Vocabulary

Question 1

futile (adj)

Answer 1

incapable of producing any useful result, completely ineffective
Syn: vain, fruitless

Question 2

contentious (adj)

Answer 2

causing or likely to cause argument and disagreement
Syn: controversial

Question 3

insofar as (adv)

Answer 3

to the extent/degree that

i.e: We agree only insofar as the budget is concerned

Question 4

preclude ____(v)

Answer 4

someone from verb-ing
1) to prevent someone from doing something
i.e: His difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life

2) make impossible
i.e: The secret nature of his work precluded official recognition

Question 5

construe ____ (v)

Answer 5

ST as ST
interpret in a particular way or with respect to a given set of circumstances

i.e: Her frustration was construed as anger.

Question 6

lucrative (adj)

Answer 6

producing great deal of profits

Question 7

entrench (v)

Answer 7

1) establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.
i.e: a father who entrenched in our minds the belief that hard work pays off

2) establish firmly or solidly
i.e: entrenched themselves in the business

Question 8

muddle (n)

Answer 8

disorganized and confused state
Syn: mess, chaos

i.e: The finances were in a muddle

Question 9

maxim (n)

Answer 9

a concise expression or proverb of a general truth or fundamental principle

i.e: Mother’s favorite maxim was “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

Question 10

proprietor (n)

Answer 10

a person who has the legal right or exclusive title to something (real estate, business, patent…)
Syn: owner
i.e: The proprietor of a patent may wish to be selective about markets and granting licences.

Question 11

encompass (v)

Answer 11

1) include
Syn: comprehend, envelope
i.e: A plan that encompasses a number of aims

2) to form a circle/ surround
Syn: enclose, embrace, encircle
i.e: a neighborhood encompassed by a highway

Question 12

abate (v)

Answer 12

**Intransitive verb: **
1) to decrease in force or intensity
i.e: waiting for the storm to abate
2) to reduce in value or amount

Transitive verb:
1) to put an end to (nullify/void)
2) moderate
Syn: abate their rancor to win peace

3) to deduct, omit
The mechanic consultant already abated part of the cost

Question 13

aberration (n)

Answer 13

something or someone regarded as atypical and therefore able to be ignored or discounted
Syn: outliers
i.e: The drop in our school’s test scores was dismissed as an aberration.

Question 14

acclaim (v) (n)

Answer 14

(v) - to praise enthusiastically and publicly
i.e: The critics have acclaimed her performance.

(n) - praise, applause
He deserves acclaim for all his charitable works.

Question 15

acquisitive (adj)

Answer 15

showing a strong desire of acquiring and possessing (wealth, material things)
Syn: avaricious, greedy, covetous

i.e: He was known for his acquisitiveness, buying any art work that caught his eye

Question 16

acreage (n)

Answer 16

land measured in acres

Our property is large, but much of the acreage is swampland not suitable for building

Question 17

adherent (n)

Answer 17

a person who sticks to a belief or a cause
Syn: follower, disciple

i.e: She has long been an adherent of the Communist Party.

Question 18

ad-lib (adj) (adv)

Answer 18

(Adj) spoken, composed, or performed without preparation

(Adv) without restraint or limit
in accordance with one’s wishes

Ex: There apparently were an ad lib remark that Vladimir Putin just can’t remain in power

Question 19

adopt (v)

Answer 19

1) to begin to practice or use (such as approach/manner)
2) take and make one’s own.
3) to accept formally and put into effect (law/policy)

Question 20

advent (n)

Answer 20

arrival
i.e: Transportation was transformed by the advent of the internal combustion engine.

Question 21

adverse (adj)

Answer 21

1) acting against or in a contrary direction (hostile)
- The forecasters are expecting adverse weather for the next few days.

2) opposed to one’s interest or position (in an unfavorable or harmful way)
- They received a lot of adverse publicity/criticism about the changes.

Question 22

agency (non-traditional meaning)

Answer 22

an exertion of power or influence
- the ability to take action or to choose what action to take

i.e: The protest gave us a sense of agency, a sense of our own power to make a difference.

Question 23

aggravate (v)

Answer 23

1) make ST worse, more serious or severe
2) to make (someone) angry or irritated especially by annoyance

i.e: Road repair work has aggravated the problem of traffic congestion.

Question 24

altogether (adv)

Answer 24

1) wholly, completely
i.e: I stopped seeing her altogether”

2) in all, in total
i.e: he had forty-six children altogether

3) taking everything into consideration; on the whole
Syn: overall
i.e: It was an altogether stunning new design

Question 25

amortize (v)

Answer 25

1) gradually pay off a debt
2) gradually reduce or write off the cost or value of an asset

Question 26

write off (v)

Answer 26

1) to eliminate (an asset) from the books : enter as a loss or expense (accounting)
2) to regard or concede to be lost
Syn: dismiss

i.e: most were content to write off 1979 and look optimistically ahead

Question 27

annul (v)

Answer 27

1) to declare or make legally invalid (legal context)
Syn: invalidate,

2) to make of no value, to cancel out
Syn: negate
i.e: Unfortunately, his arrogant attitude annuls the many generous favors he does for people

