The Complete Guide To The TOEFL Test
.pdf354 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-lesson 3.2
baffle v. |
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confuse, |
puzzle, mystify |
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balmy ad}. |
mild, warm |
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ban v. |
prohibit. t()rbid |
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bar v. prevent. obstruct. block |
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barren ad}. |
sterile, |
unproductive, bleak, lifeless |
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barter v. |
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trade, |
exchange |
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beckon v. summon, call, signal |
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belligerent ad}. |
hostile, |
aggressive |
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beneficial adj. |
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helpful, |
useful, |
advantageous |
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benevolent adj. |
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benign, kind, |
compassionate |
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bias n. |
prejudice, leaning |
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bland ad}. |
mild, |
tasteless, |
dull |
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blatant adj. |
flagrant. obvious, |
overt |
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blend v. |
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mix, |
mingle. combine |
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n. |
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mixture, combination |
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bloom v. |
blossom, |
flower, |
flourish |
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blunder 1'. make a mistake |
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n. |
error, |
mistake |
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blunt aelj. |
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(1) unsharpened, |
dull |
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(2) rude, |
abrupt, |
curt |
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blurry aelj. |
unfocllsed, unclear, indistinct |
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bold adj. |
brave, |
courageous |
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bolster v. |
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support, |
sustain |
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bond v. |
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join, |
connect |
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n. |
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tie, link, |
connection |
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boomv. |
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expand, prosper |
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n. |
expansion, prosperity, growth |
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brace v. |
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support, |
reinforce |
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brilliant adj. |
(1) bright, |
shiny, |
radiant, dazzling |
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(2) talented, |
gifted, intelligent |
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brisk adj. |
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(I) lively, |
quick, |
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vigorous |
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(2) cool. |
chilly, invigorating |
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brittle adj. |
fragile, |
breakable, |
'''leak |
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bulkyadj. huge, large, clumsy
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 355
Exercise: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary item (A), (B), or (C) according to the context of the sentences.
1. |
Most flowers ____ in the spring. |
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(A) blend |
(B) brace |
(C) bloom |
2. The Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean, have a ____ climate. |
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(A) blurry |
(B) brittle |
(C) balmy |
3. |
Before currency came into use, people used the ____ system, exchanging goods directly for |
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goods. |
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(A) barter |
(B) blunder |
(C) bias |
4. |
The airline ____ . It sent me to Atlanta but my luggage to Montreal. |
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(A) beckoned |
(B) bartered |
(C) blundered |
5. |
People with ulcers must eat ____ foods. |
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(A) bold |
(ll) bland |
(C) bulky |
6. |
Steel is not as ____ as cast iron; it doesn't break as easily. |
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(A) brisk |
(B) brittle |
(C) brilliant |
7.Some people feel that violent sports such as boxing should be ____ because they are too dangerous.
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(A) banned |
(B) bloomed |
(C) braced |
8. |
Many people think of deserts as |
regions, but many species of plants and animals have |
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adapted to life there. |
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(A) bland |
(B) barren |
(C) balmy |
9. |
An autocratic ruler who serves his people well is sometimes called a |
dictator. |
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(A) blatant |
(B) belligerent |
(C) benevolent |
lO. Robert Goddard was a ____ pioneer in the field of rocketry. |
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(A) brilliant |
(B) balmy |
(C) brisk |
11. |
I enjoy taking walks on ____ autumn mornings. |
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(A) barren |
(B) brisk |
(C) blurry |
12. |
The victim was apparently struck by a club or some other ____ object. |
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(A) bland |
(B) brittle |
(C) blunt |
356 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-lesson 3.3
calamity n. disaster, catastrophe
capable adj. competent, able, efficient, skillful carve v. cut, sculpt, slice
casual adj. (1) informal, relaxed
(2) accidental, chance caustic adj. biting, harsh, sarcastic cautious adj. careful, alert, prudent
celebrated adj. distinguished, famous, prominent charming adj. delightful, lovely, attractive cherish v. appreciate, esteem, treasure
choice n. selection, option
adj. exceptional, superior cite v. quote, mention, refer to, list clash v. argue, dispute, quarrel
n. argument, conflict, dispute classify lJ. categorize
clever ad}. smart, sharp, witty, bright cling v. stick, adhere, hold
clumsy adj. awkward, inept coax v. persuade, urge
colossal ad}. huge, enormous, gigantic commence v. begin, initiate, start commerce n. trade, business
commodity n. good, product, merchandise compel v. force, require, coerce competent ad}. adept, skillful, capable, able
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 357
Exercise: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary item (A), (B), or (C) according to the context of the sentences.
