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Questions 1 - 10
1

Concerned that the museum's wall labels were laden with jargon, the curator commissioned a rewrite that favored plain syntax and concrete examples from everyday life. The goal, she explained, was not to dilute scholarly nuance but to invite curiosity rather than intimidation. By clarifying references and defining technical terms, the new labels would make the exhibition more _______ to visitors with no background in art history, thereby broadening participation without compromising accuracy.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

opulent

approachable

esoteric

imperious

Explanation

Plain language aimed at visitors without specialized knowledge suggests making the exhibit more approachable. The other options imply luxury, obscurity, or arrogance, none of which fit the intent to increase accessibility.

2

In the hospital's new safety program, nurses and physicians reviewed a short checklist before every procedure. The list did not replace training or judgment; rather, it prevented routine oversights, such as skipped handwashing or mislabeled samples. After three months, infection rates fell noticeably. Staff members said the checklist was not glamorous, but it proved _______, the kind of modest intervention without which more complex reforms rarely gain traction.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

ornamental

indispensable

capricious

incidental

Explanation

Indispensable means essential, matching the claim that the checklist was key to reducing infections. Ornamental, capricious, and incidental suggest decorative, unpredictable, or minor roles that contradict the passage.

3

After a spike in collisions at busy intersections, the transportation department rejected expensive overhauls in favor of a _______ fix. By repainting crosswalks, narrowing turning radii with flexible posts, and lowering speed limits, engineers addressed the most dangerous behaviors without waiting for years of construction. Within months, injuries fell and travel times held steady, demonstrating that targeted, low-cost measures can meaningfully improve safety while preserving access for buses, delivery trucks, and emergency vehicles.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

ostentatious

capricious

pragmatic

ceremonial

Explanation

Pragmatic' fits the effective, low-cost approach described. 'Ostentatious' and 'ceremonial' imply showiness without utility, and 'capricious' suggests randomness inconsistent with planned engineering.

4

After a late spring frost damaged several plots, the neighborhood garden group put out a call for volunteers. Within hours, dozens arrived with tools, seedlings, and hot coffee, coordinating repairs and replanting with little prompting. Their willingness to take on heavy lifting and their cheerful coordination suggested a shared commitment to the project's long-term health. The mood was decidedly _______: the work parties felt less like chores and more like a celebration of common purpose.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

reluctant

perfunctory

eager

apathetic

Explanation

The volunteers are described as cheerful and willing, so 'eager' fits. 'Reluctant' and 'apathetic' suggest unwillingness, and 'perfunctory' implies minimal, mechanical effort.

5

After a series of reports revealed contamination at the plant, the company swiftly recalled the affected products and commissioned an independent audit. The CEO's televised address was notably _______, acknowledging oversight, apologizing directly to consumers, and outlining a timeline for remediation. Analysts noted that the tone contrasted with earlier corporate responses that had minimized risk and shifted blame to suppliers, suggesting a genuine attempt to rebuild trust.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

evasive

contrite

obstinate

jubilant

Explanation

Contrite fits a tone of apology and accountability. Evasive avoids responsibility, obstinate suggests stubbornness, and jubilant is inappropriately celebratory.

6

Following visitor surveys, the museum overhauled its wall labels, replacing dense jargon with everyday language and adding context about each artifact's origin and use. Curators also added maps and brief timelines to situate objects within broader historical trends. The goal was to make the explanations more _______ for school groups and tourists who might have little background in archaeology, without oversimplifying the research that underpins the displays.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

lucid

esoteric

arcane

turgid

Explanation

Lucid means clear and easy to understand, matching the aim of accessibility. Esoteric, arcane, and turgid all suggest obscurity or density, the opposite of the intended effect.

7

Unlike sweeping reforms that promise transformation, the city's new recycling initiative focuses on small, measurable adjustments and relies on data gathered from pilot neighborhoods. Officials publish dashboards, track contamination rates, tweak pickup schedules, and report outcomes quarterly. Independent auditors verify the figures. The approach is _______: rather than courting headlines, it prioritizes what works and iterates when results fall short.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

pragmatic

theatrical

capricious

incendiary

Explanation

Pragmatic' matches a data-driven, practical approach; 'theatrical' suggests showiness, 'capricious' implies unpredictability, and 'incendiary' implies provocation, none of which fit the context.

8

After a decade of neglect, the city marsh was reconnected to tidal flows, invasive reeds were removed, and native grasses replanted. Within two years, water quality improved, floodwaters receded more quickly after storms, and shorebirds returned in numbers not seen since the 1980s. Those measurable gains persuaded budget committees that the restoration plan was not merely symbolic but genuinely _______, funding for similar projects along the estuary has since doubled.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

tentative

effective

ceremonial

contradictory

Explanation

The results show concrete improvements, so "effective" fits. "Tentative" suggests uncertainty, "ceremonial" implies symbolism without impact, and "contradictory" does not describe success.

9

The nonprofit tested a low-cost tweak to its meal delivery program: volunteers added pamphlets explaining nutrition basics. Requests for follow-up classes doubled, and participants reported cooking at home more often. Far from being a superficial flourish, the labeling change proved _______ to shifting daily habits, demonstrating that small, well-timed guidance can steer decisions without expensive incentives. The effect persisted across neighborhoods and income levels.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

decorative

erratic

pivotal

perfunctory

Explanation

Given the sustained, central impact, 'pivotal' is precise. The other choices suggest superficiality, inconsistency, or cursory effort, which contradicts the described results.

10

Officials urged residents to avoid the coastal boardwalk as winds intensified on Saturday. Although the storm was downgraded, forecasters noted that tidal flooding remained likely during the evening high tide. Under these conditions, taking a leisurely stroll near the seawall is anything but _______. Emergency crews emphasized that one rogue wave could knock a person off balance, and even shallow water can conceal debris capable of causing injury.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

arbitrary

intrepid

prudent

ceremonial

Explanation

Prudent matches the context of caution advised during hazardous conditions. Arbitrary and ceremonial are irrelevant, and intrepid means brave, which contradicts the warning.

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