Vocabulary Tests ( 23 ) Test Twenty Three

23 - ] Vocabulary Tests  

Test Twenty Three

1 .] Read the sentence or short passages . Then write the letter for the best answer to each question on the line provided .

The oldest preeminent authors of an African American family are Annie Elizabeth (Bessie) and Sarah (Sadie) Delany . They were 102 1nd 104 when they wrote Having Our Say : The Delany Sisters’ First Hundred Years .

1 . Which word could best replace preeminent ?

( A ) familiar  ( B ) outstanding

( C ) simple  ( D ) exclusive                                                                    1 . ---------------------

The annals of the authors’ life together comprise a best-selling book that offers remarkable insight into what it means to live for over a century .

2. The word annals could best be explained as --------------

( A ) historical accounts  ( B ) rumors

( C ) necessary lessons ( D ) predictions                                                2 . --------------------

They were confounded by the racial prejudices they encountered as they ventured into the outside world .

3 . Which word could best replace confounded ?

( A ) honored ( B ) escaped

( C ) humbled ( D ) confused                                                                   3 .--------------------

During the era of Jim Crow segregation was enforced by legal sanctions .

4 . The word sanctions could best be explained as --------------

( A ) arguments ( B ) unexpected entanglements

( C ) authorizations ( D ) announcements                                               4 . --------------------

It was a shock to be relegated to the back of the trolley and to drinking fountains labeled “colored” .

5. Which word could best replace relegated ?

( A ) assisted ( B ) promoted

( C ) banished ( D ) discarded                                                                  5 . -------------------

Bessie , feisty and outspoken , believed in confrontation at any cost . She was on the front lines of double battles for equal rights .

6 . Which word could best replace feisty  ?

( A ) foolish ( B ) quiet

( C ) clumsy ( D ) quarrelsome                                                                 6 . ------------------

After being threatened by the Ku Klux Klan on Long Island , Bessie became more militant.

7 . A militant person could best be described as someone who ---------------

( A ) fights for a cause ( B ) avoids conflict

( C ) ignores tradition ( D ) follows a leader                                            7 . -------------------

Sadie , more serene and easygoing than her sister learned to navigate through the system .

8 . Which word could best replace serene ?

( A ) spellbound ( B ) calm

( C ) charitable ( D ) opposite                                                                     8 . -------------------

Still hale and fiercely independent , the Delany sisters handle their own finances , prepare their meals , and look after the home that they have always shared .

9 . Which word could best replace hale ?

( A ) available ( B ) vague

( C ) vigorous ( D ) obedient                                                                         9 .---------------------

They attribute their longevity to a routine of morning yoga , a concoction of chopped garlic and cod liver oil , and a diet dominated by vegetables and boiled tap water .

10 . Longevity could best be described as ----------------

( A ) adaptability ( B ) a quest for equal rights

( C ) standard behavior ( D ) length of life                                                   10 . --------------------

Answer Key

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

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

1. Beatrice is a brilliant musician , but her habits are so erratic that she may never have the discipline for a professional career .

( A ) strictly uniform ( B ) wrong or sinful

( C ) reliable ( D ) lacking consistency and regularity                                   1. ------------------

2 . That performer is known for her outlandish costumes and elaborate hairdos . In her last performance she wore her jacket backward .

( A ) conspicuously unconventional ( B ) plain or simple ( C ) offensive to decency and morality ( D ) from the wilderness or hinterland                                           2 . ------------------

3 . When our family plays the game , we deviate from the instructions and give each player more turns than the rules state .

( A ) separate into parts , sections , groups , or branches ( B ) depart from a set course

( C ) misuse , break , or destroy ( D ) hide                                                       3 . -----------------

4 . The ugly characters , twisted scenery , and pointless actions in the bizarre movie haunted us for weeks .

( A ) foreign ( B ) wicked , evil , sinister

( C ) odd , grotesque ( D ) painful                                                                     4 . ------------------

5 . Emily Dickinson displayed a number of eccentricities. For years she wore only white dresses and rarely left her house .

