Vocabulary and Synonyms

A 'whetstone' is a stone used to sharpen stones and metals. It also means 'stimulant'. Hence, this is the right answer choice.

'Petulant' means ill-natured or irritable. Hence, this is the right answer choice.

'Kitsch' refers to art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or camp way. It characterizes low-quality, mass-produced artifacts designed to appeal to popular taste. Option C is correct.

Rendezvous is a French term meaning 'meeting' or 'appointment.' A 'tryst' specifically refers to a secret meeting, typically between lovers, which is the most precise synonym among the options. The word implies an arranged meeting at a specific time and place.

Gauche is a French word meaning 'awkward' or 'lacking social grace.' It describes someone who is clumsy in social situations, unsophisticated, or tactless. Option B 'clumsy' is the most appropriate synonym, capturing both physical awkwardness and social ineptitude.

Agent provocateur is a French term meaning 'provocative agent.' It refers to someone employed to incite others to illegal actions, typically undercover police or informers who encourage groups to break the law so they can be arrested. Option B 'professional agitator' best captures this role of deliberately provoking trouble.

Nom de plume is a French phrase meaning 'pen name' or pseudonym used by writers instead of their real name. It literally translates to 'name of the pen/feather.' Option C 'pen name' is the correct definition, distinguishing it from fruit names (A), family names (B), or stationery items (D).

 Bete noir is French for a person disliked. 

À la carte is a French culinary term meaning 'according to the menu' or 'by the menu'. It refers to ordering individual dishes separately rather than choosing a fixed-price meal with preset courses. Option A correctly captures this meaning.

Lingua franca is a bridge language used between people who share no native language. It's a common tongue that enables communication across different linguistic groups. Option B correctly identifies this as 'common language'.

While 'resume' in English means a professional summary, the French 'résumé' (with acute accents) means 'summing up' or 'summary'. This question tests the original French meaning, not the English usage. Option D correctly identifies the French meaning.

Nouveau riche is a French term literally meaning 'newly rich'. It refers to people who have acquired wealth recently but may lack the cultural refinement associated with established wealthy families. Option A correctly identifies this meaning.

Avant-garde is a French term literally meaning 'advance guard' or 'vanguard'. In art and culture, it refers to innovative, experimental, or radically new ideas that push boundaries and challenge conventions. Option C correctly identifies this meaning.

Kowtow is a Chinese term referring to the act of deep respect shown by kneeling and bowing to touch one's forehead to the ground. In figurative usage, it means showing servility or excessive deference. Option A correctly identifies this as 'servility'.