The Complete Guide To The TOEFL Test
.pdf374 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.12
quaint at(j. charming, picturesque, curious, old-fashioned quake [1. shiyer, shake, tremble
quandary n. problem, dilemma, predicament quarrel n. argument, dispute, disagreement quest n. search, journey, Yenture
radiant ad). bright, shiny, glowing ragged ad). torn, tattered, worn range 11. scope, extent, spectrum
0.(1) extend, vary, fluctuate
(2) roam, wander
rash ad';' thoughtless, careless, reckless raw ad). (1) uncooked
(2) unprocessed, unrefined, crude raze v. demolish, level, knock down
recede v. retreat, go back, subside, withdraw reckless ad). careless, rash
recollect v. recall, remember recount II. narrate, tell
refine u. improve, process, purify refuge n. shelter, haYen, retreat rehearse lI. practice, train, go over reliable ad). dependable, trustworthy relish u. enjoy, savor, like
remedy n. treatment, cure
remnant n. remainder, balance, fragment remote at(j. isolated, distant
renowned at(j. famous, celebrated, notable resent t'. dislike, take offense at
retract 1'. withdraw, pull back riddle n. puzzle, mystery rigid ad';' (1) stiff, unbending
(2) harsh, severe, strict rip l( tear, cut, slash
ripe ad). mature, developed, grown, ready risky ad). dangerous, hazardous, treacherous roam v. trayel, wander, range
rough a{{j. (1) uneven, jagged, rugged
(2)djmcult
(3)impolite
route n. way, course, path, road
rudimentary ad). elementary, fundamental, primative rugged ad). (1) jagged, rough, uneven
(2) strong, sturdy rumor n. gossip, hearsay, story rural (lc(j. agricultural
ruthless ad). cruel, brutal, vicious
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 375
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. Motorists can be fined for driving ____ |
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(A) recklessly |
(B) reliably |
(C) ruthlessly |
2. Millions of bison once ____ the plains of North America. |
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(A) recollected |
(B) ripped |
(C) roamed |
3. Musicians have to |
before performing. |
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(A) rehearse |
(B) resent |
(C) recount |
4. At the end of the Ice Age, glaciers began to ____ |
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(A) quake |
(B) raze |
(C) recede |
5. Big Sur, a wild section of California's coastline, is known for its ____ beauty. |
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(A) ragged |
(B) rash |
(C) rugged |
6. |
Wetlands provide ____ for many species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians. |
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(A) riddles |
(B) refuge |
(C) rumors |
7. |
The pirate Blackbeard had a reputation for being a harsh, |
____ man. |
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(A) ruthless |
(B) quaint |
(C) reliable |
8. |
Wrecking balls are used to ____ bUildings. |
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(A) rip |
(B) quake |
(C) raze |
9.The northernmost section of the Rocky Mountains, the Brooks Range, is located in a ____
section ofAlaska.
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(A) remote |
(B) reliable |
(C) radiant |
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10. |
Dogs can hear a greater ____ of sounds than humans. |
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(A) remnant |
(B) quandary |
(C) range |
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11. |
Patent medicine salesmen have claimed to have ____ for all types of ailments, from cancer |
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to baldness to the common cold. |
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(A) remedies |
(B) quandaries |
(C) riddles |
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12. |
Visitors to Vermont delight in the beautiful scenery and picturesque villages and enjoy staying in |
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some of the |
country inns there. |
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(A) rudimentary |
(B) ragged |
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(C) quaint |
13. |
____ materials have less economic value than processed materials. |
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(A) Raw |
(B) Rash |
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(C) Renowned |
14. Many medieval stories dealt with |
, such as the story of the search for the Grail. |
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(A) quarrels |
(B) quandaries |
(C) quests |
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15. The Tennessee Valley Authority helped bring cheap electricity to farmers in the ____ South.
