PD_24/2/21 -> ETS -> SE -> Medium + Hard + Easy

Question 1

funky

Answer 1

1. ADJECTIVE
   Funky jazz, blues, or pop music has a very strong, repeated bass part.
   It’s a funky sort of rhythm.
2. ADJECTIVE
   If you describe something or someone as funky, you like them because they are unconventional or unusual.
   [mainly US, informal, approval]
   It had a certain funky charm, I guess, but it wasn’t much of a place to raise a kid.

Question 2

funk

Answer 2

1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
   Funk is a style of dance music based on jazz and blues, with a strong, repeated bass part.
   …a mixture of experimental jazz, soul and funk.
2. VARIABLE NOUN
   If someone is in a funk, they are frightened, especially because they are in a situation they cannot control.
   [old-fashioned]
   He was in a blue funk! Worse than me!
   My face went crimson (which it does out of sheer funk).
3. VERB
   If you funk something, you avoid doing it because you are afraid.
   [British, old-fashioned]
   If he funks it, he will confirm the impression of cowardice given by his recent letter. [VERB noun]
   Synonyms: chicken out of, dodge, recoil from, take fright

Question 3

shun

Answer 3

VERB
If you shun someone or something, you deliberately avoid them or keep away from them.
From that time forward everybody shunned him. [VERB noun]
He has always shunned publicity. [VERB noun]
This extremist organization has shunned conventional politics. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: avoid, steer clear of, keep away from, snub

Question 4

bland

Answer 4

1. ADJECTIVE
   If you describe someone or something as bland, you mean that they are rather dull and unexciting.
   Serle has a blander personality than Howard.
   It sounds like an advert: easy on the ear but bland and forgettable.
   …a bland, 12-storey office block.
   Synonyms: dull, boring, weak, plain More Synonyms of bland
   blandness UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
   …the blandness of television.
2. ADJECTIVE
   Food that is bland has very little flavour.
   It tasted bland and insipid, like warmed cardboard.
   Synonyms: tasteless, weak, watered-down, insipid

Question 5

blandly

adverb

Answer 5

in a way that does not show much interest, energy, or character:
Their home is blandly but expensively decorated.
Chain retailers are transforming towns into blandly identical places.

Question 6

kindred

Answer 6

1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [with poss]
   Your kindred are your family, and all the people who are related to you.
   [dialect, or old-fashioned]
   The offender made proper restitution to the victim’s kindred.
   Synonyms: family, relations, relatives, connections More Synonyms of kindred
2. ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
   Kindred things are similar to each other.
   [formal]
   I recall many discussions with her on these and kindred topics.
   Synonyms: similar, like, related, allied

Question 7

outspoken

Answer 7

ADJECTIVE
Someone who is outspoken gives their opinions about things openly and honestly, even if they are likely to shock or offend people.
Some church leaders have been outspoken in their support for political reform. [+ in]
He was an outspoken critic of apartheid.
…his outspoken criticism of the prime minister.
Synonyms: forthright, open, free, direct

Question 8

credential

noun

Answer 8

the abilities and experience that make someone suitable for a particular job or activity, or proof of someone’s abilities and experience:
All the candidates had excellent academic credentials.
She was asked to show her press credentials.

a piece of information that is sent from one computer to another to check that a user is who they claim to be or to allow someone to see information

Question 9

mortify

Answer 9

VERB [no cont]
If you say that something mortifies you, you mean that it offends or embarrasses you a great deal.
It would not be the first time Judy has mortified her son.
to make someone very embarrassed:
The thought of the incident still mortified her. [VERB noun]

Question 10

synthesizing

Answer 10

1. VERB
   To synthesize a substance means to produce it by means of chemical or biological reactions.
   [technical]
   After extensive research, Albert Hoffman first succeeded in synthesizing the acid in 1938. [VERB noun]
   A vitamin is a chemical compound that cannot be synthesized by the human body. [VERB noun]
2. VERB
   If you synthesize different ideas, facts, or experiences, you combine them to form a single idea or impression.
   [formal]
   The movement synthesised elements of modern art that hadn’t been brought together before, such as Cubism and Surrealism. [VERB noun]
   The findings from the five separate studies have been synthesized in the report.

