These 100 questions are based upon words from General Service (GSL), General Academic List (GAL), and General Test List. About 80 questions are from GSL+GAL. Taken together, the GSL and GAL provide coverage of around 85% of academic and standardized test texts (Coxhead, 2000).
This practice test will help you assess your vocabulary skills. Take your time when answering each question. (We suggest not timing yourself.) Attempt to answer the questions without using a reference tool like a dictionary; however, if you come across words that you are unsure of, make a list of these words. After you complete the test, look up the definitions for the words on your list. It might be a good idea to write down the definition beside the word.

When you are finished, check the answer key carefully to assess your results. Then, you can determine how much time you need to spend to increase your vocabulary power.

Directions: For questions 1 through 18, choose the word that best fills in the blank.
1. Being a direct relative of the deceased, her claim to the estate was _____________.
a. optional
b. vicious
c. prominent
d. legitimate
2. The hail _____________ the cornfield until the entire crop was lost.
a. belittled
b. pummeled
c. rebuked
d. commended
3. The Earth Day committee leader placed large garbage bins in the park to _____________ Saturday’s cleanup.
a. confound
b. pacify
c. integrate
d. facilitate
4. Her rapport with everyone in the office _____________ the kind of interpersonal skills that all of the employees appreciated.
a. prevailed
b. diverged
c. exemplified
d. varied
5. The _____________ of the two rivers provided the perfect place to build a new state park.
a. assumption
b. confluence
c. seclusion
d. treatise
6. Do you have the _____________ paperwork you need to register for the class?
a. punitive
b. grandiose
c. restorative
d. requisite
7. Do not _____________ yourself; you must pass the last exam of the semester to graduate.
a. delude
b. depreciate
c. relinquish
d. prohibit
8. When you address the members of the committee, be sure to give a _____________ description of the new office procedures.
a. principled
b. determined
c. comprehensive
d. massive

9. Although Hunter was _____________ about revealing information to us when we first met him, he soon began to talk more than anyone.
a. customary
b. reticent
c. animated
d. voluntary
10. The darkening skies in the west were a _____________ to the dangerous thunderstorm that summer afternoon.
a. tedium
b. precursor
c. preference
d. momentum
11. The news was no longer secret; Martin Kemp _____________ told the press that he had accepted the nomination as board chairperson.
a. repulsively
b. reputedly
c. perpetually
d. principally
12. After an hour of heavy rain, the thunderstorm _____________, and we were able to continue our golf game.
a. abated
b. germinated
c. constricted
d. evoked
13. After years of experience, Florin became a _____________ veterinarian who could treat and operate on many different kinds of animals.
a. acute
b. superficial
c. consummate
d. ample
14. Anthony, a meticulous young man, _____________ watered his neighbors’ plants once a week while they were on vacation.
a. terminally
b. perpendicularly
c. diligently
d. haphazardly
15. _____________ elephants from the wild not only endangers the species but upsets the balance of nature.
a. Irritating
b. Poaching
c. Provoking
d. Smuggling
16. The two cats could be _____________ only by the number of rings on their tails; otherwise, they were exactly alike.
a. separated
b. divided
c. disconnected
d. differentiated
17. On each slick curve in the road, I was afraid we would _____________ and have an accident.
a. operate
b. hydroplane
c. submerge
d. reconnoiter
18. My cousin claimed to be _____________; evidently she was right because she always seemed to know what would happen in the future.
a. dreamlike
b. comical
c. criminal
d. clairvoyant

Directions: For questions 19 through 45, choose the best definition for the word in italics.
19. Although the plot of the film is admittedly trite, the characters are so
endearing that the movie is highly entertaining despite the old storyline.
Trite means
a. original.
b. exciting.
c. complex.
d. overused.
20. Ilka has always emulated her older brother, so it is no surprise that she is also pursuing a career as a neuroscientist. To emulate means
a. to support wholeheartedly.
b. to strive to equal, imitate, or outdo.
c. to be more successful than.
d. to regard as inferior.
21. Everyone loved Ilona’s idea, and she quickly garnered enough support for her proposal to present it to the committee. To garner means
a. to create.
b. to propose.
c. to demonstrate.
d. to withhold.
22. Cy’s attempt to finally complete the marathon was thwarted when he twisted his ankle in the 23rd mile. To thwart means
a. to injure seriously.
b. to prevent from accomplishing.
c. to support actively.
d. to be excessively competitive.
23. To subjugate means
a. to be the subject of a sentence or conversation.
b. to conquer, bring under control.
c. to be wrongly or unevenly distributed.
d. to be surrounded on all sides.

