Table of Content
Word Power Made Easy – Studying Note 001
PART ONE: GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START
1. HOW TO TEST YOUR PRESENT VOCABULARY
A TEST OF VOCABULARY RANGE
Here are sixty brief phrases, each containing one italicized word; it is up to you to check the closest definition of each such word. To keep your score valid, refrain, as far as possible, from wild guessing. The key will be found at the end of the test.
- disheveled appearance: (a) untidy, (b) fierce, (c) foolish, (d) peculiar, (e) unhappy
- a baffling problem: (a) difficult, (b) simple, (c) puzzling, (d) long, (e) new
- lenient parent: (a) tall, (b) not strict, (c) wise, (d) foolish, (e) severe
- repulsive personality: (a) disgusting, (b) attractive, (c) normal, (d) confused, (e) conceited
- audacious attempt: (a) useless, (b) bold, (c) foolish, (d) crazy, (e) necessary
- parry a blow: (a) ward off, (b) fear, (c) expect, (d) invite, (e) ignore
- prevalent disease: (a) dangerous, (b) catching, (c) childhood, (d) fatal, (e) widespread
- ominous report: (a) loud, (b) threatening, (c) untrue, (d) serious, (e) unpleasant
- an incredible story: (a) true, (b) interesting, (c) well-known, (d) unbelievable, (e) unknown
- an ophthalmologist: (a) eye doctor, (b) skin doctor, (c) foot doctor, (d) heart doctor, (e) cancer specialist
- will supersede the old law: (a) enforce, (b) specify penalties for, (c) take the place of, (d) repeal, (e) continue
- an anonymous donor: (a) generous, (b) stingy, (c) well-known, (d) one whose name is not known, (e) reluctant
- performed an autopsy: (a) examination of living tissue, (b) examination for a corpse to determine the cause of death, (c) process in the manufacture of optical lenses, (d) operation to cure an organic disease, (e) series of questions to determine the causes of delinquent behavior
- an indefatigable worker: (a) well-paid, (b) tired, (c) skillful, (d) tireless, (e) pleasant
- a confirmed atheist: (a) bachelor, (b) disbeliever in God, (c) believer in religion, (d) believer in science, (e) priest
- endless loquacity: (a) misery, (b) fantasy, (c) repetitiousness, (d) ill health, (e) talkativeness
- a glib talker: (a) smooth, (b) awkward, (c) loud, (d) friendly, (e) boring
- an incorrigible optimist: (a) happy, (b) beyond correction or reform, (c) foolish, (d) hopeful, (e) unreasonable
- an ocular problem: (a) unexpected, (b) insoluble, (c) visual, (d) continual, (e) imaginary
- a notorious demagogue: (a) rabble-rouser, (b) gambler, (c) perpetrator of financial frauds, (d) liar, (e) spendthrift
- a naïve attitude: (a) unwise, (b) hostile, (c) unsophisticated, (d) friendly, (e) contemptuous
- living in affluence: (a) difficult circumstances, (b) countrified surroundings, (c) fear, (d)wealth, (e) poverty
- in retrospect: (a) view of the past, (b) artistic balance, (c) anticipation, (d) admiration, (e) second thoughts
- a gourmet: (a) seasoned traveler, (b) greedy eater, (c) vegetarian, (d)connoisseur of good food, (e) skillful chef
- to simulate interest: (a) pretend, (b) feel, (c) lose, (d) stir up, (e) ask for
- a magnanimous action: (a) puzzling, (b) generous, (c) foolish, (d) unnecessary, (e) wise
- a clandestine meeting: (a) prearranged, (b) hurried, (c) important, (d) secret, (e) public
- the apathetic citizens: (a) made up of separate ethnic groups, (b) keenly vigilant of their rights, (c) politically conservative, (d) indifferent, uninterested, uninvolved, (e) terrified
- to placate his son: (a) please, (b) help, (c) find a job for, (d) make arrangements for, (e) change a feeling of hostility to one of friendliness
- to vacillate continually: (a) avoid, (b) swing back and forth in indecision, (c) inject, (d) treat, (e) scold
