Diction and Vocabulary

assuage : provoke a. abstruse : straightforward b. belligerent : quarrelsome c. lugubrious : morose d. mercurial : unpredictable

a Assuage and provoke oppose each other. To assuage means to ease or to take the edge off (of an explosive situation, for example). To provoke means to incite or to aggravate (make worse). Abstruse and straightforward show the same relationship as the aforementioned. Abstruse means difficult to understand, or obscure. Straightforward, of course, is the opposite. belligerent and quarrelsome = are synonyms. A belligerent and quarrelsome person is hotheaded and is always ready to fight and quarrel. lugubrious and morose = are synonymous, too. Lugubrious and morose both mean mournful and doleful. mercurial and unpredictable=are synonymous. Mercurial means lively or changes very quickly. An unpredictable person also quickly changes his mind and desires from one moment to another.

Benson's essay was ____________ with punctuation errors of all kinds. a. opulent b. replete c. resolute d. virulent

b Replete with means full of and is thus the answer. resolute = firmly determined; steadfast virulent = dangerous, harmful (disease); bitterly hostile (attack or action)

The children were so ____________ that the teacher had to yell to be heard. a. discreet b. morose c. obstreperous d. truculent

c. obstreperous Obstreperous is a formal word meaning noisy and unruly. The context indicates that this is the correct word since the noise would have induced the teacher to yell to be heard. discreet = cautious, prudent; subtle morose = bad-tempered and unhappy; sullen truculent = aggressive and defiant

My uncle has never been to an art museum; in fact, when it comes to matters of art, my uncle is a real _________ . a. hedonist b. martyr c. patrician d. philistine

d A person who has never been to an art museum may be a person who has no knowledge about the fine arts. A person thus, is described as a philistine, which is a name appropriate for a person who doesn't understand or admire music, art, or literature. hedonist = self-indulgent; a word that describes a man concerned with his pleasures martyr = a person who would rather suffer death than renounce a faith or belief patrician = refined, aristocratic; an aristocrat

abstemious : ascetic a. amorphous : distinct b. dubious : positive c. negligent : conscientious d. virulent : deadly

d Abstemious and ascetic are similar in meaning. Being abstemious means one is being moderate, especially in eating and drinking. Ascetic describes a person who denies himself of excesses and pleasures (self-denying). Virulent and deadly are also synonyms. Virulent, when used with disease, means harmful or deadly. amorphous and distinct = are antonyms. Amorphous means shapeless and indefinite, and therby indistinct. dubious and positive = are antonyms. Dubious means doubtful or uncertain. Positive may on usage mean certain. negligent and conscientious=are antonyms. One who is negligent fails to give proper attention or care. One who is conscientious has a clear sense of obligation, and is thereby diligent.

cryptic : definite a. arduous : easy b. diffident : timid c. gregarious : severe d. purported : supposed

a Cryptic and definite are quite antonyms. Something is cryptic when the meaning is hard to decipher because it is hidden or obscure. Thus, it cannot be definite (explicit or clear) at the same time. Arduous and easy are antonyms. Arduous means hard, which is the opposite of easy. diffident and timid = are synonyms. Diffident means hesitant or timid. circumspect and severe = have no relationship. Circumspect means cautious and prudent. Severe means harsh or stern. purported and supposed = are synonyms. To purport something is to suppose or to allege something.

Rhonda's behavior only _____________ an already bad situation. a. exacerbated b. flouted c. obfuscated d. preempted

a The sentence indicates that the bad situation was made worse, due to the presence of the words only and an already bad situation. The answer is exacerbated, which means made a problem, disease, pain, etc., worse. It is also synonymous to aggravated. obfuscated = made confusing or difficult to understand; clouded or darkened preempted = prevented something by taking advance action; forestalled

The ____________ of the task before them would prove a challenge to their imagination and patience. a. enormity b. hiatus c. lethargy d. omen

a The task, to be challenging, must be either difficult or large. Among the choices, enormity is the only possible answer, as it means the quality of being large or huge. hiatus = a break in continuity; an interruption lethargy = an extreme lack of energy and/or interest, feeling, etc. omen = an event supposedly predicting future good or evil

vilify : malign a. exuberant : ebullient b. surrogate : original c. vitiate : purify d. zealous : indifferent

a Vilify and malign are synonyms. To vilify someone is to speak evil of this person. To malign someone is to slander or to speak evil of this person, too. Exuberant and ebullient are synonyms, as both mean in high spirits. surrogate and original = are not synonyms. Surrogate means substitute or replacement (as in surrogate mother), whereas original is the real thing, that which is replaced. vitiate and purify = Vitiate is the formal word that means to weaken, spoil, or harm. It is not synonymous to purify, which means to cleanse or sanitize. zealous and indifferent=are also not synonyms. Zealous means enthusiastic or eager. Indifferent means lacking interest, care, or concern