24. Benevolence means
a. kindness, generosity.
b. a kind, generous ruler.
c. to be generous with one’s time or money.
d. kind, giving charitably.
25. To coalesce means
a. to dig up, mine.
b. to carry out an ill-conceived or poorly planned course of action.
c. to combine and form a whole; join together.
d. to withdraw silently, especially in shame.
26. Docile means
a. one who domesticates animals.
b. the management of domestic affairs.
c. obedience.
d. willing to obey, easily managed or taught.
27. Anomaly means
a. regularity, consistency.
b. something that is irregular, abnormal, or deviates from the usual form.
c. a surprising collaboration, the cooperation of unlikely individuals.
d. discontent among a specific group within a larger population.
28. Lamentable means
a. regrettable, unfortunate.
b. to regret.
c. an unfortunate occurrence.
d. to do something regrettable.
29. To abscond means
a. to create a secret hiding place.
b. to do something without telling anyone.
c. to go away secretly and hide.
d. to do something ahead of deadline.

30. Disparate means
a. chosen from within.
b. exceeding expectations.
c. from the same origin.
d. fundamentally different, distinct, or apart from others.
31. Rectify means
a. to correct.
b. a correction.
c. a surprising error.
d. an editor.
32. Inscrutable means
a. teaching a lesson.
b. having little or no impact.
c. kept between or within members of a family.
d. not fathomable; incapable of being understood.
33. Antipathy means
a. that which occurred previously.
b. a strong aversion or dislike.
c. an examination of all aspects of an issue.
d. the act of separating from the source.
34. Neophyte means
a. original, unique.
b. something that comes from multiple sources.
c. a roommate; someone who lives with another.
d. a beginner or novice.
35. A belligerent person is
a. from another country, foreign.
b. kind, eager to help.
c. eager to fight, hostile.
d. loving, devoted.

36. Someone who is omniscient
a. often speaks without thinking.
b. receives the maximum benefit.
c. blames others for his or her own faults.
d. is eager to please.
37. A renaissance is
a. a rebirth.
b. a punishment.
c. a lie.
d. a mistake.
38. To equivocate is to
a. burn or sting.
b. speak in a way that conceals the truth.
c. put something in its proper place.
d. calm or quiet.
39. Something that is manifest is
a. everywhere.
b. newborn.
c. obvious.
d. deadly.
40. Something that is luminous is
a. bright, shining.
b. even, equal.
c. excessive.
d. full of knowledge.
41. A person who is culpable is
a. capable.
b. vocal.
c. energetic, full of life.
d. guilty.

42. Something that is innocuous is
a. dangerous or deadly.
b. irrelevant, wandering from the main path or point.
c. harmless, inoffensive.
d. clean, thoroughly washed.
43. To juxtapose is to
a. place side by side.
b. overwhelm, flood.
c. be born again.
d. speak in a round-about manner.
44. Someone who is reticent is
a. fair, judging equally.
b. reserved, silent.
c. bubbling over with enthusiasm.
d. deeply in love.
45. A veritable autograph is
a. very valuable.
b. an autograph by a famous person.
c. genuine.
d. a forgery or fake.
Directions: For questions 46 through 59, choose the correct word in the parentheses to complete the sentence.
46. I tried everything, but nothing would (elicit/illicit) a response from the child.
47. The Euro has (deprecated/depreciated), but the dollar is up.
48. Stop (persecuting/prosecuting) me just because I often disagree with you.
49. Tomorrow the city is going to (raise/raze) the building that I grew up in.
50. As soon as I get off the phone, I will (appraise/apprise) you of the situation.

