Vocabulary Skills Review 4

VOCABULARY SKILLS REVIEW
Building Vocabulary with Sentence Completions

This Vocabulary Skills Review can be used either in preparation for a specific exam or as a general tool for building
vocabulary and reading skills. Whether your objective is to perform well on an exam or to improve your vocabulary and
reading skills, you will find the exercises in this review useful.
A good way to build your vocabulary and reading skills is with sentence completion items. These items will help to
improve your knowledge of sentence structures, transitions, logic, and vocabulary. Sentence completions are also called
completions or fill-in-the-blanks.
Studies have shown that people don’t need to hear every word that is said in order to understand the point of what was
said. If you think about it, these findings make sense. For example, you could be talking to someone on a cell phone in
an area with poor reception and hear: “On your way back to the house, please pick up a medium ------- with mushrooms
on it but no anchovies.” The most important word in the sentence is missing, but you understand that you’re supposed to
pick up a pizza. Of course, most sentence completions are not so simple. Consider the following examples of sentence
completions:
Examples:
1. To compensate for the funds that will no longer be

available due to a decline in the value of the
endowment’s portfolio, the university will need to
find an ------- sum from another source.
A. anticipated
B. equivalent
C. unofficial
D. unstated
E. inconsequential
(B) is the correct answer choice. Since funds will no longer be available from the present source, it will be
necessary to replace those funds: to do so, the university will need to find an equivalent sum from another
source.
2. Although the mobster’s efforts to appear mentally

unstable and therefore unable to stand trial were
------- and even -------, the defense lawyers, through
clever strategies, were able to postpone the criminal
proceedings for several years.
A. unrelenting . . predictable
B. contrived . . convincing
C. unpersuasive . . ludicrous
D. predictable . . amusing
E. ill-advised . . heroic
(C) is the correct answer choice. The “were ------- and even -------” tells you that the second substitution word
makes a more extreme statement than the first. Also, the conjunction “although” at the beginning of the
sentence tells you that the substitutions describe an effort that seemed unlikely to work, but that in fact resulted
in partial success for the lawyers.
–1–
CORE/TARGETED SKILLS
Sentence Completion Difficulty Factors
There are two difficulty factors involved in every sentence completion item. The first factor is vocabulary. The second
factor is context or sentence structure.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary can determine if a sentence completion item is easy or difficult. Compare the two sets of answer choices
that follow each of the item stems in the following examples:
Examples:
1. After working together for several years, members of

the crew had developed specialized terms for the
tools they used, a(n) ------- only they could under-
stand.
A. procedures vs. A. procedures

B. customs B. customs
C. jargon C. argot
D. appetite D. appetite
E. rhythm E. rhythm
(C) is the correct answer in both sets of answer choices. A specialized vocabulary is called “jargon” or, less
commonly, “argot.” Although (C) is the answer in both cases, the difficulty level is not. The second set of
answer choices is more difficult because “argot” is a less familiar word. So, the difficulty of a sentence
completion item can depend upon the vocabulary in the answer choices.
2. Awed by the credentials of the reviewing committee,

the doctoral candidate set forth the central thesis of
the paper tentatively and answered questions with
-------.
A. confidence vs. A. aplomb

B. delight B. relish
C. uncertainty C. diffidence
D. recklessness D. abandon
E. directness E. imperviousness
(C) is the correct answer in both sets of answer choices. The candidate was awed and set forth the argument
tentatively (i.e., not confidently). We can logically assume that the candidate would answer questions in a
similar manner, so “uncertainty” is the best word to complete the sentence. Similarly, “diffidence” would also
be the best answer here since it means “reserve, shyness, or modesty.” Again, although (C) is the answer in
both cases, the difficulty level is not. Note too that all of the answer choices in the second column are
expressed in less familiar vocabulary. As you can see, an entire set of answer choices that consists of more
difficult vocabulary words makes for an even more difficult item.
Complexity
Sentence structure can also determine if a sentence completion item is easy or difficult. In short, more difficult items
will involve more difficult sentence structures. Compare the following two item stems:
–2–
Example:
Every society has a concept of justice, but what counts as

a just or an unjust act is -------.
vs.
The concept of justice is universal, found in every

society from the most primitive to the most advanced;
but the actions to which these terms attach are -------.
A. variable
B. laudable
C. foreseeable
D. crucial
E. implicit
(A) is the correct answer choice in both cases. In either sentence, the “but” sets up a contrast between an idea in
the first part of the sentence and an idea in the second part of the sentence. The important idea in the first part is
universality, so the important idea in the second part must be the opposite (i.e., uniqueness or variability).
Of course, the most difficult sentence completion items will include both unfamiliar vocabulary as well as a complex
sentence structure. Consider the following example, which is presented with two different sentence structures and sets
of answer choices:
Example:
Although the Best in Show was awarded to a dog vs. Although the Best in Show was awarded to a dog
owned by a relative of the judge, the decision owned by a relative of the judge, it cannot be
was entirely -------. argued that the decision was -------.
A. wrong A. warranted
B. happy B. inconclusive
C. biased C. acceptable
D. pleasant D. appropriate
E. justified E. unjustified
(E) is the correct answer choice for both items. The conjunction “although” sets up a contrast between the two
parts of the sentence. The first part of the sentence explains that the prize was awarded to a relative of the judge,
which might suggest unfairness. However, “although” signals that the opposite is true; in other words, the judging
was fair. So, (E) is the correct answer choice in both cases. It is more difficult to arrive at the correct answer in the
second column, though, for the reasons mentioned above. Specifically, the vocabulary in the second column is less
familiar. Also, the sentence structure in the second column is more complicated. As you’ll see, sentence structures
can be more complicated for several reasons, including the presence of extra clauses, parenthetical notes, or
“negative” sentence constructions (i.e., “it cannot be argued that the decision was unjustified” instead of “the
decision was entirely justified”).
–3–
Sentence Completion Strategies
Anticipation
The first step when solving a sentence completion item is to read the sentence for meaning. Read the sentence at normal
speed, as though someone were speaking to you. Then, identify one or two words that could complete the sentence
successfully. If you’re lucky, one of your words will appear in the list of answer choices. If that does not happen, look
for the answer choice that is most similar to what you anticipated and that completes the sentence successfully.
Examples:
1. After his novel was rejected by six publishers, John

became embittered and -------, so much so that his
friends feared for his sanity.
A. gentle
B. wary
C. morose
D. pacified
E. prudent
The question stem establishes that John was embittered, which is a negative state of emotion. So, you want to
select the answer choice that also describes a negative emotional state. You might have anticipated words such
as “disappointed,” “angry,” “depressed,” or “sullen” to complete the sentence. These words do not appear in
the list of answer choices, but “morose” is a negative emotional state consistent with feeling embittered. So,
(C) is the correct answer choice.
2. Given the rapidly changing nature of today’s

technological society, schools can no longer hope to
teach eternal principles, for by tomorrow, today’s
knowledge is -------.
A. enriched
B. reproduced
C. adequate
D. precarious
E. obsolete
The question stem sets up a contrast between “eternal principles” and knowledge that is not eternal. You might
have anticipated words such as “temporary,” “outdated,” or “transient” to complete the sentence. These words
do not appear in the list of answer choices, but “obsolete” has a similar meaning. So, (E) is the best answer
choice.
3. Retiring by nature and ------- even in private, Eleanor

hardly ever spoke in public.
A. confident
B. taciturn
C. preoccupied
D. untamed
E. courageous
–4–
The question stem tells you that Eleanor was unwilling to speak. So, the sentence could be completed with
words such as “quiet” or “silent.” Those words do not appear in the list of answer choices, but “taciturn” has a
similar meaning. So, (B) is the correct answer choice.
Analysis
When reading a sentence completion item, pay attention to verbal signals. Verbal signals will tell you how the parts of a
sentence fit together. For example, they can tell you:
• if one part of a sentence clarifies or adds detail to another;
• if a later element contradicts an earlier element; and
• if one idea is qualified or overruled by another.
Examples:
1. It is a rare individual who bothers to examine his or

her fundamental ethical beliefs; indeed, the effort
required ------- most people from even starting.
A. cautions
B. discourages
C. sustains
D. recalls
E. withdraws
In this item, “indeed” is an important verbal signal. It indicates that the second part of the sentence supports or
underscores the first part. So, if the first part states that few people bother to examine their beliefs, the second
part goes one step further and says that the effort required “discourages” most people from doing so. Therefore,
the correct answer is (B).
2. Although ------- in her criticism of the minutest

details, she often ------- the larger picture; so her
input was incomplete.
A. understated . . conspired
B. sparing . . omitted
C. exhaustive . . overlooked
D. creative . . presented
E. meticulous . . emphasized
In this item, “although” is an important verbal signal. It indicates that the second part of the sentence will
contrast with the first part. As a result, the two substitutions must be opposites or express dissimilar ideas. One
would not expect someone described as “exhaustive” to have “overlooked” any detail, so (C) is the correct
answer.
Finally, the following table has two columns. The first column is a list of signal words that are frequently used in
sentence completion items. The second column explains the function of each signal word (i.e., it summarizes the logical
relationship that is suggested or established by the signal word) and should be helpful when reviewing answer choices
for sentence completions items.
–5–
Signal Word What to Look for in Sentence Completions

therefore, thus, consequently, so, as a a further conclusion, the effect of a cause, an expected
result outcome
if, since, because a premise of a logical argument, a cause leading to an
effect, a condition or conditions leading to an outcome
and, additionally, further, moreover, further extension of a thought, a parallel or similar idea,
similarly, likewise added emphasis
although, though, while, but, rather, contrasting ideas, an exception, a reversal of thinking
however, despite, unlike, yet, not
indeed, in fact an example, an idea for added emphasis
(:) colon enumeration, clarification, further detail
This list of signal words is not exhaustive, but it highlights the type of verbal clue that can be very important in sentence
completion items.
Substitution
In the end, some items still might seem too difficult to solve. The sentence structure might be too complex; the
vocabulary might be too unfamiliar; or, even after evaluating verbal signals, the logic of the sentence might not make
sense to you. If this happens, try substituting or plugging the answer choices into the sentence. You might find that, in
the end, this simple step will help you to locate the correct answer choice.
–6–
EXERCISE 1
Anticipating Sentence Completions
DIRECTIONS: For items #1–10, read each sentence 4. The cold weather caused ------- damage to the
through for meaning. Then, in the space provided, Florida citrus crop, prompting growers to warn
write a few possible words that you anticipate could be that the reduced yield is likely to result in much
used to complete the sentence. Answers are on page higher prices.
797.
_______________________________________
1. Stress is the reaction an individual feels when he _______________________________________

believes the demands of a situation ------- his
ability to meet them. _______________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________ 5. The report is so ------- that it covers all of the

main points in detail and at least touches on
________________________________________ everything that is even remotely connected with
its topic.
_______________________________________
2. The ------- of his career, capturing the coveted
“Most Valuable Player” award, came at a time of _______________________________________
deep personal sadness.
_______________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
6. The Constitution sets up a system of checks and
________________________________________ balances among the executive, the legislative, and
the judicial branches to ensure that no one branch
can establish ------- control over the government.
3. Martin’s opponent is a(n) ------- speaker who is _______________________________________

unable to elicit a reaction from a crowd on even
the most emotional of issues. _______________________________________
________________________________________ _______________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
–7–
7. The females of many common species of birds DIRECTIONS: For items #11–20, read each sentence
have dull coloring that ------- them when they are through for meaning. Then, in the space provided, enter
sitting on a nest in a tree or other foliage. your anticipated completion. Finally, match your
anticipated completion to one of the answer choices for
________________________________________ that item. Answers are on page 797.
________________________________________
11. Even those who vigorously disagreed with the
________________________________________ goals of the plan ------- admitted that it had been
well designed.
_______________________________________
8. She was one of the most ------- criminals of the
1930s, her name a household word and her face A. erroneously
in every post office. B. valiantly
C. successfully
________________________________________ D. defiantly
E. grudgingly
________________________________________
________________________________________ 12. The so-called “road rage” is just one more

example of a more general ------- that includes
disrespect for rules, traditions, and institutions.
9. Although he had not been physically injured by _______________________________________
the explosion, the violence of the shock left him
temporarily -------. A. incivility
B. caution
________________________________________
C. curiosity
D. passion
________________________________________
E. apprehension
________________________________________
13. Random noises have been shown to ------- sleep
cycles, causing fatigue and irritability in test
10. Good teachers know that study habits learned as a subjects.
youngster stay with a student for life, so they try
_______________________________________
to find ways to ------- enthusiasm for studies.
________________________________________ A. reinforce
B. disrupt
________________________________________ C. solidify
D. undermine
________________________________________ E. fracture
–8–
14. Increasingly, state legislatures have enacted laws 18. By the terms of the extremely ------- curriculum,
that use a standardized exam as the sole ------- by all students at the academy were required to take
which the success or failure a school system is to two years of Latin, two years of algebra, and two
be judged. years of fine arts.
________________________________________ _______________________________________
A. prediction A. industrious
B. guarantee B. fractured
C. actuality C. provocative
D. criterion D. valiant
E. aspiration E. regimented
15. A fine public servant with an otherwise 19. The polite veneer that John exhibits in public
untarnished reputation has become the latest ------- a violent temper that frequently erupts in
------- in a war being waged by unscrupulous private, especially when his authority is
journalists against those who espouse principles challenged.
they reject.
_______________________________________
________________________________________
A. condemns
A. happenstance B. belies
B. victory C. validates
C. casualty D. queries
D. detriment E. presages
E. fiasco
20. Long hours of ------- rehearsal ensured that the

16. The new bookstore, with its coffee bar and orchestra performed the difficult piece flawlessly.
classical music, hopes that its literature selections
will appeal to a ------- clientele. _______________________________________
________________________________________ A. arduous
B. spontaneous
A. sophisticated C. influential
B. conventional D. jubilant
C. provocative E. temporary
D. restrictive
E. passive
17. The corporation’s spokesperson ------- the report

as junk science and accused the researchers of
pursuing a political agenda.
________________________________________
A. highlighted
B. denounced
C. withdrew
D. fomented
E. inscribed
–9–
EXERCISE 2
Analyzing Sentence Completions
DIRECTIONS: For items #1–10, analyze each 4. The Mayor’s proposal for a new subway line,
sentence by underlining a few words or phrases that although a(n) -------, is not a final solution to the
provide clues for the completion of the sentences. city’s transportation needs.
Then, write down a few possible words that you
anticipate could be used to complete the sentence. _______________________________________
Answers are on page 797.
_______________________________________
1. The survivors had been drifting for days in the _______________________________________

lifeboat, and in their weakness, they appeared to
be ------- rather than living beings.
________________________________________ 5. In a pluralistic society, policies are the result of

compromise, so political leaders must be -------
________________________________________ and must accommodate the views of others.
________________________________________ _______________________________________
_______________________________________
2. The guillotine was introduced during the French _______________________________________

Revolution as a(n) -------, an alternative to other
less humane means of execution.
________________________________________ 6. The committee report vigorously expounded the

bill’s strengths but also acknowledged its -------.
________________________________________
_______________________________________
________________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
3. Because of the ------- nature of the chemical, it
cannot be used near an open flame.
________________________________________ 7. Because there is always the danger of a power

failure and disruption of elevator service, high-
________________________________________ rise buildings, while suitable for younger persons,
are not recommended for -------.
________________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
–10–
8. For a child to be happy, his day must be very DIRECTIONS: For items #11–20, answer each
structured; when his routine is -------, he becomes sentence completion using verbal signals to analyze the
nervous and irritable. logical structure of the sentence. Circle the letter of
your answer choice. Answers are on page 797.
________________________________________
________________________________________ 11. When Ghana achieved independence from

colonial domination in 1957, the first country in
________________________________________ sub-Saharan Africa to do so, it ------- economic
and political advantages unrivaled elsewhere in
tropical Africa.
9. The current spirit of ------- among different A. demanded
religions has led to a number of meetings that B. enjoyed
their leaders hope will lead to better C. proclaimed
understanding. D. denounced
E. incited
________________________________________
________________________________________ 12. Fraktur, a genre of folk art that has its roots in the
Rhine Valley, is ------- to the Pennsylvania Dutch
________________________________________ region, though Russian-German Mennonites
produced similar but ------- ornamental drawings.
A. endemic . . characteristic
10. Our modern industrialized societies have been
B. inherent . . distinct
responsible for the greatest destruction of nature
C. native . . unusual
and life; indeed, it seems that more civilization
D. reduced . . inconsequential
results in greater -------.
E. unique . . unrelated
________________________________________
13. The Free Trade Zone law was enacted in order to
________________________________________
------- legal issues left open by the Supreme Court
________________________________________ case of California v. Bond.
A. resolve
B. undermine
C. redress
D. present
E. nullify
14. Scholars often speak of an early and a late

Heidegger, but a more careful reading reveals
only a(n) ------- shift rather than a radical ------- in
his thought.
A. evolutionary . . bent
B. discernible . . consistency
C. inevitable . . temper
D. unpredictable . . change
E. gradual . . discontinuity
–11–
15. Van Gogh was virtually ------- at the time of his 19. No reasonable trade-off between unemployment
death: his agent, brother Theo, had sold only one and inflation can be achieved by either monetary
of his paintings. or fiscal policy alone; rather, both must be
regarded as ------- tools for managing the
A. unknown economy.
B. famous
C. wealthy A. complementary
D. victorious B. intelligible
E. adored C. unnecessary
D. delicate
E. unlimited
16. Legalized gambling seems to offer unlimited
governmental revenue without the need to raise
taxes; however, experience shows that casino 20. Professional schools assemble a(n) ------- student
gambling is not the financial ------- claimed by its body not for the sake of enriching extracurricular
proponents. life, but for the variety of personal and academic
backgrounds that enhance the learning experi-
A. panacea ence.
B. calamity
C. incentive A. homogeneous
D. predicament B. knowledgeable
E. validation C. elite
D. unexceptional
E. diverse
17. Low on supplies and badly in need of fresh
troops, General Burgoyne’s ------- and even -------
decision to push ahead resulted in disaster at
Saratoga.
A. reflective . . conscientious
B. valorous . . cowardly
C. rash . . foolhardy
D. ill-advised . . calculated
E. victorious . . generous
18. Although the Ford Edsel of the 1950s is

commonly thought of as a “lemon,” the car was
actually -------; it was the victim of marketing, not
------- failures.
A. attractive . . sales
B. well-made . . engineering
C. high-priced . . design
D. desirable . . advertising
E. well-known . . manufacturing
–12–
EXERCISE 3
Substituting Sentence Completions
DIRECTIONS: For items #1–12, select an appropriate
completion for the corresponding blank in the
following paragraph. Answers are on page 683 .
Today, the Surgeon General announced the
findings of a new ------- that concludes that smoking 1. (A) movie

1
(B) election
(C) report
(D) advertisement
(E) scholarship
represents a serious ------- to non-smokers as well as to 2. (A) consciousness

2
(B) hazard
(C) remedy
(D) possibility
(E) adaptation
-------. According to the Surgeon General, disease risk 3. (A) cigarettes

3
(B) fumes
(C) alcoholics
(D) non-smokers
(E) smokers
due to ------- of tobacco smoke is not limited to the 4. (A) observation

4
(B) criticism
(C) improvement
(D) inhalation
(E) incorporation
------- who is smoking, but it can also extend to those 5. (A) individual
5
(B) corporation
(C) doctor
(D) campaign
(E) reporter
who ------- tobacco smoke in the same room. Simple 6. (A) create
6
(B) breathe
(C) enjoy
(D) ban
(E) exhibit
–13–
------- of smokers and non-smokers within the same 7. (A) encouragement

7
(B) prohibition
(C) separation
(D) intermingling
(E) cooperation
airspace may reduce, but does not -------, exposure 8. (A) imagine
8
(B) increase
of non-smokers to environmental smoke. A (C) prepare
(D) intimidate
(E) eliminate
spokesperson for the tobacco industry ------- the report, 9. (A) purchased
9
(B) prepared
(C) understood
(D) criticized
(E) underscored
saying the available ------- does not support the 10. (A) alibi
10
(B) publicity
conclusion that environmental tobacco smoke is a (C) evidence
(D) reaction
hazard to non-smokers. On the other hand, the (E) conversation
Coalition for Smoking on Health, an anti-smoking
organization, ------- the report and called for ------- 11. (A) praised
11 12
(B) rejected
government action to ensure a smoke-free environment (C) prolonged
(D) denied
for all non-smokers. (E) criticized
12. (A) minimal

(B) immediate
(C) reactionary
(D) uncontrolled
(E) eliminating
–14–
DIRECTIONS: For items #13–17, answer each 17. Sensing his position was all but lost, the speaker
sentence completion using substitution. Circle the letter launched into -------, hoping to save the day by
of your answer choice. Answers are on page XXX . rhetoric rather than reason.
A. rationalization
13. The Senator frequently ------- other members of B. recapitulation
the chamber with unwarranted attacks on their C. dramatization
personal lives. D. exactitude
E. peroration
A. provokes
B. analyzes
C. enhances
D. deprives
E. elevates
14. Clyde’s ------- occasionally astonished even his

closest friends who knew full-well that his had
been a(n) ------- childhood.
A. sophistication . . extended
B. naiveté . . sheltered
C. wit . . precocious
D. knowledge . . difficult
E. wisdom . . uneducated
15. Research into sleep suggests that there are several

------- states between sleeping and waking and
that it is difficult to determine where one ends
and another begins.
A. serious
B. permissive
C. predetermined
D. unalterable
E. intermediate
16. The playwright took a story so sublime that it has

offered the ultimate challenge to composers,
choreographers, and writers for centuries and,
with a wanton heavy-handedness, gave the
audience a hackneyed version that descended into
-------.
A. confusion
B. bathos
C. inattention
D. significance
E. indecision
–15–
EXERCISE 4
Building Vocabulary with Sentence
Completions
DIRECTIONS: Each of the following sentences has 4. In the State of Nature, described by Thomas
one or two blanks. Choose the word or phrase for each Hobbes in Leviathan as a state of war, one against
blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence in its all others, no individual has sufficient physical
entirety. Circle the letter of your answer choice. strength to be assured of personal security, so all
Answers are on page 798. rely on -------.
A. animosity
1. While the fame of musical geniuses like Mozart B. premeditation
and Beethoven endures for centuries, the idols of C. principles
pop music quickly fade into -------. D. prowess
E. allies
A. obscurity
B. disbelief
C. permanence 5. Members of the Research and Development
D. poverty Council had been warned that the prototype was
E. notoriety extremely -------, but were pleasantly surprised to
see a model with many ------- usually
incorporated only much later in the design
2. In order to prevent an increase in the number of process.
unemployed people, the economy must expand to
------- new jobs to offset those lost to factories in A. crude . . refinements
other countries. B. flexible . . advances
C. rudimentary . . deficiencies
A. extinguish D. unreliable . . trappings
B. create E. casual . . advantages
C. prolong
D. conceal
E. avoid 6. Although the developmental sequence of the
reproductive cycle in insects is similar for many
species, the timing can ------- greatly in regard to
3. In order to protect her privacy, the former the beginning and duration of each stage.
employee spoke to reporters about the safety
violations only after they guaranteed her -------. A. endure
B. accelerate
A. compensation C. vary
B. publicity D. proceed
C. representation E. coincide
D. anonymity
E. loyalty
–16–
7. The “framers’ original intent” theory of 11. By and large, Wittgenstein’s treatment of
Constitutional interpretation, though now ------- language in The Philosophical Investigations will
within academic circles, still has considerable be ------- to the lay person, but the more -------
practical effect because it is ------- by many points will be grasped only by specialists in the
sitting judges. philosophy of language.
A. propounded . . accepted A. granted . . general

B. disseminated . . rejected B. accessible . . esoteric
C. corroborated . . critiqued C. concrete . . ingenious
D. dismissed . . espoused D. alien . . technical
E. encapsulated . . emphasized E. attractive . . abstract
8. Proponents of a flat tax hope to substitute a single 12. For many years, the cost of faculty salaries and
federal revenue-raising measure for the ------- of benefits rose faster than tuition and contributions
convoluted and even self-contradictory provisions to endowments so that some ------- were in
of the present tax code. danger of becoming -------.
A. tapestry A. colleges . . expensive

B. concordance B. universities . . insolvent
C. cacophony C. students . . dropouts
D. duplicity D. unions . . superfluous
E. welter E. teachers . . replaceable
9. An examination of the psychological forces that 13. In an effort to render as accurately as possible
shape the personality of the title character of The ------- lighting conditions, French Impressionist
Magus naturally invites closer study of its form, Claude Monet worked on several paintings at
as story content and form are carefully ------- by once, frantically changing canvases as -------
Fowles in the novel. alterations in illumination created almost
imperceptible new visual effects.
A. delineated
B. anticipated A. essential . . unimportant
C. integrated B. transitory . . subtle
D. determined C. momentary . . evident
E. reserved D. prototypical . . minute
E. classical . . improbable
10. The broadcast of the story has seriously

compromised the credibility of the entire news 14. During the 1980s, fortunes were made on a
department: the key piece of information, though seemingly daily basis by ------- traders who -------
not ------- on the one particular point, is expected conventional wisdom on investing in the stock
to support a vast ------- of implications for which market.
no other proof is offered.
A. maverick . . flouted
A. fabricated . . contradiction B. rogue . . applied
B. unconvincing . . superstructure C. impoverished . . acknowledged
C. persuasive . . convocation D. devious . . promulgated
D. inextricable . . skein E. renegade . . propounded
E. conclusive . . facsimile
–17–
15. A fire in the Peoples Republic of China destroyed 19. Albert’s advanced degree in urban planning made
the factory responsible for producing most of the him the most qualified person on the committee,
world’s RAM memory components; the ensuing but his status as the junior member made his
shortage was so ------- that computer users came criticism of transportation policy seem -------
to believe that the high prices were the result of even though his remarks were always -------.
------- by suppliers.
A. unwarranted . . superficial
A. prolonged . . coddling B. opportunistic . . spontaneous
B. insignificant . . touting C. presumptuous . . incisive
C. ineffectual . . directing D. vapid . . insincere
D. severe . . gouging E. practical . . inappropriate
E. unpredictable . . misleading
20. The professor’s ------- treatment of students in the

16. The idea that a single individual can alter the classroom contrasted with her behavior in the
course of history is not mere speculation; in fact, office, where those who sought advice found her
well-documented instances are not even -------. to be genuinely ------- to their problems.
A. established A. supercilious . . sympathetic

B. confirmable B. arrogant . . indifferent
C. conceivable C. cavalier . . calloused
D. actualized D. cautious . . attentive
E. exceptional E. inconsistent . . hardened
17. Some proponents of an author’s lending royalty 21. Legal positivists deny that international law can
plan argue that borrowing a book from a library is properly be called law because international
a form of ------- since the reader enjoys the organizations can only ------- prohibited conduct
intellectual property without ------- the author. but do nothing to ------- it.
A. theft . . acknowledging A. investigate . . review

B. piracy . . protecting B. identify . . encourage
C. contract . . paying C. provoke . . rectify
D. servitude . . releasing D. outline . . satisfy
E. larceny . . compensating E. define . . punish
18. Though it seemed that director Robert Altman 22. Following the ------- emotional pleas for passage
had firmly established his artistic reputation with of the bill by members known for rambling
the nomination of Nashville for Best Film of speeches, the ------- argument for its rejection was
1970, the 1979 film Quintet, perhaps the ------- of a welcome relief for the House.
his career, earned him only the ------- of the
critics. A. protracted . . trenchant
B. lengthy . . specious
A. nadir . . disapprobation C. flowery . . ornate
B. continuation . . notice D. undisguised . . deceiving
C. denouement . . acclaim E. blatant . . unfocused
D. climax . . commentary
E. low point . . recommendation
–18–
23. In his treatment of science, Ernst Cassirer rejects 27. A recurring theme in science fiction is the contest
the traditional ------- of fact and theory, approv- between good and evil for control over technol-
ingly quoting Goethe as saying “All fact is ogy that is, in itself, -------.
theory.”
A. productive
A. asymmetry B. ill-conceived
B. dichotomy C. independent
C. frequency D. amoral
D. conjunction E. inconsequential
E. dysfunction
28. In The Ontology of Political Violence, Professor

24. Although Jacques Derrida’s writings held Nogarola argues that so-called ------- evidence
considerable theoretical promise, deconstruction- often dismissed as unreliable would be admissible
ism in America quickly deteriorated into a ------- in a court of law as testimony and has value in the
as academics of limited intellectual ability political arena as well.
mimicked its style without ------- its secrets.
A. anecdotal
A. farce . . plumbing B. practical
B. battle . . understanding C. sensational
C. burlesque . . concealing D. collaborative
D. comedy . . purporting E. probative
E. pretense . . sharing
29. Ironically, the modern Olympic games, which are

25. Students had become so ------- to the principal’s held up as the ideal of amateur athletics, origi-
capriciousness that they greeted the announce- nated with games in honor of Athena in which
ment of yet another dress code with complete winners were rewarded not with laurel wreaths of
indifference. little ------- worth but oil-filled amphorae with
considerable ------- value.
A. receptive
B. inured A. practical . . sentimental
C. sensitive B. financial . . honorific
D. attuned C. market . . aesthetic
E. evasive D. capital . . sacrificial
E. intrinsic . . economic
26. Recent journalistic reports of respected

researchers ------- experimental results favorable 30. Supply creates its own demand; and advertising,
to their own theories ------- the popular concep- if sufficiently -------, can convince consumers to
tion of science as a pure search for the truth. ------- products for which they have little desire
and even less need.
A. manufacturing . . supports
B. presenting . . belies A. strident . . approve
C. finding . . reinforces B. pervasive . . purchase
D. fabricating . . contradicts C. unscrupulous . . honor
E. concealing . . undermines D. distasteful . . disregard
E. vehement . . anticipate
–19–
31. In an effort to ------- the strike, the mediators 35. The directors who favored the plan to diversify
suggested a compromise that they thought would overseas operations, though in ------- following
be ------- to both the union and the company. their failed experiment on the domestic side,
constituted a sufficiently ------- political force on
A. shorten . . unpalatable the Board to gain a favorable vote.
B. resolve . . satisfactory
C. end . . unacceptable A. retreat . . cohesive
D. extend . . acceptable B. disarray . . ineffective
E. accelerate . . puzzling C. control . . powerful
D. abeyance . . contentious
E. disfavor . . fragmented
32. Because of the tremendous magnifying power of
the Hubble Telescope, astronomical features that
were before ------- are now resolved into fine 36. Our relegation of the fairy tale to the status of
detail. bedtime reading for children has resulted in the
------- of the goriest details from the Grimm tales.
A. indistinguishable
B. inapplicable A. ratification
C. intractable B. reinsertion
D. inalienable C. accentuation
E. invaluable D. expurgation
E. codification
33. Paradoxically, the more the audiences applauded

his performances and critics praised his artistic 37. For all of his outlandish costumes and immoder-
accomplishments, the more ------- Isaac felt about ate behavior on-stage, rock musician Arlen
his ability as a musician. Quigby was, in his private life, a(n) ------- person
who was described by associates as a simple
A. decisive businessman.
B. insecure
C. confident A. enigmatic
D. reluctant B. famous
E. assertive C. conventional
D. unstable
E. flamboyant
34. An important goal of Black History Month is to
ensure that African-Americans who have often
received too little credit for their achievements in 38. As vaccines have become increasingly -------,
fields ranging from literature to physics are more cases of Haemophilius influenza among children
widely -------. under the age of five dropped nearly 99% in the
last ten years, and the disease has been nearly
A. sustained -------.
B. acknowledged
C. embellished A. routine . . eradicated
D. retained B. virile . . annihilated
E. envied C. innocuous . . obliterated
D. problematic . . rampant
E. inefficacious . . contained
–20–
39. The script writers for the stage version of

Kipling’s Just So Stories wisely decided to make
only ------- use of the author’s original diction;
the occasional flashes of alliteration are charming
but overdone; their arcane sound would quickly
have become ------- to the modern ear.
A. judicious . . familiar
B. intermittent . . inaudible
C. sporadic . . cloying
D. exacting . . familiar
E. limited . . dissonant
40. Several highly publicized disagreements within

the scientific community have become so -------
that many lay people now wonder whether the
scientific process is a search for the truth or a
contest of -------.
A. repetitive . . platitudes
B. egregious . . wills
C. cacophonous . . theories
D. acrimonious . . egos
E. exuberant . . resources
–21–
Building Vocabulary with Antonyms