It's not a good idea to take a balloon ride in _______ weather conditions. a. adverse b. affable c. malleable d. onerous

a When is it not a good idea to take balloon rides? When the weather, of course, is bad or stormy. The answer is adverse, which means unfavorable, hostile, or contrary. affable = friendly and amiable, polite malleable = easily influenced or changed; able to be hammered or pressed into shape

The prime minister bowed and scraped and behaved ___________ before the new queen. a. obsequiously b. ostensibly c. resolutely d. sinuously

a The actions bowed and scraped indicate extreme humility on the part of the prime minister. This great humility may be appropriately given by a man of power - the Prime Minister - to a Queen.

condone : overlook a. assiduous : ambitious b. erudite : scholarly c. frenetic : serene d. sagacious : obtuse

a or b Condone and overlook are synonyms. To condone means to overlook or to disregard, especially wrongdoings and misbehaviors. Assiduous is the formal word for persevering or diligent, and it is synonymous to ambitious. Erudite is a word describing a learned, or scholarly man. frenetic and serene = are antonyms. Frenetic means frantic and hectic. being such, it is opposite to serene, which means tranquil or peaceful. sagacious and obtuse=are also antonyms. Sagacious is a formal word for shrewd. This is opposite to obtuse, which means stupid and dull-witted.

scrupulous : lackadaisical a. extraneous : irrelevant b. immutable : impermanent c. impetuous : impulsive d. inane : senseless

b Scrupulous and lackadaisical contradict each other. Scrupulous may mean very careful or exact (diligent), whereas lackadaisical means without determination or enthusiasm, or just plain lazy. Immutable and impermanent also oppose each other in meaning. Immutable means cannot be changed, or permanent. Impermanent is obviously not permanent. extraneous and irrelevant = are synonyms. Extraneous (from the word extra) means unrelated or irrelevant to the matter at hand. impetuous and impulsive = are also synonyms. They both describe a person who acts rashly and without much thought. inane and senseless=are synonyms, too. Inane means absurd, foolish, or senseless.

The mysterious, ____________ music floated through the trees and charmed the listeners. a. esoteric b. ethereal c. sanguine d. viable

b The presence of the word mysterious and a comma before the blank means that we are looking for a word that is similar in meaning to or compatible with mysterious. Furthermore, we need a word that may describe music that charms the listeners. The answer is ethereal, which means eerie, otherworldly, and delicate. sanguine = confident, optimistic; cheerful viable = feasible; practical

The professor became so forceful, so _________ in his expression of opinions, that students began to leave his course. a. credible b. dogmatic c. dormant d. lucid

b The sentence provides these clues: forceful expression of opinions which apparently put off the professor's students for them to begin leaving the course. The answer is dogmatic which means the quality of asserting opinions arrogantly. credible = believable and convincing dormant = inactive lucid = clear and enlightened

The first-grade teacher attempted to __________ his pupils in the virtues of playing fair. a. comprise b. edify c. exonerate d. stipulate

b The teacher's job is to educate his or her pupils. The answer is edify, which means to improve the mind or to educate. comprise = include, encompass; contain stipulate=to specify, to lay down (rules or conditions); to require or to demand

The jury ___________ the mayor of all wrongdoing. a. augmented b. exonerated c. expatriated d. subjugated

b The whole sentence provides the context. There is a jury, indicating that a man is on trial for supposed wrongdoing. The only word appropriate for the context is exonerated, which means freed from blame or obligation. augmented = increased, supplemented expatriated = exiled; a word which describes a man who left his own country and resides in another. subjugated = conquered or controlled

vacillating : indecisive a. capricious : predictable b. impecunious : impoverished c. inept : competent d. vacant : brilliant

b Vacillating and indecisive are synonymous to each other. Vacillating and indecisive may describe a person who keeps changing his or her opinions. Impecunious and impoverished are also synonyms. Both mean poor or the state of being low in funds or money. capricious and predictable = are antonyms. Capricious means unpredictable, which is exactly the opposite of predictable. inept and competent = are another set of antonyms. Inept means incompetent. vacant and brilliant = may also be thought of as antonyms. Vacant may mean stupid or dull-witted. Brilliant, as we know, means exactly the opposite.

The philosophy lecture was so predictable, so _________, that everyone fell asleep in five minutes. a. ascetic b. banal c. astute d. ineffable

b When everyone falls asleep within five minutes of a lecture, only one thing can be said for that lecture. It must be very boring. The answer, therefore, is banal, which means not interesting, dull, or trite. ascetic = self-denying and austere, with severe self-discipline; a person leading such a life especially for religious reasons astute = shrewd, having keen insight ineffable = a formal word for too great or too scared to be expressed in words.

