Magoosh Basic - IV

Question 1

empathetic

Answer 1

adjective: showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples’ states and emotions

Most discrimination and hatred is based on a lack of empathetic awareness of people that have the same aspirations and fears.

Question 2

unruly

Answer 2

adjective: (of persons) noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to authority

Walk in to any preschool and I am sure that you will find an unruly and chaotic scene—unless it’s nap time.

Question 3

egotist

Answer 3

noun: a conceited and self-centered person

An egotist, Natasha had few friends because of her inability to talk about anything except her dream of becoming the next American Idol.

Question 3

surly

Answer 3

adjective: often in a bad mood, unfriendly, and not polite:

Every morning, Bhavin was a surly, unhappy person, but once he ate breakfast, he became loving, laughing, and a joy to be around.

Question 4

conducive

Answer 4

adjective: making a situation or outcome more likely to happen

Studying in a quiet room is conducive to learning; studying in a noisy environment makes learning more difficult.

Question 5

tumult

Answer 5

noun: a state of chaos, noise and confusion

Riots broke out just in front of our apartment building, and the tumult continued late into the night.

Question 5

fickle

Answer 5

adjective: likely to change your opinion or your feelings suddenly and without a good reason:

She was so fickle in her politics, it was hard to pinpoint her beliefs; one week she would embrace a side, and the next week she would denounce it.

Question 6

uncompromising

Answer 6

adjective: not making concessions

The relationship between Bart and Hilda ultimately failed because they were both so uncompromising, never wanting to change their opinions.

Question 6

benign

Answer 6

adjective: kind

I remember my grandfather’s face was wrinkled, benign, and calm.

adjective: (medicine) not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive

The tumor located in your ear lobe seems to be benign and should not cause you any trouble.

Question 6

sentimental

Answer 6

adjective: effusively or insincerely emotional, especially in art, music, and literature

I don’t like romanticism for the same reason I don’t like melodramatic acting and soap operas—overly sentimental.

Question 6

grovel

Answer 6

verb: show submission or fear

Every time Susan comes to the office, Frank grovels as if she were about to fire him.

Question 7

smattering

Answer 7

noun: a slight or superficial understanding of a subject; a small amount of something

I know only a smattering of German, but Helen is able to read German newspapers and converse with natives.

Question 7

perennial

Answer 7

adjective: lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting

Even at the old-timers games, Stan Musial would get the loudest cheer: he was a perennial favorite of the fans there.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study

Question 7

illicit

Answer 7

adjective: contrary to or forbidden by law

Though Al Capone was engaged in many illicit activities, he was finally arrested for income tax evasion, a relatively minor offense.

Question 8

genial

Answer 8

adjective: friendly and pleasant:

Betty is a genial young woman: everyone she meets is put at ease by her elegance and grace.

Question 8

glib

Answer 8

adjective: (of a person) speaking with ease but without sincerity

I have found that the more glib the salesman, the worse the product.

Question 9

assail

Answer 9

verb: to attack someone violently or criticize someone strongly:

example:
- The victim had been assailed with repeated blows to the head and body.
- He was assailed with insults and abuse as he left the court.

verb: If you are assailed by something unpleasant such as fears or problems, you are greatly troubled by a large number of them.

example: She is assailed by self-doubt and emotional insecurity.

Question 9

precedent

Answer 9

noun: an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

example:
- There are several precedents for promoting people who don’t have formal degrees.
- Some politicians fear that agreeing to the concession would set a dangerous precedent.

Question 9

martial

Answer 9

adjective: suggesting war or military life

Americans tend to remember Abraham Lincoln as kindly and wise, not at all martial, despite the fact that he was involved in the fiercest war America has even fought.

Question 9

genteel

Answer 9

adjective: being very polite, gentle, or graceful:

example: a genteel southern lady

Question 9

derisive

Answer 9

adjective: abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule

I was surprised by her derisive tone; usually, she is sweet, soft spoken, and congenial.

Question 9

augment

Answer 9

verb: enlarge or increase; improve

Ideally, the restaurant’s augmented menu will expand its clientele and increase its profits.

Question 9

lucid

Answer 9

adjective: (of language) transparently clear; easily understandable

Though Walters writes about physics and time travel, his writing is always lucid, so readers with little scientific training can understand difficult concepts.

Question 10

altruism

Answer 10

noun: Altruism is unselfish concern for other people’s happiness and welfare.

Albert Schweitzer spent most of his life doing missionary work as a doctor in Africa, seeking no reward, apparently motivated only by altruism.

Question 10

impeccable

Answer 10

adjective: without fault or error

He was impeccably dressed in the latest fashion without a single crease or stain.

