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About This Quiz
The Scholastic Aptitude Test, that hurdle which every college-bound senior must face, is composed of two sections, math and language skills. While many students tend to prefer math, and perform better on that section, it's often vocabulary that will remain more essential in our day-to-day lives, determining whether we ace job interviews or just impress the people we meet.
For this reason, if your vocabulary has never been your strong suit, it's in your best interest to strengthen those skills. Maybe it's time to learn the difference between "extant" and "extent" (the first means "still in existence" and the second, "a range or limit.") You should also note that "noisome" does not mean "loud," but rather "dirty" or "objectionable." It's time to learn the true meaning of "lucid," "genial" and "defunct." And "liberal" and "conservative" have meanings that precede politics. Do you know what they are?
If you're ready to fill the lacunae (gaps) in your vocabulary, or show off your puissance (power) in this area, then we've got a quiz for you!
Someone "lucid" is:
Clear in their thinking
Lucidity means clarity. A lucid argument is a clear argument. A person who is lucid is thinking clearly, while someone who is having hallucinations is definitely not lucid.
Famous
Attractive
Universally liked
To be "inconceivable" is to be:
Lively
Unfriendly
Infertile
Impossible to wrap your head around
You might know this word from "The Princess Bride," in which Vizzini keeps proclaiming "Inconceivable!" until another character tells him, "You keep using that word. I do not think you know what it means." Well, now you know!
As an adjective, what does "diffuse" mean?
Abstract or loose
Something "diffuse" is spread out, indirect or abstract. As a verb, it means to spread something out. That's why a scent diffuser, which turns scented oils into vapor, is called what it's called.
Mean or stingy
Lazy
Loving
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Someone "portly" is _____.
Fair-haired
Heavyset
"Portly" is a polite, old-fashioned way of saying "fat." It works especially if your audience is too old to know the meaning of "thick."
Poor
Wealthy
Pick the best definition of "conservative."
Cautious
We add this one to make a point: While the words "liberal" and "conservative" are strongly associated with politics, they have earlier meanings that go beyond that. To be "conservative" means you are careful and not putting all your eggs in one basket.
Disapproving
Loyal
Wealthy
What is a "deficit?"
A key
A cornerstone
A lack
This word turns up in common phrases. For example, when a budget falls short, there's said to be a "budget deficit." Likewise, most people have heard of "attention deficit disorder." It simply means there's less than there should be.
An overage
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To "bequeath" something is to do what?
Repair it
Give it away, usually after death
"Bequest" is the noun form, meaning something left in a will. We say it's "usually" after death, because sometimes it's used metaphorically: "She bequeathed me her Rolodex when she quit her job."
Slip it off, like a garment
Slip it on, like a garment
Pick the best meaning of "genial."
Hardworking
Friendly
"Genial" means friendly, kindly or open. An example would be: The talk show host was genial with all her guests, as well as the audience members.
Mysterious
Unattractive
What is an "impasse?"
An animal that doesn't like to be touched
An inside joke
A point where further progress is impossible
It's not uncommon for you to hear that "negotiations were at an impasse," but it could also mean a physical barrier. For instance, hikers might reach an impasse when trying to cross over a mountain range.
A style that has gone out of fashion
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Something "opportune" is:
Heavy
Fortunate
"Opportune" is often used to describe good timing. For example, "The car breakdown came at an opportune point, as just then, my crush drove by and stopped to give me a ride."
Pleasing to the ear
Outside the norm
What does "verbose" mean?
Derived from wood
Active
Taciturn
Talkative or wordy
A verbose person is someone who uses a lot of words in either speaking or writing. Perfect for this quiz, eh?
If something is "defunct," what is it?
Pleasing to the eye
Nonsensical
Non-operational
You might have recognized this one from the syllable "funct," related to "functioning." An example would be: The old factory was made defunct by the advent of new technology.
Low in stature
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What period of time does "gestational" refer to?
Time at home
Time in school
Time of pregnancy
You might hear this in reference to "gestational diabetes." That's a form of reversible diabetes which occurs during pregnancy because of changes in hormones.
Time in prison
Which of these is the best definition of "incorrigible?"
Unloving
Flightless
Nearly invisible
Impossible to reform
The root is the Latin word "corrigere," for "to correct." Though it's extremely rare in conversation, there is also the word "corrigible," for someone who actually can be corrected or reformed.
What is the best definition of "bigamy?"
The state of being large-boned
Being an early riser
Marriage to two people at once
The suffix "-gamy" refers to marriage. "Polygamy" is the term for plural marriage, whether it's two spouses, three or more. "Bigamy" is entering into a second marriage while already married to a first spouse.
Having an extra toe on each foot
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To feel "loathing" is to feel what?
Fatigue
Longing
Powerful dislike
If you loathe something, you deeply dislike it. The young child loathed the idea of his food touching on the same plate.
Extreme itchiness
What does "thwart" mean?
