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About This Quiz
In English, you will find that most words with a Q follow it with U. This is because qu is a digraph, which means a pair of letters that represent a single speech sound. Q used to be seen alone more often, but over time C took over those harsher sounds.Â
When you find a lone Q, it is usually a sign that the word is borrowed from another language, such as Hebrew or Arabic, that doesn't share English's peculiar habit. For example, the Chinese concept of qi, which is a vital force in all things, or qat, which is a shrub that has narcotic effects when used as a beverage. (It's also a great Scrabble word!)
Another odd fact about the q is that English did not have the letter until the Norman invasion of England. Many of the words that now begin with qu were originally spelled cwen and cwik. It is French that represents a "kw" sound with a qu. The French picked this trait up from Latin.Â
Do you have a large vocabulary? Are you in need of some new Scrabble words or just have a fondness for the letter Q? Then, try your hand at this quiz and learn some new words that begin with Q!
If two siblings are quarreling, what are they doing?
Playing
Having a fist fight
Telling jokes
Arguing
Quarrel has multiple meanings. It can be a square-headed bolt or arrow. Quarrel also means a dispute or to find fault.
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What type of geometric object is a quadrilateral?
A polygon with four sides
In 1650, quadrilateral entered English. It is derived from the Latin quadrilaterus, which means four-sided.
A circle with 5 points
A pentagon
An object with a 30-degree angle
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If an employer wants to know your qualifications, what are they interested in?
Your age
Your skills
Qualification can also mean a restriction in meaning. It was used in this sense starting in the 1530s.
You favorite food
Your salary requirement
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If you're looking for a quintessential example, what are you looking for?
A typical example
Quintessential can be used as a noun or an adjective. It was first used in its adjectival form in 1551.
Something unusual
A bad example
A unique example
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When someone is assessed quantitatively, what is the standard being used?
Quality of what's produced
The uniqueness of what's produced
Amount produced
The first recorded use of quantitative dates to the 1580s. It is derived from the Latin for quantity, which is quantitas.
The usefulness of what's produced
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If something is questionable, what is wrong with it?
It's fantastic.
It's dubious.
In the 15th century, questionable meant inviting inquiry. The current meaning is that there's a reason for to challenge or a suspicion of something being unsound.
It's unusual.
It's a great idea.
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If someone has quintuplets, how many kids did they have at one time?
1
3
5
Quintuplet can also mean five of a kind. It was originally used with this meaning during the latter half of the 19th century.
8
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Why would a quarry be using for obtaining slate or another stone?
It's a rich source.
Quarry is also a game hunt with hawks or prey. The word has been used in English since the 14th century.
It produces something valuable, such as diamonds.
It's a poor source.
It's easy to get to.
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Why wouldn't you want to get trapped in quicksand?
It's sand that objects sink into.
If you find yourself in quicksand, you should relax, so that your body floats. Those who fight will find that they sink faster.
It's impossible to get out of.
It's only in remote locations.
It's filled with scorpions.
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If you're nervous, you may quaver during a speech, but what are you doing?
Looking at notes
Fainting
Talking fast
Trembling
Quaver is also another name for an eighth note. It comes from the Middle English word "quaven," which means tremble.
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Why might you get bored with a quotidian object?
It's ordinary.
Something that's quotidian may occur each day. Shakespeare used the word in the play "As You Like It."
It's dangerous.
It's simplistic.
It's exciting.
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Why might a comedian make a quip?
It's a sarcastic comment.
It's a standup routine.
It's something silly.
It's a witty response.
Quip is an abbreviation of the outdated noun "quippy." "Quippy" comes from a Latin word that meant "indeed." Etymologists believe that the word was often used ironically, which is how it gained its current meaning.
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Oscar Wilde is often quoted, but what does it mean to quote him?
Plagiarize his work
To use a piece of his work in yours and give him credit
Quote can also mean stating the current price for a stock or bond. However, the previous definition was the original and first used in the 1580s.
Constantly read his work
Recommend his plays to a friend
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Why might you find an artist's sense of style quirky?
It's bad.
It's unusual in an interesting way.
Quirky was first recorded in 1873. Synonyms include offbeat, odd, kooky, and curious.
It's covered in paint.
It's like everyone else.
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In physics, what is a quark?
They are elementary particles that make up protons and neutrons.
In 1964, Murray Gell-Mann coined the word. Quark is also a type of cheese.
They are atoms that bond together.
They are ions that bond to create a strong substance.
They are poisonous gases.
