Question 1
Choose the synonym.
gratifying
Gratifying means giving pleasure or a feeling of satisfaction, so its synonym is satisfying: It was gratifying to see the students succeed. Thriving means growing or doing very well, which is a different idea.
Question 2
disorganized
Disorganized means without order or planning, which is the meaning of chaotic: The office was chaotic after the move. Not disrupted, which means interrupted or stopped from continuing normally, not simply lacking order.
Question 3
Choose the synonym.
factor in
To factor in something means to include it when you make a decision or calculation, so its synonym is consider: We need to factor in the cost of travel. Not consist, which means to be made of parts (consist of).
Question 4
launch
To launch a project or campaign means to start it, so its synonym is initiate: The company launched a new program last year. Isolate means to separate, and compel means to force.
Question 5
lethargic
Lethargic means slow, tired and without energy, so its synonym is sluggish: The heat made everyone feel lethargic. Conscientious means careful and hard-working, which is almost the opposite.
Question 6
symbolize
To symbolize something means to represent it or be a typical sign of it, so the synonym is exemplify: The dove symbolizes peace. Not synthesize, which means to combine parts into a whole.
Question 7
legitimate
Legitimate means genuine, real or allowed by law, so its synonym is authentic: a legitimate document is a real, valid one. Subsequent means coming after something else.
Question 8
abolish
To abolish a law or practice means to end it officially, so its synonym is eliminate: Slavery was abolished in the 19th century. Falter means to lose strength, and influx is a noun meaning a large arrival of people or things.
Question 9
falter
To falter means to lose strength or confidence and start to fail, so its synonym is weaken: The economy faltered after the crisis. Not withdraw, which means to move back or take something away.
Question 10
radiant
Radiant means shining or full of light, so its synonym is bright: a radiant smile, the radiant sun. Potent means powerful, and tedious means boring.
Question 11
In the communications and computer fields, research in optical switching is motivated by the need to transmit data streams at constantly higher speeds more efficiently. At the same time, customers demand transmission and switching rates far higher than can be provided by a purely electronic system. Due to developments in semiconductor lasers and in fiber optics, transmission at higher speeds is now possible.
The word streams in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
A data stream is a continuous movement of data, so streams here means flows. The passage talks about transmitting data at higher speeds, which describes continuous movement. Not files, because a file is a stored unit of data, not data in motion.
Question 12
A striking example of a successful multiethnic country is Switzerland, where French, German, and Italian speakers from diverse religious groups live and work in harmony and prosperity. Ethnic diversity in Switzerland appears to have stimulated rather than divided the Swiss population. Studies of conditions in Switzerland demonstrate that harmony can coexist with diversity when certain characteristics are shared.
The word striking in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Striking means very noticeable or unusual in an impressive way, so its closest meaning is remarkable. The passage presents Switzerland as an outstanding example of ethnic harmony. Not characteristic, which means typical, not outstanding.
Question 13
In one of the most influential books on education ever written, Émile, Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that society should protect children from the corrupt nature of civilization and cautiously nurture their natural, spontaneous impulses, which, in Rousseau’s mind, were always healthy. He further maintained that it was important to avoid premature intellectualization of emotion so that the child’s intellect could develop without distortion.
The word spontaneous in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Spontaneous impulses happen naturally, without planning or outside control, so the closest meaning is instinctive. The clue is the word natural just before it. Not uninterrupted, which means continuous, not natural.
Question 14
The water available to fulfill a particular need is known as the water supply. When the need is domestic, industrial, or agricultural, the water must fulfill both quality and quantity requirements. Water supplies can be acquired by several types of water resources projects, such as dams, reservoirs, or wells.
The word particular in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Particular here means one individual, clearly identified thing, so its closest meaning is specific. The passage then lists specific needs: domestic, industrial or agricultural. Not critical, which means extremely important.
Question 15
Joseph Haydn was undoubtedly the most prolific of all symphony writers; his works spanned what has been called the Classical Era. He is most celebrated for taking the established forms of the symphony and shaping them into the forceful media for musical expression through invention and experimentation. These were recognized as innovations by composers who followed.
The word spanned in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
To span a period means to extend across all of it, so spanned means covered. Haydn's works covered the whole Classical Era. Not exemplified: his works may represent the era, but spanned is about time from beginning to end.
Question 16
Egyptomania, a term for the renewed interest in Egyptian culture that took place in Europe in the early 1800s, was inspired by Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign. During this era, a special interest arose for mummies. In fact, mummy unwrapping parties were a popular pastime among affluent people. Until they were later abolished, these parties, in which the mummies were unwrapped for entertainment, led to the destruction of an incalculable number of ancient Egyptian mummies.
The word abolished in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Abolished means officially ended, so its closest meaning is eliminated. The passage says the mummy-unwrapping parties went on until they were stopped. Not lessened or weakened, because these mean only reduced, not ended.
Question 17
An intaglio is an engraved gem that, when pressed into softened wax, produces an image in relief. This wax seal was once used as a means to identify legitimate letters and documents. The first engraving of hard stones existed as early as about 4000 B.C. in Mesopotamia, but the style of typical intaglios, which were usually mounted on rings, was developed by the ancient Greeks.
