Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know (MCQ Test + PDF) Week 33

Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know (MCQ Test + PDF) Week 33 - Day 4

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Question 1

AT THE BALLET

Evelyn was an anomaly: she had a propensity for folk music and rock and roll dancing, and, at the same time, she was an avid fan of classical ballet. At one time she had been a fledgling ballet dancer. Robert headed for a theater where a venerable ballet company was performing. He knew he had to be wary so that Evelyn might not see him first. It was Tuesday evening; two days gone with so little to show. Only three more remaining before the deadline set by Evelyn. He tried hard to allay the sudden fear that came over him that he might not locate her. Nothing would deter him from succeeding! And so, although he was far from a connoisseur of the dance, he was standing among the throng in the lobby, hoping it would be a propitious evening for him.

Sample Sentences: Use the new words in these sentences.

The _____ scoffs at the dilettante, who has only a veneer of knowledge.

A	deter
B	allay
C	connoisseur
D	wary
E	propensity

Question 1 Explanation:

A connoisseur is an expert, someone with deep knowledge and fine taste in a subject such as art, food or dance. The sentence contrasts this person with a dilettante, who has only a surface ("veneer") of knowledge, so the gap needs a noun meaning "real expert". In the passage, Robert is "far from a connoisseur of the dance", meaning he knows little about ballet.

Question 2

It is difficult to _____ the concern of parents about how susceptible their children are and how easily they succumb to drugs.

A	deter
B	allay
C	connoisseur
D	wary
E	propensity

Question 2 Explanation:

To allay fear, concern or doubt means to calm or soothe it, making it less strong. The usual collocation is allay someone's concern/fears. Not deter, because you deter a person from doing something; you cannot deter a concern.

Question 3

Some shoppers have a _____ for gaudy clothes in very bright colors.

A	deter
B	allay
C	connoisseur
D	wary
E	propensity

Question 3 Explanation:

A propensity is a natural tendency or inclination to like or do something. It is followed by for + noun or to + verb: She has a propensity for spending too much. The gap needs a noun after "a", and only propensity fits the meaning.

Question 4

Her father warned her to be _____ of adding the encumbrance of a steady boyfriend as this would attenuate her chances of finishing college.

A	deter
B	allay
C	connoisseur
D	wary
E	propensity

Question 4 Explanation:

Wary means careful and watchful because something might cause problems. The fixed pattern is be wary of something/doing something. Her father is warning her to be careful, so the adjective wary fits after "be".

Question 5

This did not _____ her from getting into a deplorable situation due to her rash and perverse actions.

A	deter
B	allay
C	connoisseur
D	wary
E	propensity

Question 5 Explanation:

To deter means to discourage or stop someone from doing something. The pattern is deter someone from doing something, and the clue here is "her from getting". Not allay, which is used with feelings such as fear, not with a person + from.

Question 6

Definitions: Match the new words with their definitions.

propensity

A	hinder, discourage
B	expert
C	disposition, inclination, bent
D	calm, soothe
E	watchful, shrewd

Question 6 Explanation:

A propensity is a disposition, inclination or bent: a natural tendency towards something. Example: He has a propensity for exaggeration.

Question 7

wary

A	hinder, discourage
B	expert
C	disposition, inclination, bent
D	calm, soothe
E	watchful, shrewd

Question 7 Explanation:

Wary means watchful and shrewd: careful because you suspect danger or trouble. Example: Be wary of strangers who offer you free gifts.

Question 8

allay

A	hinder, discourage
B	expert
C	disposition, inclination, bent
D	calm, soothe
E	watchful, shrewd

Question 8 Explanation:

To allay means to calm or soothe, especially fears, worries or doubts. Example: The doctor tried to allay her fears about the operation.

Question 9

deter

A	hinder, discourage
B	expert
C	disposition, inclination, bent
D	calm, soothe
E	watchful, shrewd

Question 9 Explanation:

To deter means to hinder or discourage someone from acting. Example: High fines deter people from parking illegally.

Question 10

connoisseur

A	hinder, discourage
B	expert
C	disposition, inclination, bent
D	calm, soothe
E	watchful, shrewd

Question 10 Explanation:

A connoisseur is an expert, especially one who can judge quality in art, food, wine or music. Example: He is a connoisseur of fine wines.

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NEW WORDS

propensity [prə pen´ sə tē]

“You had a propensity for telling simple and professional tales before the war.” Joseph Conrad, “The Tale”

wary [wer´ ē]

“These figures were wary in their movements and perfectly silent afoot.” Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim

allay [ə lā´]

“The President’s message was an attempt to allay the fears of senior citizens.” “The Future of Medicare,” Washington Post, 3/16/98

deter [di tėr´]

“Concern for his job did not deter him from making public the dangers of smoking.” “Brave Politician,” New York Times, 4/12/99

connoisseur [kon´ ə sėr´]

“This is the car for the connoisseur who doesn’t have to think about cost.” Car and Driver, 10/99

TODAY’S IDIOM

out of one’s depth—in a situation that is too difficult to handle

We thought he knew the ropes,* but we found him behind the eight ball* because he was out of his depth.

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Barron’s 1100 Words You Need to Know (MCQ Test + PDF) Week 33 – Day 4