U.S.

Word Usage Test

From the options below, choose the correct preposition to complete

the underlined prepositional idiom in the following sentence.
The only way Amy will be allowed to stay in that apartment is if she
promises not to infringe house rules ever again. the
a. on
b. about
c. upon
d. over
e. No preposition is needed.
Which of the following words means "unconcerned, bored, not
interested"?
a. Disinterested
b. Uninterested
c. The words are synonyms and are completely interchangeable.
Which of the following similar words expresses a sense of
tediousness?
a. Repetitive
b. Repetitious
Which of the following words would be most appropriate when
referring to a vessel's ability to hold or contain something?
a. Ability
b. Capability
c. Capacity
When referring to two distinct things, which of the following words
means "the second of the two"?
a. Former
b. Later
c. Latter
d. Penultimate
From the options below, choose the correct preposition to complete
the underlined prepositional idiom in the following sentence.

Vincent's mastery ___________ painting has put him in a league of

his own at the conservatory.
a. of
b. over
c. in
d. No preposition is needed.
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from
the options below.
Pauline will ___________ arrive late so she can make a grand
entrance.
a. doubtless
b. doubtlessly
c. undoubted
Select the correct meaning of the adjective "noisome.
a. Making much noise
b. Noxious or offensive
c. Boring
From the options below, choose the correct preposition to complete
the underlined prepositional idiom in the following sentence.
Fred is always willing to help out and that's something you can bank
___________.
a. at
b. on
c. off
d. with
e. No preposition is needed
Which of the following similar words refers to something that is lush
and grows abundantly?
a. Luxuriant
b. Luxurious
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct phrase from
the options below.
____________, I have enclosed our sales brochure and product
information pamphlets.

a. Per your request

b. As per your request
c. As you requested
d. As per the request you recently made
e. All of the above
f. None of the above
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from
the options below.
The herd of gazelles successfully ____________ the wild cheetahs.
a. alluded
b. eluded
c. illuded
Which of the following similar words is most commonly used to
describe a feature that makes a person, place, or thing easy to pick
out from others?
a. Distinguishable
b. Distinguished
c. Distinctive
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct sequence of
words from the options below.
Walter wears his ______________ clothes ______________, but
saves his tuxedo for special occasions.
a. everyday / every day
b. every day / everyday
c. everyday / everyday
d. every day / every day
Which of the following similar words is more commonly associated
with secretly working together to plot a misdeed?
a. Conspire
b. Connive
The word word" _" means to convey an additional, nuanced
meaning of a word, whereas the_" specifies the literal meaning of a
word or phrase.
a. denote / connote
b. connote / denote

Which of the following similar prefixes generally means "half"?

a. Bi
b. Semi
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from
the options below.
Amanda was adamant about having no also insisted on having much
___________ than three hundred people at her wedding, but space
for silly dances.
a. less / fewer
b. less / less
c. fewer / fewer
d. fewer / less
e. Both b and d may be used.
f. Both a and c may be used
Which of the following words is a verb meaning "to change"?
a. Alter
b. Alder
c. Altar
d. Antfer
Of the similar words below, the word request. ___________" is
most commonly used to express a formal request.
a. can
b. could
c. may
d. might
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct sequence of
words from the options below.
Horace knew he'd walked into a ____________trap when he
opened the door to nothing but a ___________silence.
a. deadly/deathly
b. deathly/deadly
c. deadly/deafly
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct phrase from
the options below.

Winning the lottery would mean the world to____________.

a. my wife and I
b. my wife and me
c. my wife and myself
d. Either a or b may be used.
e. Either b or c may be used
Which of the following similar words expresses a stronger sense of
duty?
a. Ought
b. Should
Which of the following similar words is used to describe one's
negative feelings and antipathy for something?
a. Adverse
b. Averse
Which of the following similar words refers to something that is
well-known or momentous in history?
a. Historic
b. Historical
Which of the following words refers to a state of immobility?
a. Stationery
b. Stationary
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct sequence of
words from the options below.
Sophia managed to Igor's crude advances; in a huff, the little man
done the castle wall and scooted off into the underbrush.
a. repulse / repulsive / repelled
b. rappel / repelled / repulsed
c. repel / repulsive / rappelled
d. rappel / repulsed / repelled
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct sequence of
words from the options below.
Not only was Marlon's handwriting practically ____________, but
the story was so dull and convoluted that I also found it
____________.

a. unreadable / illegible
b. legible / readable
c. illegible / unreadable
The word word "_" refers to something that is immoral, improper, or
incorrect, whereas the _" refers to something that is unjust, unfair,
or unsanctioned by law.
a. wrong / wrongful
b. wrongful / wrong
c. The two words are completely interchangeable.
Which of the following words is most commonly used as a verb
meaning "to produce a change in"?
a. Affect
b. Effect
Which of the following similar words is more commonly associated
with a physical reliance on something?
a. Addiction
b. Dependence
From the options below, choose the correct preposition to complete
the underlined prepositional idiom in the following sentence.
The CEO's decision to step down is based is need to take care of
personal matters.
a. on
b. in
c. over
d. No preposition is needed.
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from
the options below.
Annabelle told no one but her long-time ______________of her
intention to join the circus.
a. confident
b. confider
c. confidant
d. confessor

Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word from

the options below.
I must warn you that Mr. Gladstone lost all of my money in bad
investments, so I'd be his financial advice if I were you. of
a. wary
b. leery
c. weary
d. Either a or b may be used
e. Either b or c may be used
From the options below, choose the correct sequence of prepositions
to complete the underlined prepositional idioms in the following
sentence.
My supervisor cannot abide anyone who comes in late or who
doesn't abide his rules.
a. with/by
b. No preposition needed .''by
c. by/with
d. by/No preposition needed
Select the correct meaning of the verb "condole."
a. To comfort
b. To express sympathy to
c. To portion out
Of the following similar words, which implies a movements
a. On
b. Onto
c. Onto
Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct sequence of
words from the options below.
Due to All stair's ___________nature, our weekend at his home
wasn't as ____________as we had hoped.
a. restive / restful
b. restful / restive
c. restful / restless
d. restless / restive

From the options below, choose the correct preposition to complete

the underlined prepositional idiom in the following sentence.
A sunny day at the beach is certainly preferable a rainy day in own.
a. with
b. than
c. for
d. to
e. No preposition is needed.
Which of the following statements regarding the use of "that" and
"which" is CORRECT?
a. "Which" is used to narrow a category or identify an item that is being talked
about. "That" is used to indicate something that has already been mentioned.
b. "That" is used to narrow a category or identify an item that is being talked about.
"Which" is used to indicate something that has already been mentioned.