Vocab 9

Question 1

Impending

Answer 1

Impending – about to happen, forthcoming (of significant or threatening event)

(E.g. “To instigate sustainable alternatives, and to mitigate the impending effects of global warming with just and ethical responses.”)

Question 2

Impartial

Answer 2

Impartial – not directly involved, unbiased, fair, not favouring one over another

(E.g. “The minister cannot be impartial in the way that a judge would be.”)

Question 3

Upheaval

Answer 3

Upheaval – sudden or violent change, disturbance, disruption

(E.g. “Major upheavals in the financial markets.”)

Question 4

Hedonism

Answer 4

Hedonism – belief that pursuit of self-pleasure is most important thing in life

Question 5

Pretentious

Answer 5

Pretentious – intending to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than possessed, ostentatious

Question 6

Magnanimous

Answer 6

Magnanimous – generous, noble, great of mind & heart OR forgiving towards rival

(Latin: magnus = great, animus = soul or mind)

Question 7

Thrifty

Answer 7

Thrifty – frugal, economical, careful in using money & other resources

Question 8

Parsimonious

Answer 8

Parsimonious – thrifty, frugal, unwilling to spend money & other resources to the point of stinginess

(E.g. “Even the parsimonious Joe paid for drinks all round.”)

Question 9

Rhetorical

Answer 9

Rhetorical – question asked to make effect rather than to get an answer

(ALSO relating to rhetoric = art of persuasion, using language effectively)

Question 10

Expostulation

Answer 10

Expostulation – strong disagreement, protest, arguing or reasoning

(E.g. “Despite the earnest expostulations of her friends, Jessica continued to date the foul-tempered guy.”)

Question 11

Remonstration

Answer 11

Remonstration – protest, objection, disapproval, remonstrance

(Synonim to expostulation – strong disagreement, protest, arguing or reasoning)

Question 12

Preclude

Answer 12

Preclude – prevent, exclude OR make something impossible from happening

(E.g. “The secret nature of his work precluded official recognition.”)

Question 13

Antipodal

Answer 13

Antipodal – diametrically (completely) opposite

(Greek: Anti = opposite, poús = foot)

Question 14

Miscellaneous

Answer 14

Miscellaneous – mixed, various types, from different sources

Question 15

Anal-retentive

Answer 15

Anal-retentive – excessively orderly, fussy, concerned with trivial (unimportant) details

Question 16

Conscription

Answer 16

Conscription (in US: draft) – mandatory enlistment in national service like military

Question 17

Oar

Answer 17

Oar – long pole with wide, flat blade used for rowing a boat

Question 18

Sangfroid

Answer 18

Sangfroid – composure, calmness, coolness of mind in dangerous or difficult circumstances

(French: sang = blood, froid = cold)

(Synonim to equanimity – composure, calmness, mind stability, especially under stress)