(A) reliable (B) rural (C) rugged
376 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.13
salvage v. save, rescue, recover, retrieve scale v. climb
n.(1) range, spectrum
(2) proportion
scarce adj. rare, sparse, unusual scatter v. disperse, spread
scent n. aroma, fragrance, odor, smell scrap v. abandon, get rid of
11.piece, fragment
seasoned adj. experienced, veteran secluded adj. hidden, isolated, secret sensational adj. thrilling, exciting, shocking serene adj. quiet, peaceful, calm, tranquil sever v. cut, slice off, break
severe adj. (1) harsh, strict, austere
(2) undecorated, plain shatter v. break, smash, fragment sheer adj. (1) steep, sharp, abrupt
(2) transparent, thin, filmy shinuner u. shine, glow, glisten, gleam shred v. rip up, tear up
shrewd adj. clever, sly
shrill adj. piercing, high-pitched shun v. avoid, stay away from shyadj. timid, reserved
significant adj. important, vital, major signify v. symbolize, stand for, indicate sketch v. draw
11. drawing, picture, diagram slender adj. thin, slim, slight
sluggish adj. slow, listless, lazy, lethargic sly adj. cunning, clever, shrewd
soak v. wet, drench, saturate
solace 11. comfort, consolation, relief somber adj. serious, grave, solemn sort u. classify, categorize
n. type, kind, variety sound 11. noise
adj. safe, solid, secure
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 377
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. Skunks use a pungent ____ as their first line of defense. |
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(A) scent |
(B) scrap |
(C) sound |
2. |
One of the most popular peaks for mountain climbers to ____ is El Capitan in Yosemite |
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National Park. |
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(A) scale |
(B) soak |
(C) shun |
3. |
Foxes are not particularly rare, but they are not often seen because they are so ____ |
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(A) sluggish |
(B) somber |
(C) shy |
4. |
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a particularly ____ piece of legislation. |
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(A) serene |
(B) significant |
(C) slender |
5. |
workers are more valuable to employers than beginners. |
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(A) Shrill |
(B) Seasoned |
(C) Sluggish |
6. |
The Shakers were a strict religious group that ____ all types of pleasure. |
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(A) scrapped |
(B) shunned |
(C) sketched |
7. |
Denver's plan to build a subway system was ____ in the 1970's. |
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(A) scattered |
(B) sorted |
(C) scrapped |
8. |
Even after a ship has sunk, its cargo can often be ____ |
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(A) severed |
(B) shattered |
(C) salvaged |
9. |
Some economists believe that the best way to get a ____ economy moving again is to cut |
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taxes. |
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(A) sensational |
(B) sluggish |
(C) shrewd |
10. |
Government bonds and blue-chip stocks are ____ investments. |
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(A) sound |
(B) shy |
(C) scarce |
11. |
If a person's spinal cord is ____ , paralysis results. |
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(A) soaked |
(B) severed |
(C) salvaged |
12. |
Silk is a ____ fabric. |
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(A) sheer |
(B) shrewd |
(C) slender |
378 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.14
span v. extend, bridge, connect n. length, extent, range
spawn v. generate, create, produce n. offspring, descendants
specific adj. definite, particular, exact specimen n. example, sample
spectacular adj. dramatic, sensational, impressive spell n. interval, period, time
spirited adj. lively, |
energetic, vigorous |
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splendid adj. excellent, superb, wonderful |
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spoil v. |
(1) ruin, mar |
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(2) decay, deteriorate, decompose, rot |
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spot v. |
locate, find, |
see |
n. |
(1) location, |
site |
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(2) mark, stain, speck |
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spur v. |
stimulate, impel, encourage, provoke |
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n.inducement, stimulus
stable adj. steady, secure, stationary, fixed stage v. present, put on
n. grade, step, level, phase stain v. color, tint, discolor, dye
n. spot, mark, blemish stale adj. (1) old, dry
(2) dull, trite, uninteresting stall v. halt, delay, put off
stately adj. dignified, grand, magnificent, elegant steep adj. sheer, perpendicular
stern adj. firm, severe, strict, harsh strife n. conflict, dispute, struggle strive v. attempt, try
struggle v. fight, argue, dispute
n. conflict, strife, battle, effort stubborn adj. rigid, uncompromising, obstinate sturdy adj. strong, rugged, well-built
subsequent adj. later, succeeding, following, ensuing subtle adj. indirect, suggestive, implied
suitable adj. appropriate, correct, apt summit n. peak, apex, zenith
sundry adj. miscellaneous, diverse, various superb adj. excellent, splendid
supplant v. replace, substitute for supple adj. pliable, flexible, bendable
(1) wave, rock, swing, bend
(2) persuade, influence
sweeping adj. complete, exhaustive, general, comprehensive swift adj. fast, quick, rapid
swivel v. rotate, spin, turn
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 379
Exercise: Complete the following sentences by mling in the blanks with vocabulary item (A), (B), or (C) according to the context of the sentences.
