Vocabulary Quiz - Cr Words

Cynical means believing people are motivated purely by self-interest, showing distrust of human sincerity or motives. 'Spoil the effect' is to undermine or mar. 'Sound-making apparatus' is a sounder or instrument. 'Full of life' is animated or vivacious.

Cynosure means something that attracts attention by its brilliancy - originally the North Star (Polaris), now anything that serves as a guiding or attention-grabbing center. 'Of glass' is vitreous. 'Sceptic' is someone who doubts. 'Spoil the effect' is to undermine.

Cuisine refers to a specific style or method of cooking, often associated with a particular region or culture - like French cuisine or Italian cuisine. 'Disposed to revenge' is vindictive. A 'lawyer using questionable methods' is an ambulance chaser or shyster. 'Clear from blame' is exonerated.

Culmination means the highest or final point of something - the climax or peak of a process or event. 'Poisonous snake' could be cobra or viper. 'Relating to stars' is stellar or sidereal. 'Break a law' is to violate or infringe.

Culpable means deserving blame or censure - legally or morally responsible for a fault or wrong. 'Manly' is virile or masculine. 'Switch to a siding' is to shunt. 'Poisonous snake' could be viper, cobra, or adder.

A culprit is a person who has committed a crime or offense - someone guilty of wrongdoing. 'In essence' means fundamentally or basically. 'Put through a sieve' is to sift or strain. 'Manly' describes masculine characteristics.

Crest refers to the top part or peak of something, such as a hill or wave. It does not mean to annoy, to place something in a case, or the power to reject a bill (that would be a veto).

Crestfallen describes someone who is visibly sad, dejected, or disappointed, often after experiencing a failure or setback. It has nothing to do with maintaining life (viable), a small roofed structure (shed), or annoying someone.

A crevice is a narrow crack or fissure in a surface, like in a rock or wall. It has nothing to do with food, purity, or maintaining life.

Cringe means to physically shrink back or recoil, typically in fear, embarrassment, or disgust. It does not mean being energetic, a type of frozen dessert, or food.

Crinkle means a wrinkle or small fold in a surface, especially skin or fabric. It does not mean a parish priest (curate), changing position, or being energetic.

Criteria are the standards, principles, or rules used to judge or evaluate something. It has nothing to do with empathy, twinkling light, or clergy.

Crochet is a needlework technique where fabric is created by looping thread with a hooked needle. It does not mean deterioration, avoiding responsibilities, or empathy.

Crone refers to an old woman, often portrayed as ugly or frightening. It has nothing to do with food, material quality, or deterioration.

Cross can mean bad-tempered or angry in informal usage, or more commonly, a symbol or intersecting lines. It does not primarily mean to contend, plant growth, or food.

Crossbreed means to produce a hybrid by mating two different breeds or varieties. It does not mean keeping watch, pushing forward, or contending.

Crotchety describes an old person who is irritable, eccentric, or bad-tempered. It does not mean being watchful, a scolding woman (shrew), or keeping watch.

Crust is the hard outer layer or covering of something, such as earth, snow, or bread. It does not mean unauthorized law enforcement, cleverness, or being watchful.

The correct answer is C because 'crux' refers to the essential or main point of something - the core issue that determines the outcome. Option A describes a vignette (a small illustration), Option B means shriveled (dried and wrinkled), and Option D refers to a vigilante (someone claiming police powers without authority). The crux of an argument or problem is its central, decisive point.

The correct answer is C because 'crypt' specifically means a secret recess or vault, typically underground, used for burial (like beneath a church). Option A refers to vigor (active strength), Option B describes convulsive shaking, and Option D defines a vignette (small decorative drawing). Crypts are architectural spaces for interring the dead.