Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Idioms Test - II

Choose the word that suitables most:

1) Hania and Joanna are as different as ……… and cheese?

  • a) biscuits
  • b) chalk
  • c) ham
  • d) jam

2) My father wants me to study law, but I have made up my ……… to become an archaeologist, instead.

  • a) heart
  • b) head
  • c) brain
  • d) mind

3) If something frightens you it gives you the ……… .

  • a) wood
  • b) bulls
  • c) willies
  • d) hots

4) You haven't been studying much recently and you'd better ……… if you want to pass the Cambridge CPE exam.

  • a) thread your way through
  • b) meet your Waterloo
  • c) pull your socks up
  • d) change your spots

5) Magda was ……… after she heard that she had won a televison in a competition.

  • a) over the hill
  • b) on cloud nine
  • c) on the hop
  • d) over the peg

6) Donna ……… after her husband left her for a younger woman.

  • a) read between the lines
  • b) lead the field
  • c) took to the bottle
  • d) spared the rod

7) Don't throw that old FCE testbook away. It will ……… in handy when your sister is studying for the college entry examination.

  • a) turn
  • b) find
  • c) come
  • d) give

8) Simon was given the cold ……… by the other teachers after informing the newspapers about widespread corruption at the college.

  • a) chin
  • b) shoulder
  • c) neck
  • d) back

9) Wild boar haven't been seen in this ……… of the woods for about ten years because of overhunting in the past.

  • a) walk
  • b) ward
  • c) neck
  • d) leg

10) Charles has been in Kamila's ……… since he called her a fat slag.

  • a) bad letters
  • b) bad books
  • c) bad records
  • d) bad papers

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Body Idioms - I

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the body idiom in the question

1. I called my friend Jane and had a _____ wag.

  • wand
  • chin
  • nod
  • chat

2. The only way to be financially independent is to have a _______ in many pies.

  • finger
  • hand
  • mouth
  • tongue

3. My boy's got a good _____ on his shoulders. I trust him completely.

  • neck
  • brain
  • head
  • chin

4. Don't be a ______ head! Think before you make such important decisions.

  • fist
  • wrist
  • knuckle
  • belly

5. Moving to California was a no-_______!

  • thinker
  • minder
  • brain
  • brainer

6. He's got a sharp ________. He might just get into trouble, if he isn't careful.

  • mouth
  • tongue
  • lips
  • chin

7. Hello! Hello air ______. Can you pay attention, please?!

  • mind
  • brain
  • head
  • skull

8. Our country is armed to the ______. I wish we'd stop spending money on the military.

  • eyes
  • nose
  • chin
  • teeth

9. I'm afraid I'm _____ dead today. Could you repeat that?

  • mind
  • brain
  • head
  • skull

10. Unfortunately, she had a change of _____ and decided not to come.

  • brain
  • stomach
  • heart
  • lung

Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Wonder of Words


Select the answer which matches the question, or statement, and excel in your vocabulary skills

1. vie (VIGH): "Playing their hardest, the two teams will vie for the basketball championship."

2. abate (uh BAYT): "We had to postpone our walk until the storm would abate."

3. brook (BROOK): "The teacher said he would not brook such outrageous conduct in the classroom."
4. chary (CHAIR ee): "She was chary of the risks involved with such an investment."

5. ambidextrous (am" bi DEK struhs): "He was ambidextrous in that he could pitch the ball equally well with either of his hands."

6. abhor (ab HOR): "We abhor violence; especially, when it is obviously unnecessary."

7. moot (MOOT): "When the student finished asking his question, the professor indicated that it was a moot point which would need to be discussed."

8. patrimony (PAT ruh moh" nee): "He was able to live quite well on the patrimony from his parents."

9. impervious (im PER vee uhs): "He had a coat that is impervious to rain."

10. refulgent (re FUL jent): "We can see a refulgent moon up in the sky tonight."

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Analogy - II


What is the best word to complete this analogy?

1. Seldom: many:: Often
: ______________________
  • Lots
  • More
  • Few
  • Several

2. BIRD : NEST ::

  • dog : doghouse
  • squirrel : tree
  • beaver : dam
  • cat : litter box
  • book : library

3. DALMATIAN : DOG ::

  • oriole : bird
  • horse : pony
  • shark : great white
  • ant : insect
  • stock : savings

4. DOCTOR : HOSPITAL ::

  • sports fan : stadium
  • cow : farm
  • professor : college
  • criminal : jail
  • food : grocery store

5. CUB : BEAR ::

  • piano : orchestra
  • puppy : dog
  • cat : kitten
  • eagle : predator
  • fork : utensil

6. TENET : THEOLOGIAN ::

  • predecessor : heir
  • hypothesis : biologist
  • recluse : rivalry
  • arrogance : persecution
  • guitarist : rock band

7. Sarah : Abraham :: Guinevere :

  • Lancelot
  • Gawain
  • Luther
  • Gallahad
  • Arthur

8. corpulent : obese :: opulent :

  • silly
  • optimistic
  • wealthy
  • watery
  • immature

9. man : eunuch :: rooster :

  • capon
  • eunuch
  • renton
  • eland
  • bicker

10. Star Wars : Force :: Space Balls :

  • Force
  • Schwartz
  • TourDeForce
  • Farce
  • Energizer

Friday, September 11, 2009

Analogy - I



What Word Completes the Analogy?

