Kaplan Practice Test

Question 1

inoculate

Answer 1

to treat with vaccine to produce immunity against a disease

Question 2

elucidation

Answer 2

clarification; explanation that makes something clear

Question 3

malapropism

Answer 3

the mistaken use of a word in a place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect

Question 4

tepid

Answer 4

showing little enthusiasm; lukewarm

Question 5

emaciated

Answer 5

abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food

Question 6

finesse

Answer 6

intricate and refined delicacy; to do something in a subtle and delicate manner

Question 7

kismet

Answer 7

destiny, fate

Question 8

imbroglio

Answer 8

an extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation

Question 9

bemuse

Answer 9

to puzzle, confuse, bewilder

Question 10

excoriate

Answer 10

to censure or criticize severely; (in medicine) to damage or remove part of the surface of the skin

Question 11

extol

Answer 11

to praise enthusiastically

Question 12

aplomb

Answer 12

self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation

Having studied hard for the exam, Diana passed with aplomb.

Question 13

flippant

Answer 13

not showing a serious or respectful attitude

Question 14

poignant

Answer 14

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret

They read aloud the poignant letter written by the victims’ relatives.

Question 15

vociferous

Answer 15

vehement or clamorous

Question 16

stentorian

Answer 16

describing a person’s voice that is loud and powerful

Question 17

imbibe

Answer 17

to drink alcohol; to absorb or assimilate ideas or knowledge

Question 18

regurgitate

Answer 18

to repeat information without analyzing or comprehending it; to bring swallowed food up again to the mouth

Question 19

trepidation

Answer 19

a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen

Question 20

imperturbation

Answer 20

freedom from agitation; calmness, quietude

Question 21

visceral

Answer 21

relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect

His campaign was fueled by the voters’ visceral fear of change.

Question 22

diaphanous

Answer 22

light, delicate, and translucent

Question 23

egregious

Answer 23

outstandingly bad; shocking

Question 24

ochlocracy

Answer 24

mob rule

Question 25

oligarchy

Answer 25

a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution

Question 26

scintillation

Answer 26

a flash or sparkle of light

Question 27

elucidate

Answer 27

to make something clear; to explain

Question 28

disquietude

Answer 28

a state of uneasiness or anxiety

Question 29

surreptitious

Answer 29

kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of

For two decades, they carried on a surreptitious affair, at times meeting up in foreign country to avoid discovery.

Question 30

impinge

Answer 30

to have an effect or impact, especially a negative one; to advance over an area belonging to someone or something else

She was determined to make the tragedy impinge as little as possible on her son’s life.

Question 31

abnegating

Answer 31

to renounce or reject something desired or valuable

Question 32

excogitate

Answer 32

to think out, plan, or devise

Question 33

embolden

Answer 33

to give someone the courage or confidence to do something or to behave in a certain way

Emboldened by robust passenger traffic, the airlines put through major fare increases.

Question 34

ineptitude

Answer 34

a lack of skill, ability, or compedtence

Question 35

trireme

Answer 35

an ancient Greek or Roman war galley with three banks or oars

Question 36

abstemious

Answer 36

not self-indulgent, especially eating and drinking

Question 37

consummate

Answer 37

showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect

Question 38

affable

Answer 38

friendly, good-natured, easy to talk to

Question 39

unctuous

Answer 39

excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily

He seemed anxious to please, but not in an unctuous way

Question 40

sonorous

Answer 40

capable of producing a deep or ringing sound