Question 1
Choose the synonym.
intrusive
Intrusive describes something that enters your space or life when it is not wanted, so it feels annoying (e.g. intrusive questions, intrusive noise). Not intricate, which looks similar but means 'complicated and detailed'.
Question 2
obliged
To be obliged to do something means you are forced to do it by a rule, duty or situation, so it is the same as compelled. Example: We were obliged to leave early.
Question 3
assemble
To assemble means to bring things or people together into one group or whole. Compile means the same: to collect pieces of information or items together, e.g. compile a list. Not compel, which means 'force'.
Question 4
formidable
Something formidable is so large, powerful or difficult that it is impressive or even frightening, so it can feel overwhelming. Example: a formidable task.
Question 5
similar to
Analogous means similar to something in some way, often used for comparisons: The heart is analogous to a pump. Not unlike, which means the opposite.
Question 6
teeming
Teeming means full of a very large number of living things, so full that it is overflowing. Example: The river was teeming with fish. Not grouping, which only means putting things together, not being extremely full.
Question 7
hesitatingly
If you do something hesitatingly, you are slow and unsure because you don't really want to do it, which means reluctantly. Not readily, which is the opposite: quickly and willingly.
Question 8
allusion
An allusion is an indirect mention of something, so it is a kind of reference. Example: The poem contains an allusion to Greek mythology. Not summary, which gives the main points of a whole text.
Question 9
regularly
Regularly means at fixed or repeated intervals of time, which is the meaning of periodically. Example: The machines are checked periodically. Not gradually, which means slowly, little by little.
Question 10
renown
Renown means fame: being well known and respected, which is close to prominence. Example: a scientist of international renown. Not position, which is just a place or rank and does not mean being famous.
Question 11
New annual growth of trees produces growth rings. In most instances, the age of a tree can be reliably determined by counting the rings of a trunk’s cross section. Most of the growth ring wood cells are dead. Only young xylem cells, those that grow during the current growing season, are alive. As a result, the ratio of dead to living wood cells increases as the girth of the tree increases.
The word reliably in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Reliably means in a way that can be trusted to be correct, so it means dependably. The passage says counting the rings gives an age you can trust. Not approximately, which would mean the age is only a rough guess.
Question 12
Lightships and buoys have an important function in coastal waters. They mark channels and thereby safely guide passing ships around hazards or shallow waters. Their great advantage is mobility, making them readily redeployable to meet changing conditions. For example, submerged hazards such as sandbars can change location rapidly under the influence of the sea. The use of buoys makes it possible to efficiently mark safe channels at all times.
The word readily in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Readily means easily and without difficulty, so freely is closest here. The passage says the advantage of buoys is mobility: they can be moved readily when sandbars change location. Not reluctantly, which means unwillingly.
Question 13
The construction of the Saint Lawrence Seaway was an undertaking of great proportions. Constructing a link between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic seaboard had been proposed since 1535. Locks built in the 1800s by Canada became operational in 1901 on the upper Saint Lawrence River. But this original seaway was not deep or wide enough for modern ships. Canada and the United States constructed the new seaway, which became operational in 1959.
The word proportions in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Proportions here means size or extent, so an undertaking of great proportions is a project of great dimensions, a very large project. Not strength, which refers to power, not size.
Question 14
In European folklore, mermaids are mythical beings who, like sprites, have magical and prophetic powers. They love music and song. Though very long-lived, they are mortal and have no souls. Although sometimes kindly, mermaids are generally dangerous to man. Their gifts have typically brought misfortune, and, if offended, they have caused floods or other disasters. To see one on a voyage is an omen of shipwreck.
The word prophetic in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Prophetic powers are powers to tell what will happen in the future, so the closest word is predictive. The passage supports this: seeing a mermaid is an omen (a sign of the future).
Question 15
In Western cultures, the absence of a formal definition of responsibilities has produced an ambiguous and often conflicting set of expectations for young people. At the same time, young people are prone to experience peer pressure. They are told to behave maturely, while being denied access to the rights and privileges of adults.
The word prone in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
If people are prone to something, they are likely to do or experience it, i.e. inclined to it. Example: He is prone to colds. Not obliged, which means forced, not just likely.
Question 16
Among the great orchestras of the world, the Philadelphia Orchestra stands out for several reasons. One is the overall quality of its musicians, although it is especially renowned for its violin players. Another is the orchestra’s famous recordings of nineteenth-century music, including the nine symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven. A third is the orchestra’s many international concert tours. For example, it was the first U.S. orchestra to visit China.
In saying that this orchestra is especially renowned for its violinists, the author means that it _____.
To be renowned for something means to be famous or well known for it. So the orchestra is famous for the violin players. Not has an unusual violin section: the passage praises its quality, not anything strange about it.
Question 17
The body of scales or bracts of a cone contains the reproductive organs of certain flowerless plants. The cone, a distinguishing feature of pines and other evergreens, is crudely analogous to the flowers of other plants.
