Vocabulary 13 Quiz

Question 1

adapt (v.)

Answer 1

to adjust or change to suit conditions (e.g., When children go to a different school, it usually takes them a while to adapt.)

Question 2

attest (v.)

Answer 2

to bear witness, affirm to be true or genuine (e.g., I can attest to the truth of his statement.)

Question 3

dovetail - two definitions (v. and n.)

Answer 3

1) (v.) to fit together exactly; to connect so as to form a whole (e.g.,The carpenter dovetailed (together) the corners (of the boards) for extra strength.) 2) a carpentry figure resembling a dove’s tail

Question 4

enormity (n.)

Answer 4

(1) an exceedingly evil act (e.g., We were shocked at the enormity of the crime.) (2) huge size, immensity (e.g., I was overwhelmed by the enormity [=immensity] of the task at hand.)

Question 5

falter (v.)

Answer 5

to hesitate, stumble, lose courage; to speak hesitantly; to lose drive, weaken, decline (e.g., The business was faltering due to poor management.)

Question 6

foreboding (n. or adj.)

Answer 6

(n.) a warning or feeling that something bad will happen (adj.) marked by fear, ominous (e.g., She was filled with a sense of foreboding.)

Question 7

forlorn (adj.)

Answer 7

(adj.) totally abandoned and helpless; sad and lonely; wretched or pitiful; almost hopeless (e.g., a forlorn old widow; He led a forlorn [=desperate] attack against the enemy.)

Question 8

haughty (adj.)

Answer 8

very proud and scornful (e.g., a haughty attitude; haughty aristocrats)

Question 9

impediment (n.)

Answer 9

a physical defect; a hindrance, obstacle (e.g There were no legal impediments to the deal.),

Question 10

imperative - two definitions (adj. and n.)

Answer 10

1( (adj.) necessary, urgent (e.g., It is imperative that the public be informed about these dangers. = It is imperative to inform the public about these dangers.) (n.) a form of a verb expressing a command; that which is necessary or required (e.g., “Eat your spinach!” is an imperative sentence because it is a command)

Question 11

loiter (v.)

Answer 11

to linger in an aimless way, hang around, dawdle (There was a group of teenagers loitering (around) [=hanging around] in the parking lot.)

Question 12

malinger (v.)

Answer 12

to pretend illness to avoid duty or work, lie down on the job (e.g., His boss suspected him of malingering because of his frequent absences from work.)

Question 13

pithy (adj.)

Answer 13

short but full of meaning (e.g., The critic gave the film a pithy review. The book is filled with pithy sayings about love and loss.)

Question 14

plunder (v. or n.)

Answer 14

(v.) to rob by force, especially during wartime; to seize wrongfully (n.) property stolen by force (e.g., The village was plundered by the invading army.)

Question 15

simper (v.)

Answer 15

(v.) to smile or speak in a silly, forced way (n.) a silly, forced smile (e.g., He simpered and smirked while he talked to the boss.)

Question 16

steadfast (adj.)

Answer 16

firmly fixed; constant, not moving or changing (e.g., They were steadfast friends. He was steadfast in his support of the governor’s policies.)

Question 17

vaunted (adj.)

Answer 17

much boasted about in a vain or swaggering way (e.g., The team’s vaunted defense faltered in the second half of the game.)

Question 18

vilify (v.)

Answer 18

to abuse or belittle unjustly or maliciously (e.g., He was vilified in the press for his comments.)

Question 19

waif (n.)

Answer 19

a person (usually a child) without a home or friend; a stray person or animal; something that comes along by change, a stray bit

Question 20

wry (adj.)

Answer 20

twisted, turned to one side; cleverly or grimly humorous (e.g., His books are noted for their wry humor.)