General ESL Vocabulary MCQ Test With Answers – Upper Intermediate Level Exercise 06

Probable means likely to happen. Planners should think about problems that will probably come in the future. Unbelievable, impossible and unreasonable do not describe problems you should plan for.

Principal is an adjective meaning main or most important: my principal objection = my main objection. Not principle: that is a noun meaning a basic rule or belief, and it sounds the same, so the two are easy to confuse.

The former … the latter refers to the first and the second of two things just mentioned. Here the latter means the boiling point. Not later: that word is about time (see you later).

You could afford to + verb is an informal way to say that someone should do something more, and that it would not cost them anything: You could afford to be more friendly. Afford is followed by to + infinitive. The other options do not fit this pattern.

Illogical means not reasonable or not based on clear thinking. People often become emotional and illogical about sensitive topics. Illiterate (unable to read), illegible (impossible to read) and illegal (against the law) do not fit the meaning.

A gross injustice is a strong collocation meaning a very unfair act. Condemning someone unfairly is an injustice. Impartiality and fairness have the opposite meaning, and penalty does not go with gross here.

Respectable means honest, proper and socially acceptable: a respectable business. The speaker is offended because the remarks suggested the business was not honest. Remarkable means unusual or impressive, which does not fit.

To endorse a treaty means to officially approve or support it. The countries declined, meaning they refused to give that approval. Advocate means to speak publicly in favour of an idea, but countries formally approve treaties, so endorse is the better word.

Foretell means to say what will happen in the future. It is almost impossible to foretell exactly what difficulties will come, so precautions are needed. Not forewarn: you forewarn a person (forewarn someone of danger), not a difficulty.

A superstitious person believes in luck and magic signs. Many people believe that walking under a ladder brings bad luck. Not credulous: that means believing things too easily in general, while the ladder is a typical superstition.

To outnumber means to be greater in number. By two to one is a clue that we are counting people: there are twice as many men as women. Outlive, outdo and outshine are not about numbers.

To overcome a difficulty means to deal with it successfully: overcome difficulties/problems is a common collocation. The difficulties must be solved before cloning is possible. Aggravated means made worse, which is the opposite.

An orderly life is a calm, well-organised life, which matches quite contented. The gap needs an adjective before life. Happily and prosperously are adverbs, and miserable contradicts contented.

To take something into account means to consider it when planning or deciding. The bridge is so long that the designer had to consider the curve of the earth. Given an account of means described, which does not fit.

Nevertheless means 'in spite of this' and shows contrast. The clue is Despite plus outstanding results: good results came even though conditions were difficult. Therefore, accordingly and consequently show a result, not a contrast.

It occurred to me that… means a thought suddenly came into my mind. Not dawned: the correct form is it dawned on me, not dawned to me. Happened to me is about events, not thoughts.

Intrigued means very interested because something is strange or puzzling. Scientists find the new disease puzzling, so they are intrigued by it. Checked (stopped or examined) does not fit the meaning.

To treat someone to something means to pay for a meal or an activity for them as a kind gesture: They treated us to lunch. The word kindly is the clue. Rewarded suggests payment for something we did, which is not the meaning here.

Neither here nor there is an idiom meaning not important or not connected to the matter. So the argument is irrelevant. The other adjectives describe feelings or size, not relevance.

At customs you declare goods, which means you officially tell the officers about things you are bringing into the country that may need tax. Anything to declare? is the standard question. Not hide: an officer would not ask you what you want to hide.