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Many museum visitors prefer realistic works of art that clearly depict recognizable figures and objects to works comprised of __________ streaks of paint and abstract lines.
We can infer from the sentence's context that we need to pick out a word for the first blank that means something like "not realistic," because the type of art that the blank describes is being contrasted against "art which clearly depicts recognizable figures and objects." Given that, the best answer choice is "amorphous," an adjective that means "without a clearly defined shape or form."
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They spent months searching for the __________ solution to the problem.
The subjects of this sentence spent a very long time looking for the solution to a problem. Based on the degree of intensity put into the search it makes sense that they would be looking for the best possible, ideal solution to the problem, so the correct answer is "optimal." To provide further help, "lethal" means deadly; "hushed" means made quiet; "succinct" means brief, expressed accurately in as little words as possible; "laconic" means brief, quick.
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The wheels were __________ so they needed to be replaced.
If the wheels needed to be replaced it makes sense that they would be broken, not working properly. The correct answer then is "faulty" because this word means not working properly. To provide further help, "puny" means small and weak; "momentous" means very large or very important; "hideous" means ugly, repulsive; "delicious" means tasty.
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The magician amazed the spectators by making the rabbit disappear, although it was merely __________ under the table.
In order to appear to have disappared, the rabbit must be hidden from sight under the table. The correct answer is "concealed," which is a synonym of "hidden." None of the other answer choices make sense in the sentence's context: "discovered," when used as an adjective, is an antonym of "concealed" and means revealed or exposed; "compiled" means put together; "drenched" means soaked; and "visible" is another antonym of "concealed," and means able to be seen.
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Sentence Completions: Select the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence.
The book, despite rejection from some critics, met almost universal __________ when it was first published.
Since the book received something that is the opposite of rejection from some critics, the correct choice is "acclaim", which means praise. None of the other answer choices have anything to do with the sentence's context: "frenzy" means panic, "parapet" refers to a short wall that encloses a raised part of a building, "lull" means pause or respite, and "criticism" means censure or denunciation.
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The king showed no compassion to the treasonous prisoners; then again, he was always known for his ___________ side.
From the context of the sentence, you know that the blank word must describe the king’s lack of mercy and compassion. The correct answer is therefore “ruthless," which means showing no mercy or violent. To help you, "benevolent" means good-natured, "supple" means flexible, "intelligent" means smart, and "gregarious" means sociable.
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It is late at night and I am walking alone; as a result, I feel __________ and keep checking the sidewalk behind me.
The sentence suggests that the author is feeling nervous walking home alone at night. The answer choice that most closely resembles nervous is “wary,” which means nervous and cautious. To further help you, "enamored" means in love with; "passive" means restrained or not aggressive; "rage" means anger; "effusive" means demonstrative.
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It was far from a(n) __________ situation; we were surrounded by enemies on all sides and running low on food and water.
The situation described in the second clause is very negative, which means the blank word must mean something opposite to the negative situation. The correct answer is "ideal,” which means perfect. To further help you, "fruitful" and "abundant" are two words that both describe something there is plenty of.
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In contrast to the unmethodical approach of his peers, Albert was a scientist well known for his __________ work.
Clearly, this sentence is contrasting Albert's method of working with the unmethodological approach taken by his peers. When someone works "with a method" (or "methodologically"), he or she works with a plan and procedure. The so-called scientific method has its name because it describes a procedure for arriving at scientific truths. If Albert's peers are "unmethodical," he must be "methodical." This means that he works "systematically" or according to a plan.
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In contrast with Geneva’s cheery attitude, Donald had a rather __________ temperament.
A "cheery" attitude is one that is very happy and often "optimistic" (seeing the best in everything). If someone has the opposite of such an attitude, such a person is depressing, "dark," and unhappy. Since Donald is being contrasted with Geneva, this is the case for him. It is not proper to say that he has an "angry" attitude (or any of the options related to that). Likewise, "chipper" is really a synonym of "cheery"; we need an antonym. "Dreary" works best, as it means bleak or depressing.