Question 11

subsidy

Answer 11

countable noun
A subsidy is money that is paid by a government or other authority in order to help an industry or business, or to pay for a public service.
European farmers are planning a massive demonstration against farm subsidy cuts.
They’ve also slashed state subsidies to utilities and transportation.
Synonyms: aid, help, support, grant

Question 12

scanty

Answer 12

1. adjective
   You describe something as scanty when there is less of it than you think there should be.
   So far, what scanty evidence we have points to two suspects.
   Synonyms: meagre, sparse, poor, thin More Synonyms of scanty
2. adjective
   If someone is wearing scanty clothing, he or she is wearing clothes which are sexually revealing.
   …a model in scanty clothing.
   Synonyms: skimpy, short, brief, tight

Question 13

omnipresent

Answer 13

adjective
Something that is omnipresent is present everywhere or seems to be always present.
[formal]
The sound of sirens was an omnipresent background noise in New York.
The obsessive thoughts became so omnipresent that her memory was affected.
Synonyms: ubiquitous, ever-present, pervasive

Question 14

agreeable

Answer 14

1. adjective
   If something is agreeable, it is pleasant and you enjoy it.
   …workers in more agreeable and better paid occupations.
   …an agreeable surprise.
   Synonyms: pleasant, pleasing, satisfying, acceptable More Synonyms of agreeable
   agreeably graded adverb
   At first we chatted agreeably about his trips to London and Paris.
   Some months later I was agreeably surprised to be telephoned at work by Ronnie.
2. adjective
   If someone is agreeable, they are pleasant and try to please people.
   …lunch with an agreeable friend.
   I’ve gone out of my way to be agreeable to his friends.
   Synonyms: friendly, pleasant, nice, sociable More Synonyms of agreeable
3. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
   If you are agreeable to something or if it is agreeable to you, you are willing to do it or to allow it to happen.
   [formal]
   She was agreeable to the project.
   If you are agreeable, my PA will make all the necessary arrangements.
   …a solution that would be agreeable to all. [+ to]
   Synonyms: consenting, willing, agreeing, approving

Question 15

longwinded

Answer 15

adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you describe something that is written or said as long-winded, you are critical of it because it is longer than necessary.
[disapproval]
The manifesto is long-winded, repetitious and often ambiguous or poorly drafted.
I hope I’m not being too long-winded.
Synonyms: rambling, prolonged, lengthy, tedious

Question 16

devalue

Answer 16

1. verb
   To devalue something means to cause it to be thought less impressive or less deserving of respect.
   They spread tales about her in an attempt to devalue her work. [VERB noun]
   The sport has been devalued by cheats and ambivalent officials. [be VERB-ed]
   Synonyms: belittle, diminish, minimize, underestimate More Synonyms of devalue
   devalued adjective
   Selling tickets for a devalued championship is becoming increasingly difficult.
   Police officers feel devalued and let down.
2. verb
   To devalue the currency of a country means to reduce its value in relation to other currencies.
   The yuan was devalued by about 4 per cent. [V n + by]
   The Pound would be devalued, we were told. [be VERB-ed]
   Economic theory suggests that the devalued pound will boost the economy. [VERB-ed]

Question 17

outmoded

Answer 17

adjective
If you describe something as outmoded, you mean that you think it is old-fashioned and no longer useful or relevant to modern life.
The country badly needs aid to modernize its outmoded industries.
What hope is there, if people in positions of power continue to promote outmoded attitudes?
The political system has become thoroughly outmoded.
Synonyms: old-fashioned, passé, dated, out

Question 18

herd

Answer 18

1. COUNTABLE NOUN [oft noun NOUN]
   A herd is a large group of animals of one kind that live together.
   …large herds of elephant and buffalo. [+ of]
   …dairy herds.
   Synonyms: flock, crowd, collection, mass More Synonyms of herd
2. SINGULAR NOUN
   If you say that someone has joined the herd or follows the herd, you are criticizing them because you think that they behave just like everyone else and do not think for themselves.
   [disapproval]
   They are individuals; they will not follow the herd.
   Synonyms: mob, the masses, rabble, populace More Synonyms of herd
3. VERB
   If you herd people somewhere, you make them move there in a group.
   He began to herd the prisoners out. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
   The group was herded into a bus. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
   Synonyms: lead, drive, force, direct More Synonyms of herd
4. VERB
   If you herd animals, you make them move along as a group.
   Stefano used a motor cycle to herd the sheep. [VERB noun]
   A boy herded half a dozen camels down towards the water trough. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
   Synonyms: drive, lead, force, guide

