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.

All of these options are in some way related to the provision of light for some area or surface. To “illuminate” something is to shine a light upon it. It literally means “to place light onto.” Light bulbs are rated as having a certain number of “lumens.” Lumens are units of light production—as opposed to mere power consumption as expressed by “watts.” The one word that is different among those provided is “effulgent,” which means “brightly shining.”  Even “brightened” might only mean that something has been relatively brightened—e.g. from dark grey to light grey; however, “effulgent” always indicates the state of strong or extreme brightness. Thus, the word differs from the others.

All of the related words in this group describe easiness of some sort.  Likely you have no problem seeing that in “easy,” “undemanding,” and effortless. The word “facile” means “easily accomplished.” A “facile undertaking” is one that is very easy (and likely not very impressive either). Often, the word carries an implication like, “It was very easy—an hence not worth praise.” Something is “onerous” when it is very difficult.  It comes from the Latin “onus” meaning “burden or load.” When someone is “exonerated,” he or she is declared innocent in a court hearing. That person can be said to have had the “burden of guilt” lifted from him or her.