Antonym items ask you to find a word that means the opposite of the given word.
Example:
ACCEPT:
A. desire
B. pretend
C. reject
D. inquire
E. trap
(C) is the correct answer choice because to reject something is the opposite of to accept something.
Antonym items on standardized tests tend to be arranged in order of increasing difficulty since they test variations on
meaning. Consider another example:
Example:
CULTIVATED:
A. treacherous
B. prepared
C. worried
D. insightful
E. uncultured
“Cultivated” can function as a verb or an adjective. To determine what part of speech is being tested, examine all
of the answer choices. (B) and (C) can be verbs or adjectives. (A), (D), and (E) can only be adjectives. So, in this
case, the item stem (“CULTIVATED”) should be treated as an adjective. The primary definition of the adjective
“cultivated” is “of, or relating to the preparation of land.” You might anticipate an adjective like “fallow” as a
possible antonym; however, no such word appears in the answer choices. Instead, the secondary definition of the
adjective “cultivated” (“cultured” or “highly developed”) is being tested. For example, a person may have
cultivated or refined tastes. Therefore, (E) is the correct answer choice because “uncultured” means the opposite of
“cultivated.”
The two definitions of the adjective “cultivated” are not unrelated, and you should be able to see that the literal
idea of cultivating land resembles the more figurative idea of cultivating or refining one’s taste. Both definitions
involve the idea of refinement or improvement. Such relationships between definitions are referred to as “echoes”.
Correctly answering antonym items often depends on the ability to hear these echoes.
In the following example, the meaning of a word varies based on whether it’s used as a noun or a verb. As a result, the
antonym item is more difficult.
–22–
Example:
AIR:
A. vacate
B. remind
C. take
D. conceal
E. pose
The word “air” typically functions as a noun, which means “atmosphere.” Again, though, review all of the answer
choices to determine the part of speech being tested. All of the answer choices function only as verbs except for
(E), which can also function as a noun. So, the item stem (“AIR”) should be treated as a verb. The verb “air” can
mean either “to expose to air” or “to make public.” Both of these definitions involve the idea of exposure.
Therefore, (D) is the correct answer choice because to conceal, which means “to hide,” is the opposite of to
publicize.
–23–
Building Vocabulary with Analogies

Analogy items, like antonym items, test your ability to understand relationships between vocabulary words. The most
helpful example of an analogy is a mathematical proportion:
2 = 10
3 15
This mathematical statement asserts that 2 has the same relationship to 3 that 10 has to 15. This parallelism is an
important feature of all analogies. We find the same parallelism in the following verbal analogy:
PULVERIZE : DUST :: SHATTER : SHARDS
The colons in the verbal analogy serve the same function as the slashes in the mathematical proportion. Also, the double
colon in the verbal analogy serves the same function as the equals sign in the mathematical proportion:
PULVERIZE = SHATTER
DUST SHARDS
This verbal analogy asserts that “pulverize” has the same relationship to “dust” as “shatter” has to “shards.” To
pulverize something is to reduce it to dust, and to shatter something is to reduce it to shards.
Verbal analogies are also often characterized by a secondary feature. To pulverize and to shatter are both means of
destruction, and dust and shards are both the results of destruction. Such secondary relationships can often help you
answer analogy items more quickly and accurately.
–24–
Building Vocabulary through Context

Unlike other vocabulary books that provide random lists of words and their definitions, this program builds vocabulary
by helping you to learn the meaning of words in the context of short stories, essays, and other types of reading
selections.
Students often believe that if they don’t know what a word means, they won’t be able to answer correctly an item that
includes that word. This is simply not true. This section will help you to recognize word parts, become more familiar
with challenging vocabulary words, and use context clues to determine what difficult words mean. This section will also
help you to understand the logical structure of a sentence and how to use that understanding to anticipate appropriate
words in vocabulary-related items.
The exercises in this section will enrich and build your vocabulary skills. You will learn vocabulary words in the
context of a reading selection (vocabulary-in-context and sentence completion items) so you can actually learn them
rather than simply memorize them. Additionally, antonym and analogy items will build your awareness of “echoes” or
secondary relationships—a skill that will also strengthen your vocabulary and reading skills.
–25–
EXERCISE 5
Building Vocabulary through Context
DIRECTIONS: The following passage is followed by for their candidate by directing their efforts toward the
several items. Read the passage and choose the best general populace. In newspapers, Jefferson was
answer for each item based on what is stated or implied presented as the uniform advocate of equal rights
in the passage. You may refer to the passage as often as among the citizens while Adams was portrayed as the
necessary to answer the items. Answers are on page 35 champion of rank, titles, heredity, and distinctions.
798. Jefferson was not certain of the outcome of the election
until the end of December. Under the original electoral
system established by the Constitution, each
SOCIAL SCIENCE: The following passage is an Presidential elector cast his ballot for two men without
excerpt from a history of the political career of Thomas 40 designating between them as to office. The candidate
Jefferson, the author of the “Declaration of Independ- who received the greater number of votes became the
ence.” President; the second highest, the Vice President.
Jefferson foresaw on the basis of his own calculations
“Heartily tired” from the brutal, almost daily that the electoral vote would be close. He wrote to
conflicts that erupted over questions of national policy 45 Madison that in the event of a tie, he wished for the
between himself and Alexander Hamilton, Thomas choice to be in favor of Adams. In public life, the New
Jefferson resigned his position as Secretary of State in Englander had always been senior to Jefferson; and so,
5 1793. Although his Federalist opponents were he explained, the expression of public will being equal,
convinced that this was merely a strategic withdrawal Adams should be preferred for the higher honor.
to allow him an opportunity to plan and promote his 50 Jefferson, a shrewd politician, realized that the
candidacy for the Presidency should Washington step transition of power from the nearly mythical
down in 1796, Jefferson insisted that this retirement Washington to a lesser luminary in the midst of the
10 from public life was to be final. deep and bitter political divisions facing the nation
could be perilous, and he had no desire to be caught in
But even in retirement, the world of politics 55 the storm that had been brewing for four years and was
pursued him. As the election grew nearer and it became about to break. “This is certainly not a moment to covet
apparent that Washington would not seek a third term, the helm,” he wrote to Edward Rutledge. When the
rumors of Jefferson’s Presidential ambitions grew in electoral vote was tallied, Adams emerged the victor.
15 intensity. Reacting to these continuous insinuations in a Rejoicing at his “escape,” Jefferson was completely
letter to James Madison, Jefferson allowed that while 60 satisfied with the decision. Despite their obvious and
the idea that he coveted the office of chief executive basic political differences, Jefferson genuinely
had been originated by his enemies to impugn his respected John Adams as a friend and compatriot.
political motives, he had been forced to examine his Although Jefferson believed that Adams had deviated
20 true feelings on the subject for his own peace of mind. from the course set in 1776, in Jefferson’s eyes he
In so doing he concluded that his reasons for 65 never suffered diminution; and Jefferson was quite
retirement—the desire for privacy, and the delight of confident that Adams would not steer the nation too far
family life—coupled with his now failing health were from its Republican tack. Within two years, Jefferson’s
insuperable barriers to public service. The “little spice views would be drastically altered as measures such as
25 of ambition” he had in his younger days had long since the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 convinced him of
evaporated and the question of his Presidency was 70 the need to wrest control of the government from the
forever closed. Federalists.
Jefferson did not actively engage in the campaign
on his own behalf. The Republican party, anticipating
30 modern campaign tactics, created grass roots sentiment
–26–
1. In line 1, the word heartily most nearly means: 7. In line 35, the word champion most nearly means:
A. sincerely. A. victor.
B. vigorously. B. opponent.
C. zealously. C. colleague.
D. completely. D. defender.
2. In line 10, the word public most nearly means: 8. In line 47, the word senior most nearly means:
A. communal. A. older in age.

B. open. B. higher in rank.
C. official. C. graduate.
D. people. D. mentor.
3. In line 10, the word final most nearly means: 9. In line 52, the word luminary most nearly means:
A. last. A. bright object.

B. closing. B. famous person.
C. ultimate. C. office holder.
D. conclusive. D. candidate.
4. In line 16, the word allowed most nearly means: 10. In line 65, the word diminution most nearly
means:
A. permitted.
B. admitted. A. foreshortening.
C. tolerated. B. shrinkage.
D. granted. C. abatement.
D. degradation.
5. In line 29, the word anticipating most nearly

means:
A. expecting.
B. presaging.
C. awaiting.
D. inviting.
6. In line 33, the word uniform most nearly means:
A. standard.
B. unchanging.
C. militant.
D. popular.
–27–
EXERCISE 6
Vocabulary Builder: Prose Fiction Passages
DIRECTIONS: Each passage in this exercise is followed by sets of sentence completion, vocabulary-in-context,
antonym, and analogy items for building vocabulary through context. In addition to using the passages to infer word
meanings, you may use a dictionary or refer to the Vocabulary List beginning on page 655.
The first set of items following each passage are sentence completion items based on words from the passage. Each
sentence has one blank. Choose the word that best fits the meaning of the sentence in its entirety.
The second set of items following each passage are vocabulary-in-context items based on words from the passage.
Choose the best answer for each item based on what is stated or implied in the passage.
The third set of items following each passage are antonym items based on words from the passage. For each item,
choose the word that has a meaning most nearly opposite of the capitalized word.
The fourth set of items following each passage are analogy items based on words from the passage. For each item, find
the pair of words that expresses a relationship most like that expressed by the capitalized words.
Passage I effect, I fell back within the bed. I had found the spell
of the picture in an absolute life-likeness of expression,
PROSE FICTION: This passage is adapted from 25 which at first startling, finally confounded, subdued,
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Oval Portrait.” and appalled me. With deep and reverent awe, I
replaced the candelabrum in its former position. The
The portrait was that of a young girl. It was a cause of my deep agitation being thus shut from view, I
mere head and shoulders, done in what is technically sought eagerly the volume which discussed the
termed a vignette manner; much in the style of the 30 paintings and their histories. Turning to the number
favorite heads of Sully. The arms, the bosom, and even which designated the oval portrait, I there read the
5 the ends of the radiant hair, melted imperceptibly into vague and quaint words which follow:
the vague yet deep shadow, which formed the
background of the whole. The metallic yellow frame “She was a maiden of rarest beauty, and not more
was a valuable oval, richly gilded and filigreed in lovely than full of glee. And evil was the hour when
exquisitely fine detail. As a thing of art nothing could 35 she saw, and loved, and wedded the painter. He,
10 be more admirable than the painting itself. But it could passionate, studious, austere, and having already a
have been neither the execution of the work nor the bride in his Art; she all light and smiles and frolicsome
immortal beauty of the countenance, which had so as the young fawn; loving and cherishing all things:
suddenly and so vehemently moved me. Least of all hating only the Art which was her rival; dreading only
could it have been that my fancy, shaken from its half 40 the palette and brushes and other untoward instruments
15 slumber, had mistaken the head for that of a living which deprived her of the countenance of her lover. It
person. I saw at once that the peculiarities of the was thus a terrible thing for this lady to hear the painter
design, of the vignetting, and of the frame, must have speak of his desire to portray even his young bride. But
instantly dispelled such ideas—must have prevented she was humble and obedient, and sat meekly for many
even its momentary entertainment. Thinking earnestly 45 weeks in the dark high turret-chamber where the light
20 upon these points, I remained, for an hour perhaps, half dripped upon the pale canvas only from overhead. But
sitting, half reclining, with my vision riveted upon the he, the painter, took glory in his work, which went on
portrait. At length, satisfied with the true secret of its from hour to hour from day to day. And he was a
–28–
passionate and moody man, who became lost in 3. To help control the rapidly increasing national
50 reveries; so that he would not see that the light which debt, the Finance Minister recently announced a
fell so ghastly in that lone turret withered the health very ------- set of economic measures that
and the spirits of his bride, who pined visibly to all but drastically cut government services.
him. Yet she smiled on and still on, uncomplainingly,
because she saw that the painter (who had great A. mysterious
55 renown) took a fervid and burning pleasure in his task, B. lackadaisical
and wrought day and night to depict her who so loved C. lenient
him, yet who grew daily more dispirited and weak. D. inept
And in sooth some who beheld the portrait spoke of its E. austere
resemblance in low words, as of a mighty marvel, and
60 a proof not less of the power of the painter than of his
4. The critic wrote in her review of the ballet that
deep love for her, whom he depicted so surpassingly
the ------- and conviction with which the dancers
well. But at length, as the labor drew nearer to its
performed excused any minor imperfections in
conclusion, there were admitted none into the turret;
the overall performance.
for the painter had grown wild with the ardor of his
65 work, and turned his eyes from the canvas rarely, even
A. doubt
to regard the countenance of his wife. And he would B. ardor
not see that the tints which he spread on the canvas C. flawlessness
were drawn from the cheeks of her who sat beside him. D. indifference
And when many weeks had passed, but little remained E. deliberation
70 to do, save one brush upon the mouth and one tint upon
the eye, the spirit of the lady again flickered up as the
flame within the socket of the lamp. And then the brush 5. When the animal control officer cornered the
was given, and the tint was placed; and for one stray dog in an attempt to catch it, the dog bristled
moment, the painter stood entranced before the work and whined in a low ------- tone.
75 which he had wrought but in the next, while he yet
gazed, he grew tremulous and very pallid, and aghast, A. tremulous
and crying with a loud voice, ‘this is indeed Life itself!’ B. confident
turned suddenly to regard his beloved—She was dead!” C. unexpected
D. erratic
E. passive
1. The physical differences between the fraternal
twins were so ------- that only their family
members were able to tell them apart. 6. It can be inferred that the word vignette, as it is
used in line 3, primarily refers to:
A. apparent
B. invisible A. a brief incident or scene.
C. detectable B. a particular style of brushstroke.
D. imperceptible C. a short musical composition.
E. noticeable D. a picture with no definite border, shading off
gradually at its edges.
2. Many Republicans are ------- opposed to fighting

climate change with legislation, charging that the 7. In line 8, gilded is best understood to mean:
Democrat’s current bill would drastically raise
costs for the average American family. A. sponsored.
B. overlaid with gold.
A. impassively C. entangled.
B. sarcastically D. overfilled.
C. vehemently
D. ironically
E. humbly
–29–
8. In line 8, filigreed is best understood to mean: 14. In line 55, renown is best understood to mean:
A. excessive greed or avarice. A. fame.

B. characterized by lack of taste. B. aptitude.
C. adorned with delicate ornamentation. C. obscurity.
D. to be unfounded. D. perseverance.
9. As it is used in line 12, the word countenance 15. As it is used in line 56, the word wrought most
most nearly means: nearly means:
A. facial features. A. hammered.

B. approval. B. wreaked havoc.
C. pretense. C. worked with great care.
D. motif. D. operated carelessly.
10. In context, designated (line 31) most nearly 16. WITHER:

means:
A. embarrass
A. delegated. B. ignore
B. indicated. C. nurture
C. appointed. D. produce
D. delivered. E. limit
11. In line 40, untoward most nearly means: 17. CONFOUND:
A. appropriate. A. announce
B. disorderly. B. beckon
C. fortunate. C. ridicule
D. troublesome. D. welcome
E. clarify
12. It can be inferred that the word reveries, as it is

used in line 50, primarily refers to: 18. PALLID:
A. indifferences. A. colorful
B. daydreams. B. ancient
C. certainties. C. private
D. reverences. D. talkative
E. excellent
13. As it is used in line 52, the word pined most

nearly means: 19. APPALLING:
A. longed for. A. visible

B. increased. B. pleasing
C. wasted away. C. widening
D. imagined. D. knowing
E. humane
–30–
20. AGITATE: 26. ENTERTAIN : PROPOSAL ::
A. remind A. suppress : revival

B. select B. sign : form
C. list C. invite : retaliation
D. delete D. consider : suggestion
E. quiet E. address: conference
21. ENTRANCE: 27. EXECUTE : PLAN ::
A. elongate A. punish : criminal

B. bore B. obey : refusal
C. reward C. deny : hope
D. accept D. accept : question
E. withdraw E. fulfill : dream
22. SUBDUED: 28. PORTRAY : CHARACTER ::
A. active A. act : role

B. hidden B. describe : drama
C. queer C. direct : orchestrate
D. perfect D. perform : actor
E. wooden E. write : report
23. DISPEL: 29. CHERISH : DEAR ::
A. wince A. reject : suitor

B. correct B. enable : law
C. assemble C. hoard : jewel
D. attempt D. treasure : valuable
E. grin E. deposit : money
24. FERVID: 30. AWE : DREAD ::
A. cool A. concern : delight

B. sad B. fright: reassure
C. enjoyable C. fear : alarm
D. incomplete D. invitation : beckon
E. reckless E. agreement: negotiate
25. QUAINT:
A. homey
B. current
C. stiff
D. backward
E. likable
–31–
Passage II Then come the sudden swirl round of the wind,

the blustering gale from the south-west, the dragging
PROSE FICTION: This passage is adapted from anchor, the lee shore, and the last battle in the creaming
Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Devil’s breakers. The wise mariner stands far out from that evil
Foot.” 50 place.
In recording from time to time some of the On the land side our surroundings were as sombre
curious experiences and interesting recollections, as on the sea. It was a country of rolling moors, lonely
which I associate with my long and intimate friendship and dun-colored, with an occasional church tower to
with Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I have continually been mark the site of some old-world village. In every
5 faced with difficulties caused by his own aversion to 55 direction upon these moors were traces of some
publicity. To his sombre and cynical spirit all popular vanished race, which has passed utterly away, and left
applause was always abhorrent, and nothing amused as its sole record strange monuments of stone, irregular
him more at the end of a successful case than to hand mounds which contained the burned ashes of the dead,
over the actual exposure to some orthodox official, and and curious earthworks which hinted at prehistoric
10 to listen with a mocking smile to the general chorus of 60 strife. The glamour and mystery of the place, with its
misplaced congratulation. It was indeed this attitude sinister atmosphere of forgotten nations, appealed to
upon the part of my friend and certainly not any lack of the imagination of my friend, and he spent much of his
interesting material, which has caused me of late years time in long walks and solitary meditations upon the
to lay very few of my records before the public. My moor. The ancient Cornish language had also arrested
15 participation in some of his adventures was always a 65 his attention, and he had, I remember, conceived the
privilege, which entailed discretion and reticence upon idea that it was akin to Chaldean, and had been largely
me. derived from the Phoenician traders in tin. He had
received a consignment of books upon philology and
It was in the spring of the year 1897 that was settling down to develop this thesis when
Holmes’s iron constitution showed some symptoms of 70 suddenly, to my sorrow, and to his unfeigned delight,
20 giving way in the face of constant hard work of a most we found ourselves, even in that land of dreams,
exacting kind, aggravated perhaps by occasional plunged into a problem at our very doors which was
indiscretions of his own. In March of that year Dr. more intense, more engrossing, and infinitely more
Moore Agar, of Harley Street, whose dramatic mysterious than any of those which had driven us from
introduction to Holmes I may some day recount, gave 75 London. Our simple life and peaceful, healthy routine
25 positive injunctions that the famous private agent lay were violently interrupted, and we were precipitated
aside all his cases and surrender himself to complete into the midst of a series of events, which caused the
rest if he wished to avert an absolute breakdown. The utmost excitement not only in Cornwall but throughout
state of his health was not a matter in which he himself the whole west of England. Many of my readers may
took the faintest interest, for his mental detachment 80 retain some recollection of what was called at the time
30 was absolute, but he was induced at last, on the threat “The Cornish Horror,” though a most imperfect
of being permanently disqualified from work, to give account of the matter reached the London press. Now,
himself a complete change of scene and air. Thus, it after some thirteen years, I will give the true details of
was that in the early spring of that year we found this inconceivable affair to the public.
ourselves together in a small cottage near Poldhu Bay,
35 at the further extremity of the Cornish peninsula.
31. Due to her strong moral ------- to eating animals
It was a singular spot, and one peculiarly well or animal-by-products, Maggie has been a life-
suited to the grim humor of my patient. From the long vegetarian.
windows of our little whitewashed house, which stood
high upon a grassy headland, we looked down upon the A. adversity
40 whole sinister semicircle of Mounts Bay, that old death B. aversion
trap of sailing vessels, with its fringe of black cliffs and C. sympathy
surge-swept reefs on which innumerable seamen have D. confliction
met their end. With a northerly breeze it lies placid and E. upbringing
sheltered, inviting the storm-tossed craft to tack into it
45 for rest and protection.
–32–
32. Trafficking in human beings and other 37. The word recount (line 24) most nearly means to:
contemporary forms of slavery constitute a(n)
------- violation of the dignity and rights of human A. conceal facts.
beings. B. calculate.
C. reimburse.
A. alluring D. tell a story in detail.
B. laudatory
C. docile
D. abhorrent 38. Based on the use of the word injunctions in line
E. pedestrian 25, it can be inferred that injunction primarily
refers to a(n):
33. J. D. Salinger was best known for his 1951 novel A. command.
The Catcher in the Rye, as well as his ------- and B. embargo.
reclusive nature following his withdrawal from C. ruling.
public life in 1965. D. reprimand.
A. arrogance
B. experience 39. In line 36, singular is closest in meaning to:
C. loquaciousness
D. nervousness A. simular.
E. reticence B. allegorical.
C. individual.
D. remarkable.
34. The governor stepped down from office after his
------- were made public and the state assembly
demanded his resignation. 40. As it is used in line 43, the word placid most
nearly means:
A. decisions
B. prudence A. flabby.
C. indiscretions B. calm.
D. responsibilities C. noisy.
E. virtues D. appeasable.
35. In his book, The Great Crash, 1929, John 41. It can be inferred that the word tack, as it is used
Kenneth Galbraith argued that the 1929 stock in line 44, primarily means to:
market crash was ------- by rampant speculation
and the belief of participants that they could A. deal fairly.
become rich without work. B. fasten.
C. change course.
A. considered D. attack.
B. precipitated
C. protracted
D. belabored 42. It can be inferred that the word lee, as it is used in
E. delivered line 48, primarily refers to:
A. the side sheltered from the wind.

36. In line 9, orthodox is best understood to mean:
B. the rear of a boat.
C. a breeze from the west.
A. conventional.
D. the far side of an object.
B. original.
C. eccentric.
D. personal.
–33–
43. As it is used in line 68, the word consignment 49. ARREST:

most likely refers to:
A. back up
A. a meeting or appointment. B. start up
B. a homework assignment. C. move up
C. items in a shipment. D. slow up
D. an error in communication. E. accelerate
44. In line 70, unfeigned most nearly means: 50. EXACTING:
A. affected. A. faithful
B. legitimate. B. vengeful
C. insincere. C. hopeful
D. genuine. D. desirous
E. lenient
45. In line 80, recollection refers to a(n):

51. SURRENDER:
A. collection of items.
B. recalled memory. A. resist
C. religious contemplation. B. invite
D. act of recoiling. C. renew
D. follow
E. mistreat
46. SOMBRE:
A. lacking movement 52. INDUCED:

B. brightly colored
C. overly long A. exhaled
D. completely finished B. reminded
E. high overhead C. confirmed
D. discouraged
E. started
47. INTIMATE:
A. stranger 53. BLUSTERING:

B. official
C. bungler A. content
D. drunkard B. quiet
E. author C. fearful
D. sad
E. determined
48. POPULAR:
A. incorrect 54. IMPERFECT:

B. improper
C. unknown A. complete
D. righteous B. flowery
E. welcome C. wishful
D. contrived
E. aged
–34–
55. MEDITATE:
A. remember
B. foresee
C. act
D. deny
E. understand
56. PHILOLOGY : LANGUAGE ::
A. biology : physics
B. astrology : astronomy
C. archaeology : relics
D. learning : study
E. geology : geography
57. AGGRAVATE : CONDITION ::
A. inform : announcement
B. confirm : doubt
C. relax : play
D. insist : option
E. worsen: problem
58. SINISTER : EVIL ::
A. threatening : danger
B. entertaining : drama
C. fanciful : book
D. conclusive : end
E. protective : help
59. SOLITARY : CROWDED ::
A. confined : locked
B. comfortable : padded
C. empty : occupied
D. fortunate : lucky
E. medical : healthy
60. DETACHED : CONNECTION ::
A. harmful : fear
B. unconscious : awareness
C. permanent : foundation
D. rewarding : profit
E. gloomy : health
–35–
Passage III part, I hope not; for idealism, which is only a flattering
name for romance in politics and morals, is as
PROSE FICTION: This passage is adapted from a obnoxious to me as romance is in ethics or religion. I
letter written by the playwright George Bernard Shaw can no longer be satisfied with fictitious morals and
in response to critics of his plays. 50 fictitious good conduct, shedding fictitious glory on
overcrowding, disease, crime, drink, war cruelty, infant
There is a good reason, however, why I should mortality, all the other commonplaces of civilization
take this haughty attitude towards those representative which drive men to the theater to make foolish
critics whose complaint is that my plays, though not pretenses. These things are progress, science, morals,
unentertaining, lack the elevation of sentiment and 55 religion, patriotism, imperial supremacy, national
5 seriousness of purpose of Shakespeare and Ibsen. They
greatness, and all the other names the newspapers call
can find, under the surface brilliancy for which they them.
give me credit, no coherent thought or sympathy, and
accuse me, in various terms and degrees, of an On the other hand, I see plenty of good in the
inhuman and freakish wantonness; of preoccupation world working itself out as fast as the idealists will
10 with “the seamy side of life”; of paradox, cynicism, 60 allow it; if they would only leave it alone and learn to
and eccentricity, reducible, as some contend, to a trite respect reality, which would include the beneficial
formula of treating bad as good, and good as bad, exercise of respecting themselves, and incidentally
important as trivial, and trivial and important, serious respecting me, we should all get along much better and
as laughable, and laughable as serious and so forth. As faster. At all events, I do not see moral chaos and
15 to this formula I can only say that if anyone is simple 65 anarchy as the alternative to romantic convention;
enough to think that even a good comic opera can be furthermore, I am not going to pretend that I do just to
produced by it, I invite him to try his hand, and see please the less clear-sighted people who are convinced
whether anything remotely resembling one of my plays the world is only held together by the force of
will result. unanimous, strenuous, eloquent, trumpet-tongued
70 lying. To me, the tragedy and comedy of life lie in the
20 I could explain the matter easily enough if I consequences, sometimes terrible, sometimes ludi-
chose, but the result would be that people who crous, of the persistent attempts to found our institu-
misunderstand the plays would misunderstand the tions on the ideas suggested to our imaginations by our
explanation ten times more. The particular exceptions half-satisfied passions, instead of on a genuinely
taken are seldom more than symptoms of the 75 scientific natural history.
25 underlying fundamental disagreement between the
romantic morality of the critics and the realistic
morality of the plays. For example, I am quite aware 61. Dazed by the explosion, nothing Fredrick said
the Swiss officer in Arms and the Man is not a was -------; he babbled about the need for lace
conventional stage soldier. He suffers from want of curtains on the machine shop windows.
30 food and sleep; his nerves go to pieces after three days
under fire, ending in the horrors of a rout and pursuit; A. illogical
he has found by experience it is more important to have B. coherent
a few bits of chocolate to eat than cartridges for his C. adequate
revolver. When many of my critics rejected these D. sensitive
35 circumstances as fantastically improbable and cynically E. informal
unnatural, it was not necessary to argue them into
common sense; all I had to do was to brain them, so to
speak, with the first half-dozen military authorities at
hand. But when it proved that such unromantic facts
40 implied to them a denial of the existence of courage,
patriotism, faith, hope, and charity, I saw it was not
really mere matter of fact at issue between us.
The real issue between us is whether idealism can

survive the general onslaught, which is implicit in
45 Arms and the Man and other realistic plays. For my
–36–
62. The suspect drove his car at 60 miles per hour 67. As it is used in line 10, the word seamy most
through the school zone, demonstrating a(n) nearly means:
------- disregard for the safety of the school-
children. A. wholesome
B. feeble
A. justifiable C. unpleasant
B. moral D. vigorous
C. ambitious
D. lucid
E. wanton 68. In line 10, paradox is best understood to mean
a(n):
63. The aviation magnate Howard Hughes is A. contradiction

remembered for his ------- behavior and reclusive B. insincerity
lifestyle in later life, caused in part by a C. intricacy
worsening obsessive-compulsive disorder. D. obscurity
A. gregarious
B. customary 69. The word cynicism (line 10) refers to the belief
C. eccentric that:
D. habitual
E. extroverted A. there are not absolute truths about the world.
B. negative perceptions are the cause of nega-
tive realities.
64. The politician claimed that he would ------- C. people and events are inherently good.
middle-class income taxes by eliminating D. human nature and motives cannot be trusted.
wasteful government spending and fraud.
A. enhance 70. As the word realistic is used in line 26, it can be

B. augment inferred that realism refers to the principle of:
C. increase
D. reduce A. representation through generalization.
E. maintain B. representation without idealization.
C. reproduction by individualization.
D. change through moderate action.
65. Arguably one of the most ------- presidents in
American history, John F. Kennedy delivered an
inaugural address in 1961 that was an inspira- 71. In line 43, idealism refers to behavior or thought
tional call to action. based on:
A. inarticulate A. a conception of things as one wishes them to
B. reticent
be, rather than as they actually are.
C. taciturn
B. a conception of how things actually are.
D. belligerent
C. a conception of people motivated only by
E. eloquent
greed or some other selfish motive.
D. delusion of persecution or extreme fear.
66. Based on the use of the word elevation in line 4,
it can be inferred that elevate means to:
A. decrease or drop.
B. raise or lift up.
C. assess or estimate.
D. intensify or accelerate.
–37–
72. It can be inferred that the word onslaught, as it is 78. TRITE:

used in line 44, primarily refers to a(n):
A. long
A. apology. B. outspoken
B. justification. C. fresh
C. attack. D. confused
D. excuse. E. limp
73. Based on the use of the word pretenses in line 54, 79. REMOTE:
it can be inferred that pretense refers to all of the
following EXCEPT: A. calm
B. firm
A. a charade. C. near
B. pretension. D. exact
C. candor. E. simple
D. a false claim.
80. EXCEPTION:
74. In line 61, beneficial most nearly means:
A. bargain
A. bountiful. B. condition
B. helpful. C. comfort
C. extensive. D. agreement
D. refreshing. E. fatigue
75. As it is used in line 65, anarchy can be inferred to 81. ROUT:

mean:
A. orderly retreat
A. lawlessness. B. vicious bite
B. order. C. careless planning
C. transformation. D. quick march
D. reformation. E. long delay
76. HAUGHTY: 82. IMPROBABLE:
A. angry A. hopeful
B. ignorant B. caring
C. trustworthy C. thrown
D. above D. flat
E. humble E. likely
77. BRILLIANCY: 83. OBNOXIOUS:
A. honor A. pleasant
B. dullness B. harmful
C. travel C. uninteresting
D. drama D. inflated
E. entertainment E. required
–38–
84. FICTITIOUS: 90. LUDICROUS : LAUGHABLE ::
A. invented A. careful : reckless

B. real B. completion : start
C. warm-blooded C. absurd : ridiculous
D. self-contained D. outlandish : believable
E. outmaneuvered E. sweet : sour
85. CHAOS:
A. defeat
B. script
C. order
D. doom
E. openness
86. SYMPTOMATIC : SYMBOLIC ::
A. apparent : real
B. diseased : healthy
C. indicative : representative
D. endearing : suggestive
E. obvious : hidden
87. CHARITY : LOVE ::
A. benevolence : kindness
B. giving : receiving
C. donation : deduction
D. target : aim
E. outrage : affection
88. FREAKISH : CHANGE ::
A. concerned : humiliate
B. annoying : please
C. whimsical : vary
D. controlled : worry
E. tearful : work
89. IMPERIAL : AUTHORITY ::
A. supreme : control
B. needy : privilege
C. legal : crime
D. master : slave
E. resentful : gift
–39–
EXERCISE 7
Vocabulary Builder: Social Science Passages
Passage I 20 No one knows for sure why the painters in

prehistoric times represented bison on the walls of
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from an caves, but it is significant that the animals were
essay entitled “Animal Images in Human History” in rendered with more care and completeness than the
an art history and philosophy anthology. human creatures. Whatever their utility, the swiftly
25 moving, rhythmic figures show an appreciation for
Among the first images created by man were animal beauty that can still be understood with
those of animals, and over the centuries mankind’s sympathy. “Animal beauty” is a term we tend to use
preoccupation with the nonhuman inhabitants of the when we wish to describe some particularly adroit and
earth has never abated. Even when at pains to prove rhythmic coordination of muscles and movement that
5 how different he was from the beast, man has depended
30 magnificently fulfills a prescribed act, an act that seems
on the animal world for the imagery by which to to be accomplished as answer to an interior impulse
explain his interior being as well as his relationship to untrammeled by rational restraint or an imposed pattern
the cosmos. Endowed with a vitality in common with of behavior. There is something magical in an artistic
man, yet following the dictates of an intelligence not form expressive of such pure vitality, which seems
10 readily definable by human reason, the animal, whether
35 purposive and yet has no rational end. It is as if this
wild or domesticated, threatening attacker or docile summons from far back in the mind a cherished
prey, has remained something of an enigma and often memory of simply being, of existing in a vital
the subject of wonder. To reconstruct the history of continuity not qualified by reason nor limited by
religion, philosophy, or art without reference to the concept of time. This particular kind of vital beauty is
15 animal image would be impossible. Although in our
40 not the exclusive property of any particular animal; it
satisfied moment of sophistication, we no longer belongs no less to the hare than to the lion. That
depend on the literal imagery of hawk-headed gods or remarkable art known as the “animal style,” which
rulers with the body of a lion, we still strut like a spread in the early centuries from Central Asia across
peacock and search ardently for the dove of peace. China and westward through Europe, carried its animal
45 magic through forms that often lose all specific
identity. However, the taut, curving forms live with
–40–
animal exuberance and transform any object they adorn 2. After thirty years of incarceration, the prisoner
into a living thing. Significantly enough, this intensive was exonerated and released, finally free and
vitality was rarely associated with images of human -------.
50 beings. Possibly the human image was not considered
to have the same magical power as the animal to A. untrammeled
bestow perpetual life on the inanimate. B. confined
C. restrained
Quite probably there are two levels of appeal in D. intractable
this kind of animal beauty in art. One is the promise of E. unruly
55 an otherwise unattainable sense of muscular triumph,
of physical freedom. To run like an antelope or spring
like a lion has its reward, even though experienced 3. In spite of his nervousness, Will finally ------- the
vicariously. Prudence is not a matter of concern when courage to telephone Kate and ask her to the
we identify ourselves with the image of a charging prom.
60 horse or the streamlined form of a plunging hawk.
A. invited
Possibly there is even an element of envy in man’s
B. summoned
admiration of the animal in which beauty and utility are
C. eliminated
inseparable, and form and act seem to be one. Blessed D. condensed
with the faculty to cogitate and rationalize conclusions, E. disparaged
65 we seem also to need moments in which we can live
beyond thought.
4. The nylon rope was ------- as the rock climber’s
The intuitive basis for action is the other appeal weight pulled it hard against the cliff.
of that beauty we identify as peculiar to the animal and
possibly explains in part why animals have so often A. taunt
70 become cosmic symbols. When in doubt about his own B. slack
power or the direction of his thinking, man has looked C. pliant
upon the animal as more closely attuned to the D. elastic
universe, living within a natural cycle from which man E. taut
has been alienated by an excess of his own thought. It
75 is not that most thinking human beings would want to
become animals, but the image presented by the animal 5. Always late, George ------- misses his bus and is
becomes the foundation upon which a different never on time to appointments.
ordering of the universe can be conceived.
A. momentarily
B. perpetually
1. Hayley was a very ------- child, naturally inclined C. temporarily
to be calm and agreeable. D. randomly
E. briefly
A. noisy
B. feral
C. orderly 6. In context, abated (line 4) most nearly means:
D. docile
E. sensitive A. increased.
B. commenced.
C. continued.
D. diminished.
–41–
7. As it is used in line 6, the word imagery most 13. In context, prescribed (line 30) most nearly
nearly means: means:
A. mental images. A. spontaneous.