3) to make ineffective or inoperative - neutralize (medicine)
4) to reduce to nothing - obliterate
i.e: Many philosophers regard the idea of annulling crime as extremely dubious, if not ridiculous

Question 28

anoint (v)

Answer 28

1) to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance
- In religion: to make someone holy in a religious ceremony by putting holy water or oil on them

2) to choose someone to do a particular job, usually by a person in authority

Question 29

antithetical (adj)

Answer 29

directly opposite or opposed
i.e: a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Question 30

arbiter (n)

Answer 30

A person empowered to decide matters at hand.
Syn: judge, umpire

Question 31

rollback (n)
roll back (v)

Answer 31

(n) reduction or decrease (in prices, wages, taxes) to a previous level on national scale

1) to reduce or decrease to a previous level on national scale
2) to rescind, annull, invalidate
i.e: Trump also wants to roll back Biden’s climate-change policies
3) to retreat or withdraw or push back

Question 32

albatross (n)

Answer 32

1) psychological burden/ anxiety
2) something that greatly hinders accomplishment :
Syn: encumbrance
i.e: Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal life

Question 33

invariably (adv)

Answer 33

in every case / always

Syn: consistently, constantly

Question 34

analogous (adj)

Answer 34

1) similar or comparable to something else either in general or in some specific detail
Syn: alike, resembling

2) similar in a way that invites comparison
Syn: parallel, matching, corresponding
i.e: A town council and a government body that serves an analogous function

Question 35

archaic (adj)

Answer 35

ancient, antiquated, old-fashioned, primitive

i.e: The school’s archaic computer system predated even floppy disks.

Question 36

aristocracy (n)

Answer 36

a class or group of people believed to be superior (rank, wealth & intellectual)

Syn: nobility, elite

Question 37

ascribe ___ (v)

Answer 37

ascribe ST to ST: to give credit
Syn: attribute, credit with

i.e: He ascribed his good grades to diligent studying

Question 38

assimilation (n)

Answer 38

the process by which a minority group adopts the customs and way of life of a larger group

Question 39

baldly (adv)

Answer 39

in plain or basic language, without unnecessary words or details:
Syn: candidly, bluntly

Question 40

befall (v)

Answer 40

to happen by fate (in negative way)

i.e: Disaster befell the company once again when the CEO was thrown from a horse

Question 41

belie (v)

Answer 41

1) to give a false impression
Syn: disguise
i.e: An air of rural charm belies the community’s industrial activity.

2) to show (something) to be false or wrong
Syn: contradict
i.e: The evidence belies their claims of innocence.

Question 42

blight (n)
(v)

Answer 42

(n) disease that kills plants rapidly
- something that frustrates plans or hopes
i.e: the blight of poverty

• something that impairs or destroys
  i.e: He was deemed unprofessional, a blight on the industry, and an epicenter for the league’s issues

(v) to impair the quality or effect of
i.e: The condition that has blighted his son’s life

Question 43

brook (v) - often used with the word ‘no’

Answer 43

tolerate
i.e: The dictator will brook no dissents

Question 44

buffer (v)

Answer 44

to lessen the shock
Syn: cushion

Question 45

canon (n)
canonical (adj)

Answer 45

(n) an accepted principle or rule
(adj) conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure
Syn: orthodox

Question 46

keep/hold in check

Answer 46

restrain, held back

Question 47

clamor (n)
clamor (v)

Answer 47

1) noisy uproar or shouting (as from a crowd)
- loud continuous noise

2) insistent public expression (as of support or protest)

(v) shout loudly and insistently (as from a crowd)
Ex: clamored for his impeachment

Question 48

cloak (v)

Answer 48

to hide, to cover or conceal
i.e: The outlaw nation had cloaked its chemical weapons plant as a fertilizer factory

Question 49

coalesce (v)

Answer 49

1) to grow together
2) to come together into a whole
Syn: fuse, unite

i.e: A group of young reformers who gradually coalesced into a political movement

Question 50

cogent (adj)

Answer 50

1) very convincing, logical
2) having power to compel or pursuading

i.e: The results of the DNA fingerprinting were the most cogent evidence for acquittal

Question 51

collude (v)

Answer 51

to work together secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest
i.e: The two companies had colluded to fix prices.

Question 52

concede (v)

Answer 52

1) to acknowledge/give in grudgingly or hesitantly (in response to a rightful or compelling claim)
Syn: admit, yield
i.e: Jansen pitched in 11 games this month and didn’t concede a single run.

2) to grant as a right or privilege
i.e: Britain conceded the independence of the colonies.

Question 53

condone (v)

Answer 53

to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless
Syn: tolerate, overlook, discount

i.e: A government that has been accused of condoning racism

Question 54

confer ___ (v)

Answer 54

on - grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right)
with - consult or exchange views

i.e: I can’t buy this car until I confer with my spouse

Question 55

contemplative (adj)

Answer 55

expressing or involving prolonged thought
Syn: pensive, meditative

i.e: She regarded me with a contemplative eye

Question 56

conversely (adv)

Answer 56

on the other hand, in an opposite way

i.e: Im not here to argue that lack of education causes poverty. Conversely, Im here to argue that poverty causes lack of education

Question 57

copious (adj)

Answer 57

abundant, plentiful, bountiful
i.e: The fire, driven by the wind, had thrown off copious amounts of embers into the dry grasses

Question 58

corroborate (v)

Answer 58

confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).
Syn: attest, substantiate, verify, validate

i.e: The witness had corroborated the boy’s account of the attack

Question 59

countenance (n) (v)

Answer 59

(n) - a person look or facial expression
i.e: a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease

(v) - tolerate, allow
i.e: Aileen can’t even countenance the possibility that her son might be guilty.