1. rooster : crows :: _____ : honks

  • pig
  • horn
  • beeps

2. ruby : red :: topaz :

  • brown
  • yellow
  • red
  • green
  • blue

3. donkey & horse : mule :: lion & tiger :

  • thrag
  • panther
  • liger
  • lion
  • leopard

4. Cribbage : cards :: Go :

  • chips
  • swords
  • daggers
  • arrows
  • stones

5. clever : pawky :: entourage :

  • ambush
  • surroundings
  • leaves
  • amphitheater
  • trees

6. neuter : worker :: riata

  • farmer
  • lariat
  • kinsman
  • nurse
  • fork

7. yen : Japan :: kip :

  • Laos
  • Belize
  • Iraq
  • Ecuador
  • France

8. Hawthorne : people :: Doppler :

  • air
  • horses
  • waves
  • grain
  • dogs

9. ninny : sage :: pugilist :

  • pacifist
  • anarchist
  • capitalist
  • communist
  • mercantilist

10. Nazi : Nazirite :: stalag :

  • prison
  • gulag
  • stalagmite
  • jail
  • swamp

Monday, September 7, 2009

Confusing Words - II

Choose the correct word to complete the question.

11 Q: He was cooking dinner ______ the football match.

  • while
  • during

12 Q: Could you go to the store and get me some _____?

  • stationary
  • stationery

13 Q: I need to ______ a new button onto my shirt.

  • sow
  • sew

14 Q: You will find the book _____ the lamp on the table.

  • beside
  • besides

15 Q: You can choose from _____ four prizes!

  • between
  • among

16 Q: It's so hot! I need to find some _____.

  • shadow
  • shade

17 Q: _____ his having studied French, he found the course very difficult.

  • Although
  • Despite

18 Q: The movie was _____ boring he fell asleep!

  • such
  • so

19 Q: Try to use your ______ when answering this question.

  • phantasy
  • imagination

20 Q: I _____ about how my friend was doing in Rotterdam.

  • wandered
  • wondered


Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Confusing Words

Choose the correct word to complete the question.

1Q: The _____ applauded enthusiastically after the performance was finished.

  • audience
  • spectators

2Q: I haven't seen him ____ over five years.

  • since
  • for

3Q: _____ the fact that it was difficult, the exam also included questions that we had never studied before.

  • Besides
  • Beside

4Q: I told my boss that I wanted a big _____.

  • rise
  • raise

5Q: The article's _____ read "Politician Wants Answers".

  • title
  • headline

6Q: His opinion had no _____ on my decision.

  • effect
  • affect

7Q: He _____ down for a short nap.

  • lay
  • lie

8Q: Could you give me the _____ for that wonderful dessert?

  • receipt
  • recipe

9Q: They _____ his passport on entering the country.

  • controlled
  • inspected

10Q: Please finish your work _____ five o'clock.

  • by
  • until

Monday, August 31, 2009

Vocabulary Test - A


Select the word which best fills in the blank

1. The children were so ____________ that the teacher had to yell to be heard.
A. truculent
B. obstreperous
C. morose
D. discreet

2. Coach Calhoun tried to ___________ his team to try harder in the face of overwhelming odds.
A. flout
B. instigate
C. emulate
D. exhort

3. I don't think these flowers are __________ to New England. At least I've never seen them.
A. ingenuous
B. fluent
C. indigenous
D. exigent

4. Roberto pretended to know a lot about the opera, but he was really just a ___________ .
A. dilettante
B. supernumerary
C. chimera
D. catalyst

5. The professor became so forceful, so _________ in his expression of opinions, that students began to leave his course.
A. dormant
B. credible
C. dogmatic
D. lucid

6. Tashonda had read the book in a __________ fashion and couldn't remember what she'd read.
A. truculent
B. obstreperous
C. cursory
D. discreet

7. The older child had a reputation for ________ trouble in high school, but he calmed down in college.
A. mortifying
B. appeasing
C. curtailing
D. instigating

8. The professor got in trouble for making __________ remarks about the Dean of Faculty.
A. benign
B. pejorative
C. pensive
D. blithe

9. My uncle has never been to an art museum; in fact, when it comes to matters of art, my uncle is a real _________ .
A. patrician B.
philistine
C. martyr
D. hedonist

10. The jury ___________ the mayor of all wrongdoing.
A. exonerated
B. expatriated
C. augmented
D. subjugated

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Estimate your Vocabulary Size - E

Choose one of 4 choices that's most appropriate for the word Italicized in Green Colour in the sentence.


41. Particular attention is paid to the repertoire and quality of performance presented on the audition.
a) originality
b) a collection of works
c) uniqueness
d) depth

42. Retail petrol price decreased in April.
a) gas
b) oil
c) computer
d) grain

43. Governor Bush and first lady proclaim September 23 Family Day in Florida.
a) claim
b) recognize
c) announce
d) declare formally

44. The Warden told him that I was his roommate before he died.
a) official in charge of army
b) official in charge of a company
c) official in charge of a prison
d) official in charge of a county

45. I like cauliflower.
a) flower
b) vegetable
c) fish
d) cat

46. Here it is paired with metallic twill, the latest trend in twill.
a) ornament
b) art work
c) shoe
d) cloth

47. These structural changes have also led to a palpable change in attitude towards foreign investment.
a) significant
b) dramatical
c) tangible
d) drastical

48. This paper is lighted in a way to accentuate the motley color distribution..
a) visible
b) fuzy
c) mixed
d) new

49. Plan to photograph stars along a swath running perpendicular to the Milky Way.
a) strip
b) vertical line
c) area
d) star

50. A new project is funded to investigate Estrogen's effects on the female body.
a) Yoga
b) vegetable
c) hormone
d) vitamin

Friday, August 28, 2009

Estimate your Vocabulary Size - D

Choose one of 4 choices that's most appropriate for the word Italicized in Green Colour in the sentence.


