Lesson 1

Question 0

Staid

Answer 0

Reserved and upright in manner or behavior, sedate
Syn: earnest, grave, sober, solemn
The staid and uninteresting old maid behaved with utmost decorum in all situations.

Question 1

Spurn

Answer 1

To reject or refuse with hostility

The woman had always viewed the man with disdain and would spurn his attempts at friendship forever.

Question 2

Stately

Answer 2

Dignified, majestic

Syn: grand, grandiose, imposing, magnificent

Question 3

Summon

Answer 3

To call together, to send for or to request to appear

Syn: convene, convoke, muster

Question 4

Superfluous

Answer 4

Beyond what is needed or required, an overflow

The meeting lasted so long because of many superfluous comments by some of the speakers

Question 5

Tempestuous

Answer 5

Turbulent, stormy

The mayoral candidates had a tempestuous debate in which they exchanged many personal accusations.

Question 6

Traducer

Answer 6

One who slanders or speaks falsely about someone

After hearing the gossip, the woman confronted the traducer face to face to stop the vicious slander.

Question 7

Trivia

Answer 7

Insignificant matters

The English teacher is looking for substance, not trivia, in themes.

Question 8

Turbulence

Answer 8

Wild or disturbing activity

There is a lot of turbulence during a hurricane.

Question 9

Upshot

Answer 9

Outcome, final result

The upshot of the riot is that some are dead, and many are wounded.

Question 10

Usurp

Answer 10

To take possession or authority over something without right

The younger son tried to usurp the throne from the rightful father.

Question 11

Valid

Answer 11

Well-grounded, justifiable

I found his reasons valid, and I accepted his statement.

Question 12

Vanquished

Answer 12

Conquered, overpowered

Hitler’s armies vanquished Poland with raid from Russia.

Question 13

Vouchsafe

Answer 13

To grant in a condescending manner

I can vouchsafe you a large return on your investment.

Question 14

Vulgarity

Answer 14

Something offensive to good taste and refinement

Syn: coarseness, grossness, obscenity, ribaldness

Question 15

Vulnerable

Answer 15

Susceptible to injury or attack

A fighter is vulnerable if he doesn’t keep up his guard

Question 16

Wane

Answer 16

To decrease in size, degree, or power

Syn: abate, subside, ebb

Question 17

Wanton

Answer 17

Immoral, lewd

He had to drop out of the presidential race when his wanton behavior was exposed.

Question 18

Warranted

Answer 18

Justified

The jury felt that the death penalty was warranted because of the heinous nature of the crime.

Question 19

Woe

Answer 19

Great sorrow, grief, or misfortune

The woe suffered at his death continued through months of depression.