Question 60

culminate (v)

Answer 60

1) to reach its highest altitude
2) reach the highest point or final stage
i.e: The movie culminates in a series of courtroom scenes in which a judge — and the audience — must weigh her potential guilt.

Question 61

currency (n) - beside ‘money’ meaning

Answer 61

something to become a general use, acceptance, or prevalence

i.e: a story gaining currency

Question 62

cynical (adj)

Answer 62

thinking of the worst of other’s motivations
- deeply distrustful or disbelief in sincerity or integrity.
Syn: misanthropic

Question 63

debase (v)

Answer 63

1) to lower in status, esteem, quality, or character
Syn: degrade
i.e: The holiday has been debased by commercialism.

2) to reduce the exchange value of (a monetary unit)

Question 64

debunk (v)

Answer 64

expose, disprove false or exaggerated claims

i.e: The show Mythbusters debunks pseudoscientific claims

Question 65

decry (v)

Answer 65

to express strong disapproval of
to condemn openly

i.e: Violence on television is generally decried as harmful to children.

Question 66

deem (v)

Answer 66

1) regard or consider in a specified way (deem + noun/adj)
Syn: believe, judge

i.e: They would take any action they deemed necessary.
Successful economic development was deemed the key to national survival.

Question 67

delimit (v)

Answer 67

to fix or define the limits of

i.e: Strict guidelines delimit his responsibilities

Question 68

denote (v)

denotation (n)

Answer 68

1) indicate/ represent
i.e: the swollen bellies that denote starvation

2) (linguistic) mean/ to stand for the notion of (a name or symbol)
i.e: An epiphany is, literally, a showing. In Christian terminology it denotes the showing of the infant Jesus to the three Magi

Question 69

deride (v)

Answer 69

to laugh at or insult contemptuously
Syn: mock, ridicule

i.e: Politicians deride their opponents

Question 70

deterrent (adj)

Answer 70

serving to discourage, prevent, or inhibit

i.e: The ads had a deterrent effect on youth smoking.

Question 71

dichotomy (n)

Answer 71

a division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities
Syn: Bifurcation (biology diverge branching)

The amusing spectacle of the recent presidential vote in Florida should remind us of the persistence of the federal-state dichotomy

Question 72

discount (v)

Answer 72

1) to leave out of account or consideration :
Syn: disregard
i.e: discount the possibility that the situation may worsen

2) to not count it is as important
Syn: underestimate
i.e: These threats cannot be entirely discounted.

3) to view with doubt
i.e: discount most of their claims

Question 73

discrepancy (n)

Answer 73

contrast, difference, disagreement, disparateness, disparity

i.e: The report also found discrepancies in the department’s training, supervision and accountability

Question 74

discreet (adj)

Answer 74

1) having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech
Syn: prudent, astute, cautious

2) not readily seen or noticed
Syn: unobtrusive
i.e: with a discreet gesture, she signalled to her husband that she was ready to leave the party

Question 75

discrete (adj)

Answer 75

individually distinct or unconnected elements, separate entity
Syn: detached

i.e: The advertising agency pitched us not on one campaign, but on three discrete ideas

Question 76

discretion (n)
discretionary (adj)

Answer 76

(n) - individual choice or judgment
power of free decision or latitude of choice within legal boundaries
i.e: Each artist in the gallery has discretion over the price that will be charged for his or her work.

(adj) - subject to someone’s discretion or judgement
Syn: optional, voluntary, elective

Question 77

disinterested (adj)

Answer 77

1) not showing or feeling interest.
i.e: the city’s philistines, naturally disinterested in art, voted to cut the museum’s budget

2) free from selfish motive or interest
Syn: impartial, unbiased, indifferent

Question 78

disparate (adj)

Answer 78

distinct, different

i.e: A strategic marketing leader spots trends in disparate places, and sees patterns to better understand the big picture.

Question 79

disseminate (v)

Answer 79

1) to spread or give out (news, information, ideas, etc.) widely
Syn: broadcast

2) to disperse throughout
Syn: scatter

Question 80

divest (v)

Answer 80

1) to deprive or dispossess especially of property, authority, or title
Syn: rid, free
i.e: Once his deception was exposed, he was divested of his position on the board

2) to undress or strip especially of clothing, ornament, or equipment

Question 81

dovetail (v)

Answer 81

join or fit together

Question 82

echelon (n)

Answer 82

a rank or position within an organization, company, or profession:

i.e: Still, the big pay days don’t come close to matching the upper echelon of media and tech compensation packages.