B. paintings. B. imagined.
C. instruction. C. donated.
D. reflections. D. required.
8. It can be inferred that the word endow, based on 14. As used in line 58, vicariously most nearly
the use of endowed in line 8, most nearly means means:
to:
A. for a short time.
A. be indebted or owing money. B. to behave scandalously.
B. donate goods or services. C. through imagined participation.
C. have talent or be gifted. D. feeling extreme pleasure.
D. be engaged or betrothed.
15. In line 67, intuitive most nearly means:

9. In line 8, vitality is best understood to mean:
A. intruding.
A. lethargy. B. demanding immediate attention.
B. life’s energy. C. conscious reasoning.
C. humor. D. possessing insight.
D. habitat.
16. ALIENATED:
10. Based on the word ardently as it is used in line
19, ardent means to be: A. discussed
B. prolonged
A. aggressive. C. derived
B. indifferent. D. focused
C. passionate. E. attracted
D. persuasive.
17. PREOCCUPATION:
11. Based on the word rendered as it is used in line
23, render means to: A. disinterest
B. knowledge
A. repeat. C. discipline
B. tear apart. D. livelihood
C. raise up. E. want
D. represent or depict.
18. IMPOSE:
12. In line 28, adroit is closest in meaning to all of
the following EXCEPT: A. combine
B. adjust
A. gauche. C. relieve
B. skillful. D. return
C. dexterous. E. suppose
D. clever.
–42–
19. ATTUNED: 25. STRUT:
A. out of step with A. jump

B. from another country B. announce
C. in training for C. amass
D. without shame D. slink
E. under a shadow E. pretend
20. PURPOSIVE: 26. RECONSTRUCT : PICTURE ::
A. acceptable A. deduce : conclusion

B. unguided B. prepare : consume
C. generous C. withhold : money
D. quarrelsome D. fulfill : dream
E. angry E. deny : enemy
21. CONTINUITY: 27. IMPULSE : MOTION ::
A. break A. cause : effect

B. tie B. trembling : fear
C. scratch C. wealth : riches
D. usefulness D. harm : danger
E. income E. action : thought
22. EXCLUSIVE: 28. UNATTAINABLE : ACHIEVE ::
A. rich A. unavailable : present

B. simple B. untoward : unfortunate
C. shared C. unhealthy : ill
D. friendly D. unfinished : work
E. cuddly E. unproductive : foolish
23. EXUBERANCE: 29. INSEPARABLE : APART ::
A. ignorance A. bound : tied

B. depression B. intertwined : together
C. zeal C. married : wed
D. forwardness D. indivisible : split
E. looseness E. beloved : worshipped
24. BESTOW: 30. DICTATES : COMMANDS ::
A. send out A. advertisements : products

B. ask for B. directions : refusals
C. take back C. warnings : dangers
D. move over D. announcements : news
E. lie to E. instructions : orders
–43–
Passage II personify our aspirations, it also has acted as a mirror

to our foibles and a tutor to our ethical behavior.
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from an
essay entitled “More on Animal Images in Human Aside from everything else, man has usually
History” in an art history and philosophy anthology. wanted to be liked by animals, as if their affection, or
50 at least recognition, was a mark of special acceptance.
There are aspects of animal beauty other than Of course, he has also wanted to dominate them, but
those of transcendent vitality and natural unity that the compassionate dog, the contented cat, or the wise,
have a long history of appeal. The gorgeous plumage, devoted parrot make contributions that no amount of
intricate patterns, and luxurious fur of the birds and dominating can win. In such a relationship, who is the
5 beasts set the standards, and often provided the 55 teacher and who is taught?
materials—for man’s raiment and domestic decoration
from the beginning of history. Although the use of It is good to know the long traditions of mystery,
skins might be considered to a degree utilitarian, a humor, and wisdom associated with animals have not
more persistent dependence on the animal world was been entirely lost to modern craftsmen. Even today, we
10 for spectacular adornment, especially for ritualistic find works that run the full gamut from mysterious
occasions. In almost every early culture, most 60 symbol to gentle satire. In fact, in recent years, with
significant decoration has been inseparable from increasing domination of the man-made and oppressive
animal inspiration. On the whole, flora played a poor blunting of sensibility by the preference for generaliza-
second to fauna in the beginning, although it too had its tion over the particular, the threatened animal has
15 role to play. It was the animal that taught man to live assumed an even more poignant role. Perhaps animal
beyond himself. As theorists have pointed out, only 65 imagery can serve to remind us of this important point.
man had to dress himself and felt the need to give
decorative meaning to his environment; to meet this
peculiarly human need, he depended enthusiastically 31. Colorado has a very rich -------, with over 3,200
20 on the elegant examples provided by his animal species of seed plants collected, documented, and
associates. described by botanists since the first botanical
exploration by Edwin James in 1819.
If man has liked to adorn himself in imitation of
the animals, he has also found it instructive and useful A. culture
to depict animals as people, using them as B. history
25 embodiments of human traits or projecting human C. flora
patterns on their actions. Aesop’s fables, the D. entourage
Panchatantra, and folk tales from almost every culture E. fauna
put moral judgments in the mouths of animals, as if
certain kinds of lessons can best be learned when
30 experienced in a non-human context. Furthermore, we 32. Carl Linnaeus, Sweden’s most famous natural
take special pleasure in seeing ourselves—or at least scientist, catalogued the country’s animal life, or
our neighbors—tellingly characterized in the animal -------, in 1746.
world. The cartoon of an irascible duck underscores
A. flora
human traits in a universal way that the likeness of a
B. society
35 habitually angry person would not, and a porcine
C. agriculture
puppet conveys more about some aspects of our life D. geography
and times than any simple human character could, E. fauna
becoming a kind of popular heroine in the process. The
figures of animals have carried much of the social
40 satire in historic times, being immune to the social
restrictions that might inhibit our speaking ill of our
fellows. Is it our fault a particularly fat man looks like
a toad?—or rather, that a picture of a toad is
immediately recognized as a likeness of a fat man? Not
45 only has the animal world served to sublimate and
–44–
33. The 1938 Disney cartoon, Self Control, features 38. In line 8, utilitarian is best understood to indicate
the ------- Donald Duck as he attempts to manage stressing the importance of:
his anger when some pesky insects make it
difficult for him to maintain composure. A. beauty over function.
B. function over beauty.
A. easygoing C. free will over fate.
B. irascible D. individual freedom.
C. mysterious
D. blasé
E. anxious 39. Based on the use of the word embodiments in line
25, it can be inferred that embodiment refers to
the:
34. Although the Russian writer Anton Chekhov
sketched his characters with compassionate good- A. deprivation of property or title.
humor, he never abstained from highlighting their B. representation of a deity or spirit in earthly
------- and human weaknesses. form.
C. concrete expression of some abstract idea or
A. talents concept.
B. accomplishments D. abstract expression of real objects.
C. traditions
D. foibles
E. predilections 40. Based on the use of the word projecting in line
25, it can be inferred that project most nearly
means to:
35. The novel Old Yeller, written by Fred Gipson in
1956, is arguably one of the most disturbing A. imagine.
children’s stories ever, mainly due to the ------- B. protect.
and emotionally devastating ending. C. build.
D. predict.
A. dispassionate
B. esoteric
C. poignant 41. It can be inferred that the word porcine, as it is
D. hackneyed used in line 35, primarily refers to something:
E. abstruse
A. related to mushrooms.
B. made from ceramic.
36. In context, transcendent (line 2) most nearly
C. homemade.
means:
D. pig-like.
A. extraordinary.
B. transparent.
42. In line 45, sublimate most nearly means to:
C. conventional.
D. observable. A. submerge in liquid.
B. reduce in quality or value.
C. bring under control or conquer.
37. As it is used in line 6, the word raiment most
D. make nobler or purer.
nearly means:
A. narrative.
43. In context, gamut (line 59) most nearly means:
B. evolution.
C. shelter. A. an obstacle course.
D. clothing. B. the entire range or extent of something.
C. a division within a classification system.
D. a collection of many items.
–45–
44. In line 61, oppressive is closest in meaning to: 50. ELEGANT:
A. uplifting. A. tasteless
B. tyrannical. B. timid
C. tolerant. C. sincere
D. exacting. D. new
E. incurable
45. In line 62, sensibility most nearly means the:

51. INHIBIT:
A. inability to feel or perceive emotions.
B. state of being aware of oneself. A. grind
C. capacity for feeling pain or stimulation. B. plod
D. capacity for being affected emotionally or C. promote
intellectually. D. flatten
E. mark
46. GORGEOUS:
52. HABITUALLY:
A. fat
B. plain A. earnestly
C. studious B. likely
D. lovely C. properly
E. wealthy D. occasionally
E. openly
47. COMPASSIONATE:
53. BLUNT:
A. wise
B. delightful A. accept
C. foolish B. sharpen
D. unfeeling C. enforce
E. realistic D. respond
E. correct
48. ADORN: 54. TELLING:
A. release A. unimportant
B. strip B. rash
C. control C. bold
D. sell D. unstable
E. open E. pleasurable
49. LUXURIATE: 55. UNDERSCORE:
A. hate A. invite
B. tire B. downplay
C. waste C. renew
D. defend D. attempt
E. report E. succeed
–46–
56. TRAIT : CHARACTER ::
A. feature : face
B. behavior : norm
C. desire : prayer
D. endurance : strength
E. pressure: deadline
57. THEORIST : HYPOTHESIS ::
A. singer : microphone
B. linguist : language
C. thinker : explanation
D. painter : easel
E. teacher : student
58. PLUMAGE : FEATHER ::
A. foliage : leaf
B. lake : river
C. fur : mammal
D. marriage : couple
E. bird : flight
59. SATIRE : RIDICULE ::
A. parody : humor
B. drama : comedy
C. education : books
D. learning : school
E. imitation : flattery
60. ASPECT : ANGLE ::
A. sight : eye
B. light : vision
C. view : perspective
D. total : part
E. record : report
–47–
Passage III because of our fears, we label the age group

“transitional” and put young adolescents on hold. By
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from an doing so, we fail to assign our talents and financial
article entitled “Early Adolescence and Human 50 resources to an extremely vulnerable and impression-
Development” in a sociology journal. able age group.
Early adolescence is the second most rapid time

of growth and change in human development. Only 61. To prepare for every -------, the space authorities
infancy exceeds early adolescence in velocity of developed emergency evacuation plans for the
growth. Physically, young adolescents are experiencing International Space Station crew.
5 a growth spurt and the onset of puberty. They have
special health, nutritional, and mental health needs in A. criteria
relation to these physical changes. These needs have B. option
implications for school curricula. Emotionally and C. inclination
socially, young adolescents are exploring a sense of D. inconsistency
10 uniqueness and belonging, of separation and E. contingency
commitment, future goals and their personal pasts. For
the first time in their lives, they see themselves as
having a personal and a social destiny, and as being 62. The conference was intended to provide the
part of a generation. Again, these have curricular scientists with a forum to engage in ------- about
15 implications. Intellectually, young adolescents are the origins of the universe and humanity’s
exploring values and ideas in a new way. Some are ultimate destiny.
beginning to form abstractions, to generalize, to think
about thinking. This intellectual development makes it A. recklessness
B. absolution
possible for some to become engaged with concepts,
C. abolition
20 imagery, contingencies, logical arguments, and even
D. speculation
philosophical speculation. It also enables them to shift
E. accusation
from an authoritarian sense of right and wrong to a
more open and complex approach to value formation,
both personal and social. This cognitive shift makes it 63. The ------- government maintained its control
25 possible for young adolescents to struggle for the first over the people by severely punishing anyone
time with conflicting concepts like individual rights who even attempted to question its policies.
and “the greater social good”—the underpinnings of
democracy. This change in cognitive style has import A. deposed
for curriculum and teaching techniques. B. authoritarian
C. antediluvian
30 And so, early adolescence is a critical time in D. bacchanalian
human development; critical to the individual, and to E. laissez-faire
the social order. We tend to be fearful of this stage of
development. While acknowledging the plasticity of
this stage, we anticipate that young adolescents are 64. While ------- that he often turned in homework
35 more receptive to negative than to positive influences. late, the student argued that this did not merit a
We are apprehensive that the great majority who failing grade in the course.
maneuver their way successfully through a time of life
requiring considerable coping skills will “catch” the A. denying
“diseases” of our “new epidemics”—pregnancy, B. ignoring
40 running away, dropping out of school, alcoholism, drug C. believing
addiction, violence, and suicide. I do not mean to D. repudiating
belittle the personal pain or social risk of such E. acknowledging
behaviors, but rather to insist that most young
adolescents, for many reasons, most of which we do
45 not know, manage to cope with amazing stability
through such a demanding period of life. Partly
–48–
65. Since the South African government disbanded 70. It can be inferred that the word import, as it is
the police force’s endangered species unit in used in line 28, primarily means to have:
2003, black rhinos have become extremely -------
to poaching by organized crime gangs. A. significance.
B. futility.
A. impermeable C. foreign origins.
B. invincible D. urgency.
C. amenable
D. vulnerable
E. manageable 71. In line 29, the word techniques refers to:
A. attitudes.
66. Based on the use of the word curricula in line 8, B. methods.
it can be inferred that curriculum refers to: C. technologies.
D. designs.
A. a building code.
B. a required course of study.
C. an underground passage. 72. As it is used in line 34, the word anticipate most
D. a standard on which a decision is based. nearly means to:
A. expect.
67. Based on the use of the word abstractions in line B. disperse.
17, it can be inferred that abstraction most nearly C. prevent.
means: D. argue.
A. a causal or logical relation or sequence.

B. the mental act of contemplating the parts of 73. In line 36, apprehensive is closest in meaning to:
an object as separate from the object itself.
C. a condition of being clogged or blocked. A. inexperienced.
D. an unrestrained expression of feelings. B. assured.
C. confident.
D. fearful.
68. As it is used in line 20, the word arguments refers
to:
74. In line 39, the word epidemics refers to:
A. fights or quarrels.
B. disputed statements. A. characteristics of a particular region.
C. persuasive reasoning or discussions. B. required courses of study.
D. indications or suggestions. C. outbreaks of sudden rapid growth or develop-
ment.
D. cultures or histories.
69. The word underpinnings (line 27) most nearly
means:
75. In line 42, belittle most nearly means to:
A. growth.
B. attenuation. A. pay tribute.
C. hidden opinions. B. treat as having little importance.
D. foundation. C. give emphasis.
D. express deep regret or remorse.
–49–
76. UNIQUE: 82. SPURT:
A. forward A. hold tight

B. warped B. lean over
C. factual C. fill up
D. undeniable D. rain heavily
E. ordinary E. flow steadily
77. GENERATE: 83. COPE:
A. destroy A. renew
B. quiet B. surrender
C. slice C. plead
D. stun D. accept
E. grope E. help
78. PLASTICITY: 84. INFANCY:
A. emotionalism A. childhood
B. youthfulness B. maturity
C. security C. age
D. resistance D. graduation
E. conformity E. life
79. RECEPTIVE: 85. MANEUVER:
A. in favor of A. pray
B. inclined to B. drift
C. indifferent to C. prevent
D. ignorant of D. allow
E. anxious to E. point
80. TRANSITIONAL: 86. VALUE : PRICE ::
A. permanent A. product : cost

B. footloose B. profit : markup
C. generous C. esteem : worth
D. captive D. donation : gift
E. gentle E. debt : interest
81. IMPRESSIONABLE: 87. ADOLESCENCE : YOUTHFUL ::
A. exact A. childhood : aged

B. hard B. adulthood : mature
C. timid C. seniority : old
D. favorable D. parent : middle-aged
E. content E. puberty : offspring
–50–
88. ASSIGN : PROJECT ::
A. delegate : duty
B. enforce : law
C. require : demand
D. insist : compliance
E. renew: license
89. ADDICTION : RELY ::
A. depression : enjoy
B. pressure : relax
C. failure : assist
D. dependence : need
E. intention: succeed
90. VELOCITY : MOTION ::
A. structure : condition
B. sincerity : honor
C. change : circumstance
D. failure : requirement
E. speed : movement
–51–
Passage IV drainage systems have been successful in reversing

some of the deleterious effects, but at prodigious costs.
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from a
chapter in an agricultural science textbook exploring 45 The establishment of broad area monoculture,
modern agricultural problems. primarily irrigated riceland, can result in difficult pest
management problems. Recently, Indonesia has had
Rapid increases in human population have stead- some destructive and noisome pest outbreaks that have
ily intensified pressures to augment the productivity of reduced rice yields up to 60 percent in the last two
existing grazing and agricultural land. 50 years. Double-cropping does not allow dry-season pest
population enervation, and their numbers are therefore
Grazing land in the Indian subcontinent and maintained. An integrated pest management program is
5 isolated islands in the Philippines have a relatively low needed to realize increased productivity. This program
carrying capacity and are currently capable of must be done assiduously, not on an intermittent
sustaining only marginal levels of subsistence. Over- 55 schedule.
exploitation has not only decreased their productivity,
but is continuously destroying the fertility and stability Soil erosion is occurring in hilly and mountainous
10 of affected soils. The problem is particularly injurious areas, which often constitute the only remaining land
in areas of Pakistan and Northeast India, where over- available for cultivation. With the monsoon rains,
grazing is resulting in desertification. In the Luni erosion is inevitable unless there is an extensive
blocks of Rajasthan, most pastures now have only 10 to 60 terracing system. The rivers of Nepal annually carry
15 percent of their original carrying capacity and the over 240 million cubic meters of soil to India. This
15 forage deficit is met by expansion into standing deprivation has been called Nepal’s “most dear
vegetation. Within a twenty-year period, infecund sand export.”
cover has increased from 25 to 33 percent of the area.
In most Asian countries, rice is the principal food 91. In the nineteenth century, expanding European-
crop. Increased cultivation has barely met the demands American settlement of the United States forced
20 of the growing populations. In the Philippines, while large numbers of Native Americans onto -------
food production has increased slightly faster than the lands.
size of population, even greater increases in per capita
food demand have created new shortfalls. Indonesia, A. valuable
once an important rice exporter, has been dependent on B. sustentative
25 imported rice for several years. Most countries are C. precarious
merely keeping up with their current needs and gross D. central
shortages can be anticipated. E. marginal
The intensified agricultural production required in

these countries has potential adverse side effects on 92. Michael Pollan argues in The Botany of Desire
30 other resources. The disruptive effects of the large-
that while ------- may offer economic advantages,
scale reservoirs needed for irrigation of more land are it invites serious environmental risks because a
self-evident. Some other problems include waterlog- field of identical plants will always be vulnerable
ging and salinity, soil erosion, increased populations of to all the forces of nature.
pests, and agricultural pollution.
A. agriculture
B. monoculture
35 Waterlogging and salinity can be a problem
C. nomenclature
wherever surface water is applied to irrigated land with
D. polyculture
inadequate underground drainage. Water will rise to
E. permaculture
within a few feet of the surface, vitiating the growth of
deep-rooted crops and allowing a concentration of
40 minerals and salt to build up near the surface. This has
been seen in China, India, and Pakistan. Control
projects involving the construction of new wells and
–52–
93. The neighbors of the confined animal feeding 98. It can be inferred that the word desertification
operation complained about the ------- odors and (line 12) refers to the process by which:
groundwater pollution.
A. land becomes wet and humid.
A. harmless B. land becomes dry and arid.
B. noisome C. air becomes wet and humid.
C. helpful D. air becomes dry and arid.
D. noisy
E. benign
99. As it is used in line 16, the word infecund most
nearly means:
94. Donna tended her garden -------, taking care to
weed every other day and to fertilize with every A. offensive smelling.
watering. B. infectious.
C. unproductive.
A. inconsistently D. fertile.
B. strenuously
C. assiduously
D. irreverently 100. In line 29, adverse is best understood to mean:
E. respectfully
A. unfavorable.
B. constructive.
95. Although a ceasefire had been signed, ------- and C. poisonous.
sporadic gunfire disturbed the silence of the D. beneficial.
desert night.
A. constant 101. The word salinity (line 33) most nearly means:
B. incipient
C. contented A. sourness.
D. intermittent B. sweetness.
E. deliberate C. saltiness.
D. bitterness.
96. It can be inferred that the word augment, as it is
used in line 2, means to: 102. As it is used in line 38, the word vitiating most
nearly means:
A. decrease.
B. increase. A. assisting or helping.
C. remain constant. B. energizing or strengthening.
D. cease. C. depriving of oxygen.
D. making faulty or defective.
97. In context, subsistence (line 7) most nearly
means: 103. It can be inferred that the word deleterious, as it
is used in line 44, most nearly means:
A. extinction.
B. productivity. A. delicious.
C. wastefulness. B. harmless.
D. survival. C. involuntary.
D. destructive.
–53–
104. In line 44, prodigious most nearly means: 110. DISRUPT:
A. enormous. A. implant
B. marginal. B. restore
C. average. C. simplify
D. luxuriant. D. create
E. dampen
105. The word enervation (line 51) refers to:

111. INTEGRATED:
A. weakening.
B. strengthening. A. proper
C. extinction. B. simple
D. animation. C. stolen
D. piecemeal
E. golden
106. INTENSIFY:
A. relax 112. PRINCIPAL:

B. improve
C. shorten A. wholesome
D. claim B. dietetic
E. wipe out C. unimportant
D. declining
E. serious
107. DEFICIT:
A. loss 113. REALIZE:

B. debt
C. excess A. fail
D. sinful B. offer
E. calm C. deny
D. avoid
E. remind
108. SUSTAIN:
A. collapse 114. INEVITABLE:

B. prolong
C. bear A. blank
D. carry B. unlikely
E. fulfill C. late
D. hurried
E. advanced
109. EXPLOITED:
A. cautious 115. DEPRIVATION:

B. weary
C. tremendous A. taking away
D. unused B. giving back
E. unprotected C. sending out
D. withholding from
E. pushing ahead
–54–
116. RESERVOIR : WATER ::
A. highway : automobile
B. den : lion
C. silo : grain
D. library : reader
E. land : farming
117. TERRACED : STAIRS ::
A. sunken : mound
B. roofed : yard
C. leveled : door
D. sheer : wall
E. rolling : mountains
118. IRRIGATED : WATER ::
A. fertilized : nutrients
B. farmed : crops
C. produced : vegetables
D. eroded : soil
E. polluted : water
119. FORAGE : SEARCH ::
A. hide : seek
B. garden : plant
C. harvest : sell
D. water : weed
E. hunt : pursue
120. CROP : CUT ::
A. reduce : increase
B. plant : harvest
C. trim : snip
D. sew : fit
E. wheat : corn
–55–
Passage V greater safety from loss or theft than do others; some

are more susceptible to fraud or misuse. Thus, we can
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from an choose among a wide range of options to suit our
introductory economics course textbook. needs.
The function of payment systems is to provide 50 The importance of efficient payment mechanisms
means for conducting exchanges of values. These is amplified by their close relationship to another key
values usually involve goods, services, financial social activity—the granting of credit. This relationship
obligations, or ownership records on one side, which derives from the fact that the decision to extend credit
5 are exchanged for money from the other party in the is often based to a large extent on the past performance
transaction. However, in recent years, surrogates for 55 of the recipient in making payments on prior credit
money, such as checks or credit, have received offerings. This characteristic makes records of past
increasing acceptance. Since they facilitate the payments an important component in the credit-
exchange process, payment systems have become all- granting process.
10 persuasive and essential to the operation of modern
society. All of us make use of one or more of these The most important factor, in social and
systems so easily and casually almost daily, we are 60 economic terms, has been the rapid growth in the
seldom aware of the process. extension of consumer credit as part of the process of
conducting retail sales transactions. Both merchants
Payment systems have a long history. One of the and financial institutions offering credit—as well as
15 first steps in organizing any nation is the enactment and those who receive it—have perceived benefits from the
promulgation of laws to provide for and regulate the 65 frequent use of short-term credit systems, so a variety
value of some form of money and to enforce, to the of means for providing such credit has arisen in recent
greatest extent possible, its universal acceptance. years. This has led to a wide-spread and increasing use
Without widespread use and acceptance of a standard- of credit cards provided by merchants, banks, and
20 ized medium of exchange, the growth of industry and independent operators as a substitute for cash or checks
commerce would be stunted. 70 when making retail purchases.
In early times, coins were the most prevalent Initially, however, credit cards were almost
form of money and are still widely used for many types always associated with specific purchases (often from
of transactions; in fact, during the last two decades, the single company issuing the card), and the grant of
25 coin transactions have enjoyed a resurgence. The credit terminated upon the presentation of a monthly
impetus for this increased reliance on coins was the 75 bill. In this forum of use, the dominant features of
spread of coin-operated vending machines. The value to the card-user were the convenience provided
development of paper currency provided a more when making purchases, the greater safety of carrying
convenient alternative to coins for all except low-value smaller amounts of cash, and the possibility of
30 transactions and facilitated the spread of commercial aggregating a number of smaller payments into a single
activity. More recently, the large-scale acceptance of 80 large payment. More recently, and arising primarily
checks provided a still better means for making many from the introduction of bank credit cards, some
types of payments, especially those that have to be systems provide extended credit, automatic use of
made over a distance; thus, their growth has been rapid. credit when a checking account becomes overdrawn,
and opportunities to borrow money unrelated to
35 A host of other, more specialized instruments 85 specific purchases. These features can become more
have also been developed. Travelers’ checks, a widely- important than the convenience, security, and payments
accepted and convenient medium of exchange for those aggregation characteristics. In the process, payments
away from home, are safer than cash. Letters of credit, and credit have grown still more tightly related, and the
which are employed for similar reasons by businesses, two elements have become increasingly difficult to
40 usually involve larger amounts than those for which 90 disentangle.
travelers’ checks are used. Money orders offer a means
for individuals without checking accounts to effect safe
and rapid payments at a distance. Telegraph transfers
of money can be relied on where speed is critical. Each
45 system has other distinctive characteristics. Some offer
–56–
121. In the United States, the ------- of federal laws 126. In context, transaction (line 6) primarily refers to
occurs upon signing by the President or a(n):
overriding of a presidential veto.
A. performance.
A. dissimilation B. alteration.
B. promulgation C. transition.
C. proscription D. business deal.
D. extension
E. destruction
127. As it is used in line 6, the word surrogates refers
to:
122. To suggest that jazz enjoyed a(n) ------- in the
1980s is to imply that it fell out of favor in the A. descendants.
1970s—a proposition with which many jazz fans B. replications.
would take issue. C. recipients.
D. substitutes.
A. resurgence
B. acquiescence
C. insurgence 128. It can be inferred that the word facilitate, as it is
D. disappearance used in line 8, most nearly means to:
E. importance
A. inhibit or slow down.
B. make briefer.
123. After the comptroller was caught embezzling C. make less difficult.
funds from government accounts, her appoint- D. complicate.
ment was immediately -------.
A. delegated 129. In line 18, universal is best understood to mean:

B. initiated
C. relegated A. used by everyone.
D. renegotiated B. the state of being excluded.
E. terminated C. limited in availability.
D. better than average.
124. According to Leo Tolstoy, history—that is to say
the collective life of the ------- of human beings— 130. According to the passage, the word prevalent
turns each moment of a monarch’s life to account, (line 22) is used to refer to something:
and bends kings to its own ends.
A. exceptional.
A. faction B. absent.
B. aggregate
C. widespread.
C. entourage
D. current.
D. separation
E. range
131. The word impetus (line 26) most nearly means:
125. Because she wrote checks totaling more than the
A. inertia.
available balance, Jill’s bank account became
B. stimulus.
-------.
C. lethargy.
A. solvent D. insolence.
B. accessible
C. overhauled
D. financed
E. overdrawn
–57–
132. It can be inferred that the word currency, as it is 138. HOST:

used in line 28, primarily refers to a:
A. one of something
A. prevalent trend. B. matched set
B. technique for making money. C. living tissue
C. record-keeping device. D. wide appeal
D. medium of trade or exchange. E. moment in time
133. In line 47, susceptible most nearly means: 139. SPECIALIZED:
A. insensitive. A. timely
B. easily affected. B. free
C. suspicious. C. general
D. accessible. D. quiet
E. victorious
134. In line 53, derives most nearly means:

140. DISTINCTIVE:
A. comes from a source.
B. creates from new. A. open-ended
C. depart from an established course. B. poorly defined
D. expresses contempt. C. keenly felt
D. easily seen
E. properly dressed
135. In line 57, component refers to a(n):
A. aggregate. 141. EXTEND:

B. role or position.
C. substitute. A. trick
D. part. B. relax
C. withdraw
D. correct
136. CASUAL: E. lengthen
A. light
B. preplanned 142. RETAIL:
C. homey
D. valuable A. wholesale
E. rare B. stored
C. shipping
D. cheap
137. STANDARDIZED: E. insignificant
A. involuntary
B. official 143. ASSOCIATED:
C. widespread
D. new A. trapped
E. variable B. unrelated
C. worn
D. trained
E. insulted
–58–
144. ISSUE: 150. MERCHANT : TRADE ::
A. argue about A. clerk : advertisement

B. walk out on B. manager : store
C. invite discussion C. businessperson : commerce
D. feel out D. director : stock
E. take back E. seller : purchase
145. DISENTANGLE:
A. cut off
B. tie up
C. wear down
D. look forward
E. pull down
146. OBLIGATION : PAY ::
A. promise : perform
B. duty : ignore
C. honor : defend
D. virtue : reward
E. taxes : evade
147. VENDOR : SELLER ::
A. machine : coin
B. goods : delivery service
C. purchaser : buyer
D. manufacturer : user
E. banker : clerk
148. RECIPIENT : ACCEPT ::
A. donor : give
B. creator : destroy
C. enforcer : violate
D. informant : lie
E. priest : confess
149. OPTIONS : CHOOSE ::
A. routes : travel
B. courses : enroll
C. alternatives : select
D. possibilities : realize
E. rooms : inhabit
–59–
Passage VI 45 side that evil was originally introduced. We know of

