Expand your vocabulary
Circle A, B, C or D that most accurately fits the meaning and check your answers with the key.
1. Impetus
A. negative remark
B. sensitivity
C. driving force
D. absence
2. Hiatus
A. interruption
B. prohibition
C. doubt
D. affection
3. Diffident
A. dangerous
B. lacking confidence
C. doubtful
D. beautiful
4. Postulate
A. to claim
B. to vilify
C. to assume to be true
D. to avoid
5. Sanguine
A. pessimistic
B. negligent
C. intelligent
D. optimistic
6. Sunder
A. to separate
B. to unite
C. to abbreviate
D. to assume
7. Mulct
A. to profit
B. to defraud
C. to think ahead
D. to postpone
8. Apocryphal
A. genuine
B. acceptable
C. false or doubtful
D. prohibited
9. Cachet
A. small bag
B. pointed implement
C. unknown cause
D. prestige
10. Blandish
A. to coax
B. to dance
C. to mark with a sign
D. to show off
11. Pathos
A. sorrow
B. sense of compassion
C. happiness
D. false appearance
12. Broach
A. to break
B. to violate a code of conduct
C. to bring up in conversation
D. to blush
13. Inculcate
A. to praise
B. to insult
C. to be frank
D. to implant
14. Laconic
A. concise
B. slow-moving
C. fast-moving
D. evident
15. Gambit
A. excuse
B. smart move
C. business trip
D. falsehood
16. Sinecure
A. award
B. demotion
C. job with few or no duties
D. embarrassing situation
17. Dillydally
A. to wait patiently
B. to repeat a prayer
C. to waste time
D. to dilute
18. Gridlock
A. computer lock
B. written test
C. interview
D. traffic jam
19. Counterpoint
A. melodic combination
B. fierce attack
C. verbal attack
D. thick mist
20. Nettlesome
A. puzzling
B. irritating
C. fussy
D. hurtful
Key
1. C
2. A
3. B
4. C
5. D
6. A
7. B
8. C
9. D
10. A
11. B
12. C
13. D
14. A
15. B
16. C
17. C
18. D
19. A
20. B
Ratings
10 – 14 Correct: Good
15 – 17 Correct: Excellent
18 – 20 Correct: Exceptional