PD_28/07/20(Manhattan 8 ---> SE --> Drill : Answer Choice Analysis)

Question 1

turbid

adjective formal

Answer 1

(of a liquid) not transparent because a lot of small pieces of matter are held in it:
Several different species of fish inhabit these turbid shallow waters.

Question 2

self-effacing

Answer 2

ADJECTIVE
Someone who is self-effacing does not like talking about themselves or drawing attention to themselves.
As women we tend to be self-effacing and make light of what we have achieved.
…the slightly self-effacing manner adopted by many diplomats.

Question 3

amicable

Answer 3

ADJECTIVE
When people have an amicable relationship, they are pleasant to each other and solve their problems without quarrelling.
The meeting ended on reasonably amicable terms.
Our discussions were amicable and productive.
Synonyms: friendly, kindly, brotherly, civil

Question 4

succinct

Answer 4

ADJECTIVE
Something that is succinct expresses facts or ideas clearly and in few words.
[approval]
The book gives an admirably succinct account of the technology and its history.
If you have something to say make sure that it is accurate, succinct and to the point.
Synonyms: brief, to the point, concise, compact

Question 5

slander

Answer 5

VARIABLE NOUN
Slander is an untrue spoken statement about someone which is intended to damage their reputation. Compare libel.
Dr. Bach is now suing the company for slander.
Synonyms: defamation, smear, libel, scandal

Question 6

traduce

Answer 6

VERB [usually passive]
If someone has been traduced, unpleasant and untrue things have deliberately been said about them.
[formal]
We have been traduced in the press as xenophobic bigots. [be VERB-ed]
Synonyms: malign, abuse, knock [informal], rubbish [informal]

Question 7

distend

Answer 7

VERB
If a part of your body is distended, or if it distends, it becomes swollen and unnaturally large.
[medicine, formal]
Through this incision, the abdominal cavity is distended with carbon dioxide gas. [be VERB-ed]
The colon, or large intestine, distends and fills with gas. [VERB]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: swell, stretch, expand, increase

Question 8

collateral

Answer 8

UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [oft as N]
Collateral is money or property which is used as a guarantee that someone will repay a loan.
[formal]
Many people use personal assets as collateral for small business loans.
Most people here cannot borrow from banks because they lack collateral.
Synonyms: security, guarantee, deposit, assurance

Question 9

prefatory

Answer 9

coming at the beginning of a piece of writing or a speech:

After a few prefatory comments/remarks, she began her speech.

Question 10

ordinal

Answer 10

a number such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, that shows the position of something in a list of things:
Fifth and 200th are ordinal numbers.

Question 11

earthy

Answer 11

ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as earthy, you mean that they are open and direct, and talk about subjects which other people avoid or feel ashamed about.
[approval]
…his extremely earthy humour.

referring to sex and the human body in a direct way:
She has an earthy sense of humour.

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe something as earthy, you mean it looks, smells, or feels like earth.
I’m attracted to warm, earthy colours.
The rooms had the clean earthy smell of wet clay.

Question 12

hawkish

Answer 12

ADJECTIVE
Journalists use hawkish to describe politicians or governments who are in favour of using force to achieve something, rather than using peaceful and diplomatic methods.
He is one of the most hawkish members of the new cabinet.

Question 13

cogent

Answer 13

ADJECTIVE
A cogent reason, argument, or example is strong and convincing.
[formal]
There were perfectly cogent reasons why Julian Cavendish should be told of the Major’s impending return.

Question 14

bombastic

Answer 14

ADJECTIVE
using long and difficult words, usually to make people think you know more than you do:
a bombastic preacher
a bombastic statement
[disapproval]
He was vain and bombastic.
…the bombastic style adopted by his predecessor.