( A ) odd or peculiar ( B ) childlike actions

( C ) lively personality traits ( D ) costumes                                                      5 . -----------------

6 . I will keep Aunt Sophie’s big , overstuffed chair though it may look a little incongruous with the rest to my sleek , modern furniture .

( A ) unreliable ( B ) wild , out of control

( C ) simple ( D ) inconsistent or inappropriate                                                 6 . ---------------- 

7 . Isabella Stewart Gardner liked to shock the proper society of Boston with idiosyncratic habits such as walking a tame leopard on a leach .

( A ) illegal ( A ) irritating

( C ) peculiar ( D ) dangerous                                                                               7 . ---------------

8 . Aberrant behavior is often the first noticeable symptom of a mental illness .

( A ) unique ( B ) differing from the normal

( C ) attractive ( D ) humorous or witty                                                               8 . ---------------

9 . The veterinarian said that our cat , who has one green eye and one blue eye , is something of an anomaly .

 ( A ) something different from the usual or expected ( B ) eerie stranger

( C ) something not acceptable ( D ) ghostly shape                                             9 . --------------

10 . Sir Gawain was an errant knight who was almost killed by the tricky Green Knight . If you look for trouble , you usually find it .

( A ) invisible ( B ) out of control

( C ) lost ( D ) wandering in search of an adventure                                 10 . -----------------

Answer Key                 

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

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

1 . Michael’s sarcastic tone and his --------------remarks about the quality of the food would have hurt the feelings of our hostess .

( gratuitous , sartorial )

2 . Hattie McDaniel , the first African American to win an Academy Award for the performance in Gone With The Wind , was a ------------------ performer who could sing as well as act .

( staunch , versatile )

3 . Beau Brummell , known for his --------------- elegance , refused to tip his hat to the ladies out of fear that he might mess up his wig .

( hallowed , sartorial )

4 . Although never the ------------- leader of Argentina , Eva Peron had immense influence over her husband and achieved enormous popularity among her people .

( extrinsic , legitimate )

5 . Copies of designer merchandise , such as watches and handbags , have become important -------------to street vendors and to shoppers looking for a bargain .

( commodities , strategies )

6 . As the convicted robber was led from the courtroom , he --------------- denied his guilt to the judge and jury .

( dexterously , vehemently )

7 . As the forest fire came closer , you could see hundreds of prairie dogs ------------- from their underground homes .

( palpitate , sally )

8 . “We will put an end to government waste!” With those -------------- words the senator opened the committee meeting .

( dexterous , resolute )

9 . The doctor warned her that the medication might cause heart ----------------.

( incursions , palpitations )

10 . Before the ---------------- of the financier’s estate can take place , the will must go to a probate court to establish its validity .

( disposition , repository )

Answer Key

1 . gratuitous 2 . versatile 3 . sartorial 4 . legitimate 5 . commodities 6 . vehemently 7 . sally 8 . resolute 9 . palpitations 10 . disposition

Vocabulary Tests - Test Twenty Two

 Vocabulary Tests 

22 - ] Test Twenty Two.

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

Jay put on a blond wig and bright red lipstick and walked around the room with a smug look on his face . His parody of the movie star brought roars of laughter from the audience. 1 . ( A )love  ( B ) exaggerated imitation

( C ) detailed description  ( D ) theft of another person’s ideas  1 . -------------------

Real estate salespeople hardly ever try to sell you a “house” . They always use the word “home” because that word has connotations of warmth , coziness and family .

 2 . ( A ) all the meanings of a word  ( B ) misleading meanings ( C ) ideas and emotions associated with a word ( D ) unusual or seldom-used meanings   2 . ----------------

Some crafty politicians purposely use slang or poor grammar in their speeches . They think such solecisms make them appear more “ folksy” .