Pandora of the Greeks. This is the finest of all the
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from an allegories which antiquity has handed down to us.
essay entitled “Customs and Opinions of Ancient
Nations” in an introductory sociology textbook. So too all peoples have provided for the expiation
of wrongdoing, for where was the man or woman who
Nature being everywhere the same, men must 50 had not been guilty of some injury against society?
necessarily have adopted the same verities, and fallen Who had not profaned the gods? Who had not debased
into the same delusions, in regard to those things which himself? Where was the person whose natural instinct
are the immediate objects of sense, and the most did not prompt a feeling of remorse? Water cleanses
5 striking to the imagination. They simply have ascribed the body and our apparel, and fire purifies metal. It was
the noise and effects of thunder to some superior being 55 natural then that water and fire should purge the soul of
inhabiting the air. The people bordering upon the its guilt, and in every temple were found holy water
ocean, seeing great tides inundate their coasts at the and sacred fire.
time of the full moon, must naturally have imputed to
10 the moon the vicissitudes which attended her cyclical Men plunged themselves into the Ganges, the
phases. Indus, and the Euphrates when it was the noon moon.
60 This immersion expiated their sins. If they did not
Among animals, the serpent must have appeared purify themselves in the Nile, it was only fear that the
to them to be endowed with superior intelligence; penitents might have been devoured by crocodiles.
because, seeing it sometimes cast its skin, they had However, the priests who purified themselves on the
15 reason to think it became young again. It might, then, people’s behalf immersed themselves in large tubs of
by this process of rejuvenation always remain youthful 65 water. The Greeks had in all of their temples sacred
and therefore immortal. In Egypt and Greece, it was the baths as well as sacred fires, which were universal
symbol of immortality. The larger serpents found in symbols for all men of the purity of their souls.
proximity to fountains deterred the timorous from
20 approaching them, hence they were imagined to be
guardians of hidden treasure. Serpents were also found 151. The authorship of the ancient Sanskrit epic
to be mischievous animals, but as they were supposed Mahabharata, a major text of Hinduism and
to possess something divine, nothing less than a deity cornerstone of Hindu mythology, is traditionally
was imagined capable of destroying them. ------- to Vyasa.
25 Dreams too much have introduced the same A. subscribed

superstitions all over the earth. If while awake, I am B. ascribed
uneasy for my wife’s or son’s health, and in my sleep I C. delivered
see them in the agonies of death, should they die a few D. propelled
days later, it cannot be denied the gods sent me this E. transmitted
30 warning. If my dream is not fulfilled? It was a
fallacious representation, with which the gods wished
to terrify me. Or a woman applies to the oracles to 152. The inability of the Congress to pass any
know whether her husband will die within the year. legislation was ------- to the Republicans for their
One answers yes, the other no. It is certain that one of perceived refusal to attempt negotiations with the
35 them must be correct, and she will proclaim all over the Democrats.
city the wisdom of the one whose prognostication was
fulfilled. A. demoted
B. transferred
The origin of good and evil is a more C. promoted
D. imputed
philosophical question. The first theologians must have
E. donated
40 put the same question which we all do from the age of
fifteen or so: Why is there any evil in the world? It was
taught in India, that Adimo, the daughter of Brahma,
brought forth from the navel, the just from her right
side and the unjust from her left; it was from this left
–60–
153. Because Elizabeth was so ------- and lacking in 158. In line 10, the word vicissitudes refers to:
confidence, she was an easy target for every
peddler and door-to-door salesperson. A. changes in fortune.
B. mental confusion.
A. brave C. alteration of plans.
B. timorous D. fierceness or aggression.
C. confrontational
D. outgoing
E. devious 159. It can be inferred that the word rejuvenation, as it
is used in line 16, primarily refers to the:
154. The irony of the Nobel Peace Prize bearing the A. ending of life.
name of the inventor of dynamite has given rise B. appearance of illusion.
to the myth that Alfred Nobel established the C. personification of characteristics.
award as a way to ------- his guilty conscience. D. restoration of youth.
A. augment
B. idealize 160. The word proximity (line 19) is used to indicate:
C. scrutinize
D. justify A. agility.
E. expiate B. probability.
C. relevance.
D. nearness.
155. We hoped that the media would not ------- the
memory of our deceased father by reporting the
malicious gossip and rumors surrounding his 161. Based on the use of the word oracles in line 32, it
death. can be inferred that oracle primarily refers to
a(n):
A. profane
B. sustain A. public speech or debate.
C. abolish B. person believed to foretell the future.
D. inflate C. organization or coalition.
E. defend D. person making a donation.
156. As it is used in line 2, the word verities refers to: 162. As it is used in line 36, the word prognostication
refers to a:
A. methods.
B. truths. A. delay.
C. histories. B. responsibility.
D. falsehoods. C. prediction.
D. perception.
157. In context, inundate (line 8) most nearly means
to: 163. Based on the use of the word allegories in line
47, it can be inferred that allegory primarily
A. dehydrate.
refers to a(n):
B. capitulate.
C. overflow. A. unsupported assertion.
D. emphasize. B. symbolic story about human existence.
C. musical composition.
D. pledge of allegiance.
–61–
164. In line 53, remorse is closest in meaning to: 170. DIVINE:
A. shame. A. holy
B. arrogance. B. angelic
C. humility. C. human
D. compassion. D. immortal
E. perfect
165. Based on the use of the word immersion in

line 60, immerse most nearly means to: 171. UNEASY:
A. absorb excess liquid. A. reckless

B. confront one’s emotions. B. foreboding
C. rise up from or come into view. C. relaxed
D. completely cover with liquid. D. frightful
E. worthwhile
166. DELUSION:
172. FALLACIOUS:
A. true belief
B. unproved assumption A. probably
C. worthless notion B. inconceivable
D. widely held opinion C. particular
E. crafty plan D. correct
E. loud
167. SUPERIOR:
173. PROCLAIM:
A. complete
B. lower A. suppress
C. intense B. contend
D. practical C. presuppose
E. stronger D. terrify
E. renew
168. DETER:
174. DEBASE:
A. prevent
B. encourage A. victimize
C. remain B. relate
D. omit C. concentrate
E. sort D. lift up
E. tear down
169. MISCHIEVOUS:
175. PURGE:
A. youthful
B. corrupt A. remove
C. forgiving B. stain
D. tarnished C. reline
E. well behaved D. wash
E. prevent
–62–
176. CYCLICAL : REPETITION ::
A. artificial : genuine
B. truthful : evident
C. circular : continuity
D. applicable: question
E. tremendous : strength
177. PENITENT : REPENT ::
A. musician : play
B. acrobat : fall
C. judgment : pronounce
D. guilty party : defend
E. confessant : admit
178. THEOLOGY : RELIGION ::
A. botany : plants
B. biology : human beings
C. archaeology : history
D. numerology : letters
E. geology : poetry
179. EAT : DEVOUR ::
A. feed : accept
B. drink : sip
C. consume : gobble
D. cook : prepare
E. plant : pick
180. PLUNGE : ENTER INTO ::
A. cover : take out of

B. fall : go down
C. ascend : cross over
D. return : go on
E. exit : remain within
–63–
EXERCISE 8
Vocabulary Builder: Humanities Passages
Passage I These fantastic adventures of charm-chanting

heroes and sorcerers were known to illiterate Finnish
HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from an singers for many hundreds of years. The episodes were
essay discussing the epic poem Kalevala, compiled by sung as individual songs by traditional singers who
Elias Lönnrot from Finnish folklore in the nineteenth 25 lived in isolated villages along the Finnish-Russian
century. frontier. They became known to the educated, urban
Finns only after the texts of some songs were set down
Those who enjoyed the Star Wars films would on paper. Although a few of the songs had been
probably fall under the spell of the Finnish epic, sporadically recorded since the eighteenth century, it
Kalevala. Though first published nearly 150 years ago, 30 was primarily the work of one individual—Elias
many of the adventures in this epic could easily be Lönnrot—that clearly demonstrated the richness of
5 scripted into scenes for our modern fantasy adventure these oral traditions. A medical doctor by profession,
films. Instead of battling with advanced technological but an avid folklore collector by avocation, Lönnrot
gadgets such as rockets and lasers, however, the heroes logged many miles on foot in the early 1830s, writing
of Kalevala engage in bouts of wisdom and magic, 35 down as many variants as he could find of the songs
casting spells of enchantment over their foes. Thus, about Vainamoinen, Lemminkainen, Llmarinen, and
10 when wise old Vainamoinen, the greatest singer of the others. Instead of publishing the songs as individual
runes, is challenged by a young up-start, Joukahainen, pieces, however, he arranged them into a linear story
it takes but a few magical charms to cause the young line.
man to sink neck-deep into the seemingly solid ground.
The thoroughly intimidated Joukahainen offers his 40 In 1835, he published the Kalevala as an epic—
15 sister, Aino, as ransom for his release, and the Finnish counterpart to the Nordic Edda, the
Vainamoinen accepts. The young girl, dismayed at the Germanic Nibelungenlied, the Scottish Ossian poems,
prospect of marriage to such an old man, drowns and harkening back to the classics, the Greek Iliad and
herself and becomes a fish. Vainamoinen later catches Odyssey.
the fish, but he fails to recognize her and she escapes,
20 leaving him to grieve.
–64–
45 For Finland, the publication of songs sung by the 2. A passionate skateboarder, Jonathan is planning a
ordinary folk in the hinterlands of their country served regional tour of neighborhood community centers
as a major stimulus to the building and fostering of a to share his ------- love of the sport with
distinct national identity. Until then, the Finnish underprivileged teens.
language and identity were held in rather low esteem;
50 Finland’s educated, urban elite had accepted, for the A. apathetic
most part, the language, culture, and traditions of the B. average
governing Swedes. Through Lönnrot’s Kalevala, the C. unreasonable
intelligentsia began to awaken to the richness of the D. aversive
Finnish heritage. E. avid
55 Although it took some time, the Kalevala helped

to kindle national aspirations that eventually 3. The schedule for the six-week acting workshop
culminated in the establishment of an independent indicates it will ------- in the final presentation of
Finland. For the Finnish people, much under the sway a one-act play to the entire student body.
of the general Romantic trends of the times, the
A. initiate
60 Kalevala presented a past of which they could be
B. converge
proud. Scholars argued about the historicity of the
C. culminate
heroes and engaged in discussion about the evolution D. founder
of the songs through time. It became required reading E. corroborate
in secondary schools, and playwrights, composers, and
65 other artists were soon using its themes and motifs for
their own creative ventures. 4. From all around the country, young men with no
work and ------- with patriotism rushed to serve in
The Kalevala was indeed something of which to World War I.
be proud, for soon after its publication in Finnish, it
was translated into Swedish, French, German, and A. subdued
70 Russian. In America, the work received considerable B. withered
publicity when Longfellow published his Song of C. placated
Hiawatha in 1885, and critics accused him of D. imbued
plagiarizing the Finnish epic. Longfellow admitted that E. diminished
he was acquainted with the work through German
75 translation and that he purposely copied the meter of
the Kalevala in order to imbue his work with a certain 5. The high school concert band marched to a swift
ancient and noble tone and cadence. Prompted by the ------- played by the rhythmic drum section.
controversy, the English translation appeared in 1889.
Since those times, translations have been printed in 30 A. dalliance
80 languages. The Kalevala is probably the best known
B. irreverence
Finnish literary work throughout the world. C. cadence
D. silence
E. insurgence
1. Because the dog barked ------- for no apparent
reason, we decided he was not a very reliable
6. In context, prospect (line 17) most nearly means:
watchdog.
A. trust or confidence.
A. quietly
B. mental consideration.
B. callously
C. temporarily C. a declaration.
D. sporadically D. condition of success.
E. shyly
–65–
7. As it is used in line 33, the word avocation most 13. As it is used in line 58, the word sway most
nearly means: nearly means:
A. hobby. A. freedom.
B. training. B. support.
C. birth. C. influence.
D. job. D. overindulgence.
8. It can be inferred that the word hinterlands, as it 14. In line 61, historicity most nearly means:
is used in line 46, primarily refers to:
A. authenticity.
A. areas close to big cities or towns. B. humility.
B. areas far from big cities or towns. C. exaggeration.
C. capital cities. D. origin.
D. elevated or mountainous lands.
15. In line 65, motifs is closest in meaning to:

9. In line 53, intelligentsia is best understood to
refer in general to the: A. impulses.
B. replications.
A. educated class. C. main elements.
B. uneducated class. D. mechanisms.
C. university academic employees.
D. farmers and peasants.
16. ELITE:
10. In line 54, heritage is best understood as referring A. lofty

to: B. ordinary
C. verbal
A. innovations. D. continuous
B. political systems. E. brief
C. landscape.
D. customs and traditions.
17. ESTEEM:
11. The word aspirations (line 56) most nearly A. despise

means: B. allow
C. protrude
A. failures. D. complete
B. realities. E. insure
C. ambitions.
D. legends.
18. ILLITERATE:
12. It can be inferred that the word establishment, as A. well known

it is used in line 57, most nearly means: B. well read
C. well worn
A. destruction. D. well supplied
B. formation. E. well fought
C. interpretation.
D. purchase.
–66–
19. DISMAYED: 25. EPIC:
A. confused A. factual
B. courageous B. insignificant
C. mournful C. tiresome
D. pretentious D. modern
E. dangerous E. useful
20. KINDLE: 26. PLAGIARIZE : WRITING ::
A. preserve A. condemn : criminal

B. assure B. release : information
C. import C. steal : property
D. dampen D. pay : dividend
E. renew E. perform : drama
21. INTIMIDATE: 27. NATIONS : FRONTIER ::
A. suggest A. lots : boundaries

B. postpone B. highways : cities
C. study C. immigrants : citizens
D. encourage D. governments : leaders
E. exile E. Earth : space
22. FOSTER: 28. FANTASTIC : IMPOSSIBLE ::
A. crush A. unrealistic : inconceivable

B. uphold B. dramatic : thinkable
C. withdraw C. logical : workable
D. respond D. scientific : speculative
E. rotate E. permanent : movable
23. STIMULUS: 29. VENTURE : RISK ::
A. disorder A. heroism : actor

B. quiet B. confidence : disbelief
C. restraint C. favoritism : choice
D. approval D. real : honest
E. joy E. gamble : danger
24. LINEAR: 30. ENCHANT : CHARMED ::
A. random A. put off : offended

B. elongated B. describe : known
C. worthwhile C. forego : delighted
D. consistent D. insist : free
E. gorgeous E. proceed: finished
–67–
Passage II It seems likely that Mitch Miller’s popular

45 printing, a decade after the motion picture, helped
HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from an foster the perhaps erroneous idea that wearing a yellow
essay discussing an anthology of American songs ribbon as a token of remembrance was a custom of the
based on the classic, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon.” Civil War era, but the song does not appear in any
known anthology of Civil War songs. Although it is
In 1972, Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown 50 plausible that the families of Union army troops did
copyrighted a song with the title of “Tie a Yellow adopt such a token, prudent historiography would
Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” and it was recorded demand evidence from a diary, photograph, or source
by some 30 different vocalists in the late 1970s and contemporary to the war. Without such evidence, it
5 sold millions of copies. The hit version was recorded seems likely that distant recollections of the Civil War
by the popular group Dawn, featuring Tony Orlando. 55 have subsequently been grafted onto the symbolism of
In 1949, Aigosy Pictures released a motion picture a much later popular motion picture. Occurrences of
starring John Wayne and Joanne Dru, called She Wore this sort are often noticed in the study of folk balladry
a Yellow Ribbon. The picture was popular and the in which the anachronistic combinations are among the
10 theme song, “Round Her Neck She Wore a Yellow more interesting features of the genre.
Ribbon,” became a hit. Not surprisingly, the lyrics
make reference to the characters and events in the film. 60 Whether Levine and Brown were consciously or
In one form or another, this song antedates both the unconsciously influenced by She Wore a Yellow
movie and the hit tune. It has been registered for Ribbon is not known. If they were, it would be worth
15 copyright a number of times, the earliest claim for it noting that the George Norton song that influenced
being the composition of George Norton in 1917. them has a pedigree that stretches far beyond the
Norton gave as his title “Round Her Neck She Wears a 65 college environment of the 1920s. A similar song was
Yeller Ribbon.” heard in minstrel shows in this country around 1838:
“All Round My Hat,” which is unquestionably the
It has also been reported as a college song of the ancestor of the later “Round Her Neck She Wore a
20 1920s in which environment it displayed considerable Yellow Ribbon,” with all of its variants and imitations.
variation, both in its symbolism and in its suitability for 70 Likewise, in Othello, Shakespeare has Desdemona
public expression. A verse typical of the college type: refer to an earlier version of the song.
Around her knee, she wore a purple garter; In its long descent from Tudor lyric to Cockney
She wore it in the Springtime, and in the month of ballad to American minstrel ditty to ribald college song
25 May. to motion picture theme to popular recording, we see
And if you asked her why the Hell she wore it, 75 garters and ribbons of every hue—and the symbol of
She wore it for her William’s man who’s far, far constancy in love has been anything but constant itself.
away.
Other emblematic appurtenances of the young 31. Dove releases are traditional following marriage
30 lady include a baby carriage and a shotgun-wielding ceremonies because the life-long pairing of doves
father. The color of the ribbon or garter could be varied is ------- of what the state of human marriage
in order to implicate a student of an appropriate should be.
college: crimson for Harvard, orange for Princeton, and
so on. It was a slightly refined version of this college A. antagonistic.
35 tradition, rather than the movie theme song, which B. sympathetic.
became a great favorite on the early 1960s, television C. phobic.
show, “Sing Along with Mitch.” It appears on pages 22 D. empiric.
and 24 of the Sing Along with Mitch Songbook, where E. emblematic
an accompanying headnote describes it as an “old army
40 marching song (based on a traditional theme).”
Although the second verse is essentially the “purple
garter” type, the first verse begins, “Around her neck,
she wore a yellow ribbon.”
–68–
32. The Innocence Project is comprised of law 36. The word antedates (line 13) most nearly means:
professors and their students who re-investigate
and challenge the evidence in convictions of A. anticipates.
murder defendants whose claims of innocence B. precedes.
seem -------. C. prevents.
D. follows.
A. plausible
B. deniable
C. expected 37. Based on the use of the word appurtenances in
D. unlikely line 29, it can be inferred that appurtenance refers
E. incredible to something:
A. exaggerated or embellished.
33. The mayoral candidate is campaigning on a B. resembling a particular characteristic.
platform of reigning in government expenditures, C. subordinate to another, more important thing.
stressing that he is fiscally ------- and a friend of D. fundamental in existence.
the business community.
A. insensible 38. Based on the use of the word wielding in line 30,
B. furtive it can be inferred that wield means to:
C. intensive
D. prudent A. give up.
E. supple B. handle or carry something.
C. produce or bring forth.
D. conceal
34. Mel Brooks’ 1974 film Blazing Saddles, set in the
Wild West in 1874, contains many ------- props
from the 1970s, including a stylish Gucci 39. In line 32, implicate is best understood to mean
costume for the sheriff and an automobile. to:
A. suitable A. make a copy of something.

B. decorous B. set about or attempt.
C. mundane C. indicate and set apart for a purpose.
D. anticlimactic D. involve with or show a connection between
E. anachronistic things.
35. There are a number of criteria by which one may 40. In line 34, refined most nearly means:
classify musical -------, including the distinction
between popular and traditional, regional and A. defined essential characteristics.
national differences, influences, and origins. B. lowered in status or quality.
C. cultivated or freed from coarseness.
A. instruments D. abbreviated or cut short.
B. plots
C. genres
D. arrangements 41. It can be inferred that the word anthology, as it is
E. conflagrations used in line 49, primarily refers to:
A. the study of human nature.

B. an autobiographical account.
C. an inventory of stock.
D. a collection of songs.
–69–
42. It can be inferred that the word historiography, as 48. TOKEN:

it is used in line 51, primarily refers to the:
A. false idea
A. scholarly study of history. B. genuine article
B. process of producing images. C. loved one
C. science of drawing maps. D. wanted criminal
D. deliberate display of emotion for effect. E. known amount
43. Based on the use of the word grafted in line 55, it 49. TRADITIONAL:
can be inferred that graft most nearly means to:
A. innovative
A. work without compensation. B. well suited
B. attach or join together. C. long winded
C. obtain legally. D. zealous
D. duplicate or reproduce. E. learned
44. It can be inferred that the word ditty, as it is used 50. CONTEMPORARY:
in line 73, primarily refers to a(n):
A. modern
A. previously mentioned word. B. outdated
B. means of production. C. ill-advised
C. simple song. D. well conceived
D. epic poem. E. nearby
45. In line 73, ribald most nearly means: 51. COMPOSED:
A. refined. A. aloud
B. popular. B. intentional
C. vulgar. C. early
D. mediocre. D. upset
E. qualified
46. LYRICAL:
52. ADOPT:
A. dramatic
B. flexible A. believe
C. repetitious B. select
D. short C. reject
E. active D. insist
E. fulfill
47. VOCAL:
53. ERR:
A. odd
B. interesting A. tilt
C. forgetful B. fold
D. silent C. correct
E. powerful D. gladden
E. find
–70–
54. CONSTANCY: 60. HEADNOTE : FOOTNOTE ::
A. disloyalty A. beginning : opening

B. validity B. end : closing
C. construction C. top : bottom
D. humility D. face : hand
E. rivalry E. cover : book
55. CIVIL:
A. impolite
B. chief
C. rigorous
D. required
E. new
56. SUBSEQUENT : LATER ::
A. onetime : long term

B. former : earlier
C. brief : permanent
D. historical : important
E. predicted : reported
57. COPYRIGHT : WRITING ::
A. royalty : work
B. composition : ownership
C. patent : invention
D. brand : trademark
E. violation : duplicate
58. ENVIRONMENT : CONTEXT ::
A. location : movement
B. transportation : commute
C. place : home
D. surroundings : locale
E. building : land
59. MINSTREL : SINGER ::
A. evangelist : preacher
B. gardener : reaper
C. lawyer : defender
D. actor : scene
E. runner : marathon
–71–
Passage III With millions of mouth organs imported each

45 year for over a century, the harmonica is the most
HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from an popular musical instrument in our nation’s history.
introductory textbook on the history of American Why, then, the dearth of literature on the harmonica?
music. One explanation is the type of sound produced by the
instrument. In reed instruments such as the saxophone
Harmonica, mouth organ, French harp, harp— 50 or oboe, a flexible sliver of reed is vibrated against
there are dozens of appellations in American English something. Once the reed is vibrating, the length of a
for this simple instrument, evidence of the local and resonating column of air is varied to produce different
regional level of its widespread appeal. The ubiquitous pitches. Free-reed instruments, like the harmonica,
5 little music maker may seem homely when compared
have reeds that vibrate without touching anything else.
with more cultivated species, but the hardy perennial 55 As the vibrations of the free reeds are unhindered, the
has taken root in our musical landscape, and has been resulting sounds are dense with overtones, producing a
owned and played by more Americans than any other timbre alternately described as mellifluous or irritating,
instrument. This wildflower has long been mistaken for according to the tastes of the listener. However, the
10 a weed by stodgy and established musical experts;
same may also be said of a “serious” instrument such
consequently, there has been little scholarly writing 60 as the violin. A more likely explanation is the
devoted to it. simplicity and cost of the harmonica. Small and cheap,
it has been the instrument of choice for children,
Like many familiar domestic blooms, the
working people, and vagabonds. Thus, the social status
harmonica is an Old World transplant. The ancestral
of the most visible harp players has not encouraged the
15 rootstock of the free-reed family, to which the mouth
65 attention of students of “serious” music.
harp belongs, comes from Asia where according to
myth, the Chinese female sovereign Nyn-Kwa invented Fortunately, critical neglect has not prevented
the sheng or mouth organ about 3000 B.C. Written harmonica players from making good music, much of it
descriptions of the instrument date from a thousand endemic to the U.S. Harmonica tune books from the
20 years later, and examples and representations of sheng 1920s suggest the instrument’s repertory embraced
have been found at grave sites in central China dating 70 familiar dance tunes, popular songs, and sentimental
from the 5th century B.C. Although its invention has favorites of the preceding half-century. Prominent
been credited to several people, the first patent for the among early recordings are entertaining solo pieces in
familiar mouth harmonica was filed in Berlin by which harmonica virtuosos imitate the sounds of
25 Friedrich Buschmann in 1821. Within ten years of its animals, crying babies, electric pumps, and railroads.
invention, the European mouth organ was being 75 Train whistles and fox chases pervaded the recorded
produced commercially in Austria, Switzerland, and harmonica repertory.
the German kingdom of Saxony.
Other virtuoso pieces make use of “note bending”
In the second half of the nineteenth century, to make sounds and play pitches which are, in theory,
30 German manufacturers began the mass production of impossible to play on the instrument. The technique, as
harmonicas with an eye to the huge export market. 80 yet unexplained by acoustic physicists, makes possible
Towards the end of the century, German factories were the distinctively fluid phrasing and wailing sound of
producing up to ten million instruments a year, and the blues harmonica. By deflecting air with the mouth,
more than half were sold in the United States. the player can “bend” or flatten a note, almost to the
35 Popularity of the instrument peaked between the world tonal value of the next lower-pitched reed. This
wars, when it was used for music education in public 85 technique was widely employed by blues players of the
schools, on the vaudeville stage, and on early blues and 1920s. In some solo recordings, the player sings a line,
“hillbilly” recordings. In the late 1940s, electric “city” then uses the mouth harp to play an improvised
blues bands featured amplified harmonicas as lead instrumental response.
40 instruments, and their records, though less popular in
black communities since the mid-1960s, continue to be It is difficult to generalize about an instrument
a strong influence on popular music both here and 90 used in making so many different kinds of music,
abroad. except to say the differences in style between
individuals are stronger than most regional
characteristics. There is an intimate relationship be-
–72–
tween player and harp; the resulting music reflects 65. The ------- of the assembly hall were very poor,
95 experience, outlook, and even mood more than with making it difficult to hear the speaker past the
most instruments. While limited in range, the tenth row of seats.
harmonica can speak with a very personal voice.
Perhaps its versatile adaptability is the real key to the A. semantics
small instrument’s large role in the musical life of B. ballistics
100 America. C. aesthetics
D. antics
E. acoustics
61. The ------- presence of the extremely demanding
and critical factory owner made the workers
fearful for their jobs. 66. Based on the use of the word appellations in line
2, it can be inferred that appellation most nearly
A. vacuous means:
B. ubiquitous
C. distant A. name.
D. ambiguous B. appearance.
E. dubious C. destination.
D. manifestation.
62. A(n) ------- of certified teachers has forced the

school board to hire teachers who are still 67. It can be inferred that the word perennial, as it is
working on their certification. used in line 6, primarily refers to something that
is:
A. abundance
B. compliment A. original.
C. cooperation B. rude in behavior.
D. indictment C. continuous.
E. dearth D. annoying.
63. Although Peter was just over five and half feet 68. As it is used in line 10, the word stodgy most
tall, when he spoke you had to be impressed by nearly means:
the deep, ------- quality of his voice.
A. substantial.
A. faint B. boring.
B. resonant C. unaffected.
C. vulnerable D. lively.
D. irreproachable
E. commendable
69. In line 17, sovereign is best understood to mean:
64. Articulated in his smooth and ------- prose, the A. ruler.

English novelist Colin Thubron’s eye for detail B. traveler.
and command of scope make for an absorbing, C. explorer.
complex read. D. supplicant.
A. callous
B. terse
C. temperamental
D. mellifluous
E. sarcastic
–73–
70. It can be inferred that the word timbre, as it is 76. HOMELY:

A. powerless
A. a nervous characteristic. B. clean
B. the wood of growing trees. C. fancy
C. a short, simple song. D. timely
D. the quality of sound. E. happy
71. In line 68, endemic most nearly means: 77. CULTIVATED:
A. widespread or rapid growth. A. witty

B. characteristic of a particular region. B. sad
C. a long poetic composition. C. aloof
D. external to one’s country or origin. D. uncultured
E. tardy
72. In line 69, repertory most nearly refers to a(n):

78. AMPLIFY:
A. musical play or production.
B. entire collection of works. A. simplify
C. place where something is kept safe. B. lift
D. history of development. C. announce
D. empower
E. improve
73. Based on the use of the word virtuosos in line 73,
it can be inferred that virtuoso primarily refers to
a(n): 79. DOMESTIC:
A. student. A. simple
B. amateur. B. far-fetched
C. expert. C. complete
D. entertainer. D. afraid
E. imported
74. In line 87, improvised most nearly means:

80. UNHINDERED:
A. skillful or accomplished.
B. made up or performed spontaneously. A. restrained
C. immediately pertinent. B. blameworthy
D. dramatic monologue. C. satisfied
D. qualified
E. preferred
75. Based on its use in line 98, versatile can be
defined as all of the following EXCEPT:
81. NEGLECT:
A. adaptable.
B. multipurpose. A. attention
C. resourceful. B. rejection
D. inflexible. C. consent
D. wariness
E. excuse
–74–
82. PERVASIVE: 88. OVERTONE : SUGGEST ::
A. calm A. echo : remind

B. new B. satisfaction : displease
C. limited C. package : return
D. roomy D. victor : war
E. marvelous E. expert : repair
83. FEATURED: 89. DEFLECT : REFLECT ::
A. collected A. set free : imprison

B. opposed B. turn aside : turn back
C. suppressed C. throw out : take in
D. allowed D. move forward : move sideways
E. widened E. lift up : set down
84. CRITICAL: 90. COMMERCE : TRADE ::
A. wasteful A. property : sale

B. unthinking B. business : exchange
C. scholarly C. profit : motive
D. evasive D. enterprise : owner
E. quiet E. purchase : delivery
85. PROMINENT:
A. famous
B. anonymous
C. youthful
D. popular
E. cautious
86. PITCH : SCALE ::
A. word : page
B. letter : alphabet
C. person : crowd
D. strand : rope
E. closing : speech
87. VAGABOND : WANDER ::
A. traveler : destination
B. hobo : migrate
C. voyager : home
D. tramp : work
E. worker: search
–75–
Passage IV statues of beautiful women of antiquity. How they

would be troubled by this beauty, into which the soul
HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from an with all of its maladies had been passed! All the
essay about La Gioconda, the painting by Leonardo da thoughts and experience of the world are etched and
Vinci more commonly known as the “Mona Lisa.” The 45 molded there: the animalism of Greece, the lust of
actual person in the painting may have been Lisa, the Rome, the mysticism of the Middle Ages with its
third wife of Francesco del Giocondo. spiritual ambition and imaginative loves, the return of
the pagan world, the sins of the Borgias.
La Gioconda is, in the truest sense, Leonardo’s
masterpiece; the revealing paradigm of his mode of She is older than the rocks among which she sits.
thought and work. We all know the face and hands of 50 Like the vampire, she has been dead many times, and
the figure, set in its marble chair, in that circle of learned the secrets of the grave; and has submerged
5 fantastic rocks, as in some faint light under the sea. herself in deep seas and kept their fallen day about her;
Perhaps of all ancient pictures, time has chilled it least. and trafficked for some strange webs with Easter
merchants and as Leda, the mother of Helen of Troy,
As often happens with works in which genius 55 and as Saint Anne, the mother of Mary. All of this has
seems to surpass its limit, there is an element in it been to her but as the sound of lyres and flutes, and
transmitted by, but not invented by, the master. In that lives only in the delicacy with which it has molded the
10 inestimable folio of drawings, once in the possession of
changing lineaments and tinged the eyelids and the
Vasari, were certain designs by Verrocchio, faces of hands.
such impressive beauty that Leonardo, in his boyhood
copied them many times. It is difficult not to see these
designs of the elder master as the germinal principle of 91. The established and successful member-owned
15 that unfathomable smile, with its touch of something cooperative served as a(n) ------- for the small,
sinister, which infects all Leonardo’s work. locally-owned food markets that have recently
sprung up in the region.
Besides, the picture is a portrait. From childhood,
we see this image defining itself on the fabric of his A. benefit
dreams, and were it not for explicit historical B. substitution
20 testimony, we might fancy this was his ideal lady, C. paradigm
embodied and beheld at last. D. affliction
E. anomaly
What was the relationship of a living Florentine
to the creature of his thought? By what strange
affinities had the dream and the person grown up so 92. There is such a strong ------- between new cars
25 apart, and yet so close? Present from the first made by rival automakers today that the casual
incorporeal ideas in Leonardo’s brain, dimly traced in observer cannot tell them apart.
the designs of Verrocchio, she is found present at last
in Il Giocondo’s house. A. dissimilarity
B. competition
To be sure, it is a portrait, a painting, and legend C. deterioration
30 has it that mimes and musicians were used to protract D. affinity
that smile. Was it in four months or as by a stroke of E. variation
magic the image was projected?
The presence that rises so strangely beside the

waters is expressive of what after a thousand years men
35 had come to desire. Hers is the head upon all “the ends
of the world are come,” and the eyelids are a little
weary. It is a beauty brought out from within and
deposited upon the flesh, bit by bit, cell by cell—
strange thoughts and fantastic reveries and exquisite
40 passions. Set it for a moment beside one of those Greek
–76–
93. The notion that there is a(n) ------- realm of 98. In line 10, folio is best understood to refer to a(n):
existence that is distinct from the material
universe is fundamental to the belief in a divine A. duplicate.
being. B. burial.
C. booklet.
A. physical D. painting.
B. logistical
C. imaginary
D. substitute 99. It can be inferred that the word germinal, as it is
E. incorporeal used in line 14, refers to the:
A. overriding themes.
94. In order to ------- the telephone call long enough B. early stages.
to put a trace on it, the detective kept the caller C. destructive elements.
engaged in seemingly pointless conversation. D. tutorial process.
A. distract
B. mitigate 100. The word explicit (line 19) most nearly means:
C. protract
D. contract A. clearly expressed.
E. interrupt B. involved or entwined.
C. embedded or contained.
D. brought out.
95. Katya’s memory of the moment was ------- with
sorrow; while her voice was firm, it was
obviously touched with grief. 101. In line 39, exquisite most nearly means character-
ized by:
A. confused
B. tipped A. an even temperament.
C. prolonged B. expensive taste.
D. tinged C. mind-numbing detail.
E. arranged D. intense emotions.
96. In context, masterpiece (line 2) most nearly refers 102. It can be inferred that the word antiquity, as it is
to an artist’s: used in line 41, most nearly means belonging to:
A. most important work. A. modern culture.
B. beginning stages of a piece. B. ancient times.
C. posthumously published work. C. the future.
D. rehearsal or practice pieces. D. prehistory.
97. As it is used in line 2, the word mode most nearly 103. In line 43, maladies is best understood to refer to:
refers to a(n):
A. dreams.
A. sound. B. sicknesses.
B. feeling. C. painful emotions.
C. asset. D. memories.
D. method.
–77–
104. In line 46, mysticism refers to: 110. DEPOSIT:
A. the historical record. A. add to

