oDesk English Vocabulary Test (u.s. version) Answers 2012

1. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below.
MITIGATE
c. Intensify

2. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
v. To impose with authority; urge strongly
 a. Enjoin

3. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
v. To issue a vehement verbal attack; to denounce explosively
c. Fulminate

4. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
It's a good thing you're so________ at paperwork, because you'll need to fill out hundreds of forms to________ a child.
c. adapt/adopt

5.Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. Flair; style; a flamboyant manner
c. Resonance

6. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The mysterious message Claude received could be a HARBINGER of what's in store for him and his family.
b. Omen; forerunner



7.Question: 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.
 b. Willing to accept

8.Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
The coach was absolutely disgusted by his team's INDOLENCE and nasty attitude. wizened
 c. Laziness

9.Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below.
REFUTE
b. Support

10.Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. deleterious
INORDINATE
a. Reasonable

11. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
Oscar, who did not possess a discerning_________ , preferred hot dogs to steak.
b. pallet

12. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The journalist denied that he had any PRURIENT interest in the politician's private life, but his titillating articles seemed to indicate otherwise.
 b. Overly curious about the sexual behavior of others

 13.Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
adj. Tending to create ill will or give offense
 b. Invidious

14. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
I can_________ all the terms of the apartment lease_________ the one about not allowing pets.
 d. accept/except

15. Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The recent shenanigans in the town square went against all PRECEPTS of decency.
 a. Rules for action or behavior

16. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below. adverse
ITINERANT
 a. Permanent

 17.Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
The company is__________ committed to developing educational television programs for children.
 c. wholly

18.Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of homophones from the options below.
The_________ poet, knowing his death was__________ , struggled to finish his final ode.
d. eminent/imminent

19.Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of homophones from the options below.
Rachel knew that she'd soon be living in______________ circumstances unless she got her financial problems________________ out
immediately.
 b. straitened/straightened

20.Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
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.
 a. Purposely confuse

21. Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
The only________________ difference between the twins is the shape of their noses.
 b. distinguished

22.Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Now that the festivities have ended, perhaps we can return to some SEMBLANCE of normality.
 c. Outward appearance

23.Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
adj. Narrow-minded; limited in scop
 d. Sectarian

24.Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
That grueling competition really tested the____________ of the gymnastics team.
 b. metal

25.Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
Capacity for producing a desired result; effectiveness
 d. Efficacy

26.Question: 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________________ .
 d. I/myself/me

 27.Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Poverty is RIFE in the rural areas of our county, where one in three families receives some state assistance. RIFE
a. Prevalent

28.Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The exchange student was disheartened by the rather BRUSQUE welcome she received from her host family.
c. Blunt or rude in manner of speech

29.Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
The workers were allowed to___________ down once they'd________ the brick, but the foreman himself has not yet_________
down.
 d. lay/laid/laid

 30.Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
Alec has always been CONTEMPTUOUS of his fellow writers.
 a. Disdainful

31.Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Maude managed to sweep up the broken dishes without a word of REPROOF to her children.

 a. Expression of disapproval or blame
Expression of apology or regret

32.Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
The despot's MINIONS were only too eager to tout his edicts and report any unrest among his subjects.
 a- Sycophants; servile followers

 33.Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below.
AVARICE
d. Generosity

34.Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
The crafty spy gave a___________ name to the hotel clerk.
 c. fictitious

 35.Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
The soldier's EXEMPLARY conduct did not go unnoticed by his sergeant.
Admirable

 36.Question: 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.
 d. Sickening

Question: 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.
 a. innumerable

Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
I screamed as the monstrous presence snaked toward me on the dark and_________ path.
 b. tortuous

Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
We all remarked on how well the spray of begonias____________ her hair color.
 a. complimented

 Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
She hastened to_________ me that she intends to pay the bill, and that she will_________ that the check is mailed today.
 a. assure/ensure

Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
The soldier's EXEMPLARY conduct did not go unnoticed by his sergeant.
 c. Admirable

 Question: 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.
d. Harmful

Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
It would BEHOOVE you to show a little more respect to the judge and jury who are deciding your case.
c. Be worthwhile or proper for; be incumbent upon

Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Running around barefoot in the snow will only EXACERBATE your flu symptoms.
 b. Aggravate; worsen

 Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. A mass or crowd; multitude
 c. Horde

Question: Choose the definition that best reflects the meaning of the word in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is used in the sentence below.
Dan was a nice guy, but he was far too GARRULOUS and tended to monopolize people at parties.
 c. Excessively talkative about trivial topics

Question: 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
c. Analogous

 Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
adj. Hardhearted; unmoved by pity
 b. Parsimonious

 Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly an antonym of the word below.
ADVERSE
 d. Twisted

 Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
Who has the power to_________ out justice to the citizens of this country?
 a. meet

Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
adj. Easily provoked to anger; irritable
a. Sapid

52. Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. Flair; style; a flamboyant manner
 c. Resonance

53. Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
Agatha RUMINATED for weeks about the consequences of telling Arthur about the affair.
a. Pondered

Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct homophone from the options below.
This experiment was designed to __________ certain behaviors from the test subjects.
  a. illicit

Question: 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.
d. Stalemate

Question: 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.
 b. Shriveled

Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. A position that entails little work but provides a salary
d. Sinecure
Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct set of words from the options below.
Mr. Winkle was dismayed to discover that his willful young wife________ her wealth and__________ the law at every
opportunity.
  c. flaunted/flouted

Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
She launched her new line of handbags________ a fanfare of publicity.
c. among

 Question: Choose the word that best corresponds with the definition given below.
n. Local or provincial dialect
b. Patois

Question: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence.
She entered the ballroom on the arm of a DEBONAIR young man.
  d. Charming and elegant

 Question: Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
We expected the waiter to show us out of that snooty restaurant in a hurry, but he turned out to be quite jolly and ____
  c. complaisant