Question 1
Choose the synonym.
foster
To foster means to encourage something to grow or develop, so stimulate is the closest synonym: The program fosters creativity. Not enhance, which means to improve the quality of something that already exists, not to help it start or grow.
Question 2
halt
To halt means to stop, either suddenly or completely: The train halted at the border.
Question 3
trait
A trait is a quality or feature that someone or something has, a characteristic: Honesty is his best trait.
Question 4
adept
Adept means very skilled or talented at something: She is adept at solving puzzles. Not clumsy, which is the opposite: it describes someone who does things badly or awkwardly.
Question 5
redundant
Redundant describes something that is unnecessary because it repeats what is already there, so it is repetitious: Delete the redundant sentences in your essay.
Question 6
substantial
Substantial means large in amount or importance, so it is significant: a substantial increase in prices.
Question 7
underscore
To underscore means to emphasize something or draw attention to it, so it means to highlight: The report underscores the need for change. Not exaggerate, which means to make something seem bigger than it really is.
Question 8
mysterious
Something mysterious is hard to understand or explain, so it is baffling: a mysterious disappearance.
Question 9
insignificant
Insignificant means having little importance or value, so it is meaningless: an insignificant detail. Not rudimentary, which means basic or simple.
Question 10
adhere
To adhere to a rule or agreement means to follow it, that is, to comply: All members must adhere to the rules. Not withstand, which means to resist or survive something.
Question 11
Scientists can only speculate on the possible fate of the Cosmos. If the universe is unbound, there is little possibility that its expansion will halt. Thus, eventually, the galaxies and stars will all die. The Cosmos then would be a cold, dark, and virtually empty place. If the universe is bound, the mass and energy content will come together again in a big fiery squeeze.
The word halt in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Halt means stop. The passage says that if the universe is unbound, its expansion will probably not stop, so the galaxies and stars will eventually die. Not continue, which means the opposite.
Question 12
The perception of depth and distance depends on information transmitted through various sense organs. Sensory cues indicate the distance at which objects are located from the individual and from each other. The senses of sight and hearing transmit depth and distance cues that are substantially independent of one another.
The word substantially in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Substantially means to a large degree, so it means significantly. The passage says that sight and hearing give depth and distance cues that are largely independent of each other.
Question 13
Because the needs of human communication are so various, the study of meaning is probably the most difficult and mysterious aspect of serious language study. Traditionally, language has been defined as the expression of thought. But this idea is far too narrow an interpretation of language and far too broad a view of thought to be worthwhile. The expression of thought is just one of the many roles of language.
The word mysterious in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Mysterious means hard to understand or explain, so it means baffling. The passage calls the study of meaning the most difficult and puzzling part of language study. Not meaningful, which only repeats the topic of the sentence and does not match the sense of the word.
Question 14
The theory of environmental determinism says that the physical surroundings of a people, including natural resources, climate, and geography, are the major determining factors in the development of their culture. Therefore, determinism rejects the idea that history and tradition, social and economic factors, and other elements of culture explain social development.
The word rejects in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
To reject an idea means to refuse to accept it. Determinism actively denies that history and tradition explain social development. Not ignores, which means only paying no attention to something, not openly denying it.
Question 15
The greatest benefit of a regular exercise program is an improvement in overall fitness. Appropriate exercise boosts muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance. The level of maximum oxygen intake or cardiorespiratory endurance is usually not of great importance to most individuals. The most important thing is to attain their maximum level of performance.
The word boosts in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
To boost means to increase or improve something, so it means promotes. The passage says that exercise improves strength, endurance and flexibility. Not alters, which only means 'changes' and does not say whether the change is good or bad.
Question 16
The number of giant pandas in the world is dwindling. The chief reason is that their natural habitat in China has been reduced as bamboo forests have been cleared to increase available land for China’s vast human population. In fact, the world came perilously close to losing the panda altogether in the 1980s as a result. Today, the panda’s future is brighter. The Chinese government now protects most of the panda’s natural habitat.
In saying that the world came perilously close to losing the panda, the author means that the giant panda _____.
Perilously close means dangerously near to something bad happening. The passage says that in the 1980s the world nearly lost the panda altogether, so the giant panda was nearly entirely eliminated.
Question 17
Several pilots were killed during the competition for the Orteig Prize, which was promised to the first pilot to fly nonstop from New York to Paris. Charles Lindbergh believed he could win it if he had the right airplane, and he was right. He received the $25,000 prize in 1927 for being the first to make the perilous solo flight across the Atlantic.
