Magoosh Basic - V

Question 1

travail

Answer 1

noun: an unpleasant experience or situation, especially one that involves a lot of hard work or effort:

While they experienced nothing but travails in refinishing the kitchen, they completed the master bedroom in less than a weekend.

Question 2

reservation

Answer 2

noun: a doubt or feeling of not being able to agree with or accept something completely:
example: Workers and employees shared deep reservations about the wisdom of the government’s plans for the industry.
- He accepted my advice without reservation.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study

Question 3

tarnish

Answer 3

verb: make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically

Pete Rose was one of the best baseball players of his generation, but his involvement with gambling on baseball games has tarnished his image in the eyes of many.

Question 3

goad

Answer 3

verb: to make a person or an animal react or do something by continuously annoying or upsetting them:

Doug did not want to enter the race, but Jim, through a steady stream of taunts, goaded him into signing up for it.

Question 4

candidness

Answer 4

noun: the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech

Although I was unhappy that the relationship ended, I appreciated her candidness about why she was ready to move on from the relationship.

Question 5

taxing

Answer 5

adjective: difficult or needing a lot of thought or effort:

The hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney was so taxing that I could barely speak or stand up.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study

Question 5

pastoral

Answer 5

adjective: relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense

Those who imagine America’s countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to learn that much of rural U.S. is filled with cornfields extending as far as the eye can see.

Question 5

tout

Answer 5

verb: to advertise, talk about, or praise something or someone repeatedly, especially as a way of encouraging people to like, accept, or buy something:

At the conference, the CEO touted the extraordinary success of his company’s Research & Development division.

Question 5

unprecedented

Answer 5

adjective: having never been done or known before; novel

When America first created its national parks, the idea of setting aside the most beautiful land in a country was unprecedented in the history of mankind.

Question 5

complacent

Answer 5

adjective: feeling so satisfied with your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any harder:

After the water polo team won their sixth championship, they became complacent and didn’t even make it to the playoffs the next year.

Question 5

foible

Answer 5

noun: a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

When their new roommate sat staring at an oak tree for an hour, Marcia thought it indicated a mental problem, but Jeff assured her it was a harmless foible.

Question 5

placid

Answer 5

adjective: not easily irritated

Doug is normally placid, so we were all shocked to see him yelling at the television when the Mets lost the game.

Question 6

maxim

Answer 6

noun: a short saying expressing a general truth

Johnson initially suggests that the secret to business can be summarized in a single maxim but then requires a 300-page book to explain exactly what he means.

Question 6

connive

Answer 6

verb: taking part in immoral and unethical plots

With the help of the prince, the queen connived to overthrow the king.

Question 6

credulity

Answer 6

noun: tendency to believe readily

Virginia’s wide-eyed credulity as a five-year old was replaced by suspicion after she learned that Santa Claus didn’t really exist.

Question 6

steadfast

Answer 6

adjective: marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

A good captain needs to be steadfast, continuing to hold the wheel and stay the course even during the most violent storm.

Question 6

diligent

Answer 6

adjective: characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks

Michael was a diligent gardener, never leaving a leaf on the ground and regularly watering each plant.

Question 7

elude

Answer 7

verb:
- If a fact or idea eludes you, you do not succeed in understanding it, realizing it, or remembering it.
- If something that you want eludes you, you fail to obtain it.

While some physics concepts might elude newbies, with a little grit and a good teacher, almost anyone can develop a deep understanding of the subject.

Question 8

malevolent

Answer 8

adjective: causing or wanting to cause harm or evil:

Villains are known for their malevolent nature, oftentimes inflicting cruelty on others just for enjoyment.

Question 9

rash

Answer 9

adjective: careless or unwise, without thought for what might happen or result:

Although Bruce was able to make the delivery in time with a nighttime motorcycle ride in the rain, Susan criticized his actions as rash.

Question 9

serene

Answer 9

adjective: calm and peaceful

I’d never seen him so serene; usually, he was a knot of stress and anxiety from hours of trading on the stock exchange.

Question 9

smug

Answer 9

adjective: marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction

When Phil was dating the model, he had a smug attitude that annoyed his buddies.

Question 10

devolve

Answer 10

verb: pass on or delegate to another

The company was full of managers known for devolving tasks to lower management, but never doing much work themselves.

verb: grow worse (usually “devolve into”)

The dialogue between the two academics devolved into a downright bitter argument.

Question 11

collusion

Answer 11

noun: agreement between people to act together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat someone:

It is thought that they worked in collusion with the terrorist network.

