Barron's 18

Question 1

aver

Answer 1

to affirm; declare to be true

Question 2

porous

Answer 2

full of holes; permeable to liquids

Question 3

nostalgia

Answer 3

sentimental longing for a past time

Question 4

propensity

Answer 4

inclination, tendency

Question 5

inveterate

Answer 5

confirmed; long standing

Question 6

allay

Answer 6

to lessen; ease; soothe

Question 7

implode

Answer 7

collapse inward violently

Question 8

epistemology

Answer 8

branch of philosophy that examines the nature of knowledge

Question 9

vivisection

Answer 9

dissection, surgery, or painful experiments performed on a living animal for the purpose of scientific research

Question 10

artifact

Answer 10

item made by human craft

Question 11

vacuous

Answer 11

empty, void, lacking intelligence

Question 12

precursor

Answer 12

forerunner; predecessor

Question 13

incursion

Answer 13

sudden invasion

Question 14

machination

Answer 14

plot or scheme

Question 15

categorical

Answer 15

absolute; without exception

Question 16

bovine

Answer 16

cowlike

Question 17

divulge

Answer 17

to make known something that is secret

Question 18

pathological

Answer 18

relating to pathology

Question 19

sordid

Answer 19

filthy, contemptible and corrupt

Question 20

incongruity

Answer 20

state of not fitting; incompatibility