Eastside Prep Vocabulary 4-2
A Basic Test of Your English Vocabulary Skills
Questions and Answers
- 1.
As Brenda made her way to the Canadian boarder she thought of all the things she hadn't packed for her voyage. If only her departure had not been so ______________________ she would have had the time to put together a better getaway package.
Explanation
The word "precipitous" means sudden or hasty. In the given context, if Brenda's departure had not been so precipitous, it implies that she had to leave quickly without much time to prepare or pack properly for her trip to the Canadian border. This lack of time resulted in her not being able to put together a better getaway package.Rate this question:
- 2.
Brenda also worried that she might not receive the hefty bonus promised to her for her last job at the corporation. Because of her quick escape with Leon, she was forced to _____________ her negotiations with her client, ending the talks in three days instead of four.
Explanation
The word "truncate" means to shorten or cut off. In the given context, Brenda's quick escape with Leon forced her to shorten or cut off her negotiations with her client. This suggests that Brenda had to end the talks in three days instead of the originally planned four days.Rate this question:
- 3.
Brenda knew that Loen's mother, Alma was planning something. Yes, she looked like a dear sweet little angel but Momma could be as cantankerous, cunning and _________________ as a demon straight from hell.
Explanation
The missing word in the sentence should describe Alma's behavior as being similar to a demon straight from hell. "Impious" means lacking reverence or respect, especially towards religious or sacred things. Therefore, the word "impious" implies that Alma can be as disrespectful, wicked, or sinful as a demon.Rate this question:
- 4.
Brenda knew how clever and cunning Alma could be, she knew stories of how the old lady just couldn't be stopped. Once she heard how a bus ran into her car at a busy intersection. Most people thought she would die, but after only one day she was ____________________, limping her way to her lawyer's office to file suit against the bus company.
Explanation
Brenda knew that Alma was clever and cunning, and she had heard stories about how Alma always found a way to overcome obstacles. One of these stories was about Alma getting into a car accident with a bus. Despite the severity of the accident, Alma was able to recover quickly and was ambulatory, meaning she was able to walk and move around on her own. This shows Alma's determination and resilience, as she didn't let the accident stop her from pursuing legal action against the bus company.Rate this question:
- 5.
Brenda was not fooled by Alma's professed dedication to her church. As far as she was concerned, Alma attended Pastor Ruben's church not to bless it but to ______________ it.
Explanation
Brenda believed that Alma attended Pastor Ruben's church not with the intention of blessing it, but rather to desecrate it. This suggests that Brenda thought Alma's actions were meant to defile or disrespect the church, possibly through acts of sacrilege or vandalism.Rate this question:
- 6.
The notion that Alma was a sweet old granny seemed _________________ to Brenda because while she spoke of love and family out of one side of her mouth, she denied her own grandson, Will, out of the other.
Explanation
The word "ludicrous" means something that is absurd, ridiculous, or completely unreasonable. In this context, it suggests that the notion or belief that Alma was a sweet old granny is completely absurd or ridiculous to Brenda. This is because Alma's actions contradict her supposed sweet and loving nature. While she talks about love and family, she denies her own grandson, Will, which is contradictory and makes the idea of her being a sweet old granny seem completely unreasonable.Rate this question:
- 7.
Brenda lost all respect for Alma when the old woman tried to act like she was poor when it came to helping Leon, yet she lived in her ornately appointed house which was so _________________ that football games could be played inside.
Explanation
The word "capacious" means spacious or roomy. In this context, it suggests that Alma's house is very large and has a lot of space inside. This contrasts with her behavior of pretending to be poor when it came to helping Leon, which Brenda finds hypocritical. The word "capacious" helps to emphasize the stark difference between Alma's actions and her living situation.Rate this question:
- 8.
Brenda knew that dealing with Alma through an ______________________ approach would not work, thus she planned to deal with her in a more creative and unpredictable manner.
Explanation
Brenda understood that using a traditional or conventional approach with Alma would not be effective. Instead, she decided to handle the situation in a more innovative and unexpected way.Rate this question:
- 9.
Satisfaction entered Brenda's mind as she saw the lights of the toll booths at the boarder crossing. If plans were left to Leon, they would have never been there. He seemed to have an _______________________ list of people to say good bye to, which would have had them in the Chicago area for weeks.
Explanation
Leon seemed to have a never-ending list of people to say goodbye to, which would have kept them in the Chicago area for weeks. This implies that his list was thorough and comprehensive, leaving no one out. Therefore, the word "exhaustive" accurately describes Leon's list.Rate this question:
- 10.
As Pastor Ruben sat alone in his study he tried to conjure up some ______________ thought he may have gained from the whole Leon incident; some thought that may help others better deal with such issues in the future.
Explanation
Salutary means beneficial or promoting health. In the given context, Pastor Ruben is reflecting on the Leon incident and trying to gain some valuable or beneficial insights from it. He is looking for thoughts that can help others in dealing with similar issues in the future. Therefore, the word "salutary" accurately describes the type of thought Pastor Ruben is seeking.Rate this question:
- 11.
Which word is not an adjective?
- A.
Precipitous
- B.
Ludicrous
- C.
Capacious
- D.
Truncate
Correct Answer
D. TruncateExplanation
Truncate is not an adjective. It is a verb that means to shorten or cut off. The other three words, precipitous, ludicrous, and capacious, are all adjectives. Precipitous means steep or sudden, ludicrous means absurd or ridiculous, and capacious means spacious or roomy.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which word is a verb?
- A.
Impious
- B.
Desecrate
- C.
Salutary
- D.
Ludicrous
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. DesecrateExplanation
The word "desecrate" is a verb because it refers to the action of disrespecting or violating something that is considered sacred or holy. It is an action word that describes the act of intentionally damaging or defiling something of religious or cultural significance. The other words listed - impious, salutary, and ludicrous - are not verbs. "Impious" is an adjective meaning lacking respect or reverence for a deity or religious beliefs. "Salutary" is an adjective meaning beneficial or promoting health. "Ludicrous" is an adjective meaning ridiculous or absurd. Therefore, the correct answer is "Desecrate."Rate this question:
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- 13.
Please select the most correct word for the following analogy. Precipitous : Truncate :: Impious : ___________________.
- A.
Salutary
- B.
Exhaustive
- C.
Capacious
- D.
Desecrate
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. DesecrateExplanation
The word "precipitous" means steep or sheer, while "truncate" means to shorten or cut off. Therefore, the analogy suggests that "impious" is related to "desecrate," which means to violate or treat with disrespect.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Please select the most correct word for the following analogy.Ambulatory : Crippled :: Sensible : __________________
- A.
Ludicrous
- B.
Orthodox
- C.
Truncate
- D.
Capacious
Correct Answer
A. LudicrousExplanation
The analogy in the question is between "ambulatory" and "crippled". "Ambulatory" means able to walk or move around, while "crippled" means unable to walk or move properly. Therefore, the relationship between the two words is that of opposite or contrasting meanings. Similarly, "sensible" means having good judgment or practicality, while "ludicrous" means ridiculous or absurd. Both words are also opposite in meaning, making "ludicrous" the most correct word for the analogy.Rate this question:
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