English Vocabulary Test

Deride means to ridicule, mock, or make fun of someone or something, often in a contemptuous manner. It directly matches the given phrase. Depreciate means to diminish in value or show disapproval (often of an asset). Derogate means to detract from or deviate from (a rule or standard). Denounce means to publicly declare to be wrong or evil - stronger than ridicule.

To undermine a government covertly through various means is refered to as destabilize.

Expeditious means acting or done quickly, efficiently, and promptly - exactly matching 'speedy and efficient'. It describes actions performed with minimal delay. Excoriate means to criticize severely or strip the skin. Extenuating means providing a partial excuse or making less severe. Extol means to praise highly.

 Ethos is the combined beliefs, opinions, morals and attitudes of a community.

Effervescent means bubbly, lively, enthusiastic, and vivacious - perfectly matching 'full of enthusiasm and lively spirits'. It literally refers to giving off bubbles (like carbonated drinks) and figuratively describes high energy and enthusiasm. Effluent is liquid waste or sewage. Effulgent means shining brightly or radiant. Effete means worn out, weak, or decadent.

Fawn means to seek favor or attention through flattery, submissiveness, or servile behavior - exactly matching 'to be servile or cringing'. It describes someone acting obsequiously to gain advantage. Feign means to pretend or simulate. Flick is a light, sharp movement. Femur is the thigh bone - anatomical term.

Expunge means to erase, remove, or obliterate completely - exactly matching 'erase or remove completely'. It's often used for deleting records from official documents. Expurgated means to remove objectionable material (usually from texts). Execrated means to detest or loathe. Excavated means to dig out or unearth (archaeology).

Glut means an excessive supply, oversupply, or surplus - exactly matching the given phrase. It describes having more of something than is needed or can be used. Glue is an adhesive. Gratis means free or without cost. Glib means fluent but insincere or superficial.

It means lacking grace, esp. social grace; awkward;
 

A 'howler' is literally a glaring mistake or blunder that is so bad it's ridiculous or laughable - like an error that makes you want to howl. Humdrum means dull/boring, homily is a moralizing sermon, and heifer is a young cow.

Flout means to openly defy or show contempt for rules/norms - to deliberately disregard. The similar-sounding Flaunt means to show off boastfully. Filch means to steal, flay means to whip/criticize harshly.

Demeanour refers to a person's outward behavior, manner, or bearing - how they conduct themselves. Descry means to catch sight of something. Discreet means being careful/tactful. Digress means to wander off topic.

A placebo is a medicine or procedure with no active therapeutic effect, given solely to humor or reassure the patient. The other options are real medical treatments: antipyretic reduces fever, analgesic relieves pain, anesthetic causes numbness.

Genteel means affectedly polite or refined, often with an air of superiority or aristocratic pretensions - it can suggest artificial or exaggerated refinement. Gentle is mild/temperate, garble means to distort, gorge means to stuff or eat greedily.

Hiatus means a gap or missing part, especially in a manuscript - a break or discontinuity where something is lost or erased. Honey comb is a structure, heresy is a controversial belief, harry means to persistently harass.

A faux pas (French for 'false step') is a social blunder or breach of etiquette - a mistake in social behavior. Fad is a temporary trend, fait accompli is something already done, fetish is an object of obsession.

A glitch is a minor malfunction, mishap, or technical problem - a sudden, usually temporary, fault or irregularity. Gape is to stare, gnarled means twisted/rough, gauntlet can refer to a glove or ordeal.

Exude means to discharge or display gradually - to ooze or give off (a feeling, quality, or liquid). Efface means to erase, elude means to evade, exclude means to leave out.

To 'derail' literally means to cause a train to run off the rails. Metaphorically, it means to obstruct, frustrate, or cause something to deviate from its planned course - exactly what 'one event putting another event off course' describes.

"The artist has a flair for painting."
By saying that the artist has a 'flair', we are saying that the artist has a natural ability. Hence, 'flair' is correct.

A 'hidden agenda' refers to a secret, underlying plan or motive that is not openly acknowledged. In business contexts involving executive rivalry, devious plotting and scheming often stem from hidden agendas - personal goals concealed behind apparent cooperation.

A 'hazardous' means involving or exposing to danger or risk. A 'hazard' is a potential source of danger or harm, so 'hazardous' perfectly describes something that is a likely cause of danger or harm.

'Fail-safe' is the correct answer as this correctly defines the situation.

 The greenhouse effect is associated with the term global warming.