Vocabulary

Question 1

distraught

Answer 1

adjective

: very upset
: so upset that you are not able to think clearly or behave normally

• She was distraught over the death of her partner.

Question 2

disposition

Answer 2

noun

: the usual attitude or mood of a person or animal
: a tendency to act or think in a particular way
: a tendency to develop a disease, condition, etc.

• People with a genetic disposition toward a particular disease.

Question 3

beckon

Answer 3

verb

: to signal (someone) with your arm or hand in order to tell that person to come closer or follow
: to appear attractive or inviting
: to attract (someone or something)

• She beckoned the waiter to come over.

Question 4

torrent

Answer 4

noun

: a large amount of water that moves very quickly in one direction
: a large amount of something that is released suddenly

• The storm turned the stream into a raging torrent.

Question 5

faux pas

Answer 5

noun

: an embarrassing social mistake

• Arriving too early would be a serious faux pas.

Question 6

aficionado

Answer 6

noun

: a person who likes and knows a lot about something

• An aficionado of the sci-fi series who has seen all the movies several times

Question 7

fervent

Answer 7

adjective

: felt very strongly
: having or showing very strong feelings

• A fervent speech that called for tolerance and compassion for those who are different

Question 8

brunt

Answer 8

noun

: the principal force, shock, or stress (as of an attack)
: the greater part

• The brunt of the responsibility fell on her shoulders

Question 9

bane

Answer 9

noun

obsolete :  killer, slayer
\:  poison
\:  death, destruction
\:  woe
\:  a source of harm or ruin
\:  curse

• National frontiers have been more of a bane than a boon for mankind.

Question 10

colloquial

Answer 10

adjective

: used when people are speaking in an informal way
: using an informal style

• The new coworker’s rudeness soon began—to use a colloquial expression—to rub me the wrong way.

Question 11

sequester

Answer 11

transitive verb

: to keep (a person or group) apart from other people
law : to take (property) until a debt has been paid

• The jury was sequestered until a verdict was reached.

Question 12

impartial

Answer 12

adjective

: treating all people and groups equally
: not partial or biased

• An impartial evaluation of the job applicant’s qualifications that does not consider age, gender, or race.

Question 13

preempt

Answer 13

verb

: to prevent (something) from happening
: to take the place of (something)
: to be shown instead of (another television program)

• The state law was preempted by a federal law.

Question 14

infallible

Answer 14

adjective

: not capable of being wrong or making mistakes : not fallible
: certain to work properly or succeed

• I never claimed to be infallible.

Question 15

suffrage

Answer 15

noun

: the right to vote in an election

• Women who fought for suffrage.

Question 16

nefarious

Answer 16

adjective

: evil or immoral

• A nefarious scheme to cheat people out of their money

Question 17

behoove

Answer 17

verb

: to be necessary or proper for (someone)

• It behooves a good citizen to obey the law.

Question 18

penultimate

Answer 18

adjective

: occurring immediately before the last one
: next to the last

• The penultimate syllable of the word.

Question 19

demure

Answer 19

adjective

: quiet and polite
: not attracting or demanding a lot of attention
: not showy or flashy

• The demure charm of the cottage.

Question 20

indolent

Answer 20

adjective

: not liking to work or be active

• She is indolent and irresponsible.

Question 21

introspection

Answer 21

noun

: the process of examining your own thoughts or feelings

• A moment of quiet introspection.

Question 22

retrospect

Answer 22

noun

: in considering the past or a past event

• In retrospect, we should have saved more money for college.

Question 23

diligent

Answer 23

adjective

: characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort
: painstaking

• A student who has been unceasingly diligent in pursuit of a degree in mathematics.

Question 24

obscure

Answer 24

adjective

: not well-known : not known to most people
: difficult to understand : likely to be understood by only a few people
: difficult or impossible to know completely and with certainty

• The movie is full of obscure references that only pop culture enthusiasts will understand.

