Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know (MCQ Test + PDF) Week 27

Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know (MCQ Test + PDF) Week 27 - Day 1

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Question 1

A MUSICAL WORLD

Music reached its pinnacle in the nineteenth century. Every leading nation produced its share of great composers. There was a bewildering array of national schools and musical styles as the once obscure musician came into his own. Music became a widespread and democratic art. The ardent music lover turned to Vienna as the music center at the beginning of the nineteenth century. However, Paris was not far behind, especially in the field of operatic music. As the century progressed, the Germans became paramount in orchestral and symphonic music. The growth of German music can be said to have culminated with Ludwig van Beethoven.

Sample Sentences: Take command of the new words in these sentences.

The president faced an imposing _____ of reporters.

A	obscure
B	pinnacle
C	array
D	ardent
E	culminate

Question 1 Explanation:

Array means a large group or impressive arrangement of things or people. An imposing array of reporters is a big, impressive group of them. The passage uses it the same way: a bewildering array of national schools.

Question 2

The party will _____ with the award for the most original costume.

A	obscure
B	pinnacle
C	array
D	ardent
E	culminate

Question 2 Explanation:

The gap comes after will, so it needs a verb. Culminate means to reach the highest or final point, so the award is the high point at the end of the party. Not pinnacle, because that is a noun.

Question 3

The _____ of fame and success is often a transient stage.

A	obscure
B	pinnacle
C	array
D	ardent
E	culminate

Question 3 Explanation:

Pinnacle means the highest point or peak. The pinnacle of fame and success is the top of a career, and it often doesn't last long (transient). The passage says music reached its pinnacle in the nineteenth century.

Question 4

The _____ baseball fan went to every home game.

A	obscure
B	pinnacle
C	array
D	ardent
E	culminate

Question 4 Explanation:

Ardent means passionate and eager. A fan who goes to every home game is very enthusiastic, so he is an ardent fan. The passage also mentions the ardent music lover.

Question 5

Space telescopes are making our _____ planets ever clearer.

A	obscure
B	pinnacle
C	array
D	ardent
E	culminate

Question 5 Explanation:

Obscure means unclear, hard to see, or little known. Planets that are difficult to see are obscure, and space telescopes make them clearer. Not ardent, because planets cannot be passionate.

Question 6

Definitions: Match-up time for new words and definitions.

pinnacle

A	passionate, eager
B	summit, peak, top, crown
C	arrangement, system
D	unknown, lowly, unclear
E	reach the highest point

Question 6 Explanation:

A pinnacle is the summit, peak or top of something, for example the pinnacle of her career.

Question 7

array

A	passionate, eager
B	summit, peak, top, crown
C	arrangement, system
D	unknown, lowly, unclear
E	reach the highest point

Question 7 Explanation:

An array is an arrangement or a large, ordered group of things, for example an array of musical styles. Not 'reach the highest point', because that is the meaning of culminate.

Question 8

obscure (adj.)

A	passionate, eager
B	summit, peak, top, crown
C	arrangement, system
D	unknown, lowly, unclear
E	reach the highest point

Question 8 Explanation:

As an adjective, obscure means unknown, lowly or unclear. In the passage, the once obscure musician is a musician who used to be unknown.

Question 9

ardent

A	passionate, eager
B	summit, peak, top, crown
C	arrangement, system
D	unknown, lowly, unclear
E	reach the highest point

Question 9 Explanation:

Ardent means passionate and eager, for example an ardent supporter or an ardent music lover.

Question 10

culminate

A	passionate, eager
B	summit, peak, top, crown
C	arrangement, system
D	unknown, lowly, unclear
E	reach the highest point

Question 10 Explanation:

Culminate is a verb meaning to reach the highest or final point. In the passage, German music culminated with Ludwig van Beethoven.

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NEW WORDS

pinnacle [pin´ kəl]

“Their little barber-shop quartet reached the pinnacle of their career with a firstplace finish on Major Bowes’ ‘Amateur Hour.’ ” David and Marge Buchanan, “No Business Like You Know What”

array [ə rā´]

“She arrayed herself in what seemed unbelievably beautiful clothes.” Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio

obscure [əb sky ůr´]

“This book has serious purpose even if many will find that purpose obscure.” Decision of Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, 11/62

ardent [ärd´ nt]

“There is no more ardent performer than Judy Garland as she allows her emotions to shine through.” Penelope Houston, Sight and Sound, 1954

culminate [kul´ mə nāt]

“The years of physical and mental training culminated in the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.” Vim & Vigor, Summer 1998

TODAY’S IDIOM

to break the ice—to make a beginning, to overcome stiffness between strangers

All after-dinner speakers break the ice by telling a story or joke at the start of their speeches.

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Barron’s 1100 Words You Need to Know (MCQ Test + PDF) Week 27 – Day 1