The word legitimate in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Legitimate means genuine and valid, so its closest meaning is authentic. The wax seal was used to show that letters and documents were real and came from the right person. Not secure, which means safe or protected.
Question 18
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the trucking industry was quite chaotic. It was dominated by large numbers of itinerant owner-operators. The industry was considered to be unstable and in need of regulation. The National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 brought together two organized groups of trucking officials to develop standards of fair competition. This action led to the formation of the American Trucking Associations.
The word chaotic in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Chaotic means in a state of complete confusion and disorder, so its closest meaning is disorganized. The passage supports this by saying the industry was unstable and in need of regulation. Inordinate means excessive, and formidable means impressive or frightening.
Question 19
Singapore is the only nation outside of mainland China and Taiwan where the majority of the population is ethnic Chinese. Its culture exemplifies this Chinese heritage, coupled with various diverse cultural influences. Its British colonial architecture and Chinese, Hindu, and Muslim shrines reflect the cultural diversity found in this international setting.
The word exemplifies in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
To exemplify something means to be a typical example of it, so exemplifies is closest to symbolizes. Singapore's culture represents its Chinese heritage. Not cultivates, which means to develop or grow something.
Question 20
The field of opera once belonged exclusively to the Europeans. Successful American opera seemed to be confined to Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and other obscure operatic works. More recently the opera world has witnessed growth in successful operatic works by Americans. In addition, new opera companies and small opera groups have been established. These developments are particularly gratifying to those who favor bringing a more American flavor to the opera stage.
The word gratifying in the passage is closest in meaning to _____.
Gratifying means pleasing and giving satisfaction, so its closest meaning is satisfying. The growth of American opera pleases people who want a more American flavor on the opera stage. Not remarkable, which means surprising or impressive, not pleasing.
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TARGET WORDS
- abolish
- to put an end to something
syn.eliminate
Many states have abolished the use of cell phones while driving.
Activists have been attempting to abolish animal testing for decades.
- chaotic (n. chaos)
adj. being in complete disorder and confusion
syn. disorganized
The traffic in Seoul is often chaotic.
There was complete chaos when the world champions arrived at the airport.
- controversial (adv. controversially; n. controversy)
adj. causing disagreement or argument
syn. divisive
The governor made a controversial decision to raise taxes.
The controversy was caused by the proposal to build an airport in the area.
- exemplify (adj. exemplary)
- to give an example
syn.symbolize
The recent downturn in the housing industry exemplifies the poor economic conditions.
Her exemplary academic achievement is representative of most students at this institution.
- factor in
- v.to account for something while making a decision or analysis
syn. consider
The family had to factor in the price of gasoline as they planned their road trip.
The architect did not factor in the required distance from the sidewalk in his design.
- falter
- to hesitate or waver
syn.weaken
In 2008, the United States economy began to falter dramatically.
He faltered under peer pressure and agreed to dance with the girl.
- gratifying (adv. gratefully; adj. grateful; v. gratify; n. gratification; n. gratefulness)
adj. giving pleasure or a feeling of accomplishment; showing thanks
syn. satisfying
Studying abroad can be a very gratifying experience.
She was grateful for all the work he had done for her.
- launch (n. launch; n. launching)
- to cause something to begin
syn.initiate
The company launched a new program to attract more clients.
The launching of the first Soviet Sputnik created concern among the American public.
- legitimate (adv. legitimately; n. legitimacy)
adj. reasonable; lawful
syn. authentic
The engineer had a legitimate reason for changing the design of the building.
The legitimacy of the theory has yet to be determined.
- lethargy (adj. lethargic; adv. lethargically)
- a lack of energy or commitment; lazy; indifferent
syn.sluggishness
The hippopotamus basking in the sun displayed almost total lethargy.
When it is time to do homework assignments, many students become lethargic.
- particular (adv. particularly*)
adj. a certain way or thing; unusual; hard to please;
*especially
syn. specific
The speaker has a particular way of persuading his audience.
Some customers are particularly difficult to satisfy.
- radiant (adv. radiantly; n. radiance; n. radiation; n. radiator)
adj. sending out in all directions, especially heat or light
syn. bright
The actor’s radiant smile captivated the audience.
The radiance of the fire prevented the firefighters from entering the house.
- span (n. span)
- the length of time or distance from one limit to the other; to cross
syn.cover
The old man’s life spanned two centuries.
The span of the bridge is three miles.
- spontaneous (adv. spontaneously; n. spontaneity)
adj. unplanned; uncontrolled
syn. instinctive
The spontaneous combustion inside the cylinder creates the power of the motor.
The crowd reacted spontaneously to the danger.
- stream (v. stream)
- a natural flow of something; a pouring out
syn.river
There was a constant stream of information coming from the White House.
Water streamed from the dam as workers attempted to make the repairs.
- striking (adv. strikingly)
adj. drawing special attention to
syn. remarkable
His striking proposal saved the company from bankruptcy.
That was a strikingly convincing argument that the speaker delivered.