- The meeting was _______ about budget planning, but everyone knew the real purpose was to announce company restructuring.
Answer: ostensibly
The correct answer is 'ostensibly'. The word 'but' signals a contrast between the stated reason and the 'real purpose'. 'Ostensibly' means apparently or supposedly, but not actually. 'Secretly' describes the real purpose, not the stated one. 'Primarily' would mean the main reason was the budget, which is contradicted by the rest of the sentence. 'Unsuccessfully' does not fit the meaning.
- The beauty of the cherry blossoms is _______, lasting for only a week or two before the petals fall.
Answer: ephemeral
The correct answer is 'ephemeral'. The phrase 'lasting for only a week or two' clearly defines the word as meaning short-lived. 'Ephemeral' means lasting for a very short time. 'Perennial' means lasting for a very long time, which is an antonym. 'Understated' and 'debatable' do not relate to the duration of the blossoms' beauty.
- What seemed like an _______ comment at the time later caused a great deal of trouble for the employees involved.
Answer: innocuous
The correct answer is 'innocuous'. The sentence creates a contrast between how the comment 'seemed at the time' and its later effect of causing 'a great deal of trouble'. This implies it initially seemed harmless. 'Innocuous' means not harmful or offensive. 'Offensive' and 'inappropriate' describe what the comment turned out to be, not how it first appeared. 'Essential' does not fit the context.
- In today's world, smartphones have become _______; you can see people using them on buses, in parks, and at restaurants.
Answer: ubiquitous
The correct answer is 'ubiquitous'. The examples ('on buses, in parks, and at restaurants') show that smartphones are found everywhere. 'Ubiquitous' means present or found everywhere. 'Obsolete' means out of date, which is the opposite. 'Expensive' and 'optional' might be true, but they don't capture the meaning conveyed by the examples.
- While some planners proposed idealistic solutions, the mayor advocated for a more _______ approach that could be implemented quickly and within budget.
Answer: pragmatic
The correct answer is 'pragmatic'. The sentence contrasts 'idealistic' solutions with one that is 'implemented quickly and within budget'. This points to a practical, realistic approach. 'Pragmatic' means dealing with things sensibly and realistically. 'Complicated' is the opposite of what 'quickly' implies. 'Traditional' is possible, but not the best fit. 'Imaginative' is closer in meaning to 'idealistic'.
- The manager's instructions were so _______ that no one in the department knew whether to start the new project or continue with the old one.
Answer: ambiguous
The correct answer is 'ambiguous'. The context shows that the employees were confused ('no one...knew whether to start...or continue'), which indicates the instructions were unclear or open to more than one interpretation. 'Ambiguous' means unclear. 'Forceful' relates to tone, not clarity. 'Detailed' is the opposite of what is implied. 'Official' does not explain the confusion.
- The city implemented new water-saving measures to _______ the effects of the severe drought on local residents and businesses.
Answer: mitigate
The correct answer is 'mitigate'. The purpose of 'water-saving measures' during a drought is to reduce the severity of its impact. 'Mitigate' means to make something less severe or painful. 'Exaggerate' is the opposite. 'Understand' is a cognitive step, not an action to reduce effects. 'Eliminate' is too strong; the measures can lessen the effects, but they cannot eliminate the drought itself.
- The accountant found a _______ between the sales records and the bank deposits, which indicated that some money was missing.
Answer: discrepancy
The correct answer is 'discrepancy'. The fact that 'money was missing' shows there was a difference or inconsistency between the two sets of records. 'Discrepancy' means an illogical or surprising lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts. 'Agreement' is an antonym. 'Connection' and 'transaction' are related to accounting but do not describe a mismatch.
- The old accounting software was _______, requiring employees to perform many extra steps to complete even a simple task.
Answer: cumbersome
The correct answer is 'cumbersome'. The description 'requiring many extra steps to complete a simple task' indicates that the software was slow, complex, and difficult to use. 'Cumbersome' means slow or complicated and therefore inefficient. 'Streamlined' and 'intuitive' are antonyms. 'Secure' might be a feature of the software, but it doesn't relate to its difficulty of use.
- He gave the room a _______ cleaning, quickly wiping the counters but ignoring the dust on the shelves and the dirt on the floor.
Answer: perfunctory
The correct answer is 'perfunctory'. The description of the cleaning ('quickly wiping' but 'ignoring' other dirty areas) shows it was done with minimal effort and care. 'Perfunctory' means carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection. 'Thorough' and 'professional' are antonyms. 'Scheduled' describes when the cleaning might have happened, not how it was done.
