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Vocabulary Definitions Worksheet (Grade 9)

Total questions: 60

Worksheet time: 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which word means: Language used for style, effect, or persuasion rather than for meaning or substance. A rhetorical question is asked to make a point, not to get an answer.

a)

Equivocal

b)

Rhetorical

c)

Discourse

d)

Pedantic

2.

To select, organize, and look after items in a collection or exhibition. In a digital context, it means to select and present content for an audience.

a)

Inculcate

b)

Parlay

c)

Curate

d)

Enjoin

3.

Which word means: To run or jump about playfully.

a)

Writhe

b)

Quail

c)

Gambol

d)

Kowtow

4.

Characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking, cynical, or sneering. It is often humorous but also critical.

a)

Fatuous

b)

Resolute

c)

Sardonic

d)

Effusive

5.

Which word means: Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage; keenly perceptive and intelligent.

a)

Adroit

b)

Astute

c)

Scrupulous

d)

Pedantic

6.

Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world; heavenly or celestial.

a)

Corporeal

b)

Poignant

c)

Ethereal

d)

Resplendent

7.

Which word means: Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

a)

Fatuous

b)

Pernicious

c)

Febrile

d)

Dubious

8.

Continuing for a long time and seeming endless or tedious.

a)

Interminable

b)

Copious

c)

Nascent

d)

Regnant

9.

Which word means: To feel or show fear or apprehension.

a)

Write

b)

Quail

c)

Bellicose

d)

Assail

10.

So surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react.

a)

Incredulous

b)

Nonplussed

c)

Equivocal

d)

Vexation

11.

Which word means: Excessively concerned with minor details, rules, or formalities, especially in an overly precise or showy way.

a)

Captious

b)

Pedantic

c)

Adroit

d)

Ascetic

12.

Silly and pointless; complacently or inanely foolish.

a)

Dubious

b)

Fatuous

c)

Turgid

d)

Errant

13.

Which word means: Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.

a)

Sardonic

b)

Resolute

c)

Effusive

d)

Chastening

14.

Not in a direct way; indirectly or on a slant.

a)

Equivocal

b)

Obliquely

c)

Vicarious

d)

Corporeal

15.

Which word means: Having or showing symptoms of a fever; characterized by great energy or activity.

a)

Poignant

b)

Febrile

c)

Turgid

d)

Dissolute

16.

The quality of being changeable.

a)

Pertinacity

b)

Mutability

c)

Regnant

d)

Ethos

17.

Which word means: A final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation or a breakdown in relations.

a)

Recourse

b)

Ultimatum

c)

Ideology

d)

Allocation

18.

To twist or squirm, especially in pain.

a)

Gambol

b)

Quail

c)

Writhe

d)

Kowtow

19.

Which word means: Just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.

a)

Regnant

b)

Interminable

c)

Nascent

d)

Parlay

20.

Unwilling or unable to believe something.

a)

Nonplused

b)

Incredulous

c)

Dubious

d)

Equivocal

21.

Which word means: To praise enthusiastically.

a)

Assail

b)

Impugn

c)

Extol

d)

Enjoin

22.

To make an unpleasant feeling less intense or to satisfy (an appetite or desire).

a)

Assuage

b)

Goad

c)

Derive

d)

Inculcate

23.

Which word means: Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; deeply moving or touching.

a)

Ethereal

b)

Poignant

c)

Effusive

d)

Sardonic

24.

Firmly resolved or determined; characterized by firmness and determination.

a)

Errant

b)

Resolute

c)

Dubious

d)

Equivocal

25.

Which word means: Swollen and distended or congested; also used to describe language that is swollen or pompous in style.

a)

Fatuous

b)

Turgid

c)

Ponderous

d)

Copious

26.

Having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.

a)

Bellicose

b)

Xenophobic

c)

Ethos

d)

Captious

27.

Which word means: Having a correcting, disciplining, or humbling effect.

a)

Vexation

b)

Chastening

c)

Pernicious

d)

Irksome

28.

Relating to the body (as opposed to the spirit); having a body.

a)

Ascetic

b)

Corporeal

c)

Vicarious

d)

Ethereal

29.

Which word means: To obtain something from a specific source; to base a concept on a logical extension of another.

a)

Impute

b)

Derive

c)

Curate

d)

Beget

30.

Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon as probably not true.

a)

Incredulous

b)

Dubious

c)

Resolute

d)

Scrupulous

31.

