Question 1
Find the word or phrase that is closest in meaning to each word.
severely
Severely means extremely or very badly, and it is used for something serious or harsh. Example: The cold weather severely stressed the soldiers.
Question 2
prevailing
Prevailing means most common or most widely accepted at a particular time. Example: the prevailing view, which is the opinion most people hold.
Question 3
devise
To devise something means to invent it or to plan it carefully. Example: Hannibal devised a clever plan.
Question 4
collapse
To collapse means to fall down suddenly. It is also used for plans, armies or systems that suddenly fail. Example: The invasion force collapsed.
Question 5
annex
To annex means to add on. It is used especially for a country that takes control of a territory and adds it to its own land. Example: Rome annexed the area around Carthage.
Question 6
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
The judge ruled that Harry was guilty of a _____ of the seat-belt law.
A violation is an act of breaking a law or rule. The phrase guilty of a violation of the law fits the judge's ruling. Conquest means taking land by force, which has nothing to do with a seat-belt law.
Question 7
Because Dalmatia was protected by high mountains, the empire could not _____ it.
The gap needs a verb after could not, and annex (take control of land and add it to your own) fits an empire. Apex is a noun meaning the highest point, so it cannot follow could not.
Question 8
We have to _____ a way to fight this new disease.
After have to we need a verb. To devise a way means to invent or plan a method. Conquest is a noun, so it doesn't fit here.
Question 9
Several armed groups joined together to _____ the foreign invaders.
To resist means to fight against something or someone, so resist the invaders fits armed groups. Collapse means to fall down, and it cannot take an object like the foreign invaders.
Question 10
The _____ belief held that the enemy’s peace moves were not sincere.
The prevailing belief is the belief that most people hold, which fits the idea of a common opinion about the enemy. Invasive means spreading into or entering by force, so it doesn't describe a belief.
Question 11
Read the passage to review the vocabulary you have learned. Answer the questions that follow.
The Roman conquest of North Africa is, in the prevailing view, less interesting than Rome’s European adventures. In truth, one of the first lands Rome annexed beyond the Italian peninsula was the area around Carthage in North Africa. Carthage and Rome had been in conflict (called the Punic Wars) since 264 BCE for control of trade along the Mediterranean coast. In 218 BCE, during the Second Punic War, the Carthaginian general Hannibal devised a clever plan, in violation of most military wisdom, to march through the high Alps to attack the Roman heartland. The cold weather and steep terrain severely stressed Hannibal’s forces, many of whom rode elephants. The Romans resisted Hannibal’s attacks, and his bold invasion force collapsed. In the end, Rome finished off Carthage in the Third Punic War (149–146 BCE). At its apex in 117 CE, Rome controlled all of North Africa and territories from the Persian Gulf to Britain.
Bonus Structure— In the end introduces the last stage of a long process.
Which sentence best expresses the essential information of this passage?
The passage opens with its main idea: one of the first lands Rome annexed beyond Italy was the area around Carthage in North Africa. The rest of the passage explains how this conquest happened. Hannibal\'s march over the Alps and the three Punic Wars are only supporting details, not the essential information.
Question 12
The author of this passage believes that Hannibal’s attack on Rome by crossing the Alps was _____.
The passage says Hannibal's plan was in violation of most military wisdom. This means it went against what most military commanders would normally do. The passage does not say elephants can't cross mountains; it says the weather and terrain severely stressed his forces.
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Word List
annex [ˈænɛks] v.
To make something (usually land) part of another unit
→ Bardstown grew by annexing several farms at the north edge of town.
Parts of speech annexation n., annex n.
apex [ˈeɪpɛks] n.
The highest point
→ Gregory knew that his running skills had to be at their apex during the tournament.
Usage tips Apex is often used to describe the high point of someone’s abilities.
collapse [kəˈlæps] v.
To fall down, usually because of weakness
→ the roof collapsed on top of me
Parts of speech collapse n., collapsible adj.
conquest [ˈkɒŋkwest] n.
A takeover by force or continued effort
→ The first recorded conquest of Mt.Everest was by Tensing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hilary.
Usage tips Conquest is usually followed by an of phrase.
Parts of speech conquer v.
devise [dɪˈvaɪz] v.
To find an original way to make an object or a plan
→ The soldiers devised a way to cross the river into enemy territory without being seen.
Parts of speech device n.
invasive [ɪnˈveɪsɪv] adj.
Aggressively entering into someone else’s territory
→ Surgery with a laser is less invasive than surgery with a knife or scalpel.
Parts of speech invade v., invasion n., invader n.
prevailing [prɪˈveɪlɪŋ] adj.
Strongest or most common
→ The prevailing attitude among our neighbors is to be friendly but not too friendly.
Parts of speech prevail v., prevalence n.
resist [rɪˈzɪst] v.
To refuse to give in to a strong force or desire
→ Although many native nations resisted, the U.S.government eventually took over almost all Indian land.
Parts of speech resistance n., resistant adj.
severely [sɪˈvɪəlɪ] adv.
Harshly; extremely
→ Commanders severely punished any soldier who criticized the battle plan.
Parts of speech severity n., severe adj.
violation [ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃən] n.
An action that breaks a law or agreement; mistreatment of something that deserves respect
→ The army’s testing of new weapons was a violation of the cease-fire agreement.
Usage tips Violation is often followed by an of phrase.
Parts of speech violate v., violator n.