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Weeks 1-4 SAT/ACT Vocab - Eliminate the Wrong Usage

Total questions: 39

Worksheet time: 41mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

WORD BANK

abate = lessen

abhor = hate

abstain = refrain

acerbic = sharp-toned

acquire = obtain

acumen = skill

adhere = stick

admonish = scold

analogous = comparable

anomaly = irregularity

affable = friendly

ample = plenty

arbitrary = random

aspire = aim

aversion = dislike

banal = boring

belittle = diminish

belligerent = aggressive

benevolent = kind

bolster = support

bombastic = showy

boon = benefit

brevity = shortness

callous = unfeeling

candor = honesty

capricious = unpredictable

castigate = criticize

censure = condemn

circumspect = cautious

coarse = rough

complex = complicated

concise = brief

conform = comply

conscientious = careful

contemplate = consider

dearth = scarcity

defiant = resistant

delicate = fragile

1.

Was this helpful?

a)

Very

b)

Somewhat

c)

A little

d)

Not at all

2.

Which sentence uses the word 'abate' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The wind began to abate after midnight.

b)

We tried to abate the new skills needed.

c)

The crew worked to abate the noise outside.

3.

Which sentence uses the word 'abhor' INCORRECTLY?

a)

She continued to abhor dishonest actions.

b)

The teacher started to abhor warm sweaters.

c)

Many people abhor any form of cruelty.

4.

Which sentence uses the word 'abstain' INCORRECTLY?

a)

He decided to abstain from the vote.

b)

She tried to abstain the broken chair.

c)

They chose to abstain from sweets this week.

5.

Which sentence uses the word 'acerbic' INCORRECTLY?

a)

Her acerbic remark surprised the team.

b)

The sunlight felt strangely acerbic today.

c)

He used an acerbic tone during the debate.

6.

Which sentence uses the word 'acquire' INCORRECTLY?

a)

He worked hard to acquire new abilities.

b)

They hoped to acquire additional property.

c)

She tried to acquire the loud attitude.

7.

Which sentence uses the word 'acumen' INCORRECTLY?

a)

Her financial acumen impressed everyone.

b)

The display case showed acumen in bright colors.

c)

He relied on his professional acumen daily.

8.

Which sentence uses the word 'adhere' INCORRECTLY?

a)

A) We must adhere to all posted regulations.

b)

B) She attempted to adhere the open window.

c)

C) They continued to adhere to tradition.

9.

Which sentence uses the word 'admonish' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The coach will admonish careless behavior.

b)

Parents often admonish their children gently.

c)

He tried to admonish the wobbly table.

10.

Which sentence uses the word 'analogous' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The structure was analogous to older designs.

b)

Her mood seemed analogous the sunrise.

c)

The results were analogous to earlier findings.

11.

Which sentence uses the word 'anomaly' INCORRECTLY?

a)

Researchers noted an anomaly in the chart.

b)

The calm week became an unexpected anomaly.

c)

The project showed an anomaly of steady progress.

12.

Which sentence uses the word 'affable' INCORRECTLY?

a)

A) Our new coworker seemed extremely affable.

b)

B) The cloudy afternoon felt oddly affable.

c)

C) Everyone admired his affable personality.

13.

Which sentence uses the word 'ample' INCORRECTLY?

a)

We still have ample time to finish.

b)

The warehouse offered ample storage space.

c)

The speech had ample sharp tone added.

14.

Which of the following sentences uses the word 'arbitrary' INCORRECTLY?

a)

His quick decision felt completely arbitrary.

b)

She relied on arbitrary quiet patience.

c)

The rules seemed arbitrary and ever-changing.

15.

Which of the following sentences uses the word 'aspire' INCORRECTLY?

a)

He continues to aspire to leadership.

b)

The group tried to aspire the bright colors.

c)

Many students aspire toward improvement.

16.

Which of the following sentences uses the word 'aversion' INCORRECTLY?

a)

He expressed an aversion to loud crowds.

b)

She developed an aversion to conflict.

c)

I formed an aversion for

winning cash.

17.

Which of the following sentences uses the word 'banal' INCORRECTLY?

a)

His jokes became painfully banal.

b)

The movie was filled with banal dialogue.

c)

The sleek shelf looked banal next to the trendy lamp.