- To _______ creativity in the classroom, the teacher encouraged students to ask questions, experiment with new ideas, and share their unique perspectives.
Answer: foster
The correct answer is 'foster'. The teacher's actions ('encouraged students to ask questions, experiment') are all designed to support and promote creativity. 'Foster' means to encourage the development of something. 'Prevent' and 'criticize' are antonyms of the context. 'Measure' is an action a teacher might take, but it doesn't fit the context of encouraging new ideas.
- Pouring water on a grease fire will only _______ the problem; instead, you should cover it with a lid to cut off the oxygen.
Answer: exacerbate
The correct answer is 'exacerbate'. The sentence structure 'will only do X; instead, you should do Y' indicates that X is a negative action that makes things worse. 'Exacerbate' means to make a problem or bad situation worse. 'Resolve' is an antonym. 'Identify' and 'investigate' are steps one might take, but they don't describe the effect of pouring water on the fire.
- Unlike his shy and reserved brother, Miguel was _______ and was always the center of attention at social gatherings.
Answer: gregarious
The correct answer is 'gregarious'. Miguel is contrasted with his 'shy and reserved' brother and is described as the 'center of attention at social gatherings'. This indicates he is very sociable. 'Gregarious' means fond of company; sociable. 'Modest' and 'pensive' (thoughtful) are closer in meaning to 'reserved'. 'Reliable' is a positive trait but is not related to being sociable.
- After the huge holiday meal, he felt too _______ to do anything except lie on the couch and watch television.
Answer: lethargic
The correct answer is 'lethargic'. The context of eating a 'huge meal' and then wanting to do nothing but 'lie on the couch' points to a feeling of sluggishness and lack of energy. 'Lethargic' means affected by a lack of energy and enthusiasm. 'Energetic' and 'sociable' are antonyms in this context. 'Anxious' is a different feeling not supported by the sentence.
- According to health experts, a consistent lack of sleep can be _______ to one's well-being, leading to serious health issues over time.
Answer: detrimental
The correct answer is 'detrimental'. The phrase 'leading to serious health issues' is a strong clue that the effect is negative. 'Detrimental' means harmful. 'Beneficial' is the opposite. 'Irrelevant' contradicts the idea that it causes serious issues. 'Surprising' does not fit the cause-and-effect logic of the sentence.
- She was a _______ writer, publishing more than fifty novels and hundreds of short stories in her lifetime.
Answer: prolific
The correct answer is 'prolific'. The evidence of 'more than fifty novels and hundreds of short stories' shows that she produced a large quantity of work. 'Prolific' means producing many works. 'Struggling' and 'unknown' are contradicted by the sheer volume of her publications. 'Cautious' does not fit the context of producing so much.
- Despite facing several major setbacks, the team proved to be _______, quickly recovering from each challenge and adapting their strategy to succeed.
Answer: resilient
The correct answer is 'resilient'. The context 'quickly recovering from each challenge and adapting' describes the ability to bounce back from difficulty. 'Resilient' means able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. 'Discouraged' is the opposite. 'Cautious' and 'inexperienced' are not supported by the context of successfully adapting.
- Due to unexpected budget cuts, the library had to _______ its evening hours, closing at 6 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.
Answer: curtail
The correct answer is 'curtail'. The library is 'closing at 6 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.,' which is a reduction in hours. 'Curtail' means to reduce in extent or quantity. 'Extend' is the opposite. 'Advertise' and 'evaluate' are actions a library might take, but they do not mean to reduce.
- Before signing the contract, the lawyer advised her client to _______ every clause to ensure there were no hidden fees or unfavorable terms.
Answer: scrutinize
The correct answer is 'scrutinize'. The goal is 'to ensure there were no hidden fees,' which requires a very careful and critical examination. 'Scrutinize' means to examine or inspect closely and thoroughly. 'Glance at' is the opposite of the careful action needed. 'Approve' and 'dispute' are outcomes that would happen after the examination, not the examination itself.
- The editor removed several paragraphs, explaining that the information was _______ because it repeated points already stated in the introduction.
Answer: superfluous
The correct answer is 'superfluous'. The reason given for removal is that the information 'repeated points already stated'. This means it was extra and not needed. 'Superfluous' means unnecessary. 'Essential' is an antonym. While 'inaccurate' or 'controversial' information might also be removed, the context specifically points to repetition as the reason.