Question 15

intelligible

Answer 15

ADJECTIVE
Something that is intelligible can be understood.
The language of Darwin was intelligible to experts and non-experts alike. [+ to]
The woman moaned faintly but made no intelligible response.
Synonyms: understandable, clear, distinct, lucid

Question 16

turgid

Answer 16

ADJECTIVE
If you describe something such as a piece of writing or a film as turgid, you think it is boring and difficult to understand.
He used to make extremely dull, turgid and frankly boring speeches.
The rest of the arts scene looks increasingly turgid by comparison.
Synonyms: pompous, inflated, windy, high-flown

Question 17

deviation

Answer 17

1. VARIABLE NOUN
   Deviation means doing something that is different from what people consider to be normal or acceptable.
   Deviation from the norm is not tolerated. [+ from]
   To abstain from meat was a serious deviation.
   Synonyms: departure, change, variation, shift More Synonyms of deviation
2. VARIABLE NOUN
   In statistics, deviation is the difference between the value of one number in a series of numbers and the average value of all the numbers in the series.
   A 10 to 15 percent deviation is considered acceptable.

Question 18

aberrant

Answer 18

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Aberrant means unusual and not socially acceptable.
[formal]
Ian’s rages and aberrant behavior worsened.

Question 19

adulation

noun [ U ]

Answer 19

very great admiration or praise for someone, especially when it is more than is deserved:
As a born performer, she loves the excitement and she loves the adulation.

Question 20

contumely

noun [ U ] old use

Answer 20

criticisms or insults that show a lack of respect:

She was indifferent to praise and contumely alike.

Question 21

machicolation

Answer 21

NOUN

1. (esp in medieval castles) a projecting gallery or parapet supported on corbels having openings through which missiles could be dropped
2. any such opening

(in medieval fortifications) an opening between the supporting corbels of a projecting parapet or the vault of a gate, through which stones or burning objects could be dropped on attackers.
a projecting structure containing a series of machicolations.

Question 22

slake

Answer 22

to satisfy a feeling of being thirsty or of wanting something:
After our long game of tennis, we slaked our thirst with a beer.
I don’t think Dick will ever manage to slake his lust for power.

Synonyms: satisfy, gratify, assuage, quench

Question 23

quench

verb [ T ]

Answer 23

to drink liquid so that you stop being thirsty:
When it’s hot, it’s best to quench your thirst with water.

literary
to use water to put out a fire:
The flames were quenched by heavy rain.

to satisfy a need or wish:
Her thirst for knowledge will never be quenched.

Question 24

succour

Answer 24

UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Succour is help given to people who are suffering or in difficulties.
[formal]
…a commitment to give succour to populations involved in the conflict.
Synonyms: help, support, aid, relief

Question 25

fructify

verb formal

Answer 25

to produce a good or useful result:
I let the idea sit in the back of my mind to fructify.

[ T ]
to make something fertile or make it produce a good result:
They believed their sacrifice would fructify the soil.

Question 26

pique

piquant

Answer 26

1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
   Pique is the feeling of annoyance you have when you think someone has not treated you properly.
   Eventually, Mr Green left, although not, as widely believed, out of pique at not becoming chief executive. [+ at]
   Synonyms: resentment, offence, irritation, annoyance
2. VERB
   If something piques your interest or curiosity, it makes you interested or curious.
   This phenomenon piqued Dr Morris’ interest. [VERB noun]
   Their curiosity piqued, they stopped writing. [VERB-ed]
   Synonyms: arouse, excite, stir, spur
3. ADJECTIVE
   Food that is piquant has a pleasantly spicy taste.
   [written]
   …a crisp mixed salad with an unusually piquant dressing.
   Synonyms: spicy, biting, sharp, stinging More Synonyms of piquant
   piquancy (piːkənsi) UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
   A little mustard is served on the side to add further piquancy.
   Synonyms: spiciness, bite [informal], kick [informal], edge More Synonyms of piquant
   Synonyms: interest, pep, zip [informal], vitality More Synonyms of piquant
4. ADJECTIVE
   Something that is piquant is interesting and exciting.
   [written]
   There may well have been a piquant novelty about her books when they came out.
   Synonyms: interesting, spirited, stimulating, lively

Question 27

agog

Answer 27

ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are agog, you are excited about something, and eager to know more about it.
The city was agog with rumours last night that the two had been executed.
Synonyms: eager, excited, curious, enthusiastic

Question 28

akimbo

adjective [ after noun ]

Answer 28

If a person’s arms are akimbo, they are bent at the elbows (= the middle part of the arms where they bend) with the hands on the hips:

He stood, arms akimbo, refusing to move.

