Circle A, B, C or D that most accurately fits the meaning and check your answers with the key.
1. Hydra
A. many-headed monster
B. fountain in Greece
C. large boat
D. colourless gas
2. Sisyphean
A. shiny
B. laborious and futile
C. not sensible
D. having an important effect
3. Verbatim
A. having many different uses
B. spoken rather than written
C. word for word
D. containing unnecessary
4. Pince-nez
A. part of a garden
B. liquid put on a surface
C. illegal action
D. type of eyeglasses
5. Prosaic
A. dull
B. extremely offended
C. bad-tempered
D. having matter hair
6. Deduce
A. wait
B. infer
C. argue
D. judge
7. Forestall
A. support
B. offend
C. hinder
D. relieve
8. Sluice
A. comfort
B. soldier who enters acountry by force
C. passage of water
D. type of cow
9. Tremulous
A. angry
B. serious-minded
C. enjoyable
D. affected with trembling
10. Buttress
A. Strengthen
B. keep complaining
C. fasten something to something else
D. to treat someone unfairly
11. Crystalline
A. feeling sorry
B. sparkling
C. relating to punishing criminals
D. drawn using pastels
12. Subside
A. to stick something to something else
B. to obey
C. to sink or fall
D. read something carefully
13. Aberration
A. liquid obtained from petroleum
B. long wooden seat
C. expensive apartment
D. unsoundness
14. Proficiency
A. advancement in skill
B. book with stiff paper cover
C. combination of two words
D. honesty
15. Cower
A. to intimidate
B. to shrink away
C. manipulate through flattery
D. call out to
16. Erratic
A. by design
B. in sequence
C. characterised by inconsistency
D. irrelevant
17. Motto
A. catch-phrase
B. method of operation
C. contractual agreement
D. half-share
18. Decant
A. to mislead
B. to censor
C. transfer
D. to purify
19. Approbation
A. punishment
B. understanding
C. mischief
D. approval
20. Emaciated
A. thin
B. fat
C. hard-hearted
D. uncomfortable
*****
Key
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. A
6. B
7. C
8. C
9. D
10. A
11. B
12. C
13. D
14. A
15. B
16. C
17. A
18. C
19. D
20. A
*****
Ratings
10 – 14 Correct: Good
15 – 17 Correct: Excellent
18 – 20 Correct: Exceptional