Barron's 11

Question 1

captious

Answer 1

faultfinding; intended to entrap, as in an argument

Question 2

compendium

Answer 2

brief, comprehensive summary

Question 3

thespian

Answer 3

an actor or actress

Question 4

fulminate

Answer 4

to attack loudly; denounce

Question 5

negate

Answer 5

to cancel out; nullify

Question 6

plasticity

Answer 6

pliability; condition of being able to be shaped or formed

Question 7

denouement

Answer 7

outcome; unraveling of the plot of a play or work of literature

Question 8

obsequy

Answer 8

funeral ceremony

Question 9

adamant

Answer 9

refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind.

Question 10

impair

Answer 10

to damage; injure

Question 11

abysmal

Answer 11

very bad

Question 12

perigee

Answer 12

point in an orbit that is closest to the earth

Question 13

enhance

Answer 13

to increase; improve

Question 14

refute

Answer 14

to contradict, disprove

Question 15

plummet

Answer 15

to fall; plunge

Question 16

doggerel

Answer 16

poor verse

Question 17

morose

Answer 17

ill-humored; sullen

Question 18

essay

Answer 18

to make an attempt; subject to a test

Question 19

levee

Answer 19

en embankment that prevents a river from overflowing

Question 20

abscission

Answer 20

the act of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf or other part of a plant

Question 21

ruse

Answer 21

trick, crafty stratagem

Question 22

sartorial

Answer 22

pertaining to tailors

Question 23

raiment

Answer 23

clothing

Question 24

iconoclastic

Answer 24

attacking cherished traditions

Question 25

fiat

Answer 25

arbitray order; authorization

Question 26

juggernaut

Answer 26

huge froce destrying everything in its path

Question 27

profound

Answer 27

(of a person or statement) having or showing great knowledge or insight

Question 28

amenity

Answer 28

something that increases comfort

Question 29

sage

Answer 29

wise

Question 30

patois

Answer 30

jargon; a regional dialect