General U.S. English Vocabulary MCQs

1. adj. Narrow-minded; parochial. Choose the word that best corresponds with the meaning given below.

2. We expected the waiter to show us out of that snooty restaurant in a hurry, but he turned out to be quite jolly and __________.

3. A mass or crowd; multitude. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.

4. To issue a vehement verbal attack; to denounce explosively. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.

5. Who has the power to _________ out justice to the citizens of this country?

6. n. Local or provincial dialect. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.

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

8. The despot’s MINIONS were only too eager to tout his edicts and report any unrest among his subjects.

9. To impose with authority; urge strongly. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.

10. That grueling competition really tested the _____________ of the gymnastics team.

11. We all remarked on how well the spray of begonias _____________ her hair color.

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

13. Marilyn conveyed a BLITHE indifference to the troubles that mounted around her.

14. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym of the word below. NONCHALANT

15. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. n. Flair; style; a flamboyant manner

16. The only ________________ difference between the twins is the shape of their noses.

17. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. INORDINATE

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

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

20. The exchange student was disheartened by the rather BRUSQUE welcome she received from her host family.

21. The mysterious message Claude received could be a HARBINGER of what’s in store for him and his family.

22. We fully expect Elizabeth to FOIST her work on us and disappear for the weekend as usual.

23. The crafty spy gave a ____________ name to the hotel clerk.

24. Sally was greatly __________ when I said I didn't like redheads.

25. The coach was absolutely disgusted by his team’s INDOLENCE and nasty attitude.

26. I can _________ all the terms of the apartment lease _________ the one about not allowing pets.

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

28. She entered the ballroom on the arm of a DEBONAIR young man.

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

30. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. MITIGATE

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

32. We expected the waiter to show us out of that snooty restaurant in a hurry, but he turned out to be quite jolly and __________.

33. 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.

34. 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

35. Now that the festivities have ended, perhaps we can return to some SEMBLANCE of normality.

36. n. Capacity for producing a desired result; effectiveness. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.

37. The workers were allowed to ___________ down once they’d ________ the brick, but the foreman himself has not yet ___________ down.

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

39. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Hardhearted; unmoved by pity

40. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Narrow-minded; limited in scope

41. The community theater troupe faced one problem after another, so it was no surprise that their season ended in a DEBACLE.

42. Running around barefoot in the snow will only EXACERBATE your flu symptoms.

43. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. REFUTE

44. She hastened to _________ me that she intends to pay the bill, and that she will _________ that the check is mailed today.

45. This experiment was designed to ___________ certain behaviors from the test subjects.

46. The soldier’s EXEMPLARY conduct did not go unnoticed by his sergeant.

47. If you insist on eating more cotton candy _________ a kid at a carnival, __________ don’t come crying to me when you’ve gained a few pounds!

48. Dan was a nice guy, but he was far too GARRULOUS and tended to monopolize people at parties.

49. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. LASSITUDE

50. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. ADVERSE

51. Poverty is RIFE in the rural areas of our county, where one in three families receives some state assistance.

52. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Sluggish; apathetic; dull

53. It would BEHOOVE you to show a little more respect to the judge and jury who are deciding your case.

54. Alec has always been CONTEMPTUOUS of his fellow writers.

55. The plots of all her novels just seem to MEANDER along, to the point where I can’t follow the storyline or figure out who’s who.

56. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. RILE

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

58. Rachel knew that she'd soon be living in ___________ circumstances unless she got her financial problems ____________ out immediately.

59. 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.

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

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

62. The recent shenanigans in the town square went against all PRECEPTS of decency.

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

64. It’s a good thing you’re so _________ at paperwork, because you’ll need to fill out hundreds of forms to __________ a child.

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

66. The journalist denied that he had any PRURIENT interest in the politician’s private life, but his titillating articles seemed to indicate otherwise.

67. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. ITINERANT

68. Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below. Although _________ wanted to keep the boat all to _________, I knew it would be used extensively by both Susan and _________.

69. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Easily provoked to anger; irritable

70. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence. It seems we’ve reached an IMPASSE in our negotiations.

71. Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below. The proposed after-school tutoring program promises _______________ benefits to the students and the community.

72. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. adj. Tending to create ill will or give offense

73. Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below. n. The act or fact of lessening; reduction

74. 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.

75. 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

76. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence. Roger might be more AMENABLE to your ideas if you presented them without sneering.

77. Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below. Though he didn't win the advertising account, Sal made a __________ presentation that he can be proud of.

78. 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.

79. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. PRETENTIOUS

80. 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.

81. Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below. She launched her new line of handbags _________ a fanfare of publicity.

82. Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below. Her MELLIFLUOUS voice is perfectly suited to lullabies and never fails to put us all to sleep.

83. At _____, children's vocabularies consist of more than three but less than fifty words.