Test 1

Question 1

eleemosynary (adj)

(adj): charitable | /ˌel.i.iːˈmɒs.ɪ.nər.i/

Philanthropy in business in never truly eleemosynary.

Answer 1

relating to or depending on charity (=help given freely to people who are in need, and organisations that provide this help)

Question 2

prominent (adj)

(n): prominence

The government should be playing a more prominent role in promoting human rights.

Answer 2

very well known and important

Question 3

venerable (adj)

(v): venerate = revere, (n): veneration

The president was a venerable old man with white hair and a gracious manner.

Answer 3

deserving respect because of age, high position, or religious or historical importance

Question 4

arthurium (n)

Answer 4

a tropical plant that is grown for its attractive leaves and bright flowers

Question 5

retrench (v)

The company had to retrench because of falling orders.

(n): retrenchment

Answer 5

(of a business, government, etc.) to spend less money; remove a worker from his or her job as a way of reducing costs

Question 6

knight errant (n)

Answer 6

a knight who travelled around, looking for adventure

Question 7

grotesque (adj)

grotesque (n)

It’s grotesque to expect a person of her experience to work for so little money.

Answer 7

strange in a way that is unpleasant or offensive

Question 8

volition (n)

syn: free will; (adj): volitive

They left entirely of their own volition.

Answer 8

the power to choose sth freely or to make your own decisions

Question 9

adieu

Answer 9

goodbye

Question 10

voila

Answer 10

used when showing to other people sth that you have just made or got and are pleased with

Question 11

inlet (n)

Answer 11

a narrow area of water that stretches into the land from the sea or a lake, or between islands

Question 12

platitude (n)

a political speech full of platitudes and empty promises

(adj): platitudinous

Answer 12

a comment or statement that has been made very often before and is therefor not interesting

Question 13

integrity (n)

Answer 13

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles

Question 14

reimburse (v)

You will be reimbursed for any loss or damage caused by our company.

reimbursement (n)

Answer 14

pay back money to sb which they have spent or lost

Question 15

weak-kneed (adj)

Instead of defending traditional values, the church frequently seems weak-kneed and irresolute.

Answer 15

not having courage or strength

Question 16

vituperative (adj)

syn: abusive

(n): vituperation = abuse

Answer 16

criticising in a cruel and angry way