B. exciting curiosities. B. put down
C. the beliefs of mystics. C. throw away
D. a political system. D. pick up
E. ask for
105. It can be inferred that the word lineaments, as it is

used in line 58, refers to: 111. LUST:
A. skin ointments. A. attract

B. descendants from a common ancestor. B. follow
C. facial features. C. reject
D. ground plans. D. treat
E. provoke
106. ANCIENT:
112. AMBITIOUS:
A. classical
B. modern A. uncaring
C. worthless B. forward
D. changing C. clownish
E. revered D. large
E. worrisome
107. GENIUS:
113. IMAGINATIVE:
A. uninspired
B. continued A. fantastic
C. hated B. ordinary
D. tremendous C. crude
E. practical D. youthful
E. drastic
108. INESTIMABLE:
114. SUBMERGE:
A. boring
B. worthless A. pass over
C. unstable B. enter into
D. required C. slide along
E. important D. go down
E. take out of
109. DESIGN:
115. DELICACY:
A. events
B. history A. strength
C. present B. error
D. denial C. trick
E. chance D. emotion
E. water
–78–
116. SURPASS : TOP ::
A. fail : completion
B. exceed : limit
C. leap : speed
D. claim : right
E. adjust : center
117. INFECT : FEELING ::
A. invent : story
B. name : child
C. fill : emotion
D. confuse : love
E. demand : answer
118. TESTIMONY : WITNESS ::
A. proof : evidence
B. defendant : accuser
C. prosecutor : jury
D. guilty : innocence
E. account : reporter
119. MIME : SILENCE ::
A. painter : canvas
B. author : novel
C. dancer : music
D. playwright : drama
E. actor : stage
120. PAGAN : RELIGION ::
A. heathen : belief
B. believer : worship
C. creed : tenet
D. minister : sermon
E. convert : belief
–79–
Passage V this. Its daring conception—ideal in the highest sense

of the word—is based upon the purest truth and
HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from an 45 wrought out with the concentrated knowledge of a life;
essay about Joseph Turner’s 1840 oil painting entitled its color is absolutely perfect, not one false or morbid
“Slavers throwing overboard the Dead and Dying— hue in any part or line, and so modulated that every
Typhoon coming on,” or more commonly, “The Slave square inch of canvas is a perfect composition; its
Ship.” drawing as accurate as it is fearless, the ship buoyant,
50 bending, and full of motion; its tones as true as they are
I think the noblest sea that Turner has ever
wonderful; and the whole picture dedicated to the most
painted, and so the noblest ever painted by man, is that
sublime of truths which we have shown to be formed
of “The Slave Ship.” It is a sunset on the Atlantic after
by Turner’s works—the power, majesty, and a depth of
a prolonged storm, but the storm is partially lulled, and
the open, deep, illimitable sea.
5 the torn and streaming rain clouds are scudding across
the sky in scarlet lines to dissipate into the hollow of
the night. The whole surface of the sea comprised 121. The morning fog was quickly ------- by the rays
within the canvas is divided into two ridges of of the sun, allowing us to see the mountains far in
enormous swell, not high, nor local, but a low, broad the distance.
10 heaving of the whole ocean, like the lifting of its
bosom by a deep-drawn breath after the torture of the A. condensed
storm. Between these two ridges, the fire of the sunset B. extended
falls along the trough of the sea, dyeing it with an C. accumulated
awful but glorious light, the intense and lurid splendor D. dissipated
15 which burns like gold and bathes like blood. E. illuminated
Along this fiery path and valley, the tossing

waves by which the swell of the sea is restlessly 122. Known for its sensationalism, the tabloid news-
divided, lift themselves in the dark, indefinite, fantastic paper reported the horrendous crime in all of its
forms, each casting a faint and ghastly shadow behind ------- detail.
20 it along the illumined foam. They do not rise
everywhere, but three or four together in wild groups, A. exquisite
fitfully and furiously, as the under-strength of the swell B. lurid
compels or permits them; leaving between them C. insipid
treacherous spaces of level and whirling water, now D. ingenuous
25 lighted with green lamp-like fire, now flashing back the
E. modest
gold of the declining sun, now fearfully dyed from
above with the indistinguishable images of the burning 123. With a ------- fascination, people flocked to the
clouds, which fall upon them in flakes of crimson and bombing scene from outer areas to catch a
scarlet and give to the reckless waves the added motion glimpse of the devastation.
30 of their own fiery flying.
A. intelligent
Purple and blue, the lurid shadows of the hollow B. healthy
breakers are cast upon the mist of night, which gathers C. cheery
cold and low, advancing like the shadow of death upon D. poignant
the guilty ship as it labors amidst the lighting of the E. morbid
35 sea, its thin masts written upon the sky in lines of
blood, girded with condemnation in that fearful hue
which signs the sky with horror and mixes its flaming
flood with the sunlight, and cast far along the desolate
heave of the sepulchral waves, incarnadines the
40 multitudinous sea.
I believe, if I were reduced to rest Turner’s

immortality upon any single work, I should choose
–80–
124. Towards the end of the song, the Webb sisters’ 129. As it is used in line 13, trough is best understood
voices began to ------- into pitch-perfect harmony. to refer to:
A. vary A. a receptacle for feeding animals.

B. intensify B. low point of a business cycle.
C. stratify C. an area of low barometric pressure.
D. modulate D. a depression between two waves.
E. displace
130. The word ghastly (line 19) most nearly means:

125. Although Marie had only known Martin for six
months, she felt that her feelings for him were A. shockingly frightful.
vast and -------. B. lacking in substance.
C. spiritual.
A. illimitable D. pleasant.
B. controlled
C. confidential
D. definable 131. As it is used in line 20, the word illumined most
E. inapt nearly means:
A. educated.
126. As it is used in line 4, the word lulled most nearly B. extinguished.
means to have become: C. lit up.
D. cast a shadow.
A. tense.
B. calm.
C. irate. 132. It can be inferred that the word condemnation, as
D. defeated. it is used in line 36, primarily refers to:
A. praise.
127. Based on the use of the wording scudding in line B. discord.
5, it can be inferred that scud most nearly means C. appeasement.
to: D. judgment.
A. fall quietly.
B. pass rapidly. 133. It can be inferred that the word sepulchral, as it is
C. expand quickly. used in line 39, primarily means:
D. slow to a halt.
A. joyous.
B. weakening.
128. In context, comprised (line 7) most nearly means: C. overpowering.
D. dismal.
A. pressed together.
B. prohibited.
C. exposed to suspicion. 134. Based on the use of the word incarnadines in line
D. included. 39, it can be inferred that incarnadine most nearly
means to make:
A. alive.
B. red.
C. dead.
D. dark.
–81–
135. The word immortality (line 42) most nearly 141. INDISTINGUISHABLE:
means:
A. well done
A. enduring fame. B. well read
B. immediate demise. C. well defined
C. infamous reputation. D. well informed
D. collection of works. E. well bred
136. PROLONG: 142. ADVANCE:
A. give back A. speak

B. cut short B. retreat
C. add to C. confide
D. move back D. sense
E. win over E. announce
137. SWELL: 143. LABOR:
A. depression A. refuse
B. castle B. pass over
C. raft C. call forth
D. draft D. prevent
E. wire E. send out
138. LOCAL: 144. MULTITUDINOUS:
A. trapped A. singular
B. hurried B. complex
C. barren C. required
D. widespread D. deniable
E. wise E. hopeful
139. TREACHEROUS: 145. DEDICATE:
A. loyal A. share
B. excitable B. rent
C. tremendous C. provide
D. boorish D. persuade
E. fruitful E. hold out
140. FITFUL: 146. RIDGE : LINE ::
A. probable A. mountain : valley

B. regular B. box : cube
C. sincere C. hill : dot
D. doubtful D. river : water
E. plentiful E. cloud : sky
–82–
147. WHIRL : CIRCULAR ::
A. drill : spiral
B. recall : memorial
C. question : answerable
D. raise : horizontal
E. cross : limited
148. GIRD : BELT ::
A. hand : hat
B. wear : coat
C. wrap : bandage
D. wash : garment
E. remove : cloak
149. HUE : VISION ::
A. tone : hearing
B. race : training
C. painting : easel
D. vessel : sea
E. danger : warning
150. BUOYANT : CHEERFUL ::
A. confined : freed
B. lazy : busy
C. endearing : hopeless
D. lighthearted : glad
E. reasonable : silly
–83–
9 EXERCISE
Vocabulary Builder: Natural Science Passages

Passage I 20 and evolution of life is inextricably interwoven with

the origin and evolution of the cosmos seems
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from ineluctable. Taken in its totality, this pathway, from
an article entitled “Cosmic Evolution” in a popular fundamental particles to advanced civilizations,
cosmology journal. constitutes the essence of the concept of cosmic
25 evolution.
Through the centuries, man has unceasingly
searched the firmament for clues to his destiny. His To be sure, the sequence from primordial fireball
imagination has been captivated by the stars, his mind to matter, to stars, to planets, to prebiotic chemistry, to
challenged by the mystery of their origin and extent, life, and to intelligence, is fragmented and even
5 and his spirit imbued with a thirst for some understand- controversial in some particulars. A broad picture,
ing of his role in the cosmos. 30 however, is emerging: a picture that is both imaginative
and illuminating.
Scientific discoveries in fields as diverse as
astronomy and molecular biology in the course of the Man appeared very late in this sequence of
last 15 years have brought us closer to solving three events, and with his increased intelligence came
10 timeless enigmas: How did the universe begin? How civilization, science, and technology. Cultural
did life originate and evolve? What is our place and 35 evolution began and has proceeded very rapidly in the
destiny in the universe? last few millennia. An infinitesimal fraction of the
matter of the universe has been converted into the
This burst of interdisciplinary discoveries has organic matter of the human brain. As a result, one part
given rise to new concepts of the origin of life from of the universe can now reflect upon the whole process
15 inanimate material on primitive Earth, the formation of 40 of cosmic evolution leading to the existence of human
planets and stars, the synthesis of fundamental particles cognition. We wonder whether this process is a
of matter, and the beginnings of the universe itself. All frequent occurrence in the universe; in doing so, we
seem to be founded on the same basic laws of come to the postulate that life is widespread in the
chemistry and physics. The conclusion that the origin universe and at least in some cases, this life may have
–84–
45 evolved to the stage of intelligence and technological 4. The liberals’ ------- for universal health care is
civilizations that it did on Earth. that access to high-quality health care is a human
right, while the conservatives argue that coverage
Some of these civilizations may have learned to is a market commodity best left to the free
communicate with each other and achieved major market.
advances in their own evolution as a result. Can we
50 detect them? Although many gaps, puzzles, and A. protection
uncertainties remain, this unifying concept, in which B. substitution
the expansion of the universe, the birth and death of C. disagreement
galaxies and stars, the formation of planets, the origins D. apology
of life, and the ascent of humans are all explained by E. rationale
55 the process of cosmic evolution, provides a sound
scientific rationale on which to base a program to
search for extraterrestrial intelligence. 5. Until Congress canceled its funding, the NASA
Deep Space Network used radio dishes to detect
non-natural radio emissions from locations
1. The new Biomedical Research Center, which outside our solar system in an attempt to discover
coordinates many aspects of the university’s ------- civilizations.
research, has developed ------- working
relationships with the Neuroscience and Medical A. extraterrestrial
Physics departments. B. ancient
C. modern
A. adversary D. terrestrial
B. disciplinary E. foreign
C. evolutionary
D. interdisciplinary
E. reactionary 6. It can be inferred that the word firmament, as it is
2. Linus Pauling, winner of the Chemistry Nobel A. a thin thread or strand.

Prize in 1954, was an advocate of high doses of B. hell or the underworld.
vitamin C, since it is vital to the ------- of C. the heavens.
collagen, the body’s main connective tissue D. the earth or material world.
protein.
A. destruction 7. It can be inferred that the word cosmos, as it is

B. analysis used in line 6, primarily refers to the:
C. substitution
D. combination A. planets.
E. synthesis B. sky.
C. universe.
D. earth.
3. An atheist is a person without a belief in, or who
does not ------- the existence of, a god or deities.
8. In context, enigmas (line 10) most nearly means:
A. deny
B. calculate A. solutions.
C. postulate B. puzzles.
D. warrant C. doubts.
E. feign D. certainties.
–85–
9. Based on the use of the word inextricably in line 15. In line 41, cognition refers to:
20, it can be inferred that inextricable most nearly
means: A. knowledge.
B. misunderstanding.
A. indescribable. C. unawareness.
B. incontrollable. D. existence.
C. inseparable.
D. unexplainable.
16. CONTROVERT:
10. In line 22, ineluctable is best understood to mean: A. revise

B. understand
A. unsolvable. C. agree
B. inescapable. D. believe
C. unappeasable. E. ridicule
D. avoidable.
17. ILLUMINATE:
11. It can be inferred that the word primordial, as it is
used in line 26, most nearly means existing: A. instruct
B. burden
A. in the future. C. obscure
B. in modern times. D. flatten
C. in outer space. E. decline
D. from the beginning of time.
18. SEQUENTIAL:
12. It can be inferred that the word prebiotic, as it is
used in line 27, most nearly means: A. random
B. broad
A. existing before the origin of life. C. unintentional
B. containing beneficial bacteria. D. confined
C. inhibiting bacterial growth. E. dull
D. pertaining to life.
19. ASCENT:
13. The word millennia (line 36) refers to:
A. miracle
A. millions of years. B. decline
B. thousands of years. C. harbor
C. hundreds of years. D. enforcement
D. tens of years. E. fortune
14. As it is used in line 36, the word infinitesimal 20. INANIMATE:

most nearly means:
A. lively
A. extending indefinitely. B. confused
B. immeasurably tiny. C. refined
C. enormous. D. victorious
D. calculable. E. satisfied
–86–
21. PRIMITIVE: 27. UNIFORM : DIVERSIFY ::
A. unhappy A. identifiable : point

B. lengthy B. intense : involve
C. sophisticated C. assured : dictate
D. determined D. cool : test
E. obvious E. constant : vary
22. REFLECTION: 28. PARTICULAR : DETAIL ::
A. width A. window : casement

B. settlement B. fragment : piece
C. fulfillment C. closet : room
D. resentment D. age : maturity
E. absorption E. hope : despair
23. CONSTITUTE: 29. SOUND : UNRELIABLE ::
A. affirm A. healthy : new

B. remain B. constant : afraid
C. lift C. certain : lacking
D. take apart D. errorless : doubtful
E. move in E. garbled: understandable
24. ESSENTIAL: 30. CONVERSION : CONTINUE ::
A. extra A. transformation : maintain

B. clever B. death : evolve
C. pointed C. civilization : advance
D. motionless D. evolution : emerge
E. rancid E. intelligence : learn
25. DESTINED:
A. prepared
B. free
C. alone
D. divided
E. current
26. CAPTIVATE : INTEREST ::
A. liberate : chains
B. hold : attention
C. return : investment
D. prefer : favorite
E. define : term
–87–
Passage II science. Since the extra weight would make a nonstop

trip impossible, it would be necessary to cache gasoline
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from and food near the base of the mountain range that
an essay entitled “Antarctic Exploration” in an bordered the high Antarctic plateau. The aircraft would
introductory earth sciences textbook. 50 then land and refuel during the return leg of the flight.
Even so, weight and fuel consumption calculations
At 3:29 p.m. on November 28, 1929, a heavily were critical. The Floyd Bennett had to be light enough
laden Ford Trimotor bounced down the rough ice by the time it reached the Queen Maud Mountains to
runway of ‘Little America’ and clawed its way through climb 11,000 feet and slip through the pass at the head
an Antarctic overcast—embarking on an epic flight that 55 of the Axel Heiberg glacier.
5 was anything but routine. The little plane, called the
Floyd Bennett, weighed only 6,000 pounds. With its On November 19, Byrd and his crew flew 400
four-man crew, extra gasoline, food, and survival gear, miles to reconnoiter the jagged mountain barrier, then
it was carrying more than seven tons. The plane’s three landed to establish their forward camp. On November
engines put out 975 horsepower; cruising speed was 28, a geological party radioed that the weather over the
10 just over 100 miles per hour. For navigating the 60 mountains was excellent, so that afternoon the Floyd
desolate wastes, there were two drift meters and a sun- Bennett headed south toward the pole. As the plane
compass. The only other scientific instrument aboard neared the Axel Heiberg glacier with its 10,500-foot
was a bulky 100-pound aerial camera. Eighteen hours pass, the men sighted another glacier which seemed
and 37 minutes (and 1,600 miles) later, the Floyd low enough and wide enough to cross. The decision
15 Bennett touched back down on the Little America 65 had to be made quickly: to tackle the Axel Heiberg,
landing strip, mission completed. Richard E. Byrd and altitude known but air currents unknown—the
his crew were the first to conquer the South Pole by air, bordering peaks might be so high that air currents
and their historic journey, the consummation of years would dash the plane to the ground—or to take the
of work and meticulous planning, had opened a new unknown glacier, which looked feasible?
20 era of scientific exploration.
70 Byrd opted for the unknown glacier. As powerful
Simply establishing the Little America base camp air currents tossed the plane about, the pilot fought to
a year earlier was a triumph of logistics. Byrd’s men gain altitude. Suddenly, the wheel turned loosely in his
unloaded and hauled several hundred tons of food, fuel, hands. The pass loomed ahead, but the Floyd Bennett
and equipment (including three airplanes) over the would go no higher. If gasoline were jettisoned, it
25 crumbling ice barrier on dog sleds. The dismantled all- 75 would be impossible to reach the pole and return. If
metal Ford Trimotor was stored that winter in a hangar food were thrown overboard, all lives would be
made of snow blocks. After the long months of endangered in the event of a forced landing. “A bag of
darkness set in, Byrd and his companions began final food overboard,” ordered Byrd. The plane responded
planning for their aerial assault on the South Pole. The immediately and began to climb, but the fast-
30 1,600-mile-long flight involved unprecedented 80 approaching glacier was higher. Byrd gestured and
features. For hundreds of miles, they would fly over a another 150-pound bag of food careened through the
barren, rolling surface, then climb a mountain rampart trapdoor of the aircraft. Byrd reported “those were the
14,000 feet high, with a 10,500-foot pass, and continue slowest minutes we ever spent. Finally, we reached the
the journey across a 10,000-foot plateau. Factors of pass. We ambled over—a few hundred yards to spare.”
35 speed, horsepower, rate of climb, and other engineering
problems entailed endless hours of tedious and 85 The vast Antarctic plateau ranged from 11,000 to
complicated calculations. 7,000 feet, sloping toward the South Pole. Cruising at
only 90 miles per hour against a brisk headwind, Byrd
Excavated from its snow cave in early November, navigated carefully over the jumbled terrain. At 1:14
the Floyd Bennett was reassembled in temperatures a.m. on November 29, the big moment had come. The
40 that reached 50 degrees below zero. Without 90 crew dropped an American flag.
photographer Ashley McKinley and his equipment and
survival gear, the plane could fly to the South Pole and Flying at 2,500 feet over the snow, the plane then
back with no problem. To Byrd, McKinley’s task was angled back over the original line of flight to cross
the crux of the plan: to photograph every mile of the again over the pole and make certain the feat was
45 flight and to make a permanent record available to
–88–
accomplished. Then, the aircraft veered north toward 34. In the backyard of the suspect’s suburban home,
95 Little America. Byrd’s navigation was unerring. under a doghouse, the police found a ------- of
counterfeit bills.
Several hours later, the weary crew spotted the
Axel Heiberg glacier in the distance. This time the A. manifesto
lightened plane soared through the pass with no B. cache
difficulty. After landing and refueling, Byrd and his C. exposé
100 crew resumed the flight. At 10:10 a.m., the Floyd D. deficit
Bennett touched down at Little America. “We were E. wealth
deaf from the roar of the motor,” according to Byrd,
“tired from the strain of the flight, but we forgot all that
in the tumultuous welcome of our companions.” 35. A roar greeted the appearance of the legendary
guitarist on the stage, and the ------- applause did
105 The welcome echoed far beyond the cluster of not subside for over twenty minutes.
huts at Little America. Congratulations poured in from
all over the world. Byrd was a national hero. His A. peaceful
B. diplomatic
dramatic adventure had captured the imagination of
C. lackadaisical
millions of Americans, and Antarctica was etched on
D. aggressive
110 the national consciousness.
E. tumultuous
31. The overly ------- drill sergeant even required the

36. As it is used in line 11, the word desolate most
troops to polish the soles of their boots.
nearly means:
A. solicitous
A. without human inhabitants.
B. careless
B. hopeless.
C. audacious
C. marked by indulgence.
D. meticulous
E. cautious D. densely populated.
32. Though previously the locals remained neutral, 37. It can be inferred that the word aerial, as it is
recently there has been a(n) ------- surge of used in line 13, most nearly means:
support for the fundamentalists that can only be
A. pertaining to radio.
attributed to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.
B. a small area between things.
A. unremarkable C. of, in, or produced by the air.
B. predictable D. a level piece of ground.
C. unprecedented
D. conventional
E. predetermined 38. In context, consummation (line 18) most nearly
means:
33. While the negotiators claim there are several A. antithesis.

issues as stake, the ------- of the matter is really B. completion.
the President’s refusal to agree to a reduction in C. conservation.
military aid to Latin America. D. utilization.
A. detail
B. outcome
C. adage
D. crux
E. mandate
–89–
39. In line 22, logistics refers to: 45. In line 109, etched most nearly means:
A. defense of an encampment. A. misused.

B. analysis of data. B. engraved.
C. planning and coordination of operation de- C. irritated.
tails. D. erased.
D. the formal principles of knowledge.
46. LADE:
40. In line 25, dismantled most nearly means:
A. hurry
A. violently shattered. B. unload
B. deprived of courage. C. defy
C. taken apart and stripped of essential parts. D. consent
D. dismissed or discharged. E. tune
41. The word rampart is used in line 32 to refer to: 47. EMBARK:
A. extravagance or absence of restraint. A. conclude

B. low place in mountain range. B. deny
C. a way of entrance or exit. C. insist
D. a wall-like ridge or dirt embankment. D. extend
E. open
42. In line 57, reconnoiter most nearly means to:

48. BARREN:
A. restore.
B. explore. A. helpful
C. climb. B. doubtful
D. contemplate. C. gigantic
D. premature
E. fertile
43. Based on the use of the word jettisoned in line 74,
it can be inferred that jettison most nearly means
to: 49. BRISK:
A. throw overboard. A. lively

B. burn or extinguish. B. dull
C. overflow. C. wet
D. illuminate. D. clever
E. difficult
44. In line 81, careened most nearly means:

50. RESUME:
A. exploded.
B. wedged. A. discontinue
C. lurched. B. overlook
D. poked. C. pronounce
D. warm
E. undo
–90–
51. EXCAVATE: 57. PLATEAU : CLIMB ::
A. bury A. approval : failure

B. admit B. level : progress
C. return C. disappointment : search
D. avoid D. insight : focus
E. welcome E. garden: plant
52. ROUTINE: 58. GESTURE : IDEA ::
A. helpful A. repay : loan

B. distant B. announce : information
C. worn C. bury : scandal
D. unusual D. propose : date
E. living E. stare : sight
53. DASHING: 59. VAST : LIMITED ::
A. beautiful A. frank : generous

B. new B. lengthy : extended
C. knowledgeable C. hopeful : expectant
D. withdrawn D. extensive : narrow
E. constant E. powerful: strong
54. AMBLE: 60. TEDIOUS : TIRESOME ::
A. stroll A. refreshing : exhausting

B. dash B. prolonged : delightful
C. please C. annoying : irksome
D. tire D. relaxing : boring
E. erode E. caring : hateful
55. CLUSTER:
A. turn back
B. hold tight
C. spread out
D. wish for
E. move aside
56. GEOLOGY : EARTH ::
A. biology : organisms
B. history : government
C. military : war
D. geography : politics
E. chemistry : physics
–91–
Passage III 45 definition the earth’s magnetic-field lines. An example

of an active experiment is the injection of silver iodide
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from pellets in cloud formations to induce rainfall.
a discussion on the application of science and
technology in the field of meteorology. In the analysis phase, basic relationships and
trends are discerned and a better understanding of the
We can think of science as the attempt to 50 phenomena evolves. From the observed relationships
comprehend the workings of nature, and of technology and growing understanding, theories are developed and
as the practical application of this knowledge. There models of the phenomena are postulated. These
are three major steps in applying science and theories and models are intended to help understand the
5 technology: experimental observation, analysis, and complex cause and effect interactions among the many
utilization. 55 variables involved. Definitive experiments are then
sought to test the validity of the theories and models.
There are two aspects of the experimental Such experiments often entail further observations to
observation phase. One is the observation of natural obtain critical elements of data. It is via progressive
phenomena as they occur. The second is the iterative steps between experimental observation and
10 observation of controlled experiments. The former has 60 analysis that models evolve sufficiently for use on an
necessarily been the way of the past. However, with operational basis. Using meteorology as an example,
sounding rockets and satellites, the second became we currently have general models of weather system
feasible and is being more extensively used. behavior. Although these models are limited to very
crude weather forecasting, continued satellite
The observation of natural phenomena as they 65 observations—together with programs like GARP—
15 occur involves the development of sensors to observe can lead to improvements in our global weather
important phenomena, and the collection of results into models, our understanding, and our ability to predict it.
a data inventory that is readily accessible to all. For
example, in meteorology, this involves a ground In the utilization phase, all of the understanding
activity of assembling temperature, humidity, wind from observations made and models analytically
20 velocity and direction, and other weather data. This 70 developed is employed to predict what can or will
information is observed at myriad locations throughout happen under a specified set of conditions. Weather
the world and forwarded regularly to central data prediction is a typical example of how models are used
collection stations. The development of a wide variety in conjunction with current observation to develop
of sensors will be used for continued weather satellite forecasts for public use. It is the combination of an
25 observations to provide an even wider variety of data— 75 ability to monitor and forecast events, together with an
daily and on a global scale. A very significant understanding of the basic mechanisms which cause
meteorological observation activity now underway is predicted events—be they natural events or those
the Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP). created by man—that eventually will lead to global
This activity involves a large number of countries systems for management of our resources and control
30 throughout the world, cooperating to gather weather 80 of our environment in ways that best suit the needs of
data of unprecedented scope on a global scale to help man.
in the understanding of weather systems and
phenomena throughout the world and the major factors
that control their origin, development, and movement. 61. Knowledge of the concentration of elements is
important in managing a nuclear reactor and
35 The observation of controlled experiments requires constant ------- of neutron activation.
involves the development and use of techniques for
conducting both passive and active experiments with A. distention
natural phenomena and observation of the results. An B. consumption
example of the passive approach is the barium cloud C. disclosure
40 experiment, in which a sounding rocket was used to D. exploitation
disperse a quantity of fine barium powder high above E. analysis
the atmosphere in the earth’s magnetic field. In this
case, the natural phenomena were undisturbed, and the
barium cloud was used to chart with considerable
–92–
62. The ------- of low-cost recycled material in the 67. In context, data (line 17) refers to:
production process allowed the manufacturing
plant to increase profits by over 35 percent. A. unobservable events or facts.
B. observable events or facts.
A. elimination C. unrecorded events or facts.
B. depreciation D. recorded events or facts.
C. utilization
D. accumulation
E. capitulation 68. As used in line 17, the word inventory refers to
a(n):
63. The plan to build a new highway on the north A. discovery or finding.
side of the city is -------, but it will be necessary B. secure place of storage.
to raise taxes. C. division for classification.
D. organized list of collected information.
A. feasible
B. imaginary
C. impossible 69. In line 17, accessible most nearly means:
D. argumentative
E. temporary A. easily used.
B. valuable.
C. capable of being estimated.
64. There are ------- small tasks required to keep an D. unobtainable.
airplane in safe condition, so most pilots keep a
detailed log of maintenance and safety checks.
70. It can be inferred that the word disperse, as it is
A. moderate used in line 41, most nearly means to:
B. generous
C. effusive A. separate or divide.
D. useful B. distribute or scatter.
E. myriad C. set on fire.
D. replace or drive out.
65. Accustomed to the frequent outbursts of their
coach, the team members listened ------- as he 71. Based on the use of the word discerned in line 49,
shouted at them during half-time. it can be inferred that discern most nearly means
to:
A. actively
B. passionately
A. ignore.
C. favorably
B. analyze.
D. passively
C. identify.
E. aggressively
D. eliminate.
66. In context, phenomena (line 9) refers to:

72. In line 56, validity is best understood to mean:
A. unobservable events or facts.
A. error.
B. observable events or facts.
B. illusion.
C. unrecorded events or facts.
C. accuracy.
D. recorded events or facts.
D. strength.
–93–
73. As it is used in line 57, the word entail most 79. UNDERWAY:
nearly means to:
A. centered
A. cause to be ineffective. B. connected
B. plan or carry out with great care. C. young
C. indicate or set apart. D. concealed
D. cause or involve by necessity. E. planned
74. It can be inferred that the word iterative, as it is 80. UNDISTURBED:

used in line 59, most nearly means:
A. planted
A. extreme or outermost. B. proved
B. involving repetition. C. stopped
C. traveling from place to place. D. changed
D. obligatory or necessary. E. covered
75. In line 73, conjunction most nearly means: 81. DEFINITIVE:
A. contradiction. A. terrible
B. combination. B. temporary
C. exclusion. C. quiet
D. estimation. D. long
E. burning
76. FORWARD:
82. INJECT:
A. remove
B. remind A. withdraw
C. return B. untie
D. reopen C. rethink
E. relive D. proceed
E. fall back
77. GLOBAL:
83. EXTENSIVE:
A. light
B. even A. far-reaching
C. local B. little known
D. moving C. limited
E. open D. startling
E. sudden
78. COMPREHENSIVE:
84. MONITOR:
A. partial
B. early A. watch
C. useful B. ignore
D. humorous C. send
E. special D. withhold
E. trim
–94–
85. PROGRESSIVE:
A. lacking interest
B. moving backward
C. opening up
D. watching for
E. pulling into
86. SENSORS : OBSERVE ::
A. eyes : see
B. nose : face
C. hands : throw
D. mouth : open
E. neck : throat
87. METEOROLOGY: WEATHER ::
A. history : geography
B. language : speech
C. music : performance
D. anthology : ants
E. psychology : thinking
88. FORMATION : ARRAY ::
A. arrangement : order
B. military : company
C. permission : idea
D. backyard : front yard
E. dunce : teacher
89. COOPERATE : RESIST ::
A. follow : include
B. accept : deny
C. move : rely
D. retain : keep
E. withstand : hold
90. CHART : REGION ::
A. show : animal
B. map : area
C. present : plan
D. wait : date
E. insist : money
–95–
Passage IV 91. The new secretary was so consumed by petty

office politics and ------- matters that she failed to
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from take care of the tasks that were vital to the
a lecture entitled “Memory and Learning.” company’s daily operations.
Long-term learning—positive and negative—is A. vital

made possible by the fact that the mind is able to B. voluble
remember virtually all it was ever aware of, including C. trivial
the most trivial details. However, there are several D. relevant
5 conditions to this process of retention. E. complicated
One condition is that such memory (learning) is

situational: It is determined in part by the nature of the 92. The teacher used fun games to aid the students in
situation in which the learning occurs. Students “pay their ------- of the important concepts, dates, and
attention” in school and learn things tied to a concrete, facts that would be crucial for a passing grade on
10 not abstract, teaching/learning situation; they learn the exam.
something solely for the purpose of earning a grade.
Consequently, since most school situations have no A. rejection
counterparts outside of school, a student often develops B. deletion
amnesia and is unable to recall information learned in C. miscomprehension
15 another context. Memory is like a filing system, in D. retention
which an item is stored to be retrieved with a code E. management
keyed to that specific situation. If the situation eliciting
that particular code is not encountered again, the filed
93. The general of the American army met with his
item remains untouched and unused. It is important to
------- in the British forces, and they quickly
20 remember the filed item is not transient; it does not
realized that while their uniforms were different,
fade or die. It is merely dormant during the time it is
their perspectives were similar.
not in use.
A. advisor
A second condition of “memory” learning is it B. prototype
appears to be bound to the state of arousal that existed C. partner
25 for the original learning. The ability to remember, D. counterpart
therefore, depends to some degree on the ability to E. superior
recreate or re-enter the formative state of arousal: the
feeling, tone, or affective quality that characterized the
brain at the time of learning. Thus, since there is 94. Because they are ------- during hibernation,
30 always some subjective element, some aura of feeling ground squirrels prepare for winter by building up
that accompanies all we ever learn, it is simply not a thick insulating layer of body fat during late
enough to consider what so-called objective content or summer and fall.
skill is being taught. The student’s feelings while or
after learning takes place will determine whether A. active
35 learning will be effective. B. efficient
C. dormant
Since students are often in a classroom for hours, D. occupied
it seems reasonable to assert that teachers must be E. vigorous
concerned with the ambience of the classroom. Perhaps
teachers should also be more aware of their
40 countenance; even a temporary lapse into boredom or
irritation can place the students in a situation which
makes learning unnecessarily onerous.
–96–
95. The aide had not researched the question 101. It can be inferred that the word transient, as it is
completely, but his personal and ------- impres- used in line 20, most nearly means:
sion was that the governor should veto the bill.
A. easily seen through.
A. informed B. altered.
B. objective C. temporary.
C. educated D. transferrable.
D. impartial
E. subjective
102. In line 28, affective most nearly means:
96. In context, virtually (line 3) most nearly means: A. useful.