Question 25

crux

Answer 25

noun : a puzzling or difficult problem : an unsolved question : an essential point requiring resolution or resolving an outcome : a main or central feature (as of an argument) - The crux of the problem is that the school's current budget is totally inadequate.

Question 26

diplomatic

Answer 26

adjective : involving the work of maintaining good relations between the governments of different countries : of or relating to diplomats or their work : not causing bad feelings : having or showing an ability to deal with people politely - A diplomatic attempt at preventing any hurt feelings.

Question 27

debauchery

Answer 27

noun : bad or immoral behavior that involves sex, drugs, alcohol, etc. - He recalled the evening's debaucheries with regret.

Question 28

prehensile

Answer 28

adjective : capable of grabbing or holding something by wrapping around it - The monkey has a prehensile tail.

Question 29

transcend

Answer 29

verb : to rise above or go beyond the normal limits of (something) - She was able to transcend her own suffering and help others.

Question 30

incorrigible

Answer 30

adjective : not able to be corrected or changed - He is always the class clown and his teachers say he is incorrigible.

Question 31

aphorism

Answer 31

noun : a short phrase that expresses a true or wise idea - When decorating, remember the familiar aphorism, “less is more.”

Question 32

expunge

Answer 32

verb : to remove (something) completely - Time and the weather have expunged any evidence that a thriving community once existed here.

Question 33

precarious

Answer 33

adjective : not safe, strong, or steady - The strong wind almost knocked him off of his precarious perch on the edge of the cliff.

Question 34

ephemeral

Answer 34

adjective : lasting a very short time - The autumnal blaze of colors is always to be treasured, all the more so because it is so ephemeral.

Question 35

contrite

Answer 35

adjective : feeling or showing regret for bad behavior - Being contrite is not enough to spare you an arrest if you're caught shoplifting.

Question 36

snicker

Answer 36

intransitive verb : to make a short, quiet laugh in a way that shows disrespect - He snickered at the puzzled look on her face.

Question 37

espouse

Answer 37

verb : to express support for (a cause, belief, etc.) - The new theory has been espoused by many leading physicists.

Question 38

propriety

Answer 38

noun : behavior that is accepted as socially or morally correct and proper : the state or quality of being correct and proper proprieties : rules of correct social behavior - When attending a wedding, there are certain proprieties that must be observed.

Question 39

caprice

Answer 39

noun : a sudden change; especially : a sudden change in someone's mood or behavior - Employees have complained of being at the mercy of the manager's every whim and caprice.

Question 40

mercurial

Answer 40

adjective : changing moods quickly and often : changing often : very changeable : very lively and quick - The boss's mood is so mercurial that we never know how he's going to react to anything.

Question 41

reticent

Answer 41

adjective : not willing to tell people about things - The panel decided to investigate the fraud charges against the company, which has always been reticent about its internal operations.

Question 42

enmity

Answer 42

noun : a very deep unfriendly feeling - We need to put aside old enmities for the sake of peace.

Question 43

traduce

Answer 43

transitive verb : to tell lies about (someone) - He was traduced in the press.

Question 44

clairvoyance

Answer 44

noun : an ability to communicate with dead people, to predict future events, or to know about things that you did not actually see happen or hear about - I don't believe in clairvoyance, but I can't explain how he knew those things about my grandmother.

Question 45

schmooze

Answer 45

verb : to talk with someone in a friendly way often in order to get some advantage for yourself - Spent every spare minute of the conference schmoozing with the industry's power players.

Question 46

seedy

Answer 46

adjective : dirty or in bad condition : not respectable or decent : having bad morals - A seedy area of the city.

Question 47

enthrall

Answer 47

verb : to hold the attention of (someone) by being very exciting, interesting, or beautiful - For years these master magicians have been enthralling audiences with their astounding illusions.

Question 48

penchant

Answer 48

noun : a strong liking for something or a strong tendency to behave in a certain way - A penchant for sitting by the window and staring moodily off into space.