51. The odor quickly (disbursed/dispersed) through the room, and soon it was no longer even noticeable.
52. I don’t like Igor because he is constantly (meddling/mettling) in things that are none of his business.
53. Although you all seem to agree, I must (decent/descent/dissent); I think this is a bad decision.
54. Dixie is so (ingenious/ingenuous) I don’t think she could lie if her life depended on it.
55. I’m just going to (peak/peek/pique) in the baby’s room to make sure she’s okay.
56. The thief managed to (allude/elude) the police for several days, but they finally caught up with him in Reno.
57. The (cue/queue) for the movies was all the way to the end of the block and around the corner.
58. Georgio had to (fain/feign) excitement when he opened his presents so his parents wouldn’t know he’d already searched their room to find out what he was getting.
59. A strange odor is (eminenting/imminenting/emanating) from Professor Van Buren’s laboratory.

Directions: In questions 60 through 63, identify the correct synonym by looking for word roots, prefixes, or suffixes. Choose the word that means the same or about
the same as the italicized word.
60. an incoherent answer
a. not understandable
b. not likely
c. undeniable
d. challenging
61. covered with debris
a. good excuses
b. transparent material
c. scattered rubble
d. protective material
62. inadvertently left
a. mistakenly
b. purposely
c. cautiously
d. carefully
63. compatible workers
a. gifted
b. competitive
c. harmonious
d. experienced
Directions: In questions 64 through 67, choose the word that means the opposite.
64. capable employee
a. unskilled
b. absurd
c. apt
d. able
65. zealous pursuit
a. envious
b. eager
c. idle
d. comical
66. exorbitant prices
a. expensive
b. unexpected
c. reasonable
d. outrageous

67. belligerent attitude
a. hostile
b. appeasing
c. instinctive
d. ungracious
Directions: For questions 68 through 72, choose the word whose definition best matches the description.
68. an artist’s first gallery showing
a. ennui
b. imbroglio
c. parvenu
d. debut
69. a temporary separation in a relationship
a. blasé
b. quid pro quo
c. hiatus
d. malaise
70. wearing a disguise
a. incognito
b. imbroglio
c. milieu
d. oeuvre
71. pretending not to be hurt by an insulting remark
a. ad hoc
b. gauche
c. cliché
d. façade
72. someone who reports students’ questions and concerns to the dean
a. aficionado
b. liaison
c. parvenu
d. vis-à-vis

Directions: For prefix and suffix questions 73 and 74, choose the word or phrase that best describes
the section of the word.
73. congregation
a. with
b. over
c. apart
d. time
74. wisdom
a. a state of being
b. a relationship
c. a property
d. an action
75. A synonym for affect is
a. accomplish.
b. cause.
c. sicken.
d. influence.
76. An antonym for wary is
a. alert.
b. leery.
c. worried.
d. careless.
77. An antonym for novel is
a. dangerous.
b. unsettled.
c. suitable
d. old.
78. A synonym for continuous is
a. intermittent.
b. adjacent.
c. uninterrupted.
d. contiguous.
79. A synonym for courtesy is
a. civility.
b. congruity.
c. conviviality.
d. rudeness.
80. An antonym for fallacy is
a. truth.
b. blessing.
c. weakness.
d. fable.

Directions: For questions 1 through 20, choose the word that best fills in the blank.

81. George developed an _____________ plan to earn the extra money he needed to start his own business.
a. elitist
b. irrational
c. aloof
d. ingenious
82. We knew everything about the newest member of our group; she was very _____________.
a. expressive
b. secretive
c. reserved
d. artistic
83. I have always liked your positive attitude; it has _____________ affected our working relationship.
a. adversely
b. shamelessly
c. candidly
d. favorably

84. Dog-sitting for Buddy is easy to do; he is a _____________ and obedient pet.
a. delectable
b. commonplace
c. meddlesome
d. docile
85. The directions to the new office were _____________, and I had no trouble finding it in time for work.
a. priceless
b. arduous
c. explicit
d. embodied
86. If your drinking water is not _____________, it could cause serious health problems.
a. valid
b. quenchable
c. impure
d. potable
87. The new board member said she would vote in favor of the proposed city ordinance because it _____________ many of the points discussed earlier this year.
a. encompassed
b. released
c. reminisced
d. dispersed
88. Rachel _____________ a plan to become a millionaire by age 30.
a. conformed
b. devised
c. decreased
d. condoned

