Notorious Confusables: Fifth Quiz

Instructions: From the paired words in brackets at the beginning of each sentence, choose the word that you think fits the blank space. Please type your answer (carefully!) in lower-case letters. The computer will recognize misspelled responses as incorrect.

After typing each word, check the answer by clicking the answer button. This is important; otherwise, the computer won't be able to properly score the quiz when you have finished all ten sentences.

1. [ambiguous/ambivalent] She was apparently feeling a bit ____________ about proceeding to the next level.

2. [alleviate/ameliorate] After many grievances, management attempted to ___________ the situation.

3. [confounded/compounded] The workers were _____________ by the intransigence of the negotiators for management.

4. [emigrated/immigrated] The Maguire family _______________ from Ireland to the United States in 1849.

5. [indeterminable/indeterminate] The number of cells she saw under the microscope at first appeared ____________ .

6. [loath/loathe] I really __________ driving into New York City on a weekday.

7. [moribund/morbid] The ancient regime was practically useless, completely _____________ .

8. [palate/palette] The French artist mixed his colors on his old _____________ .

9. [unconscionable/unconscious] To spend that much money on lounge furniture is _____________ .

10. [unexceptionable/unexceptional] Who could object to the choice of such an _______________ candidate?

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Return to the start of this test.

If you score less than eight out of ten correct on this quiz (and that's giving one away for carelessness), you might consider returning to the section on "Notorious Confusables" to review those definitions. In addition, see the section on Vocabulary Building for additional suggestions about vocabulary development.

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Notorious Confusables

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