泛美国际
Name_
Date
• A na l o g i e s 1
Level 9
Directions: Choose the pair of words that
best express a relationship similar to that
of the original pair. Then write the bridge
Example:
Bridge Type: Lack
#) SELFISH : COMPASSION
A)
B)
C)
D)
sentence(s) to the right.
Someone who is selfish lacks compassion.
Someone who is childish lacks maturity.
genuine : authenticity
serious : passion
childish : maturity
irresponsible : attention
Bridge Type: Part to Whole
1) FILAMENT : LIGHTBULB
A)
B)
C)
D)
misunderstanding : conversation
blade : propeller
car : gearshift
outlet : economy
Bridge Type: Function
2) CARNIVAL : ENTERTAINMENT
A)
B)
C)
D)
poster : propaganda
handout : welfare
encyclopedia : information
statement : persuasion
Bridge Type: Degree
3) INCONCEIVABLE : DOUBTFUL
A)
B)
C)
D)
healthful : beneficial
credible : plausible
indecent : lustful
sickening : repugnant
Bridge Sentence:
A filament is part of a lightbulb.
A
is part of a
.
Bridge Sentence:
A carnival is provides people with
entertainment.
A
provides people with
_.
Bridge Sentence:
Something that is inconceivable is very
doubtful.
Something that is
_.
is very
Bridge Type: Definition (Antonyms)
4) EXHAUSTING : REJUVENATING
A)
B)
C)
D)
disturbing : soothing
cruel : ruthless
pitiful : miserable
vexing : irritating
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
Bridge Sentence:
Exhausting is the opposite of rejuvenating.
is the opposite of
.
1
Bridge Type: Characteristic
5) CORPSE : DECEASED
A)
B)
C)
D)
infant : nascent
prophet : skeptical
tyrant : easygoing
athlete : sluggish
Bridge Sentence:
A characteristic of a corpse is to be deceased.
.
Bridge Type: Function
6) LAMENTATION : SORROW
A)
B)
C)
D)
psalm : warning
sonnet : religion
eulogy : praise
newspaper : disapproval
Bridge Sentence:
A lamentation is used to express sorrow.
.
Bridge Type: Type/Kind
7) MEDAL : ACCOLADE
A)
B)
C)
D)
song : hymnal
cauldron : kettle
fire : kindling
airplane : hangar
Bridge Sentence:
A medal is a type of accolade.
.
Bridge Type: Definition (Antonyms)
8) PROVISIONAL : PERMANENT
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
aggressive : fierce
improved : enhanced
undercover : covert
moderate : extreme
.
.
Bridge Type: Lack
9) FOOLISH : SAGACITY
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
miserly : generosity
tangible : fingers
tardy : time
infamous : celebrity
.
.
Bridge Type: Characteristic
10) EUPHEMISM : INOFFENSIVE
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
charlatan : dishonest
wizard : mundane
scorpion : harmless
gymnast : clumsy
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
.
.
2
Answers and Explanations
1) B
A filament is a threadlike object, especially one that conducts electricity. Thus, a filament is part of a lightbulb. A propeller is a
device made of rotating blades that can be used to power or propel a vehicle. Thus, a blade is part of a propeller. Therefore (B)
is correct.
2) C
A carnival provides people with entertainment. An encyclopedia provides people with information. Therefore (C) is correct.
3) D
Inconceivable means unbelievable or impossible to comprehend. Thus, something that is inconceivable is very doubtful.
Repugnant means causing distaste or aversion. Thus, something that is sickening is very repugnant. Therefore (D) is correct.
4) A
Rejuvenating means restoring or renewing. Thus, exhausting is the opposite of rejuvenating. Disturbing is the opposite of
soothing. Therefore (A) is correct.
5) A
A corpse is a dead body. Thus, a characteristic of a corpse is to be deceased, or dead. An infant is a very young baby. Thus,
characteristic of an infant is to be nascent, or newborn. Therefore (A) is correct.
6) C
A lamentation is an expression of sadness or grief. Sorrow is sadness or grief. Thus, a lamentation is an expression of sorrow.
A eulogy is an expression of praise. Therefore (C) is correct.
7) B
An accolade is an award or prize. Thus, a medal is a type of accolade. A cauldron is a type of kettle. Therefore (B) is correct.
8) D
Provisional means temporary or conditional. Thus, provisional is the opposite of permanent. Moderate is the opposite of extreme.
Therefore (D) is correct.
9) A
Sagacity is wisdom. Thus, someone who is foolish lacks sagacity. Miserly mean stingy or greedy. Thus, someone who is
miserly lacks generosity. Therefore (A) is correct.
10) A
A euphemism is a way of expressing an unpleasant or obscene idea without disgusting or offending others. Thus, a characteristic of
a euphemism is to be inoffensive. A charlatan is a liar or trickster. Thus, a characteristic of a charlatan is to be dishonest. Therefore
(A) is correct.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• A na l o g i e s 2
Level 9
Directions: Choose the pair of words that
best express a relationship similar to that
of the original pair. Then write the bridge
Example:
Bridge Type: Lack
#) SELFISH : COMPASSION
A)
B)
C)
D)
sentence(s) to the right.
Someone who is selfish lacks compassion.
Someone who is childish lacks maturity.
genuine : authenticity
serious : passion
childish : maturity
irresponsible : attention
Bridge Type: Function
1) PANACEA : CURE
A)
B)
C)
D)
cello : compose
stereo : listen
contagion : infect
stopwatch : hasten
Bridge Sentence:
The function of a panacea is to cure.
The function of a
_.
is to
Bridge Type: Part to Whole
2) DENOUEMENT : PLOT
A)
B)
C)
D)
appetizer : meal
gown : ball
rifle : dagger
libertarian : revolution
Bridge Type: Characteristic
Bridge Sentence:
A denouement is part of a plot.
A
is part of a
.
Bridge Sentence:
3) LABYRINTH : COMPLICATED
A)
B)
C)
D)
tempo : upbeat
enigma : mysterious
narrator : biased
legend : credible
A characteristic of a labyrinth is to be
complicated.
A characteristic of a/an
_.
is to be
Bridge Type: Degree
4) LIVID : ANGRY
A)
B)
C)
D)
trim : anorexic
contrary : contrite
faithful : dogmatic
crestfallen : depressed
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
Bridge Sentence:
Someone who is livid is very angry.
Someone who is
_.
is very
1
Bridge Type: Definition (Antonyms)
5) ALOOF : CONNECTED
A)
B)
C)
D)
deliberate : accidental
rigid : firm
ethereal : fleeting
logical : calculating
Bridge Sentence:
The opposite of aloof is connected.
.
Bridge Type: Definition (Synonyms)
6) NEUTRAL : INDIFFERENT
A)
B)
C)
D)
exotic : commonplace
lazy : indolent
finicky : relaxed
unsettling : detached
Bridge Sentence:
Neutral is synonymous with indifferent.
.
Bridge Type: Function
7) MALLET : STRIKE
A)
B)
C)
D)
harpsichord : twinkle
impression : paint
ornament : embellish
ottoman : weave
Bridge Sentence:
A mallet is used to strike.
.
Bridge Type: Type/Kind
8) PLAGIARISM : WRONGDOING
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
citrus : lemonade
infection : bacteria
crime : punishment
cancer : malady
.
.
Bridge Type: Definition (Antonyms)
9) BLATANT : INCONSPICUOUS
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
tedious : engaging
restorative : peaceful
indulgent : luxurious
pedantic : ordinary
.
.
Bridge Type: Lack
10) OBJECTIVE : BIAS
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
fallacious : lies
autistic : health
tentative : certainty
awake : insomnia
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
.
.
2
Answers and Explanations
1) C
A panacea is remedy for all ills or diseases. Thus, the function of a panacea is to cure. A contagion is a disease-producing
agent, such as a virus or bacterium. Thus, the function of a contagion is to infect. Therefore (C) is correct.
2) A
A denouement is the falling action of a story. Thus, a denouement is part of a plot. An appetizer is a dish that comes before a
main course of a meal. Thus, an appetizer is part of a meal. Therefore (A) is correct.
3) B
A labyrinth is a maze. Thus, a characteristic of a labyrinth is to be complicated. An enigma is a puzzle or mystery. Thus, a
characteristic of an enigma is to be mysterious. Therefore (B) is correct.
4) D
Someone who is livid is very angry. Someone who is crestfallen is very depressed. Therefore (D) is correct.
5) A
Aloof means distant or removed. Thus, the opposite of aloof is connected. Deliberate means intentional or purposeful. Thus,
the opposite of deliberate is accidental. Therefore (A) is correct.
6) B
Neutral is synonymous with indifferent. Lazy is synonymous with indolent. Therefore (B) is correct.
7) C
A mallet is a type of hammer or stick that is used to strike. An ornament is used to embellish or decorate. Therefore (C) is
correct.
8) D
Plagiarism is the copying of someone else’s work without giving credit to the original creator. Thus, plagiarism is a type of
wrongdoing. A malady is a disease or illness. Thus, cancer is a type of malady. Therefore (D) is correct.
9) A
Blatant means extremely obvious. Inconspicuous means sneaky, subtle, or hidden. Thus, the opposite of blatant is inconspicuous.
Tedious means boring or dull. Thus, the opposite of tedious is engaging. Therefore (A) is correct.
10) C
Something that is objective lacks bias. Something that is tentative lacks certainty. Therefore (C) is correct.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• A na l o g i e s 3
Level 9
Directions: Choose the pair of words that
best express a relationship similar to that
of the original pair. Then write the bridge
Example:
Bridge Type: Lack
#) SELFISH : COMPASSION
A)
B)
C)
D)
sentence(s) to the right.
Someone who is selfish lacks compassion.
Someone who is childish lacks maturity.
genuine : authenticity
serious : passion
childish : maturity
irresponsible : attention
Bridge Type: Definition (Antonyms)
1) PRAGMATIC : UNREALISTIC
A)
B)
C)
D)
perplexing : straightforward
flirtatious : coquettish
opulent : rich
sinful : erotic
Bridge Sentence:
Pragmatic is the opposite of unrealistic.
is the opposite of
.
Bridge Type: Characteristic
2) PRIEST : ORDAINED
A)
B)
C)
D)
lord : defrocked
senator : allowed
president : inaugurated
king : graduated
Bridge Sentence:
A characteristic of a priest is to be ordained.
A characteristic of a
_.
is to be
Bridge Type: Part to Whole
3) NEIGHBORHOOD : CITY
A)
B)
C)
D)
priory : monk
jumper : dress
iceberg : tip
annex : building
Bridge Sentence:
A neighborhood is part of a city.
A
is part of a
.
Bridge Type: Type/Kind
4) PICCOLO : INSTRUMENT
A)
B)
C)
D)
violoncello : bass
currency : dollar
decathlon : competition
cult : festival
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
Bridge Sentence:
A piccolo is a type of instrument.
is a type of
_.
1
Bridge Type: Definition (Synonyms)
5) CONUNDRUM : PUZZLE
A)
B)
C)
D)
palace : estate
phenomenon : science
dynamite : destruction
actor : choreographer
Bridge Sentence:
A conundrum is synonymous with a puzzle.
.
Bridge Type: Function
6) RUSE : TRICK
A)
B)
C)
D)
hangman : condemn
funeral : eliminate
spectacle : entertain
inventor : deviate
Bridge Sentence:
The function of a ruse is to trick people.
.
Bridge Type: Degree
7) SACROSANCT : HOLY
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
surprising : remarkable
skeptical : gullible
ridiculous : absurd
abominable : evil
.
.
Bridge Type: Type/Kind
8) CATHEDRAL : CHURCH
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
university : school
orchestra : symphony
preamble : constitution
prefix : suffix
.
.
Bridge Type: Lack
9) SELFISH : ALTRUISM
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
ambiguity : uncertainty
hollow : emptiness
insidious : diseases
depraved : morality
.
.
Bridge Type: Definition (Antonyms)
10) LOQUACIOUS : QUIET
A)
B)
C)
D)
Bridge Sentence:
forgiven : annulled
trivial : crucial
salacious : impure
enduring : ongoing
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
.
.
2
Answers and Explanations
1) A
Pragmatic means practical or realistic. Thus, pragmatic is the opposite of unrealistic. Perplexing means confusing. Thus,
perplexing is the opposite of straightforward. Therefore (A) is correct.
2) C
To ordain someone is to give him or her official religious authority. Thus, a characteristic of a priest is to be ordained. To
inaugurate someone is to induct him or her into an office. Thus, a characteristic of a president is to be inaugurated. Therefore
(C) is correct.
3) D
A neighborhood is part of a city. An annex is part of a building. Therefore (D) is correct.
4) C
A piccolo is a type of instrument. A decathlon is a type of competition. Therefore (C) is correct.
5) A
A conundrum is synonymous with a puzzle. A palace is synonymous with an estate. Therefore (A) is correct.
6) C
A ruse is a trick or a trap. Thus, the function of a ruse is to trick people. A spectacle is an exhibition r show. Thus, the function
of a spectacle is to entertain people. Therefore (C) is correct.
7) D
Something that is sacrosanct is very holy. Something that is abominable is very evil. Therefore (D) is correct.
8) A
A cathedral is a type of church. A university is a type of school. Therefore (A) is correct.
9) D
Altruism is the quality of caring selflessly for others. Thus, someone who is selfish lacks altruism. Depraved means immoral or
wicked. Thus, someone who is depraved lacks morality. Therefore (D) is correct.
10) B
Loquacious means talkative. Thus, loquacious is the opposite of quiet. Trivial means unimportant. Crucial means very
important. Thus, trivial is the opposite of crucial. Therefore (B) is correct.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Antonyms 1
Level 9
Directions: Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters.
1. VACATE
6. FESTIVE
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
abandon
charter
sever
occupy
discharge
serene
hearty
gruesome
jaunty
dreary
2. AMASS
7. WAN
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
disperse
meld
muster
compile
infuse
pale
drab
anemic
glowing
kaleidoscopic
3. ENAMOR
8. FORGO
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
entice
enlighten
loathe
subdue
fascinate
despise
revere
indulge
abstain
waive
4. RENOWN
9. POROUS
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
acclaim
obscurity
villainy
infamy
prestige
fragile
waterproof
consolidated
dense
spongy
5. AMPLIFY
10. EXPEND
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
magnify
intensify
allay
withdraw
lessen
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
stash
dispatch
splurge
exhaust
smother
1
Answers and Explanations
1) D
The word vacate means to leave a place that was previously occupied. When you check out of a hotel room, you vacate
it. The opposite of vacate is to fill or stay in a space. Because occupy means to reside, take over, or fill, choice (D) is
correct.
(A) is incorrect because abandon means to leave empty or uninhabited. This is synonymous with vacate, not the opposite
of it.
(B) is incorrect because charter means to reserve for private use. This is not the opposite of vacate.
(C) is incorrect because sever means to put an end to or divide by cutting. This is not the opposite of vacate.
(E) is incorrect because discharge means to dismiss someone from duty. This is not the opposite of vacate.
2) A
The word amass means to gather together or accumulate over time. For instance, a stamp collector would amass postage
stamps. The opposite of amass is to divide or donate. Because disperse means to distribute or spread, choice (A) is
correct.
(B) is incorrect because meld means to blend or combine. This is not the opposite of amass.
(C) is incorrect because muster means to collect or assemble. This is synonymous with amass, not the opposite of it.
(D) is incorrect because compile means to collect in order to produce something. This is practically synonymous with
amass, not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because infuse means to fill, soak, or pervade. This is not the opposite of amass.
3) C
The word enamor means to be filled with love for something or someone. Someone might be enamored of a certain city if
he or she were infatuated with the city or simply loved being there. The opposite of enamor is to not love. Because loathe
means to feel intense dislike for, choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because entice means to captivate or attract. This is not the opposite of enamor.
(B) is incorrect because enlighten means to give greater knowledge. This is not the opposite of enamor.
(D) is incorrect because subdue means to bring under control. This is not the opposite of enamor.
(E) is incorrect because fascinate means to captivate or draw intense attention. This is not the opposite of enamor.
4) B
The word renown means fame or being known. A movie star would have great renown. The opposite of renown is being
unknown. Because obscurity is the state of being unknown or unimportant, choice (B) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because acclaim is enthusiastic public praise. This is not the opposite of renown.
(C) is incorrect because villainy is criminal behavior. This is not the opposite of renown, since a criminal could be very well
known.
(D) is incorrect because infamy is the state of being well known for something bad. This is not the opposite of renown,
since both words mean being well known.
(E) is incorrect because prestige is widespread respect and admiration for someone. This is not the opposite of renown.
5) E
The word amplify means to increase in size or effect. If one turns up the volume on a stereo, he or she is amplifying it.
The opposite of amplify is to decrease in size or effect. Because lessen means to decrease, choice (E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because magnify means to make something appear larger than it actually is. This is not the opposite of
amplify.
(B) is incorrect because intensify means to increase in degree or strength. This is practically synonymous with amplify, not
the opposite of it.
(C) is incorrect because withdraw means to take back or remove. This is not the opposite of amplify, since it does not
necessarily refer to a decrease in size or effect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
(D) is incorrect because petrify means to scare someone so much that he or she is unable to move. This is not the
opposite of amplify.
6) E
The word festive means cheerful or celebratory. A fun party would have a festive atmosphere. The opposite of festive is
not cheerful. Because dreary means depressing or lifeless, choice (E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because serene means calm or peaceful. This is not the opposite of festive.
(B) is incorrect because hearty means vigorous and cheerful. This is practically synonymous with festive, not the opposite
of it.
(C) is incorrect because gruesome means causing repulsion or horror. This is not the opposite of festive, because it is too
extreme in meaning.
(D) is incorrect because jaunty means having a lively and cheerful manner. This is practically synonymous with festive,
not the opposite of it.
7) D
The word wan means pale and weak. A sickly individual would likely appear wan. The opposite of wan is flush and
healthy. Because glowing means showing the radiance of health, choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because pale means muted in color. This is synonymous with wan, not the opposite of it.
(B) is incorrect because drab means dull or cheerless. This is not the opposite of wan.
(C) is incorrect because anemic means lacking power or colorfulness. This is synonymous with wan, not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because kaleidoscopic means multicolored or having complex patterns of color. This is not the opposite of
wan, since being pale is not the opposite of being multicolored.
8) C
The word forgo means to omit or decline to take. If one skips breakfast, he or she is forgoing a morning meal. The
opposite of forgo is to choose to take. Because indulge means to allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of, choice (C) is
correct.
(A) is incorrect because despise means to hate or loathe. This is not the opposite of forgo.
