Quiz: English Vocabulary Revision — 16 questions

1. What does the term “alternating custody” mean in family vocabulary?

A. Shared custody of a child between parents

B. Legal adoption of a child by relatives

C. Temporary care of a child by a midwife

D. Financial support provided to a child’s household

Answer: (A)

Explanation

Alternating custody refers to shared custody, in which a child lives with or is cared for by separated parents according to an arrangement. Adoption by relatives describes foster or adoptive parenting, not alternating custody.

2. If someone examines a small detail closely, which expression best describes the way they look?

A. They catch sight of it

B. They glance at it

C. They peer at it

D. They catch a glimpse of it

Answer: (C)

Explanation

To peer at something means to look at it closely and carefully. Catching a glimpse, glancing, and catching sight of something all describe noticing it briefly rather than examining it closely.

3. In a rented dwelling, who is the person responsible for paying rent to use the property?

A. The landlord

B. The surveyor

C. The builder

D. The tenant

Answer: (D)

Explanation

A tenant is the person who rents and occupies a dwelling, usually in exchange for rent. A landlord owns or lets the property rather than renting it from someone else.

4. Which expression describes looking at someone angrily?

A. To gaze at someone

B. To wink at someone

C. To gape at someone

D. To glare at someone

Answer: (D)

Explanation

To glare at someone means to look at them angrily. Gazing involves contemplation, gaping involves looking with the mouth open, and winking means briefly closing one eye.

5. Which household object is a frame used for drying clothes?

A. A drying rack

B. A banister

C. A mantelpiece

D. A sideboard

Answer: (A)

Explanation

A drying rack is a frame designed to hold clothes while they dry. A sideboard stores items, a mantelpiece is a shelf above a fireplace, and a banister is a handrail.

6. A person speaks with repeated sounds and hesitations; which verb describes this speech pattern?

A. To speak within earshot

B. To stammer

C. To lisp

D. To mumble

Answer: (B)

Explanation

To stammer means to speak with repeated sounds or hesitations. To mumble means to speak unclearly, while to lisp concerns imperfect pronunciation of particular sounds.

7. Which description correctly distinguishes ripe fruit from raw food?

A. Ripe fruit is uncooked, whereas raw food is ready to eat.

B. Ripe fruit has added seasoning, whereas raw food lacks flavour.

C. Ripe fruit is served on china, whereas raw food is served on a tray.

D. Ripe fruit is ready to eat, whereas raw food is uncooked.

Answer: (D)

Explanation

Ripe describes fruit that is ready to eat, while raw describes food that has not been cooked. The confusion arises because both terms can describe food, but they refer to different qualities.

8. A designer wants trousers that do not cling closely to the legs; which word best describes them?

A. Loose

B. Silken

C. Shabby

D. Tight

Answer: (A)

Explanation

Loose clothing is not tight and provides a less close-fitting shape. Tight clothing would cling closely to the body, while shabby describes worn and untidy condition.

9. What is a serial in the context of leisure and entertainment?

A. A puzzle requiring an answer

B. A practical repairer

C. A children's hiding game

D. An episodic story

Answer: (D)

Explanation

A serial is a story presented in separate episodes. A detective story is a crime story, whereas a riddle is a puzzle, so those terms describe different forms of entertainment.

10. A small, faint light is visible in the distance at night; what is it called?

A. A twinkle

B. A glow

C. A glimmer

D. A blaze

Answer: (C)

Explanation

A glimmer is a faint light, which matches the weak distant light in the situation. A blaze refers to an extremely bright light or fire, making it much stronger than a glimmer.

11. During a football match, which person controls the game and enforces its rules?

A. A ramble leader

B. A teammate

C. The referee

D. A tournament

Answer: (C)

Explanation

The referee is the official who controls a match. A teammate participates as a member of a team, so that role does not involve directing the game.

12. Which description best matches a muffled noise?

A. A low sound with a deep tone

B. A softened sound

C. A smell that is very unpleasant

D. An extremely loud sound

Answer: (B)

Explanation

A muffled noise is a sound that has been softened or dampened. An extremely loud sound is described as deafening, while a bad smell is expressed by the verb to stink.

13. Which body feature is the joint connecting the hand and the arm?

A. The calf

B. The thigh

C. The jaw

D. The wrist

Answer: (D)

Explanation

The wrist is the joint between the hand and the arm. The jaw is a bone of the lower face, while the thigh and calf are parts of the leg.

14. A fabric feels uneven when touched; which adjective describes its texture?

A. Talkative

B. Rough

C. Smooth

D. Shortsighted

Answer: (B)

Explanation

Rough describes a surface that is uneven to touch. Smooth refers to an even surface, whereas the other terms concern speech and vision.

15. How does someone move when they shuffle along?

A. By dragging their feet

B. By moving toward a destination

C. By twisting from side to side

D. By walking with long steps

Answer: (A)

Explanation

To shuffle along means to move by dragging the feet. Walking with long steps is to stride, moving toward a destination is to make for, and twisting from side to side is to wriggle.

16. Which term describes the manner in which a person walks rather than the speed of walking?

A. Pace

B. Salvation

C. Gait

D. Beckoning

Answer: (C)

Explanation

Gait means a person's manner of walking. Pace refers to walking speed, while salvation and beckoning have different meanings.