Question 83

eclectic (adj)

Answer 83

1) combine the best of everything from many different areas or systems, rather than following a single system:

2) consisting of different types, methods, styles, etc.:
Syn: heterogenous

i.e: It was an eclectic mix of our ethnic foods and traditional Thanksgiving food.

Question 84

eclipse (v)

Answer 84

1) to obscure, darken
2) to make less important
Syn: surpass
i.e: Her performance was eclipsed by the director talent.

Question 85

effectively (adj)

Answer 85

1) in an effective manner
2) virtually
i.e: By withholding further funds they effectively killed the project

Question 86

efficacy (n)

Answer 86

the power to produce an intended effect (often used in reference to medicines)
Syn: effectiveness

i.e: Extensive trials will be necessary to determine whether the drug’s efficacy outweighs the side effects.

Question 87

egalitarian (adj)

Answer 87

relating to belief in the equality of all people

i.e: Such conventional wisdom holds that each successive generation will become more egalitarian and enjoy more opportunities than the last.

Question 88

egregious (adj)

Answer 88

extremely bad in a noticeable way:
Syn: glaring, flagrant, obvious, striking

The student’s theme was marred by a number of egregious errors in spelling

Question 89

empirical (adj)

Answer 89

1) originating in or based on observation or experience rather than on theory:
2) capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment;

i.e: The theory of pollution havens is straightforward; however, empirical evidence for their existence is mixed.

Question 90

enigma (n)

Answer 90

1) ST or somone that is mysterious and impossible to understand
Syn: puzzle, mystery, riddle

2) an obscure speech or writing

Question 91

enjoy (v) - beside its cliche meaning

Answer 91

to benefit from - experience
i.e: The college has long enjoyed the support of wealthy alumni

Question 92

ensure (v)

Answer 92

to make sure, certain or safe
Syn: assure, guarantee

Question 93

equivocate (v)

Answer 93

use unclear language to deceive or avoid committing to a position
Syn: weasel, fudge

i.e: Both López-Gatell and López Obrador equivocate on the effectiveness of wearing face masks.

Question 94

enumerate (v)

Answer 94

1) count
Syn: numerate
2) specify one-by-one
Syn: list, itemize

i.e: The Bill of Rights enumerates the basic rights held by every citizen of USA

Question 95

erstwhile (adv) (adj)

Answer 95

(adv) - in the past/ formerly
i.e: there’s now a store where erstwhile lay green and pleasant pastures

(adj) former, previous
i.e: my erstwhile friend ignored me when I ran into her at the mall

Question 96

ethos (n)

Answer 96

the set of moral beliefs, attitudes, habits, etc., that are characteristic of a person or group:
Syn: motto, principle,

i.e: The new firm’s ethos is brash, fiercely ambitious, and decidedly cutting-edge.

Question 97

exacting (adj)

Answer 97

demanding a lot of effort, care, or attention
i.e: He was also known to be an exacting boss, even a violent one.

Question 98

exhaustive (adj) (not as exhausted)

Answer 98

accounting for all possibilities
Syn: comprehensive, thorough

i.e: After an exhaustive search of our house, we still hadn’t found the cat

Question 99

expedient (adj)

Answer 99

suitable, proper for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance (but sometimes not morally acceptable)
Syn: tactical, advisable

i.e: The management has taken a series of expedient measures to improve the company’s financial situation.

Question 100

extraneous (adj)

Answer 100

1) coming from outside
Syn: foreign
Syn: The recording is slightly marred by some extraneous noise and a cloudy sound-quality on some of the vocal parts.

2) not directly connected or related to a matter being considered:
Syn: irrelevant

i.e: She sped up the process by eliminating all extraneous steps.

Question 101

extrapolate (v)

Answer 101

predict/infer values by projecting the past experience or known data

Question 102

faculty (n)

Answer 102

1) a particular ability, power or function
i.e: Even at the age of 100, she still had all her faculties

2) natural aptitude:
i.e: She has a faculty for inspiring confidence in people.

3) power, authority, or prerogative given or conferred
i.e: The state has the faculty to define treason.

Question 103

fashion (n)
fashion (v)

Answer 103

(n) a manner of doing something/ a mode of action or operation
i.e: the work is done in a rather casual fashion

(v) make into a particular or the required form.
Syn: adapt, conform, accommodate

i.e a figure fashioned from clay

Question 104

converge (v)

Answer 104

1) move toward one another or toward a point
Syn: meet, gather
i.e: Students converged in the parking lot to say goodbye after graduation.

2) to come together and unite in a common interest or focus
i.e: Economic forces converged to bring the country out of the recession.

Question 105

counterpoint (v)
counterpoint (n) - often used as a noun than verb

Answer 105

1) to set off or emphasize contrast by juxtaposition
2) a complimenting or contrasting item (positive tone)
Syn: opposite
The primary colors here are white and gray, which offer a pleasing counterpoint to the red oak floor

Question 106

counterproductive (adj)

Answer 106

1) defeating the purpose.
2) preventing the intended goal.

i.e: Improved safety measures in cars can be counterproductive as they encourage people to drive faster.

Question 107

deflect (v)

Answer 107

1) turn (something) aside from a straight course or fixed direction
Syn: deviate
i.e: The goalie deflected the ball with his hands.