31. How did she keep it secret for nine years.
a) secretary
b) mystery
c) hidden
d) information

32. The new program will integrate social and employment services with treatment for drug addicted persons and their families.
a) assistance
b) treat
c) care
d) discussion

33. Customers qualify for a Standard license if no Small Business Server software is currently licensed.
a) copy
b) permission
c) freedom
d) software

34. Each Christmas, our family enjoys decorating the tree with our homemade ornaments.
a) made by yourself
b) trendy
c) sophisticated
d) made by hand

35. Wall Street bankers met behind closed doors (under the auspices of the New York Federal Reserve Bank) to put the finishing touches on the renegotiation of Korea's short-term debt.
a) roof
b) protection
c) power
d) guidance

36. We also provide vacation & leisure travel for the employees of these top companies as well.
a) relaxation
b) freedom
c) fancy
d) discount

37. There are many things on the Net that are put there by one person or group that has a certain opinion.
a) credibility
b) idea
c) view
d) origination

38. Since his election to the Legislature in 1994, Sen. Kermit Brashear of Omaha has made a name for himself as a man who carefully considers what he believes in and then forcefully argues his point.
a) body of lawmakers
b) lecturer
c) congress
d) army

39. No wonder, many companies are finding difficult to sustain the growth.
a) expand
b) subdue
c) maintain
d) reverse

40. They're supposed to be preparing us for the meeting.
a) scheduled
b) believed
c) forced
d) replaced

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Estimate your Vocabulary Size - C

Choose one of 4 choices that's most appropriate for the word Italicized in Green Colour in the sentence.


21. Scripture does not forbid anything which God has given us for our use.
a) support
b) encourage
c) describe
d) prevent

22. It wasn't long before she was off the hill.
a) hip
b) natural elevation
c) mountain
d) pond

23. We're seeking to strengthen intellectual property protection.
a) increase
b) fortify
c) improve
d) change

24. In this sample chapter, you'll learn how to compose a message and send it.
a) write
b) compile
c) complain
d) conduct

25. Students seem to complain about the lack of a dating scene.
a) scenario
b) picture
c) shot
d) guide

26. The risk of loss or damage is transferred to the buyer.
a) replaced
b) minimized
c) shifted
d) diminished

27. Great Lakes signal great shift in seasonal changes.
a) translation
b) shaft
c) switch
d) example

28. The holes should be a little larger than the coin or washer.
a) penny
b) metal
c) pipe
d) corn

29. So, your focus is not inward on your own processes, but outward, on supply chain processes.
a) based
b) dependent
c) inside
d) inbound

30. Ours is a field increasingly driven by both rapidly evolving solutions to existing problems and by new interpretations of the nature of the problems we face.
a) method
b) mixture
c) lotion
d) problem

Monday, August 24, 2009

Estimate your Vocabulary size - B

Choose one of 4 choices that's most appropriate for the word Italicized in Green Colour in the sentence.


11. Would you prefer to rotate meeting locations or have a consistent meeting place?

a) alternate
b) set up
c) rent
d) inspect

12. The students will perform activities to learn how estimation and measurement would be important in the construction industry.
a) surveying
b) dimension
c) development
d) budget

13. He has a unique talent to inspire and compel each person to recognize his or her own personal uniqueness and value.
a) force
b) cheer
c) command
d) lead

14. Survey show that the silence majority agree with me and not you.
a) minority
b) major
c) senior
d) bulk

15. The lowering of the threat level is not a signal to government, law enforcement or citizens that the danger of a terrorist attack is passed.
a) throat
b) thread
c) territory
d) terror

16. That person can help you decide whether you do need to lose weight and, if so, the best way to achieve and maintain a weight that is healthy for you.
a) reduce
b) increase
c) alter
d) hold

17. This is a short report on our trip to Colorado.
a) strip
b) journey
c) mission
d) research

18. The estimates above could therefore represent an under-estimate of the total consumer detriment in the economy.
a) population
b) confidence
c) damage
d) behavior

19. Ooops, I meant to say shouldn't deny love.
a) refuse
b) addict to
c) hurt
d) confuse

20. Nobody asked me to prove it.
a) show evidence of
b) test
c) demonstrate
d) investigate

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Estimate your Vocabulary Size - A


Choose one of 4 choices that's most appropriate for the word Italicized in Green Colour in the sentence.

