#5 Vocabulary Words

Question 1

Ambiguous

Answer 1

(adj) permitting more than one interpretation;
not clearly defined

Example Sentence:

Archer’s _______ remarks about the problem
confused us.

Question 2

Capricious

Answer 2

(adj) changeable; fickle; unpredictable

Example Sentence:

Our weather is so _______ that it’s difficult to
make weekend plans.

Question 3

Coalesce

Answer 3

(v) to grow together; to combine; mix

Example Sentence:

If the competing groups could _______, they
would control the election.

Question 4

Elucidate

Answer 4

(v) to make clear; explain

Example Sentence:

Students asked the teacher to _______ the
complicated assignment.

Question 5

Hyperbole

Answer 5

(n) an exaggerated statement used as a figure
of speech for greater effect; extreme
exaggeration (Ex. “ a mile-high ice cream
cone”)

Example Sentence:

The tributes at Adrian’s retirement dinner were
filled with flagrant _______.

Question 6

Meticulous

Answer 6

(adj) very careful about details; fussy; finicky

Example Sentence:

Sidney was _______ about his clothing but
quite sloppy about his room.

Question 7

Quandary

Answer 7

(n) condition of being doubtful or confused;
perplexity

Example Sentence:

The benefits and dangers of a nuclear plant
leave us in a _______.

Question 8

Stoic

Answer 8

(adj) not affected by pleasure or pain;
impassive

Example Sentence:

Ed accepted his dad’s tirade in
_______silence, though he knew he was the
scapegoat for his whole family.

Question 9

Ungainly

Answer 9

(adj) clumsy; awkward; hard to handle

Example Sentence:

Many people consider the tuba to be an
_______ instrument.

Question 10

Zealot

Answer 10

(n) a person who shows great enthusiasm for
a cause; fanatic

Example Sentence:

A _______for political reform will go to any
lengths to further his cause.