18.

Which of the following sentences uses the word 'belittle' INCORRECTLY?

a)

We should never belittle anyone’s effort.

b)

They attempted to belittle the busy schedule.

c)

He tried to belittle her valid concerns.

19.

Which sentence uses the word 'belligerent' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The sunrise felt strangely belligerent today.

b)

His belligerent attitude caused trouble.

c)

She gave a belligerent response during the meeting.

20.

Which of the following sentences uses the word 'benevolent' INCORRECTLY?

a)

He offered a benevolent gesture to the group.

b)

The stone took on a benevolent shape.

21.

Which sentence uses the word 'bolster' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The coach hoped to bolster team morale.

b)

Extra evidence helped bolster their claim.

c)

The drizzle seemed to bolster the loud noise.

22.

Which sentence uses the word 'bombastic' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The advertisement used bombastic language.

b)

His bombastic speech annoyed the audience.

c)

The quiet morning felt strangely bombastic.

23.

Which sentence uses the word 'boon' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The grant became a boon for the program.

b)

Loud criticism created an unexpected boon.

c)

The new policy proved a major boon.

24.

Which sentence uses the word 'brevity' INCORRECTLY?

a)

Her email showed surprising brevity.

b)

We appreciated the brevity of the speech.

c)

The metal frame displayed impressive brevity.

25.

Which sentence uses the word 'callous' INCORRECTLY?

a)

His callous remarks upset the group.

b)

The blanket felt unusually callous.

c)

She acted with callous disregard.

26.

Which sentence uses the word 'candor' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The old building radiated a sense of candor.

b)

We admired his candor during the meeting.

c)

She answered the question with complete candor.

27.

Which sentence uses the word 'capricious' INCORRECTLY?

a)

Her capricious choices confused the team.

b)

The metal beam looked unusually capricious.

c)

The weather took a capricious turn.

28.

Which sentence uses the word 'castigate' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The manager prepared to castigate poor conduct.

b)

The review will likely castigate the team.

c)

They attempted to castigate the sunshine.

29.

Which sentence uses the word 'censure' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The board voted to issue a formal censure.

b)

She attempted to censure the gentle breeze.

c)

The council delivered sharp censure afterward.

30.

Which sentence uses the word 'circumspect' INCORRECTLY?

a)

A) She chose a circumspect approach.

b)

B) The aroma smelled strangely circumspect.

c)

C) The investor remained circumspect throughout.

31.

Which sentence uses the word 'coarse' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The towel felt coarse against my skin.

b)

The storm clouds became coarse suddenly.

c)

Workers used a coarse abrasive material.

32.

Which sentence uses the word 'complex' INCORRECTLY?

a)

We studied the complex social patterns.

b)

The quiet garden looked complex today.

c)

The new system became increasingly complex.

33.

Which sentence uses the word 'concise' INCORRECTLY?

a)

Her instructions were clear and concise.

b)

I tried to concise the plants with shears.

c)

His report stayed concise and organized.

34.

Which sentence uses the word 'conform' INCORRECTLY?

a)

A) Teams often conform with industry guidelines.

b)

B) The pattern began to conform the fabric.

c)

C) Students must conform to school policies.

35.

Which sentence uses the word 'conscientious' INCORRECTLY?

a)

B) The clouds grew surprisingly conscientious.

b)

She is known for her conscientious work habits.

c)

He completed the task in a conscientious way.

36.

Which sentence uses the word 'contemplate' INCORRECTLY?

a)

A) She paused to contemplate her options.

b)

B) They tried to contemplate the carpet.

c)

C) He likes to contemplate major decisions.

37.

Which sentence uses the word 'dearth' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The town faced a dearth of resources.

b)

We noted a dearth of reliable information.

c)

The festival had a dearth of loud cheers.

38.

Which sentence uses the word 'defiant' INCORRECTLY?

a)

He took a defiant stance in the debate.

b)

The meadow looked strangely defiant today.

c)

The child remained openly defiant.

39.

Which sentence uses the word 'delicate' INCORRECTLY?

a)

The thunder felt oddly delicate today.

b)

The lace displayed a delicate pattern.

c)

The situation required delicate handling.