1. The Red Cross provides relief in case of ____ such as floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes.
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(A) challenges |
(B) commodities |
(C) calamities |
2. |
Spoken language is generally more ____ than written language. |
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(A) casual |
(B) capable |
(C) cautious |
3. |
When writing research papers, writers must ____ the sources they use. |
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(A) coax |
(B) cite |
(C) clash |
4. |
Monkeys are ____ as primates. |
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(A) compelled |
(B) classified |
(C) coaxed |
5. |
remarks can offend people. |
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(A) Casual |
(B) Caustic |
(C) Clever |
6. |
Sculptors use hammers and chisels to ____ statues out of stone. |
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(A) clash |
(B) compel |
(C) carve |
7. |
The Space Age |
in October 1957 when Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, was |
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launched by the Soviet Union. |
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(A) commenced |
(B) coaxed |
(C) cited |
8. Workers must be very ____ when dealing with toxic substances. |
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(A) caustic |
(B) casual |
(C) cautious |
9. |
In seaside communities, building sites that have a view of the ocean are considered ____ |
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(A) choice |
(B) clever |
(C) competent |
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10. |
With the growth of international |
the economies of the world have become more |
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interdependent. |
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(A) commodity |
(B) commerce |
(C) choice |
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11. |
The Lincoln Memorial features a ____ statue of the sixteenth president. |
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(A) colossal |
(B) |
caustic |
(C) casual |
12. |
Corn, cotton, sugar, and many other goods are bought and sold in ____ markets. |
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(A) clash |
(B) commerce |
(C) commodity |
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358 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-lesson 3.4
complement v. supplement, complete
n.supplement, addition
compliment v. praise, flatter, commend
n.praise, flattery, commendation
comprehensive adj. complete, thorough, exhaustive compulsory adj. necessary, obligatory, mandatory concede v. admit, acknowledge, recognize
concise adj. brief, short, abbreviated
concrete adj. tangible, specific, real, perceptible congregate v. assemble, gather
conspicuous adj. noticeable, obvious, prominent contemplate v. think about, ponder, speculate controversial adj. disputable, debatable convenient adj. accessible, available, handy cope with v. deal with, manage, handle
copious adj. abundant, ample, plentiful cordial adj. congenial, warm, friendly courteous adj. polite, refined, gracious covert adj. secret, hidden
cozy adj. (1) comfortable, warm
(2) friendly, intimate, close crave v. desire, long for, hope for crooked adj. (1) curved, twisted, zigzag
(2) dishonest, corrupt crucial adj. critical, decisive, key crude adj. (1) rude, impolite, vulgar
(2) unprocessed, raw, unrefined cruel adj. brutal, vicious, ruthless
cryptic adj. secret, hidden, mysterious curb v. restrict, limit, control
curious adj. (1) inquisitive
(2) odd, strange, unusual curt adj. abrupt, blunt, impolite
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 359
Exercise: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary item (A), (B), or (C) according to the context of the sentences.