Amuse
Polish
Obstruct
Something "thwarted" has been blocked, often permanently. For example, you might refer to someone's "thwarted" plans to run for mayor (or rob a bank.)
Strike hard
How would you describe something "granular?"
Composed of small bits or grains
At its simplest, "granular" means "composed of grains." It's often used descriptively: A countertop can be "granular" to the touch.
Shaped like a tube
Easy to understand
Hard to understand
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To be "chaste" is to be what?
Dark-haired
Eccentric
Well-liked
Sexually abstinent
The words "chaste" and "chastity" refer to sexual purity. Don't confuse them with "chasten," though, which means "to reprimand or scold."
What does "solicitous" mean?
Absent-minded
Formal
Hateful
Showing interest or concern
A "solicitous" person shows interest in you or appears to be concerned with your well-being. Watch out: He or she might have ulterior motives, hence, the term for certain salespeople: solicitor.
A "heretic" is someone who:
Loves the outdoors
Lives alone
Opposes accepted beliefs
Heresy (in which a heretic takes part) used to be the worst of all sins in the Christian religion. Fortunately, we've reached the days when it is mostly used figuratively: "Suggesting that Tom Brady is overrated is heresy in Boston."
Overspends
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Which of these is the best definition of "cathartic?"
Soft-spoken
Highly religious
Marked by use of the color red
Releasing or purging emotions
The ancient Greeks are credited with the idea of "catharsis." They found that violent plays and tragedies helped people deal with pent-up emotions.
What is the best definition of "cataclysm?"
Ability
Disaster
"Cataclysm" means very large disaster. For example, the meteor that struck in the Gulf of Mexico created a cataclysm for the remaining dinosaurs on earth.
Hunger
Subsequent or following event
What does "apex" mean?
Funny person
Harsh cleanser
Highest point
For example, if you get 35/35 on this quiz, it might be the apex of your intellectual career! (We hope not, though.)
Starting point
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Which of these is the meaning of "epicurean?"
Chronically late
Interested in fine food and drink
Fun fact: The modern meaning of "epicurean" is actually a misreading of the actual teaching of the Greek philosopher Epicurus. He believed that pleasure is humankind's highest goal, but that happiness came from self-control. To that end, he ate a very simple diet.
Sexually repressed
Under ground or pavement
What is a "fracas?"
A donnybrook
A dust-up
A set-to
All of these
Put less colorfully, a "fracas" is a disagreement accompanied by loud argumentation or even thrown punches. We just enjoy all the creative ways English has to express this idea!
"Explicable" means:
Able to be explained
You might know this term better as its antonym, "inexplicable." However, it's fair to use "explicable" for occasions when there's the proverbial "perfectly logical explanation." For instance: His behavior was totally explicable, given the circumstances.
Not explainable
Lonely
Complicated
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The term "rococo" would be applied to which of these?
Architecture
Decoration
Music
All of the above
"Rococo" is a style marked by a lot of ornamentation or unnecessary flourishes. It can be applied to buildings, decor or to works of music.
Which of these is a synonym for "egregious?"
Discreet
Flagrant
Both "egregious" and "flagrant" mean something obviously bad, that draws attention to itself. For example, "Eating with your mouth open is an egregious violation of good etiquette."
Happy
Unhappy
Which of these is the closest synonym of "comportment?"
Behavior
"Comportment" is how you act and carry yourself. You might find this on an old-fashioned school report card, i.e., "Little Susie's comportment left much to be desired."
Mode of dress
School of thought
Route
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Which of these is the best meaning of "sagacity?"
Competence
Ugliness
Saintliness
Wisdom
"Sagacity" is a fancy way of saying "wisdom" or "canniness." It's related to the word "sage," meaning "wise man or woman."
If something, especially a disease, is "endemic," what is it?
Common to a particular region
Here's the skinny on "endemic," "pandemic" and "epidemic." "Endemic" is means common to a region or people. "Pandemic" means it's widespread throughout the region, having saturated it. The best-known, "epidemic," means it's fast-moving and out of control (at least in the case of a disease.)
Out of control
Fast-moving
Slow-moving
Which of these is a synonym for "hirsute?"
Clever
Hairy
According to Merriam-Webster's websites, searches of "hirsute" spiked after actor Burt Reynolds died (he was known for his mustache and his chest/body hair.)
Barrel-chested
Taciturn
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Pick the best meaning of "liberal."
Angry
Generous
Like "conservative," "liberal" is an adjective that isn't just about politics. It means "generous with money or other things." For example, "He gave the pie crust a liberal dusting of sugar."
Open-minded
Radical
"Chauvinism" is a belief in the superiority of _____.
A country
Nowadays, we associate this word mostly with male chauvinism, or sexism. However, it originally meant blind, excessive patriotism: It came from a character in a French play, named Chauvin, who was devoted to Napoleon and French exceptionalism.
A gender
A philosophy
Dogs
You Got:
/35
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