defiance

Answer 104

Defiance is behavior or an attitude which shows that you are not willing to obey someone. ...his courageous defiance of the government.

Question 105

Adjourn

Answer 105

If a meeting or trial is adjourned or if it adjourns, it is stopped for a short time. The proceedings have now been adjourned until next week.

Question 106

Enforceable

Answer 106

If something such as a law or agreement is enforceable, it can be enforced. ...the creation of legally enforceable contracts. inflections: enforces, enforcing, enforced transitive verb If people in authority enforce a law or a rule, they make sure that it is obeyed, usually by punishing people who do not obey it. Boulder was one of the first cities in the nation to enforce a ban on smoking. To enforce something means to force or cause it to be done or to happen. They struggled to limit the cost by enforcing a low-tech specification.

Question 107

Prosecution

Answer 107

Prosecution is the action of charging someone with a crime and putting them on trial. Yesterday the head of government called for the prosecution of those responsible for the deaths. singular noun The lawyers who try to prove that a person on trial is guilty are called the prosecution. The star witness for the prosecution took the stand.

Question 108

Apprehend

Answer 108

(Formal) If the police apprehend someone, they catch them and arrest them. Police have not apprehended her killer.

Question 109

Comprehend

Answer 109

(Formal) If you cannot comprehend something, you cannot understand it. I just cannot comprehend your attitude.

Question 110

Testify

Answer 110

When someone testifies in a court of law, they give a statement of what they saw someone do or what they know of a situation, after having promised to tell the truth. Several eyewitnesses testified that they saw the officers hit Miller in the face. Eva testified to having seen Herndon with his gun on the stairs.

Question 111

Defendant

Answer 111

A defendant is a person who has been accused of breaking the law and is being tried in court. The defendant pleaded guilty and was fined $500.