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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

English Vocabulary Quiz: Prove Your Word Power

Think you've got the vocab? Take the free quiz and find out!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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This English vocabulary quiz helps you build word skills, learn new terms, and spot gaps before an exam. You'll answer short questions, see clear feedback, and watch your score rise as you go; if you want a warm-up, try the quick practice first.

What does 'ephemeral' mean?
Extremely old or outdated
Capable of lasting forever
Easy to identify or see
Lasting for a very short time
The word 'ephemeral' refers to something that lasts for a very short period and then disappears. It highlights the temporary nature of events or experiences, such as a fleeting moment. This term is often used in literature to emphasize brevity and fleeting beauty.
'Banal' most nearly means:
Dull or boring because of overuse
Highly imaginative and creative
Extremely vibrant or vivid
Secretive or mysterious
'Banal' describes something that is lacking originality and freshness, often due to overuse. Banal remarks or ideas feel clichéd and predictable. Writers often avoid banal phrases to keep their work engaging.
Which word means 'extremely bright or intense'?
Obscure
Vivid
Taciturn
Mundane
'Vivid' is used to describe something that is strikingly bright or intense, such as vivid colors or vivid imagination. It conveys a sense of clarity and strong detail. Authors use vivid descriptions to make scenes more memorable.
'Serene' best describes someone who is:
Overly talkative
Calm and peaceful
Agitated and restless
Untrustworthy and deceitful
'Serene' refers to a state of calmness and tranquility, free from disturbance. It can describe environments, expressions, or moods. A serene lake, for example, reflects peaceful stillness.
'Obsolete' means:
No longer in use
Extremely popular
Very mysterious
Highly valued
'Obsolete' describes something that has fallen out of use or become outdated, often due to advancements or changes. It can refer to technology, language, or customs. Obsolete items are typically replaced by more modern alternatives.
'Candid' most nearly means:
Honest and straightforward
Overly dramatic
Quiet and reserved
Full of energy
Someone who is 'candid' speaks openly and truthfully, without hiding their thoughts. It suggests a refreshing frankness. Journalists often seek candid interviews for genuine responses.
If someone is 'reluctant', they are:
Unwilling or hesitant
Extremely eager
Very angry
Overly confident
'Reluctant' describes a person who shows hesitation or unwillingness to do something. This hesitation can stem from doubt or fear. Writers use it to show internal conflict.
'Scarce' refers to something that is:
Very old
Extremely valuable
Easily found
In short supply
When something is 'scarce', it is not plentiful and is hard to find. Scarcity often drives up value due to limited availability. Economists study scarce resources to understand supply and demand.
'Adequate' means:
Irrelevant to the task
Completely insufficient
Far exceeding expectations
Enough to meet a need
'Adequate' indicates that something is sufficient or acceptable for a particular purpose. It meets the required standard without being exceptional. It's often used in performance reviews.
'Abrupt' most nearly means:
Deeply considered
Sudden and unexpected
Very slow and steady
Highly enjoyable
'Abrupt' describes an action or change that occurs quickly and without warning. It can refer to speech, movements, or events. Abrupt shifts can be startling.
A 'diligent' person is:
Overly talkative
Lazy and careless
Hardworking and attentive
Short-tempered
'Diligent' refers to someone who takes care and effort in their work. Diligent individuals are thorough and persistent. This trait is valued in academic and professional settings.
'Frugal' most nearly means:
Careful with money or resources
Quick to forgive
Extremely shy
Very generous
'Frugal' describes someone who uses resources sparingly and avoids waste. It highlights careful spending habits. Frugal practices are often environmentally friendly.
Something described as 'hasty' is:
Extremely patient
Highly organized
Done too quickly without care
Meticulously planned
'Hasty' refers to actions taken too quickly without sufficient thought. Hasty decisions can lead to mistakes. Writers warn against hasty conclusions.
'Robust' means:
Overly complicated
Extremely timid
Very fragile
Strong and healthy
'Robust' describes something that is sturdy, strong, and able to withstand stress. It can refer to physical health, systems, or flavors. A robust design resists failure.
'Subtle' most nearly means:
Delicate or not obvious
Extremely large
Highly detailed
Loud and obvious
'Subtle' refers to something that is not immediately obvious and may require careful observation. It often describes nuances of meaning or slight changes. Subtle hints can be easily overlooked.
An activity that is 'tedious' is:
Quick and efficient
Unusual and strange
Boring and repetitive
Exciting and fun
'Tedious' describes something that is long, slow, or dull and can cause boredom. It often involves repetitive tasks. People look for ways to avoid tedious chores.
