The Complete Guide To The TOEFL Test
.pdf364 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.7
gala ad}. festive, happy, joyous gap n. break, breach, opening garrulous ad}. talkative
gaudy adj. showy, flashy, ostentatious genial ad}. pleasant, cordial, agreeable gentle ad}. mild, kind, considerate genuine ad}. authentic, real, valid glitter v. sparkle, shine, glisten
glory n. grandeur, majesty, fame gorgeous ad}. attractive, beautiful graphic ad}. clear, explicit, vivid
(1) grab, seize, grip
(2) understand
grave ad}. serious, grievous, solemn, somber gregarious ad}. sociable, friendly
grim ad}. severe, dreary, bleak, somber grip v. hold, grasp, seize
grueling adj. exhausting, difficult
gullible ad}. innocent, naive, trusting, credulous
hamper v. delay, obstruct, hinder, block
haphazard ad}. random, chance, aimless, unplanned hardship n. difficulty, trouble
harm v. injure, damage
harmony n. accord, agreement, peace harness v. control, use
harsh ad}. severe, rough, strict hasty ad}. quick, rushed, hurried hazardous adj. dangerous, risky heed v. obey, listen to, mind, follow hinder v. block, obstruct, hamper hoist v. lift, raise, pick up
hue n. color, tint, shade
huge ad}. enormous, giant, colossal, immense hurl v. pitch, throw, fling
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 365
Exercise: Complete the following sentences by ftlling in the blanks with vocabulary item (A), (B), or (C) according to the context of the sentences.
1. |
During the construction of skyscrapers, cranes are used to ____ building materials to the |
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upper floors. |
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(A) hurl |
(B) |
harness |
(C) hoist |
2. |
The twenty-six mile-long Boston Marathon is a ____ foot race. |
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(A) gorgeous |
(B) grueling |
(C) hasty |
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3. |
Dams can ____ the power of rivers, but they may also destroy their beauty. |
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(A) heed |
(B) |
harness |
(C) hurl |
4. The more facets a diamond has, the more it ____ |
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(A) glitters |
(B) |
harms |
(C) hinders |
5. Many people celebrate the New Year with ____ parties. |
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(A) gala |
(B) |
grueling |
(C) haphazard |
6. Think it over for a while; don't make a ____ decision. |
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(A) genuine |
(B) gullible |
(C) hasty |
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7. Bad weather ____ the rescue crews trying to locate the life rafts. |
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(A) hampered |
(B) |
grasped |
(C) harnessed |
8. |
Gorillas look ferocious but are actually quite ____ creatures. |
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(A) gaudy |
(B) gentle |
(C) gorgeous |
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9. |
Con artists are criminals who take advantage of ____ people by tricking them and taking |
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their money. |
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(A) garrulous |
(B) grim |
(C) gullible |
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10. Working with toxic materials is a |
occupation. |
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(A) hazardous |
(B) genial |
(C) haphazard |
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11.Most minnows are tiny fish, but squaw fish, which can weigh as much as 30 pounds, are actually
____ minnows.
(A) gregarious (B) gaudy (C) huge
12. At first, the results of the experiment seemed ____ , but finally a pattern emerged.
(A) haphazard (B) grave (C) genuine
366 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-lesson 3.8
concept, notion, thought model, standard
adj. perfect, model, standard
(1) inactive, unused, inert
(2) lazy
illusion n. fantasy, delusion
inlaginary adj. unreal, fantastic, fictitious inlaginative adj. creative, original, clever inunense ad}. huge, enormous, massive, colossal inlpair v. damage, injure, spoil
inlpartial adj. fair, unbiased, neutral
inlplement l1. realize, achieve, put into practice, execute
n.tool, utensil, instrument
incessant ad}. constant, ceaseless, continuous increment n. increase, amount
indifferent ad}. uncaring, apathetic, unconcerned indigenous adj. native
indispensable adj. necessary, essential, vital, critical indistinct ad}. unclear, blurry, hazy
induce v. persuade, convince, coax inept adj. incompetent, awkward, clumsy inexorable adj. unstoppable
infamous ad}. notorious, shocking infinite ad}. limitless, endless, boundless infinitesinlal ad}. tiny, minute, minuscule
ingenious ad}. brilliant, imaginative, clever, inventive ingenuous ad}. naive, trusting
inhabit v. live, dwell, reside, populate inhibit v. control, limit, restrain
initial adj. original, first, beginning, introductory innate ad}. natural, inborn
intense adj. powerful, heightened, concentrated intricate ad}. complicated, complex, involved irate adj. angry, furious, upset
jagged ad}. rough, rugged, uneven, irregular jeopardy n. danger, hazard, risk, threat jolly ad}. joyful, happy, cheerful, jovial