3 . ( A ) unusual behavior ( B ) humorous speech

( C ) political slogans ( D ) errors in grammar or usage                  3 . -----------------

Playwrights today rarely include soliloquies for their characters , perhaps because in real life people do not talk to themselves very much .

4 . ( A ) long , boring speeches ( B ) moments of decision for the main character in a play

( C ) talking to oneself as if thinking aloud ( D ) lines spoken directly to the audience

                                                                                                                  4 . ------------------

Although she spoke excellent French , Henriette was not comfortable with the patois of Quebec . It was not the same as the French she had studied .

5 . ( A ) dialect other than the standard orb literary dialect ( B ) slang ( C ) rapid and mechanical style of speech ( D ) place names and landmarks of a locality 5 . ---------------

On the surface John Bunyan’s allegory titled Pilgrim’s Progress is about a pilgrim’s journey to a place called the Celestial City . In reality , however , the book is about a soul’s journey to heaven .

6 . ( A ) story in which animals act like humans ( B ) story in which characters stand for abstract ideas ( C ) any story about pilgrims ( D ) long narrative about a hero 6 .--------------

William Shakespeare is famous for his metaphors . Perhaps his most famous one is “ All the world’s stage , and all the men and women merely players” .

7 . ( A) figures of speech ( B ) songs

( C ) words having more than one meaning ( D ) long speeches        7 . -----------------

Most people trying to learn English have different or unusual idioms such as “ put up with” and “giving way” .

( A ) expressions in which words have different or unusual meanings ( B ) foolish remarks

( C ) thoughtless comments ( D ) types of speech used by uneducated people 8 . --------------

W hen the speaker called the candidate a modern-day Benedict Arnold , he was making an allusion  to the infamous Revolutionary War traitor .

9 . ( A ) vague term ( B ) accusation or threat ( C ) word that has recently entered the language ( D ) indirect reference or suggestion                                    9 . ----------------------

One of the hardest things about learning computers is getting familiar with the jargon  . Words like “byre” , “download” , and “mouse” come up all the time .

10 . ( A ) titles and duties of certain people ( B ) specialized vocabulary ( C ) code or system for communicating ( D ) humor unique to a particular group        10 . ------------------

Answer Key

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

2- . Read the sentence or short passages . Write the letter for the best answer to each question on the line provided

Each commander of the ships had been given very specific orders - they were to attack and conquer Japan .

1 . Which word could best replace specific ?

( A ) unusual  ( B ) impossible

( C ) exact  ( D ) peculiar                                                      1 . ------------------

Each commander had a part to play in this grand conspiracy against Japan .

2 - The word conspiracy means -----------------

( A ) plot  ( B ) group

( C ) agreement  ( D ) naval campaign                                 2 . -------------------

The Huge gathering of military strength and careful planning was doomed , not by the Japanese , but by nature , which chose to intervene .

3 . Which word or words could best replace intervene ?

( A ) stand aside  ( B ) appear

( C ) disappear  ( D ) interfere                                              3 . --------------------

On that particular August day a storm struck with winds so abnormally strong that nearly all the Mongol ships were sunk .

4 . The word abnormally means -----------

( A ) commonly  ( B ) unusually

( C ) ridiculously  ( D ) typically                                            4 . --------------------

Typhoons and their kindred storms , called hurricanes when they occur in the Atlantic Ocean are the most powerful storms on earth .

5 . Which word could best replace kindred ?

( A ) related ( B ) kind

( C ) childlike  ( D ) identical                                                  5 . -----------------------

It is common for hurricanes to sustain winds of over 100 miles per hour for days .

6 . Which word could best replace sustain ?         

( A ) stop  ( B ) destroy

( C ) relieve  ( D ) support                                                       6 . ----------------------

Typhoons and hurricanes are regularly generated at certain times of the year by the warm waters of the ocean .

7 . The word generated means -------------------- .

