Word Power Quiz: English Words of Arabic Origin

1. Lapis Lazuli

A: Breed of soft-haired rabbit
B: Gem-carving technique
C: Bright blue mineral

Correct answer: C. Bright blue mineral

Example: Yvonne’s necklace caught the eye with its lapis lazuli stones.

2. Bezoar

A: Wild boar
B: Hard mass in a stomach
C: Navigational star chart

Correct answer: B. Hard mass in a stomach

Example: The veterinarian found the bezoar that had been causing José’s dog such pain.

3. Adobe

A: Flour-based glue
B: Sun-dried bricks
C: Political advisor

Correct answer: B. Sun-dried bricks

Example: Some of the streets in Timimoun, Algeria, are lined with adobe houses.

4. Mecca

A: Place that attracts people
B: Clay cooking pot
C: Magnetic north

Correct answer: A. Place that attracts people

Example: Some Muslims take an annual trip to Mecca, the city where Muhammad was born, and some culture lovers take an annual trip to New York City, a mecca for the arts.

5. Carmine

A: Woven satchel
B: Vivid red
C: Youthful prince

Correct answer: B. Vivid red

Example: In spring, Jasmine’s garden is full of carmine tulips.

6. Albatross

A: Oceanic bird of the family Diomedeidae
B: Saltwater fish species
C: Song lamenting the fall of a city

Correct answer: A. Oceanic bird of the family Diomedeidae

Example: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” tells of a curse brought about when a sailor kills an albatross.

7. Loofah

A: Incense holder
B: Dried fruit used as a bath sponge
C: Cinnamon toothpaste

Correct answer: B. Dried fruit used as a bath sponge

Example: Harry’s bathroom was stocked with fresh towels, a silk dressing gown and a loofah.

8. Alcove

A: Footstool
B: Fragrant spice
C: Recessed area

Correct answer: C. Recessed area

Example: A marble bust of Beethoven sat in an alcove in the living room.

9. Azimuth

A: Military officer who leads a death squad
B: Political deadlock
C: Direction of a celestial body from the observer

Correct answer: C. Direction of a celestial body from the observer

Example: To receive the most sunlight, a solar panel should take the sun’s azimuth into account.

10. Cipher

A: Coded messaging
B: Gambling strategy
C: Freshwater dolphin

Correct answer: A. Coded messaging

Example: Many ciphers were created for the U.S. military during the Second World War, but the Navajo language proved one of the best methods of secret communication.

11. Julep

A: Citrus drink
B: Syrupy drink
C: Yogourt drink

Correct answer: B. Syrupy drink

Example: The mint julep is the signature cocktail of the Kentucky Derby.

12. Calipers

A: Instrument with two legs that measures dimensions
B: Hereditary religious leaders in Syria
C: Proportion of precious meals in an alloy

Correct answer: A. Instrument with two legs that measures dimensions

Example: While renovating the kitchen, Jillian used calipers to determine the size of her tiles.

13. Alkaline

A: Dark eyeliner made from wax
B: Substance containing a low concentration of hydrogen ions
C: Pointed nose

Correct answer: B. Substance containing a low concentration of hydrogen ions

Example: A solution with a pH higher than seven is said to be alkaline, or basic.

14. Arsenal

A: Person who sets fires
B: Deadly poison
C: Store of weapons

Correct answer: C. Store of weapons

Example: Nine countries in the world possess known nuclear arsenals.

15. Damask

A: Twilight hour
B: Woven fabric with a reversible pattern
C: Persian Gulf sailing vessel

Correct answer: B. Woven fabric with a reversible pattern

Example: For the French doors, the decorator chose damask curtains that would photograph well from either side.

How Did You Do?

If you got 7-10 correct answers, you have some work to do (sorry!). If you got 11-12 correct answers, then great job! And if you got 13-15 correct answers, it’s time for you to think about a career in linguistics!

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