English Vocabulary Test (U.S. Version)

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Question 1

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below - Itinerant

	permanent
	flexible
	transient
	dissatisfied

Question 1 Explanation:

Meaning: traveling from place to place, working in one place for a comparatively short time and then moving on to work in another place. Synonyms:unsettled, wandering, floating, nomadic, roaming, transient etc. Antonyms:settled, permanent etc.

Question 2

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below. This experiment was designed to _____ certain behaviors from the test subjects.

	illicit
	elicit

Question 2 Explanation:

Meaning: to bring out or draw out. Synonyms: extract, fetch, derive, arm-twist etc. Antonyms: cover, hide, repress, supress

Question 3

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Tending to create ill will or give offense

	labyrinthine
	invidious
	titillating
	envious

Question 3 Explanation:

invidious definition: Tending to create ill will or give offense or hatred. labyrinthine means complicated, tortuous,complex etc. titillating is a verb. Meanings: rouse, tempt, tease. Envious: resentful, jealous, covetous etc.

Question 4

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. n. Capacity for producing a desired result; effectiveness

	contumacy
	defenestration
	conversion
	efficacy

Question 4 Explanation:

Efficacy is the capacity to produce an effect. It has different specific meanings in different fields. In medicine, it is the ability of an intervention or drug to reproduce a desired effect in expert hands and under ideal circumstances.
Source: Wikipedia

Question 5

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below: Lassitude

	simplicity of speech
	leniency
	philanthropy
	vigor

Question 5 Explanation:

Lassitude
Synonyms: laziness, weakness, fatigue etc. Antonyms: vigor, excitement, pleasure, interest etc.

Question 6

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. The coach was absolutely lost his temper by his team's INDOLENCE and nasty attitude.

	violent behavior
	odorousness
	laziness
	disappearance

Question 6 Explanation:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Indolence means lack of activity and may refer to: Laziness of people and living beings A sign of benignity in histopathology of tumors.

Question 7

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. Her MELLIFLUOUS voice is perfectly suited to lullabies and never fails to put us all to sleep.

	smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding
	dull; tiresome
	cacophonous

Question 7 Explanation:

MELLIFLUOUS example sentence : She is well known for her mellifluous vocal performances.

Question 8

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. She always got a VICARIOUS thrill from watching her father skydive.

	empathetic
	dangerous
	pathetic
	sickening

Question 8 Explanation:

VICARIOUS meaning: felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others. Synonyms: empathetic,sympathetic,indirect etc. Antonyms: unconcerned, unsympathetic, careless etc.

Question 9

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below. The crafty spy gave a _____ name to the hotel clerk.

	fictive
	fictional
	fictitious

Question 9 Explanation:

Fictive means not genuine, false

Question 10

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Understood by or intended for only a select few or a particular group.

	esoteric
	eccentric
	narcissistic
	languid

Question 10 Explanation:

From Wikipedia: esoteric (comparative more esoteric, superlative most esoteric) Definition: Understood only by a chosen few or an enlightened inner circle. Example: The writing in this manual is very esoteric; I need a degree in engineering just to understand it!

Question 11

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. n. A position that entails little work but provides a salary.

	quiescence
	theocracy
	swindle
	sinecure

Question 11 Explanation:

A sinecure (from Latin sine = "without" and cura = "care") means an office that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service.