jolt v. shock, jar, shake up, surprise
n.blow, surprise, shock
keen ad}. (1) sharp
(2)shrewd, clever, bright
(3)eager, enthusiastic
keyadj. principal, crucial, important knack n. skill, ability, aptitude, talent
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 367
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. |
Many people feel that Hawaii has an almost ____ climate. |
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(A) idle |
(B) impartial |
(C) ideal |
2. |
A plow is a farm ____ used to break up soil and prepare the land for planting. |
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(A) increment |
(B) knack |
(C) implement |
3. A laser uses a synthetic ruby to concentrate light into an extremely ____ high-energy beam.
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(A) intense |
(B) indistinct |
(C) imaginary |
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4. Jesse James was an ____ outlaw, well-known as a bank robber and gunfighter. |
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(A) inept |
(B) ingenuous |
(C) infamous |
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5. Antibiotics |
the growth of bacteria. |
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(A) |
inhabit |
(B) jolt |
(C) inhibit |
6. |
Optical ____ deceive the eye with tricks of perception. |
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(A) illusions |
(B) ideals |
(C) increments |
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7. |
Stockholders may be too ____ to vote in corporate elections, so they let management vote |
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for them by proxy. |
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(A) infamous |
(B) indifferent |
(C) ingenious |
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8. |
The heavily populated states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan are ____ states |
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for any candidate in a presidential election. |
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(A) initial |
(B) impartial |
(C) key |
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9. |
A virus is so ____ that it can be seen only with an electron microscope. |
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(A) infinite |
(B) imaginary |
(C) infinitesimal |
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10. |
The |
character Falstaff is one of Shakespeare's frnest comic creations. |
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(A) keen |
(B) jolly |
(C) irate |
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11. |
Anyone can learn basic cooking skills; you don't need a special ____ |
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(A) knack |
(B) idea |
(C) implement |
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12. |
Alcohol |
one's ability to drive. |
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(A) jolts |
(B) impair |
(C) induce |
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13. The |
people ofAustralia were called Aborigines by the English settlers. |
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(A) indigenous |
(B) ingenuous |
(C) innate |
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14. The rhinoceros has a poor sense of sight but ____ sense of smell. |
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(A) an impartial |
(B) an inept |
(C) a keen |
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15. |
The equator is ____ line running around the center of the Earth. |
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(A) an imaginative |
(B) a jagged |
(C) an imaginary |
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16. |
A glacier's progress is slow but ____ |
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(A) inexorable |
(B) impartial |
(C) infInite |
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368 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.9
lack v. |
need, require, not have |
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n. |
shortage, |
absence, scarcity |
lag v. |
fall behind, |
go slowly |
lavish ad}. luxurious, plentiful, abundant lax ad}. careless, negligent, loose legendary ad}. mythical, fabled, famous legitimate ad}. proper, authentic, valid lethargic adj. slow, listless, sluggish, lazy
likely ad}. |
probable, |
plausible |
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linger v. |
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remain, stay |
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link v. |
join, connect, |
fasten, bind |
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n. |
connection, tie |
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long v. |
desire, wish for |
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lucid ad}. |
clear, plain, understandable |
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lull v. soothe, calm, quiet
n.pause, break
lure v. attract, tempt, entice
lurid ad}. shocking, sensational, graphic lurk v. prowl, sneak, hide
luster n. shine, radiance, brightness luxurious ad}. lavish, elegant, plush
magnificent adj. majestic, impressive, splendid magnitude n. size, extent, amount
mandatory ad}. necessary, obligatory, compulsory mar v. damage, ruin, deface, spoil
memorable ad}. unforgettable, impressive, striking ftx, repair
mild adj. gentle, moderate, calm mingle v. blend, combine, mix
minute ad}. tiny, minuscule, inftnitesimal monitor v. observe, watch
moral ad}. honorable, ethical morale n. spirit, conftdence, attitude murky ad}. unclear, cloudy mysterious ad}. puzzling, strange
mythical ad}. legendary, imaginary, ftctional
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 369
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. |
It's difficult for scuba divers to see when the water is ____ |
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(A) murky |
(B) lucid |
(C) magnificent |
2. |
In most cultures, it is traditional to prepare ____ meals to celebrate holidays. |
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(A) lurid |
(B) lethargic |
(C) lavish |
3. |
Parents often sing to children to |
them to sleep. |
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(A) lurk |
(B) mingle |
(C) lull |
4.Julius Caesar is known not only for his military and political skills but also for his