1. Many of the questions raised pertaining to cultural issues are new.
a) an important question in dispute and must be settled
b) insurance
c) trouble
d) publication

2. To help meet this need, we have compiled an annotated bibliography of models for evaluating open learning approaches and associated technologies.
a) associating
b) related
c) advanced
d) new

3. He had an edge on the competition.
a) border
b) a slight advantage
c) a slight margin
d) success

4. The applicants of the Proposal Competition are invited to provide the Frontier Science Research City Project with visions for creating a 21st century-style city.
a) performance
b) plan
c) business
d) communication

5. The dollar fell against the Euro for the fourth day in five and dropped against the yen on concern a recovery in the US economy is faltering.
a) evidence
b) interest
c) worry
d) relief

6. I wonder if that factor is going to impact on XYZ Corp.
a) element
b) person
c) event
d) action

7. Specifically, we are disappointed with the new emphasis on so-called high stakes testing as an instrument to assess and rank schools.
a) a device
b) a test
c) a system
d) a way

8. It is almost impossible to get it done today.
a) implicit
b) trivial
c) insignificant
d) totally unlikely

9. The closest the world has come to nuclear war was the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962.
a) mission
b) atomic bomb
c) election
d) a rocket-propelled vehicle

10. The Complete and Utter Idiot's Guide to Ordering Pizza.
a) new
b) absolute
c) practical
d) short

Friday, August 21, 2009

Select Meaning by Word - II


11. prurient
  • n. Sudden invasion.
  • adj. Inclined to lascivious thoughts and desires.
  • n. The sharp striking of one body against another.
  • v. To draw into entanglement, literally or figuratively.


12. illuminate

  • v. To supply with light.
  • adj. Different.
  • v. To keep oneself back (from doing or using something)
  • v. To last longer than.

13. awry

  • ad. Out of the proper form, direction, or position.
  • n. A labyrinth.
  • adj. Impartial.
  • n. Rational self-esteem.

14. counter-claim

  • n. A cross-demand alleged by a defendant in his favor against the plaintiff.
  • n. That which nourishes.
  • v. To study plant-life.
  • v.To reveal in trust or confidence.

15. peter

  • v. To fail or lose power, efficiency, or value.
  • adj. Ingenuous.
  • adj. That may be allowed.
  • adv. Without intention.

16. ambulance

  • n. A vehicle fitted for conveying the sick and wounded.
  • v. To abandon without regard to the welfare of the abandoned.
  • n. Any unsound or delusive mode of reasoning, or anything based on such reasoning.
  • v. To make stale or trite by repetition.

17. inundation

  • adj. Characterized by intelligence.
  • n. A doctrine of creation or of the origin of the universe.
  • n. Inadequacy.
  • n. Flood.

18. imminence

  • adj. Unreasonable.
  • n. Miscellaneous articles of equipment or adornment.
  • v. To behave ill.
  • n. Impending evil or danger.

19. lough

  • n. The body of men constituting the official advisors of the executive head of a nation.
  • n. A lake or loch.
  • n. The formation of opinions by relying upon reason alone, independently of authority.
  • adj. Yielding to the desires or humor of oneself or those under one's care.

20. discolor

  • v. To give a wrong impression.
  • v. To stain.
  • adj. Formed after one's father's name.
  • n. A representative of one sovereign state at the capital or court of another.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Select Meaning by Word - I


1. conjugation

  • n. A small cavern.
  • n. The egg of a louse or some other insect.
  • n. The state or condition of being joined together.
  • adj. Affected with a whirling or swimming sensation in the head.

2. recover

  • v. To regain.
  • v. To unite.
  • n. A disturbance or violent agitation.
  • adj. Harsh.

3. pique

  • adj. Created or formed by the imagination.
  • v. To assail with arguments, insinuations, or accusations.
  • n. Sudden invasion.
  • v. To excite a slight degree of anger in.

4. sapid

  • adj. That desires or craves immoderately or unappeasably.
  • adj. Affecting the sense of taste.
  • n. General officer who commands a brigade, ranking between a colonel and a major-general.
  • v. To withdraw from union or association, especially from a political or religious body.

5. granulate

  • n. A name wrongly or mistakenly applied.
  • adj. Characteristic of dwelling in the country.
  • v. To form into grains or small particles.
  • adj. Characteristic of an erudite person.

6. voracious

  • n. A prophet.
  • n. A coming between.
  • n. Holiness.
  • adj. Eating with greediness or in very large quantities.

7. specialize

  • v. To assume an individual or specific character, or adopt a singular or special course.
  • v. To overwhelm with a flood of water.
  • v. To protect.
  • v. To drive out or away.

8. excretion

  • adj. Capable of being thrust out.
  • n. A sorcerer.
  • adj. Measureless.
  • n. The getting rid of waste matter.

9. plutocracy

  • n. Fitness to meet the requirements of a particular case.
  • n. A wealthy class in a political community who control the government by means of their money.
  • adj. At variance with any commonly accepted doctrine or opinion.
  • n. The power to produce an intended effect as shown in the production of it.

10. wantonness

  • n. The feudal system.
  • adj. Farthest from the front.
  • n. An artificial trance-sleep.
  • n. Recklessness.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Test Quiz - B


11. plagiarism
  • adj. roomy
  • v. to yield; to admit as true
  • n. adopting and reproducing, without acknowledgment, the writings or ideas of another passing them off as one's own
  • v. to exercise self control; to keep from

12. innuendo

  • n. an indirect reference or suggestion (frequently derogatory)
  • adj. festive; gay
  • adj. having the force to compel, usually by appealing to reason
  • adj. objectionable

13. raconteur

  • n. a little world, or a universe in miniature
  • n. a skilled storyteller
  • adj. profuse or generous; given to extravagance
  • adj. excessive

14. misanthropic

  • adj. deserving blame or censure
  • adj. excessive
  • adj. often of mistakes, extremely and noticeably bad
  • adj. hating or distrusting mankind

15. incisive

  • v. to be sorry for
  • adj. cutting, penetrating
  • adj. inclined to believe anything; easily imposed upon
  • adv. with distrust

16. onus

  • n. nearness
  • adj. gloomy; ill-humored
  • n. boredom; weariness of mind
  • n. burden; duty