Question 12

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Sluggish; apathetic; dull

	turbid
	torpid
	turgid
	tepid

Question 13

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below. Mr. Winkle was dismayed to discover that his willful young wife _____ her wealth and _____ the law at every opportunity.

	flouted / flouted
	flouted / flaunted
	flaunted / flouted
	flaunted / flaunted

Question 13 Explanation:

flaunted = show off flouted = ignore, defy

Question 14

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. Refute

	expose
	support
	garbage
	safe place

Question 15

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below. I screamed as the monstrous presence snaked toward me on the dark and _____ path.

	tortious
	tortuous
	torturous

Question 16

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Easily provoked to anger; irritable

	sapid
	irascible
	jocund
	incorrigible

Question 17

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below. Our lawyers have informed us that while the new tax laws will not _____ our business directly, they may have an adverse _____ on the spending power of our customers.

	effect / affect
	affect / affect
	effect / effect
	affect / effect

Question 18

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. The WIZENED old woman gave Jack a handful of beans and some good advice.

	sage
	shriveled
	creepy
	jocular

Question 19

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Similar to something else in certain respects, as in form, function, or meaning

	abject
	agrarian
	analogous
	amalgam

Question 20

Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letters as it is used in the sentence below. These artists really IMBUE their work with a spirit of profound freedom.

	spoil
	detract from; debase
	fill or permeate with a particular feeling or quality

Question 21

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below. The company is _____ committed to developing educational television programs for children.

	holey
	holy
	wholly

Question 22

Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letters as it is used in the sentence below. The diplomats, who have been accused of DUPLICITY by their respective countries, have been removed from their posts.

	bad taste
	deceitfulness; double-dealing
	embezzlement

Question 23

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below. Oscar, who did not possess a discerning _____, preferred hotdogs to steak.

	palette
	pallet
	palate

Question 24

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below. The workers were allowed to _____ down once they'd _____ the brick, but the foreman himself has not yet _____ down.

	lay / lain / laid
	lie / laid / lain
	lie / lain / lain
	lay / laid / laid

Question 25

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below. That grueling competition really tested the _____ of the gymnastics team.

	meddle
	metal
	medal
	mettle

Question 26

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Narrow-minded; limited in scope

	hermetic
	foreseeable
	sporadic
	sectarian

Question 27

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. Inordinate

	reasonable
	on a waiting list
	unprepared
	immense

Question 28

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. v. To issue a vehement verbal attack; to denounce explosively

	vituperative
	litigant
	fulminate
	exhume

Question 29

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. v. To impose with authority; urge strongly

	enjoin
	prevalent
	dissonance
	relegate

Question 30

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below. I can _____ all the terms of the apartment lease ______ the one about not allowing pets.

	except / accept
	except / except
	accept / accept
	accept / except

Question 31

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of homophones from the options below. The _____ poet, knowing his death was _____, struggled to finish his final ode.

	imminent / eminent
	eminent / immanent
	immanent / imminent
	eminent / imminent

Question 32

Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Hardhearted; unmoved by pity

	apologetic
	parsimonious
	obdurate
	abdicated

Question 33

Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letter as it is used in the sentence below. The publicist was surprised by the INUNDATION of fan letters for her top client.

	deluge
	dearth
	hindrance

Question 34

Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letters as it is used in the sentence below. Alicia, who loved both men equally and wanted to hurt neither, found herself in quite a QUANDARY over which one she should choose.

	happy circumstance
	puzzling predicament
	easy decision

Question 34 Explanation:

Question 35

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. Agatha RUMINATED for weeks about the consequences of telling Arthur about the affair.

	pondered
	worried
	neglected
	laughed

Question 36

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. Pretentious

	modest
	understanding
	uneasy
	pleasant

Question 37

Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letters as it is used in the sentence below. Maude managed to sweep up the broken dishes without a word of REPROOF to her children.

	expression of disapproval or blame
	expression of affection or love
	expression of apology or regret

Question 38

Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. His son's group of friends had a DELETERIOUS effect on his schoolwork.

	influential
	positive
	hysterical
	harmful

Question 39

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of homophones from the options below. The skillful candidate's _____ speech was delightful to listen to, but failed to explain how he would achieve the ______ goals of peace and prosperity.

	illusive / elusive
	allusive / elusive
	elusive / allusive
	allusive / illusive

Question 40

Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below. The journalist denied that he had any PRURIENT interest in the politician's private life, but his titillating articles seemed to indicate otherwise.