U.S. Word Usage Test Answers - Part 1

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