Mr. Watson - English Vocabulary Quiz

Front 1

illegible

Back 1

Difficult or impossible to read.

Example: The effects of air pollution have rendered the inscriptions on so many old gravestones illegible.

Front 2

jeer

Back 2

(verb) to make fun of rudely or unkindly (noun) a rude remark of derision.

Excmaple: Umpires and other referees quickly beome immune to the jeers of angry fans.

Front 3

lucrative

Back 3

bringing in money; profitable

Example: Many people find that they can turn a favorite hobby into a highly lucrative business.

Front 4

mediocre

Back 4

average, ordinary, undistinguished

Example: Plain Jane :0)

Front 5

proliferate

Back 5

to reproduce, increase, or spread rapidly

Hint: (think pro! as in prolife)

Example: Because the malignant cells proliferate early detection of cancer is absolutely crucial to successful treatment.

Front 6

subjugate

Back 6

to conquer by force, bring under complete control.

Example: "We must act quickly," the general said, "in order to subjugate the rebel forces."

Front 7

sully

Back 7

to soil, stain, tarnish, defile, besmirch

Example: The Watergate scandal sullied the image of politicians in the minds of many voters.

Front 8

tantalize

Back 8

to tease, torment by teasing

Example: When I am on a diet, the treats in the bakery windows seem to have been put there to tantalize me.

Front 9

terse

Back 9

brief and to the point

Example: The manuscript for my short story was returned to me with a terse letter of rejection.

Front 10

unflinching

Back 10

firm, showing no signs of fear, not drawing back

Example: Everyone admires the unflinching courage with which firefighters and other rescue workers carry out thier dangerous jobs.