17. aesthetic

  • n. compelling a person by physical force or other means to do something against his will
  • n. a branching; sub-division
  • adj. winding; indirect
  • adj. pertaining to the beautiful

18. convivial

  • adj. secret; stealthy
  • n. feeling of displeasure or indignation resulting from mistreatment or abuse
  • adj. swollen, inflated; using big or high-sounding words
  • adj. festive; gay

19. dolorous

  • adj. constantly changing or varying in pattern or scenes
  • n. an indirect reference or suggestion (frequently derogatory)
  • adj. sorrowful; mournful
  • n. a privilege or power attaching to a position

20. culpable

  • adj. deserving blame or censure
  • adj. inclined to believe anything; easily imposed upon
  • v. to quicken, speed tip
  • n. eagerness; cheerful promptness

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Test Quiz - A


1. insatiable

  • adj. unable to be satisfied
  • v. to banish or exile; to withdraw from one's country
  • v. to check or hinder
  • n. a. personal peculiarity

2. anonymous

  • ad. indicating a happy outcome
  • n. one who denies that God exists
  • adj. of unknown authorship
  • v. to root out, destroy totally

3. atheist

  • v. to make clear; to explain
  • n. a state of happiness; a high ability
  • v. to smile in a silly or affected way
  • n. one who denies that God exists

4. cogent

  • v. to prevent, dispose of, or make unnecessary by appropriate actions
  • adj. pertaining to the common people; hence, common or vulgar
  • adj. having the force to compel, usually by appealing to reason
  • n. approval; praise

5. apprehensive

  • adj. fearful
  • adj. unable to be satisfied
  • n. working together secretly for an evil purpose
  • adj. foul-smelling; harmful

6. compensation

  • n. payment for services
  • v. to give a false idea of
  • v. to draw out
  • adj. sacrificing moral principles in order to attain power; politically cunning

7. countenance

  • adj. excessive
  • n. eagerness; cheerful promptness
  • adj. worthy of belief
  • n. a face

8. fictitious

  • n. amazement; lack of courage caused by fearful prospect
  • n. a remedy for all ills
  • adj. unreal; made-up
  • v. to paralyze with horror, fear, or surprise

9. archetype

  • v. to restate in a brief, concise form; to sum up
  • adj. inclined to quarrel; warlike
  • n. an original pattern
  • n. one who proudly shows off his learning or who overrates his knowledge

10. erudite

  • adj. acting solely from a consideration of reward or profit
  • adj. having or containing a lot of specialist knowledge
  • v. to exclaim or utter suddenly
  • adj. moderate in the use of food or drink

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Select Word by Meaning - II

11. n. forecasted course of a disease; prediction
  • hindmost
  • askance
  • prognosis
  • unwarranted

12. v. provide scantily; live very economically

  • skimp
  • lexicographer
  • libidinous
  • spangle

13. v. shove; bump

  • apostate
  • luster
  • catastrophe
  • jostle

14. adj. lead-colored; black and blue

  • defeatist
  • sectarian
  • livid
  • canvass

15. v. recede; lessen

  • insularity
  • latent
  • ebb
  • regal

16. v. go backwards; degenerate

  • egregious
  • retrograde
  • diligence
  • vigor

17. v. call together

  • convoke
  • placate
  • maim
  • forsake

18. adv. with a sideways or indirect look

  • requite
  • askance
  • prototype
  • indemnify

19. n. wealthy leader

  • infantile
  • anemia
  • tycoon
  • supposititious

20. v. multiply; spread

  • jargon
  • staid
  • tribulation
  • propagate

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Select Word by Meaning - I


1. v. pick out; reject

  • prolong
  • guileless
  • cull
  • personable

2. n. changing its habitat; wandering

  • shrew
  • hale
  • scurvy
  • migrant

3. v. tilt; lean over

  • list
  • bawdy
  • abusive
  • carcinogenic

4. v. assent; agree passively

  • acquiesce
  • evoke
  • deplete
  • consort

5. adj. bloody

  • dissertation
  • poseur
  • sanguinary
  • contest

6. n. arrival

  • emetic
  • overbearing
  • manifesto
  • advent

7. n. aversion; dislike

  • amass
  • foolhardy
  • antipathy
  • pallid

8. adj. unjustified; groundless

  • corporeal
  • precursor
  • unwarranted
  • embellish

9. adj. stuffy; boringly conservative

  • braggart
  • propinquity
  • degenerate
  • stodgy

10. adj. petty criticism; fault-finding

  • carping
  • windfall
  • intangible
  • decimate

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Select Meaning by Word Test @ I

1. defeatist

  • adj. resigned to defeat; accepting defeat as a natural outcome
  • n. substance causing vomiting
  • v. degrade; humiliate
  • adj. twisted; with a humorous twist

2. militant

  • adj. bloody
  • adj. having many talents; capable of working in many fields
  • adj. regretful; sorrowful
  • adj. combative; bellicose

3. toga

  • n. Roman outer robe
  • n. fortress
  • n. pedestal; raised platform
  • adj. after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death

4. atrophy

  • n. wasting away
  • v. commence; go on board a boat
  • n. study of insects
  • adj. hairy

5. behoove

  • n. armed band
  • v. be suited to; be incumbent upon
  • v. plunder
  • v. show clearly

6. interminable

  • adj. endless
  • adj. expedient; prudent
  • v. soothe
  • v. arrange (laws, rules) as a code; classify

