Review Lessons 17 through 24   -   edHelper.com
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Multiple Choice

Select the definition that most nearly defines the given word.

______ 1. dormant
   a. anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign
   b. Biol. in a state of minimal metabolic activity with cessation of growth, either as a reaction to adverse conditions or as part of an organism's normal annual rhythm.
   c. exhibiting use of the imagination; whimsical or imaginative.
______ 2. esoteric
   a. occurring or characterized by sudden bursts or outbursts, as sound or laughter.
   b. intended for a select few; secret; private.
   c. to make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause.
______ 3. droll
   a. deviating from that which is usual or accepted; eccentric.
   b. to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way
   c. amusing in an odd way; whimsically humorous; waggish.
   d. light, airy, or tenuous
______ 4. grandiose
   a. more complicated or elaborate than necessary; overblown
   b. going straight to the point; frank; direct; outspoken
   c. lacking in substance or force; flimsy
______ 5. excerpt
   a. to take or select passages from (a book, film, or the like); abridge by choosing representative sections.
   b. exceptionally grand or impressive; imposing.
   c. a form of writing or filmmaking that treats real people or events as if they were fictional or uses them as an integral part of a fictional account.
   d. a person who is fleeing, from prosecution, intolerable circumstances, etc.; a runaway
______ 6. gratify
   a. to satisfy; indulge; humor, as one's desires or appetites.
   b. the place where a person or thing is usually found. Example: Paris is a major habitat of artists.
   c. a person, group, or organism whose nature, purpose, or behavior seems inexplicable.
______ 7. distinction
   a. the recognizing or noting of differences; discrimination
   b. of or pertaining to the home, the household, household affairs, or the family
   c. to scatter or spread widely, as though sowing seed; promulgate extensively; broadcast; disperse
______ 8. hemisphere
   a. an omen, sign, or indication of something to follow; portent
   b. a half of any sphere, such as the celestial sphere.
   c. a building, esp. a large or impressive structure.
   d. vivacious; gay; lively; sparkling.
______ 9. enigma
   a. containing or based on an unsound argument; in error; illogical.
   b. a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation
   c. deceitful speech or action.
   d. (of plants) able to withstand the cold of winter in the open air.
______ 10. eon
   a. the quality of remaining calm, serene, or unruffled, esp. under stress; composure.
   b. Astron. one billion years.
   c. not adhering to the recognized or accepted manner, behavior, or thinking; unconventional; peculiar.
______ 11. flabby
   a. hanging loosely or limply, as flesh or muscles; flaccid.
   b. one of the small, polished plane surfaces of a cut gem.
   c. to have in the mind.
   d. again; once more (used by an audience in calling for an additional number or piece).
______ 12. falter
   a. something that causes a danger or risk.
   b. a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.
   c. to move unsteadily; stumble.
______ 13. drowsy
   a. having no certain or definite course; wandering; not fixed
   b. one of the corneal divisions in a compound eye, as in an insect.
   c. nearly asleep.
______ 14. distaste
   a. to provide with fortifications, as against military attack.
   b. to disclose or reveal (something private, secret, or previously unknown).
   c. to dig out, esp. from a grave; disinter.
   d. dislike for food or drink.
______ 15. exacerbate
   a. to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate.
   b. Physics. of or pertaining to force or power.of or pertaining to force related to motion.
   c. (often cap.) half of the terrestrial globe or celestial sphere, esp. one of the halves into which the earth is divided. Cf. Eastern Hemisphere, Western Hemisphere, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere.
   d. the condition or quality of doubleness.
______ 16. fragile
   a. to take in marriage.
   b. easily damaged; delicate.
   c. capable of enduring fatigue, hardship, exposure, etc.; sturdy; strong
   d. stated fully, clearly, and without equivocation.
______ 17. distinct
   a. effective and expressive.
   b. clear to the senses or intellect; plain; unmistakable
   c. to revive or restore to prominence, esp. after a period of obscurity.
   d. to become or cause to become gradually smaller or less until almost nothing remains; diminish; shrink.
______ 18. furtive
   a. the natural environment of an organism; place that is natural for the life and growth of an organism: a tropical habitat.
   b. taken, done, used, etc., surreptitiously or by stealth; secret
   c. a short journey undertaken for a specific purpose.
______ 19. evolve
   a. to develop gradually
   b. passing or disappearing quickly; transient; ephemeral.
   c. fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied; unequivocal
______ 20. extravagant
   a. to discharge the contents of (one's bowel or bladder); empty.
   b. excessively high
   c. exceptionally showy or dashing in one's speech, manner, or appearance.
   d. to send off, facilitate the progress of, or accomplish with speed and efficiency.
______ 21. epigram
   a. a short terse poem, distinguished by wit and irony.
   b. strikingly unusual or strange in effect or appearance
   c. Often,"fidgets."the condition or an instance of being nervously restless, uneasy, or impatient.
______ 22. erratic
   a. deviating from that which is usual or accepted; eccentric.
   b. belonging to the select few.
   c. to function unsteadily, intermittently, or with diminished power, as a mechanical or electrical device.
______ 23. excise
   a. a tax levied for a license to carry on certain employments, pursue certain sports, etc.
   b. seemingly underhanded; shifty.
   c. to free from blame; absolve; exculpate.
______ 24. enmity
   a. an unintelligent, foolish, or ignorant person.
   b. outspoken and to the point.
   c. living in flocks or herds, as animals.
   d. a feeling or condition of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity; antagonism.
______ 25. exorcise
   a. excessively sensitive or delicate in matters of food, manners, dress, or personal hygiene.
   b. to prevent, hinder, or thwart by action in advance
   c. to seek to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration or religious or solemn ceremonies
   d. the act of emitting.