TEST YOUR WORD POWER

Choose the word nearest in meaning to each of the following words.
1. antithesis
(a) an expository essay
(b) the direct opposite
(c)  the subject     (d) a tentative theory

2.   adduce
(a) to find a solution to
(b) to persuade
(c) to increase    (d) to cite or allege

3.  antipathy
(a) ancient times    (b) agreement
(c) deep dislike
(d) the opposite side of the earth

4.  annuity
(a) a flower that blooms yearly
(b) a yearly celebration
(c) a life insurance policy
(d) a yearly allowance or income

5.  conception
(a) with the exclusion of; save for
(b) the circumference of a circle
(c) a beginning    (d) a specific idea

6.  accessory
(a) a necklace       (b) a defence witness
(c) an amount that is too large
(d) any item added for convenience

7.  accede
(a) to agree; assent   (b) to be too much
(c) to disagree; dissent
(d) to do more than one’s share

8.  secede
(a) to accomplish what is attempted
(b) to prepare ground for planting
(c) to withdraw from a union or an organization
(d) the opposite side of the earth

9.  anthropology
(a) the science of animals
(b) the study of fossils
(c) the science of man
(d) the science of history

10.  bilingual
(a) a stuttering
(b) speaking two languages
(c) tongue-tied    (d) a translator

11.  credence
(a) a religion or personal belief
(b) reliance on the truth of something
(c) gullible    (d) simplicity

12. credulous
(a) unbelievable    (b) firm in believing
(c) easily deceived       (d) suspicious

13.  dexterity
(a) superabundant strength
(b) ability to use both hands well
(c) sweetness
(d) skill in using the hands or body

14. demagogic
(a) given to unprincipled political agitation
(b) the art of public speaking
(c) having only half knowledge
(d) the investigation of evil spirits

15. edict
(a) a correction    (b) an abbreviation
(c) an explanation
(d) any proclamation or command

16. endemic
(a) contagious
(b) peculiar to a particular locale
(c) tending to produce vomiting
(d) a disease affecting children

17. crescendo
(a) gradual increase in sound volume
(b) a loud noise
(c) a waterfall    (d) an oily liquid

18. incur
(a) to become angry     (b) to agree
(c) to get rid of
(d) to become subject to

19. precursor
(a) that which precedes and suggests the course of future events
(b) the course of future events
(c) one who has given help or aid
(d) one who introduces a speaker

20. deduce
(a) to entice to immoral acts
(b) to guess or suppose
(c) to gather facts
(d) to reach a conclusion by reasoning

21. deferential
(a) lazy; uncaring       (b) respectful
(c) total difference between two things
(d) number subtracted from another

22. reflex
(a) the main muscle of the upper arm
(b) an involuntary movement
(c) any quick movement
(d) an inverted image

23. fluctuation
(a) a flood       (b) a confusing situation
(c) the monthly cycle of the tides
(d) continual change; vacillation

24. infraction
(a) the breaking of a law or rule
(b) a minor fracture, as of a small bone
(c) reflected light, as from a mirror
(d) a number that is divided by another

25. genocide
(a) the extermination of an entire race or people
(b) self-destruction
(c) the murder of one’s father         (d) the assassination of a king

26. genealogy
(a) study of genes and chromosomes
(b) the science of man
(c) the study of old age
(d) a record of family descent

27. misogamy
(a) hatred of marriage
(b) hatred of human society
(c) rule by a woman
(d) hatred of women

28. iconoclast
(a) a type of spring flower
(b) a destroyer of images
(c) a revolutionist        (d) a pioneer

29. tantalize
(a) to tease by holding out false hopes
(b) to dance in a lively manner
(c) to make one’s mouth water
(d) to inoculate

30. nemesis
(a) a fearsome opponent or antagonist
(b) favoritism toward relatives
(c) a kidney disease     (d) a bad omen

31. solecism
(a) comfort     (b) a factor in astronomy
(c) loneliness  (d) a grammatical error

32. pariah
(a) a Hindu ruler          (b) an underling
(c) a diseased person  (d) an outcast

33. digress
(a) to separate
(b) wander away from the main topic
(c) to move sideways
(d) to stop suddenly

34. inherent
(a) pertaining to a male heir
(b) vital; necessary
(c) the beneficiary of a will
(d) to stop suddenly

35. dejection
(a) anger; a stormy mood
(b) a pensive, reflective mood
(c) stubbornness     (d) depression

36. enjoin
(a) to share good times
(b) to order, direct, or prohibit authoritatively
(c) to settle a labor dispute
(d) to meet with in order to negotiate

37. magnification
(a) to come to maturity
(b) to join together
(c) to enroll    (d) to graduate

38. manifest
(a) boasting    (b) evident
(c) destined    (d) generous

39. omniscience
(a) threatening or foretelling evil
(b) infinite knowledge
(c) conceit    (d) wide popularity

40. permissive
(a) ungrudging    (b) immoral
(c) lenient    (d) relaxed

41. motivation
(a) slow, deliberate motion or action
(b) the act of providing an incentive
(c) actions leading up to a crime
(d) political power

42. natal
(a) pertaining to one’s mother’s family
(b) happening before one’s birth
(c) happening after one’s birth
(d) of or pertaining to one’s birth

43. dispensation
(a) to sell drugs or medicine
(b) distribution; an orderly dealing out or administering
(c) an excuse
(d) a gift to a charity or religious order

44. impending
(a) about to occur; imminent
(b) urgent; most necessary
(c) forecasting bad luck or disaster
(d) restricting; confining

45. agronomist
(a) an financial expert    (b) a botanist
(c) an expert in field-crop production
(d) an expert in home economics

46. antiquary
(a) a student of antiques
(b) a doctor of elderly persons
© the curator of a zoo
(d) a stamp collector

47. philologist
(a) a handwriting expert
(b) a philosopher
(c) a student of words and languages
(d) an expert in map making

48. abrasive
(a) unpleasant     (b) evasive
(c) harsh sounding
(d) tending to wear away

49. ascribe
(a) to attribute to
(b) to write down officially
(c) to mark out the limits of
(d) to slander or libel

50. indescribable
(a) too good to be true
(b) too complex to be described
(c)extremely beautiful
(d) extremely ugly

51. obsession
(a) a dusk          (b) high regard; esteem
(c)a persistent idea or emotion
(d) an irrational scheme

52. sedative
(a) any means of soothing distress or allaying pain
(b) a deep sleep
(c)old or old-fashioned
(d) sick or feeble

53. absolute
(a) positive; certain       (b) cleansing
(c)sympathetic            (d) careless

54. abstemious
(a) squeamish                 (b) dreary
(c)dignified
(d) eating and drinking sparingly

55. abrade
(a) to scrape away    (b) to frighten
(c)to annoy    (d) to scold