Determine Meaning: Words and Phrases
Read the sentence. Andrea's opponent was honest and straightforward, but Andrea used her guile to win the contest. What type of context clue in the sentence can be used to determine the meaning of guile?
An antonym
Read the passage. Paul seems to know everyone in this town, and is always amenable to a chat when I run into him. Paul's father, a docile man, works with him at the bookstore. Which statement best explains the nuance between amenable and docile?
Amenable suggests that Paul is an open, social person, while docile implies that his father is kind but quiet.
Read the passage. When Norah finally got tickets to the concert, she asked me to go with her. I am an ardent fan of bluegrass music, so of course I said yes. Malinda said she would be willing to go, too. Which statement best explains the nuance between ardent and willing?
Ardent implies a deep desire for something, while willing implies simply a readiness to do something.
Based on context clues in the passage, what is the most likely meaning of laconic? Select two options.
Brief. Concise.
Read the passage. Hana's ambivalence about the trip was understandable. She wanted to visit her parents' country of birth, but she was worried that it would be difficult for her family to get back into the country when they came home. Based on context clues in the excerpt, what is the most likely meaning of ambivalence?
Indecisiveness
Read the excerpt from Mark Twain's memoir, Life on the Mississippi. I was quaking from head to foot, and I could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far. What is the most likely meaning of the phrase "I could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far" in this sentence?
It is hyperbole that means that the author's eyes were wide with fear.
Read the passage. Delia pointed out the slender branches of the almond tree to Kaveh, noting the flowers that were about to bloom. As they walked through the garden, Kaveh noticed a skinny tree in the corner of the yard and asked Delia what type it was. How does the word choice slender affect the meaning of the passage?
The word slender implies that the almond tree is elegant.
Read the excerpt from As You Like It by William Shakespeare. All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances. What do Shakespeare's metaphors most likely mean? Select three options.
people play different roles throughout their lives, people leave one phase of their life to enter another, people all go through the same phases of life
Read the sentence. Lori is as strong as an ox, so I'm sure it will be no problem for her to help you bring those boxes up to the third floor. What type of figurative language is the phrase "as strong as an ox"?
simile
Read the sentence. Levi was terrified of leaving his parents' farm and striking out on his own, but the longer he stayed, the more obvious it became that he was going to have to cut the cord, and soon. What are the best possible meanings of the euphemism "cut the cord"? Select two options.
stop depending on parents, leave the farm
Read the excerpt from Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall." What does the word grasped connote in this poem?
that the man is determined to protect himself
Read the sentence. When he gave his speech to younger audiences, Jake knew that it would be prudent to avoid sharing stories that might be considered inappropriate for children. Based on context clues in the passage, what is the most likely meaning of prudent? Select three options.
using good judgement, being cautious, ensuring appropriateness