Question 19

tillage

noun [ U ]

Answer 19

the act of preparing land for growing crops:

traditional methods of tillage

Question 20

forage

Answer 20

1. VERB
   If someone forages for something, they search for it in a busy way.
   They were forced to forage for clothing and fuel. [VERB + for]
   Synonyms: search, hunt, scavenge, cast about More Synonyms of forage
2. VERB
   When animals forage, they search for food.
   We disturbed a wild boar that had been foraging by the roadside. [VERB]
   The cat forages for food. [VERB + for]
3. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
   Forage is crops that are grown as food for cattle and horses.
   …the amount of forage needed to feed one cow and its calf.
   Synonyms: fodder, food, feed, foodstuffs

Question 21

herald

Answer 21

1. VERB
   Something that heralds a future event or situation is a sign that it is going to happen or appear.
   [formal]
   …the sultry evening that heralded the end of the baking hot summer. [VERB noun]
   Their discovery could herald a cure for some forms of impotence. [VERB noun]
   Synonyms: indicate, promise, precede, pave the way More Synonyms of herald
2. COUNTABLE NOUN
   Something that is a herald of a future event or situation is a sign that it is going to happen or appear.
   [formal]
   I welcome the report as a herald of more freedom, not less. [+ of]
   For her, it was the herald of summer.
   Synonyms: forerunner, sign, signal, indication More Synonyms of herald
3. VERB [usually passive]
   If an important event or action is heralded by people, announcements are made about it so that it is publicly known and expected.
   [formal]
   Her new album has been heralded by a massive media campaign. [be VERB-ed + by]
   Tonight’s big game is being heralded as the match of the season. [be VERB-ed + as]
   Synonyms: announce, publish, advertise, proclaim More Synonyms of herald
4. COUNTABLE NOUN
   In former times, a herald was a person who delivered and announced important messages.

Question 22

harbinger

Answer 22

COUNTABLE NOUN
Something that is a harbinger of something else, especially something bad, is a sign that it is going to happen.
[literary]
The November air stung my cheeks, a harbinger of winter. [+ of]
Synonyms: sign, indication, herald [literary], messenger

Question 23

cursory

Answer 23

ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
A cursory glance or examination is a brief one in which you do not pay much attention to detail.
Burke cast a cursory glance at the menu, then flapped it shut.
I gave the letter a fairly cursory reading.
Synonyms: brief, passing, rapid, casual

Question 24

prevalence

noun [ U ]

Answer 24

the fact that something is very common or happens often:
the prevalence of smoking among teenagers
The prevalence of the disease is higher in some families.

Question 25

canny

Answer 25

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A canny person is clever and able to think quickly. You can also describe a person’s behaviour as canny.
He was far too canny to risk giving himself away.
A canny investor would need to predict when the dollar will once more start tumbling.
Some analysts believe he has made a canny political manoeuvre.
Synonyms: shrewd, knowing, sharp, acute

Question 26

ruthless

Answer 26

1. ADJECTIVE
   If you say that someone is ruthless, you mean that you disapprove of them because they are very harsh or cruel, and will do anything that is necessary to achieve what they want.
   [disapproval]
   The President was ruthless in dealing with any hint of internal political dissent. [+ in]
   …an invasion by a ruthless totalitarian power.
   The late newspaper tycoon is condemned for his ruthless treatment of employees.
   ruthlessly ADVERB [ADVERB with verb]
   The Party has ruthlessly crushed any sign of organised opposition.
   ruthlessness UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
   …a powerful political figure with a reputation for ruthlessness.
2. ADJECTIVE
   A ruthless action or activity is done forcefully and thoroughly, without much concern for its effects on other people.
   Her lawyers have been ruthless in thrashing out a settlement. [+ in]
   Successfully merging two banks requires a fast and ruthless attack on costs.
   ruthlessly ADVERB
   …a ruthlessly efficient woman.

Question 27

retrofit

Answer 27

VERB
To retrofit a machine or a building means to put new parts or new equipment in it after it has been in use for some time, especially to improve its safety or make it work better.
Much of this business involves retrofitting existing planes. [VERB noun]
Damaged houses have been repaired, roads repaved and buildings retrofitted. [VERB noun]
Retrofit is also a noun.

