1.
No one knows how humans acquired the concept of cooking food, but their first experience of cooking was probably fortuitous: very likely, some meat fell into a fire by accident. What does fortuitous mean?
Correct Answer
C. Lucky
Explanation
Fortuitous means lucky or happening by chance. In the given context, it suggests that the first experience of cooking food for humans was probably accidental but fortunate, as some meat fell into a fire by chance.
2.
Many husbands still find it difficult to render total support to their wives' careers, particularly if their wives earn more than they do. What does render mean?
Correct Answer
C. Give
Explanation
The word "render" in this context means to provide or give. In the given sentence, it implies that husbands struggle to fully support their wives' careers, especially when their wives earn more money than they do. This suggests that husbands may face challenges in accepting their wives' success and providing the necessary support.
3.
The Amazonian forest in Brazil is so expansive that it influences weather and climate patterns. What does expansive mean?
Correct Answer
B. Broad
Explanation
Expansive means broad or extensive. In the context of the sentence, it suggests that the Amazonian forest in Brazil is vast and covers a large area, which has a significant impact on weather and climate patterns.
4.
In the early 1900s, sums paid to widows with dependent children were meager, ranging from $2 to $14 a month for the first child and lesser amounts for the rest. What does meager mean?
Correct Answer
A. Slight
Explanation
The word "meager" means lacking in quantity or quality, often used to describe something that is small or insufficient. In the context of the sentence, it suggests that the sums paid to widows with dependent children were very small or insignificant. Therefore, the closest synonym to "meager" is "slight," which also means small or minimal.
5.
Running a clandestine operation-such as an underground newspaper in a dictatorship, a network of spies or undercover police investigation-is difficult and often highly dangerous. What does clandestine mean?
Correct Answer
D. Secret
Explanation
Clandestine means secret. Running a clandestine operation involves activities that are kept hidden from public knowledge, such as an underground newspaper in a dictatorship or a network of spies. These operations are often risky and dangerous due to their secretive nature.
6.
Good communication between marriage partners can often mitigate the stress caused by physical signs of aging, changes in work status or satisfaction, and the death of close relatives and friends. What does mitigate mean?
Correct Answer
A. Lessen
Explanation
Mitigate means to lessen or reduce the impact or severity of something. In the context of the given question, it suggests that good communication between marriage partners can help to alleviate or reduce the stress caused by physical signs of aging, changes in work status or satisfaction, and the death of close relatives and friends.
7.
Identifying the age of layers of rock also fixes the age of fossils that are within those layers. What do fixes mean?
Correct Answer
C. Establishes
Explanation
The word "fixes" in this context means to establish or determine. By identifying the age of layers of rock, we are able to establish the age of fossils that are found within those layers. This means that the age of the rock layers provides a fixed or definitive age for the fossils.
8.
Government entails those political processes that have to do with the forming of rules and policies which are binding throughout a society. What do entails mean?
Correct Answer
A. Includes
Explanation
The word "entails" in this context means that government includes or involves the political processes of forming rules and policies that are binding throughout a society.
9.
The elephant was deeply enmeshed in the fabric of Thai life. For centuries, it served as Thailand's main code of transportation; its image graced temples, palaces, and the national flag. What does enmeshed mean?
Correct Answer
C. Involved
Explanation
Enmeshed means being deeply involved or entangled in something. In this context, it refers to the elephant being an integral part of Thai life, serving as the main mode of transportation and being prominently featured in various aspects of their culture.
10.
When we interact, we behave like actors by following a script that we have learned. When someone enters a doctor's waiting room, for instance, he or she assumes the role of patient. What does assumes mean?
Correct Answer
D. Takes on
Explanation
Assumes in this context means to take on or adopt a particular role or identity. When someone enters a doctor's waiting room, they take on the role of a patient, meaning they behave and interact in a way that is expected of a patient in that setting.