Question 1
Choose the synonym.
convey
Convey means to pass on information, feelings or ideas to someone, so it means communicate: She conveyed her thanks to the team. Not promote, which means to support or advertise something.
Question 2
engender
Engender means to cause a feeling or situation to exist, so it is close to generate: Unfair rules engender anger. The other options are adjectives (suitable, persistent, inevitable) and cannot replace a verb.
Question 3
growth
Growth means an increase in size, amount or importance, so it is close to expansion: the expansion of the economy. Recover is a verb, so it cannot be a synonym of the noun growth.
Question 4
meticulously
Meticulously means very carefully, paying attention to every detail, so it is close to conscientiously. Not haphazardly, which is the opposite: carelessly and without a plan.
Question 5
retrieve
Retrieve means to get something back, so it is close to recover: He retrieved his keys from the lake. Not disperse, which means to spread out in different directions.
Question 6
encompass
Encompass means to contain or cover a range of things, so it is close to include: The course encompasses grammar and writing. Not emphasize, which means to give special importance to something.
Question 7
apex
Apex means the highest point or peak of something, so it is close to zenith: at the apex of her career. Facet means one side or aspect of something, not the top.
Question 8
systematically
Systematically means according to a fixed plan or order, so it is close to methodically. Not unexpectedly, which means by surprise, without planning.
Question 9
paramount
Paramount means more important than anything else, so it is close to foremost: Safety is paramount. Not meticulous, which means very careful.
Question 10
mimic
Mimic means to copy the way someone or something looks, sounds or behaves, so it is close to imitate: Parrots can mimic human speech.
Question 11
The first elevated rail system was successfully operated in New York City in 1871, using steam power. Because steam power had many disadvantages, the lines were later electrified. An extensive network of elevated lines was built in New York City. It was in service for many years, but was systematically eliminated because of its antiquated appearance and because it contributed to traffic congestion.
The word systematically in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Systematically means in an organised way, step by step, following a plan. The passage says the elevated lines were removed in a planned way, so the closest meaning is methodically. Not haphazardly, which means without order or plan, the opposite.
Question 12
Municipal solid waste must be collected and treated in order to reduce the total volume and weight of the material that requires final disposal. Treatment changes the form of the waste and makes it easier to handle. It can also be used to recover certain materials, as well as heat energy, for recycling or reuse.
The word recover in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Here recover means to get back useful materials and heat from waste for reuse, so it is closest to retrieve. Not deplete, which means to use up and reduce.
Question 13
American biographer and historian Samuel Eliot Morison colorfully recreated notable stories of modern history. Combining a gift for storytelling with meticulous scholarship, he took the reader back into history to relive the adventures of such characters as Ferdinand Magellan, Christopher Columbus, and Sir Francis Drake. He also recorded the accomplishments of the U.S. Navy during World War II.
The word meticulous in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Meticulous means extremely careful and attentive to detail. The passage praises Morison's careful, detailed research, so the closest meaning is conscientious. Not valid, which means logically correct or acceptable, not careful.
Question 14
Space medicine protects human beings from the environment of space and studies their reactions to that environment. The foundations of space medicine can be traced to aviation medicine. The term aerospace medicine has evolved to encompass practice in both areas. Aerospace medicine has been a certified subspecialty of the American Board of Preventive Medicine since 1953.
The word encompass in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Encompass means to cover or contain several things. The passage says the term aerospace medicine covers both space and aviation medicine, so the closest meaning is include. Not emphasize, which means to give special importance to one thing.
Question 15
If some motion is possible according to physical laws, then a motion in which events appear in reverse order is also possible. For example, it would be unusual to observe a real process in which a vase broken on the floor collects itself and flies up whole into a person’s hand. Nevertheless, according to known physical laws, such a process is not impossible, although it is too unlikely to expect it to actually happen.
The word unlikely in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Unlikely means probably not going to happen. The passage says the broken vase flying back is possible but would almost never happen, so the closest meaning is doubtful. Not difficult, which is about effort, not probability.
Question 16
In 1896 a Swedish chemist first assessed the effects of greenhouse gases. He showed that activities such as burning coal, destroying forests, and even raising cattle dangerously increase atmospheric concentrations of such gases as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Since then, heightened awareness of the effects cars and factories have on the environment has led to more concern about these gas concentrations. Recently they have been blamed for an apparent warming trend in Earth’s atmosphere.
In referring to heightened awareness, the author means that people are _____.
Heighten means to increase, and awareness means knowing about something. The passage says this awareness has led to more concern, so people are more conscious of the situation. Not unconcerned, because the passage says concern has grown.
Question 17
Great technological advances were made during the infancy of the United States’ industrial growth. But the modern trends of the 1920s brought about problems as well as benefits. Many Americans had trouble adjusting to the impersonal, fast-paced life of cities. The complex life in cities tended to weaken the strong family ties that had always been part of American society.
