English: Word Usage Questions Set 23

Directions: A word is given followed by its usage in options. Find the option in which there is inappropriate usage of word.

1. Venture
   Although the venture is going to cost me a lot of money, I can easily recoup my funds in three months if the business is successful.
   Without venturing to surround the stage, the crazy fans would have rushed the singer.
   The investor would not put his money into any venture that would not triple his investment.
   Even though Justin considers himself to be very smart financially, he lost over a million dollars when his last venture failed.
   None of these
   Option B
   Explanation: Venture = a risky or daring journey or undertaking.
   In B, Venturing = meek
   
2. Vain
   Because the doctor believed the patient was out of control, he gave him an injection to make him vain.
   After Vera failed the class, it was obvious her long hours of studying were in vain.
   Since my effort to get a holiday ham was in vain, we will be eating chicken for Christmas dinner.
   The football team’s comeback effort was in vain as their rivals made an interception that halted their progress.
   None of these
   Option A
   Explanation: Vain = having or showing an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth.
   In A, vain = meek
   
3. Scarce
   Ms. Polly only gave a scarce quantity of A’s since she really believed that only native Spanish speakers deserved a perfect grade.
   Even though Amy had a good job, she still could not afford to take scarce trips like her wealthy girlfriends.
   After exercising every day for three hours at the gym, the woman’s body had a scarce amount of fat on it.
   In the desert, water is scarce due to the dry air and lack of rain with only a few cacti supplying any water.
   None of these
   Option B
   Explanation: Scarce = (especially of food, money, or some other resource) insufficient for the demand.
   In B, scarce = lavish
   
4. Temper
   Jason lost his temper and broke the bathroom mirror.
   Because Mary is laid-back, you will rarely see her lose control of her temper.
   Barking at the dog will only tempered him further.
   My sister has an easy-going temper and is not bothered when her kids break her rules.
   None of these
   Option C
   Explanation: Temper = a person’s state of mind seen in terms of their being angry or calm.
   In C, tempered = agitate
   
5. Assert
   The lawyer will assert his client’s innocence despite the overwhelming evidence against him.
   Her parents planned to assert any knowledge that she was calling off the wedding.
   The lawyer will assert his client’s innocence despite the overwhelming evidence against him.
   It was difficult for the shy young woman to assert herself in class.
   None of these
   Option B
   Explanation: Assert = state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
   In B, assert = disavow
   
6. Manifest
   The love on Amy’s face was manifest and obvious to everyone.
   While this point seems manifest to me, it may not be apparent to everyone.
   The identity of the killer was not manifest to the puzzled detective.
   Since my husband prefers an manifest lifestyle, he does not interact through social media at all.
   None of these
   Option D
   Explanation: Manifest = clear or obvious to the eye or mind.
   In D, manifest = obscure
   
7. Persist
   My driver’s license will be valid for a few more months, but come May it will persist, and I’ll have to get it renewed.
   Once the detectives decided to persist with their interrogation for ten hours, the suspect finally confessed to the crime.
   Even though she was tired, the runner would persist to the finish line by pushing herself and not letting herself quit.
   Since the flu symptoms seemed to persist, the girl went to the doctor for medicine to alleviate the symptoms.
   None of these
   Option A
   Explanation: Persist = continue in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
   In A, Persist = expire
   
8. Plead
   The first time offender will plead for a short prison sentence.
   The fine print in the last plead of the purchase agreement stated that the buyer was purchasing the car as-is and could not demand repairs later.
   Did you plead for leniency when your father grounded you?
   The legislator denies all the charges and insists he will plead not guilty in court.
   None of these
   Option B
   Explanation: Plead = make an emotional appeal.
   In B, Plead = clause
   
9. Convince
   Even though his drinking was a problem, no one could convince the alcoholic to get help.
   I tried to convince my friend to wear the red dress instead of the blue since it looked more flattering.
   Cops can convince anyone who goes over the speed limit.
   Protesters tried to convince the congressman to vote against the bill through loud protests and moving letters.
   None of these
   Option C
   Explanation: Convince = to talk someone to into doing or believing something
   In C, Convince = admonish

10. Confer
    The principal closed his office door so he could confer in private with the troubled teen.
    At the pharmacy, there is a private area in which the pharmacist can confer with customers about their prescriptions.
    The head referee will confer with his colleagues to determine which team should get the ball.
    Upon entering the cult, William took upon himself to fast for a week to confer himself of food.
    None of these
    Option D
    Explanation: Confer = grant (a title, degree, benefit, or right).
    In D, Confer = deprive