critical reading
(E) hoax
The "policemen" turned out to be clowns; the setup was a ----. (A) stickup (B) mystery (C) mix-up (D) fracas (E) hoax
stringent
(adj.) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste
rebellious
(adjective ) Not doing what authority, society, etc. wants you to do.
apportionment
(n.) to divide (something) among or between people.
conjecture
An educated guess. An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information. theory, assume, hypothesize
(A) fire .. hearth
During colonial winters in America, there was a ---- in every ----. (A) fire .. hearth (B) stoker .. pot (C) flintlock .. chimney (D) tepee .. stockade (E) blizzard .. storm
plethora
During the 1923 German inflation, there was a ___of paper currency; it took a wheelbarrow to transport enough money to buy a suit. (A) shortage (B) supply (C) dearth (D) transfer (E) plethora
(D) chide .. slothful
Since she was so hardworking, Jillian's parents never had to ---- her for being ----. (A) chide .. industrious (B) ride .. superfluous (C) punish .. independent (D) chide .. slothful (E) commend .. intransigent
impressive, opportune
Since you have just made a(n) ---- sale, this is a(n) ---- time to ask for a raise. (A) meager .. excellent (B) ostentatious .. precipitous (C) impressive .. opportune (D) plausible .. preposterous (E) pernicious .. reprehensible
roost
to stay for the night
defies
v. resists or opposes boldly or openly
indolent
wanting to avoid activity. lazy, idle, slothful, do-nothing.
reprieve
You have a(n) ____; the test has been postponed for a week. A) absence (B) holiday (C) request (D) assignment (E) reprieve
hoax
a humorous or malicious deception. practical joke, prank, trick.
prudent
involving or showing care.
deliberate
think about carefully
resolve
Settle or find a solution to (a problem, dispute, or contentious matter)
compromise
A settlement in which each side gives up some of its demands in order to reach an agreement.
(C) forfeit
A person who commits a wrong may be required to ---- his property as a penalty. (A) confiscate (B) destroy (C) forfeit (D) assess (E) sell
oppressive
Difficult to bear, harsh
bequests
Gifts made in a will.
somber
Gregory's face was ___ when he reported the loss of his ship. A) vivid (B) somber (C) animated (D) pusillanimous (E) antiquated
(B) indolent
He said he didn't get the job done because he was incapacitated; in truth, he was ---- and slothful. (A) indigent (B) indolent (C) indulgent (D) insipid (E) incapable
(E) resolve . . acceptable
Hoping to------- the dispute, negotiators proposed a compromise that they felt would be ------- to both labor and management. (A) enforce . . useful (B) end . . divisive (C) overcome . . unattractive (D) extend . . satisfactory (E) resolve . . acceptable
leniency
In view of the extenuating circumstances and the defendant's youth, the judge recommended _____. (A) conviction (B) a defense (C) a mistrial (D) leniency (E) life imprisonment
circumscribed
Limited
(A) indulged . . apportionment
Many economists believe that since resources are scarce and since human desires cannot all be -------, a method of ------- is needed. (A) indulged . . apportionment (B) verified . . distribution (C) usurped . . expropriation (D) expressed . . reparation (E)anticipated . . advertising
(B) blended . . discern
Nightjars possess a camouflage perhaps unparalleled in the bird world:by day they roost hidden in shady woods, so ------- with their surroundings that they are nearly impossible to -------. (A) vexed . . dislodge (B) blended . . discern (C) harmonized . . interrupt (D) impatient . . distinguish (E)integrated . . classify
scarce
Not enough of or very limited
(A) rebellious
One of the characters in Milton Murayama's novel is considered ------- because he deliberately defies an oppressive hierarchical society. (A) rebellious (B) impulsive (C) artistic (D) industrious (E) tyrannical
(E) hesitant .. prudent
People are ---- to confess such anxieties for fear of appearing ----. (A) reluctant .. virtuous (B) eager .. recondite (C) constrained .. derelict (D) reticent .. weak (E) hesitant .. prudent
proscribed
Prohibited, banned, forbidden
(A) circumscribed
The range of colors that homeowners could use on the exterior of their houses was ------- by the community's stringent rules regarding upkeep of property. (A) circumscribed (B) bolstered (C) embellished (D) insinuated (E) cultivated
conjecture
The sheik's wealth was a matter of ___; nobody had the least idea of how much he possessed. (A) conjecture (B) conjunction (C) divinity (D) obloquy (E) concern
proscribed
Trespassing on private property is ___by law. (A) proscribed (B) warranted (C) prescribed (D) eliminated (E) forgiven
reprieve
a temporary escape from taking it. postponed.
hierarchical
any system of persons or things ranked one above another.
somber
dark, dull, dingy, drab, subdued, restrained, grave, unsmiling
assess
evaluate or estimate. analyze, judge, gauge, rate, value, calculate, determine.
plethora
large or excessive amount of something. excess, surplus, glut. super-abundance, plenty.
slothful
lazy, idle, indolent, sluggish, languid
upkeep
maintenance ("keeping up"); cost of operating and repairing
forfeit
panelty, punishment, a fine.
chide
scold, rebuke, lecture,
leniency
the fact or quality of being more merciful or tolerant than expected; clemency. mercy, charity. from Latin lēnīre to soothe, soft.
hearth
the floor of a fireplace.