Question 29

obeisance

Answer 29

1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
   Obeisance to someone or something is great respect shown for them.
   [formal]
   While he was still young and strong all paid obeisance to him. [+ to]
2. VARIABLE NOUN
   An obeisance is a physical gesture, especially a bow, that you make in order to show your respect for someone or something.
   [formal]
   One by one they came forward, mumbled grudging words of welcome, made awkward obeisances.

Question 30

dyspeptic

adjective

Answer 30

MEDICAL specialized
having problems with digesting food

literary
always angry or easily annoyed

Question 31

crotchety

Answer 31

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A crotchety person is bad-tempered and easily irritated.
[informal]
…my cross, crotchety neighbours.
Synonyms: bad-tempered, difficult, cross, contrary

Question 32

grandstanding

noun [ U ]

Answer 32

acting or speaking in a way intended to attract attention and to influence the opinion of people who are watching:
Experts criticized the program as mere grandstanding by corporations and local officials.

Question 33

deploy

Answer 33

2.VERB
If you deploy something or if it deploys, you use it effectively or it works effectively.
Mobile apps are another weapon to be deployed by online retailers in the battle for business. [VERB noun]
Airbags deploy with such force they could easily injure a small child. [VERB]

1. VERB
   To deploy troops, weapons, or resources means to means to make them ready to be used.
   The president said he had no intention of deploying ground troops. [VERB noun]
   Synonyms: use, station, set up, position

Question 34

lexicon

Answer 34

1. SINGULAR NOUN
   The lexicon of a particular subject is all the terms associated with it. The lexicon of a person or group is all the words they commonly use.
   …the lexicon of management. [+ of]
   Chocolate equals sin in most people’s lexicon.
2. COUNTABLE NOUN
   A lexicon is a dictionary, especially of a very old language such as Greek or Hebrew.
   [old-fashioned]

Question 35

oratorical

adjective formal

Answer 35

connected with skilful and effective public speaking:
oratorical skill
She has a wonderful oratorical style, with a splendid command of English.

Question 36

cabala

Answer 36

1. a Jewish mystical movement based on a symbolic interpretation of the Scriptures: it flourished from the end of the 12th cent.
2. any esoteric or secret doctrine; occultism

Question 37

titanic

Answer 37

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe something as titanic, you mean that it is very big or important, and usually that it involves very powerful forces.
The world had witnessed a titanic struggle between two visions of the future.
Synonyms: gigantic, huge, giant, massive

Question 38

florid

Answer 38

1. ADJECTIVE
   If you describe something as florid, you disapprove of the fact that it is complicated and extravagant rather than plain and simple.
   [disapproval]
   …florid language.

(of a person’s face) too red, especially in a way that is unhealthy:
a florid complexion

with too much decoration or detail:
a florid architectural style
florid prose/rhetoric

Question 39

declamatory

Answer 39

ADJECTIVE
A declamatory phrase, statement, or way of speaking is dramatic and confident.
[formal]
She wrote to encourage him in her most declamatory style.
Synonyms: rhetorical, theatrical, inflated, high-flown

Question 40

canard

noun [ C ] literary

Answer 40

a false report or piece of information that is intended to deceive people

Question 41

aggrandize

Answer 41

VERB
To aggrandize someone means to make them seem richer, more powerful, and more important than they really are. To aggrandize a building means to make it more impressive.
[disapproval]
At the dinner table, my father would go on and on, showing off, aggrandising himself. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
…plans to aggrandise the building. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: exaggerate, advance, promote, intensify

Question 42

Incision

Answer 42

COUNTABLE NOUN
An incision is a sharp cut made in something, for example by a surgeon who is operating on a patient.
The technique involves making a tiny incision in the skin. [+ in]
Synonyms: cut, opening, slash, notch