Maria was so _________ that she couldn't follow even the simple directions on the cake box. a. candid b. obtuse c. officious d. opulent

b When one couldn't follow even the most simple of directions, one must obviously be stupid. The answer is obtuse, which means dull-witted, simple-minded, and stupid when used in reference to a person. candid = frank, outspoken, honest officious = too ready to offer services or advice; bossy and interfering opulent=luxurious or showy wealth

The Ateneo University basketball team's perfect season ___________ in a championship win over De La Salle University. a. alleviated b. culminated c. fomented d. fulminated

b he answer is culminated, which means reached the highest proportion or conclusion. This can only be the answer because of the reference to perfect season that ends in a championship win. alleviated = lessened or eased fomented = aroused or stirred up (trouble or discontent) fulminated = protested loudly and bitterly

Coach Calhoun tried to ___________ his team to try harder in the face of overwhelming odds. a. emulate b. exhort c. flout d. instigate

b. exhort The context indicates we need a verb, an action, that is similar to telling the team to try harder in the face of overwhelming odds. We need a word that is similar to urge. The answer is exhort because it means to urge strongly. emulate = a formal word meaning to try to do as well or better by imitation flout = to defy or to show contempt (for the law) instigate=to bring about; to provoke, especially to a wrongdoing

From this number onwards, the topic is about Analogy. Following are pairs of words that express either a synonymous or an antonymous relationship. From the choices, choose the pair that expresses a similar relationship to the given. cacophony : harmony a. education : edification b. equality : order c. miniscule : gargantuan d. subjugation : labor

c Cacophony and harmony mean opposite things. Cacophony means harsh, unpleasant discordant sounds. From the choices, only miniscule (small or minute) and gargantuan (gigantic) are antonyms and thereby show the same relationship as cacophony and harmony.

In an attempt to _______ the effects of a bad year, farmers planted a second crop. a. censure b. decimate c. mitigate d. obliterate

c Farmers plant a second crop to try to counteract the effects of a bad farming year. The answer is mitigate, which means to alleviate, to lessen, or to ease. Remember that you can't destroy the effects of a bad year, you may only try to ease it. that's why the answer remains to be letter c. censure = to criticize or to reprimand decimate = to destroy or to annihilate obliterate = to wipe out or to destroy

innate : inherent a. corporal : spiritual b. ephemeral : eternal c. exigent : demanding d. spurious : authentic

c Innate and inherent are synonyms. Both pertain to natural characteristics. Exigent (the formal word for urgent) is similar in meaning to demanding. corporal and spiritual = are not synonyms. Corporal means of the body. Spiritual means of the spirit. ephemeral and eternal = are antonyms. Ephemeral means short-lived or temporary, while eternal means permanent and everlasting. spurious and authentic = are antonyms. Authentic means genuine or true, whereas spurious means not genuine, not real, or false.

Clarence was well known for his __________, his ability to lie on the couch and watch TV all day. a. animosity b. futility c. lethargy d. reticence

c Lying on the couch and watching TV all day speaks of a very lazy person and inactive lifestyle. From a previous item, we know that lethargy means extreme laziness or inactivity. Thus, lethargy is the answer. animosity = hostility or hatred futility = uselessness or pointlessness reticence = reserve or uncommunicativeness

The older child had a reputation for ________ trouble in high school, but he calmed down in college. a. appeasing b. curtailing c. instigating d. mortifying

c The clue word in the sentence is trouble. What word do we usually associate with this word? And the answer is instigating which is synonymous to provoking (trouble, usually). This, among all other words, is the best word because the sentence also suggests that the child has calmed down later in life. Thus, appeasing, curtailing, and mortifying hardly fit. appeasing = pacifying curtailing = restricting, limiting mortifying=shameful, humiliating

I don't think these flowers are __________ to New England. At least I've never seen them. a. exigent b. fluent c. indigenous d. ingenuous

c The context indicates that some kind of flowers are being discussed. Thes flowers are apparently something to New England. This being so, the speaker hasn't seen them before. The answer could only be indigenous which means native or belonging naturally to an area. exigent = a formal word for urgent fluent = able to speak or write a foreign or second language with ease and competence ingenuous=clever, inventive or resourceful.

The jury was able to see through the ___________ argument of the defense lawyers. a. onerous b. palpable c. specious d. stoic

c The expression see-through implies that a lie or a front must have been put up that could be seen through. And since the lawyers are doing the lying, their lies must have sounded genuine. The word we are looking for is specious, which means superficially plausible but actually wrong or false. onerous = troublesome; requiring much effort palpable = able to be seen or felt; obvious stoic = a description for someone who shows great self-control, especially in times of trouble

Roberto pretended to know a lot about the opera, but he was really just a ___________ . a. catalyst b. chimera c. dilettante d. supernumerary

c The sentence says that Roberto pretended to know a lot about the opera. The blank is looking for a word that restates Roberto's quality of pretending about the opera. The answer is dilettante which is a name for a dabbler in a subject, usually the arts. catalyst = anything that speeds up change chimera = an impossible or fanciful idea or image supernumerary = a formal word for someone or something extra

How my brother ever became a priest is an __________ to all of his high school friends. a. antipathy b. archetype c. enigma d. idiosyncracy

c The whole sentence, is obviously an expression of wonder. The answer is enigma, which means a puzzling person or thing, a mystery. antipathy = a feeling of strong dislike or hostility, an aversion archetype = the ideal or original form; model or prototype idiosyncrasy = a manner of thought or behavior peculiar to an individual; a quirk or eccentricity.