1. |
The use of seat belts is ____ in many states; failure to wear them may result in fines. |
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(A) covert |
(B) cruel |
(C) compulsory |
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Every summer, bears from all over southern Alaska ____ along the McNeil River. |
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(A) crave |
(B) curb |
(C) congregate |
3. |
An abstract is a |
form of an academic article. Many journals publish abstracts so readers |
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can decide if it is worthwhile to read the full version of the article. |
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(A) concise |
(B) comprehensive |
(C) concrete |
4. Before 1754, Britain and the North American colonies had a ____ relationship, but after
that, their relationship became strained. |
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(A) conspicuous |
(B) cozy |
(C) curt |
5. Automatic teller machines provide a ____ means of banking twenty-four hours a day.
(A) cordial (B) crooked (C) convenient
6.Lombard Street in San Francisco, which zigzags its way up Nob Hill, is known as the most
____ street in the world.
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(A) controversial |
(B) crooked |
(C) cryptic |
7. A good writer supports his or her generalizations with ____ examples. |
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(A) concrete |
(B) curious |
(C) crude |
8. |
Many hunters wear orange and other bright colors in order to be as |
as pOSSible, and |
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therefore avoid being shot by other hunters by mistake. |
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(A) covert |
(B) cruel |
(C) conspicuous |
9. |
Movie directors use music to ____ the action on the screen. |
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(A) contemplate |
(B) complement |
(C) compliment |
10. |
Workers in the service sector should be trained to act as ____ as possible. |
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(A) crudely |
(B) courteously |
(C) curtly |
360 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.5
damp ad}. moist, wet, humid daring adj. bold, courageous, brave
dazzling ad}. shining, sparkling, blinding, bright declare v. announce, proclaim
deem v. believe, consider, regard, judge
defective ad}. flawed, faulty, broken, malfunctioning defiant ad}. rebellious, insubordinate
delicate ad}. exquisite, fragile
delightful ad}. charming, attractive, enchanting delusion n. illusion, dream, fantasy
demolish v. tear down, destroy, wreck, raze dense ad}. thick, solid
desist v. stop, cease, discontinue device n. instrument, tool, mechanism devise v. invent, plan, figure out
dim ad}. unclear, faint, indistinct din n. noise, clamor, commotion dire ad}. desperate, grievous, serious
dismal ad}. gloomy, depressing, dreary disperse v. scatter, distribute, spread
dispute n. argument, quarrel, debate, clash, feud distinct ad}. discrete, separate, different
distinguished ad}. celebrated, notable, famous, well-known divulge v. reveal, admit, disclose
dogged adj. stubborn, determined, persistent dominate v. rule, control, govern
dot v. are located in, are scattered around
n.spot, point
downfall n. collapse, ruin, destruction doze v. sleep, nap
drawback n. disadvantage, weakness, flaw dreary ad}. dismal, gloomy, bleak
drench v. wet, soak drowsy ad}. sleepy, tired
dubious ad}. doubtful, skeptical, uncertain durable ad}. lasting, enduring, resistant dwell v. live, reside, inhabit
dwelling n. house, home, residence dwindle v. decrease, diminish
dynamic ad}. energetic, forceful, active, vibrant
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 361
Exercise: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary item (A), (B), or (C) according to the context of the sentences.
1. The snow on the mountaintop was ____ in the bright morning sun.
(A) dazzling (B) dogged (C) dim
2.A person who has been accused of a crime cannot be forced to ____ any information that is self-incriminating.
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(A) divulge |
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(B) desist |
(C) disperse |
3. Roses have a ____ beauty. |
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(A) dense |
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(B) delicate |
(C) dire |
4. |
An odometer is a ____ for measuring distance. |
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(A) device |
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(B) delusion |
(C) dwelling |
5. |
The amount of open space has ____ as more and more land is developed. |
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(A) dominated |
(B) dwindled |
(C) dispersed |
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6. |
A |
battery can cause an electrical device to malfunction. |
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(A) dogged |
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(B) durable |
(C) defective |
7. Richard Bird and his pilot Floyd Bennet undertook a ____ flight to the North Pole in May of
1926.