( A ) overlooked  ( B ) produced

( C ) studied  ( D ) changed                                                       7 . ----------------------

The warm air rises , creating updrafts so fierce that they can tear the roof off a house .Such strong storms often spawn tornadoes and torrential rains .

8 . Which word or words could best replace spawn  ?

( A ) spurn  ( B ) expand

( C ) bring forth  ( D ) spray                                                      8 . -----------------------

Hurricanes are classified by the Saffir- Simpson scale . On this scale a storm rated 1.0 is considered minimal .

9 . The word minimal means ------------

( A ) pleasant  ( B ) least amount

( C ) large  ( D ) unimportant                                                      9 . -----------------------

Hurricanes are classified by the Saffir- Simpson scale . On this scale a storm rated 5.0 could be catastrophic .

10 . Which word could best replace catastrophic ?

( A ) beneficial  ( B ) adventurous

( C ) disastrous  ( D ) casual                                                        10 . ------------------------

Answer Key

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

3- ] Each question below include a word in capital letters , followed by five words or phrases . Choose the word or phrase that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters. Write the letter for your answer on the line provided .

1 . BRAZEN  ( A ) dull  ( B ) brash

( C ) hardened  ( D ) distant                                                         1 . --------------------

2 . ANACHRONISM ( A ) type of spider ( B ) Asian religion

( C ) something out of its proper time ( D ) inaccuracy             2 . ---------------------

3 . SALLY ( A ) rush forth  ( B ) soil

( C ) delicate  ( D ) rearrange                                                        3 . -------------------

4 . RESOLUTE ( A ) decide  ( B ) determined

( C ) promised  ( D ) arranged                                                      4 . --------------------

5 . INTRICATE ( A ) accuse  ( B ) simple

( C ) thorough ( A ) complicated                                                   5 . -------------------

6 . PALPITATE ( A ) valuable  ( B ) worthless

( C ) flutter  ( D ) satisfy                                                                 6 . -------------------

7 . TEMPORAL ( A ) worldly  ( B ) tempting

 ( C ) ancient  ( D ) spiritual                                                           7 . ------------------

8 . CHRONIC  ( A ) painful  ( B ) temporary

( C ) habitual  ( D ) timely                                                              8 . ------------------

9 . DEXTEROUS  ( A ) clumsy  ( B ) skillful

( C ) annoying  ( D ) dull                                                                 9 . ------------------

10 . BURTURE ( A ) nourish  ( B ) disregard

( C ) insult  ( D ) starve                                                                   10 . -----------------

11 . VEHEMENT ( A ) evil  ( B ) passionate

 ( C ) poisonous  ( D ) slight                                                           11 . -----------------

12 . APPRECIATE ( A ) answer  ( B ) apply

( C ) dislike  ( D ) value                                                                  12 . -----------------

13 . REDOUTABLE ( A ) forgetful  ( B ) complete

( C ) reformed  ( D ) causing fear                                                   13 . -----------------

14 . STALWART ( A ) strong  ( B ) clever

( C ) overweight ( D ) weak or tame                                               14 . -----------------

15 . TEMPORIZE ( A ) tenderize  ( B ) evade and delay              

( C ) reduce  ( D ) quicken                                                                15 . ---------------- 

Answer Key

1. B 2 . C 3 . A 4 . B 5 . D 6 . C 7 . A 8 . C 9 . B 10 . A 11 . B 12 . D 13 . D 14 . A 15 . B      

Comprehension , Upper Intermediate , Advanced [ 2 ]

2 - ] Comprehension  

2 - ] Upper Intermediate , Advanced 

2 . ] Read the newspaper article , then answer the questions below :

                A lot of advice is available for college leavers heading for their first job . In this article we consider the move to a second job . We are not concerned with those looking for a second temporary position while hunting for a permanent job . Nor are we concerned with those leaving an unsatisfactory job within the first few weeks . Instead , we will be dealing with those of you taking a real step on the career ladder , choosing a job to fit in with your ambitions now that you have learnt your way around , acquired some skills and have some idea of where you want to go .

