Ultimate Vocabulary Test: Part One

Question: Viability

Answer: Viability (n.): ability to be done in a practical or useful way. Example: “The viability of the solution is questionable.”

Question: Precedent

Answer: Precedent (n.): an example or subject from earlier in time. Example: “This change in law is without historical precedent.”

Question: Demur

Answer: Demur (v.): to object. Example: “She demurred at my request to transfer to a different department.”

Question: Prohibit

Answer: Prohibit (v.): to command against, to outlaw. Example: “In the U.S. in the 1920s, the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages were prohibited.”

Question: Analogous

Answer: Analogous (adj.): similar but not identical. Example: “Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions.”

Question: Fundamental

Answer: Fundamental (adj.): of, relating to, or forming the essence or core; basic. Example: “A thesis is arguably the most fundamental part of an essay.”

Question: Urge

Answer: Urge (n.): a desire or impulse. Example: “He had the urge to tell his parents about his acceptance to Columbia but decided against it.”

Question: Culmination

Answer: Culmination (n.): the final act or climax. Example: “The culmination of the performance was unforgettable.”

Question: Diminish

Answer: Diminish (v.): to become smaller in scope or degree. Example: “The itchiness of mosquito bites usually starts to diminish after a few days.”

Question: Dilemma

Answer: Dilemma (n.): a problem, usually requiring a choice between undesirable options. Example: “The main dilemma is whether to pay for a commercial or not.”

Question: Exert

Answer: Exert (v.): to put into use, usually as effort. Example: “Don’t exert all of your energy at once.”

Question: Abstract

Answer: Abstract (adj.): existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality. Example: “Julie had trouble understanding the appeal of the abstract painting.”

Question: Abysmal

Answer: Abysmal (adj.): extremely bad. Example: “I got an abysmal grade on my research paper!”

Question: Predecessor

Answer: Predecessor (n.) someone who comes before another (usually in position or office). Example: “My predecessor gave me many tips for running for office.”

Question: Cultivate

Answer: Cultivate (v.): to foster the growth of. Example: “Teachers don’t just pass on new information to students; they cultivate students’ academic potential.”

Question: Capitalize

Answer: Capitalize (v.): to use to your advantage. Example: “I’d like to capitalize on your math skills by having you work the cash register.”

Question: Expend

Answer: Expend (v.): to use up, as in energy or money. Example: “Be careful not to expend all your energy in the first half of a marathon.”

Question: Principle

Answer: Principle (n.): basic truth, assumption, or rule. Example: “Remember the universal principle: treat others as you want them to treat you.”

Question: Brawl

Answer: Brawl (n.): an intense, loud fight. Example: “A brawl broke out at school today after one student accused another of cheating.”

Question: Boost

Answer: Boost (v.): to increase or make grow. Example: “The consultant’s ideas boosted profits just as she had promised.”

Question: Hostile

Answer: Hostile (adj.): harmful, dangerous. Example: “The voices around the corner sounded angry, hostile even.”

Question: Devise

Answer: Devise (v.): to come up with something, usually a plan. Example: “Lana devised a plan to make herself famous.”

Question: Candor

Answer: Candor (n.): the trait of being honest and frank. Example: “I admire her candor, especially when nobody else bothers to speak up.”

Question: Corroborate

Answer: Corroborate (v.): to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim). Example: “The note signed by her father corroborates her claim that she was absent from class that day.”

Question: Annihilate

Answer: Annihilate (v.): to destroy or defeat utterly. Example: “The dictator sent orders to annihilate the group of rebels.”

Question: Unprecedented

Answer: Unprecedented (adj.): completely new and never having happened before; historic. Example: “The number of protesters was unprecedented.”

Question: Unmitigated

Answer: Unmitigated (adj.): downright, utter, total. Example: “My speech was an unmitigated disaster!”

Question: Diligence

Answer: Diligence (n.): conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task. Example: “Diligence and confidence will get you far in life.”

Question: Deplete

Answer: Deplete (v.): to use up or lessen significantly the number or quantity of. Example: “The lost campers quickly depleted their supply of food.”

Question: Freewheeling

Answer: Freewheeling (adj): carefree. Example: “His freewheeling attitude often got him in trouble at work.”

Question: Counteract

Answer: Counteract (v.): to work in opposition to. Example: “This ingredient seems to counteract the other ones.”

Question: Vital

Answer: Vital (adj): urgently necessary. Example: “It is vital that you respond by the deadline.”

Question: Deference

Answer: Deference (n.): respect; regard. Example: “Her deference to the elderly makes her the perfect candidate for an internship at the retirement center.”

Question: Abate

Answer: Abate (v.): become less active, less intense, or less in amount. Example: “As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.”

Question: Deficient

Answer: Deficient (adj.): not enough in degree or amount. Example: “I feel as though the sources for my paper are deficient.”

Question: Accordingly

Answer: Accordingly (adv.): in an appropriate or corresponding way. Example: “All students must behave accordingly.”

Question: Geriatric

Answer: Geriatric (adj.): relating to old age. Example: “I became interested in geriatric medicine shortly after my grandfather passed away from cancer.”

Question: Exhilarating

Answer: Exhilarating (adj.): invigorating, stimulating, exciting. Example: “The music playing at the club was catchy and exhilarating.”

Question: Desolate

Answer: Desolate (adj): bare, barren, empty. Example: “The Moon is one giant desolate landscape.”

Question: Candid

Answer: Candid (adj.): direct, blunt. Example: “Josh is candid about his desire to become an actor.”

Question: Hypothetical

Answer: Hypothetical (adj.): supposed; related to a hypothesis. Example: “For my physics homework, I must come up with a hypothetical situation.”

Question: Counterproductive

Answer: Counterproductive (adj.): hindering the achievement of a goal. Example: “Bill’s idea to take a shortcut was ultimately counterproductive: it took us twice as long to get to the train station.”

Question: Unveil

Answer: Unveil (v.): to make visible; to reveal. Example: “We plan to unveil our plans for the new company project on Sunday.”

Question: Counterargument

Answer: Counterargument (n.): an argument used to criticize or dismantle another argument. Example: “Make sure to include a counterargument in your essay so you can show you’ve considered the topic from another perspective.”

Question: Vow

Answer: Vow (v.): to promise. Example: “My brother vowed never to eat chocolate again.”

Question: Galvanizing

Answer: Galvanizing (adj.): thrilling, exciting, stimulating. Example: “The galvanizing performance left everyone spellbound.”

Question: Decree

Answer: Decree (v.): to declare formally and with authority. Example: “The president decreed that Halloween would henceforth be a national holiday.”

Question: Acquisition

Answer: Acquisition (n.): the act of gaining a skill or possession of something. Example: “Language acquisition is easier for kids than it is for adults.”

Question: Brevity

Answer: Brevity (n.): the quality of being brief or terse. Example: “The brevity of their time together made it all the more romantic.”

Question: Anomaly

Answer: Anomaly (n.): something different from the norm. Example: “This result is an anomaly and very rarely happens.”

Question: Endure

Answer: Endure (v.): to withstand, sustain, or hold out against. Example: “I can’t endure this wait any longer. Will Stanford accept or reject me?”

Question: Retention

Answer: Retention (n.): the act of keeping something. Example: “Water retention can make you weigh more on certain days.”

Question: Validate

Answer: Validate (v.): to prove or declare logically or factually sound. Example: “Your selfish actions do not validate your feelings for me.”