- a nostalgic feeling: (a) nauseated, (b) homesick, (c) sharp, (d) painful, (e) delighted
- feel antipathy: (a) bashfulness, (b) stage fright, (c) friendliness, (d) hostility, (e) suspense
- be more circumspect: (a) restrained, (b) confident, (c) cautious, (d) honest, (e) intelligent
- an intrepid fighter for human rights: (a) fearless, (b) eloquent, (c) popular, (d) experienced, (e) famous
- diaphanous material: (a) strong, (b) sheer and gauzy, (c) colorful, (d) expensive, (e) synthetic
- a taciturn host: (a) stingy, (b) generous, (c) disinclined to conversation, (d) charming, (e) gloomy
- to malign his friend: (a) accuse, (b) help, (c) disbelieve, (d) slander, (e) introduce
- a congenital deformity: (a) hereditary, (b) crippling, (c) slight, (d) incurable, (e) occurring at or during birth
- a definite neurosis: (a) plan, (b) emotional disturbance, (c) physical disease, (d) feeling of fear, (e) allergic reaction
- made an unequivocal statement: (a) hard to understand, (b) lengthy, (c) politically motivated, (d) clear and forthright, (e) supporting
- vicarious enjoyment: (a) complete, (b) unspoiled, (c) occurring from a feeling of identification with another, (d) long-continuing, (e) temporary
- psychogenic ailment: (a) incurable, (b) contagious, (c) originating in the mind, (d) intestinal, (e) imaginary
- an anachronous attitude: (a) unexplainable, (b) unreasonable, (c) belonging to a different time, (d) out of place, (e) unusual
- her iconoclastic phase: (a) artistic, (b) sneering at tradition, (c) troubled, (d) difficult, (e) religious
- a tyro: (a) dominating personality, (b) beginner, (c) accomplished musician, (d) dabbler, (e) serious student
- a laconic reply: (a) immediate, (b) assured, (c) terse and meaningful, (d) unintelligible, (e) angry
- semantic confusion: (a) relating to the meaning of words, (b) pertaining to money, (c) having to do with the emotions, (d) relating to mathematics, (e) caused by inner turmoil
- cavalier treatment: (a) courteous, (b) haughty and highhanded, (c) negligent, (d) affectionate, (e) expensive
- an anomalous situation: (a) dangerous, (b) intriguing, (c) unusual, (d)pleasant, (e) unhappy
- posthumous child: (a) cranky, (b) brilliant, (c) physically weak, (d) illegitimate, (e) born after the death of the father
- feels enervated: (a) full of ambition, (b) full of strength, (c) completely exhausted, (d) troubled, (e) full of renewed energy
- Shows perspicacity: (a) sincerity, (b) mental keenness, (c) love, (d) faithfulness, (e) longing
- an unpopular martinet: (a) candidate, (b) supervisor, (c) strict disciplinarian, (d) military leader, (e) discourteous snob
- gregarious person: (a) outwardly calm, (b) very sociable, (c) completely untrustworthy, (d) vicious, (e) self-effacing and timid
- generally phlegmatic: (a) smug, self-satisfied, (b) easily pleased, (c) nervous, high-strung, (d) emotionally unresponsive, (e) lacking in social grace
- an inveterate gambler: (a) impoverished, (b) successful, (c) habitual, (d) occasional, (e) superstitious
- an egregious error: (a) outstandingly bad, (b) slight, (c) irreparable, (d) unnecessary, (e) deliberate
- cacophony of a large city: (a) political administration, (b) crowded living conditions, (c) cultural advantages, (d) unpleasant noises, harsh sounds, (e) busy traffic
- a prurient adolescent: (a) tall and gangling, (b) sexually longing, (c) clumsy, awkward, (d) sexually attractive, (e) soft-spoken
- uxorious husband: (a) henpecked, (b) suspicious, (c) guilty of infidelity, (d) fondly and foolishly doting on his wife, (e) tightfisted, penny-pinching
Your score (one point for each correct choice):
The Meaning of Your Score:
00-11: below average
12-35: average
36-48: above average
49-54: excellent
55-60: superior