89. Wanting to make a good impression, he found himself in a _____________ about the right tie to wear to the business meeting.
a. prestige
b. redundancy
c. quandary
d. deficit
90. Because Mark needed to pass the exam, he made studying a _____________ over watching his favorite television show.
a. priority
b. conformity
c. perplexity
d. concept
91. Hoping to win a prize for the best costume, Tim dressed _____________ with bright red suspenders and a purple tie.
a. eminently
b. virtuously
c. conspicuously
d. obscurely
92. Muhammad fell asleep during the movie because it had a very _____________ plot.
a. monotonous
b. torrid
c. ample
d. vital
93. To get the promotion she wanted, she _____________ that it was best to go back to school to get her master’s degree as soon as she could.
a. supposed
b. surmised
c. presumed
d. resolved
94. The narrator’s description was an accurate _____________ of a true southern family.
a. portrayal
b. council
c. disguise
d. reunion
95. Due to slippery road conditions and the slope of the narrow, winding highway, the car _____________ down the steep mountainous road.
a. dissented
b. ventilated
c. careened
d. agitated
96. The fire alarm _____________ beckoned the volunteer firefighters of the small community to come to action.
a. approvingly
b. significantly
c. symbolically
d. audibly
97. After running an early 5K race, Simone _____________ devoured a hearty breakfast.
a. dynamically
b. voraciously
c. generously
d. beneficially
98. The car rental company considered the scratches on the driver’s door to be caused by a minor _____________.
a. mishap
b. attraction
c. reflex
d. duplicate

99. The participants in the road rally agreed to _____________ near the village commons at 5:00.
a. rendezvous
b. scatter
c. filibuster
d. disperse
100. Understanding the world economic conditions, the recent graduates spoke _____________ about job prospects for the future.
a. warily
b. luxuriously
c. measurably
d. narrowly
ANSWERS
1. d. Legitimate means in a manner conforming to recognized principles or accepted rules or standards.
2. b. Pummeled means to pound or beat.
3. d. Facilitate means to make easier or help bring about.
4. c. Exemplify means to be an instance of or serve as an example.
5. b. Confluence means a coming or flowing together, a meeting, or a gathering at one point.
6. d. Requisite means essential or necessary.
7. a. Delude means to mislead the mind; to deceive.
8. c. Comprehensive means covering completely or broadly.
9. b. Reticent means inclined to be silent or uncommunicative, reserved.
10. b. Precursor means something that comes before.
11. d. Reputedly means according to general belief.
12. a. Abated means to decrease in force or intensity.
13. c. Consummate means extremely skilled and experienced.
14. c. Diligently means to do something with careful attention and great effort.
15. b. To poach is to trespass on another’s property in order to steal fish or game.
16. d. To differentiate between two things is to establish the distinction between them.
17. b. When a car goes out of control and skims along the surface of a wet road, it is called hydroplaning.
18. d. A clairvoyant is someone who can perceive matters beyond the range of ordinary perception.
19. d. Trite means repeated too often, overly familiar through overuse. The key context clue is the phrase “the old storyline,” which indicates that the plot of the movie is overused.
20. b. To emulate means to try to equal or excel, especially by imitation. The sentence tells you that Ilka is pursuing the same career as her brother, which indicates that she is trying to equal or outdo him through imitation.
21. d. To garner means to gather, amass, or acquire. The sentence tells you that Ilona quickly found the support she needed to present her idea to the committee; also because the sentence states that people loved Ilona’s idea, it is logical to conclude that she would gather their support.
22. b. To thwart means to prevent the accomplishment or realization of something. Cy’s twisted ankle kept him from realizing his attempt to complete the marathon.
23. b. The prefix sub- means under or below. To subjugate means to conquer, subdue, bring under control. Notice also the verb suffix -ate, meaning one that performs, promotes, or causes an action; being in a specified state or condition.
24. a. The noun suffix -ence means state of. Benevolence means the inclination to be kind and generous; a disposition to act charitably.
25. c. The prefix co- means with, together. Coalesce means to combine and form a whole; to join together, fuse.
26. d. The adjective suffix -ile means having the qualities of. Docile means willing to obey, ready and willing to be taught, or easily managed.
27. b. The prefix a- mean not, without. Anomaly means something that deviates from the general rule or usual form; one that is irregular or abnormal.
28. a. The adjective suffix -able means capable or worthy of. Lamentable means regrettable, unfortunate; inspiring grief or mourning.
29. c. The prefix ab- means off, away from, apart, down. To abscond means to go away secretly and hide oneself, especially after wrongdoing.
30. d. The prefix dis- means away from, apart, reversal, not. Disparate means fundamentally different or distinct; dissimilar, varied.
31. a. The verb suffix -ify means to make. To rectify means to make right, correct.
32. d. The prefix in- means not. Inscrutable means baffling, unfathomable, incapable of being understood. Notice also the adjective suffix -able.
33. b. The prefix anti- means against, opposed to. Antipathy means a strong aversion or dislike.
34. d. The prefix neo- means new, recent, a new form of. Neophyte means a beginner or novice.