____ , informative writing.
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(A) lucid |
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(B) lurid |
(C) lethargic |
5. A cobbler ____ damaged shoes. |
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(A) mars |
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(B) mends |
(C) lacks |
6. |
One of the ____ exhibits ofImpressionist art is found at the Art Institute of Chicago. |
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(A) mildest |
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(B) most memorable |
(C) most lucid |
7. |
The USO is a service organization which entertains U.S. troops and improves their ____ |
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(A) morale |
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(B) luster |
(C) lack |
8. |
Quarks are ____ particles that are believed to be the fundamental unit of matter. |
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(A) massive |
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(B) minute |
(C) mythical |
9. |
Some people like to |
after dinner over coffee and dessert. |
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(A) lag |
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(B) long |
(C) linger |
10. |
Paperback novels in the 1940's and 1950's often had ____ covers to attract readers' |
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attention. |
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(A) lurid |
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(B) murky |
(C) legitimate |
11. |
One problem caused by a rising crime rate is a ____ of space in prisons. |
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(A) lag |
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(B) lack |
(C) link |
12. |
The |
lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his giant blue ox Babe are two of the most famous |
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characters in American folklore. |
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(A) legendary |
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(B) moral |
(C) minute |
370 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.10
negligible adj. unimportant, trivial nimble adj. graceful, agile
notable adj. remarkable, conspicuous, striking notify v. inform
notion n. idea, concept, thought notorious adj. infamous, disreputable novel adj. new, innovative
objective n. goal, purpose, aim
adj. fair, impartial, unbiased, neutral oblong adj. oval
obscure adj. unfamiliar, ambiguous, little-known obsolete adj. antiquated, out-of-date, outmoded odd adj. strange, unusual, peculiar, curious offspring n. young, children, descendants ominous adj. threatening, menacing, dangerous opulent adj. luxurious, plush, affluent ornamental adj. ornate, decorative, elaborate outgoing adj. (1) open, friendly
(2) departing, leaving outlook n. (1) opinion, view
(2) prospect, forecast
outstanding ad}. excellent, exceptional, notable, well-known overall ad}. general, comprehensive
overcast ad}. cloudy, gloomy
overcome v. subdue, defeat, overwhelm overlook v. ignore, disregard, neglect oversee v. supervise, manage, direct oversight n. error, mistake, omission overt ad}. open, obvious
overtake v. catch up with, reach overwhelm v. (1) astonish, astound
(2)inundate, overcome, engulf
(3)conquer, defeat, overpower
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 371
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. |
Who should be ____ in case you are involved in an accident? |
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(A) overlooked |
(B) notified |
(C) overtaken |
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2. |
Many of the world's most ____ restaurants are located in lUXury hotels. |
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(A) outgoing |
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(B) opulent |
(C) overt |
3. |
The black clouds of a gathering thunderstorm look quite ____ |
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(A) ominous |
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(B) negligible |
(C) overcast |
4. |
Pulitzer Prizes are awarded to ____ journalists, novelists, poets, and other writers. |
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(A) objective |
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(B) outstanding |
(C) notorious |
5. |
An |
plant is cultivated chiefly for its beauty. |
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(A) opulent |
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(B) obscure |
(C) ornamental |
6. |
Franklin D. Roosevelt was able to ____ his physical handicaps; he didn't permit them to |
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interfere with his living a vigorous life. |
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(A) oversee |
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(B) overcome |
(C) overtake |
7.The poetry of Ezra Pound is sometimes difficult to understand because it contains so many
____ references.
(A) notable |
(B) obscure |
(C) objective |
8.The Bessemer Process was once the most common method of making steel, but today this process is considered ____
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(A) odd |
(B) novel |
(C) obsolete |
9. |
Gregarious people are friendly and ____ |
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(A) overcast |
(B) nimble |
(C) outgoing |
10. |
The town planning commission said that their financial |
for the next fiscal year was |
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optimistic; they expect increased tax revenues. |
