A Special Dedication
(Click the inscription to unveil the rest…)
Let’s see what you’ve got!
1. When someone is vested with something, what does it mean?
- A) They’re given a sleeveless jacket
- B) They’re officially given rights or authority
- C) Someone hides money in their name
- D) They’re signed up for a club
2. What do you think a mite is?
- A) A big insect
- B) A miniature household gadget used for cleaning
- C) A small amount of something
- D) A young attendant in medieval courts
3. You grok your teacher’s dry jokes. That means…
- A) You laugh in all the right places
- B) You finally get what your teacher is trying to say
- C) You secretly cringe but pretend to understand
- D) You take notes and try to use the jokes in your own class
4. You saw a dancer suddenly slue mid-performance. What happened?
- A) She adjusted her costume discreetly on stage
- B) She missed a cue and changed her expression
- C) She pivoted or turned sharply
- D) She lost track of the music and froze briefly
5. If you whet a knife, what are you doing?
- A) Dip it in water before slicing cake
- B) Sharpen it by rubbing
- C) Hide it under your pillow for good luck
- D) Turn it into a spoon
6. So you’ve met a tyro. What are they up to?
- A) Mixing potions in ancient Greece
- B) Translating ancient texts for a university archive
- C) Just starting out in a new field (Ah, the baby giraffes of every profession.)
- D) Collecting rare coins shaped like triangles
7. If someone is trying to bilk you, what are they doing?
- A) To cheat you out of money
- B) To flatter you excessively
- C) To insult you in a subtle way
- D) To help you in a difficult situation
8. You walk into an old cellar and think, “Wow, it’s dank in here.” What are you most likely noticing?
- A) It’s cold and wet and not very pleasant
- B) It’s stylish and dimly lit
- C) It smells of fresh paint and flowers
- D) It’s warm and filled with sunlight
9. Which of the following best defines the word etui?
- A) A hidden compartment in antique furniture
- B) A small ornamental case for personal tools or accessories like sewing or cosmetic items
- C) A miniature lockbox used to store spells in folklore
- D) A hollowed-out gemstone used by royal messengers
10. You need to vise the metal to work on it. What does vise mean here?
- A) To hold the metal securely in place with a clamping tool
- B) To cut the metal into smaller pieces
- C) To measure the metal’s dimensions
- D) To smooth out rough edges on the metal
Answer Key
Here are the correct answers and brief explanations for each question in the quiz.
- Vest – B) They’re officially given rights or authority
It’s often used in legal or official contexts. The clue compares this to receiving a Head Boy badge — a symbolic way of showing someone has been given authority. - Mite – C) A small amount of something
“Mite” often refers to a very small quantity, especially in the context of donations or effort. - Grok – B) To finally get what someone’s trying to say
To grok something means to understand it deeply and intuitively. - Slue – C) To pivot or turn sharply
Used to describe a sudden twist or change in direction, often in movement. - Whet – B) To sharpen by rubbing
Usually refers to sharpening blades, but can also mean to stimulate interest or appetite. - Tyro – C) Someone just starting out in a new field
A beginner or novice—someone who’s just learning the ropes. - Bilk – A) To cheat someone out of money
Means to defraud or swindle, typically in financial situations. - Dank – A) Cold, wet, and not very pleasant
Describes a space that is damp, musty, and uncomfortable—often underground or poorly ventilated.
9. Etui – B) A small ornamental case for personal tools or accessories like sewing or cosmetic items
10. Vise – A) To hold the metal securely in place with a clamping tool
A vise is a tool used to grip objects firmly during work like cutting or drilling.
Score Yourself
0–3: A charming tyro, you’re just getting started, and that’s exciting!
4–6: Your vocab blade is getting sharper. Keep whetting it with more quizzes.
7–9: You don’t just know the words, you grok how they work.
10: Looks like your vocab skills are fully vested—impressive!
Bonus Fun Fact
Want to challenge yourself further? Check out my three-letter word quiz on Substack for another fun test of your word skills!
If this quiz humbled you (or inflated your ego just a little)… good news: there’s more.
Leave a comment or drop your email below if you’d like more.