B. stern.
A. nearly. C. aloof.
B. completely. D. emotional.
C. exclusively.
D. superficially.
103. It can be inferred that the word aura, as it is used
in line 30, most nearly means:
97. As it is used in line 9, the word concrete most
nearly means: A. of or relating to the ear or sense of hearing.
B. of, in, or pertaining to air.
A. insubstantial. C. distinctive and persuasive quality or atmos-
B. significant. phere.
C. particular or specific. D. an observable luminous phenomenon.
D. abstract.
104. In line 38, ambience primarily refers to the:

98. In line 12, consequently most nearly means:
A. mood or feeling associated with a place.
A. in addition. B. decoration and furnishings of a room.
B. regardless. C. surrounding influences or environment.
C. for the reason. D. structure or foundation of a room.
D. as a result.
105. In line 42, onerous most nearly means:

99. As it is used in line 16, the word retrieved most
nearly means: A. effortless.
B. costly.
A. repeated. C. burdensome.
B. recovered. D. mistaken.
C. withdrawn.
D. deleted.
106. CONDITIONED:
100. Based on the use of the word eliciting in line 17, A. strong
it can be inferred that elicit most nearly means to: B. comfortable
C. exact
A. make unlawful. D. unqualified
B. evoke. E. rare
C. offer.
D. misplace.
–97–
107. SPECIFIED: 113. EFFECTIVE:
A. tight A. simple
B. unnamed B. full
C. wishful C. useless
D. confessed D. tempting
E. winning E. equal
108. KEY: 114. ENCOUNTER:
A. disconnect A. establish
B. reinforce B. avoid
C. prolong C. tell
D. decide D. repay
E. complete E. stand
109. BOUND: 115. RECALL:
A. lost A. classify
B. free B. expect
C. secure C. triumph
D. private D. send
E. interesting E. gamble
110. AROUSE: 116. FORMATIVE : MOLD ::
A. kindle A. developing : shape

B. shape B. aging : growth
C. conceal C. working : employ
D. dampen D. expressive : shout
E. whitewash E. precious : dislike
111. SYSTEMATIC: 117. OBJECTIVE : UNBIASED ::
A. haphazard A. conclusive : incomplete

B. orderly B. final : continuing
C. temporary C. accurate : factual
D. competent D. avoidable : delayed
E. pressured E. sweetened : tart
112. RECREATE: 118. AMNESIA : MEMORY ::
A. destroy A. hearing : sense

B. finish B. blindness : sight
C. copy C. motion : legs
D. redo D. lungs : air
E. outdo E. teeth : mouth
–98–
119. LAPSE : INTENTIONAL ::
A. slip : planned
B. force : controlled
C. renew : overdue
D. operate : stolen
E. work : paid
120. ASSERT : STATE ::
A. announce : listen
B. question : ask
C. paint : remodel
D. close : continue
E. waken : sleep
–99–
Passage V 45 million degrees—thermonuclear reactions commence,

and the star begins to glow.
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from
a science news article about the Infrared Astronomical From the time the incipient star is a tenuous dust
Satellite. cloud until soon after the nuclear reactions begin, the
heat produced by gravitational collapse is emitted as
The birth of new stars and the death of old ones 50 infrared radiation. That is one of the most exciting
will be witnessed by a new Earth-orbiting instrument prospects of IRAS’ mission: the possibility of attending
that will probe through space in quest of celestial the birth of a star. What appears to be the first nascent
phenomena that are invisible to our eyes but glow in star ever observed is buried deep within the nebula or
5 the infrared portion of the light spectrum. The gas cloud in the sword of the constellation Orion, a
instrument’s array of infrared detectors will also lift the 55 small dot that while dim by optical measurements, is
veil of thick dust clouds that block starlight streaming bright in infrared.
from the center of our galaxy and sharply limit our
study of the densest and most active part of the Milky Millions or billions of years after they are born,
10 Way. It will provide a new chart of the universe, stars approach their moment of death, when all their
mapping perhaps a million infrared sources for future nuclear fuel is exhausted. As it begins to die, the star
study and will radically transform our concept of the 60 ejects a cloud of dust, and the faint visible light from
universe. The new instrument is the Infrared the moribund star is absorbed by the dust shell and then
Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), and it will be operated reemitted as infrared. With IRAS, scientists hope to
15 by an international team of scientists and engineers. observe the maternity wards and graveyards of the
universe.
Infrared astronomy is a recent development in
astrophysics because most infrared radiation from
space never reaches Earth’s surface. Water vapor and 121. Though she complained every step of the way,
other gases in the atmosphere absorb it, hence the Millie agreed that the panoramic ------- was well
20 importance of situating the telescope above the worth the four-hour hike to the top of the
atmosphere in Earth’s orbit. Most infrared observations mountain pass.
have been obtained by the use of balloons, sounding
rockets, and high-altitude aircraft. The view has been A. angle
highly circumscribed compared to the broad vista that B. dead end
25 will be opened to IRAS. C. opinion
D. descent
Astronomers have received some tantalizing hints E. vista
about what may be out there. An exciting example
came from a brief survey of infrared objects by the
Cambridge Laboratory. It found that some highly 122. The ------- descriptions of the products are
30 evolved stars apparently shed a large percentage of designed to lure in customers and motivate them
their mass to the interstellar medium. This had not been to buy what otherwise seems unnecessary.
observed with optical instruments (those that see only
visible light). Those highly evolved stars are quite A. uninspiring
B. disturbing
bright at infrared wavelengths, but are only dim specks
C. reassuring
35 in conventional star photographs.
D. tantalizing
E. mundane
The theory of star formation accorded general
acceptance today says that vast clouds of dust and gas
float in space until some mechanism, which is not yet
fully understood, triggers gravitational collapse. Over
40 hundreds of thousands of years each mote of dust, each
atom of gas, attracts other motes and atoms until a
huge, spinning globe is formed. When gravitational
pressure is sufficient and when temperatures at the
center of the globe soar high enough—about ten
–100–
123. The artist was multitalented and worked in an 128. In context, radically (line 12) most nearly means:
assortment of -------, including watercolor, oil and
acrylic, and sculpture. A. momentarily.
B. fundamentally.
A. resources C. unsubstantially.
B. locations D. temporarily.
C. incentives
D. processes
E. mediums 129. In line 17, astrophysics is best understood to refer
to the:
124. Because the defendant’s hold on reality was so A. science of the behavior and physical
-------, the judge ruled that she was not competent properties of stars.
to stand trial. B. divination of supposed influences of stars on
human affairs.
A. firm C. study of objects within the earth’s atmos-
B. discernible phere.
C. tenuous D. science of the physical properties of the
D. humble earth’s surface.
E. convincing
130. As it is used in line 22, the word obtained most

125. The ------- grassroots “tea party” movement is
nearly means:
more popular with many conservatives than the
long-established Grand Old Party. A. eliminated.
B. acquired.
A. struggling
C. undermined.
B. nascent
D. negotiated.
C. obsolete
D. mature
E. prosaic
131. The word circumscribed (line 24) most nearly
means:
126. It can be inferred that the word quest, as it is used
A. limited.
in line 3, most nearly means:
B. traveled around.
A. discovery. C. surrounded.
B. deliberation. D. cut off.
C. rotation.
D. search.
132. In line 40, mote is best understood to refer to a:
A. method.
127. It can be inferred that the word celestial, as it is
B. feeling.
used in line 3, pertains to the:
C. small particle.
A. ancient civilization or world. D. small creature.
B. modern civilization or world.
C. sky or heavens.
133. It can be inferred that the word incipient, as it is
D. earth or material world.
A. lacking taste.
B. in an initial stage.
C. dull or uninteresting.
D. brightly burning.
–101–
134. As it is used in line 47, the word tenuous most 140. TRANSFORM:
nearly means:
A. reinforce
A. sturdy. B. deduct
B. dense. C. remind
C. unsubstantial. D. believe
D. harmless. E. permit
135. It can be inferred that the word moribund, as it is 141. COMMENCE:

A. prove
A. sinking. B. turn
B. glowing. C. end
C. thriving. D. part
D. dying. E. wonder
136. VEIL: 142. CONVENTIONAL:
A. disallow A. solid
B. return B. scientific
C. install C. unusual
D. deny D. borrowed
E. reveal E. true
137. ATTEND: 143. EMIT:
A. remind A. absorb
B. win B. denounce
C. close C. confess
D. impart D. let in
E. ignore E. hope for
138. NEBULOUS: 144. ACCORD:
A. spatial A. deceive
B. important B. deny
C. beautiful C. denounce
D. clear D. deprive
E. cramped E. delete
139. EXHAUSTED: 145. FAINT:
A. filled A. weak
B. ruined B. ineffective
C. torn C. complete
D. angry D. brilliant
E. incapable E. irate
–102–
146. MATERNITY : MOTHER ::
A. paternity : father
B. brotherhood : sister
C. family : members
D. priesthood : congregation
E. faculty : student
147. OPTICAL : ILLUSION ::
A. eyesight : object
B. heard : deafness
C. visual : mistake
D. perceived : sight
E. eyeball: vision
148. COLOR : SPECTRUM ::
A. rung : ladder
B. cow : herd
C. carpet : floor
D. painting : frame
E. puddle : rain
149. ASTRONOMY : STARS ::
A. chemistry : physics
B. biology : politics
C. history : war
D. botany : plants
E. geology: farming
150. CONSTELLATION : STARS ::
A. space : moon
B. formation : intelligence
C. box : marbles
D. school : fish
E. seating arrangement : guests
–103–
Passage VI coordination, and the complex social organization in

the hominids. The arboreal environment of the jungle
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from could not have produced these traits. No monkey or
an essay entitled “The Growth of Intelligence” in an ape can control a thrown projectile the way a man can;
introductory life science textbook. 50 independent finger control is a uniquely hominid
characteristic. Moreover, chimpanzees and other apes,
There is a wide variety of opinions on what though they use natural objects such as sticks for tools,
evolutionary factors were responsible specifically for have never developed a systematic tool-making ability.
hominid intelligence; probably many were important.
One theory is that intraspecific warfare plays an Thus, the demands of the savannah environment
5 important role. War seems to require rapid invention. 55 were probably responsible for the development of
Strategy discussions that are connected with the intelligence and technological society in man, but it
planning of warfare tend to involve a kind of verbal does not follow that this type of environment is a
competition which requires resourcefulness. Further- prerequisite to the development of these characteristics.
more, intraspecific conflict makes special demands on It is possible such characteristics could have developed
10 organisms that their battle with the environment does 60 in entirely different circumstances, nor were the
not: the difference is between intelligence versus environmental challenges themselves sufficient to
intelligence on the one hand, and intelligence versus produce this result. It was crucial that an animal well-
mere non-intelligence on the other. Finally, warfare adapted to live in the complex forest environment be
involves the young organisms as well, and organisms pre-adapted to a new ecological niche on the savannah
15 not suited to it suffer the consequences in that their 65 and therefore able to invade it successfully.
genes are eliminated from the breeding population. As
attractive as the theory is, it is far from having been
conclusively proven. Territoriality is a common trait, 151. My dogs are very -------: they bark and act
and some social mammals, such as man and the hyena, aggressively whenever another dog walks by our
20 exhibit, as a form of territorial behavior, organized yard.
violent conflict between social groups. However,
territoriality is not a basic biological trait; many species A. passive
are not afflicted with the desire to make war. B. territorial
C. terrestrial
More likely, the most important stimuli to the D. nonchalant
25 development of intelligence in early hominids were the E. dormant
demands of communication and language. About three
million years ago, the rate of evolution in the brain
accelerated, and was correlated with the increased use 152. Advocates of the “war on drugs” argue that
of stone tools. Such artifacts are evidence of complex strong drug enforcement in the United States is
30 social structures, which in turn improved communica- ------- with dramatic reductions in crime, drug
tion. At minimum, the techniques for manufacturing use, and drug addiction rates.
the articles had to be transmitted from one generation
to the next. Some of the hominids’ increased cranial A. disassociated
B. correlated
capacity may have been related to a general increase in
C. motivated
35 motor coordination. The notion that man is a puny
D. demonstrated
beast is a spurious one. He is actually fantastically
E. unconnected
powerful and yet possessing extreme dexterity,
possessed as he is with subtle and accurate motor
control of the hands and limbs. He also has very
40 complex feedback mechanisms that allow him to
determine accurately the course of a thrown projectile
with little practice.
There is general agreement that the need to adopt

a predatory lifestyle on the savannah stimulated at least
45 the early development of manipulative ability, motor
–104–
153. The new study published in Genetics and 157. In context, intraspecific (line 4) most nearly
Biotechnology identifies a mechanism that plays a means:
key role in how mutations are ------- from one
generation to the next. A. eliminating specific characteristics.
B. mutually joined or related.
A. borrowed C. occurring between members of the same
B. disconnected species.
C. transmitted D. occurring between members of different
D. isolated species.
E. inflated
158. As it is used in line 23, the word afflicted most

154. Recent discoveries in South America and Asia nearly means:
suggest that Tyrannosaurus rex, the largest meat-
eating ------- dinosaur, had a range much greater A. acted upon.
than originally thought. B. accomplished by.
C. inclined toward.
A. ambulatory D. troubled with.
B. predatory
C. satisfactory
D. reactionary 159. In line 29, artifacts is best understood to mean:
E. precursory
A. clever or artful skills.
B. evidence.
155. Very different animals occupy the same ecologi- C. tools used by animals.
cal ------- in different continents: for example, the D. human-made objects.
bison is the largest land herbivore in America,
while in Australia it is the kangaroo.
160. It can be inferred that the word cranial, as it is
A. destination used in line 33, pertains to the:
B. imperative
C. prospect A. body.
D. cache B. skull.
E. niche C. lungs.
D. environment.
156. It can be inferred that the word hominid, as it is
used in line 3, refers to all forms, both extinct and 161. The word spurious (line 36) most nearly means:
living, of:
A. genuine.
A. primate. B. hypocritical.
B. animal. C. false.
C. flora. D. improbable.
D. insect.
162. It can be inferred that the word dexterity, as it is

A. gentleness.
B. agility.
C. clumsiness.
D. loquaciousness.
–105–
163. The word savannah (line 44) refers to: 169. EXHIBIT:
A. grassland with scattered trees. A. insist

B. tropical rainforest. B. hide
C. an area far from cities or big towns. C. wash
D. temperate hardwood forest. D. berate
E. crow
164. The word arboreal (line 47) most nearly means:

170. CONCLUSIVE:
A. native.
B. flexible. A. final
C. sheltered. B. rash
D. treelike. C. firm
D. poor
E. open
165. In line 58, prerequisite most nearly means a(n):
A. requirement. 171. ACCELERATE:

B. option.
C. development. A. rush
D. opportunity. B. slow
C. return
D. widen
166. VERBAL: E. pull back
A. wordy
B. physical 172. SUBTLE:
C. contained
D. dense A. charming
E. tremendous B. clumsy
C. mental
D. poisonous
167. RESOURCEFUL: E. deadly
A. rugged
B. overbearing 173. MINIMUM:
C. incompetent
D. crowded A. necessity
E. underhanded B. guilty
C. work
D. most
168. SUFFER: E. little
A. avoid
B. control 174. PUNY:
C. receive
D. supply A. concerned
E. return B. victorious
C. correct
D. robust
E. valiant
–106–
175. INVADE:
A. withdraw
B. conquer
C. lose
D. battle
E. negotiate
176. STRATEGY : PLAN ::
A. war : battle
B. hostilities : win
C. tactics : fight
D. victory : surrender
E. soldier : army
177. PROJECTILE : THROW ::
A. bullet : wound
B. rocket : land
C. car : drive
D. discus : leap
E. stone : sling
178. MANIPULATION : CONTROLS ::
A. punishment : criminals
B. exploitation : workers
C. handling : instruments
D. abuse : people
E. joyfulness : hearts
179. MOTOR : MUSCLES ::
A. mental : mind
B. past : present
C. physical : emotions
D. prepared : product
E. threatening : harm
180. MANUFACTURE : PRODUCT ::
A. strengthen : steel
B. prefer : favorite
C. contain : pressure
D. remind : memory
E. weave : fabric
–107–
Word Parts List

It isn’t necessary to memorize vocabulary words in order to do well on vocabulary-related items. However, it can be
helpful to make yourself familiar with the prefixes, suffixes, and vocabulary words on the following list. Each prefix or
suffix is followed by a definition as well as one or two words that incorporate the prefix or suffix. Each vocabulary
word is followed by a definition.
Prefixes
a, ab, abs—from, away de—away from, down, opposite of

abrade—wear off detract—draw away from
absent—away, not present di—twice, double
a, an—lacking, not dichromatic—having two colors
asymptomatic—showing no symptoms dia—across, through
anaerobic—able to live without air diameter—measurement across
ad, ac, af, ag, al, an, ap, ar, as, at —to, toward dis, di—not, away from
accost—approach and speak to dislike—to not like
adjunct—something added to digress—turn away from the subject
aggregate—bring together dys—bad, poor
ambi, amphi—around, both dyslexia—poor reading
ambidextrous—using both hands equally
amphibious—living both in water and on land equi—equal
ana—up, again, anew, throughout equivalent—of equal value
analyze—loosen up, break up into parts ex, e, ef—from, out
anagram—word spelled from letters of other word expatriate—one living outside a native country
ante—before emit—send out
antediluvian—before the Flood, extremely old extra—outside, beyond
anti—against extraterrestrial—from beyond the earth
anti-war—against war
arch—first, chief fore—in front of, previous
archetype—first model forecast—tell ahead of time
auto—self foreleg—front leg
automobile—self-moving vehicle
homo—same, like
bene, ben—good, well homophonic—sounding the same
benefactor—one who does good deeds hyper—too much, over
hyperactive—overly active
circum—around hypo—too little, under
circumnavigate—sail around hypothermia—having too little body heat
com, co, col, con, cor—with, together
concentrate—bring closer together in, il, ig, im, ir—not
cooperate—work together innocent—not guilty
collapse—fall together ignorant—not knowing
contra, contro, counter—against irresponsible—not responsible
contradict—speak against in, il, im, ir—on, into, in
counterclockwise—against the clock impose—place on
invade—go into
–108–
intra, intro—within, inside pro—in favor of, forward, in front of

intrastate—within a state proceed—go forward
pro-war—in favor of war
mal, male—bad, wrong, poor
maladjusted—poorly adjusted re—back, again
malevolent—ill-wishing rethink—think again
mis—badly, wrongly reimburse—pay back
misunderstand—understand incorrectly retro—backward
mis, miso—hatred retrospective—looking backward
misogyny—hatred of women
mono—single, one se—apart, away
monorail—train that runs on a single rail seclude—keep away
semi—half
neo—new semiconscious—half conscious
Neolithic—of the New Stone Age sub, suc, suf, sug, sus—under, beneath
non—not subscribe—write underneath
nonentity—a nobody suspend—hang down
suffer—undergo
ob—over, against, toward super—above, greater
obstruct—stand against superfluous—beyond what is needed
omni—all syn, sym, syl, sys—with, at the same time
omnipresent—present in all places synthesis—a putting together
sympathy—a feeling with
pan—all
panorama—a complete view tele—far
peri—around, near television—literally, a machine for seeing far off
periscope—device for seeing all around trans—across
poly—many transport—carry across a distance
polygonal—many-sided
post—after un—not
postmortem—after death uninformed—not informed
pre—before, earlier than
prejudice—judgment in advance vice—acting for, next in rank to
vice president—second in command
Suffixes
able, ble—able, capable ary, ar—having the nature of, concerning

acceptable—able to be accepted military—relating to soldiers
acious, cious—characterized by, having the quality of polar—pertaining to the poles of the earth
spacious—having the quality of space
age—sum, total cy—act, state, or position of
mileage—total number of miles presidency—position of president
al—of, like, suitable for ascendancy—state of being raised up
theatrical—suitable for theater
ance, ancy—act or state of dom—state, rank, that which belongs to
disturbance—act of disturbing wisdom—state of being wise
ant, ent—one who
defendant—one who defends himself ence—act, state, or quality of
dependence—state of depending
–109–
er, or—one who, that which logy—speech, study of

doer—one who does geology—study of the earth
conductor—that which conducts
escent—becoming ment—act or state of
obsolescent—becoming obsolete abandonment—act of abandoning
mony—a resulting thing, condition, or state
fy—to make patrimony—trait inherited from one’s father
pacify—make peaceful
ness—act or quality
ic, ac—of, like kindness—quality of being kind
demonic—of or like a demon
il, ile—having to do with, like, suitable for ory—having the quality of, a place or thing for
civil—having to do with citizens compensatory—quality of compensation
tactile—having to do with touch lavatory—place for washing
ion—act or condition of ous, ose—full of, having
operation—act of operating glamorous—full of glamour
ious—having, characterized by
anxious—characterized by anxiety ship—skill, state of being
ish—like, somewhat horsemanship—skill in riding
foolish—like a fool ownership—state of being an owner
ism—belief or practice of some—full of, like
racism—belief in racial superiority frolicsome—playful
ist—one who does, makes, or is concerned with
scientist—one concerned with science tude—state or quality of
ity, ty, y—character or state of being rectitude—state of being morally upright
amity—friendship
jealousy—state of being jealous ward—in the direction of
ive—of, relating to, tending to homeward—in the direction of home
destructive—tending to destroy
y—full of, like, somewhat
logue, loquy—speech or writing wily—full of wiles
monologue—speech by one person
colloquy—conversation
Roots
acr—bitter alter, altr—other, change

acrid, acrimony alternative, altercation, altruism
act, ag—do, act, drive am, amic—love, friend
action, react, agitate, agent amorous, amiable
acu—sharp, keen anim—mind, life, spirit
acute, acumen animism, animate, animosity
agog—leader annu, enni—year
pedagogue, demagogic annual, superannuated, biennial
agr—field anthrop—man
agronomy, agriculture anthropoid, misanthropy
ali—other apt, ept—fit
alias, alienate, inalienable apt, adapt, ineptitude
alt—high aqu—water
altitude, contralto aquatic, aquamarine
–110–
arbit—judge clin—slope, lean

arbiter, arbitrary inclination, recline
arch—chief clud, clus, clos—close, shut
anarchy, matriarch seclude, recluse, closet
arm—arm, weapon cogn—know
army, armature, disarm recognize, incognito
art—skill, a fitting together col, cul—prepare
artisan, artifact, articulate colony, cultivate, agriculture
aster, astr—star corp—body
asteroid, disaster, astral incorporate, corpse
aud, audit, aur—hear cosm—order, world
auditorium, audition, auricle cosmetic, cosmos, cosmopolitan
aur—gold crac, crat—power, rule
aureate, aureomycin democrat, theocracy
aut—self cre, cresc, cret—grow
autism, autograph increase, crescent, accretion
cred—trust, believe
bell—war credit, incredible
anti-bellum, belligerent crux, cruc—cross
brev—short crux, crucial, crucifix
brevity, abbreviation, abbreviate crypt—hidden
cryptic, cryptography
cad, cas, cid—fall cur, curr, curs—run, course
cadence, casualty, accident occur, current, incursion
cand—white, shining cura—care
candid, candle, incandescent curator, accurate
cant, chant—sing, charm
cantor, recant, enchant dem—people
cap, capt, cept, ceipt, cept, cip—take, seize, hold demographic, demagogue
capable, captive, accept, incipient dent—tooth
capit—head dental, indentation
capital, decapitate, recapitulate derm—skin
cede, ceed, cess—go, yield dermatitis, pachyderm
secede, exceed, process, intercession di, dia—day
cent—hundred diary, quotidian
century, percentage, centimeter dic, dict—say, speak
cern, cert—perceive, make certain, decide indicative, edict, dictation
concern, certificate, certain dign—worthy
chrom—color dignified, dignitary
monochrome, chromatic doc, doct—teach, prove
chron—time indoctrinate, docile, doctor
chronometer, anachronism domin—rule
cide, cis—cut, kill predominate, domineer, dominion
genocide, incision, suicide dorm—sleep
cit—summon, impel dormitory, dormant
cite, excite, incitement du—two
civ—citizen duo, duplicity, dual
uncivil, civilization duc, duct—lead
clam, claim—shout educate, abduct, ductile
clamorous, proclaim, claimant dur—hard, lasting
clar—clear endure, obdurate, duration
clarity, clarion, declare dyn—force, power
dynamo, dynamite
–111–
equ—equal grav—weight, heavy

equation, equitable grave (situation), gravity
erg, urg—work, power greg—flock, crowd
energetic, metallurgy, demiurge gregarious, segregate
err—wander
error, aberrant habit, hibit—have, hold
ev—time, age habitation, inhibit, habitual
coeval, longevity heli—sun
helium, heliocentric, aphelion
fac, fact, fect, fic—do, make her, hes—stick, cling
facility, factual, perfect, artifice adherent, cohesive
fer—bear, carry hydr—water
prefer, refer, conifer, fertility dehydration, hydrofoil
ferv—boil
fervid, effervesce iatr—heal, cure
fid—belief, faith pediatrics, psychiatry
infidelity, confidant, perfidious iso—same, equal
fin—end, limit isotope, isometric
finite, confine it—journey, go
firm—strong itinerary, exit
reaffirm, infirmity
flect, flex—bend ject—throw
reflex, inflection reject, subjective, projection
flor—blossom jud—judge
florescent, floral judicial, adjudicate
flu, fluct, flux—flow jug, junct—join
fluid, fluctuation, influx conjugal, juncture, conjunction
form—shape jur—swear
formative, reform, formation perjure, jurisprudence
fort—strong
effort, fortitude labor—work
frag, fract—break laborious, belabor
fragility, infraction leg—law
fug—flee legal, illegitimate
refuge, fugitive leg, lig, lect—choose, gather, read
illegible, eligible, select, lecture
gam—marry lev—light, rise
exogamy, polygamous levity, alleviate
ge, geo—earth liber—free
geology, geode, perigee liberal, libertine
gen—birth, kind, race liter—letter
engender, general, generation literate, alliterative
gest—carry, bear lith—rock, stone
gestation, ingest, digest Neolithic, lithograph
gon—angle loc—place
hexagonal, trigonometry locale, locus, allocate
grad, gress—step, go log—word, study
regress, gradation logic, biology, dialogue
gram, graph—writing loqu, locut—talk, speech
cryptogram, telegraph colloquial, loquacious, interlocutor
grat—pleasing, agreeable luc, lum—light
congratulate translucent, pellucid, illumine
–112–
lud, lus—play nov—new

allusion, ludicrous, interlude novice, innovation
magn—large, great ocul—eye

magnificent, magnitude binocular, oculist
mal—bad, ill onym—name
malodorous, malady pseudonym, antonym
man, manu—hand oper—work
manifest, manicure, manuscript operate, cooperation, inoperable
mar—sea ora—speak, pray
maritime, submarine oracle, oratory
mater, matr—mother orn—decorate
matrilocal, maternal adorn, ornate
medi—middle orth—straight, correct
intermediary, medieval orthodox, orthopedic
ment—mind
demented, mental pan—all
merg, mers—plunge, dip panacea, pantheon
emerge, submersion pater, patr—father
meter, metr, mens—measure patriot, paternity
chronometer, metronome, geometry path, pat, pass—feel, suffer
micr—small telepathy, patient, compassion
microfilm, micron ped—child
min—little pedagogue, pediatrics
minimum, minute ped, pod—foot
mit, miss—send pedestrian, impede, tripod
remit, admission, missive pel, puls—drive, push
mon, monit—warn impel, propulsion
admonish, monument, monitor pend, pens—hang
mor—custom pendulous, suspense
mores, immoral pet, peat—seek
mor, mort—death petition, impetus, repeat
mortify, mortician phil—love
morph—shape philosopher, Anglophile
amorphous, anthropomorphic phob—fear
mov, mob, mot—move phobic, agoraphobia
removal, automobile, motility phon—sound
mut—change phonograph, symphony
mutable, transmute, mutation phor—bearing
semaphore, metaphor
nasc, nat—born phot—light
native, natural, nascent, innate photograph, photoelectric
necr—dead, die pon, pos—place, put
necropolis, necrosis component, repose, postpone
neg—deny port—carry
renege, negative report, portable, deportation
nom, noun, nown,—name, order, rule pot—power
anonymous, antinomy, misnomer potency, potential
nam, nym, nomen, nomin—name press—press
nomenclature, cognomen, nominate pressure, impression
nomy—law, rule prim, proto, prot—first
astronomy, antinomy primal, proton, protagonist
–113–
psych—mind sum, sumpt—take

psychic, metempsychosis presume, consumer, assumption
quer, quir, quis, ques—ask, seek tang, ting, tact, tig—touch