                  What sort of job should you look for ? Much depends on your long-term aim . You need to ask yourself whether you want to specialize in a particular field , work your way up to higher levels of responsibility or out of your current employment into a broader field .

                    Whatever you decide , you should choose your second job very carefully . You should be aiming to stay in it for two to three years .

                    This job will be studied very carefully when you send your letter of application for your next job . It should show evidence of serious career planning . Most important , it should extend you , develop you and give you increasing responsibility . Incidentally , if the travel bug is biting , now is the time to pack up and go . You can do temporary work for a while when you return , pick up where you left off and get the second job then . Future potential employers will be relieved to see that you have got it out of your system , and are not likely to go off again .

                     Juliette Davidson spent her first year after leaving St. Aldate’s College working for three solicitors . It was the perfect first job in that ‘OK --- they were very supportive people > I was gently introduced to the work , learnt my way round an office and improved my word processing skills . However , there was no scope for advancement . One day I gave in my notice , bought an air ticket and traveled for a year’ .

                     Juliette now works as a Personal Assistant to Brenda Cleverdon , the Chirf Executive of a Business in the Community . ‘In two and a half years I have become more able and my job has really grown’ , she says . ‘Right from the beginning my boss was very keen to develop me . My job title is the same as it was when I started but the duties have changed . From mainly typing and telephone work , I have progressed to doing most of the correspondence and budgets . I also have to deal with a variety of queries , coming from chairmen of large companies to people wanting to know how to start their own business . Brenda involves me in all her work but also gives me specific projects to do and events to organize’ .

1 . Who is intended to benefit from the advice given in the article ?

( A ) students who have just finished their studies

( B ) people who are unhappy with their current job

( C ) those who are interested in establishing a career

( D ) people who change jobs regularly

2 . According to the writer , why is the choice of your second job important ?

( A ) It will affect your future job prospects .

( B ) It will last longer than your first job .

( C ) It will be difficult to change if you don’t like it .

( D ) It should give you the opportunity to study .

3 . ‘it’ in paragraph four refers to

( A ) first job .

( B ) second job .

( C ) application .

( D ) career .

4 . If you have a desire to travel , when does the writer suggest that you do it ?

( A ) straight after you have left college

( B ) when you are unable to find a permanent job

( C ) after you have done some temporary work

( D ) between the first and second job

5 . What is meant by ‘you have got it out of your system in paragraph four ?

( A ) You have planned your career sensibly .

( B ) You are an experienced traveler .

( C ) You have satisfied your wish to travel .

( D ) You have learned to look after yourself .

6 . How did Juliette Davidson benefit from the experience of her first job ?

( A ) It was a good introduction to working in an office .

( B ) She met a variety of interesting people .

( C ) It enabled her to earn enough money to travel .

( D ) She learnt how to use a word processor .

7 . In what way is Juliette’s current job better than her first job ?

( A ) She has a more impressive job title .

( B ) She now knows how to start her own business .

( C ) She has been able to extend her skills .

( D ) She is more involved in the community .

Answer Key

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

 

Comprehension , Upper Intermediate , Advanced [ 1 ]

1 - ) Comprehension 

1 - ] Upper Intermediate , Advanced   

1 . ] Read the magazine article , then answer the questions below :

                 How to cope with a child who shows outstanding musical ability ? It’s not always clear how best to develop and encourage their gift . Many parents may even fail to recognize and respond to their child’s need until frustration explodes into difficult or uncooperative behavior . And while most schools are equipped to deal with children who are especially able in academic subjects , the musically gifted require special understanding which may not always be available in an ordinary school - especially one where music is regarded as a secondary activity . Such children - as well as those whose ability is actively encouraged by parents or teachers - may well benefit from the education offered by a specialist music school .

                 The five music schools in Britain are a relatively recent introduction . They aim to provide a sympathetic environment in which gifted children aged between seven and eighteen can develop their skills to the full under the guidance of professional musicians .

