Easy 1
Easy 2
Medium 1
Medium 2
Difficult
100

What does the word "detest" mean in the following context? 

Everyone else at the party wanted garbage pizza but Tim because he detested vegetables.


What clues in the sentence led you to your answer?

"To strongly dislike" 


What clues in the sentence led you to your answer?

100


What does perch mean in the following context?


The children were perched on the edge of the sofa arms, waiting to hop off and land on the next unlucky passerby.

To wait at a position off of the ground

 

What clues in the sentence led you to your definition?

100

The employee had asked a good question, but he made a minor mistake in his word choice so the manager condescended him by saying, "Well, actually, farther refers to physical distance. Further refers to abstract distance."   

In the context used above, condescend means?    

to act as though you are better or superior to others

 

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the manager is more concerned with showing off than with doing a good job.

100

 I feel so gloomy and melancholy on Wednesday mornings, and I don't even know why.

Definition:_____________

to be sad for no apparent reason

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the speaker does not feel good on Wednesday mornings.

100

Some people think that my little brother is annoying because he asks so many questions, but I think that he just has an inquisitive nature. 


Definition of inquisitive: _____________________________

curious, inquiring, showing a desire to learn the truth

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the speaker's little brother is a curious little fellow.

200


What does alter mean in the following context? 

Grandpa didn’t know that Suzie was coming along on the fishing trip, and now he had to alter his plans.

Change 


What clues in the sentence led you to your definition?


200


What does demeanor mean in the following context? 

My grandma’s demeanor was such that people often thought she was being rude when she was just being honest.


nonverbal behaviors; body language; how she carries herself

 

What clues in the sentence led you to your definition?

200

Ever since he lost his job as a highly paid tester at the candy factory, Tommy has been morose.

What does morose mean in the context used above? 

sad and gloomy

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that Tommy is very depressed to have lost such an awesome job.

200

John did not find supporters for his assertion that medical care should be free in the room full of well-paid doctors.

definition:  

a forceful statement or idea

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that John has chosen the wrong audience for his idea.

200

writhe: After being bitten by snake, the cowboy writhed in pain on the ground.          

Definition: _______________________

 to make squirming motions; to respond with great discomfort

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the cowboy is in serious pain.

 

300


What does melodramatic mean in the following context? 

When Kiki got a tiny cut on her pinky finger, she got all melodramatic and began sobbing and demanding a doctor.

With exaggerated emotion 

What clues in the sentence led you to your definition?

300

What is the meaning of jovial in the following context? 

Unlike Bob, who treated others rudely and kept to himself, Bobby was jovial, friendly, and outgoing.   


One who enjoys company; cheerful

What clues in the sentence led you to your definition?

300

You really should wake up early and watch the sunrise. Nature's splendor is truly unmatched.     


What does slendor mean in the context used above?    

magnificently beautiful appearance

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the sunrise is beautiful.

300

Be careful. If you question the commander in the slightest way, he will perceive that to be a sign of impudence and order you to clean the toilets with a toothbrush.


not showing proper respect

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the commander believes that questioning his orders is disrespectful.

300

diplomacy: General Kang was more than a brave commander. He was a good man, for he knew better than to rush into battle when there was still time for diplomacy.

Definition: _________________________

diplomacy: the art of resolving problems through communication

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that General Kang prefers to win battles by discussion.

400

What does remorse  mean in the following context? 


As Tommy walked home with the money from the church he had stolen in his pocket, powerful feelings of remorse bubbled in his stomach.

Guilt or regret

 

What clues in the sentence led you to your definition?

400

Jeremiah joked around so much that when he told the others about the accident that had occurred, they didn’t believe that he was being earnest.  

 What does earnest mean in the context used above? 

Serious; not joking

 

What clues in the sentence led you to your definition?

400

I thought it was preposterous that Brian tried to convince us that he had a candy bar tree.        

What does  preposterous mean in the context above?        

completely absurd, ridiculous

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the speaker does not believe Brian.

400

The gray-bearded wizard unrolled the parchment and began reading the words to the peasants assembled in the town square.         

Definition of parchment 

an old type of paper made from animal skins

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the wizard is reading from some type of paper.

400

oblige: The last thing Bruce wanted to do was get in a fight, but when he saw the mugger grab the old woman, Bruce felt obliged to assist her.

           

Definition: _________________________________

Answer = oblige: To be required to do something by law or moral code

 

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that Bruce felt like he had to help the old woman.

500

What does inquiry mean in the following context? 

When the other moms heard about how Charlene had won the baking contest, her email box was flooded with inquiries for her award winning muffin recipe.

Seeking information or asking questions

 

What clues in the sentence led you to your definition?

500

With the field torn up by the players’ cleats, and the cold rain falling in waves, conditions on the playing field were dismal


What is the definition of dismal as used in the context above? 

Gloomy; rainy

 

What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

500

When we came into the classroom and saw the little candy bars on our desks, I misconstrued it to mean that we should eat the candy bars before waiting for instructions. I only realized my error after chewing up mine.

What does misconstrue  mean? 

to incorrectly interpret a person's words or actions

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the speaker was not supposed to eat his candy bar right away.

500

Though I did not have time to read it all, after a cursory review of the report, I was surprised to see that people spent so much money on cat shampoo.

Definition of cursory in this context 

a brief or initial review of something; done without going into details

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that the speaker would need to spend more time reading the report to unravel the complexities of the cat shampoo market.

500

 dilute: This tea tastes absolutely terrible but if you dilute it with some water, you'll be able to stomach it.

           

Definition: ____________________________

to reduce the potency or thickness of a liquid by adding water or another liquid

Answer Explanation

Readers can conclude that one would need a lot of water to drink that nasty tea.

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