(B) is incorrect because revere means to admire or feel deep respect. This is not the opposite of forgo.
(D) is incorrect because abstain means to restrain oneself from taking or doing something. This is practically synonymous
with forgo, not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because waive means to refrain from using. This is synonymous with forgo, not the opposite of it.
9) B
The word porous means having holes through which liquid or air may pass. For example, sponges are porous. The
opposite of porous is impervious or lacking in holes for air or water. Because waterproof means impervious to water,
choice (B) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because fragile means breakable or not stable. This is not the opposite of porous.
(C) is incorrect because consolidated means stronger or more solid. This is not the opposite of porous, since being porous
and being weak are not synonymous.
(D) is incorrect because dense means closely compacted in substance. This is not the opposite of porous.
(E) is incorrect because spongy means having an open, porous structure. This is synonymous with porous, not the
opposite of it.
10) A
The word expend means to spend or use up. When you exercise, you expend energy. The opposite of expend is to save
up or store. Because stash means to store safely in a specified place, choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because dispatch means to send off to a destination for a purpose. This is not the opposite of any word,
including expend.
(C) is incorrect because splurge means to spend money freely or extravagantly. This is not the opposite of expend.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
(D) is incorrect because exhaust means to tire out. This is practically synonymous with expend, not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because smother means to suppress, extinguish, or kill. This is not the opposite of expend.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Antonyms 2
Level 9
Directions: Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters.
1. CHIDE
6. BARREN
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
notice
admonish
laud
scold
allow
moist
parched
sterile
dewy
fertile
2. DENY
7. IRRITATE
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
corroborate
commend
renounce
verbalize
muffle
mollify
acknowledge
appreciate
peeve
vex
3. AVERT
8. BEWITCH
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
abide
preclude
divert
gaze
skipper
invite
revolt
ravage
inflict
allure
4. MUTILATE
9. INGENIOUS
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
deface
adapt
augment
mar
mend
crafty
inane
incompetent
inventive
skillful
5. LUMINOUS
10. VERIFY
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
brilliant
mournful
pessimistic
gloomy
radiant
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
justify
equivocate
invalidate
corroborate
approximate
1
Answers and Explanations
1) C
The word chide means to scold or rebuke. A father might chide his daughter if she misbehaves. The opposite of chide is
to praise. Because laud means to praise, choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because notice means to become aware of or see. This is not the opposite of chide.
(B) is incorrect because admonish means to warn or reprimand someone firmly. This is practically synonymous with
chide, not the opposite of it.
(D) is incorrect because scold means to rebuke. This is synonymous with chide, not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because allow means to admit as acceptable or legal. This is not the opposite of chide.
2) A
The word deny means to refuse to admit the truth or existence of something. Someone accused of a crime he or she did
not commit might deny any involvement in the crime. The opposite of deny is to affirm as the truth. Because corroborate
means to make certain or confirm, choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because commend means to praise formally. This is not the opposite of deny.
(C) is incorrect because renounce means to formally declare one’s abandonment of a belief. This is nearly synonymous
with deny, not the opposite of it.
(D) is incorrect because verbalize means to express in words. This is not the opposite of deny.
(E) is incorrect because muffle means to make quieter or less distinct. This is not the opposite of deny.
3) D
The word avert means to turn one’s eyes away. For example, one should avert his or her eyes from an eclipse, since
staring at an eclipse can cause blindness. The opposite of avert is to face head on or not turn away. Because gaze means
to look steadily and intently, choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because abide means to accept or act in accordance. This is not the opposite of avert.
(B) is incorrect because preclude means to make impossible. This is not the opposite of avert.
(C) is incorrect because divert means to cause to change course or direction. This is practically synonymous with avert,
not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because skipper means to act as captain. This is not the opposite of avert.
4) E
The word mutilate means to disfigure violently. Severely cutting someone’s face would mutilate him or her. The opposite
of mutilate is to repair or improve one’s appearance. Because mend means to repair something broken or damaged,
choice (E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because deface means to spoil the appearance of something. This is practically synonymous with mutilate,
not the opposite of it.
(B) is incorrect because adapt means to modify. This is not the opposite of mutilate.
(C) is incorrect because augment means to increase in size. This is not the opposite of mutilate.
(D) is incorrect because mar means to disfigure. This is practically synonymous with mutilate, not the opposite of it.
5) D
The word luminous means full of light. A room with lots of windows would be luminous on a sunny day. The opposite of
luminous is dark or unlit. Because gloomy means dark or poorly lit, choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because brilliant means very bright. This is synonymous with luminous, not the opposite of it.
(B) is incorrect because mournful means causing sadness or grief. This is not the opposite of luminous, since a sad
atmosphere is not necessarily poorly lit.
(C) is incorrect because pessimistic means tending to see the worst aspects of things. This is not the opposite of
luminous.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
(E) is incorrect because radiant means shining or glowing brightly. This is synonymous with luminous, not the opposite of
it.
6) E
The word barren means unable to produce offspring or vegetation. A wasteland is barren. The opposite of barren is able
to produce offspring or vegetation. Because fertile means capable of producing abundant vegetation or offspring, choice
(E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because moist means wet or damp. This is not the opposite of barren.
(B) is incorrect because parched means thirsty or dry. This is not the opposite of barren.
(C) is incorrect because sterile means not able to produce offspring or seeds. This is synonymous with barren, not the
opposite of it.
(D) is incorrect because dewy means wet with dew. This is not the opposite of barren.
7) A
The word irritate means to bother or annoy. Someone who nags might irritate another person. The opposite of irritate is to
soothe or calm. Because mollify means to appease the anger of someone, choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because acknowledge means to accept or admit the existence of something. This is not the opposite of
irritate.
(C) is incorrect because appreciate means to recognize the full worth of something. This is not the opposite of irritate.
(D) is incorrect because peeve means to annoy. This is synonymous with irritate, not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because vex means to cause someone to get annoyed. This is not the opposite of irritate.
8) B
The word bewitch means to enchant and delight. In The Odyssey, the song of the sirens had the power to bewitch the
men on Odysseus’s ship. The opposite of bewitch is to repulse or repel. Because revolt means to cause to feel disgust,
choice (B) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because invite means to make a polite request to someone. This is not the opposite of bewitch.
(C) is incorrect because ravage means to cause severe damage. This is not the opposite of bewitch.
(D) is incorrect because inflict means to impose something unwelcome. This is not the opposite of bewitch, since
bewitching someone does not necessarily impose something welcome on him or her.
(E) is incorrect because allure means to powerfully attract or charm. This is synonymous with bewitch, not the opposite of
it.
9) B
The word ingenious means clever, intelligent, or inventive. An ingenious idea is one that is very original and smart. The
opposite of ingenious is not clever or intelligent. Because inane means stupid or silly, choice (B) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because crafty means clever at achieving one’s aims through deceitful methods. This is not the opposite of
ingenious.
(C) is incorrect because incompetent means not having the necessary skills to do something successfully. This is not the
opposite of ingenious, since being intelligent and being skilled are not synonymous.
(D) is incorrect because inventive means having the ability to think originally. This is synonymous with ingenious, not the
opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because skillful means having skill or ability. This is not the opposite of ingenious.
10) C
The word verify means to make sure that something is true or accurate. When you show someone your ID card, you are
verifying that you are who you say you are. The opposite of verify is to prove that something is not true or accurate.
Because invalidate means to discredit or render something inaccurate or erroneous, choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because justify means to show to be right. This is practically synonymous with verify, not the opposite of it.
(B) is incorrect because equivocate means to use ambiguous language to conceal the truth of something. This is not the
opposite of verify, because equivocating does not disprove something or demonstrate that something is not true.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
(D) is incorrect because corroborate means to confirm or give support to something. This is practically synonymous with
verify, not the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because approximate means to estimate or calculate. This is not the opposite of verify.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Antonyms 3
Level 9
Directions: Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters.
1. HINDER
6. RESPITE
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
exonerate
deduct
suppress
maintain
facilitate
truce
industry
moratorium
continuation
reprieve
2. NAVIGABLE
7. TANGIBLE
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
passable
obstructed
laborious
upstream
remote
visible
superfluous
definite
plastic
abstract
3. SCOFF
8. CONTEMPLATIVE
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
ridicule
worship
deride
commend
rally
wistful
unreflective
numbed
aroused
nostalgic
4. DALLY
9. CRANKY
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
hasten
tinker
linger
tire
idle
bearish
altruistic
amiable
irritable
considerate
5. OVERBEARING
10. CONVERTIBLE
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
snooty
tyrannical
unassertive
affectionate
underhanded
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
fixed
malleable
dissimilar
mature
modifiable
1
Answers and Explanations
1) E
The word hinder means to prevent or cause delay. A storm may hinder one's progress. The opposite of hinder is to free or
promote. Because facilitate means to assist or make easier, choice (E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because exonerate means to clear someone from blame or fault. This is not the opposite of hinder, since it
is too limited in meaning.
(B) is incorrect because deduct means to subtract or take away from a total. This is not the opposite of hinder.
(C) is incorrect because suppress means to subdue or restrain. This is not the opposite of hinder.
(D) is incorrect because maintain means to keep something at the same rate. This is not the opposite of hinder.
2) B
The word navigable means maneuverable or able to be passed through. A waterway is navigable if a ship can easily sail
through it. The opposite of navigable is unable to be passed through. Because obstructed means blocked or opposing the
ease of passage, choice (B) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because passable means clear of obstacles and able to be traveled on. This is synonymous with
navigable, not the opposite of it.
(C) is incorrect because laborious means requiring considerable effort. This is not the opposite of navigable.
(D) is incorrect because upstream means moving in the opposite direction from that in which a stream or river flows. This
is not the opposite of navigable, since a ship might still travel upstream on navigable waters.
(E) is incorrect because remote means distant. This is not the opposite of navigable.
3) D
The word scoff means to speak to express mockery or contempt. When someone is making fun of something, he or she is
scoffing at it. The opposite of scoff is to praise something. Because commend means to praise formally, choice (D) is
correct.
(A) is incorrect because ridicule means to subject someone to mockery. This is practically synonymous with scoff, not the
opposite of it.
(B) is incorrect because worship means to treat someone with the reverence of a holy deity. This is not the opposite of
scoff, because it is too extreme in meaning.
(C) is incorrect because deride means to ridicule or express contempt. This is practically synonymous with scoff, not the
opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because rally means to bring people together in support of a person or cause. This is not the opposite of
scoff.
4) A
The word dally means to move slowly. When one dallies, he or she does not bother to hurry. The opposite of dally is to
hurry. Because hasten means to be quick to do something, choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because tinker means to attempt to repair something in a casual or experimental way. This is not the
opposite of dally.
(C) is incorrect because linger means to stay in place longer than is necessary. This is practically synonymous with dally,
not the opposite of it.
(D) is incorrect because tire means to exhaust or cause to feel in need of rest. This is not the opposite of dally.
(E) is incorrect because idle means to spend time doing nothing. This is not the opposite of dally.
5) C
The word overbearing means unpleasantly domineering. A very forceful individual might be considered overbearing. The
opposite of overbearing is submissive or not domineering. Because unassertive means not having a forceful personality,
choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because snooty means showing disapproval or contempt toward others. This is not the opposite of
overbearing.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
(B) is incorrect because tyrannical means oppressively controlling. This is practically synonymous with overbearing, not
the opposite of it.
(D) is incorrect because affectionate means showing fondness or tenderness. This is not the opposite of overbearing,
since someone who is affectionate could also be forceful.
(E) is incorrect because underhanded means acting in a dishonest way. This is not the opposite of overbearing.
6) D
The word respite means a short pause or break. For example, a coffee break is a respite from the workday. The opposite
of a respite is not taking a break. Because a continuation is the state of remaining in a particular position or carrying on
with an activity, choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because a truce is an agreement between enemies to stop fighting for a certain amount of time. This is not
the opposite of respite.
(B) is incorrect because industry is hard work. This is not the opposite of respite.
(C) is incorrect because a moratorium is a temporary prohibition of an activity. This is nearly synonymous with respite, not
the opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because a reprieve is a cancellation or postponement of a punishment. This is not the opposite of respite.
7) E
The word tangible means real and able to be touched. Something tangible is something that exists in reality. The opposite
of tangible is something unreal or fanciful. Because abstract means existing in thought only, choice (E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because visible means able to be seen. This is not the opposite of tangible.
(B) is incorrect because superfluous means unnecessary. This is not the opposite of tangible.
(C) is incorrect because definite means clearly stated or defined. This is not the opposite of tangible.
(D) is incorrect because plastic means easily molded or shaped. This is not the opposite of tangible.
8) B
The word contemplative means involving prolonged thought. A contemplative individual would often be lost in deep
thoughts. The opposite of contemplative is not thinking. Because unreflective means not engaging in thought, choice (B)
is correct.
(A) is incorrect because wistful means contemplative or having a feeling of regretful longing. This is nearly synonymous
with contemplative, not the opposite of it.
(C) is incorrect because numbed means deprived of the power of sensation. This is not the opposite of contemplative.
(D) is incorrect because aroused means excited. This is not the opposite of contemplative.
(E) is incorrect because nostalgic means exhibiting a sentimental longing for the past. This is not the opposite of
contemplative.
9) C
The word cranky means ill-tempered or irritable. Someone who gets angry very easily would be described as cranky. The
opposite of cranky is pleasant in demeanor or not irritable. Because amiable means having a friendly and pleasant
manner, choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because bearish means rough or surly. This is nearly synonymous with cranky, not the opposite of it.
(B) is incorrect because altruistic means unselfish. This is not the opposite of cranky.
(D) is incorrect because irritable means having a tendency to be easily angered. This is synonymous with cranky, not the
opposite of it.
(E) is incorrect because considerate means careful not to hurt others. This is not the opposite of cranky.
10) A
The word convertible means able to be changed in form or function. A convertible sofa is one that can be unfolded or
changed into a bed. The opposite of convertible is not changeable. Because fixed means predetermined and not able to
be changed, choice (A) is correct.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
(B) is incorrect because malleable means changeable or adaptable. This is synonymous with convertible, not the opposite
of it.
(C) is incorrect because dissimilar means not alike. This is not the opposite of convertible.
(D) is incorrect because mature means fully developed or grown. This is not the opposite of convertible.
(E) is incorrect because modifiable means changeable. This is synonymous with convertible, not the opposite of it.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Reading Comprehension 1
Level 9
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.
In the early 1920's, settlers came to Alaska looking for gold. They traveled by boat to the coastal
towns of Seward and Knik, and from there by land into the gold fields. The trail they used to travel inland
is known today as the Iditarod Trail, one of the National Historic Trails designated by the Congress of the
United States. The Iditarod Trail quickly became a major thoroughfare in Alaska, as the mail and supplies
were carried across this trail. People also used it to get from place to place, including the priests,
ministers, and judges who had to travel between villages. In the winter, the settlers’ only means of travel
down this trail was via dog sled.
Once the gold rush ended, many gold-seekers went back to where they had come from, and
suddenly there was much less travel on the Iditarod Trail. The introduction of the airplane in the late
1920’s meant dog teams were no longer the standard mode of transportation, and of course with the
airplane carrying the mail and supplies, there was less need for land travel in general. The final blow to
the use of the dog teams was the appearance of snowmobiles.
By the mid 1960's, most Alaskans didn’t even know the Iditarod Trail existed, or that dog teams
had played a crucial role in Alaska’s early settlements. Dorothy G. Page, a self-made historian,
recognized how few people knew about the former use of sled dogs as working animals and about the
Iditarod Trail’s role in Alaska’s colorful history. To raise awareness about this aspect of Alaskan history,
she came up with the idea to have a dog sled race over the Iditarod Trail. She presented her idea to an
enthusiastic musher, as dog sled drivers are known, named Joe Redington, Sr. Soon the Pages and the
Redingtons were working together to promote the idea of the Iditarod race.
Many people worked to make the first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race a reality in 1967. The Aurora
Dog Mushers Club, along with men from the Adult Camp in Sutton, helped clear years of overgrowth from
the first nine miles of the Iditarod Trail. To raise interest in the race, a $25,000 purse was offered, with
Joe Redington donating one acre of his land to help raise the funds. The short race, approximately 27
miles long, was put on a second time in 1969.
After these first two successful races, the goal was to lengthen the race a little further to the ghost
town of Iditarod by 1973. However in 1972, the U.S. Army reopened the trail as a winter exercise, and so
in 1973, the decision was made to take the race all the way to the city of Nome—over 1,000 miles. There
were many who believed it could not be done and that it was crazy to send a bunch of mushers out into
the vast, uninhabited Alaskan wilderness. But the race went! 22 mushers finished that year, and to date
over 400 people have completed it.
Questions
1) The primary purpose of this passage is to
A.
B.
C.
D.
recount the history of the Iditarod trail and the race that memorializes it
describe the obstacles involved in founding the Iditarod race
outline the circumstances that led to the establishment of the Iditarod Trail
reestablish the important place of the Iditarod Trail in Alaska’s history
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
2) Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred that all of the following contributed to the
disuse of the Iditarod Trail except
A.
B.
C.
D.
more modern forms of transportation
depleted gold mines
highway routes to ghost towns
reduced demand for land travel
3) As used in paragraph 2, which is the best definition for mode?
A.
B.
C.
D.
formula
way
preference
option
4) According to the passage, the initial Iditarod race
A.
B.
C.
D.
was funded through the sale of musher entrance fees
was founded by an advocate for Alaskan history
ended at the ghost town of Iditarod
boasted a total of 400 entrants
5) As used in paragraph 3, the phrase “self-made historian” implies that Dorothy G. Page
A.
B.
C.
D.
was employed by the state to keep its dog sled history alive
was determined to honor the glories of the gold rush in spite of her questionable credentials
had pursued the study of Alaska’s history out of her own interest
had personally educated others about Alaska’s history
6) In 1925, when a diphtheria outbreak threatened the lives of people in the remote town of Nome, the
government used the Iditarod Trail to transport medicine nearly 700 miles to the town. If the author
chose to include this fact in the passage, it would best fit in
A.
B.
C.
D.
paragraph 1
paragraph 2
paragraph 3
paragraph 5
7) Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred that because the U.S. Army reopened the
Iditarod Trail in 1972,
A.
B.
C.
D.
more people could compete in the Iditarod race
the mushers had to get permission from the U.S. Army to hold the race
the trail was cleared all the way to Nome
the Iditarod race became a seasonal Army competition
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
Answers and Explanations
1) A
An author’s purpose is directly related to the content of the passage. In paragraph 1, the author gives a brief history of the Iditarod
Trail. Paragraph 2 identifies the reasons why the trail fell out of use. Paragraph 3 describes the inspiration behind the Iditarod race.