Question 49

vacuous

Answer 49

adjective : having or showing a lack of intelligence or serious thought : lacking meaning, importance, or substance - A dull and vacuous movie.

Question 50

sinecure

Answer 50

noun : a job or position in which someone is paid to do little or no work - Early in his political career, he intended to retire in a sinecure position.

Question 51

donnybrook

Answer 51

noun : a public argument : an uncontrolled fight - A dozen people were arrested after the donnybrook at the stadium.

Question 52

superfluous

Answer 52

adjective : beyond what is needed : not necessary - Cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer.

Question 53

dystopia

Answer 53

noun : an imaginary place where people are unhappy and usually afraid because they are not treated fairly - In a dystopian future, teens Katniss and Peeta are drafted for a televised event pitting young competitors against each other in a fight to the death.

Question 54

swoon

Answer 54

intransitive verb : to become very excited about someone or something : to suddenly become unconscious - Swooning with joy.

Question 55

slander

Answer 55

transitive verb : to make a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone - For some reason, that newspaper seems determined to slander one particular celebrity.

Question 56

procure

Answer 56

verb : to get (something) by some action or effort : to find or provide (a prostitute) for someone - She managed to procure a ticket to the concert.

Question 57

chasm

Answer 57

noun : a deep hole or opening in the surface of the earth : a major division, separation, or difference between two people, groups, etc. - A chasm in the ocean floor.

Question 58

vehement

Answer 58

adjective : showing strong and often angry feelings : very emotional - The proposal has faced vehement opposition from many teachers.

Question 59

prude

Answer 59

noun : a person who is easily shocked or offended by things that do not shock or offend other people - He is too much of a prude to enjoy movies containing sex and violence.

Question 60

obdurate

Answer 60

adjective : refusing to do what other people want : not willing to change your opinion or the way you do something - He is known for his obdurate determination.

Question 61

forthwith

Answer 61

adverb : without delay - If the fire alarm rings, leave the building forthwith.

Question 62

malady

Answer 62

noun : a disease or illness - In the olden days people were always suffering from some unknown malady.

Question 63

docile

Answer 63

adjective : easily taught, led, or controlled - His students were docile and eager to learn.

Question 64

perseverance

Answer 64

noun : the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult - His perseverance was rewarded: after many rejections, he finally found a job.

Question 65

egregious

Answer 65

adjective : very bad and easily noticed - The student's theme was marred by a number of egregious errors in spelling.

Question 66

comestible

Answer 66

adjective : edible - Some mushrooms are comfortably comestible, but others are decidedly poisonous.

Question 67

admonition

Answer 67

noun : a criticism or warning about behavior - He offered words of advice and admonition.

Question 68

wry

Answer 68

adjective : humorous in a clever and often ironic way : showing both amusement and a feeling of being tired, annoyed, etc. - When I asked her how she felt after winning the race, she gave me a wry smile and said, “Pretty tired.”

Question 69

sinuous

Answer 69

adjective : having many twists and turns : moving and bending in a smooth and attractive way - The river flowed in a sinuous path through the lush valley.

Question 70

assuage

Answer 70

verb : to make (something, such as an unpleasant feeling) less painful, severe, etc. - a mother cooing to her toddler and assuaging his fear of the dark - A mother cooing to her toddler and assuaging his fear of the dark.

Question 71

ominous

Answer 71

adjective : suggesting that something bad is going to happen in the future - An ominous threat of war

Question 72

dismay

Answer 72

verb : to cause (someone) to feel very worried, disappointed, or upset - Her choice of career dismays her parents.

Question 73

wary

Answer 73

adjective : not having or showing complete trust in someone or something that could be dangerous or cause trouble - Investors are increasingly wary about putting money into stocks.

Question 74

rueful

Answer 74

adjective : showing or feeling regret for something done - He gave me a rueful smile and apologized.

