SAT Question of the Day Vocabularies
revile
(v.) to attack with words, call bad names
bicker
(v.) to engage in a petty or peevish dispute; to move or run rapidly, rush; to flicker, quiver
bolster
(v.) to support, give a boost to; (n.) a long pillow or cushion; a supporting post
With the 1969 film The Learning Tree, Gordon Parks proved what a truly (protean) artist he was: he not only directed the film and composed its musical score, but also adapted its screenplay from his own novel.
Choice (B) is correct. The structure of the sentence indicates that the word that fills in the blank will be explained by the part of the sentence that follows the colon. We are told that Gordon Parks adapted the screenplay for The Learning Tree "from his own novel," wrote music for the film, and directed the film. Because of his involvement in several different aspects of the film, it makes sense to describe Parks as "protean," or demonstrating great variety and diversity.
Besides (A) conserving forest resources, recycling produces fewer pollutants (B) than does the conventional pulping and bleaching processes (C) that are normally used (D) to create paper. (E) No error
Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the comma splice error of the original by providing the appropriate modifying phrase "which feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree."
harbinger
Currently rising temperatures in the Arctic and Antarctic are ------- of a still warmer world that could result from an excess of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the burning of oil, gas, and coal.
The jellyfish's slow pulsing action propels it in a graceful, seemingly ------- drift, but its tentacles contain a poison potent enough to stun a swimming human. (A) sinister (B) rhythmic (C) murky (D) harmless (E) patient
D The jellyfish is presented as seeming the opposite of harmful. Only "harmless" fits the logic required by "but."
Bolstered by his unflagging determination and -assiduous physical preparation, Tom Whittaker became the first amputee to successfully climb to the summit of Mount Everest.
In climbing Mount Everest, Tom Whittaker was "bolstered," or supported, by the type of physical preparation required to reach the summit of Mount Everest. "Assiduous," or careful and persistent, preparation coupled with "unflagging determination" would help someone complete such a challenging task.
Combining both figurative and abstract elements in his paintings, American artist Willem de Kooning became a key figure in the post-war Abstract Expressionist movement and greatly influenced such painters as Franz Kline and Richard Diebenkorn
It avoids the modification error of the original by placing the subject of the sentence, "American artist Willem de Kooning" directly after the modifying phrase "Combining both figurative and abstract elements in his paintings."
The main tennis stadium of the US Open, located in New York City, is named after the African-American tennis player Arthur Ashe, who won the first ever US Open men's singles title in 1968.
It avoids the sentence fragment of the original by providing the main verb "is" to carry out the action of the sentence. In addition, it places the proper noun "Arthur Ashe" directly before the relative clause that modifies it, "who won the first ever US Open men's singles title in 1968."
Today, (A) also representing nations (B) and other political entities, (C) flags are used (D) to represent youth groups, athletic competitions, and international bodies.
The error in this sentence occurs at (A), where there is an improper idiom. The phrase "in addition to" is needed in place of "also."
In order to Aprepare for the speech he Bwas given to all of the parents and teachers at the school, George practiced speaking Cin front of a group of Dhis friends. ENo error
The error in this sentence occurs at (B), where there is an inappropriate verb form. It does not make sense to say that George would prepare for a speech that "he was given" (that was given to him). Instead, "he was to give" is needed.
Besides conserving forest resources, recycling A produces fewer pollutants than does the B conventional pulping and bleaching processes that C are normally used to create paper. No error
The error in this sentence occurs at (B), where there is subject-verb disagreement. The singular verb "does" does not agree with the plural noun "processes." The plural verb "do" is needed instead.
AThe introduction of elevators in hotels meant that Bpreviously undesirable rooms on the top floors, Caway from the bustle and noise of the street, became sought after and more expensive than Dthe lower floors. ENo error
The error in this sentence occurs at (D), where there is an illogical comparison. It does not make sense to compare "rooms on the top floors" with "the lower floors."
His inclination to succumb to flattery made him susceptible to the inclination of people who wished to take advantage of him.
The man in the sentence is "susceptible" to flattery. Because of this "inclination," he is an easy target for people who use "cajolery" (flattery) to get what they want.
Explorer David Livingstone has a dichotomous reputation some historians revile him as a proponent of imperialism, while others praise him as a founder of African Nationalism.
The structure of the sentence suggests that Livingstone's reputation is based on two different, even mutually exclusive, interpretations; in other words, these views of him are "dichotomous." The second part of the sentence describes this dichotomy: some historians "revile" him, while others do the opposite, or "praise" him.
Laboratories have been warned that provisions for animal protection that in the past were merely recommended will now be mandatory; violators of this policy will lose their federal research grants.
The word "merely" indicates that the past provisions were not as strict as the "mandatory" provisions and "recommended" is the only first term that conveys a lesser degree of strictness. Only "violators" could logically be penalized by losing their federal research grants.
substantial
a. 形容詞 真實的, 實在的[Z] People and things are substantial; dreams and ghosts are not. 人和事物是真實的; 夢和鬼魂是虛幻的。 堅固的, 結實的 The house is substantial enough to last a hundred years. 這房子很堅固, 一百年也不會壞。 多的; 大的; 大量的; 豐盛的 I had a substantial meal. 我飽餐了一頓。 內容充實的, 有價值的, 重要的 They made substantial changes. 他們作了重大改變。 富裕的, 殷實的 He introduced us to a number of substantial farmers. 他把我們介紹給幾個殷實的農場主。 基本上的, 大體上的[B] The stories told by the two boys are in substantial agreement. 那兩個男孩講的情況基本一致。 n. 名詞 實在的東西; 重要的東西[P]
prudent
adj. careful and sensible
egotistical
adj. characteristic of false pride
expeditious
adj. characterized by speed and efficiency
pedantic
adj. marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects 賣弄學問的 He is learned, but neither stuffy nor pedantic. 他很博學, 但既不妄自尊大也不賣弄學問。 學究式的, 迂腐的
compulsory
adj. required by law or a firm rule.
complacent
adj. self-satisfied; overly content
unflagging
adj. unceasing
despondent
adj. without or almost without hope
vestige
an indication that something has been present n. 遺跡; 殘餘 Some upright stones in wild places are the vestige of ancient religions. 荒原上一些直立的石塊是古老宗教的遺跡。 (常用於否定形式)一點兒, 絲毫 There is not a vestige of truth in the report. 這報告毫無真實性可言。 【生】退化器官 A human being has the vestige of a tail. 人類仍有尾巴退化的痕跡。
dichotomous
divided or dividing into two sharply distinguished parts or classifications
protean
exceedingly variable; readily assuming different forms or shapes
figment
n. a contrived or fantastic idea
trifle
n. a detail that is considered insignificant
predilection
n. a predisposition in favor of something
cajolery
n. flattery intended to persuade
amputee
n. someone who has had a limb removed by amputation
harbinger
something that indicates what is to come; a forerunner n. 通報者, 先驅, 先鋒, 前兆, 預示 vt. 充當通報者, 作先驅, 預告, 預示 A harbinger is a sign of something yet to come. Temperatures are presented as "harbingers" in this sentence because they show that "a still warmer world" might be coming.
vilify
spread negative information about
laud
to praise
castigate
verb to punish severely; to criticize severely 申斥; 懲罰 矯正; 修訂
