Vocabulary Test 30

Vernal derives from the Latin word vernus meaning of spring. It describes things characteristic of spring, such as vernal equinox or spring flowers. Luxuriant means abundant but is not specific to spring, while scale and dirty are unrelated meanings.

Proscribe means to forbid, prohibit, or condemn something. It is the opposite of prescribe, which means to recommend or authorize. Banish best captures the meaning of forbidding or exiling. Allow and advance are opposite in meaning to proscribe.

Obfuscation means making something unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand. It is the act of deliberately confusing or obscuring meaning. Confusing others best captures this definition. To darken is the literal meaning but the figurative meaning is more common.

Vituperate means to criticize or abuse someone in a harsh, angry, and bitter way. It involves using abusive language. Abuse is the closest meaning. Encourage, appraise, and appreciate are all opposite in meaning to vituperate.

Intrepid means brave, fearless, or bold. It describes someone who shows no fear in dangerous or difficult situations. Fearless is the correct definition. Ugly, selfish, and coward are all opposite or unrelated meanings.

Compunction means a feeling of guilt, regret, or remorse for doing something wrong. It is an uneasy feeling caused by conscience. Regret is the closest match. Appreciate, wonder, and anger are different emotional states.

Deplete means to use up, consume, or exhaust resources, supplies, or energy. To exhaust is the correct definition. Take away is incomplete, while fill and make greater are opposite meanings. When something is depleted, it is significantly reduced or emptied.

Obstreperous means noisy, difficult to control, and aggressively boisterous. It describes unruly behavior. Noisy best captures this meaning, though obstinate is also related. Cheerful and calm are opposite meanings.

Sozzled is an informal British term meaning drunk or intoxicated. It describes someone who has consumed too much alcohol. Drunk is the correct meaning. Cultured, moderate, and burning are unrelated to being intoxicated.

Osmosis literally refers to the movement of fluid through a membrane, but figuratively means gradual absorption, acceptance, or learning without conscious effort. Gradual acceptance best captures the metaphorical meaning, as in learning by osmosis. Slow recovery, abrupt ending, and crowded are unrelated.

Fiasco means a complete and humiliating failure or disaster. It describes something that goes wrong in an embarrassing way. Failure is the correct definition. Strength, success, and hope are all opposite meanings.

Perspicacious means having keen discernment or sharp insight. 'Shrewd' is the correct match as it describes someone with astute judgment and keen perception.

Ostracise means to exclude someone from a community or group. 'Cut off' accurately captures this sense of exclusion or banishment from society.

Spew means to eject or discharge something forcefully and in large quantities. 'To come forth in a flush' captures this sense of forceful expulsion.

Repugnance means strong aversion, disgust, or dislike. 'Disinclination' best represents this feeling of reluctance or disgust toward something.

Vendetta refers to a prolonged and bitter feud or rivalry, often between families or groups. 'Feud' is precisely correct.

Incensed means extremely angry or enraged. 'Incited' (provoked or stirred up) is the closest match among the options, though it's not a precise synonym.

Penchant means a strong or habitual liking for something. 'Like' captures this sense of preference or inclination.

Whim means a sudden desire or change of mind. 'Fancy' in the sense of a 'sudden fancy' best matches this meaning of an impulsive desire.

Cavil means to raise petty or trivial objections. 'Quibble' directly matches this definition of making unnecessary objections over minor details.

Gluttony means excessive consumption or overindulgence. 'Greed' best captures this sense of excessive desire or consumption among the options.

Anathema means something or someone that is vehemently detested or cursed. 'Something strongly detested' is an exact match for this definition.

Prone means lying in a horizontal position with the face downward (opposite of supine). 'Thrown forward' attempts to capture this positional sense, though the phrasing is awkward.

A viaduct is a long bridge-like structure, typically carrying a road or railroad across a valley, river, or other obstacles. It's essentially a type of bridge designed for specific transportation purposes. A railroad (A) is what travels ON a viaduct, not what the viaduct itself is. Pipe (C) and leave (D) are unrelated to the definition.

Alacrity means cheerful readiness, eagerness, or liveliness in doing something. It describes doing something willingly and promptly. The other options are antonyms - hesitatingly (B), unwillingly (C), and with suspicion (D) all describe reluctance or doubt, which are opposite to alacrity.