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(A) daring |
(B) defiant |
(C) distinct |
8. |
Steep, round hills called knobs |
southern Indiana. |
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(A) demolish |
(B) dot |
(C) dwell |
9. |
Artists Nathaniel Currier and]. Merritt Ives produced some |
prints of nineteenth |
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century New England scenes which collectors prize for their charm. |
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(A) dreary |
(B) dim |
(C) delightful |
10. |
Economists define ____ goods as ones intended to last more than four months. |
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(A) durable |
(B) dense |
(C) delicate |
II, One cause of the American Revolution was a ____ over taxation. |
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(A) drawback |
(B) delusion |
(C) dispute |
12. |
Florida has a humid climate. Summers there are particularly hot and ____ |
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(A) dynamic |
(B) damp |
(C) dogged |
362 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.6
eerie ad}. strange, odd, unusual, frightening elderly ad}. old, aged
elegant adj. sophisticated, polished eligible ad}. suitable, qualified, acceptable
eminent ad}. celebrated, distinguished, famous emit v. send out, discharge
enchanting ad}. delightful, charming, captivating encounter v. meet, find, come across
n.meeting, confrontation
endeavor n. attempt, venture
endorse v. authorize, approve, support enhance v. intenSify, amplify, strengthen ensue v. follow, result
entice v. lure, attract, tempt era n. period, age
essential ad}. critical, vital, crucial, key esteem v. cherish, honor, admire
evade v. escape, avoid, elude
exhaustive ad}. thorough, complete, comprehensive exhilarating ad}. exciting, thrilling, stimulating extravagant ad}. excessive, lavish
fable n. story, tale
fabled ad}. legendary, mythical, famous facet n. aspect, point, feature
faint ad}. dim, pale, faded, indistinct falter v. hesitate, waver
fancyadj. decorative, ornate, elaborate fasten v. attach, secure
fatal adj. mortal, lethal, deadly fatigue v. tire, exhaust
n. exhaustion, weariness faulty adj. flawed, inferior feasible adj. possible
feeble ad}. weak, fragile, frail ferocious adj. fierce, savage, violent fiery adj. (1) blazing, burning
(2) passionate, fervent
fitting adj. suitable, proper, apt, appropriate flagrant adj. blatant, obvious
flaw n. defect, imperfection, fault flee v. escape, go away, elude
flimsy ad}. fragile, frail, weak, feeble forego v. abandon, give up
foremost ad}. chief, principal, leading fragment n. particle, piece, bit fragrant ad}. aromatic, scented
fraudulent adj. false, deceptive, deceitful fundamental adj. basic, integral, elemental fusion n. blend, merger, union
futile adj. useless, pOintless, vain
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 363
Exercise: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary items (A), (8), or (C) according to the context of the sentences.
1. In 1906, much of San Francisco was destroyed by an earthquake and the fires that ____
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(A) evaded |
(B) ensued |
(C) encountered |
2. |
The writer H. P. Lovecraft wrote many ____ stories about the supernatural. |
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(A) essential |
(B) eerie |
(C) exhilarating |
3. |
A new |
of aviation began in 1947 when Chuck Yeager became the first pilot to fly faster |
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than the speed of sound. |
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(A) fable |
(8) endeavor |
(C) era |
4. |
Vance Packard's book The Hidden Persuaders deals with the tactics advertisers use to ____ |
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consumers. |
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(A) endorse |
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(8) entice |
(C) enhance |
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5. |
Riding a roller coaster is an ____ experience. |
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(A) exhilarating |
(8) elegant |
(C) exhaustive |
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6. |
Before the plane takes off, passengers must ____ their seat belts. |
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(A) flee |
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(8) |
emit |
(C) fasten |
7. |
In the United States, citizens are |
to vote at the age of eighteen. |
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(A) essential |
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(8) |
elderly |
(C) eligible |
8. |
Barracudas are ____ predators, sometimes called the "tigers" of tropical waters. |
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(A) elegant |
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(8) futile |
(C) ferocious |
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9. |
Certain gases such as neon ____ light when exposed to an electrical current. |
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(A) emit |
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(8) evade |
(C) esteem |
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10. |
People make more mistakes when they are ____ than when they are fresh. |
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(A) exhaustive |
(8) |
eminent |
(C) fatigued |
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11. |
A |
in a jewel makes it less valuable. |
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(A) fragment |
(B) facet |
(C) flaw |
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12. Honeysuckle is a shrub that has |
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white or yellowish blossoms. |
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(A) flagrant |
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(8) |
fragrant |
(C) exhilarating |