U.S. Word Usage Test
·
Question
1
:
Which of the following similar words refers to something that is lush and grows
abundantly?
a. Luxuriant
b.
Luxurious
Question
2: Which of
the following similar words expresses a stronger sense of duty?
a.
Ought
b.
should
Question
3: From the
options below, choose the correct preposition to complete the underlined
preposition idiom in the following sentence.
We've
noticed that the new horse has a predilection _______ judging over bales of
hay.
a.
With
b.
for
c.
to
d.
of
e.
No preposition is needed
Question
4: Which of the
following similar words generally has a negative connotation?
a.
Childlike
b.
Childhood
c.
Childish
Question
5: Which of the
following similar words is more associated with influencing beliefs or understandings?
a.
Persuade
b.
Convince
Question
6:Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
Abigail
had just reached the ___________ scene of the play when the theater suddenly
went dark.
a.
Climatic
b.
Cliched
c.
Climactic
Question
7:Which of the
following similar words is used to refers to a perennial disease of a region or
population?
a.
Pandemic
b.
Endemic
c.
Epidemic
Question
8: From the
options below, choose the correct preposition to complete the underlined prepositional
idiom in the following sentence.
Griffin
swore up and down that his comment has been meant __________ a compliment.
a.
as
b.
for
c.
to
d.
No preposition is needed
Question
9: Which of
the following statements is correct?
a.
The word "continuous" refers to something that occurs constantly,
uninterrupted, or without a break, while "continually" refers to
something that is frequently repeated.
b.The
word "continually" refers to something that occurs constantly,
uninterrupted, or without a break, while "continuous" refers to
something that is frequently repeated.
c.
The words " continuous" and "continually"are synonyms are
are interchangeable.
d.
The word "continually" does not exist in American English usage
Question
10: Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
My
parrot _______________ have won the talent contest if I had entered him in
time.
a.
may
b.
must
c.
might
d.
mightn't
Question
11: From the options
below, choose the correct sequence of prepositions to complete the underlines
prepositional idioms in the following sentence.
We
simply cannot decide whether to trade __________ our car for a new model, as
our neighbors suggested, trade it ______ their houseboat.
a.
in/as
b.
for/in
c.
in/for
d.
for/on
Question
12: The word
"_________" refers to something that is immoral, improper, or
incorrect,
whereas
the word "__________" refers to something that is unjust, unfair, or
unsanctioned by law.
a.
wrong / wrongful
b.
wrongful / wrong
c.
the two words are completely interchangeable
Question
13: Which
of the following words means "once every two years"?
a.
Annual
b.
Biennial
c.
Semiannual
Question
14: The word
"_____" means to convey an additional, nuanced meaning of a word,
whereas the word "_________" specifies the literal meaning of a
word or phrase.
a.
denote / connote
b.
connote / denote
Question
15: Which of
the following words is most commonly used as a verb meaning "to produce a
change in"?
a.
affect
b.
effect
Question
16:Which of the
following words mean"to inform or notify"?
a.
Appraise
b.
Appease
c.
Apprise
d.
Appall
Question
17:From the options
below, choose the correct sequence of prepositions to complete the underlined
prepositional idioms in the following sentence.
Martin
couldn't tell if Maude was shivering ______the cold or shivering _____ the
thought of walking home alone through the cemetery.
a.
at / from
b.
from / from
c.
for / at
d.
from / at
Question
18:Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
Amanda
was adamant about having no ______________ than three hundred people at her wedding,
but also insisted on having much ___________ space for silly dances
a.
less / fewer
b.
less / less
c.
fewer / fewer
d.
fewer /less
e.
both b and d may be used
f.
Both a and c may be used
Question
19:Which of the
following words means "difficult to comprehend"?
a.
Abstruse
b.
Obdurate
c.
Obtuse
d.
Absurd
Question
20:Which of the
following similar words is used to describe one's negative feelings and
antipathy for something?
a.
adverse
b.
averse
Question
21: Which of
the following words means "separate, unconnected, or distinct"?
a.
Discreet
b.
Secrete
c.
Discrete
Question
22:Which of the
following words would be most appropriate when referring to a vessel's ability
to hold or contain something?
a.
Ability
b.
Capability
c.
Capacity
Question
23:Select the
correct meaning of the adjective "noisome."
a.
Making much noise
b.
Noxious or offensive
c.
Boring
Question
24:Which of the
following similar words is more commonly associated with secretly working
together to plot a misdeed?
a.
Conspire
b.
Connive
Question
25:Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
The
heard of gazelles successfully ___________ the wild cheetahs.
a.
alluded
b.
eluded
c.
illuded
Question
26: Complete
the following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
Pauline
will ____________ arrive late so she can make a grand entrance.
a.
doubtless
b.
doubtlessly
c.
undoubted
Question
27: Which of the
following words is often associated with money?
a.
Disperse
b.
Disburse
c.
Dispense
Question
28:Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct sequence of words from the options
below.
Not
only was Marlon's handwriting practically _____, but the story was so dull and
convoluted that I also found it ____________.
a.
unreadable / illegible
b.
legible / readable
c.
illegible / unreadable
Question
29: Of the following
similar words, which implies a movement?
a.
on
b.
on to
c.
onto
Question
30:Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
Martha
has a real __________ for writing ballads and odes
a.
flare
b.
flair
c.
flayer
Question
32:When referring to
tow distinct things, which of the following words means “the second of the
two”?
a.
Former
b.
Later
c.
Latter
d.
Penultimate
Question
33:From the options
below, choose the correct sequence of prepositions to complete the underlines
prepositional idioms in the following sentence.
My
supervisor cannot abide ____ anyone who comes in late or who doesn’t abide ___
his rules
a.
with / by
b.
No preposition needed / by
c.
by / with
d.
by / No preposition needed
Question
34:Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct sequence of words from the options
below.
Horace
knew he’d walked into a ________ trap when he opened the door to nothing but a
__________ silence.
a.
deadly / deathly
b.
deathly / deadly
c.
deadly / deafly
Question
35: Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct sequence of words from the options
below.
Due
to Alistair’s _______ nature, our weekend at his home wasn’t as ________ as we
had hoped.
a.
restive / restful
b.
restful / restive
c.
restful / restless
d.
restless / restive
Question
36: The following
related words have similar meanings but varying degrees of negative
connotation. Which list from the options below best represents these words from
least negative to most negative?
a.
Illicit / Unlawful / Illegal / Criminal
b.
Criminal / Illicit / Unlawful / Illegal
c.
Unlawful / Illegal / Illicit / Criminal
d.
Unlawful / Criminal / Illicit / Illegal
Question
37: Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct phrase from the options below.
________________,
I have enclosed our sales brochure and product information pamphlets.
a.
Per your request
b.
As per your request
c.
As you requested
d.
As per the request you recently made
Question
38:Which of the
following similar words is most commonly used to describe a feature that makes
a person, place, or a thing easy to pick out from others?
a.
Distinguishable
b.
Distinguished
c.
Distinctive
Question
39:Complete the
following sentence by choosing the correct word from the options below.
By
carefully studying the clues, the detective ______ that the minister’s sons was
the culprit.
a.
induced
b.
deduced
c.
adduced
Question
40:Which of the
following words mean “to excite, arouse, or offend”?
a.
Peak
b.
Peek
c.
Pique