What does the term 'lexicon' refer to?
A short poem
A philosophical argument
An ancient manuscript
A dictionary or vocabulary list
'Lexicon' refers to the vocabulary of a language or subject, often compiled as a dictionary. Linguists study lexicons to understand language usage. The term can also apply to specialized jargon.
Someone described as 'pragmatic' is:
Overly theoretical
Highly artistic
Focused on practical results
Driven by emotion alone
'Pragmatic' refers to dealing with problems in a practical, sensible way rather than relying on theory. Pragmatic solutions are grounded in real-world conditions. Business leaders often adopt a pragmatic approach.
If someone is 'aloof', they are:
Quick to anger
Emotionally distant
Very talkative
Extremely friendly
'Aloof' describes someone who is withdrawn or detached, often by choice. It suggests emotional distance or unresponsiveness. Authors use aloof characters to highlight solitude.
'Ambiguous' most nearly means:
Extremely rare
Deeply moving
Open to more than one interpretation
Very clear and precise
'Ambiguous' describes language or situations that can be understood in different ways. It indicates uncertainty or lack of clarity. Good writers avoid ambiguity when precision is needed.
To 'advocate' means to:
Avoid or ignore
Confuse or mislead
Support or argue for
Criticize harshly
As a verb, 'advocate' means to speak or write in favor of something. Advocates promote ideas or policies they believe in. Lawyers often advocate on behalf of clients.
To 'discern' is to:
Speak loudly
Act without thinking
Forget easily
Perceive or recognize
'Discern' means to detect or distinguish something that is not immediately obvious. It involves careful observation or insight. Critics discern subtle themes in literature.
To 'embellish' means to:
Remove unnecessary parts
Add decorative details
Criticize strongly
Hide completely
'Embellish' means to make something more attractive by adding decorative details or features. It can also refer to exaggerating a story. Storytellers embellish to make narratives more engaging.
To 'mitigate' means to:
Ignore intentionally
Increase intensity
Completely prevent
Make less severe
'Mitigate' means to lessen the severity or impact of something. It is often used in contexts like risk management. Measures to mitigate damage focus on reduction rather than elimination.
Something 'elusive' is:
Very easy to understand
Clearly visible
Difficult to catch or define
Extremely common
'Elusive' describes things that are hard to catch, grasp, or remember. It can refer to abstract concepts or physical objects. Elusive solutions require creative thinking.
A 'naive' person is:
Lacking experience or judgment
Extremely sophisticated
Overly aggressive
Highly skeptical
'Naive' describes someone who is inexperienced or shows a lack of worldly knowledge. It implies innocence or gullibility. Writers use naive narrators to reveal truths.
'Credible' means:
Very confusing
Believable or trustworthy
Highly entertaining
Almost impossible
'Credible' refers to something or someone capable of being believed. It is a key quality in sources and testimony. Researchers seek credible evidence to support claims.
Something 'evident' is:
Deeply hidden
Highly unusual
Clearly seen or understood
Nearly impossible
'Evident' describes something obvious or easily perceived. It indicates clarity and lack of doubt. Clear evidence makes a conclusion evident.
To 'fabricate' means to:
Observe carefully
Invent or forge
Agree completely
Break into pieces
'Fabricate' means to make up something false or to construct by assembling parts. It often refers to lies or manufactured objects. Fact-checkers look for fabrications in reports.
'Plausible' most nearly means:
Seemingly reasonable or likely
Extremely emotional
Completely unbelievable
Highly detailed
'Plausible' describes an explanation or argument that appears probable and worthy of belief. It does not guarantee truth but indicates it could be true. Critics assess whether a plot twist is plausible.
Incessant means:
Very rare
Occurring once
Extremely loud
Never stopping
'Incessant' refers to something continuing without interruption. It can describe noise, rain, or activity. Incessant behavior can become tiresome.
If something is 'mandatory', it is:
Rarely used
Required or obligatory
Highly recommended
Optional and flexible
'Mandatory' means that something is required and not optional. It is often used in legal and official contexts. Mandates carry consequences if not followed.
A 'taciturn' person is generally:
Extremely emotional
Reserved or uncommunicative
Always joking
Very talkative
'Taciturn' describes someone who is habitually silent or quiet, tending not to speak. It often conveys a stern or serious demeanor. Writers use taciturn characters to add mystery.
Which describes someone who is 'obsequious'?
Bold and daring
Gently mocking
Harshly critical
Excessively eager to please
'Obsequious' refers to a person who is overly submissive or eager to obey, often for personal gain. It carries a negative connotation of insincerity. Such behavior is viewed as servile.
'Esoteric' most nearly means:
Common and widespread
Easy to learn
Highly entertaining
Understood by a select few
