Enhance your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills with the Nelson-Denny Test. Prepare confidently with flashcards and multiple choice questions, all designed to help you excel. Start your journey today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which term refers to death or dying?

  1. Demise

  2. Enliven

  3. Enigma

  4. Benevolent

The correct answer is: Demise

The term "demise" specifically refers to death or the act of dying. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to denote the end of life or an expiration, often in a respectful or solemn manner. This term captures the finality associated with death and is frequently encountered in discussions of mortality, legal contexts (such as the transfer of property upon someone's death), and literature. In contrast, the other options represent entirely different concepts. "Enliven" refers to making something more lively or animated, which has no connection to death. "Enigma" describes a puzzling or ambiguous situation or person, not related to dying. "Benevolent" means characterized by kindness and goodwill, which also does not pertain to death. Therefore, "demise" stands out as the clear term associated with death.