Vocabulary Tests - Test Four

Vocabulary Tests

 

Test Four

Read the sentences or short passages below . Write the letter for the correct definition of the underlined vocabulary word .

According to the late science fiction writer Isaac Asimov , people are arrogant if they believe that they are the only intelligent life in the universe .

1 . ( A ) not in conformity with law   

( B ) overly convinced of their own importance

( C ) common in a particular locality 

( D ) lacking healthy diets                                                                   1 . ---------

Commuters may ignore the homeless in bus and train stations . This cavalier blindness makes their daily journey more bearable .

2 . ( A ) characterized by confusion 

( B ) arousing fear or awe

( C ) lacking validity 

( D ) unconcerned with important matters                                      2 . --------

Having grudgingly agreed to visit the creative writing class , the famous author offered only condescending comments about the work of the amateur writers .

3 . ( A  ) characterized by a superior manner 

( B ) worthy of worship

( C ) devout or religious 

( D ) marked by a smooth , lyrical style                                           3 . -------

At the end of the Trojan War , Achilles was contemptuous of his rivals . He illustrated the negative attitude by dragging the body of Hector , his slain enemy , around the walls of Troy .

 4 . ( A ) somewhat fearful 

( B ) overcome by embarrassment

( C )  earthy and uncomplicated

 ( D ) filled with scorn                                                                         4. -------

It had not snowed for nearly nine months , so when the snow finally fell on the mountains , hundreds of ebullient  skiers headed for the slopes .

5 . ( A ) frightened 

( B ) persistent 

( C ) enthusiastic 

( D ) exhausted                                                                                     5 . ------

Rhett Butler left SCARLETT O’Hara at the end of Gone with the Wind . Among other complaints , he felt he could no longer tolerate her egocentric neglect of others’ feelings . It seemed she thought only of herself .

 6 . ( A ) self-centered 

( B ) supportive

( C ) distracted 

( D ) bewildered                                                                                    6 . -----

Haughty and uncooperative , the star performer treated the rest of the actors as if they were amateurs . He eventually was removed from the cast of the play because of his depressing effect on morale .

7 . ( A ) using few words 

( B ) overly proud and vain

( C ) resistant to work 

( D ) capable of moving with ease                                                 7 . ----

Mary . Queen of Scots , placed self-interest ahead of her country’s needs when she claimed that the throne of England was rightfully hers . As a result of her pompous actions , Queen Mary lost her head in addition to her throne .

8 . ( A ) having an evil influence 

( B ) clearly apparent

( C ) generous 

( D ) too proud of one’s importance                                             8 . -------

The unpretentious bungalow sat among impressive mansions . Although their house was small and humble , the family was very proud of it .

9 . ( A ) modest 

( B ) desirable 

( C ) run-down 

( D ) realistic                                                                                   9. -------

Tired and waspish , the car salesman made several impatient remarks to browsers . He later regretted these comments when the customers refused to buy a car from him .

10 . ( A ) calm

( B ) off-balance 

( C ) bad-tempered 

( D ) perplexed                                                                              10 . ------

Answer Key

1 . B 2 . D 3 . A 4 . D 5 . C 6 . A 7 . B 8 . D 9 . A 10 . C

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2- ] Each question below include a word in capital letters , followed by five words or phrases . Choose the word or phrase that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters . Write the letter for your answer on the line provided .

1. INDELIBLE ( A ) grateful ( B ) annoying ( C ) delicate ( D ) ruined

 ( E ) permanent                                                     1. ------

2 . AVARICE ( A ) desire for great wealth ( B ) dislike ( C ) unattractive habit

( D ) stinginess ( E ) tendency to eat or drink too much        2 . -----

3 . HERESY ( A ) opinion that is contrary to accepted beliefs ( B ) disagreeable remark ( C ) religious belief ( D ) illogical argument ( E ) unsupported statement        3 .  ----

4 . DULCET ( A ) carpenter’s tool ( B ) obstacle ( C ) quarrelsome

( D ) sweet and mellow ( E ) object of ridicule             4 . ----

5 .  AVOCATION ( A ) support ( B ) charitable activity ( C ) something done for pleasure ( D ) careless remark ( E) detailed instructions    5 . ---                         

6 . REMORSE ( A ) repeat unnecessarily ( B ) cancel ( C ) coordinated movement

( D ) sorrow ( E ) recognize                    6. -----

7 . MORBID ( A ) musical ( B ) immoral ( C ) formed from the earth

( D ) curious ( E ) gloomy                                        7. -----

8 . VOUCH ( A ) type of document ( B ) give assurances ( C ) send away

( D ) argue against ( E ) a solemon oath                  8 . ----

9 . VIE ( A) observe secretly ( B ) fill with life ( C ) compete ( D ) pardon

( E ) permit                                                                 9 . ---

10 . PARSIMONY ( A ) money paid to a former spouse ( B ) serious crime 

( C ) reckless behavior ( D ) stinginess ( E )popularity   10 . --                                                        

11 . OBSOLETE ( A ) sleek in appearance ( B ) destroyed ( C ) outdated

( D ) modern ( E ) unwelcome                                 11. --

12 . WANE ( A ) decrease ( B ) grow in size ( C ) predict ( D ) snare 

( E ) remove forcibly                                             12 . ---

13 . CATACLYSM ( A ) official pardon ( B ) celebration ( C ) amusing incident

( D ) interrogation ( E ) violent disturbance         13 . --

14 . NOTORIOUS (A ) disguised ( B ) well-known for evil acts ( C ) noticeable

( D ) twisted ( E ) sufficient for one’s needs           14 . --

15 . EDIFICE ( A ) statue ( B ) building ( C ) food ( D ) farmland

( E ) container used for storage                                15 . -

Answer Key

1 . E 2 . A 3 . A 4 . D 5 . C 6 . D 7 . E 8 . B 9 . C 10 . D 11 . C 12 . A . 13 . E 14, B 15 . B

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3 - ) Match the definition in Column B with the word in Column A . Write the letter for your choice on the answer line

         Column A                               Column B

1 . stagnate                                  a . tendency                                   1 . ---------

2 . improvise                               b . greed                                         2 . ---------

3 . carnivore                                c. fresh and unspoiled                  3 . ---------

4 . rapacity                                  d . become motionless                   4 . --------

5 . pristine                                   e  . suitable for farming                5 . --------

6 . equivocate                              f . perform without preparation  6 . --------

7. immortalize                            g . give eternal life to                     7 . --------

8 . avant-garde                          h . avoid taking a clear position   8 . --------

9 . proclivity                                I . people trying new ideas           9 . --------

10 . arable                                    j . meat eater                                10 . --------
Answer Key

1 . d 2 . f 3 . j 4 . b 5 . c 6 . h 7 . g 8 . I 9 . a 10 . e