Which word means: The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations; the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a group or institution.

a)

Ideology

b)

Ethos

c)

Discourse

d)

Aphorism

32.

Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous; or deliberately misleading.

a)

Equivocal

b)

Obliquely

c)

Fatuous

d)

Rhetorical

33.

Which word means: Straying from the proper course or standards; or traveling in search of adventure.

a)

Interloper

b)

Errant

c)

Nascent

d)

Regnant

34.

To provoke or annoy someone to stimulate some action or reaction.

a)

Assuage

b)

Assail

c)

Goad

d)

Extol

35.

Which word means: Shining brilliantly; characterized by a rich and colorful appearance.

a)

Ethereal

b)

Febrile

c)

Resplendent

d)

Transcendent

36.

To think deeply about something; to meditate or ponder.

a)

Ruminate

b)

Parlay

c)

Ascetic

d)

Curate

37.

Which word means: A pithy observation that contains a general truth; a concise statement of a principle.

a)

Ideology

b)

Discourse

c)

Aphorism

d)

Malapropism

38.

To make a violent attack on; or to criticize strongly.

a)

Assail

b)

Enjoin

c)

Impugn

d)

Goad

39.

Which word means: To bring a child into existence by the process of reproduction; or to cause or give rise to.

a)

Derive

b)

Beget

c)

Impute

d)

Allocate

40.

Demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.

a)

Resolute

b)

Bellicose

c)

Xenophobic

d)

Captious

41.

Which word means: Written or spoken communication or debate; a formal discussion.

a)

Rhetorical

b)

Discourse

c)

Ideology

d)

Aphorism

42.

A body of troops stationed in a particular location to defend it; the place where the troops are stationed.

a)

Envoy

b)

Entourage

c)

Garrison

d)

Parapet

43.

Which word means: To teach or fix an idea, attitude, or habit in someone's mind by persistent instruction.

a)

Curate

b)

Inculcate

c)

Enjoin

d)

Assuage

44.

A source of help or strength; or the act of turning to someone or something for aid or protection.

a)

Allocation

b)

Recourse

c)

Ultimatum

d)

Ideology

45.

Which word means: To take a position of power or importance illegally or by force.

a)

Enjoin

b)

Kowtow

c)

Usurp

d)

Impute

46.

The state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried; something that causes annoyance.

a)

Mutability

b)

Nonplussed

c)

Vexation

d)

Quail

47.

Which word means: Clever or skillful in using one's hands or mind.

a)

Adroit

b)

Astute

c)

Pedantic

d)

Scrupulous

48.

The action or process of distributing resources or duties for a particular purpose.

a)

Recourse

b)

Allocation

c)

Ideology

d)

Derivation

49.

Which word means: Characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, often for religious reasons.

a)

Effusive

b)

Ascetic

c)

Dissolute

d)

Temperance

50.

A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another; a forerunner.

a)

Envoy

b)

Interloper

c)

Harbinger

d)

Entourage

51.

Which word means: To instruct or urge someone to do something; or to prohibit someone from performing a particular act.

a)

Assail

b)

Enjoin

c)

Goad

d)

Inculcate

52.

A messenger or representative, especially one on a diplomatic mission.

a)

Harbinger

b)

Interloper

c)

Envoy

d)

Garrison

53.

Which word means: A system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

a)

Ethos

b)

Ideology

c)

Discourse

d)

Aphorism

54.

A person who becomes involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or do not belong; a trespasser.

a)

Envoy

b)

Interloper

c)

Harbinger

d)

Kowtow

55.

Which word means: To act in an excessively subservient manner; to grovel.

a)

Usurp

b)

Kowtow

c)

Quail

d)

Writhe

56.

Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.

a)

Obliquely

b)

Vicarious

c)

Corporeal

d)

Ethereal

57.

Which word means: (Of a person) tending to find fault or raise petty objections; calculated to confuse or entrap in argument.

a)

Pedantic

b)

Captious

c)

Sardonic

d)

Scrupulous

58.

The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect.

a)

Aphorism

b)

Malapropism

c)

Equivocal

d)

Fatuous

59.

Which word means: To turn an initial success or resource into something greater or more valuable.

a)

Allocation

b)

Parlay

c)

Derive

d)

Curate

60.

Reigning; ruling; or dominant.

a)

Nascent

b)

Errant

c)

Regnant

d)

Resolute