Which meaning means "short or curt"?

• A. Tenacious
• B. Terse
• C. Text
• D. Theme

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is brevity in speech. A word that means “short or curt” is terse. Terse describes speech or writing that uses few words and gets straight to the point, often with a blunt or abrupt tone. It’s the opposite of chatty or wordy.

Tenacious conveys persistence and determination, not brevity of speech. Text refers to written material or sending a message, which isn’t about how long or short one speaks. Theme is the main subject or idea, not about how many words are used.

A terse reply would be something like a simple “Yes” or “No,” delivered without additional explanation, which is precisely the concise, sometimes blunt style the word denotes.