LEVEL H Vocabulary in Action: Chapters 1-15 50 Words/Definitions

Question 1

Oscillate

Answer 1

(verb) to swing back and forth

Question 2

Voluble

Answer 2

(adjective) speaking with a steady

flow of words; talkative

Question 3

Diminutive

Answer 3

(adjective) very small

Question 4

Fervent

Answer 4

(adjective) 1. showing great emotion

or warmth; 2. ardent; 3. enthusiastic

Question 5

Blanch

Answer 5

(verb) 1. to take the color from;

2. to whiten; 3. to boil briefly

Question 6

Belligerent

Answer 6

(adjective) 1. ready to fight;

angry; 2. at war

Question 7

Fiasco

Answer 7

(noun) a complete failure

Question 8

Drone

Answer 8

(verb) to make a constant dull
humming sound;
(noun) 1. a dull humming sound;
2. a male bee

Question 9

Skeptical

Answer 9

(adjective) 1. doubting;
2. questioning; 3. not quickly or easily
believing

Question 10

Benign

Answer 10

(adjective) gentle or harmless

Question 11

Wane

Answer 11

(verb) to gradually decrease in size or
amount;
(noun) a gradual decrease or lessening

Question 12

Brisk

Answer 12

(adjective) lively; quick; active

Question 13

Credible

Answer 13

(adjective) 1. believable; trustworthy;

2. reliable

Question 14

Bauble

Answer 14

(noun) a small decoration or trinket

Question 15

Endear

Answer 15

(verb) to make dear or fond of

Question 16

Yarn

Answer 16

(noun) 1. a heavy thread used for
knitting and weaving; 2. a story of
adventure

Question 17

Retort

Answer 17

(verb) 1. to answer quickly; 2. to reply
with a prompt argument;
(noun) a fast or witty response

Question 18

Gale

Answer 18

(noun) a very strong, powerful wind

Question 19

Controversy

Answer 19

(noun) a disagreement or debate

between opposing sides

Question 20

Zeal

Answer 20

(noun) eager attention or enthusiasm for

a cause or goal

Question 21

Ultimate

Answer 21

(adjective) 1. final; 2. of the greatest
size or importance;
(noun) 1. the final point; 2. the greatest
point

Question 22

Ethnic

Answer 22

(adjective) of a particular religious,

racial, national, or cultural group

Question 23

Twinge

Answer 23

(noun) 1. a sudden, sharp pain; 2. a

sudden emotional pain

Question 24

Fluted

Answer 24

(adjective) decorated with grooves

Question 25

Rebuttal

Answer 25

(noun) the offering of opposing

evidence or arguments

Question 26

Recluse

Answer 26

(noun) someone who lives apart from
others;
(adjective) apart from others; solitary

Question 27

Dilute

Answer 27

(verb) to thin or weaken by adding
liquid;
(adjective) weakened

Question 28

Endorse

Answer 28

(verb) 1. to write one’s name on
a document to show approval; 2. to
approve

Question 29

Famine

Answer 29

e (noun) 1. a serious shortage of food;

2. starvation

Question 30

Wretched

Answer 30

(adjective) 1. living a miserable life;

2. in very poor condition

Question 31

Defiance

Answer 31

(noun) a resistance to authority or

an opposing force

Question 32

Paragon

Answer 32

(noun) a model of excellence

Question 33

Elimination

Answer 33

(noun) removal

Question 34

Mythical

Answer 34

(adjective) 1. having to do with
traditional stories about spirits, ancestors,
or heroes; 2. imaginary

Question 35

Hostility

Answer 35

(noun) 1. unfriendliness; the state of

being enemies; 2. opposition to an idea

Question 36

Silhouette

Answer 36

(noun) the outline of something;

(verb) to show in outline

Question 37

Hoard

Answer 37

(noun) a hidden supply of something
stored for future use;
(verb) to gather by saving or hiding

Question 38

Agonize

Answer 38

(verb) 1. to suffer great physical or

emotional pain; 2. to make a major effort

Question 39

Ecology

Answer 39

(noun) the study of the relationship
between living things and their
environment

Question 40

Dispatch

Answer 40

(verb) to send off;
(noun) 1. act of sending off; 2. speed;
3. a quickly sent message

Question 41

Catastrophe

Answer 41

(noun) a great, sudden disaster

Question 42

Multitude

Answer 42

(noun) a great, indefinite number

Question 43

Nominee

Answer 43

(noun) 1. a person who is
nominated; 2. a person who is chosen as
a political candidate

Question 44

Subordination

Answer 44

(noun) 1. placement in a lower
class or rank; 2. obedience

Question 45

Fury

Answer 45

(noun) fierce anger or rage

Question 46

Irascible

Answer 46

(adjective) 1. quick to anger;

2. hot-tempered

Question 47

Reminisce

Answer 47

(verb) to remember or talk about

past events

Question 48

Buoy

Answer 48

(noun) a floating device used in water as

a marker or warning

Question 49

Durable

Answer 49

(adjective) 1. lasting; 2. able to

withstand wear or weathering

Question 50

Gorge

Answer 50

(noun) a deep, narrow passage with
steep, rocky walls;
(verb) to stuff with something