Vocab Quiz #5

Question 1

ameliorate

Answer 1

to make or grow better; to improve

Question 2

amicable

Answer 2

someone that is friendly

EX: Paul’s amicable personality allows him to be friends with everyone.

Question 3

somnolent

Answer 3

sleepy

EX: The somnolent setting makes the spa a perfect getaway for a relaxing retreat.

Question 4

enclave

Answer 4

a distinct area set apart by itself
central park in New York
EX: The residents of the wealthy enclave don’t want the public bus system in their neighborhood

Question 5

assuage

Answer 5

to soften or relieve
need a DO after it
EX: assuage her concerns
EX: In an effort to assuage angry customers, the store issued everyone a full refund

Question 6

quagmire

Answer 6

soft, wet muddy sinking pit
can use figuratively
I feel like I’m in a quagmire right now because I can’t choose what to do fist on my checklist.

Question 7

bildungsroman

Answer 7

a novel about the moral and growth of the main character

Question 8

quixotic

Answer 8

foolishly impractical

EX: The idea of an obese person participating in a triathlon is a quixotic notion.

Question 9

dictum

Answer 9

an authoritative statement

something that has to be a fiat

Question 10

fortuitous

Answer 10

occuring by chance

EX: Mark proved to be fortuitous by selecting all six winning lotto numbers

Question 11

commiserate

Answer 11

to feel or express sympathy or compassion for,
to come alongside in someone’s misery
EX: As a mother, I commiserate strongly with the woman whose child was kidnapped.

Question 12

effrontery

Answer 12

bold to the point of being rude
BAD connotation
EX: My cheating husband has the effrontery to accuse me of being disloyal to him