Vocab Quiz #4

Question 1

Alacrity

Answer 1

Cheerful willingness and eagerness

EX: The boy jumped up and down with alacrity as he inched closer to the candy store.

Question 2

Catalyst

Answer 2

a person, thing, or event that quickly causes change or action
EX: The enzyme was the catalyst that triggered the chemical reaction.

Question 3

Chronic

Answer 3

appearing for a lengthy period of time

EX: Because my aunt has untreatable cancer, she has been dealing with chronic pain for several months.

Question 4

Destitute

Answer 4

utterly lacking

EX: Because of the economy, many who were once rich are now destitute.

Question 5

Dulcet

Answer 5

comforting and sweet

EX: Last night I fell asleep listening to the dulcet sounds of soft jazz.

Question 6

Emaciated

Answer 6

abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food
EX: Because some sick animals refuse to eat, many of them become emaciated.

Question 7

Esoteric

Answer 7

known about or understood by very few people

EX: Eric made an esoteric joke that only he and his brother understood

Question 8

Exacerbate

Answer 8

to increase the severity or worsen

EX: Cora chose to exacerbate the argument by throwing a lamp at Mark’s head.

Question 9

Extemporaneous

Answer 9

completed without any type of advance preparation
EX: Instead of giving his prepared speech, the minister delivered an extemporaneous statement about the recent terrorist attacks.

Question 10

Extol

Answer 10

to praise

EX: I got angry when my mother would extol my brother’s accomplishments and ignore all the good things I did.

Question 11

Exude

Answer 11

to openly display an emotion or quality

EX: As he tried to sneak past the bear, he could not help but exude fear.

Question 12

Furtive

Answer 12

marked by quiet, caution, and secrecy

EX: Crissy walked outside in a furtive manner so that her parents would not see her

Question 13

Impromptu

Answer 13

without preparation

EX: Because Jane had an impromptu wedding, she didn’t send out invitations.

Question 14

Innate

Answer 14

a quality or ability which you are born with

EX: Marilyn’s innate piano talent allowed her to play complicated pieces before she was six years of age

Question 15

Intrepid

Answer 15

very brave

EX: The intrepid adventurer climbed the rocky mountain without fear.

Question 16

Invective

Answer 16

abusive language used to criticize

EX: The newspaper’s invective of the novel really made the author angry.

Question 17

Lethargy

Answer 17

a lack of energy and enthusiasm

EX: Very large doses in animals cause lethargy, collapse, and death.

Question 18

Melancholy

Answer 18

a feeling of deep sadness

EX: The film’s tragic ending put us all in a melancholy mood.

Question 19

Opaque

Answer 19

not able to be seen through

EX: Jack’s tinted car windows appear opaque to everyone outside the car.

Question 20

Patronize

Answer 20

to give money or support to someone or something
EX: Because my mother was a librarian, I go out of my way each year to patronize the local library with a financial donation.

Question 21

Paucity

Answer 21

a small amount of something that is not enough

EX: Because of the paucity of our oil supply, we need to seek out other fuel resources.

Question 22

Placate

Answer 22

to appease or pacify

EX: I tried to placate the sad little boy by giving him a cookie.

Question 23

Proffer

Answer 23

to offer

EX: Since I am hungry, I am happy to accept your proffer of a meal.

Question 24

Rife

Answer 24

in a great quantity

EX: The beach is rife with young people during the summer months.

Question 25

Serendipity

Answer 25

the fact of finding pleasant or useful things by chance

EX: The lottery is something one wins by serendipity not by design.