35. c. The root bel means war. The ending -ent is an adjective suffix meaning in a state or condition; performing or causing a specified action. Belligerent means hostile and aggressive, showing an eagerness to fight.
36. d. The root omni means all; the root sci means to know. Omniscient means having infinite knowledge, knowing all things.
37. a. The root nas/nat/nai means to be born. The prefix re- means back or again; the suffix -ance means state of. Renaissance means a rebirth or revival.
38. b. The root equ means equal; the root voc/vok means to call; the suffix -ate means to make, cause to be. To equivocate means to use unclear or ambiguous language in order to mislead or conceal the truth. Thus, someone who equivocates is “equally” lying and telling the truth (or rather, not quite doing either).
39. c. The root man means hand. Manifest means clear and unmistakable, obvious; thus, at hand. The correct answer can be achieved here through the process of elimination, as  the other answers correspond with different roots.
40. a. The root luc/lum/lus means light; the suffix -ous means having the quality of or relating to. Luminous means shining, emitting light; full of light, brilliant.
41. d. The root culp means blame. The adjective suffix -able means capable or worthy of. Culpable means deserving blame or censure for doing something wrong or harmful; blameworthy, guilty.
42. a. The root nec/nic/noc/nox means harm, death. The prefix in- means not; the suffix -ous means having the quality of or relating to. Thus, innocuous means harmless, having no adverse or ill effects.
43. a. The root pon/pos/pound means to put, place. To juxtapose means to place side by side, especially to compare or contrast.
44. b. The root tac/tic means to be silent. Reticent means tending to keep one’s thoughts and feelings to oneself; reserved, untalkative, silent.
45. c. The root ver means truth. The suffix -able means capable or worthy of. Veritable means real, true, genuine.
46. elicit. To elicit means (1) to call forth or draw out, to provoke; (2) to deduce or derive  by reasoning. This sentence uses the first meaning.
47. depreciated. To depreciate means to diminish in price or value, to lessen the worth of. It also means to think or speak of as being of little worth, to belittle.
48. persecuting. To persecute is to oppress, harass, or mistreat, especially because of race, religious or political beliefs, or sexual orientation.

49. raze. To raze is (1) to level to the ground, demolish completely; (2) to erase, obliterate. This sentence uses the first meaning.
50. apprise. To apprise means to give notice or information to, to make aware of, inform.
51. dispersed. To disperse is (1) to separate and scatter in different directions,
or cause to do so; (2) to distribute widely, disseminate. This sentence uses
the first meaning.
52. meddling. To meddle is to intrude in other people’s affairs, interfere.
53. dissent. To dissent is (1) to differ in opinion, disagree; (2) to withhold
approval or assent. This sentence uses the first meaning.
54. ingenuous. Ingenuous means (1) not cunning or deceitful, unable to mask
feelings; artless, frank sincere; (2) lacking sophistication or worldliness.
This sentence uses the first meaning.
55. peek. To peek is to glance quickly or peer at furtively.
56. elude. To elude is (1) to escape from or evade, especially by cleverness, daring,
or skill; (2) to be incomprehensible to, escape the understanding of.
57. queue. A queue is (1) a line of waiting people or vehicles; (2) in information
processing, an ordered list of tasks to be performed or sequence of programs
awaiting processing. This sentence uses the first meaning.
58. feign. To feign is to pretend, to give the false appearance of.
59. emanating. To emanate is to come or issue forth, as from a source.
60. a. Incoherent means not understandable. To cohere means to connect. A
coherent answer connects or makes sense. The prefix in- means not.
61. c. Debris is scattered fragments or trash.
62. a. Inadvertently means by mistake. The key element in this word is the prefix
in-, which means not.
63. c. Compatible means capable of existing or performing in harmony.
64. a. The suffix -able tells you that a capable employee is one who has ability.
Capable means able; unskilled means unable.
65. c. Zealous means eager, so idle is most nearly the opposite. You may have
heard the word zeal before, which might give you a clue about the meaning
of the word. One other precaution is to be careful and not be misled by the
similar sounds of zealous and jealous. The other trick is not to choose the
synonym, eager, choice b.
66. c. The best clue in this word is the prefix ex-, which means out of or away
from. Exorbitant literally means exceeding the bounds of what is fair or normal;
very high. The opposite of an exorbitant or outrageous price would be a
reasonable one.