Paragraph 4 explains the efforts that made the race a reality. Paragraph 5 describes how the race was lengthened and changed
over the years. From this overview, we can understand that the content of the passage discusses the history of the Iditarod Trail and
the race that memorializes it. This means the author’s primary purpose is to recount this history. Therefore (A) is correct. Although
paragraph 4 identifies the efforts that made the race a reality, the passage does not overtly discuss the obstacles to founding the
race. This makes (B) incorrect. Paragraph 1 outlines the circumstances that led to the establishment of the Iditarod Trail, but the rest
of the passage goes on to describe how the trail fell into disuse and was eventually memorialized with a race. Because it is too
narrow in scope, (C) is incorrect. Dorothy G. Page’s purpose was to reestablish the important place of the Iditarod Trail in Alaska’s
history, as the author explains in paragraph 3. Yet the author’s purpose is different from Page’s purpose. The author merely tells the
story of this history; he or she does not seek to reestablish the important place of the trail in history. Therefore (D) is incorrect.
2) C
In paragraph 2, the author identifies the factors that contributed to the disuse of the Iditarod Trail. The author does not mention
highway routes to ghost towns, so (C) is correct. In paragraph 2, the author states, “The introduction of the airplane in the late
1920’s meant dog teams were no longer the standard mode of transportation…The final blow to the use of the dog teams was the
appearance of snowmobiles.” From this we can infer that more modern forms of transportation, like airplanes and snowmobiles,
contributed to the disuse of the trail. Therefore (A) is incorrect. In paragraph 2, the author writes, “Once the gold rush ended, many
gold-seekers went back to where they had come from, and suddenly there was much less travel on the Iditarod Trail.” From this we
can infer that depleted gold mines reduced the amount of travel on the trail, so (B) is incorrect. In paragraph 2, the author writes,
“With the airplane carrying the mail and supplies, there was less need for land travel in general.” From this we can infer that a
reduced demand for land travel contributed to the disuse of the trail. This makes (D) incorrect.
3) B
mode (noun): a way or manner in which something is done.
In paragraph 2, the author writes, “The introduction of the airplane in the late 1920’s meant dog teams were no longer the standard
mode of transportation.” In paragraph 1, the author tells us that in the past, “in the winter, the settlers’ only means of travel down this
trail was via dog sled.” From this we can understand that previously the only means of travel in the winter was by dog sled, but once
airplanes were introduced, dog sleds were not the standard mode of transportation, or not the only means of travel. Way is a good
definition for mode or means in this context, so (B) is correct. Formula means a recipe or prescription for doing something, often
with more than one step. Since using dog sleds is not a formula for transportation, (A) is incorrect. Preference means something
that is chosen over something else. Since the dog sleds were the “only” means of travel, it was not a preference. This makes (C)
incorrect. Option means choice, but because the dog sleds were the “only” means of travel, people did not have a choice to use
something else. Therefore (D) is incorrect.
4) B
In paragraph 3, the author tells us that “Dorothy G. Page, a self-made historian, recognized how few people knew about the former
use of sled dogs as working animals and about the Iditarod Trail’s role in Alaska’s colorful history. To raise awareness about this
aspect of Alaskan history, she came up with the idea to have a dog sled race over the Iditarod Trail.” From this we know that the
founder of the initial Iditarod race was a “historian” who wanted to “raise awareness about…Alaskan history.” Another way to say
this is that Dorothy G. Page was an advocate for Alaskan history. Therefore (B) is correct. The passage does not contain
information to support choices (A), (C), and (D). Therefore they are incorrect.
5) C
In paragraph 3, we learn that “Dorothy G. Page, a self-made historian, recognized how few people knew about the former use of
sled dogs as working animals and about the Iditarod Trail’s role in Alaska’s colorful history.” To describe Page as “self-made”
implies that she did not hold formal credentials as a historian, but rather had pursued the study of Alaska’s history out of her own
interest. Therefore (C) is correct. The passage does not contain information to support choice (A). Therefore it is incorrect. The
passage tells us that Page wanted people to remember the Iditarod Trail as well as the history of dog sledding in Alaska. This is not
the same thing as honoring the glories of the gold rush. This means (B) is incorrect. The passage tells us that Page wanted people
to remember Alaska’s history, and we can infer that she likely did educate others about Alaska’s history through the creation of the
Iditarod race. However, the phrase “self-made historian” does not imply anything about educating others. This means (D) is
incorrect.
6) A
This is a fact about the history of the Iditarod Trail. Since paragraph 1 is devoted to the history of the trail, and particularly its
historical uses, this fact would fit in well there. Also, paragraph 1 discusses the early 1920’s, whereas paragraph 2 discusses the
late 1920’s and beyond. This means that a fact about the 1925 medicine run best fits in paragraph 1 chronologically as well.
Therefore (A) is correct. Paragraph 2 identifies the reasons why the trail fell out of use, so this fact would not fit in well. This means
(B) is incorrect Paragraph 3 describes the inspiration behind the Iditarod race, so this fact would not fit in well. This means (C) is
incorrect. Paragraph 5 describes how the race was lengthened and changed over the years, so this fact would not fit in well. This
means (D) is incorrect.
7) C
In paragraph 4, we learn that in order to put on the first race, men had to “clear years of overgrowth from the first nine miles of the
Iditarod Trail.” In the same paragraph, we learn that the original two races were only “27 miles long.” Then, in paragraph 5, the
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
author states, “After these first two successful races, the goal was to lengthen the race a little further to the ghost town of Iditarod by
1973. However in 1972, the U.S. Army reopened the trail as a winter exercise, and so in 1973, the decision was made to take the
race all the way to the city of Nome—over 1,000 miles.” From this we can infer that originally the creators of the race planned to
lengthen the 1973 race only to the ghost town of Iditarod. Based on the fact that men had to clear the first nine miles of the trail, we
can assume they would have to clear the trail further to make it suitable for a longer race. However, the U.S. Army reopened the
trail, “and so…the decision was made to take the race all the way to the city of Nome—over 1,000 miles.” The words “and so” tell us
that taking the race all the way to Nome was a result of the U.S. Army reopening the trail. Because the U.S. Army reopened the trail,
we can infer that the trail was cleared all the way to Nome, and therefore making the race go all the way to Nome was a possibility
for the first time. This means (C) is correct. In paragraph 5, we learn that 22 people finished the race in 1973. However, we do not
know whether this is more or fewer people than in the previous years. This means (A) is incorrect. The passage does not contain
information to support choices (B) and (D). Therefore they are incorrect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Reading Comprehension 2
Level 9
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.
First introduced in 1927, The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories are a series of books about the
adventures of brothers Frank and Joe Hardy, teenaged detectives who solve one baffling mystery after
another. The Hardy Boys were so popular among young boys that in 1930 a similar series was created
for girls featuring a sixteen-year-old detective named Nancy Drew. The cover of each volume of The
Hardy Boys states that the author of the series is Franklin W. Dixon; the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories are
supposedly written by Carolyn Keene. Over the years, though, many fans of both series have been
surprised to find out that Franklin W. Dixon and Carolyn Keene are not real people. If Franklin W. Dixon
and Carolyn Keene never existed, then who wrote The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries?
The Hardy Boys and the Nancy Drew books were written through a process called ghostwriting. A
ghostwriter writes a book according to a specific formula. While ghostwriters are paid for writing the
books, their authorship is not acknowledged, and their names do not appear on the published books.
Ghostwriters can write books for children or adults, the content of which is unspecific. Sometimes they
work on book series with a lot of individual titles, such as The Hardy Boys and the Nancy Drew series.
The initial idea for both The Hardy Boys and the Nancy Drew series was developed by a man
named Edward Stratemeyer, who owned a publishing company that specialized in children’s books.
Stratemeyer noticed the increasing popularity of mysteries among adults, and surmised that children
would enjoy reading mysteries about younger detectives with whom they could identify. Stratemeyer first
developed each book with an outline describing the plot and setting. Once he completed the outline,
Stratemeyer then hired a ghostwriter to convert it into a book of slightly over 200 pages. After the
ghostwriter had written a draft of a book, he or she would send it back to Stratemeyer, who would make a
list of corrections and mail it back to the ghostwriter. The ghostwriter would revise the book according to
Stratemeyer’s instructions and then return it to him. Once Stratemeyer approved the book, it was ready
for publication.
Because each series ran for so many years, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys both had a
number of different ghostwriters producing books; however, the first ghostwriter for each series proved to
be the most influential. The initial ghostwriter for The Hardy Boys was a Canadian journalist named Leslie
McFarlane. A few years later, Mildred A. Wirt, a young writer from Iowa, began writing the Nancy Drew
books. Although they were using prepared outlines as guides, both McFarlane and Wirt developed the
characters themselves. The personalities of Frank and Joe Hardy and Nancy Drew arose directly from
McFarlane’s and Wirt’s imaginations. For example, Mildred Wirt had been a star college athlete and gave
Nancy similar athletic abilities. The ghostwriters were also responsible for numerous plot and setting
details. Leslie McFarlane used elements of his small Canadian town to create Bayport, the Hardy Boys’
fictional hometown.
Although The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books were very popular with children, not everyone
approved of them. Critics thought their plots were unrealistic and even far-fetched, since most teenagers
did not experience the adventures Frank and Joe Hardy or Nancy Drew did. The way the books were
written also attracted criticism. Many teachers and librarians objected to the ghostwriting process,
claiming it was designed to produce books quickly rather than create quality literature. Some libraries—
including the New York Public Library—even refused to include the books in their children’s collections.
Ironically, this decision actually helped sales of the books, because children simply purchased them when
they were unavailable in local libraries.
Regardless of the debates about their literary merit, each series of books has exerted an
undeniable influence on American and even global culture. Most Americans have never heard of Edward
Stratemeyer, Leslie McFarlane, or Mildred Wirt, but people throughout the world are familiar with Nancy
Drew and Frank and Joe Hardy.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Questions
1) According to the passage, the Nancy Drew mystery series was introduced in
A.
B.
C.
D.
1925
1927
1929
1930
2) Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Ghostwriting: A Way of Life
Who Were Leslie McFarlane and Mildred A. Wirt?
The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew: Ghostwriting a Series
The Dubious yet Profitable Practice of Ghostwriting
3) According to the passage, which of the following people was a real writer?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Carolyn Keene
Franklin W. Dixon
Leslie McFarlane
Tom Hardy
4) According to the passage, a ghostwriter is someone who
I. writes about mysterious or strange events
II. does not receive credit as the author
III. bases his or her books on predetermined guidelines
A.
B.
C.
D.
I only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and III
5) As used in paragraph 3, which is the best definition for surmised?
A.
B.
C.
D.
guessed
questioned
knew
proved
6) According to the passage, The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books were created based on the idea
that
I. mystery books for adults are popular
II. children enjoy reading about characters they can relate to
III. girls and boys are not interested in the same things
A.
B.
C.
D.
I only
I and II only (CORRECT)
II and III only
I, II, and III
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
7) Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred that Leslie McFarlane and Mildred Wirt
A.
B.
C.
D.
disliked writing according to a specific formul
respected the art of ghostwriting
were unsuccessful in their previous occupations
found it helpful to write from personal experience
8) According to the passage, some teachers and librarians objected to ghostwritten books such as The
Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mystery Stories because they
A.
B.
C.
D.
disapproved of mystery stories
thought the books were too expensive
believed the books were not quality literature
disliked Edward Stratemeyer’s questionable business practices
9) Which of the following best describes the author's attitude toward The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew
book series?
A.
B.
C.
D.
balanced and respectful
doubtful and critical
hostile but forgiving
overwhelmingly praising
10) Which of the following best describes the structure of this passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
introduction, explanation, history, controversy, conclusion
introduction, history, controversy, explanation, conclusion
history, explanation, summary, conclusion, controversy
history, controversy, explanation, summary, conclusion
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
Answers and Explanations
1) D
In paragraph 1, the author writes, “The Hardy Boys were so popular among young boys that in 1930 a similar series was created for
girls featuring a sixteen-year-old detective named Nancy Drew.” Using this information, we can understand that this “similar
series…for girls” was the Nancy Drew mystery series. Therefore (D) is correct. In paragraph 1, the author states, "First introduced in
1927, The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories are a series of books about the adventures of brothers Frank and Joe Hardy, teenaged
detectives who solve one baffling mystery after another." This means that it was the Hardy Boys mystery series that was introduced
in 1927, not the Nancy Drew mystery stories. Since the question asks about the Nancy Drew books, (B) is incorrect. The passage
does not contain information to support answer choices (A) and (C). Therefore they are incorrect.
2) C
A good title summarizes the main idea of a passage and lets readers know what to expect should they continue reading. In
paragraph 1, the author introduces the subject of this passage: The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew book series. However, the author
only briefly discusses the content of these books. At the beginning of paragraph 2, the author states, "The Hardy Boys and the
Nancy Drew books were written through a process called ghostwriting." This sentence further narrows the author’s subject to a
discussion of how the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books were created. In the following paragraphs, the author continues to
describe the process of ghostwriting in general and the specific role it played in the creation of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew
series. Since the author uses the examples of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew to explain the process of ghostwriting a series, a
good title would be “The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew: Ghostwriting a Series.” Therefore (C) is correct. The passage focuses not
just on ghostwriting, but specifically on its role in the creation of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series. Because it is too general,
(A) is incorrect. The passage does answer the question, “Who Were Leslie McFarlane and Mildred A. Wirt?” However, this is a
detail in the passage, not the main idea. The main idea is the process of ghostwriting a series, not the lives of the ghostwriters
themselves. This means (B) is incorrect. In paragraph 5 the author states, “Many teachers and librarians objected to the
ghostwriting process, claiming it was designed to produce books quickly rather than create quality literature.” But the rest of the
passage is devoted to explaining ghostwriting, not to criticizing it. Since the title “The Dubious yet Profitable Practice of Ghostwriting”
is critical of ghostwriting, it does not fit the neutral tone of the passage. Therefore (D) is incorrect.
3) C
In paragraph 2, the author defines a ghostwriter as a person who “writes a book according to a specific formula.” This means that a
ghostwriter is an actual writer. In paragraph 4, the author discusses the ghostwriters behind the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series.
The author states, “The initial ghostwriter for the Hardy Boys was a Canadian journalist named Leslie McFarlane.” Since we know
that a ghostwriter is a writer, Leslie McFarlane was a real writer. Therefore (C) is correct. In paragraph 1, we learn that Carolyn
Keene and Franklin W. Dixon “are not real people,” but rather phony names created in place of the actual authors. Since they are
not real people, they cannot be real writers, so (A) and (B) are incorrect. Tom Hardy is not a real writer either, as he is a character
used in the Hardy Boys series. This means (D) is incorrect.
4) C
The process of ghostwriting is primarily discussed in paragraph 2. Although the ghostwriters for the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew
books did write about mysterious or strange events, this does not necessarily mean that all ghostwriters do this. The author states,
“While ghostwriters are paid for writing the books, their authorship is not acknowledged, and their names do not appear on the
published books. Ghostwriters can write books for children or adults, the content of which is unspecific.” Being a ghostwriter is
defined as not being acknowledged for authoring a book. It is not defined by the content of the book written. This eliminates option
(I). In paragraph 2, the author says that "ghostwriters are paid for writing the books, but their authorship is not acknowledged, and
their names do not appear on the published books." Since ghostwriters write the books, but are not recognized as authors, then it
can be understood that a ghostwriter does not receive credit as the author. This supports option (II). In paragraph 2, the author
states that a ghostwriter writes a book “according to a specific formula." This is another way of saying that ghostwriters write books
based on predetermined guidelines. This supports option (III). Therefore (C) is correct.
5) A
surmise (verb): to think or infer based on incomplete evidence; to guess.
In paragraph 3, the author states, “Stratemeyer noticed the increasing popularity of mysteries among adults, and he surmised that
children would enjoy reading mysteries about younger detectives with whom they could identify.” Using this information, we can
understand that Stratemeyer saw that adults liked mysteries and then surmised, or guessed, that children might also enjoy reading
about characters they could relate to. Therefore (A) is correct. Stratemeyer did not merely question whether children would enjoy
reading mysteries; he guessed that they would. This means (B) is incorrect. While Stratemeyer did rely on good reasoning, he did
not arrive at a determination, but rather at a guess, which is less substantial. Stratemeyer did not know for certain, he merely
guessed. In addition, he didn't prove anything with his initial idea. Because they are too strong, answer choices (C) and (D) are both
incorrect.
6) B
In paragraph 4, the author discusses the "initial idea" for The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books: "Stratemeyer noticed the
increasing popularity of mysteries among adults, and he surmised that children would enjoy reading mysteries about younger
detectives with whom they could identify." In other words, Stratemeyer saw that mystery books for adults were popular and guessed
that they might also be popular for children. This supports option (I). The reason why Stratemeyer thought that this would be the
case is that he believed children would enjoy reading about characters “with whom they could identify,” meaning characters they
could relate to. This supports option (II). Although The Hardy Boys books are generally presumed to be oriented towards boys, and
the Nancy Drew books towards girls, it is not necessarily true that only boys read The Hardy Boys and only girls read Nancy Drew.
Moreover, the passage never indicates that Stratemeyer's decision to create these books was based on the idea that girls and boys
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
are not interested in the same things. In fact, in some ways Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys books are the same thing, because
they are both mystery series. This eliminates option (III). Therefore (B) is correct.
7) D
In the second half of paragraph 4, the author writes, “The personalities of Frank and Joe Hardy and Nancy Drew arose directly from
McFarlane’s and Wirt’s imaginations. For example, Mildred Wirt had been a star college athlete and gave Nancy similar athletic
abilities. The ghostwriters were also responsible for numerous plot and setting details. Leslie McFarlane used elements of his small
Canadian town to create Bayport, the Hardy Boys’ fictional hometown.” Using this information, we can understand that Leslie
McFarlane and Mildred Wirt used their personal experiences (being an athlete for Wirt, and living in a small Canadian town for
McFarlane) to provide character development and setting details in their stories. Therefore we can infer that they must have found
writing from personal experience to be helpful. This means (D) is correct. Although it may have been difficult to write according to a
formula at times, the author does not mention that either of the writers disliked this aspect of ghostwriting. Therefore (A) is incorrect.
The author also does not mention Leslie McFarlane and Mildred Wirt's respect for the “art of ghostwriting,” so (B) is incorrect. While
the author does mention the previous occupations of both writers in paragraph 4, it is never stated that the writers were
unsuccessful in these occupations. There are many reasons why people might switch jobs other than a lack of success. Therefore
(C) is incorrect.