'Esoteric' describes knowledge or practices intended for or understood by a small, specialized group. It often implies exclusivity. Scholars study esoteric texts.
'Perfidious' most nearly means:
Excessively cautious
Deeply respectful
Faithless or treacherous
Remarkably brave
'Perfidious' describes someone who is deceitful and betrays trust. It conveys an extreme breach of loyalty. History texts often label traitors as perfidious.
A 'reclusive' individual tends to:
Act without thinking
Join social clubs
Withdraw from society
Seek public attention
'Reclusive' refers to a person who avoids the company of others and lives in solitude. It highlights a deliberate choice to isolate. Famous authors sometimes become reclusive.
Something described as 'ubiquitous' is:
Suddenly appearing
Extremely rare
Very small
Found everywhere
'Ubiquitous' means present, appearing, or found everywhere. It is often used to describe trends or technologies. Smartphones are now ubiquitous.
A 'magnanimous' person is:
Quick to anger
Extremely shy
Generous and forgiving
Overly critical
'Magnanimous' describes someone who is generous in forgiving an insult or injury. It suggests a noble and big-hearted attitude. Leaders are praised for magnanimous gestures.
'Apocryphal' most nearly means:
Highly respected
Of doubtful authenticity
Very ancient
Extremely accurate
'Apocryphal' describes stories or statements of doubtful origin or authenticity. They are often widely circulated as true. Scholars question apocryphal accounts.
'Deleterious' refers to something that is:
Harmful or damaging
Extremely beneficial
Mildly amusing
Deeply confusing
'Deleterious' describes something that causes harm or damage. It is often used in medical or environmental contexts. Deleterious effects warrant caution.
Someone who is 'fastidious' is:
Careless and sloppy
Easily satisfied
Very attentive to detail
Highly emotional
'Fastidious' describes a person who pays great attention to detail and is hard to please. It can imply perfectionism. Chefs are often fastidious about cleanliness.
'Nefarious' most nearly means:
Extremely wicked
Highly intelligent
Very generous
Deeply religious
'Nefarious' describes actions or persons that are villainous or wicked. It highlights moral depravity. Crime stories often feature nefarious villains.
An 'ostentatious' display is:
Showy and intended to attract attention
Strictly functional
Deeply meaningful
Quiet and unobtrusive
'Ostentatious' refers to actions or displays meant to impress others by showing off wealth or importance. It often carries negative connotations. Fashion critics may disdain ostentatious trends.
A 'petulant' person is:
Extremely patient
Very enthusiastic
Easily irritated or annoyed
Deeply generous
'Petulant' describes someone who is childishly sulky or bad-tempered. It implies impatience with trivial matters. Characters in novels may become petulant when ignored.
'Quixotic' most nearly means:
Idealistic but impractical
Very realistic
Extremely aggressive
Deeply sorrowful
'Quixotic' refers to pursuits that are romantic, idealistic, and unrealistic. It originates from Don Quixote's impractical adventures. The term warns against chasing impossible dreams.
A 'parsimonious' person is:
Excessively unwilling to spend
Very generous
Deeply thoughtful
Highly enthusiastic
'Parsimonious' describes someone who is extremely frugal and reluctant to spend money. It suggests stinginess. Economists use the term to describe tight budget policies.
A 'cursory' review is:
Thorough and detailed
Very expensive
Quick and superficial
Lengthy and tedious
'Cursory' describes an activity done rapidly and with little attention to detail. It often leads to oversights. Readers avoid cursory readings for comprehensive understanding.
An 'intransigent' person is:
Quick to forgive
Unwilling to compromise
Deeply empathetic
Easily swayed
'Intransigent' describes someone who stubbornly refuses to change their views or agree. It implies an uncompromising attitude. Political negotiations often stall due to intransigent positions.
'Circumlocution' refers to:
A brief and direct statement
An indirect way of expressing something
A passionate speech
A formal apology
'Circumlocution' is the use of many words to express an idea that could be stated more directly. It often results in verbose language. Writers sometimes avoid circumlocution for clarity.
Someone who is 'obstreperous' is:
Deeply sorrowful
Highly imaginative
Extremely polite
Noisily defiant or unruly
'Obstreperous' describes a person who is loudly resistant to control or discipline. It suggests unruly behavior. Parents may find obstreperous children challenging.
A 'proclivity' is a:
State of confusion
Natural inclination or tendency
Definite refusal
Sudden burst of anger
'Proclivity' refers to a predisposition or natural tendency toward something. It can be positive or negative. Psychologists study proclivities to understand behavior patterns.
'Pellucid' most nearly means:
Clear and easy to understand
Very complicated
Extremely dark
Highly reflective
'Pellucid' describes something that is transparently clear in style or meaning. It often refers to writing or water clarity. A pellucid explanation leaves no room for confusion.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Assess Vocabulary Mastery -