7. foist

  • v. set free
  • v. lessen in value
  • v. insert improperly; palm off
  • n. imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing

8. analgesic

  • adj. ghastly
  • n. hermit
  • adj. causing insensitivity to pain
  • n. someone who wastes money

9. exacerbate

  • n. wrong name; incorrect designation
  • n. motion; gesture
  • v. worsen; embitter
  • v. pare; cut off bits

10. braggart

  • v. join together, unite
  • n. boaster
  • adj. praising
  • n. distance around something; circumference

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Select Meaning by Word @ 3

11. genre

  • n. particular variety of art or literature
  • n. study of language
  • adj. haphazard; careless
  • n. ungrateful person

12. thrifty

  • n. union; coalition
  • v. dig into
  • adj. careful about money; economical
  • v. equip

13. rote

  • adj. having an evil influence; virulent
  • n. repetition
  • adj. neat and trim
  • n. one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously)

14. erode

  • n. place of spiritual expiation
  • v. eat away
  • n. excuse
  • n. varying form of an element

15. appreciate

  • v. weaken; sap
  • v. be thankful for; increase in worth
  • adj. reserved or aloof; cold in manner
  • v. quench; sate

16. nutrient

  • adj. concise; meaty
  • n. nourishing substance
  • adj. secret; mysterious
  • adj. attractive; agreeable

17. finite

  • n. harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
  • v. agree
  • v. steal another's ideas and pass them off as one's own
  • adj. limited

18. execrate

  • n. retort; comeback
  • n. boredom; weariness
  • n. something new; newness
  • v. curse; express abhorrence for
19. ogle
  • v. move briskly
  • n. violation of a law; sin
  • v. glance coquettishly at; make eyes at
  • adj. showy; pretentious

20. esteem

  • n. clothing
  • n. violation
  • adj. faultfinding
  • v. respect; value

Monday, August 3, 2009

Select Meaning by Word # 2

1. debacle

  • n. breaking up; downfall
  • v. confuse; puzzle
  • v. attribute; ascribe
  • adj. without feeling

2. cauterize

  • n. fitness; talent
  • v. burn with hot iron or caustic
  • adj. not to be taken away; nontransferable
  • n. serious or fatal accident

3. squabble

  • n. small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
  • adj. disloyal
  • n. minor quarrel; bickering
  • v. waste

4. vulpine

  • v. reduce; exhaust
  • n. projection; conjecture
  • n. lavish expenditure; overabundant condition
  • adj. like a fox; crafty

5. hibernate

  • v. sleep throughout the winter
  • adj. deprived of; lacking
  • v. worsen; diminish in value
  • adj. ordinary; unimaginative

6. gambit

  • v. remove (forcible)
  • adj. deserving blame
  • v. abstain from; resist n. chorus
  • n. opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed

7. metallurgical

  • adj. lustful
  • adj. praising
  • adj. at the point of death
  • adj. pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores

8. maxim

  • n. meeting
  • n. proverb; a truth pithily stated
  • adj. shining; issuing light
  • n. forewarning

9. ephemeral

  • adj. confused; discomposed
  • adj. short-lived; fleeting
  • adj. motionless; stale
  • v. provide a refuge for; hide

10. reparable

  • adj. pertaining to marriage
  • adj. proper; appropriate
  • v. recede; lessen
  • adj. capable of being repaired

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Select Meaning by Word

1. soldier

  • n. increase of amount, size, scope, or the like
  • n. a person engaged in military service
  • v. to rouse to activity or to quickened action
  • n. a settled course or manner of progress

2. commitment

  • adj. intermeddling with what is not one's concern
  • n. an unprincipled politician
  • v. to bring together or give fixed shape to
  • n. the act or process of entrusting or consigning for safe-keeping

3. volatile

  • v. to regain
  • adj. changeable
  • adj. toilsome
  • v. to blend

4. qualify

  • v. to endow or furnish with requisite ability, character, knowledge, skill, or possessions
  • n. a title of Jesus
  • n. a quack
  • n. passion for getting and keeping riches

5. transition

  • n. passage from one place, condition, or action to another
  • n. a person of rank or importance
  • v. to remove the inhabitants from
  • n. angry or violent difference of opinion

6. devilry

  • v. to deny oneself
  • n. malicious mischief
  • v. to make more sharp, severe, or virulent
  • n. the having, holding, or detention of property in one's power or command

7. mileage

  • n. a distance in miles
  • adj. having six angles
  • v. to introduce, as a fluid, by injection
  • v. to surpass

    8. prowess
  • n. the whole range or sequence
  • adj. low-priced
  • n. strength, skill, and intrepidity in battle
  • adj. heedless

9. assassinate

  • v. to kill, as by surprise or secret assault, especially the killing of some eminent person
  • v. to inoculate with vaccine virus or virus of cowpox
  • n. permanence
  • n. a spiritual advisor

10. generalize

  • n. a person to whom a donation is made
  • v. to draw general inference
  • n. ease
  • n. a meeting of spirituals for consulting spirits

