Set 8

Question 1

accentuate

Answer 1

make more noticeable or prominent
e.g. His shaven head accentuates his large round face

Question 2

conjectural

Answer 2

based on or involving conjecture (info that is not certain or complete)
e.g. There is something undeniably conjectural about such claims

Question 3

convivial

Answer 3

friendly, lively or enjoyable
e.g. The atmosphere was quite convivial

Question 4

decadent

Answer 4

characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline
e.g. His father frittered away millions on a decadent lifestyle

Question 5

egregious

Answer 5

outstandingly bad or shocking

Question 6

evanescent

Answer 6

soon passing out of sight, memory or existence, quickly fading or disappearing
e.g. .. the evanescent scents of summer herbs

Question 7

flamboyant

Answer 7

(of a person or their behavior) tending to attract attention because of their exuberance confidence or stylishness
e.g. Freddie Mercury was a flamboyant star of the British hard rock scene

Question 8

forestall

Answer 8

prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking advance action
e.g. Large numbers of police were in the square to forestall any demonstrations

Question 9

gainsay

Answer 9

deny or contradict (a fact or statement)
e.g. Who could possibly gainsay such a judgement?

Question 10

galvanize

Answer 10

shock or excite (someone) into taking action
e.g. The aid appeal has galvanized the German business community

coat with a protective layer of zinc

Question 11

indiscriminate

Answer 11

done at random or without careful judgement
e.g. The indiscriminate use of fertilizers is damaging to the environment

Question 12

innocuous

Answer 12

not harmful or offensive
e.g. Both mushrooms look innocuous but are in fact deadly

Question 13

momentary

Answer 13

lasting for a very short time; brief

Question 14

mundane

Answer 14

lacking interest or excitement; dull

of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one

Question 15

nettlesome

Answer 15

causing annoyance or difficulty
e.g. .. to cope with a nettlesome situation

Question 16

nullify

Answer 16

make legally null and void; invalidate

Question 17

obviate

Answer 17

remove (a need or difficulty);

avoid or prevent (something undesirable)
e.g. This deferral would obviate pressure on the rouble exchange rate

Question 18

omnipresent

Answer 18

widely or constantly encountered; widespread

Question 19

oust

Answer 19

drive out or expel (someone) from a position or place
e.g. The leaders have been ousted from power by nationalists

Question 20

palpable

Answer 20

(of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible
e.g. The tension between Amy and Jim is palpable

able to be touched or felt
e.g. The excuse was a palpable lie

Question 21

perfidy

Answer 21

the state of being deceitful and untrustworthy
e.g. Maybe she’d understand and forgive, if she knew the true extent of Jason’s perfidy

Question 22

profuse

Answer 22

(especially of something offered or discharged) very plentiful; abundant
e.g. He was bleeding profusely

Question 23

pugnacious

Answer 23

eager or quick to argue, quarrel or fight
e.g. The pugnacious little Scouse striker who terrorized defences across the North West in a prolific playing career

Question 24

sagacious

Answer 24

having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement; wise or shrewd
e.g. .. a sagacious leader

Question 25

sanguine

Answer 25

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation
e.g. He’s remarkably sanguine about the problems involved

Question 26

scant

Answer 26

barely sufficient or adequate

Question 27

skulduggery

Answer 27

underhand, unscrupulous, or dishonest behavior or activities
e.g. .. accusations of political skulduggery

Question 28

trivial

Answer 28

of little value or importance

Question 29

utilitarian

Answer 29

designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive

relating to or adhering to the doctrine of utilitarianism

Question 30

vapid

Answer 30

offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland
e.g. She made a vapid comment about the weather