English 4 Sat Vocabulary Words Lesson 3

1. What does 'bona fide' mean?

Adj. in bad faith

Adv. without faith

N. with faith

Adj. in good faith SentenceWe made a bona fide offer for the property. Synonymsreal, true, legitimate Antonymsfake, unreal, phony

The correct definition of 'bona fide' is 'in good faith', indicating honesty and sincerity.

Explanation

The correct definition of 'bona fide' is 'in good faith', indicating honesty and sincerity.

2. What is the meaning of the word 'adventitious'?

Adj. accidental; nonessential SentenceThe scientists admitted that the breakthrough was an adventitious result of the study. Synonymsincidental, by chance Antonymsplanned, premeditated

Adj. intentional; necessary

Adj. foundational; crucial

Adj. temporary; fleeting

The correct definition of 'adventitious' is accidental or nonessential, not intentional or necessary, temporary or fleeting, or foundational or crucial.

Explanation

The correct definition of 'adventitious' is accidental or nonessential, not intentional or necessary, temporary or fleeting, or foundational or crucial.

3. Fecund

Unproductive

Infertile

Adj. fertile; productiveSentenceThe fecund soil produced a record number of tomatoes this year. Synonymsreproducing, breeding, fruitful Antonymssterile, unproductive, unfruitful

Sterile

The word 'fecund' is an adjective that means fertile and productive. The incorrect answers provided are antonyms of 'fecund' as they mean the opposite - sterile, unproductive, and infertile.

Explanation

The word 'fecund' is an adjective that means fertile and productive. The incorrect answers provided are antonyms of 'fecund' as they mean the opposite - sterile, unproductive, and infertile.

4. Deviate

V. to turn aside from a course; to stray SentenceSometimes it's better to deviate from the truth than to hurt someone's feelings. Synonymsdepart from, bend the rules Antonymsgo straight, keep, stay

To adhere to guidelines

To follow directions

To stay on track

The correct definition of deviate is to turn aside from a course or to stray, not to stay on track, follow directions, or adhere to guidelines.

Explanation

The correct definition of deviate is to turn aside from a course or to stray, not to stay on track, follow directions, or adhere to guidelines.

5. What does the word 'obfuscate' mean?

C. simplify; to make easier

A. clarify; to explain clearly

V. confuse; to bewilder SentenceThe realtor tried to obfuscate the issue, and it was working, because the confused buyer did not know if he was coming or going. Synonymscomplicate, puzzle Antonymsclarify, order

B. order; to organize

6. What does it mean to impale?

A. to cook over an open flame

C. to dance with excitement

V. to pierce with a sharp stake through the body SentenceThe natives used sharp sticks to impale fish in the tide pools. Synonymsstab, puncture

B. to paint a picture

Impale specifically refers to piercing with a sharp stake through the body, not to cooking, painting, or dancing.

Explanation

Impale specifically refers to piercing with a sharp stake through the body, not to cooking, painting, or dancing.

7. What does the word 'glower' mean?

V. to stare angrily SentenceThe boys glowered at his mother when she corrected his manners. Synonymsfrown, sulk, scowl Antonymsgrin, smile

N. a loud laughter

Adj. colorful and bright

V. to smile warmly

The word 'glower' means to stare angrily, not to smile warmly, have a loud laughter, or be colorful and bright.

Explanation

The word 'glower' means to stare angrily, not to smile warmly, have a loud laughter, or be colorful and bright.

8. What does the word 'edify' mean?

V. confuse with complex information

N. entertain with jokes

V. improve someone morally SentenceThe sermon was meant to edify the congregation. Synonymsteach, uplift, improve

Adj. sad and gloomy

To edify means to improve someone morally or intellectually, it is not about entertaining with jokes, being sad and gloomy, or confusing with complex information.

Explanation

To edify means to improve someone morally or intellectually, it is not about entertaining with jokes, being sad and gloomy, or confusing with complex information.

9. What does the term 'ambiguous' mean?

Adj. open to more than one (meaning) interpretation SentenceThe candidate's ambiguous comments tendd to cnonfuse the issue even more. Synonymsunclear, uncertain, vague Antonymsclear, definite

Adj. clear and precise

Adj. definite in meaning

Adj. straightforward and unambiguous

The correct answer defines 'ambiguous' as something that is open to multiple interpretations, while the incorrect answers provide definitions that are opposite or unrelated to the actual meaning of the term.

Explanation

The correct answer defines 'ambiguous' as something that is open to multiple interpretations, while the incorrect answers provide definitions that are opposite or unrelated to the actual meaning of the term.

10. What does the term 'cataclysm' mean?

N. a gradual transition

N. a violent change SentenceThe earthquake in Mexico was a cataclysm which no one could have foreseen. Synonymsdisaster, ruin, tragedy Antonymstruimph, boon, good fortune

N. a predictable outcome

N. a peaceful event

A cataclysm is defined as a violent change, often associated with natural disasters or major upheavals.

Explanation

A cataclysm is defined as a violent change, often associated with natural disasters or major upheavals.

11. What does the term 'optimum' mean?

Adj. messy; untidy

Adv. quickly; promptly

Adj. best; most favorable; ideal SentenceThe pilot was waiting for optimum conditions before settingout on the dangerous flight. Synonymshighest,more excellent, first-class Antonymsleast, poorest, worst

N. a small opening or crack

The correct answer describes 'optimum' as the best or ideal choice.

Explanation

The correct answer describes 'optimum' as the best or ideal choice.

12. What does the word 'importune' mean?

A. to dance gracefully

V. to ask persistently; to beg SentenceJohn importuned his father, but could not get the car keys. Synonymsnag, ask, appeal, badger

B. to cook delicious food

C. to fix a broken appliance

The correct answer is 'v. to ask persistently; to beg'. Importune means to ask persistently or to beg for something.

Explanation

The correct answer is 'v. to ask persistently; to beg'. Importune means to ask persistently or to beg for something.

13. What is the meaning of the word 'pedestrian'?

Adj. extraordinary or exciting

Adj. ordinary or dull SentenceThe crowd responded to the pedestrian speech with yawns. Synonymsboring, commonplace Antonymsdifferent, interesting

N. a person walking along a road or in a developed area

Adv. by foot rather than by vehicle

In this context, 'pedestrian' is used as an adjective to describe something as ordinary or dull.

Explanation

In this context, 'pedestrian' is used as an adjective to describe something as ordinary or dull.

14. What is the meaning of the word 'extenuate'?

Adj. completely justified

N. to make something more serious

V. to lessen seriousness by providing partial excuses SentenceThe jury believes that the thief's situation extenuates the crime of stealing food. Synonymsexcuse, justify

V. to ignore completely

The correct definition of 'extenuate' is to lessen the seriousness of something by providing partial excuses, not to make something more serious, completely justified, or to ignore completely.

Explanation

The correct definition of 'extenuate' is to lessen the seriousness of something by providing partial excuses, not to make something more serious, completely justified, or to ignore completely.