communication Online Quiz - 144

'Buxom' originally meant obedient or compliant in Old English, but its modern meaning is plump, full-figured, or well-endowed (typically referring to a woman's figure). The opposite would be 'lean' or slender. The slang terms in A, B, and C are crude synonyms, not antonyms.

To solve this question, the user needs to know the correct subject-verb agreement. The sentence has a subject "Two-fifths of the troops" that requires a verb that agrees with it in number.

Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they use the singular verb form "was" or "has", which does not agree in number with the plural subject "Two-fifths of the troops."

Option B is correct because it uses the plural verb form "were," which agrees in number with the plural subject "Two-fifths of the troops."

Therefore, the answer is: B) were.

Gumptious means having gumption, characterized by initiative, resourcefulness, and drive, which matches the description of a go-getter.

Jaggy means having a jagged, sharp, or toothed edge. Out of the choices, toothed captures this descriptive quality best.

Panoramic refers to an unbroken view of a whole region surrounding an observer, giving it a broad scope. Thus, broad is the correct conceptual match.

Scuttle means to deliberately sink a ship, specifically by making holes in its hull or opening its sea-cock valves. This can be done to prevent capture by an enemy, to dispose of a vessel, or as an act of sabotage. The term specifically refers to this intentional sinking action, not general piercing or hollowness.

Incite means to rouse, stir up, or encourage someone to take a particular action, often one that is violent or disruptive. It involves prompting or motivating someone toward action. The other options are unrelated - bedlam is chaos, armada is a fleet of ships, and benefit is an advantage.

Ruminate literally means to chew cud - bringing up food from the stomach and chewing it again (as cows do). Figuratively, it means to think deeply about something by going over it repeatedly in one's mind. The word comes from Latin rumina meaning throat. This matches the definition perfectly.

Contemptible means deserving to be despised, scorned, or viewed with contempt - it describes something or someone that is fundamentally unworthy or objectionable. Despicable is a perfect synonym, meaning exactly the same thing - deserving of intense dislike or strong condemnation.

Provident describes someone who looks ahead and prepares for future needs or potential problems, like saving money for emergencies or planning ahead. The word comes from the Latin 'providere' meaning 'to foresee.' Wretched means miserable, harsh means severe, and expect means to anticipate, but none capture the preparatory aspect of provident.

Brusque refers to behavior or speech that is abrupt, rough, or blunt in manner - it's about style of delivery, not content. While harsh, unparliamentary, and indecent can describe rude speech, brusque specifically captures the 'abrupt and rough in manner' quality without necessarily being offensive or inappropriate.

Athwart means 'from side to side' or 'across,' often describing something positioned or moving crosswise. It's the precise term for this directional concept. Adjacent means neighboring, leeward refers to shelter from wind, and somnolent means sleepy - none relate to lateral movement.

Rife means abundant, widespread, or plentiful - especially when describing something negative or undesirable (like 'rumors were rife'). Infirmity means weakness, palinode is a retraction, and incomparable means unmatched - none convey abundance.

Apogee specifically means the highest or most distant point, often used in astronomy for a moon's orbit or metaphorically for the climax of something. While peak can mean a high point, apogee more precisely captures 'highest or most distant point.' Geniality is warmth/friendliness and rondo is musical form.

A litigant is a party to a lawsuit - someone engaged in litigation. Conspirator is part of a secret plot, symphonic relates to orchestras, and diffidence means shyness. Only litigant directly relates to lawsuits.

Monition means a friendly warning or admonition - counsel that implies caution or mild reproof. Colloquy is a conversation, credence means belief, and abyss is a deep chasm. Only monition captures 'warning counsel' with friendly/cautionary tone.

To cull means to pick out selectively, often to reject or remove from a group (like 'cull the herd'). Prolong means extend, personable means friendly, and guileless means sincere. Only cull captures both 'pick out' and 'reject' meanings.

List means to tilt or lean to one side (like a ship listing). Bawdy means indecent, evoke means bring forth, and poseur is someone pretending. Only list describes the tilting/leaning action.