Test sheet for ACT Vocabulary Test Online

approbation

(1)

n. E.g. She looked for some sign of approbation from her parents, hoping her good grades would please them.

Select answer:
account or history of descent of person or family from ancestor; lineage
expression of warm approval; praise
tiny piece of anything; very small particle
large cage, building, or enclosure in which birds are reared or kept
gold and silver in the form of bars
Don't select.

assimilate

(2)

v. E.g. The manner in which the United States was able to assimilate immigrants during the 19th and early 20th century will always be a source of pride to Americans.

Select answer:
incorporate and absorb into mind; make similar; cause to resemble
cut into small parts; withdraw or exclude from membership, as of a society or body
appease or pacify; bring peace to
destroy completely; do away with completely so as to leave no trace
restore to proper condition; help to re-adapt, as to former state of health or good repute
Don't select.

circumvent

(3)

v. E.g. In order to circumvent the enemy, we will make two preliminary attacks in other sections before starting our major campaign.

Select answer:
surround an enemy; enclose or entrap; beat by cleverness and wit
drive out evil spirits by or as if by incantation, command, or prayer
refer casually or indirectly, or by suggestion
revoke or annul, especially by official or formal act
enhance or decorate with or as if with ornaments
Don't select.

discourse

(4)

n. E.g. The young Plato was drawn to the Agora to hear the philosophical discourse of Socrates and his followers.

Select answer:
formal, lengthy discussion of a subject; verbal exchange; conversation
natural inclination; tendency or preference; predilection
inscription on tombstone in memory
prayer for help; calling upon as reference or support
opening; diameter of such an opening; hole
Don't select.

enterprising

(5)

a. E.g. By coming up with fresh ways to market the company's products, Mike proved himself to be an enterprising businessman.

Select answer:
lacking moral restraint; indulging in sensual pleasures or vices
narrow in outlook; related to local church community
related to unobstructed and comprehensive view; with a wide view
full of initiative; marked by aggressive ambition and energy and initiative
sharing an edge or boundary; touching; neighboring
Don't select.

grudging

(6)

a. E.g. We received only grudging support from the mayor despite his earlier promises of aid.

Select answer:
unable to be disproved; incontrovertible; undeniable
extremely careful and diligent work or effort; taking of pains
unconquerable; incapable of being overcome
unwilling or with reluctance; stingy
well-bred; marked by refinement in taste and manners
Don't select.

kaleidoscope

(7)

n. E.g. People found a new source of entertainment while peering through the kaleidoscope; they found the ever-changing patterns fascinating.

Select answer:
period of greatest popularity, success, or power; golden age
group of closely located islands
reply, especially to answer in a quick, caustic, or witty manner
tube in which patterns made by reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass; produce interesting symmetrical effects
person with prejudiced belief in superiority of own kind
Don't select.

mitigate

(8)

v. E.g. Nothing Jason did could mitigate Medea's anger; she refused to forgive him for betraying her.

Select answer:
cause to sink or become stuck in; hinder, entrap, or entangle
rid or deprive of inhabitants; lay waste; devastate
make less severe or harsh; moderate
be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence
be a match or counterpart for; eager to equal or excel
Don't select.

prattle

(9)

v. E.g. Baby John used to prattle on and on about the cats and his ball and the Cookie Monster.

Select answer:
speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly; talk artlessly and childishly
determine votes; examine carefully or discuss thoroughly; scrutinize
scold mildly so as to correct or improve; express disapproval
gather into a mass, sum, or whole; amount to
proceed slowly; waste time
Don't select.

quell

(10)

v. E.g. Miss Minchin's demeanor was so stern and forbidding that she could quell any unrest among her students with one intimidating glance.

Select answer:
make a pretence of; reproduce someone's behavior or looks
behead; cut off the head of
disprove; prove to be false or incorrect
stand idly about; linger aimlessly; proceed slowly or with many stops
extinguish; put down forcibly; suppress; pacify or quiet
Don't select.

subliminal

(11)

a. E.g. We may not be aware of the subliminal influences that affect our thinking.

Select answer:
lacking stylishness or neatness; shabby; old-fashioned
extremely hot; sincerely or intensely felt
likely to fail or be inaccurate
below threshold of conscious perception, especially if still able to produce a response
peaceful; tranquil; calm or quiet
Don't select.

tutelage

(12)

n. E.g. Under the tutelage of such masters of the instrument, she made rapid progress as a virtuoso.

Select answer:
capacity of guardian; guardianship; capacity or activity of tutor; instruction or teaching
standstill resulting from opposition of two forces or factions; stalemate
filthy and wretched condition or quality; dirty or neglected state
piece of jewelry; a small scale used as a jewel for adornment; famous actor's special appearance in a minor role in film
line around an area to enclose or guard it
Don't select.