Question 1
the word "specimen" has the latin root spec which means "to look or see."
based on this information, which phrase is the best meaning for the underlined word in the paragraph?
during the game, a spectator reached over the wall and snatched the ball headed for the outfielder's mitt. the ump ruled it a foul. the spectator's action did not make the players very happy.
a. one who catches
b. a person who plays ball
c. one who watches
d. a person who sells things
spectator is the underlined word
question 2
read the entry from a thesaurus page.
which words would be the closest to the meaning of the underlined word as it is used in the paragraph?
we tried to get permission to begin building our new library. but some of the city council members tried to bog down our efforts. it seems they wanted to use the money to build a swimming pool instead.
select the two correct answers.
a. limit
b. swamp
c. delay
d. marsh
bog is the underlined word
question 3
which word best names the type of figurative language underlined in the paragraph?
it was music to my ears when i heard that we had an hour remaining before we had to depart. i had just enough time to stroll back down the road and say a lingering farewell to the mountain vista i loved so much.
a. simile
b. onomatopoeia
c. metaphor
music to my ears is underlined
question 4
which word could best replace the underlined word as it is used in the paragraph?
frank was running late. he was supposed to meet his friends in front of the movie theater for the 2 o’clock show. he had left in plenty of time, but it was hard to reckon what traffic would be like at this time on a saturday afternoon. frank hoped he’d make it in time and wouldn’t miss the beginning of the movie.
a. estimate
b. advance
c. persuade
d. respond
reckon is underlined
question 5
which word is an antonym of the underlined word in the paragraph?
rodney was in agony waiting to hear whether he had been accepted on the swim team. he had trained long and hard all summer long. every morning he had gotten up at sunrise to swim laps in his family’s pool. now it was up to the coaches to make their final decision.
a. peace
b. misery
c. regret
d. shape
agony is underlined
question 6
which sentences correctly use the word tire?
select the two correct answers.
a. the tire of the church rose like a beacon into the sky.
b. we watched the orange flames of the tire race across the ridge.
c. since her stroke, my grandmother can tire more easily.
d. my bike tire went flat after i rode through the sticker patch.
question 7
which word could best replace either of the underlined words in the paragraph?
the dejected old man lived in a rundown house on the outskirts of town. he earned his living by recycling used cardboard, bottles, and cans. he seemed to live a wretched existence. so everyone was surprised that when he died, he left thousands of dollars to the local humane society.
a. simple
b. proud
c. earnest
d. depressed
dejected and wretched are underlined
question 8
look at the underlined word in the paragraph.
which sentence best shows the meaning of this word?
the sports team told the player he could practice. but the next day they had to nullify their decision. too many people were upset that he was being allowed to play after his misbehavior. the managers did not want to make the fans unhappy.
a. the man had to pay the fine after the officer had given him a ticket.
b. mom said we could not have any candy, but grandma let us have some anyway.
c. we thought we could get mr. adams to change our grades after the mix-up, but no such luck.
d. when my dad says, "no teasing each other! " we know he means it!
nullify is the underlined word
question 9
which word shows the best meaning of the underlined word in this paragraph?
when my brother broke his leg in his accident, he was in extreme distress. the break was quite painful, but as it healed he felt better. but the torment from not being able to scratch his itchy skin beneath his cast drove him crazy.
a. bother
b. agony
c. injury
d. alarm
the underlined word is distress
question 10
the word "democracy" has the latin root cracy which means "rule." the word "bureau" can mean "department or division."
based on this information, which phrase is the best meaning for the underlined word in the paragraph?
harold wanted to travel to another country. but it was hard for him to get the papers he needed. every time he called one official, he was told to call another. he felt like he was a victim of the bureaucracy.
a. an office in charge of travel arrangements
b. a department that makes the rules
c. a division of another country
d. a problem about who makes the rules
bureaucracy is underlined