All of these words pertain to being dark or, at least, not light. The difference between “pitch-black” and the rest is the fact that it indicates the state of being completely dark. It is derived from “pitch,” which does not mean “to throw” (as it does in some situations) but instead indicates a kind of black, tarry material. “Pitch-black” merely means “as black as pitch,” indicated that something is completely black. All of the other words pertain to “dusky” sorts of light. The word “crepuscular” is likely the one word that you do not know. It merely means “related to twilight,” and could be used to describe twilight-like light.

All of these words pertain to being overweight but not to the same degree. Among the set of related words, the one that you might not know is “corpulent.” It means “fat” and is related to the same root word that is found in the English words “corpse” and “corpuscle.” The root word means “body,” so someone who is “corpulent” has “a lot of body;” however, someone who is “obese” is extremely overweight. This difference of degree separates this word from the others.

Note that all of the related words indicate evaluations that something is acceptable or adequate. While these are all positive judgments, none of them are as strong as “perfect.” Even something that is “proper” is merely something that is “fitting.” (For example: “This is the proper time,” means, “This is the appropriate or correct time”). Something is (for example) “an able substitute” when it is fitting or good, though not necessarily perfect. (Note this is not a negative judgment, just merely not a glowing judgment of perfection). The word “perfect” is much stronger than any of these other words.

All of the related words describe things that are doubtful or uncertain. Something “dubious” is of questionable value or quality. This can apply an argument as well as a physical article. Thus “dubious presuppositions” are ones that are questionable. The word “impossible” is much stronger than any of these words that indicate doubt. It thus is the word that does not fit with the rest.

The set of relating words all describe something that is in the process of being completed. An “evolving” reality is one that is changing in a gradual manner but certainly is not complete. While something might be advancing or progressing toward its completion, it is not complete yet. Hence, the word “complete” is different from these other words.

Each of the four related words indicate something that is veiled, mysterious, or unknown. Something is cryptic when it is obscure and hidden. A cryptographer is someone who encodes (hence hides) messages in coded language. A “cryptic saying” is one that has a hidden meaning that is difficult to discern. An enigma is something that is puzzling, and “enigmatic” is the adjective form of that. “Arcane” matters are ones that are only understood by a few people because of their mysterious or secret nature. In comparison with all of these words, “apparent” is quite different, meaning “obvious or clearly understandable.”

A “fragment” of something is a piece of it, as when someone talks about a “fragment of pottery,” meaning a single shard or piece of pottery. The word “fragmentary” means “in pieces or incomplete.” It is related to “fracture,” meaning “to break.”  (The “-ct-” and “-g-” sounds are similar and sometimes become interchanged in languages). The other options all imply some kind of completeness. To be “comprehensive” is to be “all encompassing” or “including all aspects.” Something “inclusive” contains all aspects of a given thing (all aspects of a trip, all members of a society, and so forth). An exhaustive list is one that has all the pertinent items on it—it considers all aspects of the question or matter.  Something that is thorough is complete, dealing with every detail.

All of these words pertain to giving in some sense. It might be tempting to think that either “charitable” or “altruistic” is the correct answer, as these words indicate a specific type of generosity, namely to those in need (for “charitable”) or disinterested, wholly unselfish giving (for “altruistic”); however, do not be persuaded in this manner. Since these two options are both a little different from each other and the others, we need to see the broader commonality shared by the four wrong answers, namely the general notion of “giving.” The word “lavish” does mean “generous,” but it implies being generous to a great degree. Since this difference in degree sets it apart from the other words, it is the correct answer for this question.

The group of four related words all indicate some level of acceptable skill at something. Someone who is “capable” is able to perform a task. Likewise, someone who is proficient has the necessary skills for undertaking something. The other two options likewise imply such a state of being “skilled.” In comparison with these words, “expert” implies a much greater level of skill or capability, thus being set apart from the other options. In comparison with all of the other four, it is a much stronger form of capability, thus providing the correct answer for this problem.

Note that all five of the words provided could be used to describe some uncomfortable and painful state of affairs; however, notice also that the four incorrect answers all give general states of aching and pain. In comparison with this “excruciating” pain is extraordinarily tormenting and difficult pain. The word ultimately is derived from the word “crux” or “crucis” in Latin, meaning “cross.” The process of crucifixion was an extremely painful form of execution, and the English word “excruciating” reflects this tormenting distant root word.