Basics - 3

Question 1

JOCULAR

adj

Answer 1

Definition: Characterised by jokes and good humour,

Usage: My uncle was always in a jocular mood at family gatherings, messing up people’s hair and telling knock-knock jokes to anyone who would listen.

Question 2

respite (noun)

Answer 2

Definition: a pause from doing something (as work)

Usage: Every afternoon, the small company has a respite in which workers play foosball or board games.

Question 3

disheartened (adj)

Answer 3

Definition: made less hopeful or enthusiastic

Usage: After the visiting team scored nine times, the home team’s fans were disheartened, some leaving the game early.

Question 4

Stolid (adj)

Answer 4

Definition: having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited

Usage: Elephants may appear stolid to casual observers, but they actually have passionate emotional lives.

Question 5

Ornate (adj)

Answer 5

marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details

The ornate Victorian and Edwardian homes spread throughout San Francisco are my favorite part of the city.

Question 6

RENEGE

verb

Answer 6

verb: fail to fulfill a promise or obligation

We will no longer work with that vendor since it has reneged on nearly every agreement.

Question 7

TRANSITORY

Answer 7

adjective: lasting a very short time

If we lived forever and life was not transitory, do you think we would appreciate life less or more?

Question 8

QUANDARY

Answer 8

noun: state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options

Steve certainly is in a quandary: if he doesn’t call Elaine, she will blame him for everything, but if he does call her, the evidence of where he currently is could cost him his job.

Question 9

AUTONOMOUSLY

Answer 9

adverb: Acting independently; self-governing (of a country)

Many of the factory workers are worried about being replaced by machines and computers that will work completely autonomously.

Question 10

DETER

Answer 10

verb: turn away from by persuasion

His mother tried to deter him from joining the army, but he was too intoxicated with the idea of war to listen.

verb: try to prevent; show opposition to

The government’s primary job should involve deterring paths to war, not finding ways to start them.

Question 11

APPRECIABLE

Answer 11

adjective: large enough to be noticed (usu. refers to an amount)

There is an appreciable difference between those who say they can get the job done and those who actually get the job done.

Question 12

MUTED

Answer 12

adjective: softened, subdued

Helen preferred muted earth colors, such as green and brown, to the bright pinks and red her sister liked.

This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study

Question 13

OBDURATE

Answer 13

adjective: unable to be persuaded or moved emotionally; stubborn; unyielding.

No number of pleas and bribes would get him to change his obdurate attitude.

Question 14

PLODDING

Answer 14

adjective: (of movement) slow and laborious

Charlie may seem to run at a plodding pace, but he is an ultramarathoner, meaning he runs distances of up to 100 miles, and can run for ten hours at a stretch.

Question 15

ENTICE

Answer 15

verb: get someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises

Harold enticed his wife, Maude, to go on a vacation to Hawaii, with promises of luaus on the beach and all-you-can-eat seafood buffets.

Question 16

IMPERMEABLE

Answer 16

adjective: does not allow fluids to pass through

The sand bags placed on the river formed an impermeable barrier, protecting the town from flooding.

Question 17

MALADY

Answer 17

noun: a disease or sickness

The town was struck by a malady throughout the winter that left most people sick in bed for two weeks.

Question 18

RESOLVE

Answer 18

verb: reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation

After much thought, Ted resolved not to travel abroad this summer because he didn’t have much money in his bank account.

This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study

Question 19

ENDEMIC

Answer 19

verb: reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation

After much thought, Ted resolved not to travel abroad this summer because he didn’t have much money in his bank account.

This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study

Question 20

FLOUNDER

Answer 20

verb: behave awkwardly; have difficulties

Sylvia has excelled at advanced calculus, but ironically, when she has to deal with taxes, she flounders.