The word perilous in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Perilous means full of danger, so it means dangerous. The passage says several pilots were killed trying to win the prize, which shows how risky the flight across the Atlantic was. Not prosperous, which means successful or rich.
Question 18
In parts of the world that lack modern sewage treatment plants, water carrying human waste can flow into drinking water supplies. Disease-carrying bacteria in the waste can make the drinking water harmful. Even in certain U.S. cities, such contaminants have been found in urban water supplies.
The word harmful in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Harmful means causing damage, so here the water becomes unhealthy. The passage says bacteria in the waste can make drinking water bad for people's health. Not adverse, which describes effects or conditions, not water itself (adverse effects).
Question 19
Commercial arbitration has been practiced in European countries for many years. In the United States, commercial arbitration to handle disputes is gaining in popularity. The American Arbitration Association hires panels of arbitrators who mediate disagreements and propose solutions. The decisions of these panels have been enforced by the courts of many states.
The word handle in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
To handle a problem means to deal with it, that is, to manage it. The passage says that arbitration is used to settle disputes. Not face, which means only to confront a problem, not to deal with it.
Question 20
Martin Luther King Jr. had a magnificent speaking ability. This quality enabled him to adeptly express African-Americans’ need for social justice. He gained the support of millions of people of all races through his eloquent pleas for nonviolent social action in the face of acute opposition. He received international accolades when he was awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, after many years of struggle to assure basic civil rights for all citizens.
The word adeptly in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Adeptly means in a very skilled way, so it means skillfully. The passage says King's great speaking ability let him express the need for social justice very well. Not passionately, which means with strong feeling, not with skill.
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TARGET WORDS
- adept
adj. able to do something well, being talented
syn. skilled
He is adept at calming noisy children.
The investigators were adept at their jobs.
- adhere (n. adherence)
- to stick to or follow precisely
syn.comply
Travelers must adhere to the laws of the country they are visiting.
The referee’s excessively strict adherence to the rules upset the players.
- foster
- to promote growth or development
syn.stimulate
The industrial revolution fostered the rise of the middle class.
Parents usually foster the development of good habits in their children.
- halt (adv. haltingly; adj. halting; n. halt)
- to stop or discontinue
syn.stop
Bus service to the city was halted due to poor road conditions.
The supervisor put a halt to the tardiness of the employees.
- handle (n. handling)
- to deal with or control
syn.manage
They handled themselves very well given the circumstances.
The president’s handling of the crisis was widely applauded.
- harbor
- to give protection; to not express a desire or opinion, usually bad
syn.shelter
He harbors ill feelings for her.
They harbored the political refugee in their home.
- harmful (adv. harmfully; v. harm; n. harm)
adj. something that causes pain or damage
syn. unhealthy
Excessive radiation is harmful to the body.
Bleach harms certain fabrics.
- insignificant (adv. insignificantly; n. insignificance)
adj. not important; of little value
syn. meaningless
The amount of rainfall this summer has been insignificant.
The insignificance of his comment became apparent with the passing of time.
- mysterious (adv. mysteriously; n. mystery; n. mysteriousness)
adj. not easily understood or figured out
syn. baffling
He had a mysterious effect on everyone who heard him speak.
The man’s disappearance was a mystery.
- perilous (adv. perilously; n. peril)
adj. threatening or risky; harmful
syn. dangerous
It is perilous to exceed the speed limit.
There are ample perils in the sport of mountain climbing.
- promote (n. promoter; n. promotion)
- to encourage or advertise; to elevate in rank or grade
syn.boost
Many nations promote tourism to lure foreign currency.
The customers responded favorably to the half-price promotion.
- redundant (n. redundancy; adv. redundantly)
adj. being excessive; showing unnecessary repetition
syn. repetitious
Students who ask teachers to “repeat that again” are being redundant because “repeat” means “again.”
Lush, redundant vegetation is common in tropical climates.
- reject (n. rejection)
- to refuse
syn.refuse
The insurance company rejected the claim.
The rejection of his work was difficult for him to understand.
- substantial (adv. substantially; adj. substantive)
adj. important; strongly made; of value
syn. significant
The discovery of a vaccine for smallpox was a substantial medical achievement.
This substantive article will change your opinion of rock music.
- trait
- specific qualities that distinguish one from another
syn.characteristic
Her sense of humor and cheerful personality are some of her most impressive traits.
Alma’s blonde hair is a trait inherited from her father.
- underscore
- to make evident or emphasize
syn.highlight
The high quality of the student’s science fair project underscored her talent in biology.
The conclusion of the report should underscore its main ideas.