A kind of ____________ seemed to occur when David graduated from high school. He became a serious student all of a sudden. a. accolade b. epithet c. metamorphosis d. milieu

c The word became in the sentence clues us in to the fact that we are looking for a word that signifies a change. The answer, therefore, is metamorphosis, which means a change of form or character. accolade = an award or honor; much praise and approval epithet = an adjective or descriptive phrase substituted for a person's name milieu = social surroundings or environment

The professor got in trouble for making __________ remarks about the Dean of Faculty. a. benign b. blithe c. pejorative d. pensive

c We get in trouble for making pejorative remarks. Pejorative means insulting or unpleasant. benign = kind blithe = happy, gay, cheerful; insensitive (because cheerful and gay remarks in inappropriate situations are deemed insensitive) pensive = deeply or sadly thoughtful

A __________ seemed to befall the entire community as it heard the horrid news. a. blasphemy b. largess c. malaise d. malfeasance

c When people hear horrid news, they are usually disturbed and negatively affected by it. Malaise is the answer, as you would have known had you looked at its prefix mal, which means bad. Malaise is actually a feeling of discomfort, uneasiness or depression. blasphemy = impious or disrespectful statement about sacred things largess = gifts or money generously given

disparage : commend a. auspicious : favorable b. obscure : hidden c. relegate : send away d. surreptitious : candid

d Disparage and commend are antonyms. Disparage means to belittle, whereas commend is a formal word that means to praise. Surreptitious and candid are also antonyms. Surreptitious means secretive or stealthy, whereas candid means open and honest. auspicious and favorable = are synonyms. obscure and hidden = are also synonyms, as they both mean not obvious or not apparent. relegate and send away= are quite similar as well. Relegate means to demote or to move down to a lower rank or position. Send away clearly indicates a movement away from a focal point.

The ____________ facts of the matter were obvious to most of the witnesses. a. bodacious b. gratuitous c. perfunctory d. salient

d The answer is salient, which means most noticeable, or most important and significant. gratuitous = unwarranted or uncalled for; given or done free of charge perfunctory = unthinking, automatic, mechanical; dutiful

Sherman's hold on his job has become so _________ that no one is sure he'll be working there next month. a. eminent b. putative c. serendipitous d. tenuous

d The clause no one is sure he'll be working there next month indicates uncertainty. and as this uncertainty pertains to Sherman's hold on his job, the context indicates that Sherman's hold on his job is quite weak for his job to so uncertain. Thus, the answer to this item is tenuous, which means delicate, flimsy, slight, and weak. eminent = distinguished, famous (person); outstanding, remarkable (thing or characteristic) putative = supposed or assumed serendipitous = accidental; a chance discovery

George had the ___________ to suggest that we hire a new coach. a. discretion b. disdain c. surfeit d. temerity

d The tone of the sentence is subtly hostile or negative. Admittedly, disdain is a negative word. However, temerity is more appropriate for the blank. The answer therefore is temerity, which is a formal word for rashness, audacity, and effrontery. discretion = freedom to act according to one's own judgment disdain = scorn, contempt, or dislike surfeit = too much of something, especially of food and drink.

The Darwin couple ______________ upon their future for months before deciding to get married. a. deferred b. incited c. precluded d. ruminated

d When a couple decides to get married, the parties concerned usually think deeply about it. The sentence implies that the Darwin couple took months to think about their future before deciding to get married. Among the choices, the word we are looking for is ruminated, which means pondered or meditated (upon something). Note too, that only letter d can be used in the blank without committing an error in the use of idiomatic prepositions. You don't say deferred upon but deferred to; incited upon but incited to; precluded upon but just precluded or precluded from. deferred = yielded to a person's knowledge or wishes incited = urged to action; provoked or agitated precluded = prevented ; made impossible

Esmerelda's dissertation was on such an ___________ subject that no one could understand it. a. auspicious b. austere c. equitable d. esoteric

d When a subject could not be understood by anyone, it must be a complex subject that must require much study and expertise to be deciphered. The answer is esoteric, which describes a subject matter that is likely to be understood only by those with a special knowledge or interest. auspicious = favorable, promising austere = severe, harsh (conditions); serious, stern, self-disciplined (person) equitable = fair, just, impartial