Question 28

impair

Answer 28

VERB
If something impairs something such as an ability or the way something works, it damages it or makes it worse.
[formal]
Consumption of alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. [VERB noun]
His movements were painfully impaired by arthritis. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: worsen, reduce, damage, injure

Question 29

marginalize

Answer 29

VERB
To marginalize a group of people means to make them feel isolated and unimportant.
The effect of this has been to increasingly marginalize the local authority sector. [VERB noun]
We’ve always been marginalized, exploited, and constantly threatened. [be VERB-ed]

Question 30

make out

Answer 30

1. PHRASAL VERB
   If you make something out, you manage with difficulty to see or hear it.
   I could just make out a tall, pale, shadowy figure tramping through the undergrowth. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
   She thought she heard a name. She couldn’t make it out, though. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
   I heard the voices, but couldn’t make out what they were saying. [VERB PARTICLE wh]
2. PHRASAL VERB
   If you try to make something out, you try to understand it or decide whether or not it is true.
   I couldn’t make it out at all. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
   It is hard to make out what criteria are used. [VERB PARTICLE wh]
   This was, as far as I can make out, the only time he’s had proper employment. [VERB PARTICLE]
3. PHRASAL VERB
   If you make out that something is the case or make something out to be the case, you try to cause people to believe that it is the case.
   They were trying to make out that I’d actually done it. [VERB PARTICLE that]
   I don’t think it was as glorious as everybody made it out to be. [V n P to-inf]
   He’s more business-minded than he makes himself out to be. [V n P to-inf]
   He was never half as bad as his teachers made out. [VERB PARTICLE]
4. PHRASAL VERB
   If you make out a case for something, you try to establish or prove that it is the best thing to do.
   You could certainly make out a case for this point of view. [V P n + for/against]
   Alice continued making out her case. [VERB PARTICLE noun (not pronoun)]
   [Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
5. PHRASAL VERB
   When you make out a cheque, receipt, or order form, you write all the necessary information on it.
   If you would like to send a donation, you can make a cheque out to Feed the Children. [VERB noun PARTICLE + to]
   I’m going to make out a receipt for you. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
6. PHRASAL VERB
   If you ask how someone is making out, you are asking how well they are doing with a particular task, or in their life in general.
   [informal]
   Who is making out better right now? [VERB PARTICLE adverb]
   Bob turned over to sleep again, wondering how Jupiter and Pete were making out. [VERB PARTICLE adverb]
7. PHRASAL VERB
   If two people are making out, they are engaged in sexual activity.
   [mainly US, informal]
   …pictures of the couple making out on the beach.
   [Also V P + with]

Question 31

provocative

Answer 31

1. ADJECTIVE
   If you describe something as provocative, you mean that it is intended to make people react angrily or argue against it.
   He has made a string of outspoken and sometimes provocative speeches in recent years.
   His behavior was called provocative and antisocial.
   Synonyms: offensive, provoking, insulting, challenging More Synonyms of provocative
   provocatively ADVERB [usually ADVERB with verb]
   The soldiers fired into the air when the demonstrators behaved provocatively.
2. ADJECTIVE
   If you describe someone’s clothing or behaviour as provocative, you mean that it is intended to make someone feel sexual desire.
   …provocative black lace.

Question 32

subside

Answer 32

1. VERB
   If a feeling or noise subsides, it becomes less strong or loud.
   The pain had subsided during the night. [VERB]
   Catherine’s sobs finally subsided. [VERB]
   Synonyms: decrease, diminish, lessen, ease More Synonyms of subside
2. VERB
   If fighting subsides, it becomes less intense or general.
   Violence has subsided following two days of riots. [VERB]
3. VERB
   If the ground or a building is subsiding, it is very slowly sinking to a lower level.
   Does that mean the whole house is subsiding? [VERB]
   Synonyms: collapse, sink, cave in, drop More Synonyms of subside
4. VERB
   If a level of water, especially flood water, subsides, it goes down.
   Local officials say the flood waters have subsided. [VERB]
   Synonyms: drop, fall, decline, ebb

Question 33

puny

Answer 33

ADJECTIVE
Someone or something that is puny is very small or weak.
…a lanky, puny youth.
The resources at the central banks’ disposal are simply too puny.