query, inquiry, inquisitive, quest tangent, contingency, contact
tax, tac—arrange, arrangement
reg, rig, rect—straight, rule taxonomy, tactic
regulate, dirigible, corrective techn—skill, art
rid, ris—laugh technique, technician
deride, risible, ridiculous tele—far
rog—ask teletype, telekinesis
rogation, interrogate tempor—time
rupt—break temporize, extemporaneous
erupt, interruption, rupture ten, tain, tent—hold
tenant, tenacity, retention
sanct—holy tend, tens, tent—stretch
sacrosanct, sanctify, sanction contend, extensive, intent
sci, scio—know tenu—thin
nescient, conscious, omniscience tenuous, attenuate
scop—watch, view test—witness
horoscope, telescopic attest, testify
scrib, script—write the—god
scribble, proscribe, description polytheism, theologist
sed, sid, sess—sit, seat tom—cut
sediment, sedate, session atomic, appendectomy
seg, sect—cut tort, tors—twist
segment, section, intersect tortuous, torsion, contort
sent, sens—feel, think tract—pull, draw
nonsense, sensitive, sentient traction, attract, protract
sequ, secut—follow trib—assign, pay
sequel, consequence, consecutive attribute, tribute, retribution
sol—alone trud, trus—thrust
solitary, solo, desolate obtrude, intrusive
solv, solu, solut—loosen turb—agitate
dissolve, soluble, absolution perturb, turbulent, disturb
somn—sleep
insomnia, somnolent umbr—shade
son—sound umbrella, penumbra
sonorous, unison urb—city
soph—wise, wisdom urbane, suburb, urban
philosophy, sophisticated
spec, spic, spect—look vac—empty
specimen, conspicuous, spectacle vacuous, evacuation
spir—breathe vad, vas—go
spirit, conspire, respiration invade, evasive
stab, stat—stand val, vail—strength, worth
unstable, status, station valid, avail, prevalent
stead—place ven, vent—come
instead, steadfast advent, convene, prevention
string, strict—bind ver—true
astringent, stricture, restrict aver, veracity, verity
stru, struct—build verb—word
construe, structure, destructive verbose, adverb, verbatim
–114–
vert, vers—turn
revert, perversion, versatile
vest—dress
vestment
vid, vis—see
video, evidence, vision, revise
vinc, vict—conquer
evince, convict, victim
viv, vit—life
vivid, revive, vital
vo, voc, vok, vow—call
vociferous, provocative, equivocate
vol—wish
involuntary, volition
volv, volut—roll, turn
involve, convoluted, revolution
vulg—common
divulge, vulgarity
zo—animal
zoologist, Paleozoic
–115–
Vocabulary List
The following list is composed of words that students may find challenging on standardized tests. The list is divided
into three difficulty levels. Familiarity with the Vocabulary List can only improve your chances of answering items
correctly.
Difficulty Level 1
abstraction—mental act of contemplating the parts of a arrest—to bring to a stop; to take or keep in custody by
complex object as separate from the object itself authority of law
accelerate—to bring about at an earlier time; to cause to artifact—an object made by human hands
move faster ascent—the act of rising or mounting upward
accessible—easily approached, entered, or used aspect—appearance to the eye or mind
accord—to bring into agreement assert—to state or declare positively and often
acknowledge—admit, grant, accept forcefully or aggressively
acoustic—pertaining to the sense of hearing assign—to appoint to a post or duty
addiction—compulsive physiological and psychological associate—to join as a partner, friend, or companion
need for a habit-forming substance; the condition of astronomy—the study of objects and matter outside the
being habitually or compulsively occupied with or earth’s atmosphere and of their physical and
involved in something chemical properties
adolescence—the state or process of growing up astrophysics—science of the physical properties of the
adopt—to take by choice into a relationship, especially stars
to take voluntarily as one’s own child; to take up and attend—to pay attention to
practice or use aura—an invisible atmosphere surrounding a person,
adorn—to enhance the appearance of, especially with halo
beautiful objects avid—very eager
advance—to accelerate the growth or progress of awe—an emotion variously combining dread,
aerial—pertaining to the air veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority
affective—influencing the emotions, emotional or by the sacred or sublime
aggravate—to make worse, more serious, or more
severe beneficial—helpful
alienate—to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent blunt—slow or deficient in feeling
ambience—environment, surroundings blustering—to talk or act with noisy and swaggering
ambitious—having a desire to achieve a particular goal threats
amnesia—loss of memory due usually to brain injury, bound—intending to go
shock, fatigue, repression, or illness brilliancy—very bright
amplify—to make larger or greater (as in amount, brisk—keenly alert; sharp in tone or manner
importance, or intensity)
analysis—careful study of a situation or problem by casual—occurring without regularity; done without
examining all parts of the situation or problem serious intent or commitment
ancient—having had an existence of many years celestial—pertaining to the heavens or sky
anthology—collection of poems, songs chaos—a state of utter confusion
anticipate—foresee, expect charity—generosity and helpfulness especially toward
apprehensive—fearful, worried the needy or suffering
argument—logical reasoning, a reasoned, persuasive chart—a sheet giving information in tabular form
discussion cherish—to hold dear
arouse—to awaken from sleep civil—adequate in courtesy and politeness
cluster—a number of similar things that occur together
–116–
coherent—consistent, holding together delusion—something that is falsely or delusively

color—a phenomenon of light (i.e., red, brown, pink, or believed or propagated
gray) or visual perception that enables one to deposit—to place especially for safekeeping or as a
differentiate otherwise identical objects pledge
commence—to have or make a beginning deprivation—to take something away from
commerce—the exchange or buying and selling of designated—indicated, specified
commodities on a large scale involving design—to create, fashion, execute, or construct
transportation from place to place according to plan
compassionate—possessing a sympathetic destine—to decree beforehand
consciousness of others’ distress along with a desire detached—standing by itself
to alleviate it dismantle—to take apart and strip of essential parts
component—part or ingredient disperse—to break up, to scatter, to spread
composed—free from agitation disrupt—to break apart
comprehensive—covering completely or broadly distinctive—something marked as separate or different
comprise—include ditty—a short, simple song
conclusive—putting an end to debate or question divine—of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God
especially by reason of irrefutability or a god; supremely good
concrete—particular or specific, not general or abstract domestic—living near or about human limitations
conditioned—brought or put into a specific state
consequence—effect, result, outgrowth effective—producing a decided, decisive, or desired
constellation—a configuration of stars effect
constitute—to appoint to an office, function, or dignity elegant—of a high grade or quality
conventional—formed by agreement or compact elevation—the act of raising up
conversion—to bring over from one belief, party, or elite—the choice part
view to another eloquent—persuasive, well spoken
cooperate—to act or work with another or others enchant—to influence by or as if by charms and
cope—to deal with and attempt to overcome problems incantation
and difficulties encounter—to meet as an adversary or enemy
copyright—the exclusive legal right to reproduce, entertain—to show hospitality to; to keep, hold, or
publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of maintain in the mind
something entrance—the means or place of entry
correlated—to be related, occurring together environment—the circumstances, objects, or conditions
cosmos—the universe and all that exists by which one is surrounded
counterpart—person or thing corresponding to another epic—extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially
person or thing in size or scope
cranial—pertaining to the skull epidemic—an outbreak of sudden rapid growth or
critical—of, relating to, or being a turning point or development
specially important juncture essential—of the utmost importance
crop—a plant, animal, or plant or animal product that etch—to engrave
can be grown and harvested extensively for profit or exception—a case in which a rule does not apply
subsistence exclusive—limiting or limited to possession, control, or
culminated—reached the high point in development use by a single individual or group
currency—a medium of trade or exchange execute—to carry out fully
curriculum—required course of study or courses in a exhaust—to consume entirely
school exhibit—to present to view
cyclical—of, relating to, or being in a cycle exploit—to make use of meanly or unfairly for one’s
cynicism—belief that people are motivated only by own advantage
greed or some other selfish motive extend—to spread or stretch forth
extensive—having wide or considerable range
dashing—marked by vigorous action exuberance—joyously unrestrained and enthusiastic
data—observed events, facts, or occurrences
delicacy—the quality or state of being luxurious facilitate—to ease, to make less difficult
–117–
faint—lacking courage or spirit, dim or weak, or to lose intensify—to make stronger, more acute
consciousness intimate—belonging to or characterizing one’s deepest
featured—displayed, advertised, or presented as a nature
special attraction intimidate—to make timid or fearful
formation—an act of giving form or shape to invade—to enter for conquest or plunder
something; group inventory—a stock or store of something, also an
formative—giving or capable of giving form itemized list of goods
forward—near, at, or belonging to the forepart; strongly irrigate—to supply land or crops with water by artificial
inclined means
freakish—markedly strange or abnormal issue—a vital or unsettled matter
genius—extraordinary intellectual power key—something that gives an explanation or

genre—type, kind, category identification or provides a solution
geology—a science that deals with the history of the
earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks labor—expenditure of physical or mental effort
gesture—a movement of the body or limbs that especially when difficult or compulsory
expresses or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or linear—of, relating to, resembling, or having a straight
attitude line
global—of, relating to, or involving the entire world local—of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular
gorgeous—splendidly or showily brilliant or place; not general or widespread
magnificent lull—subside, become calm
lust—an intense longing
heritage—something handed down from one’s luxuriate—to thrive; to indulge oneself
ancestors; customs and traditions lyrical—expressing deep personal emotion or
host—one who receives or entertains guests in a social observations
or official capacity
hue—gradation of color maneuver—evasive movement or shift of tactics
manipulate—to change by artful or unfair means so as
illiterate—unable to read or write to serve one’s purpose
illuminate—to brighten with light manufacture—to make from raw materials by hand or
imagery—representations, pictures by machinery
imaginative—devoid of truth masterpiece—an artist’s most important work
immerse—to place in and completely cover with liquid maternity—the quality or state of being a mother
imperfect—not perfect meditate—to engage in contemplation or reflection
imperial—of, relating to, befitting, or suggestive of an merchant—a buyer and seller of commodities for profit
empire or an emperor meteorology—a science that deals with the atmosphere
impose—to establish or apply by authority and its phenomena and especially with weather and
impressionable—easily influenced weather forecasting
improbable—unlikely to be true or occur mime—an ancient dramatic entertainment where scenes
improvise—to make up or perform spontaneously and from life are represented silently and usually in a
on the spur of the moment ridiculous manner
impulse—a force so communicated as to produce minimum—the least quantity assignable, admissible, or
motion suddenly possible
inanimate—not endowed with life or spirit mischievous—able or tending to cause annoyance,
indistinguishable—indeterminate in shape or structure trouble, or minor injury
inestimable—incapable of being measured mode—way, method, or form
inevitable—unable to be avoided or evaded monitor—one that warns or instructs
infancy—a beginning or early period of existence morbid—diseased, or with a tendency to dwell on
infect—to contaminate with a disease-producing unwholesome matters
substance or agent motor—one that imparts motion; engine
inhibit—to prohibit from doing something
inject—to introduce into something forcefully neglect—to give little attention or respect to
inseparable—seemingly always together
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objective—factual; unbiased reflection—the production of an image by or as if by a

obligation—a commitment to a course of action mirror
obnoxious—highly offensive, objectionable remorse—a deep sense of guilt
obtain—to acquire, to get remote—separated by an interval or space greater than
optical—of or relating to vision usual
options—things that may be chosen renown—fame, reputation
overdrawn—having written a check for more than is in resourceful—capable of devising ways or means
an account resume—to assume or take again
retail— to sell in small quantities directly to the
particular—of, relating to, or being a single person or consumer
thing retrieve—recover, call to mind
passive—not acting; receiving impressions ridge—a range of hills or mountains
placid—quiet, tranquil routine—a regular course or procedure
plagiarize—to steal the words of another and pass off as
one’s own satire— a literary work holding up human vices to
plateau—an extensive flat area; a place or region of ridicule or scorn
little or no change seamy—unattractive, unpleasant
plunge—to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and sensor—a device that responds to a physical stimulus
forcibly into something and transmits a resulting impulse
popular—suitable to the majority sequential—of or relating to a continual series
portray—to depict; to describe in words singular—unusual, remarkable
preoccupation—extreme or excessive concern with sinister—singularly evil
something solitary—being, living, or going alone or without
prescribed—required, directed companions
pretense—a false claim or a false show of something sound—free from injury or disease; showing good
prevalent—widespread, generally accepted judgment or sense
primitive—of or relating to the earliest age or period specialized—designed, trained, or fitted for one
principal—most important, consequential, or influential particular purpose or occupation
proclaim—to declare publicly specified—to name or state explicitly or in detail
profane—to treat with irreverence or impiety spurt—to gush forth
progressive—making use of or interested in new ideas, standardized—to bring into conformity
findings, or opportunities stimulus—something that rouses or incites to activity
projectile—an object propelled by external force strategy—a careful plan or method
project—to see mentally or to imagine strut—to walk with a proud gait
prolong—to lengthen in time submerge—to put under water
prominent—readily noticeable subsequent—following in time, order, or place
proximity—nearness subtle—delicate, elusive
puny—slight or inferior in power, size, or importance suffer— to submit to or be forced to endure
purge—to clear of guilt; to get rid of; to remove summons—a call or order to perform some action
purposive—serving or effecting a useful function superior—of higher rank, quality
surpass—to become better, greater, or stronger than
quest—search, inquiry surrender—to yield to the power, control, or possession
of another upon compulsion or demand
rationale—the fundamental reason for something sustain—to give support or relief to
realize—to bring into concrete existence; to understand sway—influence or control
recall—to bring back to mind swell—to expand beyond a normal or original limit
receptive—open and responsive to ideas
recipient—one that receives taut—tightly stretched, tense
reconstruct—to establish or assemble again technique—method, procedure
recreate—to give new life or freshness to terminate—to come to an end
reduce—to consolidate, to diminish in size theology—the study of religious faith, practice, and
refined—purified of coarse elements experience
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traditional—an inherited, established, or customary utilization—use

pattern of thought, action, or behavior
trait—a distinguishing quality value—the worth of something
transaction—business deal vast—very great in size or amount
transform—to change in composition or structure veil—a cover of cloth
transitional—passing from one state, stage, subject, or velocity—quickness of motion
place to another vendor—one that sells
trivial—unimportant, insignificant venture—to undertake risks and dangers of; an
undertaking involving uncertainty
unattainable—impossible to achieve verbal—of, relating to, or consisting of words
underway—no longer at rest; in progress versatile—able to do many things
undisturbed—untroubled by interference vital—living, manifesting life, necessary or essential to
uneasy—lacking a sense of security; apprehensive life
unhindered—not slowed or interfered with vocal—uttered by the voice
uniform—showing a single form in all occurrences vulnerable—capable of being injured or wounded
unique—being the only one of its kind
universal—used or intended for use by everyone whirl—to move in a circle especially with force or
utilitarian—stressing the importance of function over speed
beauty
Difficulty Level 2
abacus—a frame with beads or balls used for doing or acerbic—sharp, bitter, or harsh in temper and language
teaching arithmetic acquisition—something or someone acquired or added
abash—disconcert; to make embarrassed and ill at ease acrimony—asperity; bitterness or harshness of temper,
abated—lessened, diminished manner, or speech
abate—to deduct; to make less acute—shrewd; keen or quick of mind
abduction—to carry off by force adapt—to adjust; to make fit or suitable by changing
aberration—a deviation from the normal or the typical adjunct—connected or attached in a secondary or
abeyance—temporary suspension subordinate way
abhor—to detest; to shrink from in disgust or hatred adorn—ornament; to put decorations on something
abhorrence—loathing; detestation adroit—expert; clever; skillful in a physical or mental
abhorrent—hateful, loathsome way
abide—to stay; stand fast; remain adulterate—to make something inferior, false, or
abjure—recant; to give up (opinions) publicly impure
abominate—to loathe; to dislike very much adversary—opponent; a person who opposes or fights
abrade—to scrape or rub off against another
abridge—to shorten; to reduce in scope or extent adverse—contrary to one’s interest, undermining
abrogate—to cancel; call off otherwise good results
abscond—to go away hastily and secretly advocate—a person who pleads another’s cause
absolve—to acquit; to pronounce free from guilt or aesthete—a person who artificially cultivates artistic
blame sensitivity or makes a cult of art and beauty
abstinence—the act of voluntarily doing without aesthetic—artistic; sensitive to art and beauty
pleasures affable—gentle and kindly
abstruse—hard to understand; deep; recondite affinity—close connection, resemblance, or relationship
absurdity—nonsense afflicted—troubled with, suffering from, burdened by
abyss—chasm; a deep fissure in the earth; bottomless afflict—to cause pain or suffering to; to distress very
gulf much
acclaim—to greet with loud applause or approval affluent—plentiful; abundant; flowing freely
accretion—growth in size by addition or accumulation aggrandize—to make seem greater
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agitate—to move with irregular, rapid, or violent action; appease—to satisfy or relieve
to trouble the mind or feelings of appellation—name or title
alias—an assumed name appraise—to set a price for; to decide the value of
allegiance—loyalty or devotion apprehension—an anxious feeling of foreboding; dread
alleviate—to reduce or decrease; to lighten or relieve apprentice—novice; any learner or beginner
allocate—to allot; to distribute in shares or according to arabesque—a complex and elaborate decorative design
a plan arbitrary—unreasonable; unregulated; despotic
alloy—the relative purity of gold or silver; fineness arbitrate—to decide a dispute
allude—to refer in a casual or indirect way arboreal—of or like a tree
altercation—an angry or heated argument arcane—hidden or secret
amalgamate—to unite; to combine ardor—devotion, passion, emotional warmth
ambiguous—not clear; having two or more possible arduous—difficult to do; laborious; onerous
meanings arid—dry and barren; lacking enough water for things
ambivalence—simultaneously conflicting feelings to grow
toward a person or thing aromatic—smelling sweet or spicy; fragrant or pungent
amble—to go easily and unhurriedly; to stroll arouse—to awaken, as from sleep
ameliorate—to improve; to make or become better articulate—expressing oneself easily and clearly
amenable—willing to follow advice or suggestion; artisan—craftsman; a worker in a skilled trade
answerable ascribe—to attribute to (as a cause)
amiable—good-natured; having a pleasant and friendly aspiration—desire, hope, or wish for something,
disposition especially an honor or advancement
amicable—peaceable; showing good will aspiration—strong desire or ambition
amphibious—able to live both on land and in water assail—to assault; to attack physically and violently
anagram—a word or phrase made from another by assay—an examination or testing
rearranging its letters assert—to state positively, declare, or affirm
analogy—partial resemblance; similarity in some assimilate—to absorb and incorporate into one’s
respects between things otherwise unlike thinking
anarchy—the complete absence of government astound—to amaze; to bewilder with sudden surprise
anathema—a thing or person greatly detested astute—cunning; having or showing a clever or shrewd
anatomist—a person who analyzes in great detail mind
anecdote—a short, entertaining account of some atrocity—brutality; a very displeasing or tasteless thing
happening attune—to bring into harmony
anhydrous—without water auditor—a hearer or listener
animosity—hostility; a feeling of strong dislike or augment—to enlarge; to make greater, as in size,
hatred quantity, or strength
annexation—attachment; adding on auspicious—successful; favored by fortune
anomalous—abnormal; deviating from the regular austere—forbidding, severe, harsh, rigid, stern
arrangement, general rule, or usual method authoritarian—characterized by unquestioned
anthology—a collection of poems, stories, songs, or obedience to authority
excerpts aversion—intense dislike
antidote—a remedy to counteract a poison avid—eager and enthusiastic
antigen—a protein, toxin, or other substance to which avocation—hobby
the body reacts by producing antibodies avow—to declare openly or admit frankly
antipathy—strong or deep-rooted dislike
antiquity—belonging to ancient times ballad—a romantic or sentimental song
anvil—an iron or steel block on which metal objects are banal—commonplace; dull or stale because of overuse
hammered into shape bane—ruin; death; deadly harm
apathetic—feeling little or no emotion; unmoved barrage—a heavy, prolonged attack of words or blows
apocryphal—not genuine; spurious; counterfeit; of barren—empty; devoid; unable to produce offspring
doubtful authorship or authenticity barrio—in Spanish-speaking countries, a district or
appall—to overcome with consternation, shock, or suburb of a city
dismay bask—to warm oneself pleasantly, as in the sunlight
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baste—to sew with long, loose stitches; to moisten food cartographer—a person whose work is making maps or
while cooking charts
beacon—any light for warning or guiding castigate—to punish or rebuke severely
bedazzle—to dazzle thoroughly catalyst—a person or thing acting as the stimulus in
bedizen—to dress or decorate in a cheap, showy way bringing about or hastening a result
belated—tardy; late or too late catapult—a slingshot or type of launcher
belittle—to treat as having little importance catastrophe—any great and sudden disaster or
belligerent—at war; showing a readiness to fight or misfortune
quarrel caustic—corrosive; that which can destroy tissue by
beneficent—doing good chemical action
benevolence—a kindly, charitable act or gift cavern—a cave
benign—good-natured; kindly cerebral—intellectual; appealing to the intellect rather
bequeath—to hand down; pass on than the emotions
berate—to scold or rebuke severely charlatan—a person who pretends to have expert
bestow—to be put to use; to convey as a gift knowledge or skill
bewilder—to puzzle; to confuse hopelessly chary—careful; cautious
bias—a mental leaning or inclination; partiality; bent chasten—to punish; to refine; to make purer in style
bilge—the bulge of a barrel or cask chide—to scold
bilk—to cheat or swindle; to defraud chivalrous—gallant; courteous; honorable
blandishment—a flattering act or remark meant to circuitous—roundabout; indirect; devious
persuade circumlocution—an indirect way of expressing
blatant—obvious something
blithe—carefree; showing a gay, cheerful disposition circumscribed—narrow, restricted, limited
boisterous—rowdy; noisy and unruly circumspect—cautious; careful
bolster—a long, narrow cushion or pillow; to support circumvent—to go around
boon—blessing; welcome benefit citizenry—all citizens as a group
boor—a rude, awkward, or ill-mannered person clairvoyant—having the power to perceive that which is
bourgeois—a person whose beliefs, attitudes, and outside of the human senses
practices are conventionally middle-class clamor—a loud outcry; uproar
brazen—like brass in color, quality, or hardness; clamorous—noisy; loudly demanding or complaining
impudent clandestine—kept secret or hidden
breach—a breaking or being broken cleave—to split; to divide by a blow
breadth—width; lack of narrowness cliché—an expression or idea that has become trite
brevity—the quality of being brief coalesce—to grow together; to unite or merge
buoyant—capable of floating coddle—to treat tenderly
buttress—a projecting structure built against a wall to codicil—an appendix or supplement
support or reinforce it coerce—to enforce; to bring about by using force
coeval—of the same age or period
cadence—flow of rhythm, regularity of beat cognition—thinking or thought
cadet—a student at a military school cognizance—perception or knowledge
cadge—to beg or get by begging cognizant—aware or informed
cajole—to coax with flattery and insincere talk coherent—clearly articulated; capable of logical,
callous—unfeeling; lacking pity or mercy intelligible speech and thought
camaraderie—loyal, warm, and friendly feeling among colloquial—conversational; having to do with or like
comrades conversation
candid—honest or frank combustion—the act or process of burning
capacious—roomy; spacious commend—to praise; to express approval of
caprice—whim; a sudden, impulsive change commensurate—proportionate; corresponding in extent
capricious—erratic; flighty; tending to change abruptly or degree
caption—a heading or title, as of an article commingle—to intermix; to blend; to mingle together
careen—to cause to lean sideways, to tip or tilt commodity—anything bought and sold
carping—tending to find fault communicable—that which can be communicated
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compassion—deep sympathy; sorrow for the sufferings contentment—the state of being satisfied
of others context—the whole situation, background, or
compatible—that which can work well together, get environment relevant to a particular event,
along well together, combine well personality, or creation.
compelling—captivating; irresistibly interesting contingency—possible, accidental, or chance event
competent—well qualified; capable; fit continuity—uninterrupted connection, succession, or
complacency—quiet satisfaction; contentment union
complacent—self-satisfied; smug contrite—penitent; feeling sorry for sins
complaisant—willing to please; obliging controvert—to dispute or oppose by reasoning
compliance—agreement, conformance, or obedience; a contumacious—disobedient; obstinately resisting
tendency to give in readily to others authority
compliant—yielding; submissive conventional—customary; typical
comprehend—to understand fully conversion—a change from one belief, religion,
comprise—to include; to contain doctrine, or opinion to another
compulsion—that which compels; driving force convey—to make known; to carry
computation—calculation; a method of computing conviction—a strong belief
concession—an act or instance of granting or yielding convoluted—extremely involved; intricate; complicated
conciliatory—tending to reconcile copious—very plentiful; abundant
concise—brief and to the point; short and clear coronation—act or ceremony of crowning a sovereign
concoct—to devise, invent, or plan corpuscle—a very small particle
condemnation—judgment, doom corroborate—to confirm; to make more certain the
condemn—to censure; to disapprove of strongly validity of
condescension—a patronizing manner or behavior countenance—facial expression; composure
condolence—expression of sympathy with another in coup—a sudden, successful move or action
grief covert—concealed; hidden; disguised
condone—to forgive, pardon, or overlook covet—to want ardently; to long for with envy
conduit—a channel conveying fluids; a tube or crass—tasteless; insensitive; coarse
protected trough for electric wires craven—very cowardly; abjectly afraid
confiscate—to seize by authority credence—belief, especially in the reports or testimony
conformity—action in accordance with customs, rules, of another
and prevailing opinion credulity—a tendency to believe too readily
confound—to bring into ruin crescendo—any gradual increase in force, intensity
congregation—a gathering of people or things criterion—a standard on which judgment can be based
congruent—in agreement; corresponding; harmonious critique—a critical analysis or evaluation
conjoin—to join together, unite, or combine crux—essential or most important point
conjunction—a joining together, union, or association cryptic—mysterious; having a hidden or ambiguous
consensus—an opinion held by all or most meaning
consignment—items in a shipment culmination—climax; the highest point
conspire—to plan and act together secretly culpable—deserving blame; blameworthy
constancy—steadfastness of mind under duress cultivate—to prepare; to grow
consternation—great fear or shock that makes one feel cultivated—refined; educated
helpless or bewildered cumulative—accumulated; increasing in effect, size, or
constituent—component; a necessary part or element quantity.
consummate—supreme; complete or perfect in every cunning—skillful or clever
way; to finish; to complete curator—a person in charge of a museum or library.
contemn—to scorn; to view with contempt cynical—sarcastic; sneering
contemporaneous—existing or happening in the same
period of time daunt—to intimidate; to make afraid or discouraged
contemporary—happening, existing, living, or coming dearth—any scarcity or lack
into being during the same period of time debacle—an overwhelming defeat
contemptuous—scornful; disdainful debase—to cheapen; to make lower in value, quality,
contentious—always ready to argue; quarrelsome character, or dignity
debilitate—to make weak or feeble
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decelerate—to reduce speed; to slow down disconcert—to embarrass; to confuse

decipher—to decode; to make out the meaning of discordant—disagreeing; conflicting
decisive—showing determination or firmness discord—disagreement; conflict
decry—to denounce; to speak out against strongly and discourteous—impolite; rude; ill-mannered
openly discrepancy—difference; inconsistency
dedicate—to commit to a goal or way of life; to set disentangle—to free from entanglement
apart for a definite use disinter—to bring to light
deference—courteous regard or respect dismay—to cause to lose courage or resolution
defiance—open, bold resistance to authority or disparage—to show disrespect for; to belittle
opposition dispel—to drive away by or as if by scattering
defiant—openly and boldly resisting dissident—not agreeing
deficit—a lack; an absence distillate—the essence; purified form
definitive—final; authoritative distraught—extremely troubled
deflect—to turn aside especially from a straight course divergence—a separation; a difference
or fixed direction divergent—deviating; different
defunct—no longer living or existing; dead or extinct diverse—different; dissimilar
defuse—to render harmless diversion—distraction of attention
degenerate—having sunk below a former or normal divination—the art of foretelling future events; clever
condition conjecture
delegate—to send from one place to another; appoint; docile—easily disciplined, easily led
assign doggerel—trivial, awkward, satirical verse
deleterious—injurious; harmful to health or well-being dogma—a doctrine; tenet; belief
delineate—to describe; to depict in words dolt—a stupid, slow-witted person; blockhead
delirium—uncontrollably wild excitement or emotion dormant—inactive, idle, sleeping
demagogue—a leader who gains power using popular dross—waste matter; worthless stuff; rubbish
prejudices and false claims; a leader of the common drub—to defeat soundly in a fight or contest
people in ancient times dubious—feeling doubt; hesitating; skeptical
demise—a ceasing to exist; death dulcet—sweet-sounding; melodious
demure—affectedly modest or shy; coy duress—constraint by threat; imprisonment
denouement—the outcome, solution, unraveling, or
clarification of a plot in a drama, story eccentricity—irregularity; oddity
denounce—to condemn strongly eccentric—peculiar, odd
derive—to come from a source eclectic—selecting from various systems, doctrines, or
desertification—process by which land becomes dry sources
and arid efficacious—having the intended result; effective
desolate—without inhabitants, lonely effusive—expressing excessive emotion
despotic—of or like a despot; autocratic; tyrannical eject—to throw out, to expel
destitute—living in complete poverty elicit—to draw forth, to bring out, to evoke
desuetude—disuse; the condition of not being used embark—to make a start
deter—to turn aside, discourage, or prevent from acting embellish—to decorate by adding detail; to ornament
detonate—to explode violently and noisily emblematic—symbolic
detumescence—a gradual shrinking of a swelling embodiment—the concrete expression of some abstract
devastate—to make helpless; to overwhelm idea or concept
devious—not straightforward or frank emend—to correct or improve
dictate—to speak or act domineeringly eminent—rising above other things or places
diction—manner of expression in words emissary—a person sent on a specific mission
diminutive—very small; tiny emit—to throw or give off or out
disabuse—to rid of false ideas or misconceptions emollient—softening; soothing
discern—to make out clearly empathy—ability to share in another’s emotions,
discern—to see, perceive, or recognize thoughts, or feelings
discombobulate—to upset the composure of emulate—to imitate
discomfit—to make uneasy enamor—to fill with love and desire; to charm
encroach—to trespass or intrude
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endowed—provided with talent or virtue finite—having measurable or definable limits; not

enigma—riddle; a perplexing and ambiguous statement infinite
enmity—hostility; antagonism fissure—a long, narrow, deep cleft or crack
entail—to necessitate; to logically require fitful—having an erratic or intermittent character
enthrall—to captivate; to fascinate flippant—frivolous and disrespectful; saucy
enumerate—to count; to determine the number of flora—plants or plant life
epigram—a short poem with a witty point florid—highly decorated; gaudy; showy; ornate
epithet—a descriptive name or title flout—to show scorn or contempt
epitome—a person or thing that shows typical qualities folio—book or booklet
of something forage—to search for food or provisions
equipoise—state of balance or equilibrium forbearance—patience
equivocal—having two or more meanings forbid—to not permit; to prohibit
equivocate—to be deliberately ambiguous forensics—debate or formal argumentation
eradicate—to wipe out; to destroy; to get rid of forge—a furnace for heating metal to be wrought; to
erroneous—mistaken; wrong advance; to craft;
err—to stray; to make a mistake forlorn—without hope; desperate
espionage—the act of spying formidable—causing fear or dread
espouse—to support or advocate forthright—straightforward; direct; frank
esteem—the regard in which one is held fortify—to strengthen
euphoria—feeling of vigor or well-being foster—to nurture; affording, receiving, or sharing
evocation—calling forth nurture or parental care though not related by blood
ewe—female sheep or legal ties
exacting—tryingly or unremittingly severe in making fracas—a noisy fight or loud quarrel; brawl
demands fractious—hard to manage; unruly
exalt—to elevate; to praise; to glorify fraught—emotional; tense; anxious; distressing
exasperate—to irritate or annoy very much; to frenetic—frantic; frenzied
aggravate frieze—ornamental band formed by a series of
excavate—to form a cavity or hole in decorations
excoriate—to denounce harshly froward—not easily controlled; stubbornly willful
exemplary—serving as a model or example fulsome—offensively flattering
explicit—plain, clear, obvious futile—ineffectual; trifling or unimportant
expunge—to erase or remove completely
exquisite—characterized by intense emotion gamut—the entire range or extent of anything
extant—still existing; not extinct generate—to bring into existence
extol—to praise highly genial—cheerful; friendly; sympathetic
extrapolate—to arrive at conclusions or results germinate—to start developing or growing
extraterrestrial—originating outside of the earth ghastly—horrible, frightening, terrible
exuberance—high spirits; joy; energy gilded—overlaid with gold
gird—to encircle or bind
faddish—having the nature of a fad glib—done in a smooth, offhand fashion
fallacious—misleading or deceptive goad—to drive on; to spur
famine—hunger; a withering away gouge—to scrape or hollow out
fantastic—marked by extravagant fantasy or extreme gourmand—a glutton; one who indulges to excess
individuality graft—to attach so that two things grow together
fauna—animals or animal life gregarious—fond of the company of others; sociable
feasible—workable, possible gristle—cartilage found in meat
feckless—weak; ineffective grouse—to complain; to grumble
feint—a false show; sham grovel—to behave humbly or abjectly
feral—untamed; wild
fervent—hot; burning; glowing habitually— usually; doing, practicing, or acting in
fervid—impassioned; fervent; hot; burning some customary manner
fictitious—not genuinely felt; false hackney—to make trite by overuse
hapless—unfortunate; unlucky; luckless
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haste—the act of hurrying; quickness of motion implicate—to involve; to show a connection between
haughty—blatantly and disdainfully proud; arrogant import—weight, consequence
headnote—a prefixed note of comment or explanation imposture—fraud; deception
heed—to take careful notice of inadvertent—not attentive or observant; heedless
hence—thereafter; subsequently incantation—chanted words or formula
herbaceous—like a green leaf in texture, color, shape incarcerate—to imprison; to confine
heroine—girl or woman of outstanding courage and incessant—continual; never ceasing
nobility incinerate—to burn up; to cremate
hew—to chop or cut with an ax or knife; to hack or gash incongruous—lacking harmony or agreement
hierarchy—an arrangement in order of rank, grade, incontrovertible—not disputable or debatable
class incorrigible—unable to be corrected, improved, or
hindsight—ability to see, after the event, what should reformed
have been done incumbent—lying, resting on something; imposed as a
hirsute—hairy; shaggy; bristly duty
historicity—authenticity indignation—righteous anger
homely—unaffectedly natural indignity—unworthiness or disgrace
homogeneous—of the same race or kind indiscernible—imperceptible
hone—to perfect; to sharpen; indiscretion—imprudence, rashness, error
hoodwink—to mislead or confuse by trickery indiscriminate—confused; random
hue—a particular shade or tint of a given color indispensable—absolutely necessary or required
humble—not proud; not self-assertive; modest indomitable—not easily discouraged, defeated, or
humdrum—lacking variety; dull; monotonous subdued
humility—absence of pride or self-assertion induced—moved by persuasion or influence
hybrid—anything of mixed origin; unlike parts industrious—diligent; skillful
hypocrisy—pretending to be what one is not ineffable—too overwhelming to be expressed in words
hypothesis—unproved theory inefficacious—unable to produce the desired effect
ineluctable—unavoidable, inescapable
idealism—behavior or thought based on a conception of inextricable—incapable of being disentangled or untied
things as they should be or one wished them to be, infallible—incapable of error; never wrong
rather than as they actually are infamy—bad reputation; notoriety; disgrace
idealist—visionary or dreamer infinitesimal—extremely small, immeasurably tiny
idiosyncrasy—personal peculiarity or mannerism ingratiate—to achieve one’s good graces by conscious
idolatrous—given to idolatry or blind adoration effort
idolatry—worship of idols inimical—hostile; unfriendly
idol—object of worship; false god injunction—command, order
illimitable—boundless, infinite innate—existing naturally rather than through
illumined—lit up acquisition
imbued—filled, inspired with feeling innocuous—harmless; not controversial, offensive, or
immaculate—perfectly clean; unsoiled stimulating
immortality—unending life; everlasting fame inquisitor—harsh or prying questioner
impart—to make known; to tell or reveal insipid—not exciting or interesting; dull
impeccable—without defect or error; flawless insouciant—calm and untroubled; carefree
impede—to obstruct or delay insularity—detachment; isolation
impenitent—without regret, shame, or remorse integrated—combined or added parts that make a
imperceptibly—not obviously, hardly noticeably unified whole
imperturbable—cannot be disconcerted, disturbed, or intelligible—clear; comprehensible
excited; impassive intemperate—lacking restraint; excessive
impervious—not affected interdisciplinary—involving several different fields of
impetuous—moving with great, sudden energy study
impinge—to make inroads or encroach intermittent—stopping and starting, irregular
impious—lacking respect or dutifulness interstellar—between or among the stars
implacable—unable to be appeased or pacified;
relentless
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intuitive—characterized by a knowing that is maverick—a person who takes an independent stand

