Vocabulary Mastery: Fill in the Blanks

The loud and harsh noise from the construction site created a _______ that made it difficult to concentrate.

• anomaly

• cacophony

• jargon

• feign

Despite the criticism, she remained _______ and did not let her emotions show.

• smug

• stoic

• diffident

• magnanimous

His _______ behavior at the meeting was unnecessary and made everyone uncomfortable.

• gratuitous

• assiduous

• ephemeral

• equivocal

The scientist was puzzled by the _______ in the data, which did not fit the expected pattern.

• anomaly

• jargon

• pedestrian

• remonstrate

The CEO's _______ decision to donate his bonus to charity was praised by the employees.

• pernicious

• magnanimous

• smug

• impervious

The technical _______ used in the manual made it difficult for the average user to understand.

• jargon

• anomaly

• stoic

• feign

Her _______ nature made it difficult for her to speak up in group discussions.

• diffident

• ubiquitous

• assiduous

• equivocal

The politician's _______ statements left the audience confused about his true intentions.

• equivocal

• smug

• magnanimous

• stoic

The _______ effects of the new policy were not immediately apparent but became evident over time.

• gratuitous

• ephemeral

• pernicious

• pedestrian

The _______ of the old typewriter in the modern office was quite amusing to the employees.

• anachronism

• cacophony

• feign

• remonstrate