Basic 5

Question 1

maxim

Answer 1

a short saying or general truth

Question 2

aphoristic

Answer 2

something that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principle

Question 3

unprecedented

Answer 3

having never been done or known before; novel

Question 4

destitute

Answer 4

poor enough to need help from others;

completely wanting or lacking (usually “destitute of”)

Question 5

rash

Answer 5

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences imprudently incurring risk

Question 6

embellish

Answer 6

make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc; make more beautiful

Question 7

exasperate

Answer 7

to irritate intensely

Question 8

connive

Answer 8

taking part in immoral and unethical plots

Question 9

derogative

Answer 9

expressed as worthless or in negative terms

Question 10

taxing

Answer 10

use to the limit; exhaust

Question 11

serene

Answer 11

calm and peaceful

Question 12

impending

Answer 12

close in time; about to occur

Question 13

exemplify

Answer 13

to be characteristic of

Question 14

eke

Answer 14

to live off meager resources, to scrape by

Question 15

ploy

Answer 15

a clever plan to turn a situation to one’s advantage

Question 16

devolve

Answer 16

pass on or delegate to another, grow worse

Question 17

discord

Answer 17

lack of agreement or harmony

Question 18

tout

Answer 18

advertise in strongly positive terms; show off

Question 19

travail

Answer 19

use of physical or mental energy; hard work; agony or anguish

Question 20

pastoral

Answer 20

relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense

Question 21

presumption

Answer 21

an assumption that is taken for granted;

audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to

Question 22

brusquely

Answer 22

in a blunt, direct manner

Question 23

quip

Answer 23

a witty saying or remark; to make a witty remark, to say in jest

Question 24

elude

Answer 24

escape understanding

Question 25

smug

Answer 25

marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction

Question 26

steadfast

Answer 26

marked by firm determination or resolution, not shakable

Question 27

irk

Answer 27

irritate or vex

Question 28

unseemly

Answer 28

not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

Question 29

foible

Answer 29

a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

Question 30

leery

Answer 30

openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

Question 31

reservation

Answer 31

an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly

Question 32

tact

Answer 32

consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense

Question 33

goad

Answer 33

urge on with unpleasant comments

Question 34

squander

Answer 34

spend thoughtlessly, waste time, money or an opportunity

Question 35

convoluted

Answer 35

highly complex and intricate

Question 36

diligent

Answer 36

characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks

Question 37

Savvy

Answer 37

A perceptive understanding

Question 38

Peevish

Answer 38

Easily irritated or annoyed