Circle A, B, C, or D that most accurately fits the meaning and check your answers with the key.
1. Taut
A. naughty
B. fast
C. bright
D. tight
2. Churn
A. to stir violently
B. twist and turn
C. to go in circles
D. run around
3. Mesh
A. mess around
B. avoid
C. coordinate
D. appeal
4. Squib
A. a sharp curved nail
B. short news item
C. wide part of a river
D. serious disease
5. Brood
A. to cook something under direct heat
B. to travel by canoe
C. to agree
D. to worry about
6. Grist
A. courage
B. clean copy
C. grain
D. a large fish
7. Thrum
A. to decorate something
B. to support an idea
C. to suddenly see something
D. to play a stringed instrument
8. Rasp
A. harsh sound
B. illegal drug
C. poisonous snake
D. suspicion
9. Bleak
A. plain and simple
B. poor
C. dreary
D. slow
10. Wane
A. to decrease
B. to hide facts
C. to describe an event
D. to delay
11. Quail
A. to run very quickly
B. to lose courage
C. to take a long time
D. to disappear
12. Zeal
A. a large sea animal
B. an official mark
C. fervour
D. hidden plan
13. Bane
A. a group of musicians
B. a sudden loud noise
C. cause of misery
D. sound of a gun
14. Gig
A. performance by a musician
B. repeated laughter
C. spirit of a dead person
D. hot water spring
15. Rime
A. short poem
B. repeated pattern of sounds
C. offering for god
D. frost
16. Fend
A. to carry people in a boat
B. to tighten your muscles
C. to bring dishonour
D. to repel
17. Red-faced
A. embarrassed or ashamed
B. happy
C. honest
D. in bad condition
18. Surly
A. friendly
B. attractive
C. old
D. unfriendly
19. Tunnel
A. glass with a flat bottom
B. funny story
C. very long road
D. passage dug under the ground
20. Quay
A. set of connected events
B. place where boats are tied up
C. tool with a rounded blade
D. someone who rings church bells
Key
1. D
2. A
3. C
4. B
5. D
6. C
7. D
8. A
9. C
10. A
11. B
12. C
13. C
14. A
15. D
16. D
17. A
18. D
19. D
20. B
Rating
05 – 10 Correct: Good
11 – 15 Correct: Excellent
16 – 20 Correct: Exceptional