SPICY, SOPHISTICATED VOCABS FOR IGCSE ENGLISH

Question 1

RESONATES
verb

Answer 1

TO EMOTIONALLY CONNECT
e.g Her story about overcoming failure deeply resonates with young readers striving for success.

Question 2

JUXTAPOSE
verb

Answer 2

TO PLACE SOMETHING SIDE BY SIDE FOR CONTRAST
e.g The novel juxtaposes light-hearted dialogue with dark, emotional themes to emphasize the characters’ inner turmoil.

Question 3

EVOKES
verb

Answer 3

TO BRING FEELING OR MEMEORY, OR IMAGE TO MIND
e.g The scent of jasmine evokes memories of warm summer evenings spent in her grandmother’s garden.

Question 4

PROFOUND
adj

Answer 4

DEEP INTENSE AND MEANINGFUL
e.g The speaker’s profound words left the audience in thoughtful silence.

Question 5

FRIVOLOUS
adj

Answer 5

LACKING SERIOUSNESS OR IMPORTANCE
e.g her frivolous nature made it difficult to determine whether she’s being serious or is just playing pranks

Question 6

RESILILIENT
adj

Answer 6

ABLE TO RECOVER QUICKLY FROM DIFFICULY
e.g Despite facing countless setbacks, she remained resilient, determined to achieve her goals.

Question 7

INEVITABLE
adj

Answer 7

UNAVOIDABLE, CERTAIN TO HAPPEN
e.g With no safety measures in place, disaster seemed almost inevitable.

Question 8

AMBIGIOUS
adj

Answer 8

UNCLEAR OR OPEN TO MORE THAT ONE INTERPRETATION
e.g His ambiguous statement left everyone unsure of his true intentions.

Question 9

TRANSCEND
verb

Answer 9

TO RISE ABOVE OR GO BEHOND LIMITS
e.g Great literature often transcends time, remaining relevant for generations.

Question 10

VULNERABLE
adj

Answer 10

EASILY HURT OR OPEN TO EMOTION AND PHYSICAL HARM
e.g Opening up made her feel vulnerable, but it also brought genuine connection.
ALT: EASILY HURT, HARMED, OR AFFECTED

Question 11

METICULOUS
adj

Answer 11

SHOWING GREAT ATTENTION TO DETAIL
e.g he planned every aspect of the project with meticulous care.

Question 12

EPHERMAL
adj

Answer 12

SHORT-LIVED; LASTING A VERY SHORT TIME
e.g The cherry blossoms were beautiful but ephemeral, gone within days.

Question 13

SERENE
adj

Answer 13

PEACEFUL AND CALM
e.g A serene stillness settled over the lake as the sun set.

Question 14

AUDACIOUS
adj

Answer 14

BOLD AND FEARLESS, OFTEN IN A DARING WAY
e.g His audacious decision to speak out inspired others to do the same.

Question 15

OMINOUS
adj

Answer 15

THREATNING OR SUGGESTING SOMETHING BAD IS COMING.
e.g Dark clouds loomed overhead, casting an ominous shadow on the field.

Question 16

CATALYST
noun

Answer 16

SOMETHING OR SOMEONE THAT CAUSES CHANGE
e.g Her arrival acted as a catalyst for the group to finally take action.

Question 17

CONVOLATED
adj

Answer 17

EXTREMELY COMPLEX OR DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW
e.g The explanation was so convoluted that even the smart

Question 18

ALEVIATE
verb

Answer 18

TO REDUCE OR RELIEVE (PAIN, STRESS, BURDEN)
e.g Listening to music helped alleviate her anxiety before the exam.

Question 19

REVERBRATE
verb

Answer 19

TO ECHO OR LEAVE A LASTING EFFECT
e.g His powerful words continued to reverberate in her mind long after he had left.

Question 20

OBSCURE
adj/verb

Answer 20

DIFFICULT TO SEE OR UNDERSTAND; PARTIAL HIDDEN
e.g the origin the language is obscure

Question 21

STOIC
adj/noun

Answer 21

ENDURING HARDSHIP WITHOUT SHOWING EMOTION
e.g Though her heart was breaking, she remained stoic, refusing to let anyone see her pain.

Question 22

JADED
adj

Answer 22

FEELING TIRED, BORED OR EMOTIONALLY NUMB
e.g After years of empty promises, she became jaded and stopped believing anything would change.