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(A) outlook |
(B) oversight |
(C) notion |
11. |
The new play was so successful that the demand for tickets was ____ |
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(A) odd |
(B) overwhelming |
(C) negligible |
12. A book's table of contents provides readers with an ____ idea of what the book is about.
(A) outgoing (B) overt (C) overall
13.Because ultraviolet light from the Sun can penetrate clouds, it is possible to get a sunburn on an
____ day.
(A) obscure (B) overcast (C) opulent
14. Although the accident appeared serious, only a ____ amount of damage was done.
(A) novel (B) notable (C) negligible
372 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.11
pace n. rate, speed
painstaking adj. careful, conscientious, thorough pale ad}. white, colorless, faded, blanched
paltry ad}. unimportant, minor, trivial particle n. piece, bit, fragment
path n. trail, track, way, route peculiar ad}. (1) strange, odd, puzzling
(2) distinctive, characteristic, unique, special penetrate v. enter, go through, pierce, puncture
perceive v. observe, sense, notice peril n. danger, hazard, risk, threat
perpetual ad}. constant, endless, eternal perplexing ad}. puzzling, mystifying, confusing pierce v. penetrate, puncture, stab
plausible ad}. likely, credible, believable plead v. appeal, beg
plush ad}. opulent, luxurious, elegant ponder v. consider, think about, reflect on portion n. share, part, section, segment postpone v. delay, put off, defer
potent adj. strong, powerful, effective pounce v. jump, leap, spring precious ad}. expensive, costly, rare precise adj. accurate, exact, definite
premier ad}. (1) first, opening, earliest, initial
(2) chief, leading, foremost urgent, crucial, compelling pretext n. excuse, pretense, justification
prevail v. succeed, win, triumph
prevalent ad}. common, widespread, popular prior ad}. earlier, preceding, former
probe v. investigate, inquire into procure v. obtain, acquire, secure
profound ad}. important, significant, deep profuse ad}. plentiful, abundant
prompt ad}. punctual, timely prosper v. flourish, thrive, succeed provoke v. (1) irritate, anger, annoy
(2) cause, trigger
careful, sensible, cautious crush, grind, powder
(1) bitter, harsh, biting, sharp
(2) spicy, sour, tart pursue v. chase, follow, seek
puzzling adj. mystifying, confusing, baffling
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 373
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. Turquoise is not valuable enough to be classified as a ____ stone.
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(A) perpetual |
(B) pale |
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(C) precious |
2. |
Employers often require job applicants to have |
experience in the field. |
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(A) premier |
(B) prior |
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(C) plush |
3. |
Hospitals define urgent care as medical care given to somewhat less |
medical problems |
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than emergency care. |
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(A) perplexing |
(B) pressing |
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(C) prudent |
4. |
Tool makers must have the ability to work very ____ in order to meet exact specifications. |
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(A) precisely |
(B) profoundly |
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(C) plausibly |
5. |
NASA ____ the launch of space vehicles on account of bad weather or technical problems. |
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(A) ponders |
(B) postpones |
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(C) probes |
6. |
of dust in the air may trigger allergies in some people. |
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(A) Portions |
(8) Pretexts |
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(C) Particles |
7.The Appalachian Trail, extending from Maine to Georgia, is the longest continuous hiking
____ in the world.
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(A) pace |
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(B) peril |
(C) path |
8. When a tiger spots its prey, it crouches down and then ____ |
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(A) pleads |
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(B) ponders |
(C) pounces |
9. |
X-rays cannot ____ lead. |
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(A) provoke |
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(B) penetrate |
(C) pursue |
10. |
Morphine, a form of synthetic heroin, is a ____ painkiller. |
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(A) potent |
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(B) pungent |
(C) paltry |
11. |
Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective, solved many ____ crimes. |
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(A) puzzling |
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(B) prevalent |
(C) prompt |
12. |
Mallows are a type of wildflower that grows ____ in prairies, woods, and marshes. |
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(A) profusely |
(B) profoundly |
(C) preciously |
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13. |
Certain spices give foods a ____ taste. |
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(A) prudent |
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(B) pungent |
(C) pale |
14. |
Trade with Britain and the West Indies allowed colonial seaports such as Boston to ____ |
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(A) postpone |
(B) provoke |
(C) prosper |
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15. |
A |
investor never takes unnecessary financial risks. |
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(A) perplexing |
(8) prudent |
(C) premier |
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