Test sheet for ACT Vocabulary Test Online

abrasive

(1)

a. E.g. Ash can also cause long-term abrasive damage to planes that could lead to later disasters if not dealt with.

Select answer:
rash; marked by unthinking boldness
effectively concise; appearing as if wiped or rubbed, as smooth
insignificant; lacking importance; not following from premises or evidence; illogical
rubbing away; tending to grind down
precisely meaningful; forceful and brief
Don't select.

ballast

(2)

n. E.g. The ship was listing badly to one side; it was necessary to shift the ballast in the hold to get her back on an even keel.

Select answer:
collection of live wild animals on exhibition; enclosure in which wild animals are kept
place where different tree varieties are exhibited
deep opening in the earth surface
heavy substance used to add stability or weight
usually short interval of rest or relief; delay in punishment
Don't select.

composure

(3)

n. E.g. Even the latest work crisis failed to shake her composure.

Select answer:
bravery; force; power to attack or to resist attack
separation or division into factions; formal division or split within religious body
repetitive or incantatory recital; long and tedious address
mental calmness; calm or tranquil state of mind
cheat; one who defrauds or makes practice of defrauding others
Don't select.

discrete

(4)

a. E.g. The universe is composed of discrete bodies.

Select answer:
silent or reserved in speech; saying little; not inclined to speak or converse
separate; consisting of unconnected distinct parts
done routinely and with little interest or care; acting with indifference; showing little interest or care
feasible; capable of being effected, done, or put into practice
modest and reserved in manner or behavior
Don't select.

epoch

(5)

n. E.g. The glacial epoch lasted for thousands of years.

Select answer:
metal striker that hangs inside bell and makes sound by hitting side; someone who applauds
particular period of history, especially one considered remarkable
support on which a lever rests; prop or support
place of residence of a person or a family
cheat; one who defrauds or makes practice of defrauding others
Don't select.

fortitude

(6)

n. E.g. He was awarded the medal for his fortitude in the battle.

Select answer:
picture design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into surface
dullness; insipidity of thought; commonplace statement; lack of originality
measure or dimension from side to side; width; extent
bravery; force; power to attack or to resist attack
violation of law, command, or duty; exceeding of due bounds or limits
Don't select.

jaunty

(7)

a. E.g. In An American in Paris, Gene Kelly sang and danced his way through "Singing in the Rain" in a properly jaunty style.

Select answer:
invulnerable; able to withstand attack
brief; effectively cut short; marked by use of few words
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures; binding; rigid
fit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; worthless; mean; shabby
gay in manner, appearance, or action; easy and carefree
Don't select.

outwit

(8)

v. E.g. By disguising himself as an old woman, Holmes was able to outwit his pursuers and escape capture.

Select answer:
behave arrogantly or pompously; walk with swaying motion
enhance or decorate with or as if with ornaments
outsmart; trick; beat through cleverness and wit
insult to one's character or reputation; pronounce indistinctly; talk about disparagingly or insultingly
border upon; adjoin; touch or end at one end or side; lie adjacent
Don't select.

pensive

(9)

a. E.g. The pensive lover gazed at the portrait of his beloved and deeply sighed.

Select answer:
containing a high amount of water or water vapor
habitually complaining; expressing complaint or grievance
inharmonious; impossible to coexist; not easy to combine harmoniously
deprived of; lacking; desolate because of loss
deeply, often dreamily thoughtful; engaged in serious thought or reflection; contemplative
Don't select.

pungent

(10)

a. E.g. I'm bracing myself to be met by heat, humidity and what Kerry describes as a pungent odor.

Select answer:
requiring sitting; accustomed to sitting or to taking little exercise; living in one area, not migratory
exactly and carefully conducted; by extreme care and great effort; cautious
marked by sudden and violent force; hasty; impulsive and passionate
stinging; sharp in taste or smell; caustic
having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly; multicolored
Don't select.

sojourn

(11)

n. E.g. After his sojourn in Florida, he began to long for the colder climate of his native New England home.

Select answer:
feeling of being bored by something tedious
substance used as coloring; dry coloring matter
weapon that is thrown or projected; self-propelled missile, such as rocket; fired, thrown, or otherwise propelled object, such as bullet
temporary stay; brief period of residence; place of temporary stay
large group of people gathered or crowded closely together
Don't select.

ungainly

(12)

a. E.g. "If you want to know whether Nick's an ungainly dancer, check out my bruised feet," said Nora.

Select answer:
awkward; lacking grace in movement or posture
talking much and repetition of unimportant or trivial details
exhibiting good judgment or sound thinking; prudent
being without boundaries or limits; infinite; vast
having slanting or sloping direction, course, or position; inclined
Don't select.