immediate, without conscious reasoning maxim—statement of a general truth
inundate—to overflow, to spread over as a flood mazurka—a lively Polish folk dance
inveterate—habitual; of long standing; deep-rooted meager—thin; lean; emaciated
irascible—easily angered; quick-tempered medieval—characteristic of the Middle Ages
iterative—characterized by repetition medium—surrounding substance
mellifluous—sounding sweet and smooth; honeyed
jaunty—gay and carefree; sprightly; perky menace—to threaten harm or evil
jubilant—joyful and triumphant; elated; rejoicing mercenary—motivated by a desire for money or other
jurisprudence—a part or division of law gain
merriment—gaiety and fun
kernel—the most central part; a grain metamorphose—to transform
kindle—to start a fire burning metaphor—a figure of speech containing an implied
comparison
lackluster—lacking energy or vitality methodology—system of procedures
lambaste—to scold or denounce severely meticulous—extremely careful with small points, very
lament—to mourn or grieve detailed
languid—without vigor or vitality; drooping; weak millennia—thousands of years
lapse—a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or minatory—menacing; threatening
inattention minstrel—a medieval musical entertainer
laudable—praiseworthy; commendable miser—a greedy, stingy person
laudatory—expressing praise mitigate—to make less rigorous or less painful; to
lee—the side sheltered from the wind moderate
legion—a large number; multitude mnemonic—helping, or meant to help, the memory
lethargic—abnormally drowsy or dull; sluggish modicum—small amount
limerick—nonsense poem of five anapestic lines modulate—to adjust or adapt to a certain proportion
limn—to describe monarch—hereditary head of a state
lineament—feature of the face monoculture—a single, undiversified crop
lionize—to treat as a celebrity mordant—biting; cutting; caustic; sarcastic
listless—spiritless; languid moribund—dying
literati—scholarly or learned people morose—ill-tempered; gloomy
lithe—bending easily; flexible; supple mote—a small particle
litigant—a party to a lawsuit motif—main element or idea
liturgy—ritual for public worship in any of various myriad—consisting of very large numbers
religions or churches mysticism—doctrines or beliefs of mystics
livid—grayish-blue; extremely angry mythical—imaginary; fictitious
logistics—the science of moving supplies
loquacious—fond of talking narcissism—self-love
loquacity—talkativeness negate—to make ineffective
lucid—transparent nexus—a connected group or series
ludicrous—amusing or laughable through obvious nib—point of a pen
absurdity nocturnal—active during the night
lummox—a clumsy, stupid person noisome—having a bad odor; foul-smelling
lurid—vivid in a shocking way, startling nomad—one who has no permanent home, who moves
about constantly
magnanimous—noble in mind nostalgia—a longing for things of the past
magnitude—greatness; importance or influence notoriety—prominence or renown, often unfavorable
malevolence—malice; spitefulness; ill will novice—apprentice; beginner
malfeasance—wrongdoing or misconduct nuance—a slight or delicate variation
malinger—to pretend to be ill to escape duty or work;
to shirk obliterate—to erase; to efface
marginal—of only slight value obsequious—compliant; dutiful; servile
masque—dramatic composition obsolete—no longer in use or practice
–127–
obstinate—unreasonably determined to have one’s own perpetual—unceasing, never ending

way; stubborn pervade—to become prevalent throughout
obtuse—not sharp or pointed; blunt pervasive—diffusing throughout every part
occult—secret; esoteric petrous—of or like rock; hard
odium—disgrace brought on by hateful action petulant—peevish; impatient or irritable
officious—ready to serve; obliging phenomena—events, facts, or occurrences
ominous—threatening; sinister philistine—a person smugly narrow and conventional in
omnipotent—unlimited in power or authority views and tastes
onerous—burdensome; laborious philology—the study of literature and of disciplines
onslaught—attack, furious assault relevant to literature or to language as used in
oppressive—weighing heavily on the mind or spirit, literature
causing distress pinion—to confine or shackle
opulent—very wealthy or rich pitch—degree of slope; top, zenith
oracle—a place where, or a medium by which, a deity is placate—to stop from being angry; to appease
consulted; also, a person believed to be in plasticity—capacity for being molded or altered
communication with a deity, and one who can platitude—commonplace, flat, or dull quality
foretell the future plausible—conceivable, possible
oration—a formal public speech plethora—overabundance; excess
orator—eloquent public speaker plumage—the feathers of a bird
ornate—heavily ornamented or adorned poignant—sharp or painful to the feelings
orthodox—conventional, proper, correct poseur—a person who assumes attitudes or manners
oscillate—to be indecisive in purpose or opinion; to merely for their effect upon others
vacillate postulate—to claim; to demand; to require
ossify—to settle or fix rigidly pragmatic—busy or active in a meddlesome way;
ostracism—rejection or exclusion by general consent practical
overtone—a secondary effect, quality, or meaning prebiotic—on the verge of having life
overwrought—overworked; fatigued precipitated—brought on, caused to happen
preclude—to shut out; to prevent
paean—a song of joy, triumph, praise precocious—exhibiting premature development
pagan—one who has little or no religion and who predatory—living by robbing or preying on others
delights in pleasures and material goods predilection—preconceived liking; partiality or
palliate—to relieve without curing; to make less severe preference
pallid—deficient in color prerequisite—required before, a necessary condition for
palpable—tangible; easily perceived by the senses a further occurrence
pantomime—action or gestures without words as a presage—sign or warning of a future event; omen
means of expression prescience—foreknowledge
paradigm—example or model preside—to exercise control or authority
paradox—seeming contradiction prig—annoyingly pedantic person
paramount—ranking higher than any other proclivity—natural or habitual inclination
parch—to dry up with heat procure—to obtain; to secure
pariah—outcast prodigious—enormous, huge
parody—a poor or weak imitation profane—to show disrespect for sacred things;
pathology—conditions, processes, or results of a irreverent
particular disease profuse—generous, often to excess
peccadillo—minor or petty sin; slight fault proliferate—to reproduce (new parts) in quick
pellucid—transparent or translucent; clear succession
penchant—strong liking or fondness prolific—turning out many products of the mind
penitent—expressing pain or sorrow for sins or prolix—wordy; long-winded
offenses; truly sorry propagate—to reproduce; to multiply
peremptory—intolerantly positive or assured propinquity—nearness of relationship; kinship
perennial—continually present, perpetual, never failing propriety—properness; suitability
peril—exposure to harm or injury; danger prosaic—matter of fact; ordinary
peripheral—outer; external; lying at the outside
–128–
prose—ordinary speech; dull retention—remembering, memory

prospect—mental consideration reticent—habitually silent; reserved
protracted—drawn out in time rhapsodize—to describe in an extravagantly
protuberance—projection; bulge enthusiastic manner
provocative—stimulating; erotic rogue—a rascal; scoundrel
prudent—cautious, sensible rubric—a category or section heading, often in red; any
pugnacious—eager and ready to fight; quarrelsome rule or explanatory comment
pundit—actual or self-professed authority ruffian—brutal, violent, lawless person
punitive—inflicting, concerned with, or directed toward ruse—trick or artifice
punishment
sacred—holy; of or connected with religion
quaff—to drink deeply in a hearty or thirsty way salinity—saltiness
quaint—unusual or different in character or appearance salutary—healthful; beneficial
quell—to crush; to subdue; to put an end to salutation—greeting, addressing, or welcoming by
querulous—full of complaint; peevish gestures or words
quotidian—everyday; usual or ordinary salve—balm that soothes or heals
sanctimonious—pretending to be very holy
radical—fundamental, basic, important sanction—support; encouragement; approval
ramify—to divide or spread out into branches savannah—grassland with only scattered trees
rancor—deep spite or malice savant—learned person; eminent scholar
rapacious—taking by force; plundering scrupulous—having principles; extremely
rasp—rough, grating tone conscientious
ratify—to approve or confirm scud—to pass or skim rapidly
raucous—loud and rowdy scurvy—low; mean; vile; contemptible
realism—behavior or thought based on a conception of semaphore—system of signaling
how things actually are; in literature the attempt to seminal—important; critical;
picture people and things as they really are sensibility—the capacity for being affected emotionally
reciprocate—to cause to move alternately back and or intellectually
forth serene—calm; peaceful; tranquil
recluse—secluded; solitary servile—humbly yielding or submissive; of a slave or
recollection—the act of remembering something slaves
recompense—to repay; to compensate shroud—to cover, protect, or screen; veil; shelter
recount—to relate, tell, describe in detail signatory—joined in the signing of something
regale—to delight with something pleasing or amusing sinister—wicked; evil; dishonest
rejuvenation—the process of making young again, sinuous—not straightforward; devious; twisting
restoring youth slake—to make less intense by satisfying
relegate—to exile or banish snide—slyly malicious or derisive
relinquish—to give up; to abandon sodden—filled with moisture; soaked
remedial—providing a remedy solace—comfort; consolation; relief
render—to represent or depict soluble—able to be dissolved
reparation—restoration to good condition somber—dark and gloomy or dull
repertory—collection, stock, store sombre—shaded as to be dark and gloomy
replete—well-filled or plentifully supplied soporific—pertaining to sleep or sleepiness
reprieve—to give temporary relief to, as from trouble or sovereign—supreme ruler, highest authority
pain speculation—intellectual examination or analysis
reprobate—to disapprove of strongly sporadically—occasionally, irregularly
repugnant—contradictory; inconsistent spurious—not true or genuine; false
requiem—musical service for the dead squalid—foul or unclean
reservoir—a large or extra supply of something stealth—secret, furtive, or artfully sly behavior
resonating—vibrating, resounding stigma—mark or sign indicating something not
resplendent—dazzling; splendid considered normal or standard
restitution—return to a former condition or situation stint—to restrict or limit
resurgence—revival, new force stolid—unexcitable; impassive
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stymie—to obstruct or frustrate transmute—to transform; to convert

subdued—lacking in vitality, intensity, or strength treacherous—likely to betray trust; untrustworthy;
subjectivity—pertaining to thoughts or emotions of the insecure
person thinking, as opposed to the actual situation or treachery—perfidy; disloyalty; treason
reality trepidation—fearful uncertainty; anxiety
subliminal—on the threshold of consciousness; under trite—not fresh or original
the surface troubadour—minstrel or singer
submission—resignation; obedience; meekness trough—depression between two waves
subsistence—survival, state of remaining alive truncate—to cut short
suffice—to be adequate tumultuous—noisy, disorderly, boisterous
sully—to soil or stain; to tarnish by disgracing turgid—swollen; distended
sunder—to break apart, separate, or split turmoil—commotion; uproar; confusion
superfluous—excessive tyranny—very cruel and unjust use of power or
supine—sluggish; listless; passive authority
surfeit—too great an amount or supply; excess
surreptitious—acting in a secret, stealthy way uncanny—inexplicable; preternaturally strange; weird
surrogate—a substitute underling—one in a subordinate position; inferior
susceptible—easily affected, open to underpinnings—supports, foundation
symbiosis—relationship of mutual interdependence underscore—to make evident
symptomatic—having the characteristics of a particular unfeigned—genuine, sincere, real
disease unfetter—to free from restraint; to liberate
syntax—orderly or systematic arrangement of words unification—state of being unified
synthesis—the joining of elements to make a new whole unintelligible—unable to be understood;
systematic—presented or formulated as a coherent incomprehensible
body of ideas or principles unity—oneness; singleness
univocal—unambiguous
tactile—perceived by touch; tangible unprecedented—new, novel, never done before
tangible—having actual form and substance unscrupulous—not restrained by ideas of right and
tantalizing—teasing, interesting wrong
tawdry—cheap and showy; gaudy; sleazy untenable—indefensible; incapable of being occupied
tedious—tiresome because of length or dullness untoward—unfortunate, unfavorable, troublesome
tedium—tediousness unwitting—not knowing; unaware
telling—carrying great weight and producing a marked upbraid—to rebuke severely or bitterly
effect uproarious—loud and boisterous
tempt—to persuade, induce, or entice usury—interest at a high rate
tenet—principle, doctrine, or belief held as a truth utilitarian—stressing usefulness over beauty
tenuous—unsubstantial, slight, flimsy utopia—idealized place
terrestrial—worldly; earthly
territorial—characterized by behavior associated with vacillate—to sway to and fro; to waver or totter
the defense of a territory vacuum—completely empty space
testimony—firsthand authentication of a fact vagabond—a person without a permanent home who
throng—crowd moves from place to place; wandering
timorous—fearful, timid vagrant—a person who lives a wandering life
tinge—to give a slight trace of color valiant—brave
token—an outward sign or expression validity—accuracy, factualness
toupee—a man’s wig vapid—tasteless; flavorless; flat
tractable—easily worked; obedient; malleable variegate—to vary; to diversify
tranquil—calm; serene; peaceful veer—to change direction; to shift
transcendent—surpassing, excelling, or extraordinary vehement—acting or moving with great force
transgress—to go beyond a limit venerate—to show feelings of deep respect; to revere
transient—temporary, passing, not permanent vengeance—revenge
translucent—partially transparent or clear verity—truth
transmit—to pass; to send on vestige—a trace of something that once existed
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vex—to distress; to afflict; to plague welter—to become soaked; stained; bathed

vicariously—by substitution, through imagined wheedle—to coax; to influence or persuade by flattery
participation whet—to make keen; to stimulate
villainous—evil; wicked wield—to use as a tool; to carry
virtually—for all practical purposes, in effect wile—sly trick
virtuoso—expert, highly skilled person wither—to dry up or shrivel
vitality—power to live or survive, mental or physical witty—cleverly amusing
energy wrath—intense anger; rage; fury
vitiate—to spoil; to corrupt wrench—sudden, sharp twist or pull
vivacious—full of life and animation; lively wrought—made by artistry or effort, worked
vocation—trade; profession; occupation
volatile—flying or able to fly yacht—small vessel for pleasure cruises or racing
voluble—talkative yearn—to have longing or desire
voluminous—large; bulky; full yielding—submissive; obedient
voracious—ravenous; gluttonous
zeal—intense enthusiasm
waft—to float, as on the wind zenith—highest point; peak
wane—to grow dim or faint
wary—cautious; on one’s guard
Difficulty Level 3
allegory—parable beguile—to deceive or cheat; to charm or coax

abstemious—exercising moderation; self-restraint beleaguer—to besiege or attack; to harass
adroit—skilled, clever belie—to misrepresent; to be false to
aggregate—to collect into a sum bellicose—belligerent; pugnacious; warlike
alacrity—cheerful promptness; eagerness bombastic—pompous; puffed up with conceit; using
ambient—surrounding inflated language
amorphous—shapeless; formless bovine—resembling a cow; placid or dull
anachronistic—the representation of something as bucolic—rustic; pastoral
existing at an impossible or inappropriate time burgeon—to grow forth; to send out buds
antedate—to precede, to come before in time
antediluvian—before the flood; antiquated cache—to store or to hide; a hidden supply
apostate—fallen from the faith cacophony—harsh or discordant sound; dissonance
appurtenance—a thing pertaining to or connected with calumny—slander
something else capitulate—to surrender
arboreal—pertaining to trees cathartic—purgative; inducing a figurative cleansing
arrogate—to claim or seize as one’s own cavil—to disagree; to nit-pick; to make frivolous
ascetic—practicing self-denial; austere objections
ascribe—to attribute to a cause celerity—swiftness
asperity—having a harsh temper; roughness chassis—framework and working parts of an
assiduous—diligent automobile
assiduously—diligently, carefully chimerical—fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic
assuage—to lessen; to soothe churlish—rude; surly
attenuation—a thinning out circumscribe—to limit
august—great dignity or grandeur cogent—convincing
aver—to affirm; to declare to be true collusion—conspiring in a fraudulent scheme
comely—attractive; agreeable
bacchanalian—drunken compendium—brief, comprehensive summary
baleful—menacing; deadly concord—harmony
–131–
confluence—flowing or coming together encomium—glowing praise

consecrate—to induct into a religious office; to declare encumber—to hinder
sacred endemic—belonging to, or found only in a certain
consonance—agreement; harmony nation or region
contrite—penitent; repentant; feeling sorry for sins enervation—process of depriving of strength,
contumely—an insult; contemptuous treatment weakening
conundrum—a riddle; difficult problem engender—to cause; to produce
cosset—to pamper enigma—riddle, puzzle
countenance—face, expression, features ensconce—to settle in; to hide or conceal
cupidity—excessive desire for money; avarice ephemeral—fleeting; short-lived
cursory—hasty; done without care equanimity—calmness; composure
erudite—learned; scholarly
decimate—to destroy a great number eschew—to shun
defer—to yield; to delay esoteric—hard to understand
deleterious—destructive, injurious etymology—study of word parts
demur—to take exception; to object evanescent—tending to vanish like vapor
denigrate—to blacken someone’s reputation or evince—to show clearly
character exacerbate—to worsen; to embitter
derision—ridicule exculpate—to clear from blame
desiccate—to dry up; to drain execrable—detestable
desultory—aimless; unmethodical; unfocused exegesis—explanation, especially of biblical passages
dexterity—skill in using one’s hands or body exhort—to urge
diaphanous—translucent; see-through exigency—urgent situation
diatribe—speech full of bitterness expatriate—one choosing to live abroad
didactic—intended primarily to instruct expiate—to atone for
diffidence—modesty; shyness; lack of confidence
dilatory—given to delay or procrastination facile—easily accomplished; ready or fluent
dilettante—aimless follower of the arts; amateur; fatuous—foolish or inane
dabbler fealty—loyalty; allegiance
din—loud confusing noise felicitous—well chosen; apt; suitable
disaffection—lack of trust; to cause discontent ferment—to agitate;
disarming—charming; peaceable; able to remove fetid—malodorous
hostility filial—pertaining to a son or daughter
discursive—rambling; passing from one topic to another filigree—delicate, lacelike ornamentation
disingenuous—deceitful; lacking in candor; not frank firmament—the sky, the heavens
disparate—basically different; unrelated flaccid—flabby
disputatious—argumentative foible—small moral or character weakness
disquietude—uneasiness; anxiety foment—to stir up; to instigate
dissemble—to conceal true motives; to pretend fortuitous—accidental; by chance
dissipate—to dissolve, to fade fulminate—to thunder; to explode
dissolute—loose in morals or conduct fungible—capable of being used in place of something
dissonant—lacking in harmony; discordant else
dogmatic—adhering to a tenet
dolorous—sorrowful; having mental anguish gainsay—to contradict; to speak or act against
duplicity—deception by pretending to feel and act one galvanize—to stimulate by shock; to stir up; to
way while acting another; bad faith; double dealing revitalize
gambol—to romp; to skip about
ebullient—greatly excited garrulous—loquacious; wordy; talkative
edify—to instruct; to correct morally germinal—beginning, of the first stages
efface—to erase; to obliterate as if by rubbing it out gossamer—sheer, like cobwebs
efficacy—power to produce desired effect gratuitous—free; unnecessary; without reason
effrontery—shameless boldness; impudence; temerity guile—slyness and cunning
egregious—notorious; shocking
–132–
hackles—hairs on back and neck intractable—stubborn

halcyon—calm; peaceful intransigence—refusal to compromise
harbinger—one that announces or foreshadows what is intraspecific—pertaining to or occurring between or
coming; precursor; portent among members of the same species
hedonist—one who believes pleasure is sole aim in life intrepid—brave
hegemony—dominance, especially of one nation over inure—to make accustomed to something difficult
another invective—abuse
heinous—atrocious; hatefully bad inveigh—to condemn; to censure
hermetic—obscure and mysterious; relating to the irascible—easily irritated, easily angered
occult
hinterland—area far from big cities or towns jaundice—prejudice; envy; yellow discoloring of skin
historiography—the scholarly study of history or tissue
hominid—all forms of man, both extinct and living jettison—to throw overboard
hubris—arrogance; excessive self-conceit jocose—given to joking
hummock—small hill jocund—merry
humus—substance formed by decaying vegetable juggernaut—irresistible, crushing force
matter juxtapose—to place side by side
iconoclastic—attacking cherished traditions ken—range of knowledge

ignominious—dishonorable; disgraceful kinetic—producing motion
imbroglio—complicated situation kismet—fate
immolate—to offer as a sacrifice; to destroy by fire knell—tolling of a bell
immutable—unchangeable knoll—little round hill
impalpable—imperceptible; intangible
impecunious—without money lachrymose—producing tears
impetus—stimulus, incentive laconic—using few words
importune—to urge repeatedly lade—to put a load or burden on or in
impuissance—powerlessness; feebleness largess—liberal giving; generous gift
impunity—freedom from punishment or harm lascivious—lustful
impute—to attribute to (as a fault or crime) lassitude—weariness; debility
incarnadines—to make red, especially blood or flesh- latent—potential but undeveloped; dormant
colored laxity—carelessness
inchoate—recently begun; rudimentary legerdemain—sleight of hand
incipient—beginning, in the first stages licentious—amoral; lewd and lascivious
incisive—sharply expressive Lilliputian—extremely small
incorporeal—without physical existence, not having a limpid—clear
material body lugubrious—mournful, often to an excessive degree
inculcate—to impress on the mind by admonition
incursion—temporary invasion maelstrom—whirlpool
indelible—not able to be removed or erased maladroit—clumsy; bungling
indemnify—to make secure against loss malady—sickness, disease, illness
indigent—poor malediction—curse
indite—to write or compose malignant—growing worse
indolent—lazy malleable—capable of being shaped
ineluctable—irresistible; not to be escaped maraud—to rove in search of plunder
inexorable—not to be moved by entreaty; unyielding; martinet—one who issues orders
relentless masticate—to chew
infecund—not fertile, barren maudlin—effusively sentimental
iniquitous—wicked; immoral megalomania—mania for doing grandiose things
insidious—deceitful; treacherous melee—a fight
intelligentsia—people regarded as the learned class mellifluous—flowing sweetly and smoothly
internecine—mutually destructive mendacity—untruthfulness
interpolate—to insert between other things mendicant—beggar
–133–
mercurial—volatile; changeable; fickle perfunctory—indifferent; done merely as a duty;

meretricious—flashy; tawdry superficial
miasma—a poisonous atmosphere pernicious—fatal; very destructive or injurious
misanthrope—a person who hates mankind perspicacious—having insight; penetrating; astute
miscreant—villain perspicuous—plainly expressed
mollify—to soothe phlegmatic—calm; not easily disturbed
monolithic—consisting of a single character; uniform; piebald—of different colors; mottled; spotted
unyielding piety—devoutness; reverence for God
moribund—dying pillory—to criticize or ridicule
multitudinous—existing in or consisting of pined—wasted away, grew thin
innumerable elements or aspects piquancy—something that stimulates taste; tartness
munificent—generous pithy—essential; brief and to the point
myopic—nearsighted; lacking foresight polemic—controversy; argument in support of a point
of view
nadir—lowest point polyglot—speaking several languages
nascent—in the process of being born porcine—pig-like
nebulous—indistinct or vague; hazy or cloudy portent—sign; omen; something that foreshadows a
necromancy—black magic; dealing with the dead coming event
nefarious—wicked postulate—assumption or supposition
niche—a place particularly well suited to the thing precipitous—abrupt or hasty
occupying it primordial—first in time, existing from the beginning
noisome—hurtful, harmful probity—honesty; integrity
nostrum—questionable medicine prodigal—wasteful; reckless with money
nubile—marriageable prodigious—marvelous; enormous
nugatory—futile; worthless profligate—dissolute; reckless; loose in morals; wanton
profundity—intellectual depth
obdurate—stubborn; unyielding prognostication—prediction, prophesy
obfuscate—to make obscure; to confuse promulgate—to announce publicly, especially a law
obloquy—slander; disgrace; infamy propitious—favorable; timely
obstreperous—unruly; boisterous; noisy proscribe—to outlaw, ostracize, or banish
obviate—to make unnecessary protract—to prolong in time or space; to extend or
occlude—to shut or close lengthen
odious—hateful; vile puerile—childish; lacking in maturity
oligarchy—government by a privileged few pungent—stinging; sharp in taste; caustic
onerous—burdensome pusillanimous—cowardly
opprobrium—infamy; vilification
ostensible—apparent; showing outwardly; professed quiescent—at rest; dormant; temporarily inactive
quixotic—idealistic but impractical
panegyric—formal praise
paradigm—model or pattern raconteur—someone who is skilled at telling stories or
paragon—model of perfection anecdotes
parlance—language; idiom raffish—vulgar; crude
parlay—to exploit successfully raiment—clothing or dress
parsimonious—stingy rampart—an embankment of earth
paucity—scarcity recalcitrant—stubborn; refractory; reluctant; unwilling;
pecuniary—obsessed by money refusing to submit
pedantic—bookish recidivism—habitual return to crime
pejorative—negative in connotation; having a tendency recondite—abstruse; profound; secret
to make worse; disparaging reconnoiter—to survey, examine, or explore
penurious—marked by penury; stingy recumbent—reclining; lying down
perdition—eternal damnation; complete ruin redolent—suggestive of an odor; fragrant
perfidy—treacherous; betrayal of trust redoubtable—formidable; causing fear
refractory—stubborn; obstinate
–134–
remand—to order back; to return to service tremulous—trembling, fearful, timid

remonstrate—to object; to protest trenchant—effective; thorough; cutting; keen
remunerative—compensating; rewarding for service truculent—threatening; aggressively self-assertive;
repine—to complain, mourn, or fret savage
reticence—silence, reserve, reluctance to speak turbid—muddy
reveries—dreamy thinking, daydreaming turpitude—depravity
ribald—irreverent or coarse
rout—a crowd of people; an overwhelming defeat; to ubiquitous—seemingly present everywhere, widespread
defeat overwhelmingly unctuous—oily; suave
undulating—moving with a wavelike motion
sagacious—perceptive; shrewd; having insight unequivocal—plain; obvious
salacious—lustful; lecherous; lascivious untrammeled—unconfined, not shackled
salient—standing out conspicuously; prominent
salubrious—healthful vacuity—emptiness
sanguine—having a ruddy complexion; cheerful; vainglorious—boastful
hopeful vanguard—forerunner; advance forces
sardonic—sneering; sarcastic; cynical vehemently—violently, intensely
sartorial—tailored venal—capable of being bribed
saturnine—sullen; sardonic; gloomy venial—forgivable; trivial
sedition—resistance to authority veracious—truthful
sedulous—diligent; persevering verbose—wordy
sententious—terse; concise; aphoristic verdant—green; lush in vegetation
sepulchral—pertaining to burial and the grave, hence verisimilitude—appearance of truth
dismal, gloomy, tomblike veritable—actual; being truly so
sophistry—seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning vicissitude—change of fortune
specious—seeming reasonable but incorrect vignette—a picture with no definite border, shading off
spendthrift—one who spends money extravagantly gradually at its edges
splenetic—bad-tempered; irritable viscid—having a cohesive and sticky fluid
spurious—false, counterfeit vista—view, outlook
static—showing a lack of motion vitiating—spoiling, tending to make weak or faulty
stentorian—powerful in sound; extremely loud vitriolic—corrosive; sarcastic
stodgy—dull, tedious, uninteresting vituperative—abusive; scolding
stringent—vigorous; rigid; binding vociferous—clamorous; noisy
sublimate—to purify or refine vouchsafe—to bestow condescendingly; to guarantee
succor—aid; assistance; comfort
supercilious—contemptuous; arrogant waggish—mischievous; humorous; tricky
sycophant—one who seeks favor by flattering; a wanton—uncalled for; without regard for what is right;
parasite unrestrained
winnow—to sift; to separate good parts from bad
taciturn—quiet; habitually silent winsome—agreeable; gracious
tack—to change course, to zigzag wizen—to wither; to shrivel
tangential—peripheral; only slightly connected
temerity—foolish or rash boldness xenophobia—fear or hatred of foreigners
temporal—not lasting forever; limited by time
tenacity—holding fast zealous—fervent; enthusiastic
timbre—distinguishing quality of a sound
toady—servile flatterer; a “yes man” zephyr—gentle breeze; west wind
tome—large book
torpor—lack of activity; lethargy
tortuous—winding; full of curves
traduce—to speak falsely
transcendent—exceeding usual limits; incomparable;
beyond ordinary existence; peerless
–135–

Vocabulary Skills Review 4

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VOCABULARY SKILLS REVIEW

Building Vocabulary with Sentence Completions

1. To compensate for the funds that will no longer be

2. Although the mobster’s efforts to appear mentally

Sentence Completion Difficulty Factors

1. After working together for several years, members of

A. procedures vs. A. procedures

2. Awed by the credentials of the reviewing committee,

A. confidence vs. A. aplomb

Every society has a concept of justice, but what counts as

The concept of justice is universal, found in every

Sentence Completion Strategies

1. After his novel was rejected by six publishers, John

2. Given the rapidly changing nature of today’s

3. Retiring by nature and ------- even in private, Eleanor

• if one part of a sentence clarifies or adds detail to another;

• if a later element contradicts an earlier element; and

• if one idea is qualified or overruled by another.

1. It is a rare individual who bothers to examine his or

2. Although ------- in her criticism of the minutest

Signal Word What to Look for in Sentence Completions

1. Stress is the reaction an individual feels when he _______________________________________

________________________________________ 5. The report is so ------- that it covers all of the

3. Martin’s opponent is a(n) ------- speaker who is _______________________________________

________________________________________ 12. The so-called “road rage” is just one more

20. Long hours of ------- rehearsal ensured that the

17. The corporation’s spokesperson ------- the report

1. The survivors had been drifting for days in the _______________________________________

________________________________________ 5. In a pluralistic society, policies are the result of

2. The guillotine was introduced during the French _______________________________________

________________________________________ 6. The committee report vigorously expounded the

________________________________________ 7. Because there is always the danger of a power

________________________________________ 11. When Ghana achieved independence from

14. Scholars often speak of an early and a late

18. Although the Ford Edsel of the 1950s is

Today, the Surgeon General announced the

findings of a new ------- that concludes that smoking 1. (A) movie

represents a serious ------- to non-smokers as well as to 2. (A) consciousness

-------. According to the Surgeon General, disease risk 3. (A) cigarettes

due to ------- of tobacco smoke is not limited to the 4. (A) observation

------- of smokers and non-smokers within the same 7. (A) encouragement

Coalition for Smoking on Health, an anti-smoking

12. (A) minimal

14. Clyde’s ------- occasionally astonished even his

15. Research into sleep suggests that there are several

16. The playwright took a story so sublime that it has

A. propounded . . accepted A. granted . . general

A. tapestry A. colleges . . expensive

10. The broadcast of the story has seriously

20. The professor’s ------- treatment of students in the

A. established A. supercilious . . sympathetic

A. theft . . acknowledging A. investigate . . review

28. In The Ontology of Political Violence, Professor

29. Ironically, the modern Olympic games, which are

26. Recent journalistic reports of respected

33. Paradoxically, the more the audiences applauded

39. The script writers for the stage version of

40. Several highly publicized disagreements within

Building Vocabulary with Antonyms