2) avoid criticism, blame or a question
i.e: The president deflected criticism of his economic record by focusing on crime.

Question 108

fledgling (n)

Answer 108

1) young bird that has grown feathers and is learning to fly
2) an immature or inexperienced person
3) one that is new
Syn: novice, newbie, rookie

i.e: fledgling medical students

Question 109

fleeting (adj)

Answer 109

lasting or staying only a short time
Syn: short-lived, momentary, transitory

i.e: fleeting desire/moment

Question 110

forestall (v)

Answer 110

delay, hinder or prevent by taking action beforehand
Syn: intercept, preclude

Our research has been forestalled by a lack of funding

Question 111

glacial (adj)

Answer 111

1) snow, cold, icy
2) unsympathetic (figuratively)

Question 112

in food/materials context

render (v)

Answer 112

1) to melt (something) down
- to extract something from melting: render fat from duck skin

2) to convert (something) into another substance or form by means of a process or treatment
i.e: trees rendered into wood pulp
animal fat rendered into tallow

Question 113

grade (v) - uncommon meaning

Answer 113

to blend
i.e: Notice that the mud and the sand grade into each other along the sandbar.

Question 114

graft (n) (v)

Answer 114

(n) - (politics) the acquisition of gain (such as money) in dishonest or questionable ways
i.e: Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in jail on graft charges on his return from 15 years in self exile.

(v) join together (surgically) plant parts or living tissues so that two living things grow together

Question 115

grandstand (v)
grandstanding (n)

Answer 115

(v) to play or act so as to impress onlookers

(n) - acting or speaking in a way intended to attract the good opinion of other people who are watching
i.e: Experts criticized the program as mere grandstanding by corporations and local officials.

Question 116

guesswork (n)

Answer 116

the act or process of finding an answer by guessing
Syn: conjecture

i.e: Transparency from process intelligence can show customer and revenue impacts, therefore removing that guesswork.

Question 117

guile (n)

Answer 117

the practice of misleading/deceiving others through lies or trickery to achieve your aims
Syn: slyness, deviousness, cunning

A person so full of guile he can’t even be trusted to give you the correct time of day

Question 118

hallmark (n)

Answer 118

any distinguishing characteristic, trait or feature

i.e: Independent press is a hallmark of a free society

Question 119

handpick (v)

Answer 119

to select personally

i.e: The retiring CEO handpicked the successor

Question 120

hardy (adj)

Answer 120

1) bold, brave
i.e: most of the soldiers were hardy young men
2) capable of withstanding hardship or adverse conditions
I.e: hardy outdoor furniture

Question 121

hearken or hark (same thing) - verb

hearken back to

Answer 121

1) pay attention to
Syn: listen

2) to bring to mind something in the past
i.e: This place caters to Americans and hearkens back to days when the town attracted famous celebrities.

Question 122

hedge (v)

Answer 122

protect a bet by also betting on the other side

Question 123

hegemony (n)

Answer 123

1) influence or authority over others
Syn: domination, supremacy

2) the social, cultural, economic and ideological influence exerted by a dominant group

Ex: The two countries went to war fighting for hegemony over the entire region.

Question 124

heterogenous (adj)

Answer 124

different in type, composed of different types of elements

Syn: mixed, assorted

Question 125

hierarchy (n)

Answer 125

a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked accordingly to status or authority.

Question 126

a host of (n)

Answer 126

a large amount of something
Syn: multitude

Question 127

hyperbole (n)

Answer 127

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

( I’ve told you to clean your room a million times! or It was so cold, I saw polar bears wearing hats and jackets.)

Question 128

underpin (v)

Answer 128

1) to support/ substantiate
i.e: Gradually the laws that underpinned apartheid were abolished.

2) to form part of, strengthen, or provide the basis of
Syn: bolster

i.e: Avaloq provides software for financial institutions that helps underpin digital banking and wealth management platforms.

Question 129

for better or for worse

Answer 129

it means that you are not sure whether the consequences will be good or bad, but they will have to be accepted because the action cannot be changed.

For better or worse nature has designed honey bees to work themselves to death in the pursuit of sweet productivity.

Question 130

Armageddon (n)

Answer 130

a dramatic and catastrophic conflict, typically seen as likely to destroy the world or the human race

Question 131

prescience (n)

Answer 131

foreknowledge of events
Syn: foresight

i.e: If the postwar boom made Marx seem obsolete, recent decades have confirmed his prescience

Question 132

assail (v)

Answer 132

1) attack violently, assault
2) to oppose, challenge, or criticize harshly and forcefully
i.e: Such assumptions are assailed as idealistic and static.

3) to cause someone to experience a lot of unpleasant things: to be assailed by doubts/fears/problems
i.e: She was assailed by doubts and regrets

Question 133

jaundiced (adj)

Answer 133

showing a state or an attitude influenced by envy, distaste, or hostility
Syn: animosity, bitter
She has a very jaundiced view of politics and politicians

Question 134

tacit (adj)

Answer 134

1) not expressing or talking about something directly or openly:
i.e: The leader has plenty of tacit supporters worldwide, including a number in Europe.