8) C
In paragraph 5, we learn, “Many teachers and librarians objected to the ghostwriting process, claiming it was designed to produce
books quickly rather than create quality literature.” Since The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series were ghostwritten books, we can
understand that many teachers and librarians thought they were not “quality literature.” Therefore (C) is correct. Although in
paragraph 5, the author states that “not everyone approved of them,” the specific reason why teachers and librarians disapproved is
given later in the paragraph. They did not disapprove of mystery stories, but rather of ghostwritten stories. Therefore (A) is incorrect.
The passage does not contain information to support answer choices (B) and (D). Therefore they are incorrect.
9) A
In order to identify the author’s attitude, meaning how the author generally feels about the subject of his or her writing, it is helpful to
look at the introduction and the conclusion. In this passage, the conclusion is especially helpful in this regard. In the conclusion, the
author states that the influence of The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books is “undeniable,” “regardless of the debates about their
literary merit”. This shows that the author is balanced, or unbiased, in his or her feeling toward the literature because he or she
acknowledges both the criticism of the books and their popularity. Furthermore, the author states that “even though most Americans
have not heard of Edward Stratemeyer, Leslie McFarlane, or Mildred Wirt, people throughout the world are familiar with Nancy Drew
and Frank and Joe Hardy.” This statement tells us that the author is willing to look past the controversy involved in the books’
production and concentrate instead on the impact of the books at large. The author writes respectfully of the books’ “undeniable
influence on American and even global culture.” Using this information, we can understand that the author’s attitude is balanced and
respectful towards The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew book series. Therefore (A) is correct. Answer choices (B) and (C) imply too
much negativity on behalf of the author by using words such as “critical,” “hostile,” and “reluctant.” Since the author never expresses
any personal negative feeling towards the books, they are incorrect. Conversely, choice (D) implies too much positivity on behalf of
the author. Although the author approves of the books and notes their success, he or she does not overwhelmingly praise them.
Since the author never expresses such strong positive feelings towards the books, this choice is incorrect
10) A
In formal writing, the first sentence in each paragraph usually introduces the topic to be addressed that paragraph. Therefore, to
identify the structure and function of each paragraph, it is helpful to examine its first sentence. In paragraph1, the opening sentence
is: “First introduced in 1927, The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories are a series of books about the adventures of brothers Frank and Joe
Hardy, teenaged detectives who solve one baffling mystery after another.” This sentence, along with the paragraph that follows,
introduces the topic. So, we can infer that paragraph 1 is the introduction. The first sentence of paragraph 2 reads: “The Hardy Boys
and the Nancy Drew books were written through a process called ghostwriting.” Paragraph 2 goes on to explain this process, so we
can understand that this paragraph is an explanation. The first sentence of paragraph 3 is: “The initial idea for both the Hardy Boys
and the Nancy Drew series was developed by a man named Edward Stratemeyer, who owned a publishing company that
specialized in children’s books.” This identifies how the series was created. Then, in paragraph 4, the author continues: “Because
each series ran for so many years, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys both had a number of different ghostwriters producing books;
however, the first ghostwriter for each series proved to be the most influential.” Paragraph 4 continues to explore the series over the
years. Therefore we can understand that paragraphs 3 and 4 contain history about the series. The first sentence of paragraph 5
reads: “Although The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books were very popular with children, not everyone approved of them.”
Paragraph 5 goes on to describe the controversy surrounding these books, so we can say that paragraph 5 contains controversy.
The first sentence of paragraph 6 reads: “Regardless of the debates about their literary merit, each series of books has exerted an
undeniable influence on American and even global culture.” Because this paragraph offers a concluding statement about the impact
of the two series, we can say that paragraph 6 contains the conclusion. The order as outlined above is introduction, explanation,
history, controversy, conclusion. Therefore (A) is correct. Answer choices (B), (C), and (D) either include parts which are not in the
passage, such as summary, or else they list the parts in the wrong order. Therefore they are incorrect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
5
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Reading Comprehension 3
Level 9
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.
Just announced: existing home sales hit an annualized rate of 5.03 million units during
August. That exceeds the 4.70 million unit rate that had been expected, on average, among
economists polled by InstaPoll.com. The pace is also up from the rate of 4.67 million units
recorded during the previous month. The broad market hasn't reacted strongly to the data.
However, homebuilders Genix (GEN 14.32, +0.22), ND Home (NDH 6.59, +0.15), and Home
Group (HMG 4.54, +0.03) are all up nicely as investors anticipate that a rise in existing home
sales portends an acceleration of the rate of new home sales.
Questions
1) Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Investors Favor Homebuilders
A Better Way to Build a Home
GEN and ND Home Register Big Gains
Led by Homebuilders, Stocks Hit New Highs
2) As used in the passage, which is the best synonym for portends?
A.
B.
C.
D.
predicts
decreases
affects
authorizes
3) This passage would most likely be found
A.
B.
C.
D.
in a high school economics textbook
in a book on twenty-first century economics
in a manual outlining stock market rules and regulations
on a real-time stock market trading website
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Answers and Explanations
1) A
A good title summarizes the main idea of a passage and lets readers know what to expect should they continue reading. At the
beginning of the passage, the author announces that the current rate of existing home sales has surpassed expectations and the
previous rate. In the last sentence of the passage, the author lists three stocks (GEN, NDH, and HMG) that are "all up nicely as
investors anticipate that a rise in existing home sales portends an acceleration of the rate of new home sales." Given that
homebuilders’ stocks are all "up nicely," we can infer that investors have a positive outlook about them, and are therefore investing
in them. This investment has caused the stocks to appreciate, or go up. The main idea of this passage is that recent news about
home sales has caused investors to look favorably upon homebuilder stocks, so a good title would be “Investors Favor
Homebuilders.” Therefore (A) is correct. The passage does not discuss better ways to build a home. This rules out (B). A title that
includes GEN and ND Home but leaves out HMG, another stock mentioned to have big gains, is too narrow to capture the main idea
of the passage. This makes (C) incorrect. The passage does not say that all stocks have hit new highs. It only says that
homebuilding stocks are "up nicely.” This means (D) is incorrect.
2) A
portend (verb): to indicate in advance; foreshadow; predict.
The last sentence of the passage tells us that homebuilder stocks “are all up nicely as investors anticipate that a rise in existing
home sales portends an acceleration of the rate of new home sales.” Since investors are buying homebuilder stocks based on the
fact that sales have risen for existing homes, they must think that this fact indicates or predicts there will be an increase in the sale
of new homes, and therefore in the demand for homebuilders’ skills. The fact that the investors “anticipate” this development means
that it is likely, but not certain, so a good synonym for portends is predicts. Therefore (A) is correct. Decrease means to make
something smaller. The investors would not invest in homebuilder stocks if they anticipated that the rise in existing home sales
would decrease, or lower, an acceleration of the rate of new home sales. Instead, they expect the rate of new home sales to
increase. This rules out (B). Affect means to have an effect on something. However, that effect can be either positive or negative.
Since the investors think that “a rise in existing home sales will portend an acceleration of the rate of new home sales,” and they are
therefore looking favorably on homebuilding companies, we can understand that they believe this to be a positive effect; that is, they
believe the “rise” will predict an increase in the acceleration of the rate of new home sales, not a decrease. Since it could be positive
or negative, (C) is not the best choice. Authorize means to give official power or to allow. We cannot infer from the passage that
investors anticipate the news about existing homes will necessarily allow an acceleration of new home sales. The news signals a
possible acceleration, but we cannot assume that it directly allows the acceleration to happen. This means that authorizes is not a
good synonym for portends. Therefore (D) is incorrect.
3) D
This passage announces how existing home sales have had a positive effect on the price of homebuilding company stocks. Since
the passage opens with the words “just announced,” we can infer that the passage is found in a place where breaking news about
the stock market is posted. A real-time stock market trading website provides up-to-the-minute information about stock prices and
market conditions, so this information would likely be found there. Therefore (D) is correct. A high school economics class teaches
students about the basics of investing, but the textbook would not include the kind of stock-specific information found in the
passage. Furthermore, books do not contain the kind of time-sensitive information included here. This makes (A) incorrect. A book
on twenty-first century economics would likely discuss both home sales and stocks, but would not contain the kind of specific
information included in the passage. This rules out (B). A manual outlining stock market rules and regulations would only discuss
what can be done when buying, selling, and trading stocks. It would not discuss the current market or specific stocks, so (C) is
incorrect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Reading Comprehension 4
Level 9
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.
Some people say that the best defense is a good offense; an octopus, however, would disagree.
In addition to being one of the strangest and most beautiful creatures in nature, the octopus has some of
the most inventive and effective defense mechanisms imaginable. While other animals have teeth, horns,
or claws to help defend them from predators, the octopus concentrates its energy on hiding from and
confusing its attackers. When it wants to get away, the octopus has an impressive arsenal of tricks at its
disposal.
The most well-known of the octopus’s defense mechanisms is its ability to squirt clouds of ink into
the water. Some octopi use this cloud of ink as camouflage; after squirting the ink, the octopus retreats
into the ink cloud where the predator cannot see it. Other octopi use the ink cloud as a decoy. If a large,
intelligent predator such as a shark knows that octopi use ink clouds for camouflage, it might simply
attack the ink cloud blindly, hoping to make contact with the octopus inside. However, some sneaky
octopi will release the ink cloud in one direction and scurry away in another direction, leaving the predator
with nothing but a mouthful of ink. In addition to confusing predators’ sense of sight, these ink clouds also
confuse their sense of smell. The ink is composed primarily of melanin (the same chemical that gives
human skin its color), which can shut down a predator’s sense of smell. If an octopus cannot be seen or
smelled, it has a much higher chance of escaping an attack.
Another defense mechanism possessed by many octopi is the ability to change color, much like a
chameleon. Most animals get their skin color from chemicals in the skin called chromatophores (melanin
is one of these chromatophores). Chromatophores might contain yellow, orange, red, brown, or black
pigments, and the amount of each pigment present in the skin determines an animal’s color. While most
animals are always the same color, some species of octopi can control the amount of each color pigment
in their skin cells, allowing them to change color. Some poisonous octopi, when provoked, will change
their skin to a bright, eye-catching color to warn predators that they are dangerous and ready to strike.
Other octopi use this ability to change their skin to the color and texture of seaweed or coral, allowing
them to blend in with their environment. Finally, some octopi—such as the mimic octopus—use this colorchanging ability to masquerade as another type of animal. The body of an octopus is highly flexible, and
some species can combine this flexibility with their color-changing skills to make themselves resemble
more dangerous animals such as sea snakes or eels.
Yet another defense mechanism possessed by some octopi is the ability to perform an autotomy,
or self-amputation, of one of their limbs and regrow it later. Many species of skink and lizard also possess
this ability, which allows them to shed their tails when caught by a predator and therefore get away. When
a predator catches a tentacle the octopus can amputate this tentacle, thereby unfettering itself, and
regrow the tentacle later. Some octopi, however, are even cleverer. When threatened by a predator,
these octopi will shed a tentacle before being attacked in the hope that the predator will go after the
detached tentacle rather than the octopus itself.
While the octopus may not be the most vicious creature in the ocean, its numerous and clever
defense mechanisms help it to survive in the dangerous undersea world.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Questions
1) Which of the following sentences from the passage best expresses the main idea?
A. The most well-known of the octopus’s defense mechanisms is its ability to squirt clouds of ink into
the water.
B. Some people say that the best defense is a good offense; an octopus, however, would disagree.
C. Another defense mechanism possessed by many octopi is the ability to change color, much like a
chameleon.
D. When it wants to get away, the octopus has an impressive arsenal of tricks at its disposal.
2) The author claims in paragraph 1 that an octopus would disagree with the statement “the best
defense is a good offense” because
A.
B.
C.
D.
octopi employ more defensive than offensive capabilities
octopi possess good defensive and offensive capabilities
octopi can protect themselves from teeth, horns, and claws
not all octopi possess the same defense mechanisms
3) Which of the following statements best describes the organizational structure of paragraphs 2-4?
A. The author lays out several reasons to support the argument that the octopus has the best
defense mechanisms of any sea creature.
B. The author devotes one paragraph each to explaining three different defense mechanisms
possessed by the octopus.
C. The author devotes one paragraph each to highlighting three potential threats to the octopus and
how the octopus deals with each one differently.
D. The author compares and contrasts three different defense mechanisms employed by the
octopus.
4) According to the passage, which of the following statements about the chemical melanin are true?
I. An octopus’s ink is composed primarily of melanin.
II. Melanin is a chromatophore.
III. Like the octopus, chameleons use melanin to change color.
A.
B.
C.
D.
I only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and III
5) As used in paragraph 4, which of the following is the best synonym for unfettering?
A.
B.
C.
D.
freeing
regrowing
amputating
sacrificing
6) The final paragraph can best be described as a
A. prediction conclusion, in which the author looks toward the future
B. full circle conclusion, in which the author incorporates and builds on a word or theme from the
introduction
C. solution conclusion, in which the author proposes a solution to a problem posed earlier in the
passage
D. summary conclusion, in which the author restates the passage’s main idea
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
Answers and Explanations
1) D
When looking for the main idea of a passage, a good place to start is the end of the first paragraph. Many passages begin by
introducing the reader to the topic in the opening sentences and then establishing the author’s argument or main idea at the end of
the first paragraph in what is commonly known as a thesis statement. Such a pattern holds true for this passage. The last sentence
of paragraph 1, “When it wants to get away, the octopus has an impressive arsenal of tricks at its disposal,” lets the reader know
that the author intends to discuss the “impressive arsenal of tricks” possessed by the octopus for escaping predators. This is
confirmed by the organizational structure of the essay, which devotes one paragraph each to describing three of the octopus’s most
important defense mechanisms, or its “impressive arsenal of tricks.” Therefore (D) is correct. The first sentence of the passage,
“Some people say that the best defense is a good offense; an octopus, however, would disagree,” might seem to introduce the
passage’s topic—defense and the octopus—but it does so only vaguely. Based on this sentence, the reader might be able to guess
that the passage is about defense and the octopus, but the sentence gives no indication of how these ideas are related, and
therefore does not express the main idea clearly. This means (B) is incorrect. Choices (A) and (C) contain details that support the
author’s main idea, but these details do not express the main idea. Therefore they are incorrect.
2) A
Even if the reader is not familiar with the saying “the best defense is a good offense,” he or she can figure out what it means by
examining the phrase closely. How could an offense also serve as a defense? The reader can infer that if an offense is extremely
effective, it would render opponents unable to mount their own offense. In this way, the offense can also serve as a defense. In
other words, if you attack first, others don’t have the chance to attack you, and so you don’t need to defend yourself. As the author
notes in paragraph 1, however, “while other animals have teeth, horns, or claws to help defend them from predators, the octopus
concentrates its energy on hiding from and confusing its attackers.” This means that the octopus concentrates on defensive
strategies rather than offensive ones. The author does note in paragraph 3 that there are some species of octopus that are
poisonous, but the rest of the passage explains the numerous ways in which an octopus can defend itself. Since the octopus
employs more defensive than offensive capabilities, it would likely disagree that the best defense is a good offense. Therefore (A) is
correct. The passage does not contain information to support the idea that octopi possess good offensive capabilities. Therefore (B)
is incorrect. Although the author tells us that octopi can protect themselves from predators in some situations, he or she does not
indicate that octopi can protect themselves specifically from the teeth, horns, and claws of their predators. Instead, teeth, horns, and
claws are mentioned as examples of other animals’ offensive capabilities. This means (C) is incorrect. While the passage does
imply that not all octopi possess the same defense mechanisms, this fact does not explain why an octopus would disagree with the
statement “the best defense is a good offense.” This makes (D) incorrect.
3) B
The purpose of this passage is to provide information about the octopus’s defense capabilities. The reader can infer this purpose
from the author’s main idea, which is stated at the end of the first paragraph: “When it wants to get away, the octopus has an
impressive arsenal of tricks at its disposal.” The author is not arguing a position or comparing and contrasting, but merely informing
the reader about a topic. Paragraph 2 describes the octopus’s defense mechanism of the ink cloud. Paragraph 3 describes the
octopus’s defense mechanism of changing skin color. Paragraph 4 describes the octopus’s defense mechanism of autotomy. Each
of these three paragraphs explains one of the octopus’s defense mechanisms, describing how it works and how the octopus uses it.
Therefore (B) is correct. The author does not suggest in the passage that the octopus’s defense mechanisms are the best of any
sea creature, so (A) is incorrect. The three defense mechanisms described are not unique responses to different threats. In fact,
they could all be employed to escape the same threat, so (C) is incorrect. The author describes three different defense mechanisms
in paragraphs 2-4, but the author does not compare and contrast them. The paragraphs merely explain each defense mechanism
without going into detail about how they relate to one another. Therefore (D) is incorrect.
4) B
In paragraph 2, the author writes that an octopus’s “ink is composed primarily of melanin.” This supports option (I). In paragraph 3,
the author writes, “Most animals get their skin color from chemicals called chromatophores (melanin is one of these
chromatophores).” This supports option (II). In paragraph 3, the author writes, “Another defense mechanism possessed by many
octopi is the ability to change color, much like a chameleon.” The author notes that both the octopus and the chameleon have the
ability to change color, but the passage does not state that both animals use melanin to do so. This eliminates option (III).
Therefore (B) is correct.
5) A
unfetter (verb): to set free.
In paragraph 4, the author explains how the octopus uses the process of autotomy, or self-amputation, in order to escape a
predator. The author begins by describing how skinks and lizards—other species that possess this ability—use autotomy, a
maneuver that “allows them to shed their tails when caught by a predator and therefore get away.” The reader can infer from this
description that when a predator catches one of these animals by the tail, the animal can shed the tail and escape to safety. The
author then describes how the octopus uses this same method: “When a predator catches a tentacle the octopus can amputate this
tentacle, thereby unfettering itself, and regrow the tentacle later.” As with the skink and the lizard, shedding its limb is part of the
octopus’s effort to free itself, or get away, from its predator. This means that by unfettering itself, an octopus is freeing itself.
Therefore (A) is correct. The author does say that the octopus can “regrow the tentacle later,” but the octopus unfetters itself by
amputating the tentacle, not by regrowing it. This means (B) is incorrect. The process of autotomy is a process of amputating, but
unfettering itself is a result of the octopus’s self-amputation. Therefore unfettering does not mean amputating, so (C) is incorrect.
