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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Many people criticized the mayor’s decision to ban sugary drinks. However, a small group __________ his efforts to intertwine public health and public policy.
The sentence makes a contrast between those who “criticized” the mayor’s decision and the way others responded. The adjective in the blank describes how this other “small group” reacted. "Lauded" means praised, which is the antonym of "criticized," and thus best completes the sentence.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She was infuriated by her classmates’ _________; she wanted to do something to fix the problems that everyone else seemed to accept as inevitable.
“Quiescence” means complacency or passive acceptance, which is the only answer choice that would infuriate someone with a desire to act.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Todd tends to be ___________, he used a conversation partner to help him learn French.
“Autodidactic” describes someone who learns on his own and teaches himself. The first phrase starting with “although” indicates that the word in the blank must be incompatible with using a conversation partner.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Unlike Chuck, whom most would describe as extremely __________, Bill rarely said an unnecessary word.
Chuck is set up to be the opposite of Bill, who is quiet, so Chuck must be talkative. "Loquacious" means talkative, so it is the answer.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Deborah disliked her teacher’s rambling speeches; she wished he were more __________.
The word that fills in the blank must contrast with a teacher who rambles. Were Deborah’s teacher more "laconic" (that is, were he more brief and to the point), then he would not likely deliver rambling speeches. "Loquacious" and "garrulous" both mean talkative, while "pedantic" means strictly concerned with formal rules and book learning.
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Fill in the blanks with the best answer.
Rather than increasing the opportunities to drill for natural gas, the bill intends to __________ oil production near national and state parks.
"Inhibit" means to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level. The beginning of the sentence has the word _rather—_this is a clue that what occurs on the other half of the sentence will be the opposite of what is stated before; in this case, the bill limits production rather than increasing it.
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Fill in the blanks with the best answer.
Until now, the traditional narrative of Vincent Van Gogh's death was considered __________. New historical evidence, according to some scholars, could show that the artist was a victim of a murder.
"Unequivocal" means not subject to interpretation or more than one interpretation; in this case, there was only one way of explaining Van Gogh's death until new evidence arose. "Dubitable" here is an antonym of the correct word, meaning either open to doubt or questionable.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Raised in a wealthy and permissive home, Arthur developed the fatal tendency of indulging even the basest of his impulses; no one ever accused him of being __________.
We know that we are looking for a word that is the opposite of how Arthur has been described, since "no one has ever" characterized him this way. So we are looking for a word that is the opposite of indulgent, and since an "abstemious" person is a person who practices self-denial, abstemious is correct.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although the boy was known for walking briskly everywhere he went, today he traveled at a pace that was quite __________.
The word "although" at the beginning of the sentence is a trigger word telling you that the introductory clause is opposed to the main clause of the sentence. "Brisk" can describe cool weather but it also can mean fast. The contrast in this sentence is between the boy's normal quick pace and the blank that we have to fill. "Expeditious" is too synonymous with work. "Irregular" and "unpredictable" are not direct antonyms. "Surprising" is wholly off the mark. The best answer is "plodding"—meaning slowly moving.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While many people considered Peter to be a greedy __________, his closest friends knew that he had the virtue of great liberality.
The word "liberal" is used in many ways today—most of which have political overtones. Its more general meaning is generous, coming from the Latin for "free." It is related to words like "liberty" and "liberate." "Liberality" is the character trait of being very free and generous with one's money. This sentence begins with "while," indicating that although many people thought one thing about Peter, those who knew him well knew something different. In contrast to liberality, "miser" works well. A miser is someone who hoards his or her money, avoiding spending it at all.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
It was very difficult to guess what Justin would say, for he could engage in both __________ and understatement within a three-second interval.
The "both . . . and" being used in the second clause helps to unpack why it was difficult to know what Justin would say. It seems that he would say conflicting things—hence the difficulty in guessing his next words. "Understatement" is a way of speaking that doesn't really address the true depths of some reality. For instance, a horrible murder might be called "kind of bad" by someone. This would be an understatement of the case. A great contrast to this is "hyperbole," meaning an expression that greatly overstates the case. For instance, someone might say that the day is the "coldest day ever" when it is not even at the point of freezing but merely brisk.
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Although he seemed quite inflexible, Thomas was quite __________ and able to deal with any situation that came his way.
In contrast to being "inflexible," being "malleable" describes a temperament that literally is able to "bend" to the changing circumstances of life and living. The word is often used of substances—certain kinds of metal are more malleable than others. This contrast is indicated because of the introductory word "although." Although Thomas seemed to be one way—inflexible—he was in fact another—malleable.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Ronald's friends were surprised at his recent __________ behavior, for they knew him to be a man of scrupulous conscience.
Of the wrong answers, the one that is perhaps somewhat appropriate—though not completely correct—is "mendacious," meaning pertaining to lying. A "mendacious person" is a liar. (Perhaps "uncouth"—lacking good manners—is a temptation as well.) The general point, however, is a contrast. Ronald's friends are surprised because he is not acting morally upright—what a person with a scrupulous conscience would do. Therefore, he is acting in an immoral way. To be iniquitous is to be just that. "Iniquity" is another name for very immoral or unfair behavior.
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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Many people criticized the mayor’s decision to ban sugary drinks. However, a small group __________ his efforts to intertwine public health and public policy.
The sentence makes a contrast between those who “criticized” the mayor’s decision and the way others responded. The adjective in the blank describes how this other “small group” reacted. "Lauded" means praised, which is the antonym of "criticized," and thus best completes the sentence.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She was infuriated by her classmates’ _________; she wanted to do something to fix the problems that everyone else seemed to accept as inevitable.
“Quiescence” means complacency or passive acceptance, which is the only answer choice that would infuriate someone with a desire to act.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Although Todd tends to be ___________, he used a conversation partner to help him learn French.
“Autodidactic” describes someone who learns on his own and teaches himself. The first phrase starting with “although” indicates that the word in the blank must be incompatible with using a conversation partner.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Unlike Chuck, whom most would describe as extremely __________, Bill rarely said an unnecessary word.
Chuck is set up to be the opposite of Bill, who is quiet, so Chuck must be talkative. "Loquacious" means talkative, so it is the answer.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Deborah disliked her teacher’s rambling speeches; she wished he were more __________.
The word that fills in the blank must contrast with a teacher who rambles. Were Deborah’s teacher more "laconic" (that is, were he more brief and to the point), then he would not likely deliver rambling speeches. "Loquacious" and "garrulous" both mean talkative, while "pedantic" means strictly concerned with formal rules and book learning.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Fill in the blanks with the best answer.
Rather than increasing the opportunities to drill for natural gas, the bill intends to __________ oil production near national and state parks.
"Inhibit" means to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level. The beginning of the sentence has the word _rather—_this is a clue that what occurs on the other half of the sentence will be the opposite of what is stated before; in this case, the bill limits production rather than increasing it.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Fill in the blanks with the best answer.
Until now, the traditional narrative of Vincent Van Gogh's death was considered __________. New historical evidence, according to some scholars, could show that the artist was a victim of a murder.
"Unequivocal" means not subject to interpretation or more than one interpretation; in this case, there was only one way of explaining Van Gogh's death until new evidence arose. "Dubitable" here is an antonym of the correct word, meaning either open to doubt or questionable.
Compare your answer with the correct one above