2) understood or implied but not actually expressed
i.e: Your silence may be taken to mean tacit agreement

Question 135

inordinate (adj)
- inordinate amount

Answer 135

1) excessive, unreasonable
Syn: extreme
The Wall Street displayed an inordinate desire to get rich quickly with a minimum of physical effort.

2) much more than usual or expected
I waited an inordinate amount of time

Question 136

indispensable (adj)

Answer 136

absolutely necessary
Syn: essential, crucial, vital, necessary

i.e: An indispensable member of the staff

Question 137

repugnant (adj)

Answer 137

extremely distasteful; unacceptable
Syn: awful, abhorrent

i.e: The thought of going back into the fog was repugnant to him

Question 138

take a beating

Answer 138

to be beaten badly in a game or contest
to suggest a setback or loss (figuratively)

i.e: Our plans took a real beating from the review committee

Question 139

intractable (adj)

Answer 139

1) not easily governed, managed, or solve (problems)
i.e: The near term future will see complex discussions about intractable privacy issues.

2) not easily relieved or cured
3) not easily manipulated or shaped (of things: metal, physical form)
4) stubborn, obstinate (person)

Question 140

unprepossessing (adj)

Answer 140

not tending to create a favorable impression
i.e: We were disappointed at the unprepossessing exterior of the hotel.

Question 141

jarring (adj)

Answer 141

• incongruous (not harmonious) in a striking or shocking way
• having a disagreeable, or discordant effect

… an aroma that I found jarringly distracting

Question 142

even-handed (adj)

Answer 142

fair, impartial

Question 143

Iconoclast (n)

Answer 143

a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions

Question 144

imminent (adj)

Answer 144

about to happen, ready to take place (often used of something bad or dangerous coming near)
Syn: impending, looming

i.e: But most no longer see an imminent risk of an economic or market crash.

Question 145

impasse (n)

Answer 145

a predicament allowing no obvious escape
Syn: deadlock, stalemate

i.e: If the union wont budge on its demands and the transit authority wont raise salaries, then we are at an impasse

Question 146

impede (v)

Answer 146

to interfere with or slow the progress of
Syn: hinder, handicap

The soldiers could not impede the enemy’s advance.

Question 147

impinge ____(v)

Answer 147

Upon/ on:
1) to affect (something) in a way that is unwanted
Syn: trepass, violate, infringe, encroach
i.e: The government wants to avoid impinging upon the affairs of private citizens.

2) have a negative effect/impact
i.e: But in the 1960s, doubt began to impinge on this theory, reports the New York Times’ Carl Zimmer.

3) to strike or dash especially with a sharp collision
i.e: I heard the rain impinge upon the earth

Question 148

implode (v)

Answer 148

1) to burst inward
2) to break down or fall apart from within
Syn: self-destruct

i.e: To get there, her two rivals first had to see their campaigns implode

Question 149

impute (v)

Answer 149

1) to lay the responsibility or blame for (something) often falsely or unjustly
2) to credit or ascribe ST to a person with a cause
Syn: attribute

I.e: People often impute his silence to unfriendliness and not to the shyness it really represents

Question 150

inadvertently (adv)

Answer 150

accidentally, unintentionally

Question 151

Inasmuch ___ (conjunction)

Answer 151

inasmuch as
1) to the extent/degree that
Syn: insofar as
i.e: They were strict about our appearance inasmuch as we weren’t allowed to wear jewellery or make-up.

2) in view of the fact that (since, because)
i.e: Inasmuch as funding is not available, building plans have been delayed.

Question 152

incidentally (adv)

Answer 152

1) unintentionally, accidentally
Syn: inadvertently

2) by the way
i.e: I think we should rent the new office space. Incidentally, there’s a great Mexican restaurant opening up right across the street from it

Question 153

incinerate (v)

Answer 153

burn, reduce to ashes

Syn: cremate

Question 154

inconsequential (adj)

Answer 154

unimportant, insignificant

Question 155

incorporate (v)

Answer 155

combine, unite
embody, give physical form to

Local legend has it that ghosts can incorporate on one night of the year and walk among the living

Question 156

indeterminate (adj)

Answer 156

not fixed/established or determined

not leading to a definite ending or result
Syn: indefinite, vague, undetermined

We can’t sign this contract because the conditions of the sale are indeterminate

Question 157

undetermined (adj)

Answer 157

1) not determined (known)
Ex: His fate as yet undetermined, he anxiously awaited the test results.

2) not definitely or authoritatively decided or settled.
Ex: The full details, including the development’s financing, will be presented to city council for approval at an undetermined date.

Question 158

indicative ____ (adj)

Answer 158

OF noun
indicating, suggestive of

Ex: Your symptoms are indicative of the common cold

Question 159

induce ____ (v)

Answer 159

someone TO __verb__
1) succeed in persuading or influencing (someone) to do something.
2) cause
Syn: bring about, give rise

Ex: None of these measures induced a change of policy

Question 160

inert (adj)

Answer 160

lacking the ability or strength to move.
inactive

All of the missiles at the military museum are inert - they’re not going to blow up

Question 161

inevitable (adj)

Answer 161

Certain to happen/ incapable to be avoided, or escaped

not same thing as impending/imminent

Question 162

inexplicable (adj)

Answer 162

not able to be explained

Question 163

inextricable (adv)

Answer 163

incapable of being disentangled or untied

i.e: He argues that there is an inextricable link between poverty and poor health.