Children at specialist music schools spend between one third and one half of an average day on musical activities , for example , individual lessons ( up to three hours a week on first and second instruments ) , orchestras , chamber groups , voice training , conducting and theory . They also spend several hours a day practicing in properly equipped private rooms , sometimes with a teacher . The rest of their time is taken up with a restricted academic program , which tends to concentrate on the essential subjects - English , math , basic sciences and languages - although provision can be made for students who wish to study a wider range of subjects . All five British specialist schools are independent , classes are small by normal school standards , with a high teacher / pupil ratio . Most children attending specialist schools tend to be boarders , leaving home to live , eat and sleep full-time at school . This means they spend their formative years in the company of others with similar aims and interests .

                What are the disadvantages ? An obvious problem is the cost ; the fees are high

( more than £ 60,000 - £ 70,000 a year for boarders ) . However , each school will make every effort with scholarships and other forms of financial assistance , to help parents of outstandingly gifted children to find the necessary fees . Secondly , not all parents want to send their children to boarding school , specially at a very early age . Almost all the directors of the specialist schools express doubts about the wisdom of admitting children as young as seven into such as intense and disciplined environment . They stress , however , that their main aim is to turn out ‘rounded and well-balanced individuals’ .

                There is little doubt that setting musically gifted children apart from an early age can cause stress . Early signs of musical ability may disappear in teenage years , while natural competitiveness and the pressure to succeed can lead to a crushing sense of failure . But all specialist schools do keep a close watch on the progress of individual pupils , and offer help and advice if needed .

                 In addition , while most former pupils at music school feel that they benefited enormously from the range of high-quality music teaching available , many express reservations about the wisdom of restricting the academic program , which definitely takes second place to musical activities . Many musically gifted young people are also highly intelligent , well able to deal with academic pressure , and feel frustrated if their intellectual needs are not met . For these reasons , it may be better to wait until the child is old enough to be able to make his or her own decisions before considering a specialist education .

                      Those who are equally gifted academically may do very well within a less specialized environment , for instance , at a school with a first class music department , or else by combining a normal school routine with musical training at one of the junior departments at the music college . These colleges offer Saturday morning opportunities for individual lessons with fine teachers , plus orchestral and chamber music experience . But this option is clearly not practicable for families living out of reach of London or other major centers .

1 . If a child’s musical ability is not recognized ,

( A ) the ability may fade away.

( B ) the child may misbehave .

( C ) the parents may become anxious .

( D ) the child may lose interest .

2 . What problem may musically gifted children face in ordinary schools ?

( A ) Music is ot seen as an important subject .

( B ) Their academic work may suffer .

( C ) Schools lack musical equipment .

( D ) Parents and teachers do not work together .

3 . What makes specialist music schools different from other schools ?

( A ) The children have mostly one-to-one lessons .

( B ) Their working day is longer .

( D ) A range of musical training is offered .

4 . What do most school directors see as a possible disadvantage for pupils ?

( A ) They may not be mature enough on arrival .

( B ) Poor children may be excluded .

( C ) There may be a discipline problem .

( D ) They may lose their individuality .

5 . A specialist musical education might be stressful for children if

( A ) the teachers expect too much of them .

( B ) they lose interest in music .

( C ) they do not progress as expected .

( D ) parents put pressure on them .

6 . Past pupils think that they should have

( A ) had less academic pressure .

( B ) studied more subjects .

( C ) worked harder.

( D ) concentrated more on music .

7 . What would be a good alternative to specialized music schools for gifted children ?

( A ) having special classes at the weekend

( B ) contacting a local orchestra

( C ) arranging visits from a specialist music teacher

( D ) waiting until they are old enough to go to college

8 . Who is this written for ?

( A ) music teachers

( B ) school directors

( C ) musically gifted children

( D ) parents of musical children

Answer Key

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