Test sheet for ACT Vocabulary Test Online

abeyance

(1)

n. E.g. The deal was held in abeyance until her arrival.

Select answer:
deep gully; a dry gulch; brook or creek; watercourse
suspended action; temporary cessation or suspension
wasting away; decrease in size; reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease
conflict; lack of agreement among persons, groups, or things
systematic, usually extensive written discourse on a subject
Don't select.

calumny

(2)

n. E.g. He could endure his financial failure, but he could not bear the calumny that his foes heaped upon him.

Select answer:
false statement maliciously made to injure another's reputation; slander
systematic, usually extensive written discourse on a subject
vain man; one who want to get admiration by dress; man excessively concerned with his clothes and appearance
concave cut into a surface or edge; small hollow or depression
flowing; series of changes; state of being liquid through heat
Don't select.

cognitive

(3)

a. E.g. Though Jack was emotionally immature, his cognitive development was admirable; he was very advanced intellectually.

Select answer:
knowing or perceiving; part of mental functions that deals with logic
happening, as occasional event, without regularity; coming without design
making severe demands; rigorous; requiring great care, effort, or attention
firmly or constant loyal; fixed or unchanging
elaborately or excessively ornamented
Don't select.

embargo

(4)

n. E.g. As a result of the embargo, trade with the colonies was at a standstill.

Select answer:
extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily
scarcity; shortage of food; famine from failure or loss of crops
ban on commerce or other activity
excess; over-fullness in any respect; superabundance
feeling of doubt, distrust, or apprehension
Don't select.

exertion

(5)

n. E.g. The exertion spent in unscrewing the rusty bolt left her exhausted.

Select answer:
doubter; person who suspends judgment until evidence has been examined
prayer for help; calling upon as reference or support
metal striker that hangs inside bell and makes sound by hitting side; someone who applauds
wild and exciting undertaking; adventurous or unconventional act
effort; expenditure of much physical work
Don't select.

garnish

(6)

v. E.g. Top with pan drippings and garnish with a drizzle of good olive oil and a lemon wedge.

Select answer:
move in twisting or contorted motion; contort in pain
gather into a mass, sum, or whole; amount to
increase severity, violence, or bitterness of; aggravate
plunge into water; wet thoroughly; extinguish
decorate with ornamental appendages
Don't select.

languish

(7)

v. E.g. Left at Miss Minchin's school for girls while her father went off to war, Sarah Crewe refused to languish; instead, she hid her grief and actively befriended her less fortunate classmates.

Select answer:
stockpile; accumulate for future use
lose animation; be or become weak or feeble; lose strength or vigor
warn; counsel someone against something to be avoided
show or demonstrate clearly; overcome; conquer
turn into vapor, steam, gas, or fog; decrease rapidly and disappear
Don't select.

murky

(8)

a. E.g. The murky depths of the swamp were so dark that one couldn't tell the vines and branches from the snakes.

Select answer:
deceptive or tending of deceive; not real
modest; not bold or forward; not arrogant
well-bred; marked by refinement in taste and manners
tending to include all; taking a great deal or everything within its scope
dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague
Don't select.

paraphernalia

(9)

n. E.g. His desk was cluttered with paper, pen, ink, dictionary and other paraphernalia of the writing craft.

Select answer:
bully; lawless and cruel; cruel and brutal person or gangster
personal ornaments or accessories, as of attire; articles used in particular activity
mistaken thought, idea, or notion; erroneous conception; false opinion
intense state of fear or dismay; astonishment combined with terror
patience; restraint of passions; act of forbearing or waiting
Don't select.

retroactive

(10)

a. E.g. Because the law was retroactive to the first of the year, we found she was eligible for the pension.

Select answer:
extending in scope or effect to a prior time or to prior conditions
deserving of praise; worthy of high praise
periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals
having no equal; incomparable
flexible; moving and bending with ease
Don't select.

serpentine

(11)

a. E.g. The car swerved at every curve in the serpentine road.

Select answer:
winding; twisting; curving in alternate directions; having the shape or form of a snake
exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
magnificent and splendid, suggesting abundance and great expense; luxurious
without skill, ineffective; worthless; lacking purpose
difficult or impossible to discipline, control, or rule; not according to rule; irregularly
Don't select.

vivacious

(12)

a. E.g. Two-time Emmy nominee, she is most well-known as the vivacious beauty who dishes the latest in celebrity news, style and entertainment.

Select answer:
casual; brief or broad; not cautious, nor detailed
echoing; strong and deep in tone; resounding; having lasting presence or effect
tangible; easily perceptible; unmistakable
not harmonious; conflicting; disagreeable in sound; harsh or dissonant
animated; lively; vigorous and active
Don't select.