Advanced Level Vocabulary Exercise – MCQ Test 1
Question 1
Sponsorship is being increasingly allowed in schools provided it is regarded as being _____ with educational curricula.
Compatible with means 'able to exist or work together without problems'. Sponsorship is allowed only if it fits with what schools teach, so compatible with educational curricula is the natural collocation. Considerate (kind to others) describes people, not how things fit together.
Question 2
As the new field worker will be working in close _____ with several others, make sure you select someone with an agreeable personality.
Work in close collaboration with someone means to work together with them very closely. The clue is with several others and the need for a pleasant personality. Close does not collocate with uniformity, discretion or productivity in this sense.
Question 3
The discovery of a _____ cancer-causing chemical in foods like crisps, chips and cereals caused shockwaves around the world when it hit the headlines earlier this year.
Potentially means 'possibly, but not yet proven'. A potentially cancer-causing chemical is one that may cause cancer, which explains the worldwide shock. Completely or radically do not combine naturally with cancer-causing, and the science was still uncertain.
Question 4
The study of the situation covers a great deal of relevant material but does not tackle the real issues _____ enough.
Adequately means 'well enough, to a satisfactory degree'. The contrast with covers a great deal of relevant material shows the study does not deal with the real issues adequately enough, i.e. in sufficient depth. Vaguely would not work with not … enough.
Question 5
The recent recovery in palm oil production in Southeast Asia has led to a/an _____ decline in all vegetable oil prices.
Dramatic means 'sudden and very large'. A strong recovery in production increases supply and can cause a dramatic decline in prices, a common collocation. Tentative means 'hesitant, not certain' and does not describe the size of a fall.
Question 6
At present, the rate of economic growth is very satisfactory, but _____ when foreign competition makes itself felt, this will not be the case.
Eventually means 'in the end, after some time'. The contrast between at present and a future time when foreign competition makes itself felt calls for a time adverb. Effectively and considerably do not express time.
Question 7
The dispute between the two companies ended in an out-of-court _____, so the case never went to trial.
A settlement is an official agreement that ends a dispute. An out-of-court settlement is reached between the parties without a judge's decision, which is why the case never went to trial. A treaty is a formal agreement between countries, not companies.
Question 8
In view of the severe economic recession, his appointment to this office was regarded as highly _____.
Appropriate means 'suitable for the situation'. Given the severe recession, his appointment was seen as highly appropriate, i.e. the right choice at the right time. Considerable means 'large in amount' and cannot describe an appointment in this way.
Question 9
In a child, curiosity normally suggests intelligence and is welcomed; but an _____ adult is best avoided.
Inquisitive means 'too interested in other people's affairs, always asking questions'. The sentence contrasts healthy curiosity in a child with an inquisitive adult, who is annoying and best avoided. Indulgent (allowing too much pleasure) is unrelated to curiosity.
Question 10
I am not _____ that the proposal actually will lead to an improvement in the situation.
Be convinced that means 'feel sure that something is true'. I am not convinced that… expresses doubt about the proposal. Impressed is followed by by/with, not a that-clause, and refrained is not used in the passive like this.
Question 11
It is a society that is _____ to waging war on all forms of environmental pollution.
Be committed to + -ing means 'be fully dedicated to doing something'. Here to is a preposition, hence committed to waging war on pollution. Referred to means 'mentioned' and does not make sense here.
Question 12
Many of the pictures sent from outer space are presently on _____ in the public library.
On display means 'shown publicly so people can see it', e.g. The paintings are on display in the gallery. Pictures in a public library are therefore on display. On duty refers to people working.
Question 13
Organizations are often said to be theatres in which people _____ roles in dramas, psychic prisons, or political arenas.
Perform a role is the standard collocation for acting a part, which fits the metaphor of organizations as theatres with dramas. Presume (suppose) and allege (claim without proof) do not collocate with roles.
Question 14
The objective of this project is to increase the depth of awareness and understanding in the world about the causes and consequences of the HIV epidemic through _____ policies and programmes.
Innovative means 'new and original'. Raising awareness through innovative policies and programmes is a positive, natural collocation. The other options are negative or unsuitable: meagre (too small), ambiguous (unclear), decadent (morally declining).
Question 15
Launched as the new regulatory authority for the country’s banking and financial sector, the National Financial Services Management will extend its activities so as _____ to cover more than 40% of the national economy.
Ultimately means 'in the end, as the final result'. The authority will gradually extend its activities and ultimately cover more than 40% of the economy. Apparently (it seems) does not express this final stage.
Question 16
To the _____ of those who believed that the new policy would help the company to get over the long-lasting recession, it proved to be far worse than the previous one.
To the despair of someone means 'making someone lose all hope'. The people who expected the policy to help were disappointed because it proved to be far worse. Optimism would contradict the negative result.
Question 17
In what is viewed as a major diplomatic _____ for the government, its neighbour agreed to reopen the border and drop all trade restrictions.
A diplomatic victory is a success achieved through negotiation. The neighbour agreeing to the government's wishes is clearly a success for the government. Failure is the opposite of what happened.
Question 18
Governments throughout the world _____ that the welfare of their people depends on the economic strength and wealth of the community.
Assume that means 'accept something as true without needing proof'. Governments assume that their people's welfare depends on economic strength. Enlighten needs a person as object, and commence (begin) cannot take a that-clause.
Question 19
Many early peoples who had not yet learned to catch fish, hunt game, or till the soil _____ lived chiefly on roots, berries and nuts.
Undoubtedly means 'certainly, without doubt'. People who could not yet fish, hunt or farm must undoubtedly have lived on wild plants. Randomly and inconsistently do not fit this logical conclusion.
Question 20
He devised an _____ scheme whereby the rate of unemployment in the country could be brought down sharply.
Ingenious means 'very clever and original'. An ingenious scheme is a clever plan that could bring unemployment down sharply. Irrelevant and unstable are negative and would not achieve such a result.
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