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Despite Austin's best efforts to stay up late during the camping trip, he was overcome by __________ and fell asleep before the sun went down.
This sentence contains several context clues. First, the key word "despite" tells us that Austin's attempts to stay awake were unsuccessful. If that information weren't enough, the second part of the sentence outrightly states that Austin fell asleep. So, the feeling that overcame him must have been one of exhaustion. The only word that fits this sentence is "fatigue," which is the great tiredness that generally follows activities that require great effort.
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The two brothers were quite different; while John’s temperament was timid and quiet, Peter was very __________, always ready to question his elders and assert his own opinion.
The sentence is contrasting two temperaments, one that is timid and quiet and another that is the opposite. Clearly, Peter is assertive—to the point of questioning his elders. This does not, however, mean that he is "bratty." It may or may not mean that. Likewise, he might be "annoying" (pesky), but we do not know that necessarily. The best option is "forceful," which contrasts directly with the timidity of John.
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Sam and Tom were disgusted when they discovered that they had paid $200 for a(n) __________ autograph of their favorite football player.
Since Tom and Sam were disgusted at the discovery, we can infer that they did not get what they thought they were paying for. "Counterfeit" means fake or false. "Authentic" and "genuine" are both antonyms to "counterfeit." "Disheveled" refers to a messy appearance. "Ingenious" describes a very clever idea or person.
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When the science teacher accidentally mixed the wrong chemicals together, the __________ fumes caused the entire school to be evacuated.
We know that the science teacher mixed the wrong chemicals together AND that this caused the school to be evacuated. We can infer, then, that the fumes were bad for people. The only answer that fits this description is "noxious," meaning harmful or dangerous.
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Ariana went to the __________ store to have her wedding invitations personalized.
"Wedding invitations" are paper products, so Ariana is going to a store that sells paper products. "Florists" sell flowers, "jewelry" stores sell jewelry, and an "accessory," in this instance, is something that is an extra item for an outfit. For instance, a scarf might be an accessory. This leaves "stationery" and "stationary." "Stationery," with an "e" refers to paper products, while "stationary," with an "a" refers to something that doesn't move.
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The principal __________ Robbie's telephone because he continually violated the school rules and used it in class.
Since Robbie was not following school rules by using his telephone in class, we can infer that the principal would either do something to force Robbie to follow the rules, or punish him in some way. "Confiscate" is a verb that means to surrender something to a legal authority.
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Li was determined to finish the race despite the __________ weather conditions.
The key words in this sentence are "determined" and "despite." These words indicate that Li is facing an obstacle. We can infer that an obstacle to finishing a race would be poor weather conditions. "Adverse" means not ideal, which fits the sentence. "Averse" means against and "inverse" means opposite.
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Daniel had read that the cricket population growth was __________ in his region of the state, and he believed it; he saw the bugs everywhere he looked.
To complete this sentence, we need to select a word that properly describes the growth of the cricket population. If Daniel "sees the bugs everywhere," we can assume that the population is increasing. This information allows us to immediately eliminate "slowing" and "plummeting," both of which refer to a decrease. "Nonexistent" growth means that the population is not growing at all, a statement that does not make sense given Daniel's observations. Our correct answer must be "rampant," a word that describes extreme and even uncontrollable growth.
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After graduation, everyone expected Joe to know exactly what he wanted to do with his life, but his plans are still __________.
The use of the conjunction “but” indicates that the subject of this sentence does not have concrete plans. We can say that his plans are hazy or unclear. This is most similar in meaning to “nebulous.” To provide further help, “precise” means accurate; “genteel” means polite; “obsolete” means no longer useful, outdated; “novel” means original.
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Maria was disappointed in her friends due to their insistence she try to fit in with the crowd more, and felt __________ by them.
It's likely Maria feels misunderstood by her friends who wish she "fit in" and not be herself. "Entertained" and "amused" are similar in meaning, and do not describe how Maria feels in a situation in which she's pressured to be like others. Finally, far from "praising" her, Maria's friends are putting her under significant pressure.
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