All of these words pertain to being lit or illuminated, but not in the same manner or to the same degree. The related set of words all pertain to being extremely illuminated or bright. Perhaps the one word that you do not know among these is “refulgent,” which means, simply, “shining brightly.” In contrast with these extreme forms of illumination, “illuminated” is a much weaker description, thus fitting in least with the total group of words.

All of the words given here pertain to being small to some degree or another; however, note that the related set of words all indicate the state of being very small. The word “miniscule” is related to “miniature,” and it means “very small.” To be “minute” likewise means to be very small—do not confuse it with its use regarding the measurement of time. In contrast with all of the related words, “small” is a much weaker description of smallness.

Note that all of the words here are related to the notion of being large—but not to the same degree. The set of incorrect options all describe the state of being very large. This is obvious in the case of “gigantic” and “enormous.”  The words “gargantuan” and “colossal” have entered English through literary and mythical connections. Having at one time (in slightly different forms) named large creatures or statues, these words now mean “extremely large.” In contrast with all of these “very large” words, “large” is small!

All of these words pertain to difficulty, but not to the same degree. Something “arduous” requires great effort, as is likewise the case with “strenuous.” Grueling labor is work that is very difficult and tiring. Even something “laborious” is not a mere “labor.” It is something requiring a good deal of work and time to complete. In comparison with all of these words, something merely “difficult” is actually rather easy!

Although all of these words are clearly related to being angry, they do not indicate the state of anger to the same degree. The group of related words are similar in that they indicate states of extreme anger. Likely you know “raging” and “furious.” Irate comes from the Latin word for anger, and the English word “ire” (meaning “anger) is related. The word “incensed” does not necessarily pertain to odorous smoke-producing material (“incense”). When used as an adjective like this, it means “very angry.” The word is related to “incendiary” meaning either provocative, causing conflicts, or something that is intended to aid in creating fires. Incendiary remarks are meant to “set people ablaze” with anger.

All of these options provide adjectives that could be used to describe someone who is thin or underweight, but they do not do so in the same degree or in the same manner. Someone who is emaciated is extremely thin and sickly, perhaps because of malnutrition. To describe someone as being “gaunt” implies a certain hardness and grimness that exceeds what is expressed merely by being “thin.” “Bony” and “skeletal” both are much more pronounced descriptions of being underweight than is the case of “thin.”

Note that all of the incorrect options could be used to describe someone who is extremely beautiful. While something “dazzling” could be used to describe a very bright light, and something “stunning” could describe something surprising, both of these words can equally be used to describe someone who is so beautiful that they “radiate” beauty or “stun” with it (metaphorically speaking, of course). Something that is “captivating” is such that it “captures” your attention and keeps it. Given that the word “beautiful” is weaker than all the others, we can read “captivating” as pertaining to beauty that is so “capturing.” (It can sometimes be used to describe charm, for instance). In comparison with all of these, “beautiful” is a much weaker description.

All of these words pertain to being happy but not to the same degree. Something “rapturous” is such that it expresses great pleasure or enjoyment. When someone is “ecstatic,” he or she is so overjoyed that he or she seems to be standing outside of himself. (The word comes from ex (out) + static (to stand)). “Euphoria” is an experience that is very exciting and gives great joy. The “eu-” prefix means “good” (as in “eulogy” = kind / good words spoken at a funeral), and the “-phoric” portion means “to carry.” Euphoria can be said to be the state of being carried into good spirits. “Euphoric” is the related adjective.  Jubilation is the state of great joy, and “jubilant” is the related adjective. All of these are much stronger states of joy than “mere” happiness.

Notice that all of the wrong answers describe a person who is completely cut off from social contact (or explicitly desires to be so—in the case of “antisocial” and “reclusive”). A “hermit” is a person who lives alone, whether for religious purposes or merely out of a desire to be in solitude. A “cloistered” life is one that is sheltered as were the lives of the monks of the middle ages, who lived in monasteries that had characteristic parts called “the cloister”—an interior walking area. Cloistered lives are “monk-like” lives, kept away from the outside world.  To be shy is merely to fear contact or have difficulty with it. A shy person does not necessarily avoid all social converse.

Although all of these words pertain to being active, the wrong answers are all related in that they describe frantic activity of some sort. You may not know “frenetic,” but it is somewhat akin to “frantic,” meaning “wild and fast with energy.” Likewise, “feverish” might seem to be the correct answer, for it can merely indicate that someone is ill with an elevated temperature (a fever); however, “feverish” activity can be thought of as “hot and fast moving” activity. The word indeed has the English meaning of being frenetic activity.