The octopus sacrifices the tentacle in order to save itself. It therefore does not sacrifice itself, so sacrificing is not a good synonym
for unfettering. This makes (D) incorrect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
6) D
The final paragraph of this passage contains only one sentence: “While the octopus may not be the most vicious creature in the
ocean, its numerous and clever defense mechanisms help it to survive in the dangerous undersea world.” This sentence restates
the main idea, or thesis statement, of the passage: that the octopus possesses many different defense mechanisms that help it to
survive in the wild. This idea is expressed at the end of paragraph 1 in the following sentence: “When it wants to get away, the
octopus has an impressive arsenal of tricks at its disposal.” This restatement of the main idea means that the final paragraph can
best be described as a summary conclusion. Therefore (D) is correct. The author does not make a prediction about the future in the
final paragraph, so (A) is incorrect. The author returns to the passage’s main idea, but he or she does not incorporate and build on a
particular word or theme. This would constitute a more nuanced conclusion. Instead the author simply restates the passage’s main
idea in slightly different words. This makes (B) not the best choice. The author does not propose a solution to a problem, so (C) is
incorrect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Reading Comprehension 5
Level 9
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.
The piranha is a much-maligned fish. Most people think that this is a deadly creature that swarms
through rivers and creeks of the Amazon rainforest looking for victims to tear apart. And woe betide anyone
unlucky enough to be in the same water as a shoal of piranhas. It takes only a few minutes for the vicious
piranhas to reduce someone to a mere skeleton.
The truth is that the piranha is really a much more nuanced animal than the mindless killer depicted in
the media. In fact, piranhas are a group made up of approximately twelve different species. Each piranha
species occupies its own ecological niche. One type of piranha takes chunks out of the fins of other fish.
Another type eats fruit falling from trees into the river. Each piranha species plays a unique role in the ecology
of the rainforest floodplains. So what should you do next time you hear someone talking about the “deadly
piranha”? You can remind them that the piranha is not always the notorious killer fish that the tough, muscular
heroes of popular nature television shows would have us believe.
Questions
1)
The primary purpose of the author is to
A.
B.
C.
D.
2)
In paragraph 1, the author most likely uses the old-fashioned expression “woe betide” to
A.
B.
C.
D.
3)
frame an argument that is supported in a later paragraph
create ambiguity so the reader cannot be sure which position the writer supports
juxtapose the myth of the piranha with the truth about the fish
evoke vivid images of nature television shows in the reader’s mind
As used in paragraph 2, which is the best definition for unique?
A.
B.
C.
D.
5)
highlight the danger posed by piranhas
suggest that the reputation of the piranha is well-deserved
emphasize the sarcastic tone
indicate that the passage was written in the 19th century
In paragraph 1, the author uses hyperbole—characterized by the use of exaggeration for effect—to
describe the piranha. The author most likely uses hyperbole to
A.
B.
C.
D.
4)
correct misconceptions about the piranha
illustrate the importance of piranhas in rainforest ecology
describe two different species of piranhas
instruct the reader on what to say if someone describes the piranha as “deadly”
irreplaceable
important
individual
unusual
As used in paragraph 2, which is the best synonym for notorious?
A.
B.
C.
D.
celebrated
disreputable
notable
renowned
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Answers and Explanations
1) A
An author’s purpose is related to the content of the passage. In the first sentence the author describes the piranha as “muchmaligned.” Even if the reader does not know that this phrase means that people speak harmful untruths about the piranha, the
reader can infer this meaning from the following sentences. The next sentence identifies what “most people think” about the piranha:
that it is “deadly” and “vicious,” always “looking for victims to tear apart.” The deliberate exaggeration of the language indicates that
the author is mocking common misconceptions about the piranha. In contrast, the next paragraph begins, “The truth is that the
piranha is really a much more nuanced animal than the mindless killer depicted in the media.” This paragraph goes on to describe
accurate facts about piranhas, which contradict the misconceptions identified in paragraph 1. This structure suggests that the
author’s primary purpose is to correct misconceptions about the piranha. Therefore (A) is correct. Although the author briefly
mentions the role of piranhas in rainforest ecology, he or she uses this detail to support the larger argument that most people are
misinformed about the piranha. This means (B) is incorrect. The author does provide facts about two different species of piranha,
but he or she uses these details to support the larger argument that most people are misinformed about the piranha. This makes (C)
incorrect. In the final sentence, the author instructs the reader on what to say the next time they hear someone “talking about the
‘deadly piranha.’” However, this minor point is used to reinforce the larger point that nature television shows often portray the
piranha inaccurately, furthering misconceptions. This means instructing the reader on what to say in this situation is not the author’s
primary purpose, so (D) is incorrect.
2) C
In modern writing, the old-fashioned expression “woe betide” is rarely used. It is so uncommon that its use today often draws
attention to itself, and therefore it becomes a comedic or exaggerated element. In this passage, the author mockingly describes
“what most people” think about the piranha. In paragraph 1, the author writes: “And woe betide anyone unlucky enough to be in the
same water as a shoal of piranhas.” Even if the reader does not know the literal meaning of “woe betide,” it can be inferred from the
sentence above that it means something like “misery will come to.” The author also uses exaggerated adjectives such as “deadly”
and “vicious” to describe the fish in a tongue-in-cheek manner. The sarcastic depiction of the piranha as deadly in paragraph 1
contrasts with what the author clarifies as “the truth” about the piranha in the following paragraph—that it is not a “mindless killer.”
Based on this information, the reader can infer that the author most likely uses the old-fashioned phrase “woe betide” to emphasize
the sarcastic tone in paragraph 1. Therefore (C) is correct. In this context, “woe betide” is an expression that introduces a comedic,
sarcastic element. In paragraph 2, the author makes it clear that he or she was not serious in paragraph 1 about the danger posed
by piranhas. Therefore (A) is incorrect. The passage clearly implies that the reputation of the piranha is not well-deserved, but a
misconception. This means (B) is incorrect. The passage does not contain information to indicate when it was written. With the
exception of “woe betide,” the language is modern, and the author even makes a reference to television, which was invented after
the 19th century. Furthermore, the use of one old-fashioned phrase is not a definitive indication of when a passage was written.
Based on this information, we can understand that the old-fashioned expression is being used for effect, not because the passage
was written long ago. Therefore (D) is incorrect.
3) C
The author uses hyperbole in paragraph 1 to describe piranhas as “deadly,” “vicious” creatures that can “reduce someone to a mere
skeleton” in “a few minutes.” This exaggeration contrasts with the factual approach of paragraph 2. This contrast emphasizes the
point that piranhas are not the deadly creatures depicted in popular media. In the paragraph 1, the author creates a mental picture
of piranhas that “tear apart” their “victims.” Yet in paragraph 2, the author refers to piranhas that “eat fruit” and that play “a unique
role in the ecology of the rainforest.” Based on this information we can determine that the author most likely uses hyperbole to
juxtapose the myth of the piranha with the “truth” about the fish in order to persuade the reader that the piranha is not just a
“mindless killer.” Therefore (C) is correct. The use of hyperbole frames the argument of the piranha as deadly. Since this argument
is contradicted in a later paragraph, not supported, (A) is incorrect. The intent of the author is to contrast an exaggerated position
with a factual position. The sarcastic tone and hyperbole in paragraph 1 are clues to suggest that the author supports the factual
position conveyed in paragraph 2. Since the use of hyperbole clarifies the author’s position rather than creates ambiguity, (B) is
incorrect. Although the exaggerated language may evoke vivid images of the piranha in the reader’s mind, the author does not
mention nature television shows until later in the passage, so we can infer that the author did not intend to evoke images of nature
television shows in paragraph 1. Furthermore, the author most likely uses hyperbole not merely to create imagery, but to contrast
the myth of the piranha with the facts. This means (D) is incorrect.
4) C
unique (adjective): existing as the only one or as the sole example; individual.
In paragraph 2, the author writes, “Each piranha species occupies its own ecological niche.” From this we can understand that each
species holds an individual place in the ecosystem. To elaborate on this idea, the author gives two examples of piranha species that
behave differently, and then he or she writes, “Each piranha species plays a unique role in the ecology of the rainforest floodplains.”
From these two sentences, we can infer that the author is using the word unique to indicate that the different species of piranha play
distinct roles in the rainforest ecology. This means that individual is a good definition of unique in this context. Therefore (C) is
correct. The passage does not suggest that each piranha species plays an irreplaceable role in the ecology of the rainforest, merely
that each species plays a distinct role. This means (A) is incorrect. The passage does not provide judgment about whether the roles
of the varying piranha species are important, merely that they are different. This makes (B) incorrect. Although the roles each
piranha species plays are distinct, and therefore different from each other, the passage does not suggest that they are inherently
unusual roles. Therefore (D) is incorrect.
5) B
notorious (adjective): widely and unfavorably known for negative attributes; infamous.
The author writes, “So what should you do next time you hear someone talking about the ‘deadly piranha’? You can remind them
that the piranha is not always the notorious killer fish that the tough, muscular heroes of popular nature television shows would have
us believe.” Here the author uses the word notorious to emphasize the point that piranhas do not deserve their negative reputation,
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
even though “the tough muscular heroes of popular nature television shows” depict piranhas as “notorious” and “deadly.” In
paragraph 2 the author also claims piranhas are depicted as “mindless killer[s]…in the media.” Based on this information, the reader
can infer that the media and television shows depict piranhas as something very negative. This means that disreputable is a good
synonym for notorious. Therefore (B) is correct. The author notes that the piranha is depicted in a negative light on “popular nature
television shows” and in the “media.” Celebrated, notable, and renowned all can mean famous in a positive sense, so they are not
good synonyms for notorious. This means that choices (A), (C), and (D) are incorrect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Reading Comprehension 6
Level 9
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.
For many people who live in cities, parks are an important part of the landscape. They provide a place
for people to relax and play sports, as well as a refuge from the often harsh environment of a city. What people
often overlook is that parks also provide considerable environmental benefits.
One benefit of parks is that plants absorb carbon dioxide—a key pollutant—and emit oxygen, which
humans need to breathe. According to one study, an acre of trees can absorb the same amount of carbon
dioxide that a typical car emits in 11,000 miles of driving. Parks also make cities cooler. Scientists have long
noted what is called the Urban Heat Island Effect: building materials such as metal, concrete, and asphalt
absorb much more of the sun’s heat and release it much more quickly than organic surfaces like trees and
grass. Because city landscapes contain so much of these building materials, cities are usually warmer than
surrounding rural areas. Parks and other green spaces help to mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect.
Unfortunately, many cities cannot easily create more parks because most land is already being used
for buildings, roads, parking lots, and other essential parts of the urban environment. However, cities could
benefit from many of the positive effects of parks by encouraging citizens to create another type of green
space: rooftop gardens. While most people would not think of starting a garden on their roof, human beings
have been planting gardens on rooftops for thousands of years. Some rooftop gardens are very complex and
require complicated engineering, but others are simple container gardens that anyone can create with the
investment of a few hundred dollars and a few hours of work.
Rooftop gardens provide many of the same benefits as other urban park and garden spaces, but
without taking up the much-needed land. Like parks, rooftop gardens help to replace carbon dioxide in the air
with nourishing oxygen. They also help to lessen the Urban Heat Island Effect, which can save people money.
In the summer, rooftop gardens prevent buildings from absorbing heat from the sun, which can significantly
reduce cooling bills. In the winter, gardens help hold in the heat that materials like brick and concrete radiate so
quickly, leading to savings on heating bills. Rooftop vegetable and herb gardens can also provide fresh food for
city dwellers, saving them money and making their diets healthier. Rooftop gardens are not only something
everyone can enjoy, they are also a smart environmental investment.
Questions
1)
Based on its use in paragraph 2, it can be inferred that mitigate belongs to which of the following word
groups?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2)
exacerbate, aggravate, intensify
obliterate, destroy, annihilate
allay, alleviate, reduce
absorb, intake, consume
Using information in paragraph 2 as a guide, it can be inferred that
A.
B.
C.
D.
cities with rooftop gardens are cooler than those without
some plants are not suitable for growth in rooftop gardens
most people prefer parks to rooftop gardens
most people prefer life in the country over life in the city
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
3)
According to the passage, the Urban Heat Island Effect is caused by the fact(s) that
I. cities are warmer than nearby rural areas
II. building materials absorb more of the sun’s heat than organic surfaces
III. building materials release the sun’s heat more quickly than organic surfaces
A.
B.
C.
D.
4)
Based on information in paragraph 3, which of the following best describes the main difference between
parks and rooftop gardens?
A.
B.
C.
D.
5)
increased space for private relaxation
savings on heating and cooling costs
better food for city dwellers
improved air quality
According to the author, one advantage that rooftop gardens have over parks is that they
A.
B.
C.
D.
7)
Parks are expensive to create while rooftop gardens are not.
Parks are public while rooftop gardens are private.
Parks absorb heat while rooftop gardens do not.
Parks require much space while rooftop gardens do not.
The author claims all of the following to be benefits of rooftop gardens except
A.
B.
C.
D.
6)
I only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and III
decrease the Urban Heat Island Effect
replenish the air with nourishing oxygen
do not require the use of valuable urban land
are less expensive than traditional park spaces
Which of the following pieces of information would, if true, most weaken the author's claim that rooftop
gardens are good for the environment?
A. Parks have many benefits that rooftop gardens do not share.
B. More pollution is produced during rooftop garden construction than rooftop plants can remove from the
air.
C. Extremely high winds atop tall city buildings can severely damage some plants.
D. The overall environmental benefits that result from driving less exceed those of planting a rooftop garden.
8)
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
9)
A hypothesis is stated and then analyzed.
A proposal is evaluated and alternatives are explored.
A viewpoint is established and then defended.
A thesis is presented and then supported.
Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred that the author would most likely endorse a
program that
A.
B.
C.
D.
permitted the construction of buildings in city park land provided they have rooftop gardens
extended discounts on plants to customers who use them to create rooftop gardens
offered free admission to schools willing to take their students on field trips to the city park
promised vacation getaways to cooler destinations for those trapped in the city at the peak of summer
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
Answers and Explanations
1) C
mitigate (verb): to make less severe or painful; alleviate.
In paragraph 2, the author writes, “Parks and other green spaces help to mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect.” In paragraph 2, the
author describes the positive environmental benefits of parks. The Urban Heat Island Effect, however, is presented as something
negative—an environmental problem. We can infer, then, that the author mentions the Urban Heat Island Effect because one benefit
of parks is that they help to lessen the negative impact of this problem. This inference is confirmed in paragraph 4 when the author
writes that parks and rooftop gardens “also help to lessen the Urban Heat Island Effect.” Since mitigate belongs to the word group
with allay, alleviate, reduce, we can understand that (C) is correct. Exacerbate, aggravate, intensify are words that belong to the
word group opposite the one we need. This means (A) is incorrect. While the parks and green spaces do help lessen the severity of
the Urban Heat Island Effect, they do not obliterate, destroy, annihilate it. This is too extreme, so (B) is incorrect. Absorb, intake,
consume seems like it could be a good choice, but this family is slightly different than what we need. While parks and green spaces
do help to absorb carbon dioxide, they do not directly absorb the impact of the Urban Heat Island Effect. Therefore (D) is incorrect.
2) A
At the end of paragraph 2, the author writes, "Because city landscapes contain so much of these building materials, cities are
usually warmer than surrounding rural areas. Parks and other green spaces help to mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect." Since
parks and other green spaces help to mitigate, or alleviate, the Urban Heat Island Effect, we can understand that cities with rooftop
gardens are cooler than those without. (A) is correct. The passage does not provide information to support choices (B), (C), and (D).
Therefore they are incorrect.
3) C
In paragraph 2, the author writes that because cities contain so much metal, concrete and asphalt, they “are usually warmer than
surrounding rural areas.” The fact that cities are warmer than surrounding rural areas is an effect of, not a cause of, the Urban Heat
Island Effect. This eliminates option (I). In paragraph 2, the author also writes, “Scientists have long noted what is called the Urban
Heat Island Effect: building materials such as metal, concrete, and asphalt absorb much more of the sun’s heat…than organic
surfaces like trees and grass” This means that building materials absorbing the sun’s heat is a cause of the Urban Heat Island
Effect, which supports option (II). In the same sentence, the author also writes that these building materials “release [the sun’s heat]
much more quickly than organic surfaces like trees and grass.” The release of heat is presented as another cause of the Urban Heat
Island Effect. This supports option (III). Therefore (C) is correct.
4) D
In paragraph 3 the author writes, "Unfortunately, many cities cannot easily create more parks because most land is already being
used for buildings, roads, parking lots, and other essential parts of the urban environment. However, cities could benefit from many
of the positive effects of parks by encouraging citizens to create another type of green space: rooftop gardens." In this excerpt, the
author writes that many cities lack enough space for parks and afterward cites rooftop gardens as a suitable solution. This lets us
know that the author believes that the main difference between parks and rooftop gardens is that parks require much space while
rooftop gardens do not. Therefore, (D) is correct. In paragraph 3 the author writes that "Some rooftop gardens are very complex and
require complicated engineering, but others are simple container gardens that anyone can create with the investment of a few
hundred dollars and a few hours of work." This lets us know that the author does believe that rooftop gardens are not expensive to
create. However, nowhere in the passage is it stated that parks are expensive to create. This rules out (A). Although it may be
understood that parks are public while rooftop gardens are private, this is not the main difference between them according to the
author. This means (B) is incorrect. (C) is incorrect because the author states that both parks and rooftop gardens absorb heat. This
is a characteristic they share in common.
5) A
In paragraph 1, the author writes that parks “provide a place for people to relax and play sports, as well as a refuge from the often
harsh environment of a city.” A place for relaxation is described as a benefit of parks, not of rooftop gardens. While some people
may find it relaxing to work on or sit in a rooftop garden, the author does not mention this benefit anywhere in the passage.
Therefore (A) is correct. In paragraph 4, the author writes, “In the summer, rooftop gardens prevent buildings from absorbing heat
from the sun, which can significantly reduce cooling bills. In the winter, gardens help hold in the heat that materials like brick and
concrete radiate so quickly, leading to savings on heating bills.” Here the author argues that rooftop gardens can result in savings on
both heating and cooling costs, so (B) is incorrect. In paragraph 4, the author writes, “Rooftop vegetable and herb gardens can also
provide fresh food for city dwellers," claiming that this will make “their diets healthier.” This means (C) is incorrect. In paragraph 4,
the author writes, “Like parks, rooftop gardens help to replace carbon dioxide in the air with nourishing oxygen.” The author notes in
paragraph 2 that humans need to breathe oxygen and that carbon dioxide is a “key pollutant,” so it can be inferred that more oxygen
and less carbon dioxide results in better air quality. Therefore (D) is incorrect.
