Vocabulary Practice Test Questions 2

  1. What does lyre mean in the following sentence?
A lyre was played in ancient Rome.
  1. Stringed instrument in the harp class.
  2. Percussion instrument.
  3. Wind instrument in the wind class.
  4. Rhythmic percussion device.
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

To abdicate means to relinquish or give up a throne, power, right, or responsibility. It does not mean to sell (B), reinvest in (C), or auction (D).

 

  1. What does labyrinth mean in the following sentence?
The labyrinth caused confusion to the attacking troops.
  1. Sound.
  2. Noise.
  3. Maze.
  4. Bulwarks.
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

A labyrinth is a maze. It is not a sound (A) or noise (B). Bulwarks (D) are ramparts, walls, or defenses, not mazes or labyrinths.

 

  1. What does sonata mean in the following sentence?
The pianist played his rendition of a sonata.
  1. Instrumental composition.
  2. Piano.
  3. Nauseating.
  4. Vocal score.
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

A sonata is an instrumental composition, i.e. a musical piece written for an instrument or instruments, not including voice. It does not mean a piano (B), a play (C), or a vocal score (D).

 

  1. What does peevish mean in the following sentence?
The defendant exhibited a peevish appearance.
  1. Immovable.
  2. Guilty.
  3. Play.
  4. Irritable.
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

Peevish means irritable, annoyed, or ill-humored. It does not mean immovable (A), guilty (B), or play (C).

 

  1. What does piccolo mean in the following sentence?
The band director was an expert at playing the piccolo.
  1. Small flute.
  2. Large flute.
  3. Small drum.
  4. Small triangle.
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

A piccolo is a smaller version of the flute. It is not a large flute (B), small drum (C), or triangle (D).

 

  1. What does remiss mean in the following sentence?
The renter was remiss about the rent.
  1. Timely.
  2. Negligent.
  3. Irritable.
  4. Impoverished.
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Remiss means negligent, lax, careless, or slow. Timely (A) is an antonym. Irritable (C) and impoverished (D) are unrelated.

 

  1. What does sapient mean in the following sentence?
The old man was known for being sapient.
  1. Useless.
  2. Possessing wisdom.
  3. Perceptual.
  4. Limited.
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Sapient means wise or knowledgeable. It does not mean useless (A), perceptual (C), or limited (D).

 

  1. What does specious mean in the following sentence?
The inventor created several specious ideas to solve the problem.
  1. Inspired.
  2. Insufficient.
  3. Limited.
  4. Falsely plausible.
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

Specious means falsely plausible—appearing to be true but actually misleading. It does not mean inspired (A), insufficient (B), or limited (C).

 

  1. What does tolerant mean in the following sentence?
The tolerant attitude of the audience was appreciated.
  1. Tireless.
  2. Calm.
  3. Indulgent.
  4. Laborious.
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Tolerant means indulgent, permissive, or patient. It does not mean tireless (A), calm (B), or laborious (D).

 

  1. What does verbose mean in the following sentence?
The verbose language used by the English teacher was tiresome to the class.
  1. Wordy.
  2. Expressive.
  3. Limited.
  4. Punitive.
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Verbose means wordy. It does not mean expressive (B), limited (C), or punitive (D).

 

  1. What does abhorrence mean in the following sentence?
Susan’s abhorrence of the dark prevents her from leaving her house at night.
  1. Rationale.
  2. Hatred.
  3. Tremor.
  4. Belief.
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Abhorrence means hatred. It does not mean rationale (A), tremor (C), or belief (D).

 

  1. What does distraught mean in the following sentence?
The girl was distraught when she found out her puppy was injured.
  1. Reckless.
  2. Shifty.
  3. Distressed.
  4. Unreasonable.
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Distraught means deeply upset or agitated. It does not mean reckless (A), shifty (B), or unreasonable (D).

 

  1. What does somber mean in the following sentence?
The somber crowd mourned the loss of their leader.
  1. Angry.
  2. Bitter.
  3. Melancholy.
  4. Excited.
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Somber means melancholy or sad. It does not mean angry (A), bitter (B), or excited (D).

 

  1. What does acme mean in the following sentence?
At the age of 65, the CEO of the company was retiring. He felt he had reached the acme of his profession.
  1. Highest point.
  2. End.
  3. Bottom.
  4. Entrance.
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Acme means the highest point or peak. It does not mean end (B), bottom (C), or entrance (D).

 

  1. What does genteel mean in the following sentence?
The genteel southern girl was known for her behavior.
  1. Refined.
  2. Ambiguous.
  3. Smug.
  4. Loathsome.
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Genteel means refined or cultured. It does not mean ambiguous (B), smug (C), or loathsome (D).

 

  1. What does mollify mean in the following sentence?
The genteel southern girl was known for her behavior.
  1. Teach.
  2. Threaten.
  3. Soothe.
  4. Distract.
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

To mollify is to appease, soothe, or calm. It does not mean to teach (A), threaten (B), or distract (D).

 

  1. What does ponder mean in the following sentence?
Some people accused John of thinking too much. He would sometimes ponder on a subject for months at a time.
  1. Resolve.
  2. Meditate.
  3. Discuss.
  4. Fret.
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

To ponder means to think deeply or meditate. It does not mean resolve (A), discuss (C), or fret (D).

 

  1. What does unbridled mean in the following sentence?
The young artist had an unbridled passion for watercolors.
  1. Unrestrained.
  2. Unequaled.
  3. Underachieved.
  4. Distressed.
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Unbridled means unrestrained or uncontrolled. It does not mean unequaled (B), underachieved (C), or distressed (D).

 

  1. What does zephyr mean in the following sentence?
The zephyr kept the students cool while they sat outside studying.
  1. Cloud.
  2. Tree.
  3. Shade.
  4. Wind.
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

A zephyr is a light breeze or wind. It is not a cloud (A), tree (B), or shade (C).