Question 164

inform (v) - not the cliche meaning

Answer 164

to give character or essence to
Syn: inspire, animate

The principles which inform modern teaching

Question 165

ingenuity (n)

ingenious (adj)

Answer 165

skill or cleverness in devising or combining

clever, skillful, innovative
an ingenious idea/method/solution
not same as ingenuous

Question 166

ingenuous (adj)

Answer 166

(of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting.

Syn: candid, sincere

Question 167

ingrained (adj)

Answer 167

Firmly fixed or established/ difficult to change
Syn: hardwired, deep-seated

Her deeply ingrained distrust of all authority

Question 168

instrumental (adj)

Answer 168

serving as a means of pursuing an aim or policy.
Syn: essential, crucial

He was instrumental in the restructuring

Question 169

insular (adj)

Answer 169

(of people) ignorant or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one’s own experience.

Syn: small-minded, narrow-minded

Doing so, he highlighted the degree to which creationism is a decidedly incurious, insular worldview.

Question 170

Interplay (n)

Answer 170

interaction

Our personalities result from the complex interplay between our genes and our environment.

Question 171

intrepid (adj)

Answer 171

fearless, brave, enduring in the fate of adversity
Syn: dauntless, fearless

Intrepid Explorers

Question 172

inundate (v)

Transitive verb ____

Answer 172

flood, overflow with water

inundated with (overwhelmed)

We’ve been inundated with complaints from listeners

Question 173

investiture (n)

Answer 173

the action of formally investing a person with honors or rank.

Syn: inauguration

Question 174

involved (adj) - not the cliche meaning

Answer 174

needless or excessive complexed
Ex: A long and involved story

Syn: tangled, intricate

Question 175

invulnerable (adj)

Answer 175

1) immune to or proof against attack
2) incapable of being wounded, injured, or harmed

Syn: bulletproof, impregnable, invincible

Question 176

jettison (v)

Answer 176

1a) to get rid of ST as unnecessary or encumbering
Ex: Individuals are often forced to jettison certain attitudes and behaviors

1b) to decide not to use an idea or plan:
Ex: They jettisoned plans for a vacation.

2) throw items overboard in order to lighten a ship in an emergency

Question 177

jumbo (adj)

Answer 177

unusually large, supersized

Question 178

juncture (n)

Answer 178

critical point in time, such as a crisis or a time when a decision is necessary

Negotiations are at a critical juncture.

Question 179

juxtapose (v)

Answer 179

Place side-by-side either physically or in metaphorical way so as to make comparison

Question 180

lackluster (adj)

Answer 180

lacking in brilliance and vitality
not shiny, dull
Syn: mediocre

That is a lackluster endorsement in light of so much recent glowing research.

Question 181

landmark (n) - not the cliche meaning

Answer 181

an important stage in something’s development

The birth of a child is an important landmark in the lives of all concerned

Question 182

latent (adj)

Answer 182

potential, existing but not visible or active
Syn: dormant, inert

The isolation imposed by the coronavirus has awakened a latent homesteading spirit within many of us.

Question 183

lax (adj)

Answer 183

not strict, careless
loose, slack

My parents were really lax about homework

Question 184

layperson (n)

Plural form?

Answer 184

regular people, non-specialists
laypeople
Syn: layman

Can you explain in layman’s terms exactly what your job involves?

Question 185

levy ____ (n) (v)

Answer 185

on ___ (something)
the imposition or collection of an assessment (tax..)
the enlistment or conscription of men for military service

to impose or collect by legal authority

Question 186

lift (v) - not cliche meaning

Answer 186

improve or lighten (such as person’s mood)

Question 187

likewise (adj)

Answer 187

Also, in addition to,
similarly, in the same way

I.e: A painter who is likewise a sculptor

Question 188

machination (n)

machinate (v)

Answer 188

a crafty scheme or plots (to do harm)
Syn: conspire, collude, constrive

The hackers machinated a way to steal credit numbers from the company’s Web site

Question 189

magnate (n)

Answer 189

a person of rank, power, influence, or distinction often in a specified area

A studio magnate who had the biggest stars in Hollywood at his beck and call

Question 190

makeshift (adj) (n)

Answer 190

serving as a temporary substitute
Syn: expedient

A temporary replacement

We used boxes as a makeshift while the kitchen chairs were being painted.

Question 191

malleable (adj)

Answer 191

able to be bent, shaped or adapted (materials)
Syn: pliable, plastic

pliable, easily influenced or shaped by others.
Anna was shaken enough to be malleable

Question 192

manifest (v)
manifest (adj)

Answer 192

1) display or show (a quality or feeling) by one’s acts or appearance;
Ex: Ray manifested signs of severe depression

2) clear or obvious to the eye or mind
Ex: Their sadness was manifest in their faces.