6) C
In paragraph 3, the author writes, “many cities cannot easily create more parks because most land is already being used for
buildings, roads, parking lots, and other essential parts of the urban environment. However, cities could benefit from many of the
positive effects of parks by encouraging citizens to create another type of green space: rooftop gardens.” In these sentences, the
author contrasts parks, which require the use of valuable land, with rooftop gardens, which do not require any new land. Instead,
rooftop gardens can be built on top of existing buildings. Therefore (C) is correct. Both parks and rooftop gardens decrease the
Urban Heat Island Effect and replenish the nourishing oxygen in the air, so these are not advantages of rooftop gardens over parks.
Therefore (A) and (B) are incorrect. The author does not state whether parks or rooftop gardens are more expensive, so (D) is
incorrect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
7) B
The author’s main claim in this passage—that there are many environmental benefits of rooftop gardens—is relatively modest. The
author does not argue that all buildings should have rooftop gardens or that governments should require them; he or she only claims
that rooftop gardens have many environmental benefits. If one could prove, however, that the negative environmental impact of
constructing the garden (such as the fossil fuels emitted in construction) outweighs the environmental benefits of the garden, this
would directly contradict the author’s main argument. This means that if it were true that more pollution is produced during rooftop
garden construction than rooftop plants can remove from the air, the author's claim that there are many environmental benefits of
rooftop gardens would be severely weakened. Therefore (B) is correct. The author does not argue that rooftop gardens are better
than parks, only that they offer some of the same benefits. Since the author is not arguing that rooftop gardens replace parks, (A) is
incorrect. Damage from high winds atop tall city buildings would certainly be a drawback of rooftop gardens, but the author does not
claim that rooftop gardens are less difficult to maintain than regular gardens, only that rooftop gardens offer many environmental
benefits. This means (C) is incorrect. While reducing the amount of driving in cities could perhaps result in similar or even greater
environmental benefits than rooftop gardens, these two plans are not mutually exclusive. A city could seek to reduce traffic and
promote rooftop gardens at the same time, so arguing that cars are the bigger problem would not directly contradict the author’s
argument. This makes (D) incorrect.
8) C
In paragraphs 1 and 2 the author provides background information regarding the little known benefits of green spaces in cities.
Later, in paragraph 3, the author establishes the viewpoint that "cities could benefit from many of the positive effects of parks by
encouraging citizens to create another type of green space: rooftop gardens." The remainder of the passage is dedicated to
defending this viewpoint. This means (C) is correct. The passage does not provide information to support choices (A), (B), and (D).
Therefore they are incorrect.
9) B
In this passage, the author advocates the creation of rooftop gardens. Therefore, it makes sense that he or she would endorse a
program that extended discounts on plants to customers who use them to create rooftop gardens. Therefore (B) is correct.
Although it may seem as though the author would endorse a program that permitted the construction of buildings in city park land
provided they have rooftop gardens, this is not actually the case. In paragraph 2, the author explains the many advantages of parks,
citing that they "absorb carbon dioxide" and "make cities cooler.” Construction of buildings in a park would necessarily destroy
beneficial green space. Therefore, the author would not endorse this program. This means (A) is incorrect. The passage does not
provide information to support choices (C) and (D). Therefore they are incorrect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Reading Comprehension 7
Level 9
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.
Among the old Norsemen, it was customary for certain warriors to dress in the skins of the
beasts they had slain, and thus to give themselves an air of ferocity, which was calculated to strike terror
into the hearts of their foes. Of course, one may also assume that a wolf or bear skin would make a warm,
comfortable outer coat for a man whose manner of living required him to defy all weathers.
Many legends speak of these warriors, also known as berserkers, and imply that they were
physically transformed into the beasts whose skins they wore. The werewolf is one such being. There is
also mention of a type of man who was bewitched into bear shape. Legends suggest that the skins
carried the power of the beasts and, when worn, turned the wearer into that animal at the height of its
capabilities.
The berserker was an object of terror, as his life’s goal was to challenge quiet country farmers
to combat. As the law of the land stood in Norway, a man who declined to accept a challenge from a
berserker forfeited all his possessions, even his wife, over to the hands of his challenger. Therefore, the
berserker had any man he challenged at his mercy. If the berserker slew him, the farmer's possessions
became his, and if the poor fellow declined to fight, he lost all legal right to his inheritance. A berserker
would invite himself to any feast and contribute to the hilarity of the entertainment by snapping the
backbone or cleaving the skull of some merrymaker who displeased him. He might even single one out to
murder for no other reason than to practice his combat skills.
It is not difficult to imagine that popular superstition went along with the popular dread of these
wolf- and bear-skinned rovers, and that they were believed to be filled with the force, as they certainly
were with the ferocity, of the beasts whose skins they wore.
The stories of the Norsemen indicate that the berserker rage was believed to be a kind of
demonic possession. The berserkers were said to work themselves into a frenzy, in which an evil power
came over them and compelled them to carry out acts that they never would commit in their normal
states. They acquired superhuman force, and were wholly insensitive to pain. No sword would wound
them, no fire would burn them, and only a club could destroy them, by breaking their bones or crushing
their skulls. Their eyes glared as though a flame burned in the sockets; they ground their teeth and
frothed at the mouth; they gnawed at their shield rims, and are said to have sometimes bitten through
them; and as they rushed into conflict they yelped as dogs or howled as wolves.
Questions
1) passage would most likely be found in a(n)
A.
B.
C.
D.
scholarly history journal
nature magazine
fiction novel about werewolves
encyclopedia article about berserkers
2) As used in paragraph 1, which is the best synonym for ferocity?
A.
B.
C.
D.
viciousness
confidence
insanity
strength
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
3) In paragraph 1, the author writes, “Of course, one may also assume that a wolf or bear skin would
make a warm, comfortable outer coat to a man whose manner of living required him to defy all
weathers.” Using this information, the reader can infer that Norse warriors
A.
B.
C.
D.
had great respect for the animals that they killed and skinned
lived in harsh climate conditions
made comfort their highest priority in life
only made clothing out of ferocious animals, like wolves or bears
4) According to the passage, legends suggest that the berserkers got their powers from
I. their own strength
II. evil spirits
III. their animal skins
A.
B.
C.
D.
l only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and III
5) In paragraph 4, the author writes: “A berserker would invite himself to any feast and contribute to the
hilarity of the entertainment by snapping the backbone or cleaving the skull of some merrymaker who
displeased him.” Which of the following literary devices is used in this sentence?
A. Irony, characterized by the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal
meaning. In irony, the deeper, real layer of significance is revealed by the situation and the
context in which they are placed and not by the words themselves.
B. Hyperbole, characterized by the use of specific words and phrases that exaggerate and
overemphasize the core of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect.
This usually works to convey an action or sentiment that is generally not realistically possible or
plausible but helps to emphasize an emotion.
C. Foreshadowing, characterized by the use of words or phrases that hint at something—typically
something bad—that is going to happen later in the story. This is done without revealing the story
or spoiling the suspense.
D. Personification, characterized by the attribution of human traits or characteristics to non-human
animals, inanimate objects, or abstract ideas.
6) Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that the berserkers did, in a sense,
transform into the animals whose skins they wore?
A. "The berserker was an object of terror, as his life’s goal was to challenge quiet country farmers to
combat."
B. "Their eyes glared as though a flame burned in the sockets; they ground their teeth and frothed at
the mouth; they gnawed at their shield rims, and are said to have sometimes bitten them through;
and as they rushed into conflict they yelped as dogs or howled as wolves."
C. "The berserkers were said to work themselves into a frenzy, in which an evil power came over
them, compelling them to carry out acts that they never would commit in their normal states."
D. "Many legends speak of these warriors, also known as berserkers, and imply that they were
physically transformed into the beasts whose skins they wore."
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2
Answers and Explanations
1) D
An encyclopedia article is objective, informative, and based on facts. This passage is full of facts about the Norse warriors known as
berserkers, and it is written objectively, meaning that the author does not insert his or her opinion. This means the passage would
most likely be found in an encyclopedia article about berserkers. Therefore (D) is the correct choice. The passage is written for a
general audience, because the information is not specialized enough for a scholarly journal. This eliminates (A). Despite the
mention of animal skins, the topic is not very closely related to nature. It would not likely appear in a nature magazine, so (B) is
incorrect. A fiction novel about werewolves would probably not contain this much information about berserkers. The passage only
mentions werewolves once, whereas it mentions berserkers in nearly every paragraph. This means (C) is not the best choice.
2) A
ferocity (noun): the characteristic of being ferocious; being very fierce, vicious, or savage in nature.
The author writes in paragraph 1 that the Norse warriors wore skins to “give themselves an air of ferocity, which was calculated to
strike terror into the hearts of their foes.” Because the skins were designed to make the warriors’ enemies very afraid, readers can
understand that ferocity is a characteristic that suggests a vicious or savage nature, such as that of a wild beast. This means a good
synonym for ferocity is viciousness. Therefore (A) is correct. Although the skins may have given the warriors confidence, it is
unlikely that confidence alone would make enemies very afraid. This means (B) is incorrect. Later in the passage, there is
information to make us think that the berserkers undergo a kind of insanity, or “demonic possession.” However, there is no evidence
in paragraph 1 that the warriors attempted to look insane. Therefore (C) is incorrect. Strength alone would be unlikely to make
enemies very afraid, so (D) is incorrect.
3) B
The author tells us that the skins would make a warm coat for a man “whose manner of living required him to defy all weathers.”
This information suggests that the Norse warriors needed clothing to protect them from all different kinds of weather. From this we
can infer that the Norsemen lived in harsh climate conditions. Therefore (B) is correct. The need for a warm, comfortable coat does
not indicate that the warriors had great respect for the animals killed, so (A) is incorrect. Although this sentence suggests that
comfort may have been one priority for Norse warriors, we cannot conclude that it was their highest priority. This means (C) is
incorrect. This sentence tells us that warriors made clothes out of wolves and bears, but it does not imply that warriors made
clothing out of these animals exclusively. This makes (D) incorrect.
4) C
It may be true that the berserkers got their powers from their own strength, but that is not what legends suggest. All we know from
the passage is that legends imply “the skin carried the power of the beasts” (paragraph 2) and that “the berserker rage was believed
to be a kind of demonic possession” (paragraph 5). Since the question specifically asks about what the legends suggest, we can
eliminate option (I). In the last paragraph, the author claims that “the stories of the Norsemen indicate that the berserker rage was
believed to be a kind of demonic possession,” described as a time when “an evil power came over” the warriors. Since stories are
another word for legends, we can understand that the legends suggest that the warriors got their powers from some kind of evil
spirits. This supports option (II). In paragraph 2, the author states, “Legends suggest that the skin carried the power of the beasts
and, when worn, turned the wearer into that animal at the height of its capabilities.” From this we can understand that legends
suggest berserkers got their powers from the animal skins. This supports option (III). Therefore (C) is correct.
5) A
The author does not literally mean that snapping a backbone or cleaving a skull is “hilarious.” He or she is being sarcastic, because
it would not be funny at all to the man whose backbone was snapped. This is a form of irony: saying one thing, but meaning another.
Therefore (A) is correct. The author indicates that a berserker would actually hurt someone who displeased him, so the author is not
exaggerating. Since this sentence is not an example of hyperbole, (B) is incorrect. This is an informative passage, not a story with a
plot, so the author is not foreshadowing something that will happen later. This means (C) is incorrect. A berserker is not an
inanimate object or an animal, but actually human, so (D) is incorrect.
6) B
The phrase “in a sense” in the question alerts the reader to the fact that the correct answer will not likely be literal in nature. The
question does not imply that the berserkers actually turned into these animals, but that in a more abstract sense, they somehow
became these beasts. We are looking for the sentence that supports (meaning provides the best evidence) this idea. Frothing at the
mouth, chewing a shield, and yelping are behaviors associated with dogs, wolves, or other wild animals. “In a sense,” therefore, the
berserker has been transformed into an animal, because he is acting like an animal. These behaviors are evidence of how
berserkers seemed to transform into wild beasts. This makes (B) correct. The berserker was an object of terror, but this sentence
does not provide evidence that the berserker somehow transformed into an animal. This means (A) is incorrect. A berserker being
controlled by an evil power is also not evidence that he is somehow transformed into an animal. Therefore (C) is incorrect. Legends
imply that berserkers were physically transformed into beasts, but this sentence only restates the main idea. It does not support, or
provide evidence, for the idea. This makes (D) incorrect.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Reading Comprehension 8
Level 9
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.
Once upon a time a famous art museum searched the world over for the best paintings it could
find. After a long search, the museum found a beautiful Old Master painting depicting youths and maidens
frolicking in a wood. The directors were only too glad to pay millions for this painting because they were
captivated by its beauty and elegance. How delightfully the maidens' hair and mouths were drawn, how
perfectly the hands and arms of the youths, how lifelike the bare feet on the forest floor. But the curator of
the museum was the happiest one of all, for he had now become guardian and protector of a famous
work by a famous painter. "Every time I look at that painting," he would say, "I see new beauties and
excellences. Just look at these leaves here, the sweep of the branches from this tree, capturing just the
hint of a breeze and seeming to vibrate with the music from the dance of the youths and maidens in the
clearing. My very soul resonates with the greatness of it all."
Needless to say, this wonderful painting was the most popular exhibit at the museum, providing
instruction and delight for thousands of visitors. Everyone, from the young child who could barely walk to
the old man who could barely walk, enjoyed its beauty frankly and openly or profited from studying its
color and arrangement. Children loved to see the happy figures kicking up their feet with joy; the young
people marveled at the freshness and beauty of the figures; those of mature years stood astonished at
the excellent technique that could present such a convincing vision; the old remarked upon the feeling of
cozy intimacy produced by the scene of innocent pleasure.
"This painting is almost too good to be true," remarked one visitor prophetically as he purchased
a print of it.
One day a horrible discovery was made: the painting was not a genuine Old Master after all. It
was a forgery. It had not been painted by the famous artist whose name was on it, and in fact it had been
painted within the last ten years. The museum directors and the curator were horrified and consumed with
shame. Immediately the painting was jerked from the walls of the museum and ignominiously relegated to
a basement storeroom. "We regret such an unfortunate imposition," the curator told the museum's
patrons. "This painting is not art; it is a tawdry fake. This painting is a lie."
At first the public was saddened to lose sight of such a popular painting, and a few mild protests
were raised, but eventually concern for the painting was pushed aside by other more pressing concerns,
and it was forgotten (as are all things no longer directly in front of us in this busy world) and life continued.
Only the museum curator and an occasional junior staff member ever saw the painting now,
hanging in the dim light of the basement well away from public view. All that was heard of it was the
curator's occasional disparaging comment. "Every day I see new defects and ugliness in this fraudulent
outrage," he would say. "Just look how false the sun on the leaves looks, how phony is the wisp of that
girl's hair, how ugly the clouds there, and how awkward that boy's position in the dance. How we were
ever taken in by this obvious cheat is beyond me." And finally, shaking his head to show his regret, he
concluded, "What we did was foolish and shameful."
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Questions
1) According to the passage, before the painting is discovered to be a forgery, it is
I. viewed as a fraudulent outrage
II. considered to be highly valuable
III. perceived as a delight by the public
A.
B.
C.
D.
I only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and III
2) Based on its use in paragraph 4, it can be inferred that ignominiously belongs to which of the
following word groups?
A.
B.
C.
D.
delightfully, merrily, blissfully
penitently, remorsefully, sorrowfully
ardently, fervently, enthusiastically
disgracefully, shamefully, humiliatingly
3) Which of the following statements best expresses the overall theme of the passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Knowledge can alter one’s perceptions.
Art is impossible to understand.
Experts should be the ultimate judges of value.
Public popularity is a poor measure of value.
4) It can be inferred that the author would most likely agree that
A.
B.
C.
D.
people should never pay millions of dollars for a painting
most people, including experts, do not know much about art
the person who sold the forgery to the museum should be imprisoned
the value of art is determined by people, not by the art itself
5) The museum curator can be described as all of the following except
A.
B.
C.
D.
passionate
ashamed
unwavering
inconsistent
6) As used in the final paragraph, which is the best antonym for disparaging?
A.
B.
C.
D.
unreliable
fortunate
neutral
complimentary
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
Answers and Explanations
1) C
Before the painting is discovered to be a forgery, people do not view it as a fraudulent outrage. Instead, people think it is “a beautiful
Old Master painting.” It is only after the forgery is discovered that the curator is quoted as saying, in the last paragraph, that the
painting is a “fraudulent outrage.” This eliminates option (I). In paragraph 1, the author informs us that the museum directors “were
only too glad to pay millions for this painting.” This tells us that before it is discovered to be a forgery, it is considered highly
valuable. This supports option (II). In paragraph 2, the author claims, “This wonderful painting was the most popular exhibit at the
museum, providing instruction and delight for thousands of visitors.” Since the visitors could be considered members of the public,
we know that the painting is perceived as a delight by the public before people discover that it is a forgery. This supports option (III).
Therefore (C) is correct.
2) D
To answer this question correctly, it helps to use context. In paragraph 4 the author writes, "One day a horrible discovery was made:
the painting was not a genuine Old Master after all. It was a forgery. It had not been painted by the famous artist whose name was
on it, and in fact it had been painted within the last ten years. The museum directors and the curator were horrified and consumed
with shame. Immediately the painting was jerked from the walls of the museum and ignominiously relegated to a basement
storeroom." It makes sense that the discovery that the painting is a fake causes much disgrace or shame. Given that the museum
and curator were publically deceived, this is a humiliating event. Therefore, it makes sense to think that the painting was
ignominiously, or disgracefully relegated to the basement. Using this information, we can understand that ignominiously belongs to
the word group in (D), making it the correct choice. The discovery that the painting is a fake is a negative event. Since delightfully,
merrily, blissfully are all positive words, this rules out (A). Although the museum and curator were probably sad to have been fooled
by the fake painting, the words penitently, remorsefully, sorrowfully do not as accurately capture the shame that they felt. Choice (B)
is incorrect. (C) is incorrect because the museum and curator did not defend the painting or suggest that it should still be displayed
regardless of its true identity as a fake. This means ardently, fervently, enthusiastically are inaccurate.
3) A
The theme is the subject of discussion, or unifying or dominant idea. The painting in the passage never changes, although people’s
feelings towards it vary wildly according to the things they know about it. When people believe that it is a “beautiful Old Master
painting” worth “millions,” they are delighted by it. When people find out it is a forgery, they view the painting as a “tawdry fake” and
a “fraudulent outrage.” In telling this story, the author illustrates the idea that knowledge can alter one’s perceptions. Therefore (A) is
correct. The passage is not concerned with understanding art, but with the reasons why art is or is not considered valuable.