67. b. The key element in this word is the root belli, which means warlike. The
synonym choices—hostile and ungracious—would be incorrect. The
antonym would be appeasing.
68. d. A debut is a first appearance in or presentation to the public.
69. c. Hiatus means a gap or opening; an interruption or break.
70. a. Incognito means with one’s identity concealed; in disguise or under an
assumed character or identity.
71. d. A façade is (1) the face or front of a building; (2) an artificial or deceptive
front, especially one intended to hide something unpleasant.
72. b. Liaison means (1) a channel or means of connection or communication
between two groups; one who maintains such communication; (2) a close
relationship or link, especially one that is secretive or adulterous.
73. a. The prefix con- means to be together with. A congregation would gather
together with each other in a house of worship.
74. a. The suffix -dom is a state of being. Someone who has wisdom is someone
who is wise enough to discern or judge what is right, true, or lasting.
75. d. To affect means to influence.
76. d. To be wary is to be on guard or watchful; careless is the opposite of
watchful.
77. d. To be novel is to be new; the opposite is old.
78. c. Continuous means marked by uninterrupted extension in space and time.
79. a. A courtesy is a courteous or mannerly act; it is characterized by civility.
80. a. A fallacy is a false or mistaken idea, trickery; a truth is something that
conforms to the facts.

81. d. Ingenious means marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in
conception.
82. a. An expressive person would be one who is open or emphatic when revealing
opinions or feelings.
83. d. Favorably means gracious, kindly, or obliging.
84. d. Docile means easily led or managed.
85. c. Explicit means clearly defined.
86. d. Potable means fit for drinking.
87. a. Encompassed in this context means included.
88. b. Devised means to form—in the mind—new combinations or applications
of ideas or principles; to plan to obtain or bring about.
89. c. Quandary means a state of perplexity or doubt.
90. a. Priority means the right to receive attention before others.
91. c. Conspicuously means obvious to the eye or mind; attracting attention.
92. a. Monotonous means having a tedious sameness.
93. d. Resolved means having reached a firm decision about something.
94. a. Portrayal means a representation or portrait.
95. c. Careen means to rush headlong or carelessly; to lurch or swerve while in
motion.
96. d. Audibly means heard or the manner of being heard.
97. b. Voraciously means having a huge appetite; ravenously.
98. a. A mishap is an unfortunate accident.
99. a. A rendezvous is a meeting or assembly that is by appointment or
arrangement.
100. a. Warily is a manner marked by keen caution, cunning, and watchful
prudence.
By now you’ve seen that a good working vocabulary is a very important asset when taking the any standardized test. Remember that the best way to learn vocabulary is also the easiest: just go all 1000 words every day for 5 days. Each time it will take about 90 minutes. First two times, just listen all words without looking at the list. 3rd and 4th times, listen and also read words. From 5th to 7th times, just read the list.
Here why it is the fastest way to learn vocabulary. Research has proven that you if you go through a list of about 1000 words, after 24 hours you will retain only 20%. To retain, 100%, you need to go through the whole list every 24 hours for 5 consecutive days. At the end of the 5th day, you should able to recall all words from the memory. Now this is one of the most powerful strategy to learn vocabulary fast.


Another alternative is to work with flash cards. Flash cards are pieces of paper or
index cards that are used as a learning aid. Write the vocabulary word on one side
and the definition on the other. Or, try writing a sentence that uses the word on one
side of the flash card and the definition of the word on the other. Flash cards are
easy to handle, they’re portable, and they’re friend-friendly, so you can study with
a buddy. You and your friends can drill each other. If you can make games out of
learning vocabulary, studying will be more fun and you will learn more as well!