October 2022

Question 1

cathartic

Answer 1

adj., relating to or producing a feeling of purification or purgation of emotions or spiritual renewal or release from tension; n., medicine that purges bowels

There’s something cathartic about a punch in the nose.

Question 2

adj., relating to or producing a feeling of purification or purgation of emotions or spiritual renewal or release from tension; n., medicine that purges bowels

There’s something _ about a punch in the nose.

Answer 2

cathartic

Question 3

euphemism

Answer 3

n., the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant

Spin is sometimes dismissed as a simple euphemism for lying. But it’s actually something more insidious: indifference to the truth.

Question 4

n., the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant

Spin is sometimes dismissed as a simple _ for lying. But it’s actually something more insidious: indifference to the truth.

Answer 4

euphemism

Question 5

trepidation

Answer 5

n., a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen

The men set off in fear and trepidation.

Question 6

n., a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen

The men set off in fear and _.

Answer 6

trepidation

Question 7

respite

Answer 7

n., a short period of rest from something difficult or unpleasant

My gentle respite was promptly obliterated.

Question 8

n., a short period of rest from something difficult or unpleasant

My gentle _ was promptly obliterated.

Answer 8

respite

Question 9

cacophonous

Answer 9

adj., involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds

The cacophonous sound of slot machines filled the room.

Question 10

adj., involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds

The _ sound of slot machines filled the room.

Answer 10

cacophonous

Question 11

raucous

Answer 11

adj., boisterously disorderly; making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise

A raucously loud festival was being staged inside my head.

Question 12

adj., boisterously disorderly; making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise

A _ly loud festival was being staged inside my head.

Answer 12

raucous

Question 13

reproach

Answer 13

v., n., address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment (e.g “You know that isn’t true,” he reproached her; he gave her a look of reproach)

Question 14

v., n., address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment

Answer 14

reproach

Question 15

supercilious

Answer 15

adj., behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others (e.g, the proclaimed gifted kids were rather supercilious)

Question 16

adj., behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others

Answer 16

supercilious

Question 17

fractious

Answer 17

adj., (typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome, (of a group or organization) difficult to control; unruly (e.g, Evan’s fractiousness disqualifies him from being considered a mature teenager)

Question 18

adj., (typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome, (of a group or organization) difficult to control; unruly

Answer 18

fractious

Question 19

vista

Answer 19

n., a pleasing view, especially one seen through a long, narrow opening (e.g, as I approached the door, a vista of grand houses flooded my view); a mental view of a succession of remembered or anticipated events (e.g, the acceptance letter opened vistas of a new life ahead of her)

Question 20

n., a pleasing view, especially one seen through a long, narrow opening; a mental view of a succession of remembered or anticipated events

Answer 20

vista