Therefore (B) is incorrect. In the passage, the experts (the curator and directors) are not shown to be good judges of value. The
curator cannot initially tell that the painting is a forgery, and when this fact is discovered, he changes his opinion about the quality of
the painting. This means (C) is incorrect. There is not enough information for us to infer what the author judges to be a good
measure of value, so the passage does not suggest that public popularity is necessarily a poor measure of value. This makes (D)
incorrect.
4) D
The author presents a story that illustrates how people judge the value of art. When people believe the painting to be a work by an
Old Master, it provides “instruction and delight for thousands of visitors,” as the author claims in paragraph 2. However, when the
painting is discovered to be a forgery, the author tells us that the directors and curator are “horrified and consumed with shame.”
The painting is put in the basement and forgotten by the public who had so delighted in it. The painting itself does not change, but
people’s views of it do, and along with the views the value of the painting. This story illustrates that the value of art is determined by
people, not by the art itself. Therefore (D) is correct. Although in the passage a museum pays millions for a painting that turns out to
be a forgery, this story does not necessarily suggest that the author believes that all people should never pay millions of dollars for a
painting. The author might think this amount of money is justified if a painting could be verified as a true masterpiece. This means
(A) is incorrect. In the passage, the experts and the public are tricked by the forgery. However, this does not suggest that the author
believes most people do not know much about art. For example, the author could define knowledge about art as knowledge about
the principles of color, design, and beauty rather than the ability to tell a real masterpiece from a forgery. This makes (B) incorrect.
While many might think that the person who sold the forgery to the museum should be imprisoned, the passage does not contain
information to suggest that the author agrees. Because it is unsupported by the passage, (C) is incorrect.
5) C
In the beginning of the passage we learn about a new painting acquired by the museum curator. The painting is touted to be a work
by an Old Master, which provides “instruction and delight for thousands of visitors,” as the author claims in paragraph 2. However,
when the painting is discovered to be a forgery, the author tells us that the directors and curator are “horrified and consumed with
shame.” The curator’s opinion of the quality of the painting drastically changes upon his becoming aware that it is a fake. This
knowledge does not change the painting, however; the painting looks the same as it did before. Because the author's opinion of the
painting's appearance changes so drastically upon hearing that it is a fake, he cannot be accurately described as unwavering, or
resolute. Therefore (C) is correct. In the middle of paragraph 1, the curator's passion for the painting is revealed: "But the curator of
the museum was the happiest one of all, for he had now become guardian and protector of a famous work by a famous painter.
"`Every time I look at that painting,’ he would say, `I see new beauties and excellences. Just look at these leaves here, the sweep of
the branches from this tree, capturing just the hint of a breeze and seeming to vibrate with the music from the dance of the youths
and maidens in the clearing. My very soul resonates with the greatness of it all.’" Upon learning that the painting is a fake, this
passion is not diminished, but reversed: "All that was heard of it was the curator's occasional disparaging comment. `Every day I see
new defects and ugliness in this fraudulent outrage’ he would say. `Just look how false the sun on the leaves looks, how phony is
the wisp of that girl's hair, how ugly the clouds there, and how awkward that boy's position in the dance. How we were ever taken in
by this obvious cheat is beyond me.’" The curator indeed is passionate throughout the passage. This means (A) is incorrect. Upon
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
learning that the painting is a fake in paragraph 3, the author writes, "The museum directors and the curator were horrified and
consumed with shame." Choice (B) is correct. Since inconsistent is an antonym for unwavering, we can understand that (D) is
incorrect.
6) D
disparaging (adjective): tending to belittle or bring reproach upon; derogatory; unfavorable; uncomplimentary.
In the final paragraph, the author relays a “disparaging comment” made by the curator after the discovery that the painting is a
forgery: “‘Every day I see new defects and ugliness in this fraudulent outrage,’ he would say. ‘Just look how false the sun on the
leaves looks, how phony is the wisp of that girl's hair, how ugly the clouds there, and how awkward that boy's position in the dance.
How we were ever taken in by this obvious cheat is beyond me.’ And finally, shaking his head to show his regret, he concluded,
‘What we did was foolish and shameful.’” This comment insults and criticizes the painting. From the critical nature of the curator’s
comment we can understand that disparaging means belittling or derogatory. The best antonym for derogatory is complimentary,
which makes (D) correct. The passage does not contain information to suggest that the curator’s comment is reliable. If anything,
the curator is an unreliable source because his criticism of the painting in the last paragraph directly contradicts his praise of the
painting in paragraph 1. This means that unreliable cannot be an antonym for disparaging. Therefore (A) is incorrect. Although the
curator’s disparaging comment is unfavorable, it is not unfortunate, or unlucky. This means that fortunate cannot be an antonym for
disparaging, which makes (B) incorrect. Disparaging is a very negative word because it means belittling or derogatory. The best
antonym for a very negative word is not neutral, but a very positive word like complimentary. This means that (C) is not the best
choice.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Sentence Completion 1
Level 9
Directions: Complete the sentence using the word or set of words for each blank that best fits the
meaning of the sentence as a whole.
1. Athens is remembered by historians
4. Tim was such a worthless and lazy
as a peaceful society known for its
philosophers and scientists, while its
neighbor, Sparta, is remembered for
its
people and focus.
contributor to the group that his
inclusion in it served as
, rather
than an advantage, to the group’s
progress.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
chivalrous
contentious
controversial
inflammatory
martial
2. The storm
our efforts to hold a
company picnic in the park last
weekend, because it was impossible
to stay outdoors in such a
.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
destroyed … squalor
bolstered … torrent
thwarted … downpour
increased … monsoon
ruined … tragedy
3. The two rich cousins were very similar
to each other in their
lifestyles:
both spent money freely and
ostentatiously displayed the
of
their homes to their less wealthy
neighbors.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
lavish … opulence
frugal … misery
stingy … sumptuousness
austere … grandeur
luxurious … deficiency
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
a hindrance
a positive
an onus
a cancer
a boon
5. Many critics worry that technological
devices are becoming
too
soon these days; they contend that
humans are becoming too obsessed
with progress and that the proliferation
of outdated and outmoded technology
underscores this obsession.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
empowered
electronic
obsolete
updated
reconfigured
6. Far from being harmful as was thought
to be the case, running on bare feet is
at worst and beneficial at best.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
innocuous
detrimental
profitable
ambivalent
injurious
1
Answers and Explanations
1) E
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its meaning by using keywords from the prompt. Here, the keyword is
“while,” which sets up an opposite relationship between Athens and Sparta. Thus, if Athens is “peaceful,” Sparta must be the
opposite of peaceful. Martial means warlike or inclined to war, making it the opposite of peaceful, so choice (E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because chivalrous means having the qualities of chivalry, namely bravery, courtesy, and loyalty. This does not
set up the necessary opposite relationship with “peaceful,” since chivalrous is not the same as warlike or hostile.
(B) is incorrect because contentious means controversial. This does not set up the necessary opposite relationship with
“peaceful,” since contentious is not the same as warlike or hostile.
(C) is incorrect because controversial means giving rise to public disagreement. This does not set up the necessary opposite
relationship with “peaceful,” since controversial is not the same as warlike or hostile.
(D) is incorrect because inflammatory means intended to arouse anger or violent feelings. This does not set up the necessary
opposite relationship with “peaceful,” since inflammatory is not the same as warlike or hostile.
2) C
To figure out what the missing words are, try to predict their definitions by using keywords from the prompt. Here, each missing
word has its own set of keywords. The first missing word’s keyword is “because,” which indicates a cause-and-effect
relationship between the two clauses of the sentence and explains what the storm did to the picnic efforts. Since “it was
impossible to stay outdoors,” the storm must have made it impossible to hold the picnic in the park. The second missing word’s
keyword is the “storm,” since the second missing word refers to what it was impossible to stay outdoors in. The correct choice
will provide one word that implies that the storm hurt efforts and one word that means storm. Because thwarted means
prevented someone from accomplishing something, and a downpour is a heavy rainfall, choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because only the first word could work in context. Destroyed means ruined something, while squalor is a state
of being extremely dirty and unpleasant. Though the storm could have destroyed “efforts to hold a company picnic” outside,
squalor is not related to a storm.
(B) is incorrect because only the second word could work in context. Bolstered means strengthened or supported, while a
torrent is a sudden, violent, and copious outpouring of something, including rain. A storm could be referred to as “such a
torrent,” but a storm would not improve the efforts to hold a picnic outside.
(D) is incorrect because only the second word could work in context. Increased means made greater or larger, while a
monsoon is a persistent wind that may be accompanied with rain in Southeast Asia. The “storm” in the prompt could be a
monsoon if the prompt took place in Southeast Asia, but “efforts to hold a company picnic” outside would not be increased by a
storm.
(E) is incorrect because only the first word could work in context. Ruined means reduced to a state of decay or collapse, while
a tragedy is an event causing great suffering. Though the storm could have destroyed “efforts to hold a company picnic”
outside, a storm is not necessarily a tragedy.
3) A
To figure out what the missing words are, try to predict their meanings by using keywords from the prompt. Here, the keywords
are in the clause “both spent money freely and ostentatiously.” Since the cousins are “similar to each other” and spent money
freely, the two missing words must both relate to being “rich” and loose with money. Thus, the correct choice will provide a pair
of words with similar meanings, both of which relate to being rich. Lavish means very extravagant or rich, while opulence is
great wealth or luxuriousness, so choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of words with similar meanings. Frugal means sparing or economical with
regard to money, while misery is a state of great distress or discomfort. These words have no clear relationship. Additionally,
people who “spent money freely” would not be said to live frugal lifestyles.
(C) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of words with similar meanings. Stingy means cheap or miserly, while
sumptuousness is the state of being splendid and expensive-looking. These words are opposites, not synonyms.
(D) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of words with similar meanings. Austere means severe or strict in manner,
while grandeur is splendor and impressiveness. These words are opposites, not synonyms.
(E) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of words with similar meanings. Luxurious means extremely comfortable in
an expensive way, while deficiency is a failing or shortcoming. These words are opposites, not synonyms.
4) A
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its meaning by using keywords from the prompt. Here the keywords are
“rather than,” which sets up an opposite relationship between what Tim was and “an advantage.” The opposite of an advantage
is a deficit or something that hurts something else, so the missing word must refer to something negative that would describe a
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
person who is “a worthless and lazy contributor.” A lazy contributor would not help his group. Since a hindrance is an obstacle
or thing that provides delay or obstruction to the progress of something, choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because a positive is something good. This is the opposite of a correct choice, since a correct choice would be
a word that is the opposite of “an advantage.”
(C) is incorrect because an onus is a difficult obligation or burden. This does not work in context because nothing in the prompt
implies that Tim was himself an obligation, as nothing implies that Tim was required to be in the group.
(D) is incorrect because a cancer is an evil condition or thing that spreads destructively. Nothing in the prompt implies that
Tim’s worthlessness and laziness were spreading to other members of the group, so this choice does not work in context.
(E) is incorrect because a boon is a blessing or something that is helpful. This is the opposite of a correct choice, since a
correct choice would be a word that is the opposite of “an advantage.”
5) C
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its meaning by using clues from the prompt. Here, the main clue is the
semicolon, which is used to link independent clauses that are logically related. This means there is a relationship between what
“technological devices are becoming” and “the proliferation of outdated and outmoded technology.” The missing word refers to
what the devices are becoming, so it must likewise mean outdated or outmoded. Because obsolete means out of date or no
longer in use, so choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because empowered means given authority or power. Technological devices cannot be given authority or
power, since technological devices cannot rule a society. Therefore, this choice is illogical.
(B) is incorrect because electronic means powered by electricity. Any technological device can be electronic regardless of
whether or not it is “outdated” or “outmoded,” since being outdated has no connection to being electronic or non-electronic.
(D) is incorrect because updated means made more modern or up to date. This is the opposite of a correct choice, since the
prompt implies that the “technological devices” in question are becoming “outdated and outmoded,” not updated.
(E) is incorrect because reconfigured means remodeled, remade, or restructured. This is the opposite of a correct choice, since
the prompt implies that the “technological devices” in question are becoming “outdated and outmoded,” not remodeled.
6) A
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its meaning by using keywords from the prompt. Here, the keywords are
the phrase “far from being,” a phrase that implies a negative or opposite relationship. This means that “running on bare feet” is
the opposite of “harmful,” so the missing word must likewise mean the opposite of harmful. Because innocuous means
harmless or inoffensive, choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because detrimental means harmful. This does not set up the necessary opposite relationship with “harmful.”
(C) is incorrect because profitable means beneficial or useful. This does not work because the prompt implies that “running on
bare feet” can be “beneficial at best” and something else “at worst.” It would be illogical to say that it is profitable at worst and
beneficial at best, since profitable is synonymous with beneficial.
(D) is incorrect because ambivalent means having mixed feelings about someone or something. This cannot work in context
because ambivalent can only logically describe a person and not an action such as “running on bare feet.”
(E) is incorrect because injurious means harmful. This does not set up the necessary opposite relationship with “harmful.”
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Sentence Completion 2
Level 9
Directions: Complete the sentence using the word or set of words for each blank that best fits the
meaning of the sentence as a whole.
1. Because of the professor’s reputation
4. The repair shop attempted to
for being
, the students in her
class were surprised by her
in
the first lecture of the semester.
the damaged automobile
but ultimately decided it was
irreparable.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
garrulous ... bombast
pithy ... terseness
succinct ... congeniality
loquacious ... brevity
erudite ... intellect
2. Nearly every ancient culture had a
myth involving a trickster character,
a
individual who
creates devilry either through
cunningness or foolishness.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
mischievous
venerable
stoic
portly
stern
sabotage
sap
salvage
retain
economize
5. Far more than being merely
, the titular character in
Herman Melville’s The
Confidence-Man appears to be
downright
; most
contemporary scholars assume he
is a fill-in for the devil.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
villainous ... evil
restive ... furtive
decorous ... misanthropic
nefarious ... indecent
moral ... virtuous
3. The hall of fame committee was
nearly unanimous in
the
star athlete; only one voter
and did not support the athlete’s
induction.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
dismissing ... saluted
praising ... duped
lauding ... dissented
reprimanding ... abstained
ruing ... refrained
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
6. The author’s first novel had such a
story that critics quickly
dismissed the author as a
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
.
hackneyed ... professional
suspenseful ... poseur
transparent ... scamp
trite ... hack
convoluted ... realist
1
Answers and Explanations
1) D
To figure out what the missing words are, try to predict their definitions by using keywords from the prompt. Here, the keyword
is “because,” which sets up a cause-and-effect relationship between the two parts of the sentence. This means that the first
clause explains why the students “were surprised” by the first lecture. The prompt does not give enough information to figure
out what the missing words are, but they must be opposites of each other. After all, if the words had the same meaning, then
the students would not be “surprised,” as the professor’s reputation would have been upheld by acting the same way in the first
lecture. The correct choice will, therefore, provide a pair of opposites. Loquacious means talkative, while brevity is
conciseness. These are opposites, so choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of opposites. Garrulous means talkative, while bombast is pompous speech.
There is no relationship between these words.
(B) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of opposites. Pithy means concise, while terseness is conciseness. Thus,
these words have similar, not opposite, meanings.
(C) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of opposites. Succinct means concise, while congeniality is pleasantness.
Thus, there is no relationship between these words.
(E) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of opposites. Erudite means learned or scholarly, while intellect is higher
mental powers. Thus, these words have similar, not opposite, meanings.
2) A
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its definition by using keywords in the prompt. Here, the keywords are
“trickster” and the phrase “creates devilry.” Thus, the missing word must be an adjective that would describe a trickster who
creates devilry. Mischievous means causing trouble in a playful or devilish way, so choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because venerable means deserving high respect, which is not something that would be said of a “trickster.”
(C) is incorrect because stoic means impassive, a word that has nothing to do with a “trickster” or “devilry.”
(D) is incorrect because portly means stout, a word that has nothing to do with a “trickster” or “devilry.”
(E) is incorrect because stern means strict, a word that would describe the opposite of a “trickster” who “creates devilry.”
3) C
To figure out what the missing words are, try to predict their definitions by using keywords in the prompt. Here, each missing
word has its own set of keywords. The keyword for the first blank comes in the sentence’s second clause, when it is revealed
that the athlete was inducted into the hall of fame. Thus, the committee must have praised the athlete, as it would not have
been likely to vote for an athlete whom it did not praise.
The second missing word’s key phrase is in the first clause: “nearly unanimous.” “Nearly unanimous” implies that a vast
majority, but not all, of the members voted for the athlete’s induction. Thus, one voter must have not supported the induction, or
else it would have been a unanimous decision. The two words are, thus, opposites, as the first refers to supporting and the
second to rejecting the athlete.
Of the choices, only choice (C) provides a word that implies “praising” for the first missing word and that implies at least one
voter did not support the induction for the second missing word. Lauding means praising, while dissented means differed in
opinion.
(A) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of opposites that is appropriate in context. Dismissing means rejecting and
saluted means honored. As the athlete was inducted into the hall of fame, the committee probably did not reject him. These
words have the proper opposite meaning but would have to be in reverse order to work in context.
(B) is incorrect because only the first word could work in context. Praising means honoring, so it would work for the first blank;
however, duped means fooled or tricked and, thus, has no connection to anything in the prompt.
(D) is incorrect because only the second word could work in context. Reprimanding means punishing and, as such, means the
opposite of the word that would have to go in the first blank. However, abstained means refrained from participating and could
refer to a person who did not support the athlete’s induction and, therefore, left the committee’s vote as “nearly unanimous.”
(E) is incorrect because only the second word could work in context. Ruing means bitterly regretting and, as such, has the
opposite meaning of the first missing word. However, refrained means stopped oneself from doing something and could refer
to something done by one voter who prevented the committee’s vote from being “unanimous” rather than “nearly unanimous.”
4) C
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its definition by using keywords in the prompt. Here, the keyword is
“irreparable,” a word that means the automobile could not be fixed. However, the prompt implies that the repair shop attempted
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
to fix the automobile before deciding it could not be fixed. The missing word describes what the repair shop “attempted to” do
to the car before deciding it could not be fixed, so the missing word must mean fix. Because salvage means to rescue from
loss or ruin, choice (C) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because sabotage means to deliberately destroy and is, thus, the opposite of what a repair shop would attempt
to do to a damaged automobile.
(B) is incorrect because sap means to undermine and is, thus, the opposite of what a repair shop would attempt to do to a
damaged automobile.
(D) is incorrect because retain to means keep or employ. A repair shop would not be likely to keep an “irreparable” automobile,
so this word does not work in context.
