BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - LAST WEEK I introduced a column called ‘The Power of Words’ and offered an exercise for readership to test their vocabulary. The feedback was encouraging and an individual had requested continuity of the column for at least once per week, to which I acknowledge.
And as promised, we shall continue with a similar exercise comprising the same amount of phrases.
For the purpose of those who may not have seen and read the introductory phase, I shall republish the system used in assessing the level of your vocabulary and you must award yourself one point for each correct answer.
If you score:
0-5 correct choices, your vocabulary is below average;
6-17 correct choices, your vocabulary is average;
18-24 correct choices, your vocabulary is above average;
25-27 correct choices, your vocabulary is excellent; and
28-30 correct choices, your vocabulary is on a superior level.
Here are 30 brief phrases, each containing one underlined word, and it is up to you to check the closest definition of each such word. To keep your score valid, refrain, as far as possible, from wild guessing and do not use a dictionary or assistance from anyone. The key will be found at the end of the test.
Test Of Vocabulary Range
1. A nostalgic feeling: (a) nauseated, (b) homesick, (c) sharp, (d) painful, (e) delighted.
2. Feel antipathy: (a) bashfulness, (b) stage fright, (c) friendliness, (d) hostility, (e) suspense.
3. Be more circumspect: (a) restrained, (b) confident, (c) cautious, (d) honest, (e) intelligent.
4. An intrepid campaigner: (a) fearless, (b) eloquent, (c) popular, (d) experienced, (e) famous.
5. Diaphanous material: (a) strong, (b) sheer and gauzy, (c) colourful, (d) expensive, (e) sleazy.
6. A taciturn host: (a) stingy, (b) generous, (c) disinclined to conversation, (d) charming, (e) gloomy.
7. To malign his friend: (a) accuse, (b) help financially, (c) disbelieve, (d) slander, (e) discard.
8. A congenital deformity: (a) horrible, (b) crippling, (c) slight, (d) incurable, (e) occurring at or during birth.
9. A definite neurosis: (a) plan, (b) emotional maladjustment, (c) mental derangement, (d) feeling of fear, (e) physical reaction.
10. Took an unequivocal stand: (a) indecisive, (b) well-intentioned, (c) unexpected, (d) definite, (e) dangerous.
11. Vicarious enjoyment: (a) complete, (b) unspoiled, (c) occurring from a feeling of identification with another, (d) long-continuing, (e) temporary.
12. Psychogenic ailment: (a) incurable, (b) contagious, (c) caused by the emotions, (d) intestinal, (e) imaginary.
13. An anachronous attitude: (a) unexplainable, (b) religious, (c) belonging to a different time, (d) out-of-place, (e) unusual.
14. His iconoclastic phase: (a) artistic, (b) sneering at tradition, (c) troubled, (d) difficult, (e) religious.
15. A tyro: (a) dominating personality, (b) beginner, (c) accomplished musician, (d) dabbler, (e) serious student.
16. A laconic reply: (a) immediate, (b) assured, (c) terse and meaningful, (d) unintelligible, (e) angry.
17. Semantic confusion: (a) relating to the meaning of words, (b) pertaining to money, (c) having to do with the emotions, (d) relating to mathematics, (e) scientific.
18. Cavalier treatment: (a) courteous, (b) high-handed, (c) negligent, (d) incomplete, (e) expensive.
19. An anomalous situation: (a) dangerous, (b) intriguing, (c) unusual, (d) pleasant, (e) unhappy.
20. Posthumous child: (a) cranky, (b) brilliant beyond his years, (c) physically weak, (d) illegitimate, (e) born after death of his/her father.
21. Feels enervated: (a) full of ambition, (b) full of strength, (c) completed exhausted, (d) troubled, (e) weak.
22. Shows true perspicacity: (a) sincerity, (b) mental keenness, (c) love, (d) faithfulness, (e) longing.
23. A sycophantic attitude: (a) sneering, (b) unbelieving, (c) bootlicking, (d) surprising, (e) contemptible.
24. Gregarious person: (a) calm, (b) company-loving, (c) untrustworthy, (d) vicious, (e) self-sacrificing.
25. Sufficiently phlegmatic: (a) satisfied, (b) annoyed, (c) high-strung, (d) emotionally calm, (e) irritating.
26. Consummate scoundrel: (a) repentant, (b) punished, (c) perfect, (d) vicious, (e) unreformable.
27. An egregious blunder: (a) outstandingly bad, (b) slight, (c) irreparable, (d) unnecessary, (e) humorous.
28. Cacophony of the city: (a) political administration, (b) crowded living conditions, (c) cultural advantages, (d) harsh sounds, (e) foul odors.
29. A prurient adolescent: (a) tall and gangling, (b) sexually longing, (c) clumsy and awkward, (d) pimply faced, (e) soft-spoken.
30. Uxorious husband: (a) henpecked, (b) suspicious, (c) guilty of infidelity, (d) fondly and foolishly doting his wife, (e) lovesick.
KEY: 1-b, 2-d, 3-c, 4-a, 5-b, 6-c, 7d, 8-e, 9-b, 10-d, 11-c, 12-c, 13-c, 14-b, 15-b, 16-c, 17-a, 18-b, 19-c, 20-e, 21-c, 22-b, 23-c, 24-b, 25-d, 26-c, 27-a, 28-d, 29-b, 30-d.
Good luck in your self-assessment.