Friday, July 31, 2009

Select Word by Meaning

1. adj. conditional

  • rendezvous
  • contingent
  • arraign
  • euphony

2. adj. rickety; falling apart

  • laudable
  • ramshackle
  • pernicious
  • unassuaged

3. v. form into grains

  • diversity
  • relapse
  • acclimate
  • granulate

4. n. lizard that changes color in different situations

  • chameleon
  • scruple
  • depredation
  • whimsical

5. adj. unfavorable; hostile

  • matriarch
  • invulnerable
  • adverse
  • condole

6. n. substance causing vomiting

  • refractory
  • imponderable
  • eloquence
  • emetic

7. adj. having the title of an office without the obligations

  • unsullied
  • titular
  • reciprocal
  • inflated

8. v. give up temporarily; yield

  • waive
  • miscellany
  • argot
  • remiss

9. v. lower; degrade

  • abase
  • camaraderie
  • nondescript
  • disinclination

10. adj. hot-tempered

  • conflagration
  • lilliputian
  • choleric
  • surmount

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Test @ B


1. comprise
  • v. include; consist of
  • n. slander; vilify
  • n. collection; heap
  • adj. grave; serious

2. substantive

  • v. muddle; drive crazy
  • adj. expressing praise
  • v. languish, decline; long for, yearn
  • adj. essential; pertaining to the substance

3. epaulet

  • adj. efficient
  • n. appearance; costume
  • n. ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)
  • adj. expedient; prudent

4. patois

  • v. overstock; fill to excess
  • n. accuse; serve as evidence against
  • n. local or provincial dialect
  • v. move troops so that the battle line is extended at the expense of depth

5. tensile

  • adj. capable of being stretched
  • n. hatred of marriage
  • adj. mutually agreed on; done together
  • adj. verbose; drawn out

6. founder

  • adj. noticeable; targeted for vengeance
  • v. drive our evil spirits
  • v. fail completely; sink
  • adj. lower

7. whet

  • v. sharpen; stimulate
  • adj. brief; terse
  • n. ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc
  • n. revenging agent

8. finite

  • n. druggist
  • adj. limited
  • n. quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument
  • adj. obligatory

9. badger

  • v. pester; annoy
  • n. object to be thrown or projected
  • v. drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently
  • n. malleability; flexibility

10. turncoat

  • n. informal discussion
  • n. circular building or hall covered with a dome
  • v. discourage
  • n. traitor

Friday, July 24, 2009

Vocabulary Test @ A


1. n. dullness; impassiveness

  • dispirited
  • curtail
  • hummock
  • stolidity

2. adj. excessively exacting

  • sinecure
  • combustible
  • comeuppance
  • hypercritical

3. n. striker (tongue) of a bell

  • mediate
  • clapper
  • recant
  • sportive

4. adj. all-knowin

  • interminable
  • embroil
  • collusion
  • omniscient

5. adj. exhausting

  • aspiration
  • crabbed
  • grueling
  • whet

6. adj. entreating; beseeching

  • import
  • staccato
  • suppliant
  • rile

7. adj. positive; arbitrary

  • holocaust
  • dogmatic
  • crone
  • countenance

8. adj. easily deceived

  • luminary
  • gullible
  • crux
  • mausoleum

9. adj. parched; dry

  • disparage
  • sere
  • profusion
  • bemused

10. n. twistings; distortions

  • endorse
  • contortions
  • mirth
  • erroneous

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Vocabulary Test @ 2


soldier
  • n. increase of amount, size, scope, or the like
  • n. a person engaged in military service
  • v. to rouse to activity or to quickened action
  • n. a settled course or manner of progress

commitment

  • adj. intermeddling with what is not one's concern
  • n. an unprincipled politician
  • v. to bring together or give fixed shape to
  • n. the act or process of entrusting or consigning for safe-keeping

volatile

  • v. to regain
  • adj. changeable
  • adj. toilsome
  • v. to blend

qualify

  • v. to endow or furnish with requisite ability, character, knowledge, skill, or possessions
  • n. a title of Jesus
  • n. a quack
  • n. passion for getting and keeping riches

transition

  • n. passage from one place, condition, or action to another
  • n. a person of rank or importance
  • v. to remove the inhabitants from
  • n. angry or violent difference of opinion

devilry

v. to deny oneself
  • n. malicious mischief
  • v. to make more sharp, severe, or virulent
  • n. the having, holding, or detention of property in one's power or command
  • mileage

    • n. a distance in miles
    • adj. having six angles
    • v. to introduce, as a fluid, by injection
    • v. to surpass

    prowess

    • n. the whole range or sequence
    • adj. low-priced
    • n. strength, skill, and intrepidity in battle
    • adj. heedless

    assassinate

    • v. to kill, as by surprise or secret assault, especially the killing of some eminent person
    • v. to inoculate with vaccine virus or virus of cowpox
    • n. permanence
    • n. a spiritual advisor

    generalize

    • n. a person to whom a donation is made
    • v. to draw general inferences
    • n. ease
    • n. a meeting of spirituals for consulting spirits

    Wednesday, July 22, 2009

    Vocabulary Test - 1


    1. Idiosyncrasy is:
    • the ideology of a political party or organization
    • a peculiar habit or characteristic of an individual or group
    • a synchronous movement between two mechanical parts
    • a characteristic of selfish people

    2. Someone with excessive concern for precision and formal rules is:

    • moribund
    • zealous
    • pedantic
    • rustic

    3. Beleaguer means:

    • to lend money
    • to harass
    • to sympathize
    • to scare

    4. “John’s __________ was irritating. He was reluctant even to buy bread!”

