Commonly Misused GRE Words Quiz

What is the primary difference between 'wonder' and 'wander'?

• Wonder is to be amazed, wander is to be confused.

• Wonder is to speculate, wander is to be amazed.

• Wonder is to think deeply, wander is to walk aimlessly.

• Wonder is to walk aimlessly, wander is to think deeply.

Which of the following best describes the difference between 'bought' and 'brought'?

• Bought is to purchase, brought is to carry along.

• Bought is to carry along, brought is to purchase.

• Bought is to sell, brought is to buy.

• Bought is to borrow, brought is to lend.

How does 'adept' differ from 'adopt'?

• Adept means to lend, adopt means to borrow.

• Adept means to purchase, adopt means to sell.

• Adept means to be skilled, adopt means to take responsibility.

• Adept means to take responsibility, adopt means to be skilled.

What is the key distinction between 'principle' and 'principal'?

• Principle is a belief, principal is a person in charge.

• Principle is a person in charge, principal is a belief.

• Principle is a guideline, principal is a rule.

• Principle is a rule, principal is a guideline.

What does 'ardent' mean compared to 'arduous'?

• Ardent means simple, arduous means easy.

• Ardent means easy, arduous means simple.

• Ardent means passionate, arduous means difficult.

• Ardent means difficult, arduous means passionate.

How do 'ascent' and 'assent' differ in meaning?

• Ascent is disagreement, assent is descending.

• Ascent is descending, assent is disagreement.

• Ascent is agreement, assent is climbing.

• Ascent is climbing, assent is agreement.

What is the difference between 'attain' and 'obtain'?

• Attain is to gain, obtain is to lose.

• Attain is to lose, obtain is to gain.

• Attain is to possess, obtain is to achieve.

• Attain is to achieve, obtain is to possess.

What distinguishes 'amoral' from 'immoral'?

• Amoral means lacking morals, immoral means having bad morals.

• Amoral means having bad morals, immoral means lacking morals.

• Amoral means ethical, immoral means unethical.

• Amoral means unethical, immoral means ethical.

How is 'abstruse' different from 'obtuse'?

• Abstruse means easy to understand, obtuse means sharp.

• Abstruse means dull, obtuse means difficult to understand.

• Abstruse means sharp, obtuse means easy to understand.

• Abstruse means difficult to understand, obtuse means dull.

What is the primary difference between 'chaotic' and 'inchoate'?

• Chaotic means complete, inchoate means organized.

• Chaotic means not fully formed, inchoate means disordered.

• Chaotic means organized, inchoate means complete.

• Chaotic means disordered, inchoate means not fully formed.