Vocab- Oct - 2019

Question 1

aeon

Answer 1

an indefinite and very long period of time.

“he reached the crag aeons before I arrived”

Question 2

oblation

Answer 2

a thing presented or offered to God or a god

Question 3

“he had done public penance for those hasty words”

Answer 3

punishment inflicted on oneself as an outward expression of repentance for wrongdoing.

Question 4

polemicist

Answer 4

a person who engages in controversial debate.

Question 5

“an apocryphal story about a former president”

Answer 5

(of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.

Question 6

an astute businessman

Answer 6

Someone who is astute is clever and has good judgment

Question 7

old men are often unfairly awarded the epithet ‘dirty

Answer 7

an adjective or phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned

Question 8

diction

Answer 8

choice of words

Question 9

rapture

Answer 9

intense joy and pleasure

Question 10

grandeur

Answer 10

splendour and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style

Question 11

“she gave him a perplexed look”

Answer 11

completely baffled; very puzzled.

puzzled

Question 12

ruminate

Answer 12

contemplate, think deeply about something.

Question 13

equivocal

Answer 13

– adj. – not easily understood or explained

Question 14

engender

Answer 14

– verb – to produce, cause, or give rise to (something)

Question 15

a capricious climate.

Answer 15

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour

Question 16

loquacious

Answer 16

– adj. – tending to talk a great deal

Question 17

I vacillated between teaching and journalism

Answer 17

– verb – to waver between different opinions or actions, indecisive

Question 18

fashions are ephemeral: new ones regularly drive out the old

Answer 18

– adj. – lasting for a very short time

Question 19

widespread apathy among students

Answer 19

– noun – lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Question 20

“his laconic reply suggested a lack of interest in the topic

Answer 20

– adj. – using few words

Question 21

“the incident precipitated a political crisis

Answer 21

cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.

Question 22

the letter assuaged the fears of most members

Answer 22

– verb – to make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense

Question 23

Ken could turn any conversation into an erudite discussion

Answer 23

– adj. – having or showing great knowledge

Question 24

the government wished to clip the wings of the local authority prodigals

prodigal habits die hard

Answer 24

– adj. – wastefully extravagant

a person who spends money in a recklessly extravagant way.

Question 25

enigma

Answer 25

– noun – a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand

Question 26

at the school board meeting the librarian delivered a fervid speech defending the classic novel against would-be censors

Answer 26

– adj. – intensely enthusiastic or passionate

having or expressing great depth of feeling

Question 27

pedant

Answer 27

– noun – a person who makes an excessive display of learning

Question 28

“they attempted to placate the students with promises”

Answer 28

– verb – to make (someone) less angry or hostile

Question 29

gullible

Answer 29

– adj. – easily persuaded to believe something

Question 30

zeal

Answer 30

– noun – a strong feel of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something

Question 31

abstain

Answer 31

– verb – to restrain oneself for doing or enjoying something

Question 32

audacious

Answer 32

– adj. – a willingness to take bold risks / adj. – showing a lack of respect

Question 33

“the debilitating effects of underinvestment”

Answer 33

tending to weaken something.

Question 34

“his attacker whacked him on the head”

Answer 34

strike forcefully with a sharp blow.

Question 35

The students are united by shared suffering, and by a common adversary.

Answer 35

someone who offers opposition

Question 36

I wish I had handled it with aplomb

Answer 36

great coolness and composure under strain

Question 37

Virga still feels apprehensive when visiting an unfamiliar zoo.

Answer 37

in fear or dread of possible evil or harm

Question 38

Napoleon loses so big that he is banished to an island.

Answer 38

send away from a place of residence, as for punishment

Question 39

Sporting a pith helmet, Nixon observed that “whoever is talking the loudest is pretty sure to be bluffing.”

Answer 39

deceive someone about your strength or intentions

Question 40

Brackish water can be used, but freshwater is easier and less costly.

Answer 40

slightly salty