Choose the option that best reflects the meaning of the key word.
- A lyre was played in ancient Rome. Lyre means…
- Stringed instrument in the harp class.
- Percussion instrument.
- Wind instrument in the wind class.
- Rhythmic percussion device.
To abdicate means to relinquish or give up a throne, power, right, or responsibility. It does not mean to sell (B), reinvest in (C), or auction (D).
- The labyrinth caused confusion to the attacking troops. Labyrinth means…
- Sound.
- Noise.
- Maze.
- Bulwarks.
A labyrinth is a maze. It is not a sound (A) or noise (B). Bulwarks (D) are ramparts, walls, or defenses, not mazes or labyrinths.
- The pianist played his rendition of a sonata. Sonata means…
- Instrumental composition.
- Piano.
- Nauseating.
- Vocal score.
A sonata is an instrumental composition, i.e. a musical piece written for an instrument or instruments, not including voice. It does not mean a piano (B), i.e. the instrument with strings and keyboard; a play (C), i.e. a dramatic piece, or to play, i.e. perform music; or a vocal score (D), i.e. musical composition or arrangement written for voice.
- The defendant exhibited a peevish appearance. Peevish means…
- Immovable.
- Guilty.
- Play.
- Irritable.
Peevish means irritable, annoyed, or ill-humored. It does not mean immovable (A), guilty (B), or not guilty (C).
- The band director was an expert at playing the piccolo. Piccolo means…
- Small flute.
- Large flute.
- Small drum.
- Small triangle.
A piccolo is a smaller version of the flute. In fact, piccolo means small/little in Italian. A piccolo is hence not a large flute (B). Though it means small, piccolo is a name that refers specifically to the miniature flute only and never to a drum (C) or a triangle (D).
- The renter was remiss about the rent. Remiss means…
- Timely.
- Negligent.
- Irritable.
- Impoverished.
Remiss means negligent, lax, careless, or slow. Timely (A) is an antonym. Irritable (C) means easily irritated or annoyed, testy, or irascible and is not related. Impoverished (D) means poor and is also not related.
- The old man was known for being sapient. Sapient means…
- Useless.
- Possessing wisdom.
- Perceptual.
- Limited.
Sapient means wise or knowledgeable. It does not mean useless (A); perceptual (C), i.e. related to perception; or limited (D).
- The inventor created several specious ideas to solve the problem. Specious means…
- Inspired.
- Insufficient.
- Limited.
- Falsely plausible.
Specious means falsely plausible, i.e. deceptively appearing or seeming believable but really not. It does not mean inspired (A), i.e. influenced or animated by spirit; insufficient (B), i.e. not enough; or limited (C).
- The tolerant attitude of the audience was appreciated. Tolerant means…
- Tireless.
- Calm.
- Indulgent.
- Laborious.
Tolerant means indulgent, i.e. permissive, open-minded, or patient. It does not mean tireless (A), i.e. never tiring; calm (B), or laborious (D), i.e. effortful or difficult.
- The verbose language used by the English teacher was tiresome to the class. Verbose means…
- Wordy.
- Expressive.
- Limited.
- Punitive.
Verbose means wordy. It does not mean expressive (B), limited (C), or punitive (D), i.e. punishing.
- Susan’s abhorrence of the dark prevents her from leaving her house at night. Abhorrence means…
- Rationale.
- Hatred.
- Tremor.
- Belief.
Abhorrence means hatred. It does not mean rationale (A), i.e. reason or explanation; tremor (C), i.e. trembling or shaking; or belief (D).
- The girl was distraught when she found out her puppy was injured. Distraught means…
- Reckless.
- Shifty.
- Distressed.
- Unreasonable.
Abhorrence means hatred. It does not mean rationale (A), i.e. reason or explanation; tremor (C), i.e. trembling or shaking; or belief (D).
- The somber crowd mourned the loss of their leader. Somber means…
- Angry.
- Bitter.
- Melancholy.
- Excited.
Somber means melancholy or sad. It does not mean angry (A); bitter (i.e. unpleasant, harsh, or resentful) (B); or excited (D).
- At the age of 65, the CEO of the company was retiring. He felt he had reached the acme of his profession. Acme means…
- Highest point.
- End.
- Bottom.
- Entrance.
The acme means the highest point, summit, or peak (literally or figuratively). It does not mean the end (B), bottom (C), or entrance (D).
- The genteel southern girl was known for her behavior. Genteel means…
- Refined.
- Ambiguous.
- Smug.
- Loathsome.
Genteel means refined or cultured. It does not mean ambiguous (B), i.e. unclear in meaning or open to different interpretations; smug (C), i.e. self-satisfied or complacent; or loathsome (D), i.e. hateful or repulsive.
- The genteel southern girl was known for her behavior. Genteel means…
- Teach.
- Threaten.
- Soothe.
- Distract.
To mollify is to appease, soothe, or calm. It does not mean to teach (A), threaten (B), or to distract (D).
- Some people accused John of thinking too much. He would sometimes ponder on a subject for months at a time. Ponder means…
- Resolve.
- Meditate.
- Discuss.
- Fret.
To ponder is to think seriously about, consider, contemplate, or meditate. It does not mean to resolve (A), i.e. to solve, clear up, decide, determine, or conclude; to discuss (C) or talk about; or to fret (D) or worry.
- The young artist had an unbridled passion for watercolors. Unbridled means…
- Unrestrained.
- Unequaled.
- Underachieved.
- Distressed.
Unbridled means unrestrained, unfettered, uninhibited, uncontrolled, free of constraints, unmanageable, or wild. It does not mean unequaled (B), i.e. unmatched; underachieved (C), i.e. not meeting potential; or distressed (D), i.e. upset, moved, troubled, or hurt.
- The zephyr kept the students cool while they sat outside studying. Zephyr means…
- Cloud.
- Tree.
- Shade.
- Wind.
A zephyr is a breeze or light wind. It is not a cloud (A), tree (B), or shade (C).