Vocabulary Word Usage 2

Question 1

What does 'literally' mean (correctly used)?

Accepted Answer

In a strict, exact sense without exaggeration

Answer

Literally means exactly as stated, without exaggeration or metaphor. 'The house literally burned down' means it actually caught fire.

Question 2

What is the difference between 'who' and 'whom'?

Accepted Answer

Who is used as a subject; whom is used as an object

Answer

Who replaces he/she/they (subjects): 'Who called?' Whom replaces him/her/them (objects): 'To whom did you speak?'

Question 3

What does 'irony' mean?

Accepted Answer

A contrast between expectation and reality, or saying the opposite of what you mean

Answer

Irony is when the actual meaning or outcome is opposite to what is expected or stated. A fire station burning down is ironic.

Question 4

What is the difference between 'empathy' and 'sympathy'?

Accepted Answer

Empathy is understanding someone's feelings by sharing them; sympathy is feeling sorry for someone from the outside

Answer

Empathy involves putting yourself in someone else's shoes and sharing their emotional experience. Sympathy is feeling compassion from a distance.

Question 5

What does 'implicit' mean?

Accepted Answer

Implied or understood without being directly stated

Answer

Implicit information is suggested rather than explicitly stated. An implicit agreement is understood but not written down.

Vocabulary Practice Test