Question 10

contemptuous

Answer 10

adjective: scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitude

Always on the forefront of fashion, Vanessa looked contemptuously at anyone wearing dated clothing.

Question 10

whimsical

Answer 10

adjective: determined by impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

Adults look to kids and envy their whimsical nature at times, wishing that they could act without reason and play without limitation.

Question 10

cornucopia

Answer 10

noun: an abundant supply of something good

The International Food Expo was a cornucopia of culinary delights: gourmet foods from every continent were under one roof.

Question 10

perpetuate

Answer 10

verb: cause to continue

If you do not let him do things for himself, you are merely perpetuating bad habits that will be even harder to break in the future.

Question 11

assuage

Answer 11

verb: make something intense less severe

Her fear that the new college would be filled with unknown faces was assuaged when she recognized her childhood friend standing in line.

Question 11

jargon

Answer 11

noun: special words and phrases that are used by particular groups of people, especially in their work:

To those with little training in medicine, the jargon of doctors can be very difficult to understand.

Question 11

tawdry

Answer 11

adjective: looking bright and attractive but in fact cheap and of low quality:

Their ugly front garden and tacky, tawdry lights fail to reflect our village image.

Question 11

elaborate

Answer 11

adjective: marked by complexity and richness of detail

Thomas, on returning from Morocco, replaced his dirty gray carpet with an elaborate one he’d brought back with him.

verb: explain in more detail

Most high school physics teachers find themselves elaborating the same point over and over again, since many concepts confuse students.

Question 11

urbane

Answer 11

adjective: (especially of a man) confident, comfortable, and polite in social situations:

Because of his service as an intelligence officer and his refined tastes, W. Somerset Maugham became the inspiration for the urbane and sophisticate spy James Bond.

Question 11

spurn

Answer 11

verb: reject with contempt

She spurned all his flattery and proposals, and so he walked off embarrassed and sad.

Question 11

facetious

Answer 11

adjective: not serious about a serious subject, in an attempt to be funny or to appear clever :

Facetious behavior will not be tolerated during sex education class; it’s time for all of you to treat these matters like mature adults.

Question 11

buck

Answer 11

verb: If you buck the trend, you obtain different results from others in the same area. If you buck the system, you get what you want by breaking or ignoring the rules.

While other newspapers are losing circulation, we are bucking the trend.

Question 12

pertinent

Answer 12

adjective: relating directly to the subject being considered:

example: a pertinent question/remark

Question 12

debase

Answer 12

verb: reduce the quality or value of something

The third-rate script so debased the film that not even the flawless acting could save it from being a flop.

Question 12

commendable

Answer 12

adjective: worthy of high praise

The efforts of the firefighters running into the burning building were commendable.

Question 12

banish

Answer 12

verb:
1) expel from a community, residence, or location;
2) to get rid of something completely:

The most difficult part of the fast was banishing thoughts of food.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study

Question 12

inadvertent

Answer 12

adjective: happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally

Although Prohibition was rooted in noble ideals, the inadvertent and costly consequences of making alcohol illegal in the U.S. led to its repeal.

Question 13

euphoria

Answer 13

noun: a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation

The euphoria of winning her first gold medal in the 100 meter dash overwhelmed Shelly-Ann Fraser and she wept tears of immense joy.

Question 14

rankle

Answer 14

verb: to make someone annoyed or angry for a long time:

His constant whistling would rankle her, sometimes causing her to leave in a huff.

Question 14

irresolute

Answer 14

adjective: not able or willing to take decisions or actions:

He stood irresolute at the split in the trail, not sure which route would lead back to the camp.

Question 14

vacuous

Answer 14

adjective: devoid of intelligence, matter, or significance

example: rick said he doesn’t want your dumb varcuous hands touching his tools.

Question 14

hamstrung

Answer 14

verb: made ineffective or powerless

The FBI has made so many restrictions on the local police that they are absolutely hamstrung, unable to accomplish anything.

Question 15

pristine

Answer 15

adjective: Unspoiled, untouched (usu. of nature)

The glacial lake was pristine and we filled our canteens to drink deeply.

adjective: Immaculately clean and unused

Drill sergeants are known for demanding pristine cabinets, uniforms, and beds, and often make new recruits clean and clean and clean until they meet the expected high standards.

Question 16

detrimental

Answer 16

adjective: (sometimes followed by “to”) causing harm or injury

Many know that smoking is detrimental to your health, but processed sugar in large quantities is equally bad.

Question 17

credence

Answer 17

noun: belief in something

He placed no credence in psychics, claiming that they offered no special powers beyond the ability to make people part with their money.