SSAT Vocabulary Practice: CH & CIR Words

Matching, gap filling, and paragraph practice for advanced vocabulary.

Vocabulary List

1. CharlatannounA fake expert; a fraud who pretends to have special knowledge.
2. ChasmnounA deep gap; a huge difference between people or ideas.
3. ChastiseverbTo scold or criticize severely.
4. ChicanerynounTrickery or dishonest behavior, especially in politics or business.
5. ChimeranounAn unrealistic dream or illusion.
6. CholericadjectiveBad-tempered; easily angered.
7. ChronicadjectiveContinuing for a long time; constantly recurring.
8. Chroniclenoun / verbA record of events in order; to record events.
9. CircuitousadjectiveIndirect; not straight or direct.
10. CircumlocutionnounUsing too many words to avoid saying something directly.
11. CircumscribeverbTo limit, restrict, or draw a boundary around something.
12. CircumspectadjectiveCareful and cautious before acting.
13. CircumventverbTo avoid or get around a rule, obstacle, or difficulty.
14. CiviladjectivePolite; related to citizens or society.
15. ClemencynounMercy or leniency, especially in punishment.
16. ClichénounAn overused phrase or idea.
17. CliquenounA small exclusive group that keeps others out.

Exercise 1: Matching

Match each word with the correct definition.

Words

  1. Charlatan _____
  2. Chasm _____
  3. Chastise _____
  4. Chicanery _____
  5. Chimera _____
  6. Choleric _____
  7. Chronic _____
  8. Chronicle _____
  9. Circuitous _____
  10. Circumlocution _____
  11. Circumscribe _____
  12. Circumspect _____
  13. Circumvent _____
  14. Civil _____
  15. Clemency _____
  16. Cliché _____
  17. Clique _____
A. a small exclusive group
B. an overused phrase or idea
C. mercy or leniency
D. polite or related to citizens
E. to avoid or get around a rule
F. careful and cautious
G. to limit or restrict
H. wordy indirect speech
I. indirect or roundabout
J. a record of events in order
K. long-lasting or constantly recurring
L. bad-tempered
M. an unrealistic illusion
N. dishonest trickery
O. to scold severely
P. a deep gap or divide
Q. a fraud or fake expert
Show Matching Answer Key

1-Q, 2-P, 3-O, 4-N, 5-M, 6-L, 7-K, 8-J, 9-I, 10-H, 11-G, 12-F, 13-E, 14-D, 15-C, 16-B, 17-A

Exercise 2: Gap Filling

Choose the best word from the word bank to complete each sentence.

charlatan, chasm, chastise, chicanery, chimera, choleric, chronic, chronicle, circuitous, circumlocution, circumscribe, circumspect, circumvent, civil, clemency, cliché, clique
  1. The dishonest salesman was exposed as a _____ after his medicine failed to cure anyone.
  2. There was a deep _____ between the rich neighborhood and the poor village nearby.
  3. The teacher had to _____ the student for copying another person's essay.
  4. The politician used legal tricks and _____ to hide the truth from the public.
  5. The dream of becoming famous overnight was only a _____.
  6. Because of his _____ temper, he often shouted before listening to others.
  7. Her _____ headaches made it difficult for her to focus in class.
  8. The historian decided to _____ the rise and fall of the empire.
  9. Instead of taking the direct road, we followed a _____ mountain path.
  10. The student used _____ because he did not want to admit that he had forgotten the answer.
  11. The new rules were designed to _____ the power of the committee.
  12. A _____ investor studies risk carefully before buying a stock.
  13. Some students tried to _____ the school's phone policy by hiding devices in their bags.
  14. Even during the argument, she remained calm and _____.
  15. The judge showed _____ and reduced the prisoner's sentence.
  16. "Time will tell" is a common _____ that writers should avoid overusing.
  17. The new student felt lonely because a powerful _____ controlled the lunch table.
Show Gap Filling Answer Key

1. charlatan, 2. chasm, 3. chastise, 4. chicanery, 5. chimera, 6. choleric, 7. chronic, 8. chronicle, 9. circuitous, 10. circumlocution, 11. circumscribe, 12. circumspect, 13. circumvent, 14. civil, 15. clemency, 16. cliché, 17. clique

Exercise 3: Paragraph Using All Words

Read the paragraph and notice how each vocabulary word is used in context.

In the ancient city, a smooth-talking charlatan promised to heal every illness, but his false claims created a moral chasm between honest citizens and those fooled by his lies. When the council tried to chastise him, he relied on chicanery, pretending that his impossible cure was not a fraud but a glorious chimera of hope. His choleric followers shouted at anyone who questioned him, while the city suffered from a chronic lack of trust. A young scholar decided to chronicle the scandal, tracing the circuitous path of deception through speeches filled with circumlocution. The mayor then passed laws to circumscribe the charlatan's influence, but remained circumspect because the fraudster might try to circumvent the rules. In a final civil hearing, the judge showed limited clemency, warning that the familiar cliché "everyone deserves a second chance" should not protect a selfish clique that had harmed the whole city.

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