The word analogous in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Analogous means similar in some way, especially in function. The passage says a cone does roughly the same job (reproduction) as a flower. Crudely analogous means 'roughly similar'. Not apparent, which means 'easy to see'.
Question 18
Most physicians participate in continuing education to keep up with the massive amount of information being discovered each year in their fields. Many states require that physicians periodically prove that they have actively participated in continuing medical education in order to maintain their certification to practice medicine.
The word periodically in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Periodically means at regular intervals, again and again after a certain time, so it means regularly. Doctors must prove their education every few years. Not persistently, which means continuing without stopping, often in an annoying way.
Question 19
Peace pipes are the large, ornately decorated tobacco pipes of the Indians of eastern North America. They functioned as symbols of truce and were ceremonially smoked for purposes of binding or renewing alliances. Peace pipes attained so much symbolic importance that it was thought that smoking the pipe with others compelled everyone present to be united in friendship.
The word compelled in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Compelled means forced or required, so the closest word is obliged. Smoking the pipe together was believed to make everyone present obliged to be friends. Not dependable: it is an adjective meaning 'reliable' and does not fit the meaning.
Question 20
The Spanish conquerors attempted to replace Aztec medicine with their own. When Aztec medical personnel resisted, they were pushed aside and Spanish medicine intruded into Aztec culture. However, some elements of Spanish medicine were compatible with the folk medical practices and became part of a new folk system. Mexican folk medicine thrived, yet there were many regional differences.
The word intruded in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
To intrude means to enter a place or situation where you are not wanted. Spanish medicine was forced on the Aztecs against their will, so the closest word is imposed. Not imported: this only means brought in from outside and does not include the idea of force or being unwanted.
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TARGET WORDS
- allusion (v. allude)
- a quotation or mention, often of another person’s work
syn.reference - K. Rowling often alludes to Greek and Roman mythology in her character names.
She alluded to her Lithuanian heritage in her autobiography.
- analogous (n. analogy)
adj. alike in some way
syn. similar to
The action of light waves is analogous to the action of sound waves.
The analogy between the behavior of the bacteria in the lab and in the human body is not clear.
- compel (adv. compellingly; adj. compelling)
- to make something happen by necessity or force
syn.obliged
The representatives were compelled to vote in favor of the legislation despite their personal opposition to it.
The lawyer’s plea was made in a compelling manner.
- compile (n. compilation)
- to collect
syn.assemble
The film club asked each of its members to compile a list of his or her favorite movies.
The book is a compilation of Shakespeare’s plays.
- formidable (adv. formidably)
adj. difficult; causing worry or fear
syn. overwhelming
Their formidable opponents gave no sign of weakness.
The man’s voice echoed formidably throughout the hallway.
- intrusive (adv. intrusively; v. intrude; n. intrusion; n. intruder)
adj. the state of being inside when not desired to be there by others
syn. annoying
The intrusive bacteria caused his condition to worsen.
The intrusion of the hazardous gas made it difficult to live in the house.
- periodic (adj. periodical; adv. periodically)
adj. occurring at specific, determined periods of time
syn. regularly
Periodic payments must be made on home loans.
Some people need periodic doses of medicine.
- prone
adj. likely to do something
syn. inclined to
Most liquids are prone to contract when frozen.
She is prone to study hard the night before her tests.
- prophetic (adv. prophetically; v. prophesy; n. prophecy; n. prophet)
adj. correctly telling about future events
syn. predictive
His prophetic powers were investigated by a team of psychologists.
The brilliant student fulfilled his teacher’s prophecy that he would be a successful doctor.
- proportions (adv. proportionally; adj. proportional; adj. proportionate; adv. proportionately)
- the relationship of size or importance when compared to another object or person
syn.dimensions adj. proportional
The goal of establishing a space station will take a team effort of major proportions.
The pilot’s salary is proportional to that of pilots of other airlines.
- readily (adj. ready; v. ready; n. readiness)
adv. willingly; easily
syn. freely
The workers readily complained about the food in the cafeteria.
Her readiness to cooperate was an important factor in the investigation.
- reliably (adj. reliable; adj. reliant; v. rely; n. reliability; n. reliance)
adv. in a trusted way
syn. dependably
An appliance must perform its task reliably to be popular with consumers.
Satellite photos show the smallest details with great reliability.
- reluctantly (adj. reluctant; n. reluctance)
adj. unwillingly
syn. hesitatingly
Although not completely satisfied with the contract, the officials reluctantly agreed to sign it.
The electrician was reluctant to estimate the cost of the repair work.
- renown (adj. renowned)
- fame
syn.prominence
This school is of great renown.
The renowned conductor made a guest appearance at the concert.
- revive (n. revival; adj. revived)
- to restore to life or bring back into memory
syn.renew
The students revived the old tradition of having a homecoming dance.
Old plays are sometimes revived by applying modern interpretations to their content.
- teeming (v. teem)
adj. to be full of something; crowded
syn. overflowing
The pond teemed with young fish in the warmer months.
Her essay was teeming with convincing arguments.