1. High pressure cells may bring brief warm ____ even in the middle of winter.
(A) struggles (B) spells (C) spans
2. The ____ cliffs of the Na Pali Coast of Kauai Island, Hawaii, rise some 4,000 feet from the
sea. |
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(A) still |
(B) steep |
(C) subtle |
3. The process of refining oil involves a number of ____ |
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(A) specimens |
(B) spots |
(C) stages |
4. In high winds, skyscrapers will |
slightly. |
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(A) swivel |
(B) sway |
(C) stall |
5. Severe thunderstorms may ____ tornadoes. |
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(A) spot |
(B) spawn |
(C) span |
6. The snow-covered ____ of Mount Hood is the highest point in the state of Oregon.
(A) spur (B) summit (C) span
7.D. W Griffith was the first director of ____ mms. These were movies made on a colossal scale.
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(A) specific |
(B) |
suitable |
(C) spectacular |
8. |
Cheetahs are the ____ of all land mammals, with top speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. |
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(A) stalest |
(B) |
subtlest |
(C) swiftest |
9. |
Salt can be used to keep meat from ____ |
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(A) struggling |
(B) |
spoiling |
(C) stalling |
10.Because they must be able to break a path through icebound waters, icebreakers have to be very
____ boats.
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(A) stern |
(B) sturdy |
(C) supple |
11. |
Most people who divorce ____ remarry. |
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(A) specifically |
(B) subsequently |
(C) stubbornly |
12. |
A roadbed supplies a |
base for a highway. |
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(A) stable |
(B) sundry |
(C) sweeping |
13. |
The geographical center of the North American continent is a ____ near Balta, North |
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Dakota. |
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(A) spot |
(B) stage |
(C) summit |
14. |
Many medical tests require a blood ____ |
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(A) spell |
(B) specimen |
(C) stain |
15. |
Because of their protective coloration, ghost crabs are hard to ____ |
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(A) spur |
(B) spawn |
(C) spot |
380 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.15
diplomacy, discretion, poise story
domesticate, master
ad}. docile, domesticated, gentle tamper (with) v. interfere (with) tangle v. knot, twist
tart ad}. sour, tangy, piquant taunt v. insult, mock, torment tedious ad}. boring, dull, tiresome
telling ad}. effective, convincing, forceful temperate ad}. mild, moderate
tempting ad}. alluring, attractive, enticing tender adj. (1) delicate, soft
(2)gentle, loving
(3)sore, painful
thaw v. melt
thorough ad}. complete, comprehensive thoroughfare n. street, boulevard thrifty adj. economical, inexpensive
thrilling ad}. exciting, stimulating, stirring thrive v. prosper, flourish
thwart v. prevent, impede, obstruct tidings n. news, message
tilt v. incline, slope
timid ad}. fearful, shy, retiring tint v. color, hue, shade, tone
n.color, stain, dye
tiresome adj. tedious, dull, boring toil v. labor, work
n.exertion, labor, work
tolerant ad}. patient, impartial, open-minded torment v. taunt, abuse, bully
torrent n. flood, deluge tow v. haul, draw, pull, drag
toxic adj. poisonous, noxious
trait n. characteristic, feature, quality treacherous ad}. dangerous, hazardous trickle n. drip, leak
triumph n. victory, success, achievement trivial ad}. unimportant, minor
trying adj. demanding, difficult, troublesome tug v. pull, draw
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 381
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. |
Citric acid gives citrus fruit their |
taste. |
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(A) temperate |
(B) |
toxic |
(C) tart |
2. The use of robots and automated machinery has eliminated certain ____ factory jobs. |
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(A) tedious |
(B) |
thrilling |
(C) timid |
3. |
One should never buy a food or medicine if the packaging has obviously been ____ |
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(A) tangled |
(B) |
thwarted |
(C) tampered with |
4. |
Alfred Hitchcock directed a number of ____ psychological dramas; among the most exciting |
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are Psycho and North by Northwest. |
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(A) timid |
(B) |
trivial |
(C) thrilling |
5. |
Tides are caused by the ____ of the Moon's gravity. |
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(A) tangle |
(B) |
torrent |
(C) tug |
6. Many people find chocolate ____ |
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(A) tempting |
(B) |
tender |
(C) temperate |
7. |
Peachtree Street is the main ____ in Atlanta. |
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(A) triumph |
(B) thoroughfare |
(C) tilt |
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8. |
In her book Silent Spring, |
Rachel Carson wrote about insecticides and their ____ effects on |
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animal life. |
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(A) tiresome |
(B) |
tender |
(C) toxic |
9. In the desert, dry creek beds may turn into raging ____ after heavy rainstorms. |
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(A) trickles |
(B) torrents |
(C) toils |
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10.Barley can be grown almost anywhere in the temperate zone. Unlike most other grains, it even