    Gauge your command of essential English words by completing our engaging English vocabulary quiz. Use immediate feedback to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement.

  2. Identify Synonyms and Antonyms -

    Recognize related word pairs to solidify your understanding of nuanced meanings. Reinforce connections between terms for more precise usage.

  3. Expand Word Knowledge -

    Learn new vocabulary by exploring definitions and example sentences provided in this vocabulary test online. Incorporate fresh terms into your lexicon for improved communication.

  4. Apply Vocabulary in Context -

    Practice using words in realistic sentences to boost retention and fluency, just like in a dynamic English vocab test. Strengthen your ability to select accurate terms in written and spoken English.

  5. Evaluate Progress and Confidence -

    Track your quiz score to monitor improvement over time. Build confidence in your language skills as you take on this fun, free vocab challenge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Word Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes -

    Understanding Latin and Greek roots helps decode unfamiliar words - e.g., "bene" means "good," as seen in "benefactor." According to Oxford University Press, learning common affixes can boost retention by up to 40%. Try the mnemonic "pre = before, post = after" to swiftly analyze new terms.

  2. Leverage Context-Clue Techniques -

    Context clues - such as synonyms, antonyms, and example hints - allow you to infer meanings in sentences like "The arboreal habitat, or tree-dwelling environment, supports many species." The University of Texas at Austin's reading center highlights that practice with context clues raises comprehension by 25%. Challenge yourself with a free vocab challenge sentence drill daily.

  3. Build Synonym-Antonym Networks -

    Grouping words into synonym and antonym pairs sharpens nuance - e.g., pair "elated" with "exuberant" and contrast with "dejected." Cambridge University Press recommends mapping five synonyms and antonyms per new word to deepen recall. Use a vocabulary test online to track your growing word web.

  4. Apply Spaced Repetition & Flashcards -

    Research in the Journal of Educational Psychology shows spaced repetition boosts long-term memory. Tools like Anki or Quizlet schedule reviews (1 day, 3 days, 7 days) for each new word. Incorporate your English vocabulary quiz scores into flashcards to reinforce your weaker areas.

  5. Engage with Active Quiz Practice -

    Regularly taking an English vocabulary quiz or vocab quiz app turns passive reading into active learning. The British Council reports that short, daily quizzes improve retention by 20% over passive study. Jump into a free vocab challenge after each study session to solidify your mastery and track progress instantly.

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