Question 11

squander

Answer 11

verb: spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity

Fearing his money would be squandered by his family, he gave all of it to charity when he died.

Question 11

impregnable

Answer 11

adjective: immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with

As a child, Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were impregnable fortresses.

Question 12

enmity

Answer 12

noun: a state of deep-seated ill-will

The rude remark Charles made toward Sarah yesterday was due to his illness, not due to any real enmity toward Sarah.

Question 12

convoluted

Answer 12

adjective: highly complex or intricate

Instead of solving the math problem in three simple steps, Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.

Question 12

discord

Answer 12

noun: lack of agreement or harmony

Despite all their talented players, the team was filled with discord–some players refused to talk to others–and lost most of their games.

Question 13

ploy

Answer 13

noun: a clever plan to turn a situation to one’s advantage

There are various ploys we can use if necessary.

Question 14

exemplify

Answer 14

verb: to be or give a typical example of something:

example: This painting perfectly exemplifies the naturalistic style which was so popular at the time.

Question 14

derogative

Answer 14

adjective: showing strong disapproval and not showing respect:

Never before have we seen a debate between two political candidates that was so derogative and filthy.

Question 15

savvy

Answer 15

noun: good understanding and practical knowledge of something.

Although a great CEO, he did not have the political savvy to win the election.

adjective: show a lot of practical knowledge.

With his savvy business partner, the company was able to turn a profit within a year.

Question 15

irk

Answer 15

verb: irritate or vex

My little sister has a way of irking and annoying me like no other person.

Question 16

destitute

Answer 16

adjective: Someone who is destitute has no money or possessions.

example: …destitute children who live on the streets.

Question 16

aphoristic

Answer 16

adjective: realting to aphorism (aphorism = a short clever saying that is intended to express a general truth: )

Sometimes I can’t stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic, but he just states the obvious.

Question 17

perturb

Answer 17

verb: to worry someone:

Now that Henry is recovering from a major illness, he no longer lets the little trivialities, such as late mail, perturb him.

Question 17

obstinate

Answer 17

adjective: resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent

The coach suggested improvements Sarah might make on the balance beam, but she remained obstinate, unwilling to modify any of the habits that made her successful in the past.

Question 17

tact

Answer 17

noun: the ability to say or do the right thing without making anyone unhappy or angry:

He’s never had much tact, and people don’t like his blunt manner

Question 18

retract

Answer 18

verb: pull inward or towards a center; to take back an offer or statement, etc. or admit that a statement was false:

Email is wonderfully efficient, but once something awkward or damaging has been sent, there is no way to retract it.

Question 19

exasperate

Answer 19

verb: to make someone very annoyed, usually when they can do nothing to solve a problem

As a child, I exasperated my mother with strings of never-ending questions.

Question 20

unseemly

Answer 20

adjective: not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

He acted in an unseemly manner, insulting the hostess and then speaking ill of her deceased husband.

Question 20

eke

Answer 20

verb: to use something slowly or carefully because you only have a small amount of it:

There wasn’t much food left, but we just managed to eke it out.

Question 21

leery

Answer 21

adjective: not trusting someone or something and usually avoiding him, her, or it if possible:

Without checking his references and talking to previous employers, I am leery of hiring the candidate.

Question 22

peevish

Answer 22

adjective: easily irritated or annoyed

Our office manager is peevish, so the rest of us tip-toe around him, hoping not to set off another one of his fits.

Question 23

brusquely

Answer 23

adverb: in a blunt, direct manner

Not one for social pleasantries, the Chief of Staff would brusquely ask his subordinates for anything he wanted, even coffee.

Question 24

quip

Answer 24

noun: a humorous and clever remark:

In one of the most famous quips about classical music, Mark Twain said: “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds.”

verb: to make a quip

When an old English teacher criticized Churchill for ending a sentence with a preposition, he quipped, “This is the kind of criticism up with which we will not put!”

Question 25

presumption

Answer 25

noun: an assumption that is taken for granted

When Mr. Baker found out the family car was gone, he acted under the presumption that his rebellious son had taken the car, calling his son’s phone and yelling at him; only later did Mr. Baker realize that Mrs. Baker had simply gone out to get her nails done.

Question 26

impending

Answer 26

adjective: close in time; about to occur

The impending doom of our world has been discussed and debated for 2000 years—maybe even longer.

Question 26

embellish

Answer 26

verb: make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; make more beautiful

McCartney would write relatively straightforward lyrics, and Lennon would embellish them with puns and poetic images.