Vocab

Question 1

Abate

Answer 1

v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount

As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.

Question 2

Abstract

Answer 2

adj. existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality

Julie had trouble understanding the appeal of the abstract painting.

Question 3

Abysmal

Answer 3

adj. extremely bad

I got an abysmal grade on my research paper!

Question 4

Acquisition

Answer 4

n. the act of gaining a skill or possession of something

Language acquisition is easier for kids than it is for adults.

Question 5

Adept

Answer 5

adj. having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)

Beth loves playing the piano, but she’s especially adept at the violin.

Question 6

Adequate

Answer 6

adj. having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose

Though his resume was adequate, the company doubted whether he’d be a good fit.

Question 7

Advent

Answer 7

n. the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic)

The world has never been the same since the advent of the light bulb.

Question 8

Adversarial

Answer 8

adj. relating to hostile opposition

An adversarial attitude will make you many enemies in life.

Question 9

Advocate

Answer 9

n. someone who promotes or defends something
v. to defend or promote something (usu. a belief, theory, opinion, etc.)

I am an advocate for free higher education.
Environmental protesters often advocate for cleaner energy practices.

Question 10

Agitate

Answer 10

v. to promote something (usu. a cause)

They’re agitating for better health care.

Question 11

Allude

Answer 11

v. to make a secretive mention of something

She alluded to the problem at hand but didn’t say anything more about it.

Question 12

Altercation

Answer 12

n. a noisy argument or confrontation

Greg got into an altercation with a stranger at the bar.

Question 13

Ambiguous

Answer 13

adj. unclear or vague in meaning

Her ambiguous statement made me question whether she could be trusted.

Question 14

Ambitious

Answer 14

adj. having a powerful desire for success or achievement

Penny is so ambitious, she wants to be president someday.

Question 15

Ambivalence

Answer 15

n. the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options

His ambivalence prevented him from immediately signing the contract.

Question 16

Analogous

Answer 16

adj. similar but not identical

Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions.

Question 17

Annihilate

Answer 17

v. to destroy or cause devastating destruction

The dictator sent orders to annihilate the group of rebels.

Question 18

Anomaly

Answer 18

n. something different from the norm

This result is an anomaly and very rarely happens.

Question 19

Anticipate

Answer 19

v. assume to be likely to happen

The party was just as fun as I had anticipated it would be.

Question 20

Antipathy

Answer 20

n. a strong feeling of dislike

Her antipathy toward the professor was obvious: she rolled her eyes whenever he entered the classroom.

Question 21

Apex

Answer 21

n. the highest point of something

The spring play was the apex of our school year.

Question 22

Apprehension

Answer 22

n. fearful expectation of something

Her apprehension to leave her house resulted in her missing the train.

Question 23

Articulate

Answer 23

v. to clearly express in words

She articulated her opinion on the price of the house.

Question 24

Assertion

Answer 24

n. a strong declaration

His assertion that sharks are mammals made everyone laugh.

Question 25

Austere

Answer 25

adj. extremely plain adj. stern and forbidding adj. relating to self-denial He lived in a small, austere cabin in the middle of the woods. My boss had an austere expression on her face. An austere lifestyle, like that of monks, isn’t for everybody.

Question 26

Authenticity

Answer 26

n. the quality of being real and true instead of fake and contrived The police officer doubted the authenticity of the suspect’s story.

Question 27

Avenue

Answer 27

n. an intangible path or approach to something The company has decided to pursue other avenues.

Question 28

Avid

Answer 28

adj. actively interested in or enthusiastic about something Gerald is an avid soccer fan.

Question 29

Bear

Answer 29

v. to have as a characteristic v. to have (a child) v. to bring forth v. to put up with She bears a strong resemblance to your mother. Judy will bear her first child later this year. My garden is going to bear pumpkins this year. I can’t bear her complaining any longer!

Question 30

Benevolent

Answer 30

adj. kind, generous Many cultures believe in benevolent spirits.

Question 31

Bias

Answer 31

n. a preconception that prevents objectivity It’s important to avoid bias when investigating a crime.

Question 32

Bittersweet

Answer 32

adj. tinged with a feeling of sadness The ending of the romance movie was bittersweet.

Question 33

Bolster

Answer 33

v. to support, strengthen, or fortify If we work together, we should be able to lift and then bolster the couch.

Question 34

Brawl

Answer 34

n. an intense, loud fight v. to fight loudly and disruptively A brawl broke out at school today after one student accused another of cheating. The two students brawled for an hour.

Question 35

Brevity

Answer 35

n. the quality of being brief or terse The brevity of their time together made it all the more romantic.