____ at high altitudes.
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(A) tampers |
(B) |
thrives |
(C) thaws |
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11. |
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such as hair color and eye color are inherited genetically from one's parents. |
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(A) Traits |
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(B) |
Triumphs |
(C) Tints |
12. |
Washington Irving collected and interpreted many famous old ____ , including the legends of |
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Rip Van Winkle and the Headless Horseman. |
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(A) tales |
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(B) |
tidings |
(C) traits |
382 Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 3.16
(1) conclusive, definite, final
(2) maximum, highest, best unbearable ad}. intolerable, agonizing uncouth ad}. impolite, rude, vulgar undertake v. try, attempt
ungainly ad}. awkward, unskillful uniform adj. consistent, regular
unique adj. singular, one of a kind, special
unruly ad}. unmanageable, disorganized, disorderly unsound ad}. defective, faulty, unsafe
uphold v. support, sustain upkeep n. maintenance
uproar n. disorder, disturbance, commotion urge v. encourage, advise, implore
urgent ad}. pressing, compelling utensil n. tool, implement, device utter v. say, speak
total, absolute, complete
empty, unoccupied
unclear, uncertain, ambiguous
(1) useless, pointless
(2) conceited, proud
valid adj. genuine, authentic, legitimate vanish v. disappear
variable ad}. changeable, shifting
vast adj. huge, enormous, extensive, immense venomous ad}. poisonous
verbose adj. talkative, wordy brink, edge, threshold
(1) container, bottle
(2) ship
vex v. irritate, anger, annoy viable ad}. (1) alive, living
(2) feasible, practical, possible vicinity n. area, proXImIty, zone vigorous ad}. dynamic, energetic, spirited vital ad}. critical, crucial, key, essential vivid ad}. clear, distinct, graphic
vow v. promise, pledge, swear n. oath, promise, pledge
Section 3 • Guide to Reading Comprehension 383
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. |
To be fair, laws must be ____ applied to all persons. |
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(A) urgently |
(B) vaguely |
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(C) uniformly |
2. |
The rattlesnake is the most common |
snake in the United States. |
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(A) ungainly |
(B) venomous |
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(C) variable |
3. |
The League ofWomen Voters ____ all citizens to vote. |
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(A) urges |
(B) vexes |
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(C) upholds |
4. |
In his novel The Red Badge oj Courage, Stephen Crane ____ describes a Civil War battle. |
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(A) vividly |
(8) uniformly |
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(C) vitally |
5. |
An Erlenmeyer flask is a glass ____ used in chemistry labs. |
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(A) vessel |
(8) vow |
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(C) verge |
6. |
Aerobics is ____ form of exercise. |
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(A) a viable |
(8) an uncouth |
(C) a vigorous |
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7. |
A metropolitan area consists of a central city and any suburban areas in its ____ |
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(A) vicinity |
(B) vessel |
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(C) upkeep |
8. Special police tactics are required to deal with riots or ____ crowds. |
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(A) ungainly |
(B) unruly |
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(C) unsound |
9.The kidneys playa ____ role in maintaining health by removing impurities from the bloodstream.
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(A) vivid |
(B) viable |
(C) vital |
10. |
The myth of Narcissus tells the story of a handsome but |
young man who stares at his |
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reflection in a pool of water for so long that he turns into a flower. |
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(A) vain |
(8) ungainly |
(C) verbose |
11. |
The fork has been used as an eating ____ since at least the twelfth century. |
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(A) vessel |
(B) utensil |
(C) verge |
12. |
The Great Plains cover ____ area. |
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(A) a vast |
(B) a viable |
(C) an ultimate |