Vocabulary Tests - Test Twenty One ( 21 )

21` - ) Vocabulary Tests 

Test Twenty One

1- ] Read the sentences or short passages below . Write the letter for the correct definition of the underlined vocabulary word .

For centuries , legions of clever linguists have attempted to create a world language .

1 . Which words could best replace legions ?

( A ) reduced quantities  ( B ) secret organizations

( C ) limited groups  ( D ) large numbers                              1 . ------------------------

With the universal language , linguists hoped to foster good-will as well as serve the causes of international commerce and learning .

2 . Which word could best replace foster ?

( A ) promote  ( B ) conquer

( C ) transfer  ( D ) communicate                                             2 . ----------------------

Numerous languages were spoken where he was born . As a result people in the place profoundly mistrusted and misunderstood each other .

3 . Which word could best replace profoundly  ?

( A ) remarkably  ( B ) deeply

( C ) rarely  ( D ) selectively                                                        3 . ------------------------

The initial goals for the nascent language were for it to be so simple and logical that anyone could learn it , and to be so neutral in political and cultural connotations that it could become everyone’s second language .

4 . A nascent language can be best described as one that is -------------

( A ) expressive  ( B ) coming into being

( C ) rejected as too difficult  ( D ) imposed on speakers          4 . -----------------------

The central tenets of Esperanto ( invented worldwide language ) are its elegant simplicity .  Every word is pronounced exactly as it is spelled .

5 . The word tenets can best be explained as --------------------

( A ) speculations  ( B ) followers

( C ) strange twists  ( D ) principles                                              5 . ----------------------

One of the advantages of Esperanto is its relentless logic .

6 . Which word could best replace relentless ?

( A ) inadequate  ( B ) amusing

( C ) steady  ( D ) mandatory                                                          6 . ---------------------Grammar and syntax have been reduced to sixteen rules that have no exceptions .

7 . Syntax can best be explained as a --------------------

( A ) way words are put together to form sentences  ( B ) complicated theory ( C ) system for translating foreign languages ( D ) demonstration of how something works 7 .-------------

Experts claim that even a novice can learn the language in one hundred hours or less .

8 . Which word or words could best replace novice ?

( A ) expert  ( B ) participant

( C ) teacher  ( D ) beginner                                                               8 . ----------------------

In keeping with his prosaic approach to language , Zamenhof searched dictionaries of the Western world , choosing from each the most common roots on which to graft his new language .

9 . Which word could best replace prosaic ?

( A ) fictional  ( B ) straightforward

( C ) obscure  ( D ) gentle                                                                  9 . ----------------------

Countries like Japan and China use Esperanto to facilitate discussions between speakers of different dialects .

10 . Which word or words could best replace facilitate ?

( A ) complicate  ( B ) record

( C) make easier ( D ) confuse                                                             10 . ----------------------

Answer Key

1 . D 2. A 3 . B 4 . B 5 . D 6 . C 7 . A 8 . D 9 . B 10 . C

2- ] Decide which definition best completes the sentence . Write the letter for your choice on the answer line .

1 . If you tell a computer expert to explain something without using a lot of jargon , you want him to -------------------

( A ) be brief and to the point ( B ) avoid technical or highly specialized words

( C ) use humor  ( D ) tell his thoughts without interruption           1 . -------------------

2 . A nondescript suit would -----------------

( A ) look very much like every other suit ( B ) lend itself to a detailed description

( C ) probably be very expensive ( D ) have a special pocket for pencils and pens 2 . ----------

3 . A prosaic task would probably ----------------

( A ) be lively and interesting ( B ) require great strength

( C ) take several days ( D ) be dull and practical                               3 . ---------------------

 4 . If a new law had a profound effect on crime , its impact was ----------------------

( A ) hardly noticeable ( B ) thorough and far-reaching

( Impossible to determine ( D ) unusual                                               4 . ----------------------

 5 . An actor who recites a soliloquy would -----------------

( A ) reveal his thoughts in a long speech ( B ) probably provoke laughter

( C ) speak to another character ( D ) make fun of someone or something 5 .-------------------

6 . If an old manuscript is ascribed to Mark Twain , it ---------------

( A ) was signed by Mark Twain ( B ) may have been stolen from Mark Twain

( C ) is assumed tat Mark Twain wrote it ( D ) was addressed to Mark Twain 6 . --------------

7 . A novice mechanic---------------

( A ) is an expert on new machinery ( B ) is an inexperienced beginner

( C ) refuses to learn new techniques ( D ) is an experienced expert      7 . --------------------

8 . When the teacher proscribed chewing gum in class , she -------------

( A ) allowed it ( B ) outlawed it

( C ) restricted it to certain areas ( D ) encouraged it                              8 . ------------------

9 . When a speaker alludes to a historic event , he ------------

( A ) discredits it ( B ) describes it in detail

( C ) takes credit for it ( D ) makes an indirect reference3 to it               9 . -----------------

10 . Someone holding an intractable opinion on an issue ---------------

(A ) stubbornly refuses to change ( B ) is uncertain about his or her position

( C ) tends to change his or her mind frequently ( D ) knows little about the issue 10 . --------

Answer Key

1. B 2 . A 3. D 4 . B 5. A 6 . C 7 . B 8 . B 9 . D 10 . A

 3- ] Decide which word in parentheses best completes the sentence . Then write the sentence , adding the missing word .

1 . The editor changed Manny’s description of the famous opera singer from “ fat “

to “------------------” .

(  portly , sportive )

2 . The new doctor on the staff --------------- to have experience in five or six highly specialized fields .

( comports , purports )

3 . I am waiting for a / an ---------------- moment to tell mymother about my grade on the test .

( opportune , portable )

4 . Today report cards contain comments on children’s social skills . Your grandparents may have been graded on their ------------------

( deportment , opportunism )

5 . The soft drink industry often produces commercials in which --------------- young people work up a thirst playing volleyball or football .

( sportive , portly )

6 . The class officers finally discovered the year-long ------------------- of the graduation gift fund .

( extortion , pilferage )

7 . The ---------------- of those involved in selling secrets to the enemy is undeniable .

( culpability , clemency )

8 . “Obedience school will change your pup’s --------------behavior” , the trainer argued persuasively .

( culpable , incorrigible )

9 . By demanding part of his classmates ‘ lunches in return for his promise not to hurt them , the bully had begun a campaign of ------------

( extortion , pilferage )

10 . Although never arrested or imprisoned for their --------------- activities , the gamgsters were believed to be responsible for several murders .

( felonious , incorrigible )

Answer Key

1 . portly 2 . purports 3. opportune 4 . deportment 5 . sportive 6 . pilferage 7 . culpability

8 . incorrigible 9 . extortion 10 . felonious