Test 16

Question 1

antechamber/ anteroom (n)

Answer 1

a room where people can wait before entering a larger room, especially in an important public building

Question 2

derivation (n)

the derivation of scientific laws from observation

Answer 2

the action of obtaining sth from a source or origin

Question 3

bodice (n)

Answer 3

a woman’s ornamental corset-shaped laced waist

Question 4

at/on the altar of sth

He was willing to sacrifice his happiness on the altar of fame.

Answer 4

because of sth that you think is worth suffering for

Question 5

refragable/ refutable (adj)

Answer 5

that can be proved to be wrong

Question 6

leonine (adj)

Answer 6

like a lion

Question 7

ravenous=starving (adj)

Go back in your imagination to the days when huge, ravenous beasts ruled to the planet.

Answer 7

(of a person or an animal) extremely hungry

Question 8

persuadable (adj)

Contacting the most persuadable voters in critical for any political campaign.

Answer 8

(of a person) easy to persuade

Question 9

plea (n)

Answer 9

an argument to obtain some desired action

Question 10

gumption (n)

He did not have the gumption to keep his mouth shut.

Answer 10

courage and strength of mind; the intelligence needed to know what to do in a particular situation

Question 11

calumny (n)

He accused the press of publishing vicious calumnies.

syn: slander -> (adj): slanderous

Answer 11

a false statement about a person that is made to damage their reputation; the act of making such a statement

Question 12

privity (n)

Answer 12

knowledge shared with another or others regarding a private matter

Question 13

monograph (n)

He has published several books on Cubism and numerous monographs on individual artists.

Answer 13

a detailed written study of a single subject, usually in the form of a short book

Question 14

pantheon (n)

Answer 14

1) a group of people who are famous within a particular area of activity
2) a temple built in honour of all the gods of a nation

Question 15

frolicsome (adj)

(n): frolic | (v): frolic

Answer 15

playing in a lively happy way; playful

Question 16

a canary in a/the coal mine

Amond the species at risk is the silvery minnow, the river’s equivalent of a canary in a coal mine.

Answer 16

sth that gives you an early warning of danger

Question 17

like the cat that got/ate/swallowed the canary
like a cat that’s got the cream

syn: smug

Answer 17

very pleased with yourself

Question 18

lewd (adj)

Answer 18

referring to or involving sex in a rude and offensive way

Question 19

compress (v)

Answer 19

press things together or press sth into a smaller space

Question 20

unisonant (adj)

Answer 20

of a single sound

Question 21

credulous (adj)

syn: gullible

> < incredulous

Answer 21

too ready to believe things and therefore easy to trick

Question 22

lactic acid (n)

Answer 22

a substance that forms in milk that is no longer fresh and is also produced in the muscles during hard exercise

Question 23

unctuous (adj)

(n): unction: behaviour or speech that is not sincere and that expresses too much praise of sb

Answer 23

frienly or giving praise in a way that is not sincere and that is therefor unpleasant

Question 24

rebut=refute (v)

an attempt to publicly rebut rumours of a divorce

Answer 24

say or prove that a statement or criticism is false

Question 25

rupture (n)

Answer 25

the ending of agreement or of good relations between people, countries, etc.

Question 26

suffuse (v)

The room was suffused with a soft golden light.

Answer 26

(especially of a colour, light or feeling) to spread all over or through sb/sth