Cracking the Uncrackable Code

Question 1

headquarter (n)

/ˌhedˈkwɔː.tər/

Answer 1

to have the main offices of an organization in a particular place:

The airline is headquartered in Seattle.

Question 2

encode (v)

/ɪnˈkəʊd/

Answer 2

to change something into a system for sending messages secretly, or to represent complicated information in a simple or short way

the sculpture contains an encoded message

Question 3

anagram (n)

/ˈæn.ə.ɡræm/

Answer 3

a word or phrase made by using the letters of another word or phrase in a different order:

“Neat” is an anagram of “a net”.

Question 4

stump (v)

/stʌmp/

Answer 4

to confuse or cause someone to be unable to understand or explain something:

He seemed stumped by our questions.

Question 5

not give/budge/move an inch

Answer 5

to not change your opinion:

She’s definite that she wants to do it and she’ll not give an inch

Question 6

safe deposit box (n)

/dɪˈpɒz.ɪt/

Answer 6

a strong box in a bank where you can keep money or valuable things

Question 7

ultimately (adv)

/ˈʌl.tɪ.mət.li/

Answer 7

finally, after a series of things have happened:

Our plans ultimately depend on the weather.

Question 8

exterior (n)

/ɪkˈstɪə.ri.ər/

Answer 8

the outside part of something or someone:

The exterior of the house needs painting.

Question 9

clue (n)

/kluː/

Answer 9

a sign or some information that helps you to find the answer to a problem, question, or mystery:

Police are still looking for clues in their search for the missing girl

Question 10

toss something out

Answer 10

to get rid of or remove something:

She tossed out my old chair.

Question 11

brainstorming (n)

Answer 11

an activity or business method in which a group of people meet to suggest a lot of new ideas for possible development:

We need to do some brainstorming before we get down to detailed planning

Question 12

topography (n)

/təˈpɒɡ.rə.fi/

Answer 12

the natural features of land, esp. the shape of its surface, or the science of mapping those features:

Volcanoes have sculpted the topography of the island.

Question 13

vigilant (adj)

/ˈvɪdʒ.əl.ənt/

Answer 13

always being careful to notice things, especially possible danger:

When traveling through the city, tourists should be extra vigilant.

Question 14

Poker face (n)

/ˈpəʊ.kə ˌfeɪs/

Answer 14

an expression on someone’s face that does not show what they are thinking or feeling:

He can tell a funny story with a poker face

Question 15

Flinch (v)

/flɪntʃ/

Answer 15

to make a sudden, small movement because of pain or fear:

He didn’t even flinch when the nurse cleaned the wound.

Question 16

So far so good

Answer 16

used to say that an activity has gone well until now:

The doctor did some quick tests. “So far so good,” she said.

Question 17

Unveil (v)

/ʌnˈveɪl/

Answer 17

If you unveil something new, you show it or make it known for the first time:

The company recently unveiled a test version of its new search engine.

Question 18

Strive (v)

/straɪv/

Answer 18

to try very hard to do something or to make something happen, especially for a long time or against difficulties:

In her writing she strove for a balance between innovation and familiar prose forms.

Question 19

Bet (n)

Answer 19

an agreement to risk money on the unknown result of an event:

He placed a bet on the race.

Question 20

Cipher (n)

/ˈsaɪ.fər/

Answer 20

a system of writing that prevents most people from understanding the message:

The message was written in cipher

Question 21

Solvable (adj)

/ˈsɒl.və.bəl/

Answer 21

able to be solved