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.