- The team must submit their final report no later than Friday at 5:00 PM.
Answer: at any time before or on Friday at 5:00 PM.
The phrase 'no later than' sets a final deadline. This means the report is due at or before that specific time. It can be submitted earlier. Choice A is too restrictive. Choice C is also too restrictive. Choice D describes a late submission.
- The performance of the two athletes was notably different.
Answer: easy to see and significant.
'Notably' means in a way that is worthy of notice or attention; significantly. A 'notably different' performance means the difference was significant and easy to perceive. Choice A is the opposite. Choice C is about expectation, not the size of the difference. Choice D describes a trend not mentioned in the sentence.
- Attendance at the conference this year was nearly double what it was last year.
Answer: almost two times larger.
The word 'nearly' means almost, but not completely. Therefore, 'nearly double' means the attendance was close to, but not exactly, two times larger. Choice A ignores the word 'nearly'. Choice B understates the increase. Choice D incorrectly indicates a decrease.
- The survey found that a vast majority of residents support the new recycling program.
Answer: a very large percentage of residents.
A 'majority' means more than half. The word 'vast' emphasizes that this majority is very large. Therefore, a 'vast majority' is a very large percentage, much more than simply 'just over half' (A). Choices C and D represent minorities or smaller groups.
- The population of the town has remained more or less stable for the past decade.
Answer: changed very little.
The phrase 'more or less' means approximately. When combined with 'stable', it means the population has not changed much; it has stayed about the same. Choices A and B describe large changes. Choice D, 'fluctuated wildly', is the opposite of stable.
- The museum holds a special exhibition biannually.
Answer: twice a year.
'Biannually' means happening twice a year. It is often confused with 'biennially' (A), which means happening every two years. Choices B and C describe incorrect time frequencies.
- The number of students who prefer online classes is on par with those who prefer in-person classes.
Answer: about the same as.
The idiom 'on par with' means equal to or at the same level as something else. In this context, it means the number of students in both groups is about the same. Choices A and B suggest inequality. Choice D describes a rate of change, not a current comparison.
- You must complete the first two steps prior to starting the third one.
Answer: before starting the third step.
The phrase 'prior to' means before. The instruction says to complete steps one and two prior to (before) starting step three. Therefore, the first two steps must be finished before beginning step three. Choice B reverses the order. Choices A and D ignore the required sequence.
- The two candidates have virtually the same opinion on the issue.
Answer: almost identical ideas.
The word 'virtually' means in effect, or for all practical purposes; it is often used to mean 'almost entirely'. In this sentence, it means their opinions are almost identical. Choices A and B suggest difference, which is incorrect. Choice D comments on the popularity of their ideas, not the comparison between them.
- The effects of the new policy will become apparent in the long run.
Answer: far into the future.
The idiom 'in the long run' refers to a long period of time in the future. It suggests that the effects will not be visible right away but will emerge later. Choices A and B are opposites. Choice D is about frequency, not the time frame.
- The new software update provides only a fraction of the features that were promised.
Answer: a small part of the promised features.
In this context, 'a fraction of' means a small or tiny part of something. The sentence implies that the update was disappointing because it included very few of the expected features. The other choices all suggest a much larger quantity of features.
- After the initial presentation, the speaker gave a subsequent one that focused on practical applications.
Answer: after the first one.
'Subsequent' means coming after something else in time. Therefore, the second presentation occurred after the first one. The other choices describe incorrect time relationships.
- The company's profits have shown intermittent growth over the past five years.
Answer: stopping and starting again.
'Intermittent' means occurring at irregular intervals, not continuously or steadily. Therefore, the growth has been inconsistent, stopping and then starting again. Choice A is the direct opposite. Choice B describes the rate of growth, not its consistency. Choice D contradicts the idea of growth.
- The company's market share has expanded incrementally each year.
Answer: in small, regular steps.
'Incrementally' means happening in a series of small additions or increases. This describes a slow, steady process of expansion. Choices B and C suggest large, sudden changes, which is the opposite of incremental. Choice D contradicts the word 'expanded'.
- The ancient artifact is at least two thousand years old.
Answer: possibly more than two thousand years.
The phrase 'at least' indicates a minimum value. This means the artifact's age is two thousand years or more. It could be older. Choice A is too specific. Choice C is the opposite. Choice D provides an incorrect value.
- The chef added a minuscule amount of salt to the dish.
Answer: extremely small.
'Minuscule' is an adjective that means extremely small or tiny. Choice B is the opposite. Choice C is incorrect. Choice D describes how the salt might have been added, but it does not define the quantity indicated by 'minuscule'.
- The instructions stated that the two chemicals should never be mixed simultaneously.
Answer: at the same time.
'Simultaneously' means occurring or done at the same time. The instruction is a warning against mixing the chemicals together at once. Choice B is the opposite of what the word means. Choices A and D are plausible safety warnings but are not the meaning of 'simultaneously'.
- He finished the marathon in just under four hours.
Answer: slightly less than four hours.
The phrase 'just under' means slightly less than a particular number or amount. Therefore, his finishing time was a little less than four hours (e.g., 3 hours and 59 minutes). Choice A is what 'exactly' would mean. Choice C is the opposite. Choice D is an incorrect time.
- The meeting is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM sharp.
Answer: exactly at 2:00 PM.
When used with a time, the word 'sharp' means precisely or exactly at that time. It emphasizes punctuality and the exclusion of any delay. The other choices all introduce a level of imprecision that 'sharp' is meant to prevent.
- The cost of the repairs was considerably less than the initial estimate.
Answer: much lower than the estimate.
The word 'considerably' means by a large or significant amount. Therefore, a cost that is 'considerably less' is much lower. 'Slightly lower' (A) would be described by words like 'marginally' or 'a little'. 'Almost the same' (C) and 'exactly the same' (D) contradict the meaning of 'less'.