    • jealousy
    • soreness
    • luck
    • parsimony

    5. An ombudsman is:

    • an impartial person who watches for administrative abuses inside organizations
    • a person with unrivaled powers inside the government
    • the head of any organization who is elected by a majority voting system
    • a person who is granted political asylum in a country that is facing civil war

    6. If something is in oblivion:

    • time has severely ruined its forms
    • it has been confiscated by a governmental body
    • people have completely forgotten about it
    • it can no longer be commercially traded between two or more countries

    7. The fights on the streets created a big:

    • void
    • turmoil
    • cyst
    • foil

    8. Mary was always able to recover quickly from misfortunes. She was very:

    • witty
    • brave
    • resilient
    • zany

    9. A Pyrrhic victory is:

    • a naval victory where all the ships from one side sink
    • a victory where one of the sides flees
    • actually a stalemate
    • a victory with huge losses

    10. The ________ steps confirmed he was hiding from someone.

    • furtive
    • wild
    • puzzled
    • gleaming

    Tuesday, July 21, 2009

    Prepositional Phrases # 2

    1.The local police are talking to Tom. I think he is _____ for the crime.

    • under suspicion
    • to suspicion
    • from suspicion
    • in suspicion

    2. I'll make sure your instructions are followed _____.

    • at once
    • to once
    • from once
    • in once

    3. Jack is clearly ____ when it comes to speaking a foreign language.

    • to a disadvantage
    • from a disadvantage
    • at a disadvantage
    • in a disadvantage

    4. I'm sure he didn't mean to break the window. It must have happened _____.

    • in accident
    • to accident
    • from accident
    • by accident

    5. Remember you are _____ to buy the product. Take it home and try it out for a week. If you don't like it, just return it to the store.

    • under no obligation
    • to no obligation
    • from no obligation
    • through

    6. _____ , John comes to every lesson right on time.

    • Without fail
    • With fail
    • Never fail
    • Rarely fail

    7. It is _____ an easy test. Make sure to study hard!

    • by no means
    • through no means
    • under no means
    • over no means

    8. I guess we'll just have to wait for a response _____.

    • until now
    • for now
    • by now
    • to now

    9. ____ he considered looking for a new job, but then he decided to try a few more months in his current position.

    • On first
    • To first
    • At first
    • From first

    10. I'm afraid we can't do anything about that ____.

    • in the moment.
    • to the moment.
    • from the moment.
    • at the moment.

    Prepositional Phrases

    1. I'd rather have wine ____ beer.

    • instead than
    • instead from
    • instead to
    • instead of

    2. _____ bad weather, the trip will be postponed to next week.

    • In case
    • In case of
    • In case to
    • In case from

    3. _____ my fellow employees, I would like to thank management for all they have done to improve our situation.

    • In behalf of
    • To behalf of
    • On behalf of
    • From behalf of

    4. We finally solved our problem ____ a new device created by our research and development department.

    • from means of
    • by means of
    • by means from
    • by means to

    5. _____ me, I will be happy to dedicate a few extra hours to the cause.

    • As for
    • As of
    • As to
    • As from

    6. You will have to remember that, _____ John, no one wants to work on this problem.

    • apart to
    • apart from
    • apart
    • apart of

    7. How can they be going out?! Jane has nothing _____ Peter.

    • in common
    • in common to
    • in common of
    • in common with

    8. _____ John, they won't finish the project until the end of next week.

    • According
    • According in
    • According from
    • According to

    9. I'm all ____ helping out the poor when in need.

    • in favor of
    • in favor to
    • in favor for
    • in favor from

    10. We will have to postpone our trip _____ the bad weather.

    • because
    • because to
    • because of
    • because from



    Monday, July 20, 2009

    Preposition Practice # 2

    1. The two kids had nothing to eat _____ lunch.
    in
    to
    for
    from
    2. They went _____ the gym in the morning.
    at
    for
    to
    from
    3. He bought this present just _____ you.
    at
    in
    to
    for
    4. After work, her mother went _____ the supermarket.
    to
    at
    for
    from
    5. The two of them decided to go ____ bike.
    for
    in
    to
    by
    6. He picked up his son ______ three-thirty.
    at
    in
    to
    from
    7. The student decided to do her homework _____ class.
    under
    by
    after
    to
    8. The special document came ______ the mail this morning.
    to
    for
    in
    by
    9. He wanted to try it _____ himself.
    in
    by
    to
    at
    10. He said he just came ______Montreal.
    at
    for
    from
    into

    Using prepositions (in,for,to,from,under,over,about,at)

    1. He left ______ school at eight o'clock,
    to
    for
    at
    in
    2. The plane flew _______ the city.
    to
    for
    over
    under
    3. They already had their break ________ the afternoon.
    at
    for
    on
    about
    4. Her vacation lasted _______ two weeks.
    in
    for
    from
    to
    5. Their meeting was _______ three-thirty.
    from
    in
    on
    at
    6. Her mother lives _______ the fourth floor.
    in
    at
    from
    on
    7. They talked ______ their good fortune.
    in
    to
    at
    about
    8. He had to go back ______ work before lunch.
    in
    for
    at
    to
    9. She met him _______ the Spring on 1998.
    at
    on
    for
    in
    10. What did you receive _______ your birthday?
    at
    on
    in
    about
    11. The player threw the ball ______ the fence.
    in
    at
    for
    over
    12. The small dog escaped by digging _______ the fence.
    over
    under
    in
    on
    13. Her train leaves early _____ the morning.
    in
    on
    at
    from
    14. _____ what time do you get up in the morning?
    In
    For
    On
    At
    15. This present was ______ their grandparents.
    in
    at
    for
    to