(E) is incorrect because economize means to reduce one’s expenses. This does not work in context because a “damaged
automobile” does not have expenses and, therefore, cannot be the subject of attempts to reduce its expenses.
5) A
To figure out what the missing words are, try to predict their definitions by using keywords in the prompt. Here, the keywords
for both missing words are in the final clause: “most contemporary scholars assume he is a fill-in for the devil.” This clause
describes the titular character, and the missing words likewise describe that character. This means that both missing words
must mean devilish or bad. Furthermore, the construction of the prompt suggests that the first missing word is less bad than
the second one, as the second missing word is “more than being merely” the first one. The correct choice will provide a pair of
words that mean bad and really bad, respectively. Villainous means wicked, while evil means profoundly or completely wicked,
so choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because it does not provide two words with similar meanings. Restive means impatient, while furtive means
sneaky. Neither necessarily would be descriptive of the devil, either.
(C) is incorrect because it does not provide two words with similar meanings. Decorous means proper, while misanthropic
means people hating. Of these, only the latter would describe the devil.
(D) is incorrect because it does not provide two words with similar meanings that work in context. Nefarious means very
wicked, while indecent means improper. These are the right words in the wrong order. The prompt requires the more severe
word to go in place of the second missing word, not in place of the first missing word.
(E) is incorrect because it does not provide two words with similar meanings that work in context. Moral means holding high
principles of right and wrong, while virtuous means having very high moral standards. These words form the right relationship
but do not work in context, as a “fill-in for the devil” would not be described as moral or virtuous.
6) D
To figure out what the missing words are, try to predict their definitions by using keywords in the prompt. Here, the keywords
are “such” and “that,” which sets up a cause-and-effect relationship. This means that the novel’s “story” was such that, as a
result, “critics dismissed the author as” being a certain way. Thus, the missing words must have a logical relationship. Trite
means hackneyed, and a hack is a mediocre or unoriginal writer. In context, these words would imply that the novel had such a
hackneyed plot that critics dismissed the author as being poor in quality. This makes sense, so choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because it does not form a logical relationship. Hackneyed means commonplace, while a professional is an
expert. There is no clear relationship between these two words, and, in context, they would imply that the plot of the novel was
commonplace so critics thought the novelist was an expert.
(B) is incorrect because it does not form a logical relationship. Suspenseful means exciting, while a poseur is someone who
pretends to be sophisticated but is not. There is no relationship between these words, and, in context, they would imply that the
plot of the novel was exciting so critics thought the novelist pretended to be more sophisticated than he actually was.
(C) is incorrect because it does not form a logical relationship. Transparent means clear, while a scamp is a rascal. These
words have no clear relationship, and, in context, they would imply that the novel’s plot was clear so critics thought the novelist
was a rascal.
(E) is incorrect because it does not form a logical relationship. Convoluted means intricate, while a realist is a person who
represents things as they really are. If anything, these words have opposite meanings, not similar meanings, and, in context,
they would imply that the novel’s plot was complicated so critics thought the novelist was interested in promoting a realistic
representation of life.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Sentence Completion 3
Level 9
Directions: Complete the sentence using the word or set of words for each blank that best fits the
meaning of the sentence as a whole.
1. In the 1970s, gas prices rose
drastically because of
of oil
entering the marketplace; as with any
commodity, gas prices are impacted
by the basic laws of supply and
demand.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
a peak
a glut
an amount
an inundation
a dearth
2. Much of Moliére’s work was
satirical in nature; in Tartuffe, for
instance, he
much of
French high society, including
church leaders.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
administers
lampoons
immortalizes
lauds
disgusts
4. One of the most effective ways to
resolve conflict is to seek an
outside mediator, someone who
can hear both sides of the
argument and attempt to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the angered parties.
inflame
pacify
outwit
bolster
entice
5. Once the District Attorney
convinced the
star witness
to testify, her once
case
suddenly appeared more than
sufficient.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
obsolete ... scanty
ruthless ... infamous
treacherous ... robust
reluctant ... flimsy
paltry ... obstinate
6. In On the Road, Jack Kerouac
that his team was unable to get
past its
start; rather than
being
in the second half,
the team remained lethargic
throughout.
documented the
lifestyle
he and other members of the Beat
generation practiced; rather than
settle down in one place, many of
them would move around from
coast to coast.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
3. The coach was dismayed to find
slipshod ... enumerated
slow ... enervated
slapdash ... enraged
sluggish ... energized
slothful ... engaged
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
transient
exotic
pedestrian
nontraditional
orthodox
1
Answers and Explanations
1) E
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its definition by using keywords from the prompt. Here, the keyword is
“rose,” as the prompt explains that gas prices rose because of the missing word. The prompt gives one other piece of key
information, stating that supply and demand impacts gas prices. The basic law of supply and demand states that the smaller a
supply of a product, the more it will cost, other factors being equal. Since gas is something almost everyone needs, if its price
rose, the supply likely decreased. Thus, the missing word here must mean something that implies a decrease. Because a
dearth is a scarcity or lack of something, choice (E) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because a peak is a high point. It is the opposite of the word the prompt is looking for, as the prompt requires a
word that implies a decrease in the amount of oil entering the marketplace.
(B) is incorrect because a glut is an overstock of something. It is the opposite of the word the prompt is looking for, as the
prompt requires a word that implies a decrease in the amount of oil entering the marketplace.
(C) is incorrect because an amount is any quantity of something. This does not work in context because an amount could be
large or small, meaning this word does not necessarily describe a decrease in oil entering the marketplace.
(D) is incorrect because inundation is an overwhelming amount. It is the opposite of the word the prompt is looking for, as the
prompt requires a word that implies a decrease in the amount of oil entering the marketplace.
2) B
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its definition by using key words from the prompt. Here, the key word is
“satirical,” as the prompt uses Tartuffe as an example of how Moliére’s work is satirical. Thus, the missing word must mean
something that implies that Moliére satirized “French high society” in Tartuffe. Because lampoon means ridicules, choice (B) is
correct.
(A) is incorrect because administers means dispenses or applies something. This word does not relate to the fact that Moliére’s
work is “satirical” in any way.
(C) is incorrect because immortalizes means bestows unending fame upon. This implies that Moliére celebrated “French high
society,” even though the prompt calls his work “satirical,” not celebratory.
(D) is incorrect because lauds means praises or celebrates. This implies that Moliére celebrated “French high society,” even
though the prompt calls his work “satirical,” not celebratory.
(E) is incorrect because disgusts means causes revulsion or strong disapproval. This does not work because disgusting is not
synonymous with “satirical.”
3) D
To figure out what the missing words are, try to predict their definitions by using keywords from the prompt. Here, each missing
word has its own keyword. The keyword for the first missing word is “lethargic,” which means drowsy. As the team “remained
lethargic throughout” the game, it must have had a lethargic start. The second missing word’s keyword is “rather,” which sets
up an opposite relationship between how the coach expected the team to be and how it “remained.” Since the team continued
to be “lethargic,” the coach must have expected the team to be the opposite of lethargic. Thus, the correct choice will provide a
pair of opposites relating to lethargy. Sluggish means lethargic or slow, while energized means invigorated, and one who is
invigorated would not be lethargic. These are opposites, so choice (D) is correct.
(A) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of opposites. Slipshod means untidy, while enumerated means listed. Neither
word relates to the prompt.
(B) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of opposites. Slow means lethargic or not fast-moving, while enervated
means weakened. An enervated team would be likely to remain lethargic.
(C) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of opposites. Slapdash means haphazard, while enraged means very angry.
Neither word really relates to the prompt.
(E) is incorrect because it does not provide a pair of opposites. Slothful means lazy or lethargic, while engaged means
occupied or busy. Being lethargic is the opposite of having energy, but being engaged is not the same as being energized.
Moreover, the prompt implies that the team was tired and slow, not distracted or unoccupied.
4) B
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its definition by using keywords from the prompt. The keyword here is
“resolve,” and the prompt makes it clear that the goal of a mediator is conflict resolution. Thus, the missing word must be a verb
that would at least contribute to conflict resolution. Pacify means to soothe or calm down, and conflict resolution can be aided
by calming down “angered parties.” Therefore, choice (B) is correct.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
(A) is incorrect because inflame means to anger or incite. This is the opposite of what a mediator is supposed to do in order to
resolve a conflict.
(C) is incorrect because outwit means to outsmart or trick. It would not make sense for a mediator to trick “the angered parties”
in an attempt to resolve their conflict.
(D) is incorrect because bolster means to reinforce. If the mediator wants to resolve a conflict, it would not make sense for him
or her to attempt to strengthen “the angered parties,” as reinforcing their anger would only make them more likely to continue
fighting.
(E) is incorrect because entice means to attract or tempt someone by offering pleasure or advantage. An effective mediator
would not need to tempt “the angered parties” to make up by offering some kind of reward. Additionally, the prompt gives no
indication that the mediator would offer some advantage or reward to them.
5) D
To figure out what the missing words are, try to predict their definitions by using keywords from the prompt. In this prompt, each
missing word has its own keyword. The first missing word’s keyword is “convinced,” which implies that the “star witness”
needed to be talked into testifying. Thus, the missing word must describe the fact that the witness was in need of convincing.
The second missing word’s keywords are in the phrase “more than sufficient.” Since it was “suddenly” more than sufficient but
was once whatever the missing word is, the missing word must be something that means insufficient or weak. Of the choices,
only choice (D) provides two words that work in context: reluctant means hesitant, while flimsy means not sturdy. In the prompt,
these would imply that the hesitant witness had to be convinced to testify, and, once the witness was convinced, the formerly
weak case became relatively strong.
(A) is incorrect because only one word could work in context. Obsolete means outdated or fallen into disuse, while scanty
means insufficient. Of these, only scanty could work in context, as a star witness could not logically be obsolete to the
prosecutor.
(B) is incorrect because neither word works in context. Ruthless means cruel, while infamous means well-known for a bad
quality. Nothing in the prompt suggests that the witness was cruel or that the case was notorious.
(C) is incorrect because neither word works in context. Duplicitous means deceitful, while illusory means deceptive. These
words, though related to each other, do not work in context for the missing words. Nothing in the prompt implies that the
witness was deceitful or that the case was deceptive.
(E) is incorrect because neither word works in context. Paltry means insignificant, while obstinate means stubborn. Though
these words could work if they were listed in reverse order, paltry would not be used to describe the star witness, and illusory
would not be used to describe the case overall.
6) A
To figure out what the missing word is, try to predict its definition by using clues from the prompt. In this prompt, the main clue
is the semicolon, which links independent clauses that are logically linked. This means there is a connection between what is
stated after the semicolon and what is stated before it. Here, the definition of the missing word is basically given after the
semicolon: the lifestyle was defined by “moving around from coast to coast.” Thus, the missing word, which describes the
“lifestyle,” must be something that means moving around. Because transient means staying in one place for only a short time,
choice (A) is correct.
(B) is incorrect because exotic means of a kind not ordinarily encountered or seen. Though the Beat generation’s lifestyle
might seem contrary to normal lifestyles, this does not work in context, as the prompt only indicates that the “lifestyle” of the
Beats included moving “around from coast to coast.” It does not directly state that the Beats lived in an unusual lifestyle.
(C) is incorrect because pedestrian means dull or unexciting. Nothing in the prompt suggests that the Beat “lifestyle” was dull or
commonplace.
(D) is incorrect because nontraditional means different from an established norm or custom. Though the Beat generation’s
lifestyle might seem contrary to normal lifestyles, this does not work in context, as the prompt only indicates that the “lifestyle”
of the Beats included moving “around from coast to coast.” It does not directly state that the Beats lived in an unusual lifestyle.
(E) is incorrect because orthodox means traditional and is, as such, a word that would neither describe the Beat Generation
nor one who moves from coast to coast.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Word Definition 1
Level 9
Directions: Choose the answer choice that best defines the word in capital letters.
1) SUAVE
6) NUMEROUS
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
charming
upsetting
uncivilized
memorable
many
large
small
few
2) MAR
7) NURTURE
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
to silence
to imagine
to punish
to disfigure
to be critical of
to be devoted to
to take care of
to believe in
3) ECCENTRIC
8) REFUTE
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
chilling
spoken
clever
odd
to awaken from sleep
to consider carefully
to submit for inspection
to prove wrong
4) GUILE
9) ADVOCATE
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
honesty
slyness
speed
intelligence
to demand
to sell
to deface
to support
5) IMPAIR
10) DEEM
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
to worsen
to accelerate
to disconnect
to organize
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
to insert
to lend
to deny
to consider
1
Answers and Explanations
1) A
suave (adjective): charming, confident, and elegant: James Bond is usually portrayed as a suave, sophisticated man.
2) D
mar (verb): to damage in appearance or to disfigure: His expensive suit was marred by the cat’s scratches, which left tiny rips and
tears all over the fabric.
3) D
eccentric (adjective): odd: Belle’s father was an eccentric old man who devoted most of his time to developing his unusual
inventions.
4) B
guile (noun): slyness: I detected a certain guile in the salesman’s tone of voice, so I decided not to buy the car from him and instead
try to find an honest salesman.
5) A
impair (verb): to worsen: Smoking and drinking have harmful effects that can greatly impair one’s health.
6) A
numerous (adjective): many: The children gave their parents an extensive list detailing the numerous reasons why they deserve to
have a puppy as a pet.
7) C
nurture (verb): to take care of: I left my job for two months in order to nurture my newborn baby; fortunately, my boss knew how
important it is to take care of an infant, so he was happy to hold my job for me in my absence.
8) D
refute (verb): to prove wrong: Although Bohr’s model of the atom is still taught in schools as an example of how electrons move, it
was actually refuted many decades ago and is no longer used by scientists.
9) D
advocate (verb): to support: The congressman advocates stricter gun laws, but his opponent instead supports existing laws.
10) D
deem (verb): to consider: I didn’t deem it wise to sneak out of my parents’ house after midnight—I could have gotten into way too
much trouble if I’d been caught—yet I foolishly did not take my own advice and am now grounded.
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Word Definition 2
Level 9
Directions: Choose the answer choice that best defines the word in capital letters.
1) INFER
6) ADAGE
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
to fight a battle
to reach a conclusion
to postpone
to mention someone
a popular song
a short poem
an old saying
an original composition
2) QUIRKY
7) OBLIGATORY
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
united
poisonous
stolen
peculiar
absent
pointless
rude
required
3) COMPLY
8) SORDID
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
to follow a rule
to make a demand
to suspect someone
to criticize something
powerful or mighty
dirty or disgusting
imaginary or unreal
burning or on fire
4) REPRESS
9) AVENGE
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
to hold back
to dig up
to lift
to question
to look up
to applaud
to make softer
to take vengeance
5) GURU
10) VAGUE
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
a wise person
an influential teacher
a young child
a disobedient person
© Copyright PICEC, 2013. All rights reserved.
unclear
fashionable
wealthy
rural
1
Answers and Explanations
1) B
infer (verb): to reach a conclusion from evidence and reasoning rather than explicit statements: Using the clues he’d already found
plus the statements from the witness, Sherlock Holmes was able to infer who the criminal was.
2) D
quirky (adjective): peculiar: The movie’s main character is a quirky young woman whose comically odd ways lift the spirits of her
romantic interest.
3) A
comply (verb): to follow a rule: Research shows that most US teenagers do not fully comply with laws that set the legal drinking age
at 21.
4) A
repress (verb): to hold back: Many psychologists used to believe that people repressed unpleasant memories in order to
intentionally forget them, but current research shows this is not true.
5) B
guru (noun): an influential teacher or popular expert: Many people consider Alan Greenspan to be an economic guru, and they
listen closely to all of his financial advice.
6) C
adage (noun): an old saying: “Better to be safe than sorry” is an old adage that encourages people to be cautious and prudent.
7) D
obligatory (adjective): required: In order to graduate, students at my school must complete an obligatory class in computer skills;
anyone who doesn’t complete the class doesn’t graduate.
8) B
sordid (verb): dirty or disgusting: Disgusting stories of the politician’s sordid sexual affairs were all over the news for weeks.
9) D
avenge (verb): to take vengeance: Inigo Montoya sought to avenge his father’s death by killing the man who murdered his dad.
10) A
vague (adjective): unclear: Stefano is certain about which college he wants to attend, but he only has vague ideas about what he
wants to study when he gets there.
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2
泛美国际
Name_
Date
• Word Definition 3
Level 9
Directions: Choose the answer choice that best defines the word in capital letters.
1) NOTION
6) CONDONE
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
an idea
a district
a career
an emotion
to adapt for one’s own use
to accelerate in pace
to treat as acceptable
to worsen in condition
2) INADVERTENT
7) SLOTHFUL
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
organized
uncommon
accidental
enraged
painful
useful
lazy
relaxing
3) PACIFY
8) BRILLIANT
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
to inspire
to involve
to defeat
to calm
giving off bright light
becoming aware of
giving to a charity
being in the process of learning
4) DIVERSION
9) PRECEDE
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
a split in something
a lie
a piece of clothing
a detour
to capture
to come closer
to come before
to quote
5) SOLICIT
10) OVERT
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
to bury
to request
to place
to result
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private
obvious
disloyal
unimportant
1
Answers and Explanations
1) A
notion (noun): an idea: I don’t know where my girlfriend got the notion that I was didn’t like her mother, because that belief is just
not true.
2) C
inadvertent (adjective): accidental: Breaking the dish was an inadvertent action; I didn’t mean to do it.
3) D
pacify (verb): to claim: In order to pacify his angry critics from the south, the king promised to send extra troops to protect them from
their enemies.
4) D
diversion (noun): an instance of turning something aside from its path or course: I tried to stay focused on my homework and avoid
diversions, but I ended up distracted when my friend texted me.
5) B
solicit (verb): to request: Every Christmas, volunteers for the Salvation Army solicit donations outside the grocery store, and I
always try to give a little money whenever I am asked.
6) C
condone (verb): to treat as acceptable: Since most of the university’s professors are male, students are accusing the university of
condoning sexism; they argue that its policies seem to favor men over women, even if that was not the original intention.
7) C
slothful (adjective): lazy: Slothful students who don’t do their homework tend to have lower grades than the hardworking students
who do every assignment.
8) A
brilliant (adjective): giving off bright light: As a child, I was fascinated by the brilliant fireflies that would flash their lights so brightly
as they flew through the warm summer night.
9) C
precede (verb): to come before: During the talent show, I took the stage to sing my song at 8 PM, and I was preceded at 7:50 by a
girl who danced ballet.
10) B
overt (adjective): obvious: The hidden tension between the two students turned into overt dislike when they found themselves
competing in the student council elections.
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2