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What are you doing if you're in a queue?
Waiting in a line
A queue can also be a sequence of messages waiting for processing. Queue first entered English in the 1740s.
Dancing at a party
Driving through a tunnel
Watching a movie
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What are you eating if you're dining on quiche?
A turkey dinner with all the fixings
A chocolate cake covered in coconut
An unsweetened custard pie with savory fillings
Quiche is borrowed from French. The first known English usage was in 1933.
A thick soup
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What type of fashion statement is a quiff?
Hairstyle
The quiff is mostly seen on men and is related to the pompadour. It was first used in 1890.
Shoes
Shirt
Jacket
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What kind of seafood are quahogs?
A type of tuna
A crab
A lobster
A clam
A quahog is a thick-shelled clam found in the United States. Its scientific name is Mercenaria mercenaria.
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What property does a quadratic equation have?
It deals with the fifth power.
It deals with the second power.
Quadratic's first recorded use was in 1668. If you are dealing with a quadratic equation, a number or variable is being squared.
It's the first power.
It's produces a straight line.
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What type of keyboard is qwerty?
Mandarin Chinese
Ancient Greek
Standard English
Qwerty takes its name from the first six letters of the second row of a keyboard, which are q, w, e, r, t, and y. The word was coined in 1929.
Egyptian Arabic
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What type of natural occurrence is quartz?
A mineral
Quartz is made of silicon dioxide that formed in crystalline masses. It was adapted from the German word "quarz."
A hurricane
Oil
Fossils
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What does it mean to quell your feelings?
Change
Talk about
Express
Suppress
Quell can also mean to quiet someone. It has origins in the Middle English word for "to kill."
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What does it mean to go on a quest?
To idly walk around an area
To do something to waste time
To get lost
To search for something
Quest comes from the Anglo-French word "queste." It was borrowed in the 1300s.
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Why would a ship use a quay?
It's a place for ships to dock.
The first known us of quay is from 1561. Synonyms include jetty, landing, dock and wharf.
It's an anchor.
It's what the steering wheel is officially called.
It's the hull of the ship.
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What does it mean to qualify something?
To destroy its original intention
To muddle its meaning
To modify the meaning
The first known use of qualify was in 1533. The original origin of the work is the Latin "qualis." However, it entered English from the Middle French word "qualifier."
To play with
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Why would an archer have a quiver?
It's a carrying case for arrows.
As a noun quiver means the carrying case for arrows. This meaning comes from Old High German. However, as a verb, quiver means trembling and it comes from Old English.
It's arm protection.
It's a specialized bow.
It's a tool used for better aiming.
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Why would you use quince to make a jam?
It's a container.
It's a type of sugar.
It's a utensil used for mashing.
It's a fruit.
A quince resembles a yellow apple. The tree is native to central Asia and is a member of the rose family.
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What type of chemical is quinine?
An acid used to dissolve iron
A poisonous gas used to kill rodents
A salt used in a bitter tonic that has antimalarial properties
Quinine is obtained from cinchona bark. It can be helpful in preventing a fever.
A metal that doesn't react with anything
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What type of celestial object is a quasar?
A star that is about to go supernova
A part of a galaxy that emits a large amount of radiation
Quasar was coined in 1965. It is derived from quasi-stellar.
An asteroid that is about to hit a planet
An object that astronomers need more information about
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Why would you need to pay attention to a quota?
It's a dangerous situation.
It's an allowance of people.
A quota is also a share assigned to each part of a club or other body. Synonyms include piece, portion, share and allotment.
It's a strict set of laws.
It's information you need to take a test.
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Why wouldn't you want to get stuck in a quagmire?
It's a crushing device.
It's a difficult position to be in.
The original meaning of quagmire is a soft, muddy land that moves when you step on it. Synonyms include bind, pickle, predicament and dilemma.
It's a jail cell.
It's a large crowd.
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If something makes you queasy, what does it do to you?
Makes you nauseous
Queasy was first used in the 1400s. It's handed down from the Middle English word "coysy" or "qwesye."
Makes you happy
Makes you excited
Makes you busy
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When you quash something, what do you do?
Publicize
Ignore
Suppress
Quash can also refer to making something legally void. This meaning originates from "cassus," which is Latin for void.
Quote
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If you are in England, what will you receive if you ask for a quid?
Money
While the origin of quid as money is unknown, the earliest known usage was in 1688. Another definition is something chewable that is not meant to be swallowed.
Food
Gasoline
A phone number
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You Got:
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