English 11 - set 15

Question 1

alacrity

Answer 1

n. promptness in response,
cheerful readiness

Question 2

amity

Answer 2

n. friendship, esp. friendly
relations between nations

Question 3

avocation

Answer 3

n. diversion, distraction; a
subordinate occupation pursued
in addition to one’s employment,
esp. for enjoyment

Question 4

disparity

Answer 4

n. the quality or state of
being unequal; lack of
similarity

Question 5

dissimulation

Answer 5

n. false appearance,
hypocrisy

Question 6

diurnal

Answer 6

adj. recurring every day,
having a daily cycle,
active chiefly during the
daytime

Question 7

feckless

Answer 7

adj. 1. weak, ineffective;
2. worthless, irresponsible

Question 8

fecund

Answer 8

adj. 1. fruitful in offspring or
vegetation, prolific;
2. intellectually productive or
inventive to a marked degree

Question 9

hegemony

Answer 9

adj. preponderant influence or
authority over others;
domination, i.e. battled for
hegemony in Asia

Question 10

hospice

Answer 10

n. 1. a lodging for travelers, young persons,
or the underprivileged, esp. when
maintained by a religious order; 2. a
facility or program designed to provide a
caring environment for the terminally ill.

Question 11

nefarious

Answer 11

adj. flagrantly wicked or
impious, evil

Question 12

paradigm

Answer 12

n. example, pattern; an
outstandingly clear or
typical example or
archetype

Question 13

pecuniary

Answer 13

adj. 1. consisting of or
measured in money; 2. of
or relating to money

Question 14

prerequisite

Answer 14

n. 1. a privilege, gain, or profit
incidental to regular salary or
wages, esp. one expected or
promised; 2. gratuity, tip;
3. something held or claimed as
an exclusive right or possession

Question 15

presumptuous

Answer 15

adj. overstepping due bounds
(as of propriety or
courtesy), taking liberties

Question 16

propitious

Answer 16

adj. 1. favorably disposed,
benevolent; 2. being a
good omen, auspicious;
3. tending to favor,
advantageous

Question 17

pusillanimous

Answer 17

adj. lacking courage and
resolution, marked by
contemptible timidity

Question 18

suppliant

Answer 18

adj. 1. humbly imploring,
entreating; 2. expressing
supplication, i.e. upraised
to the heavens. . . suppliant
arms

Question 19

torrid

Answer 19

adj. 1. a. parched with heat,
esp. of the sun; b. giving
off intense heat,
scorching; 2. ardent,
passionate

Question 20

wizen

Answer 20

adj. to become dry, shrunken and
wrinkled often as a result of
aging or of failing vitality