Question 193

manifestation (n)

Answer 193

• a sign showing the existence of a particular condition

Syn: display, demonstration, exhibition, sign, indication

i.e: Unlike acid rain of deforestation, global warming has no visible manifestation

Question 194

mediate (v)

Answer 194

to reconcile
to form a connection link between
Ex: structures that mediate gender divisions

to act as intermediary agent

Question 195

mercurial (adj)

Answer 195

characterized by rapid and unpredictable changes of mood or mind

Syn: fickle, flighty
his mercurial temperament

Question 196

mire ____ (n)

Answer 196

mire of: a troublesome or intractable situation
They found themselves in a mire of debt

deep mud

Question 197

mire (v)

Answer 197

stuck, entangle in mud or swamp area

Question 198

muck around with/ about (v)

Answer 198

: to spend time doing things that are not useful or seriousShe spent the evening mucking around with the computer.
: to waste time
We just mucked about all afternoon.

Question 199

galvanize (v)

Answer 199

1a)- to subject to the action of an electric current (medical)
b) - to stimulate or excite as if by an electric shock
Syn: provoke, arouse

The group is hoping to galvanize public opinion against the proposed law.

2) to coat (iron or steel) with zinc

Question 200

head off (v)

Answer 200

1) to force someone or something to change direction
Syn: to turn back or turn aside
i.e: I tried to head the dog off by running towards it.

2) to block, prevent
i.e: The company is putting up wages to head off a strike.

Question 201

detractor (n)

Answer 201

a person who criticizes something or someone
Syn: disparager, critic

Even her detractors had to admit that she had made the company successful.

Question 202

preemptively (adv)

Answer 202

taken as a measure against something anticipated or feared (usually a preventive or deterrent measure)

This means the Fed will effectively abandon its prior approach of raising rates PRE-EMPTIVELY, before inflation reaches 2%.

Question 203

pre-emptive action/measure/move (adj)

Answer 203

taken as a measure against something anticipated or feared (usually a preventive or deterrent measure)

The prime minister authorized a pre-emptive air strike against the rebels.

Question 204

pre-empt (v)

Answer 204

to do or say something before someone so that you make their words or actions unnecessary or not effective

to replace with something considered to be of greater value or priority
Ex: The program did not appear, having been preempted by a baseball game

to prevent from happening or taking place
Syn: preclude, forestall

Question 205

allude (v)

Answer 205

make indirect reference
Syn: hint, touch on

mention without discussing at length

The Fed’s subsequent Sept. 16 rate guidance alluded obliquely to financial bubbles

Question 206

obliquely (adv)

Answer 206

not in a direct way; indirectly

In her speech she made only oblique references to the scandal.

Question 207

falter (v)

Answer 207

1) to walk unsteadily - syn: stumble
e.g : She walked up to the platform without faltering.

2) to speak brokenly or weakly - syn: stammer
e.g: His voice faltered as he began his speech.

3) to become weak or less effective - to start to loose strength/momentum
e.g: Her courage never faltered.
The economy is beginning to falter.

Question 208

require (v)

Answer 208

Syn: need
Ex: This project will require (need) massive investment.

to make it officially necessary for someone do something
The law requires that you place recyclables in the appropriate bin.

Question 209

veracity (n)

Answer 209

Syn: truthfulness, honesty, accuracy
Adj: veracious

i.e: Editors must ensure the veracity of photos that were taken in uncertain circumstances

Question 210

conformity (n)

Answer 210

1) correspondence in form, manner, or character
i.e: the simple lifestyle of the Amish is in conformity with their ascetic religious beliefs

2) action in accordance with some specified standard or authority

Question 211

conform (v)

Answer 211

1) + noun to noun
to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord

2) to be similar or identical (to be in agreement or harmony)
3) to be obedient or compliant
to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs

Question 212

admonish (v)

Answer 212

to caution, advise, or counsel against something in earnest and friendly way
to reprove or scold, especially in a mild and good-willed manner:
i.e: My physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods

Question 213

heed (V)

Answer 213

pay attention to
take notice of
i.e: The airline has been criticized for failing to heed advice/warnings about lack of safety routines.

Question 214

pariah (n)

Answer 214

outcast
i.e: Russia has become a pariah to the G7 because of [its] invasion.

Question 215

approriate (v)

Answer 215

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep/use
Syn: steal, seize

Question 216

in laws/business context

render (v)

Answer 216

to provide (ST) for consideration, approval, or information
- LAW: announce something, especially a judgment or sentence
i.e: a judgment rendered against a defendant
- Business: to officially prepare financial records, bills, etc. and make them available:
i.e The committee was asked to render a report on the housing situation.

Syn: furnish

Question 217

render ST/somebody + adj

Answer 217

to cause somebody/something to be in a particular state or condition
Syn: make
i.e: The reliability of the data would be compromised, rendering it useless

Question 218

in art context

render (v)

Answer 218

1) to reproduce or represent (something) by artistic or verbal means
Syn: depict
i.e: The drawing was rendered in muted pastels.

2) to give a performance of
i.e: He stood up and rendered a beautiful version of ‘Summertime’.

Question 219

render (v)

Answer 219

to give (something) in acknowledgment of dependence or obligation/service
Syn: pay, deliver

i.e: An employee is someone who renders his or her services in exchange for pay.
At the close of business Friday, a public apology for creating the confusion had not yet been rendered.