The word infancy in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Infancy literally means the time when someone is a baby. Used figuratively, it means the early stage of something, so the infancy of industrial growth means its beginnings. Not prime, which means the best or most successful period.
Question 18
Careful testing is one of a pharmaceutical company’s most important responsibilities. Pharmaceutical companies and the Food and Drug Administration constantly guard against the possibility of a harmful drug being sold to the public. But even the most careful testing cannot always reveal the possibility that a drug may produce an inadvertent harmful effect.
The word inadvertent in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Inadvertent means not intended or planned. The passage says even careful testing may miss a harmful effect nobody expected, so the closest meaning is unexpected. Not unlikely, which describes probability, not lack of intention.
Question 19
Basketball was invented by James Naismith, a Canadian-American, in 1891. Today, it is the world’s most popular indoor sport. Basketball emphasizes teamwork and the athletic qualities of endurance, speed, and agility. Tall players have an advantage because they can reach closer to the basket or above other players to shoot and rebound the ball. Smaller players make contributions to their teams as shooters and ball handlers.
The word emphasizes in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Emphasize means to give special importance or attention to something. Basketball gives special importance to teamwork and athletic qualities, so the closest meaning is highlights. Not enhances, which means improves.
Question 20
Daniel Webster was a well-known American speaker, and one of the most capable lawyers and statesmen of his time. He used his speaking ability to establish a strong national government in the Senate. He also applied the speaking skills he had mastered as a lawyer to heighten his appeal for national unity.
The word heighten in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Heighten means to make something stronger or greater. The passage says Webster used the speaking skills he had mastered as a lawyer to make his appeal for national unity stronger, so the closest meaning is intensify. Not promote, which means to support or advertise something, not to make it stronger.
Print this test
Free worksheets for class or home
TARGET WORDS
- conscientious (adv. conscientiously)
adj. showing serious purpose; one who works carefully and with enthusiasm
syn. meticulous
She is a conscientious representative of the student body.
They approached the task conscientiously.
- convey
- to make something known to others; to communicate
syn.communicate
The manager of the store conveyed his displeasure directly to the workers.
He was able to convey his message to the audience with ease.
- encompass
- to surround completely; to envelop
syn.include
Her plan of study encompasses every aspect of computer science.
The course encompasses all the literature of the nineteenth century.
- expansion (adj. expandable; v. expand)
- the act of making larger
syn.growth
Expansion occurs when matter is heated.
The laboratory is expanding its capacity to produce computer chips.
- heighten (adj. heightened; n. height)
- to cause to become greater
syn.intensify
A very successful interview can heighten a candidate’s chances to get a job.
The public was in a heightened state of nervousness as the hurricane approached.
- highlight (n. highlight)
- to emphasize the part of a greater whole
syn.emphasize
The owner’s manual highlights the basic functions of the camera.
The final goal was the highlight of the game.
- inadvertently (adj. inadvertent)
adv. by accident; without paying attention; unexpectedly
syn. carelessly
The reporters had inadvertently failed to include the name of one of the dignitaries.
His inadvertent calculation caused him to derive the wrong answer.
- inevitable (adv. inevitably; n. inevitability)
adj. something that cannot be prevented from happening
syn. unavoidable
When two weather systems meet, unpredictable weather conditions are inevitable.
The inevitability of the outcome made the challenge less exciting.
- infancy (adj. infantile; n. infant)
- in the beginning stages of development
syn.beginning
The new theory is in its infancy and will be thoroughly tested by its critics.
The author’s infantile writing style appeals to young readers.
- mimic (n. mimicker)
- to copy an action
syn.imitate
The comedian mimicked the president’s gestures.
Parrots mimic the speech that they hear in their surroundings.
- paramount (adv. paramountly; n. paramountcy)
adj. to be of highest importance
syn. foremost
The club’s paramount goal is to raise awareness of the importance of community service.
Being quiet is of paramount importance while watching a movie at the theater.
- proficient (adv. proficiently; n. proficiency)
adj. to be skilled or experienced in something
syn. competent
The exam will test the students’ proficiency in the Portuguese language.
Highly proficient athletes earn the privilege of competing in the Olympics.
- retrieve (adj. retrieved; n. retrieval)
- to find and bring back
syn.recover
Will Detroit retrieve its status as the car manufacturing center of the world?
This computerized information retrieval system is the most up-to-date system available.
- systematically (adj. systematic; n. system)
adv. done according to a plan
syn. methodically
The plan was developed systematically by a team of experts.
Systematic changes in foreign policy have been proposed.
- unlikely
adj. not probable
syn. doubtful
Rain is unlikely to occur during the dry season.
It is unlikely that he will want to attend the conference.
- unwarranted
adj. without good reason or cause; inappropriate
syn. unjustified
His negative reaction was unwarranted.
The motorist felt that the ticket for the infraction was unwarranted.
- zenith
- the highest point
syn.apex
He reached the zenith of his profession at a very young age.
The publication of the book represented the zenith of his career.