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