oDesk English Vocabulary Test (u.s.
MITIGATE
Answer: c. Intensify
02. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
v. To impose with authority; urge strongly
Answer: a. Enjoin
03. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
v. To issue a vehement verbal attack; to denounce explosively
Answer: c. Fulminate
04. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
It’s a good thing you’re so________ at paperwork, because you’ll need to fill out hundreds of forms to________ a child.
Answer: c. adapt/adopt
05. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. Flair; style; a flamboyant manner
Answer: c. Resonance
06. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The mysterious message Claude received could be a HARBINGER of what’s in store for him and his family.
Answer: b. Omen; forerunner
07. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
Roger might be more AMENABLE to your ideas if you presented them without sneering.
Answer: b. Willing to accept
08. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
The coach was absolutely disgusted by his team’s INDOLENCE and nasty attitude. wizened
Answer: c. Laziness
09. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below.
REFUTE
Answer: b. Support
10. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. deleterious
INORDINATE
Answer: a. Reasonable
The only________________ difference between the twins is the shape of their noses.
Answer: b. distinguished
12. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Now that the festivities have ended, perhaps we can return to some SEMBLANCE of normality.
Answer: c. Outward appearance
13. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
adj. Narrow-minded; limited in scope
Answer: d. Sectarian
14. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
That grueling competition really tested the____________ of the gymnastics team.
Answer: b. metal
15. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
Capacity for producing a desired result; effectiveness
Answer: d. Efficacy
16. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
Although_________ wanted to keep the boat all to_________ , I knew it would be used extensively by both Susan and________________ .
Answer: d. I/myself/me
17. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Poverty is RIFE in the rural areas of our county, where one in three families receives some state assistance. RIFE
Answer: a. Prevalent
18. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The exchange student was disheartened by the rather BRUSQUE welcome she received from her host family.
Answer: c. Blunt or rude in manner of speech
19. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
The workers were allowed to___________ down once they’d________ the brick, but the foreman himself has not yet_________
down.
Answer: d. lay/laid/laid
20. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
Alec has always been CONTEMPTUOUS of his fellow writers.
Answer: a. Disdainful
The soldier’s EXEMPLARY conduct did not go unnoticed by his sergeant.
Answer: c. Admirable
22. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
His son’s group of friends had a DELETERIOUS effect on his schoolwork.
Answer: d. Harmful
23. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
It would BEHOOVE you to show a little more respect to the judge and jury who are deciding your case.
Answer: c. Be worthwhile or proper for; be incumbent upon
24. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Running around barefoot in the snow will only EXACERBATE your flu symptoms.
Answer: b. Aggravate; worsen
25. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. A mass or crowd; multitude
Answer: c. Horde
26. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Dan was a nice guy, but he was far too GARRULOUS and tended to monopolize people at parties.
Answer: c. Excessively talkative about trivial topics
27. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
adj. Similar to something else in certain respects, as in form, function, or meaning
Answer: c. Analogous
28. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
adj. Hardhearted; unmoved by pity
Answer: b. Parsimonious
29. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below.
ADVERSE
Answer: d. Twisted
30. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
Who has the power to_________ out justice to the citizens of this country?
Answer: a. meet
Oscar, who did not possess a discerning_________ , preferred hot dogs to steak.
Answer: b. pallet
32. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The journalist denied that he had any PRURIENT interest in the politician’s private life, but his titillating articles seemed to indicate otherwise.
Answer: b. Overly curious about the sexual behavior of others
33. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
adj. Tending to create ill will or give offense
Answer: b. Invidious
34. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
I can_________ all the terms of the apartment lease_________ the one about not allowing pets.
Answer: d. accept/except
35. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The recent shenanigans in the town square went against all PRECEPTS of decency.
Answer: a. Rules for action or behavior
36. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. adverse
ITINERANT
Answer: a. Permanent
37. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
The company is__________ committed to developing educational television programs for children.
Answer: c. wholly
38. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of homophones from the options below.
The_________ poet, knowing his death was__________ , struggled to finish his final ode.
Answer: d. eminent/imminent
39. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of homophones from the options below.
Rachel knew that she’d soon be living in______________ circumstances unless she got her financial problems________________ out
immediately.
Answer: b. straitened/straightened
40. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The plots of all her novels just seem to MEANDER along, to the point where I can’t follow the storyline or figure out who’s who.
Answer: a. Purposely confuse
41. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Maude managed to sweep up the broken dishes without a word of REPROOF to her children.
Answer: a. Expression of disapproval or blame
Expression of apology or regret
42. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The despot’s MINIONS were only too eager to tout his edicts and report any unrest among his subjects.
Answer: a- Sycophants; servile followers
43. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below.
AVARICE
Answer: d. Generosity
44. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
The crafty spy gave a___________ name to the hotel clerk.
Answer: c. fictitious
45. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
The soldier’s EXEMPLARY conduct did not go unnoticed by his sergeant.
Answer: c. Admirable
46. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
She always got a VICARIOUS thrill from watching her father skydive.
Answer: d. Sickening
47. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
The proposed after-school tutoring program promises_____________ benefits to the students and the community.
Answer: a. innumerable
48. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
I screamed as the monstrous presence snaked toward me on the dark and_________ path.
Answer: b. tortuous
49. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
We all remarked on how well the spray of begonias____________ her hair color.
Answer: a. complimented
50. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
She hastened to_________ me that she intends to pay the bill, and that she will_________ that the check is mailed today.
Answer: a. assure/ensure
adj. Easily provoked to anger; irritable
Answer: a. Sapid
52. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. Flair; style; a flamboyant manner
Answer: c. Resonance
53. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
Agatha RUMINATED for weeks about the consequences of telling Arthur about the affair.
Answer: a. Pondered
54. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
This experiment was designed to __________ certain behaviors from the test subjects.
Answer: a. illicit
55. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
It seems we’ve reached an IMPASSE in our negotiations.
Answer: d. Stalemate
56. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
The WIZENED old woman gave Jack a handful of beans and some good advice.
Answer: b. Shriveled
57. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. A position that entails little work but provides a salary
Answer: d. Sinecure
58. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
Mr. Winkle was dismayed to discover that his willful young wife________ her wealth and__________ the law at every
opportunity.
Answer: c. flaunted/flouted
59. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
She launched her new line of handbags________ a fanfare of publicity.
Answer: c. among
60. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. Local or provincial dialect
Answer: b. Patois
61. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
She entered the ballroom on the arm of a DEBONAIR young man.
Answer: d. Charming and elegant
62. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
We expected the waiter to show us out of that snooty restaurant in a hurry, but he turned out to be quite jolly and ____
Answer: c. complaisant