Question 75

avarice

Answer 75

noun : a strong desire to have or get money - The corporate world is plagued by avarice and a thirst for power.

Question 76

subvert

Answer 76

transitive verb : to secretly try to ruin or destroy a government, political system, etc. : to make (something) weaker or less effective - They conspired to subvert the government.

Question 77

eccentric

Answer 77

adjective : tending to act in strange or unusual ways : strange or unusual : not following a perfectly circular path - He was a kind but eccentric man.

Question 78

clout

Answer 78

noun : the power to influence or control situations : a hit especially with the hand - She used her political clout to have another school built.

Question 79

languid

Answer 79

adjective : showing or having very little strength, energy, or activity - It was a hot, languid summer day.

Question 80

augment

Answer 80

verb : to increase the size or amount of (something) : to add something to (something) in order to improve or complete it - Heavy rains augmented the water supply.

Question 81

taut

Answer 81

adjective : very tight from being pulled or stretched : not loose or slack : firm and strong : not loose or flabby : very tense - The rope was drawn taut.

Question 82

aberration

Answer 82

noun : something (such as a problem or a type of behavior) that is unusual or unexpected - For her, such a low grade on an exam was an aberration.

Question 83

devoid

Answer 83

adjective : not having (something usual or expected) : completely without (something) - The picnic jug was completely devoid of juice after only a few minutes.

Question 84

allegory

Answer 84

noun : a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation - The long poem is an allegory of love and jealousy.

Question 85

disparage

Answer 85

verb : to describe (someone or something) as unimportant, weak, bad, etc. - Voters don't like political advertisements in which opponents disparage one another.

Question 86

onus

Answer 86

noun : the responsibility for something - He perpetually tries to shift the onus for any mistakes onto other team members

Question 87

prudent

Answer 87

adjective : having or showing careful good judgment - He always listened to her prudent advice.

Question 88

debacle

Answer 88

noun : a great disaster or complete failure - After the debacle of his first novel, he had trouble getting a publisher for his next book.

Question 89

renege

Answer 89

verb : to refuse to do something that you promised or agreed to do - They had promised to pay her tuition but later reneged.

Question 90

poignant

Answer 90

adjective : causing a strong feeling of sadness - The photograph was a poignant reminder of her childhood.

Question 91

tout

Answer 91

verb : to talk about (something or someone) as being very good, effective, skillful, etc. : to try to persuade people to buy your goods or services : to buy tickets for an event and resell them at a much higher price - The company is running advertisements touting the drug's effectiveness. - People were touting tickets outside the stadium.

Question 92

brevity

Answer 92

noun : the use of few words to say something : the quality or fact of lasting only for a short period of time - The best quality a graduation speech can have is brevity.

Question 93

philanthropy

Answer 93

noun : the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for other people - The family's philanthropy made it possible to build the public library.

Question 94

mar

Answer 94

verb : to ruin the beauty or perfection of (something) : to hurt or damage the good condition of (something) - A large scar marred his face.

Question 95

concatenate

Answer 95

verb : to link together in a series or chain - Concatenate several lists of instructions into a single master file.

Question 96

bamboozle

Answer 96

verb : to trick or confuse (someone) - Bamboozled by con men into buying worthless land in the desert.

Question 97

enigma

Answer 97

noun : someone or something that is difficult to understand or explain - To his friends, he was always something of an enigma.

Question 98

exodus

Answer 98

noun : a situation in which many people leave a place at the same time - The mass exodus from the cities for the beaches and the mountains on most summer weekends

Question 99

affluent

Answer 99

adjective : having a large amount of money and owning many expensive things - He is affluent and can afford to send his children to the best schools.

Question 100

grandeur

Answer 100

noun : a great and impressive quality - His paintings capture the beauty and grandeur of the landscape.

Question 101

juxtapose

Answer 101

verb : to place (different things) together in order to create an interesting effect or to show how they are the same or different - A display that juxtaposes modern art with classical art