oDesk English Vocabulary test 2013

1. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below.
-Itinerant

A. permanent
B. flexible
C. transient
D. dissatisfied
Ans: C

2. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
This experiment was designed to _____ certain behaviors from the test subjects.
a. illicit
b. elicit
Ans: b 

3. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

adj. Tending to create ill will or give offense 

a. labyrinthine 

b. invidious 

c. titillating 

d. envious 

Ans: b 

4. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

n. Capacity for producing a desired result; effectiveness 

a. contumacy 

b. defenestration 

c. conversion 

d. efficacy 

Ans: d

5. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. 

Lassitude 

a. simplicity of speech 

b. leniency 

c. philanthropy 

d. vigor 

Ans: d 

6. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. 

The coach was absolutely by his team's INDOLENCE and nasty attitude. 

a. violent behavior 

b. odorousness 

c. laziness 

d. disappearance 

Ans: c 

7. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. 

Her MELLIFLUOUS voice is perfectly suited to lullabies and never fails to put us all to sleep. 

a. smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding 

b. dull; tiresome 

c. cacophonous 

Ans: a

8. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. 

She always got a VICARIOUS thrill from watching her father skydive. 

a. empathetic 

b. dangerous 

c. pathetic 

d. sickening 

Ans: a

9. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below. 

The crafty spy gave a _____ name to the hotel clerk. 

a. fictive 

b. fictional 

c. fictitious 

Ans: a 

10. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

adj. Understood by or intended for only a select few or a particular group. 

a. esoteric 

b. eccentric 

c. narcissistic 

d. languid 

Ans: a

11. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

n. A position that entails little work but provides a salary. 

a. quiescence 

b. theocracy 

c. swindle 

d. sinecure 

Ans: d

12. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

adj. Sluggish; apathetic; dull 

a. turbid 

b. torpid 

c. turgid 

d. tepid 

Ans: d

13. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below. 

Mr. Winkle was dismayed to discover that his willful young wife _____ her wealth and _____ the law at every opportunity. 

a. flouted/flouted 

b. flouted/flaunted 

c. flaunted/flouted 

d. flaunted/flaunted 

Ans: c 

14. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. 

Refute 

a. expose 

b. support 

c. garbage 

d. safe place 

Ans: b

15. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below. 

I screamed as the monstrous presence snaked toward me on the dark and _____ path. 

a. tortious 

b. tortuous 

c. torturous 

Ans: b

16. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

adj. Easily provoked to anger; irritable 

a. sapid 

b. irascible 

c. jocund 

d. incorrigible 

Ans: b

17. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. 

The WIZENED old woman gave Jack a handful of beans and some good advice. 

a. sage 

b. shriveled 

c. creepy 

d. jocular 

Ans: b

18. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

adj. Similar to something else in certain respects, as in form, function, or meaning 

a. abject 

b. agrarian 

c. analogous 

d. amalgam 

Ans: c

19. Question:  Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letters as it is used in the sentence below. 

These artists really IMBUE their work with a spirit of profound freedom. 

a. spoil 

b. detract from; debase 

c. fill or permeate with a particular feeling or quality 

Ans: c

20. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below. 

Our lawyers have informed us that while the new tax laws will not _____ our business directly, they may have an adverse _____ on the spending power of our customers. 

a. effect/affect 

b. affect/affect 

c. effect/effect 

d. affect/effect 

Ans: d

21. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below. 

The company is _____ committed to developing educational television programs for children. 

a. holey 

b. holy 

c. wholly 

Ans: c

22. Question:  Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letters as it is used in the sentence below. 

The diplomats, who have been accused of DUPLICITY by their respective countries, have been removed from their posts. 

a. bad taste 

b. deceitfulness; double-dealing 

c. embezzlement 

Ans: b

23. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below. 

Oscar, who did not possess a discerning _____, preferred hotdogs to steak. 

a. palette 

b. pallet 

c. palate 

Ans: c

24. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below. 

The workers were allowed to _____ down once they'd _____ the brick, but the foreman himself has not yet _____ down. 

a. lay/lain/laid 

b. lie/laid/lain 

c. lie/lain/lain 

d. lay/laid/laid 

Ans: d

25. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below. 

That grueling competition really tested the _____ of the gymnastics team. 

a. meddle 

b. metal 

c. medal 

d. mettle 

Ans: d

26. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

adj. Narrow-minded; limited in scope 

a. hermetic 

b. foreseeable 

c. sporadic 

d. sectarian 

Ans: d

27. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. 

Inordinate 

a. reasonable 

b. on a waiting list 

c. unprepared 

d. immense 

Ans: a

28. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

v. To issue a vehement verbal attack; to denounce explosively 

a. vituperative 

b. litigant 

c. fulminate 

d. exhume 

Ans: c

29. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

v. To impose with authority; urge strongly 

a. enjoin 

b. prevalent 

c. dissonance 

d. relegate 

Ans: a

30. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below. 

I can _____ all the terms of the apartment lease ______ the one about not allowing pets. 

a. except/accept 

b. except/except 

c. accept/accept 

d. accept/except 

Ans: d

31. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of homophones from the options below. 

The _____ poet, knowing his death was _____, struggled to finish his final ode. 

a. imminent/eminent 

b. eminent/immanent 

c. immanent/imminent 

d. eminent/imminent 

Ans: d

32. Question:  Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. 

adj. Hardhearted; unmoved by pity 

a. apologetic 

b. parsimonious 

c. obdurate 

d. abdicated 

Ans: c

33. Question:  Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letter as it is used in the sentence below. 

The publicist was surprised by the INUNDATION of fan letters for her top client. 

a. deluge 

b. dearth 

c. hindrance 

Ans: a

34. Question:  Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letters as it is used in the sentence below. 

Alicia, who loved both men equally and wanted to hurt neither, found herself in quite a QUANDARY over which one she should choose. 

a. happy circumstance 

b. puzzling predicament 

c. easy decision 

Ans: b

35. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. 

Agatha RUMINATED for weeks about the consequences of telling Arthur about the affair. 

a. pondered 

b. worried 

c. neglected 

d. laughed 

Ans: a

36. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. 

Pretentious 

a. modest 

b. understanding 

c. uneasy 

d. pleasant 

Ans: a

37. Question:  Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in Capital Letters as it is used in the sentence below. 

Maude managed to sweep up the broken dishes without a word of REPROOF to her children. 

a. expression of disapproval or blame 

b. expression of affection or love 

c. expression of apology or regret 

Ans: a

38. Question:  Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in Capital Letters in the following sentence. 

His son's group of friends had a DELETERIOUS effect on his schoolwork. 

a. influential 

b. positive 

c. hysterical 

d. harmful 

Ans: d

39. Question:  Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of homophones from the options below. 

The skillful candidate's _____ speech was delightful to listen to, but failed to explain how he would achieve the ______ goals of peace and prosperity. 

a. illusive/elusive 

b. allusive/elusive 

c. elusive/allusive 

d. allusive/illusive 

Ans: a