11.

This passage is adapted from Jane Austen, Mansfield Park. Originally published
1814. Fanny has recently moved to live with her relatives at Mansfield Park.

Fanny Price was at this time just ten years old, and though there might not be
much in her first appearance to captivate, there was, at least, nothing to
disgust her relations. She was small of her age, with no glow of complexion, nor
any other striking beauty; exceedingly timid and shy, and shrinking from
notice; but her air, though awkward, was not vulgar, her voice was sweet, and
when she spoke her countenance was pretty. Sir Thomas and Lady
Bertram received her very kindly; and Sir Thomas, seeing how much she needed
encouragement, tried to be all that was conciliating: but he had to work against a
most untoward gravity of deportment; and Lady Bertram, without taking half so
much trouble, or speaking one word where he spoke ten, by the mere aid of a good-
humored smile, became immediately the less awful character of the two.

As used in the highlighted line, "received" most nearly means

Possible Answers:

were visited by.

suffered.

collected.

welcomed.

Correct answer:

welcomed.

Explanation:

For any vocabulary in context question, you should first look at the context of the
sentence and determine what word or idea would best replace the word you are
being asked about. In the context of the first paragraph, the word "received" is being
used to talk about when Fanny first meets Sir and Lady Bertram. The only choice
that could have the same connotation is "welcomed."

"Were visited by" is close, but consider the context of the sentence. Whatever the
verb "received" means, it is something that Sir and Lady Bertram are doing kindly.
"Were visited by" is a passive construction, so their kindness can't modify it.
Among the other answers, "suffered," is a potential meaning for received, but does
not fit in context since you are looking for a positive word and "collected," another
potential meaning, does not make sense in the context of the paragraph, since the
paragraph is about Fanny meeting Lady and Sir Bertram for the first time.
Report an Error

Example Question #21 : Vocabulary In Context

Passage 1 is adapted from Emma Hart Willard, "Improving Female Education."

Originally published in 1819.

As evidence that this statement does not exaggerate the female influence in
society, our sex need but be considered, in the single relation of mothers. In
this character, we have the charge of the whole mass of individuals, who are to
compose the succeeding generation; during that period of youth, when the pliant
mind takes any direction, to which it is steadily guided by a forming hand. How
important a power is given by this charge! yet, little do too many of my sex
know how, either to appreciate or improve it. Unprovided with the means of
acquiring that knowledge, which flows liberally to the other sex- having our
time of education devoted to frivolous acquirements, how should we
understand the nature of the mind, so as to be aware of the importance of those
early impressions, which we make upon the minds of our children? -or how
should we be able to form enlarged and correct views, either of the character,
to which we ought to mold them, or of the means most proper to form them
aright?

As used in the highlighted sentence, “succeeding” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

replacement.

triumphant.

next.

rotating.

Correct answer:

next.

Explanation:

As with any vocabulary in context question, your job is to look at the meaning of
the sentence as a whole and then determine the word that would best replace the
word you're being asked about. In this case, Willard is discussing why we should
consider mothers when discussing female education, stating that they are in charge
of the "succeeding generation" - their children. The correct answer choice will be a
word that means that "succeeding generation" will also refer to children. The only
answer that fits this is "next." While, "replacement," is close, it doesn't quite fit
since, while the mothers and current generation will eventually die and be replaced,
that doesn't necessarily only refer to the women's children.

Report an Error

Example Question #21 : Vocabulary In Context

Passage 2 is adapted from Benjamin Rush, "Thoughts upon Female Education".

Originally published 1787.

To you, young ladies, an important problem is committed for solution: whether

our present plan of education be a wise one and whether it be calculated to
prepare you for the duties of social and domestic life. I know that the elevation
of the female mind, by means of moral, physical, and religious truth, is
considered by some men as unfriendly to the domestic character of a woman.
But this is the prejudice of little minds and springs from the same spirit which
opposes the general diffusion of knowledge among the citizens of our
republics.If men believe that ignorance is favorable to the government of the
female sex, they are certainly deceived, for a weak and ignorant woman will
always be governed with the greatest difficulty. It will be in your power ladies, to
correct the mistakes and practice of our sex upon these subjects by demonstrating
that the female temper can only be governed by reason and that the cultivation of
reason in women is alike friendly to the order of nature and to private as well as
public happiness.

As used in the highlighted line, “reason” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

knowledge.

justification.

sanity.

practicality.

Correct answer:

knowledge.

Explanation:

For any vocabulary in context question, look to find the context of the sentence first
and then determine which answer choice best completes the thought being
expressed in the sentence. In this case, Rush states that women can only be
controlled by reason and that the "cultivation of reason" is good for public
happiness. Since the entire passage is about women's education, it is logical to
assume that Rush is arguing for the cultivation of women's education. Based on this
information, the only logical answer is, "knowledge." "Justification"
and "practicality" don't fit because they don't refer to education, and "sanity" doesn't
fit because it is too literal - while Rush may argue that sanity is good for education,
his focus here is on the education itself, not on whether its subjects are sane.

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Basic Vocabulary In Context

This passage is adapted from Adam K. Fetterman and Kai Sassenberg, “The
Reputational Consequences of Failed Replications and Wrongness Admission
among Scientists", first published in December 2015 by PLOS ONE.

While we imply that these effects may be exacerbated by social media, the data
cannot directly speak to this. However, any one of a number of cognitive biases
may add support to this assumption and explain our findings. For example, it
may be that a type of availability bias or pluralistic ignorance of which the more
vocal and critical voices are leading individuals to judge current opinions as more
negative than reality. As a result, it is easy to conflate discussions about direct
replications with “witch- hunts” and overestimate the impact on one’s own
reputation. Whatever the source may be, it is worth looking at the potential
negative impact of social media in scientific conversations.

As used in the highlighted line, “critical” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

analytical.

crucial.

serious.

judgmental.

Correct answer:

judgmental.

Explanation:

For all vocabulary in context questions, look first at the context of the sentence and
then consider which answer choice best fits in the sentence. The passage states that
more "critical" voices lead people to believe that opinions on social media are more
negative than they really are. This implies that "critical" needs to mean something
that can mean a negative opinion. The only answer choice that fits this is,
"judgmental". While, "analytical," may be close, it doesn't have the negative
connotation of judgmental and must therefore be eliminated.

Report an Error

Example Question #24 : Vocabulary In Context

The following passage is adapted from Ricki Lewis, "Did Donkeys Arise from an
Inverted Chromosome?", originally published 2018 in PLOSOne Blogs.

The researchers used Chicago HiRise assembly technology to up the quality of

Willy’s genome sequence. “This new assembly allowed us to identify fine
chromosomal rearrangements between the horse and the donkey that likely
played an active role in their divergence and, ultimately, speciation,” they
write.

The bigger pieces enabled them to zero in on DNA sequences where chromosomes
contort, such as inversions (where a sequence flips) or translocations (where
different chromosome types exchange parts). These events could have fueled the
reproductive isolation of small populations that can expand into speciation.

As used in the highlighted sentence, "zero in" most nearly means

Possible Answers:

reduce.

adjust.

find.

narrow.

Correct answer:

narrow.

Explanation:

As with any vocabulary in context question, your job is to determine the scope of
the sentence and then find the word that would best replace the word in question. In
this case, the passage states that the new technology allowed them to look more
closely at certain genetic sequences. "Reduce" and "adjust" can be dismissed as
irrelevant since they do not involve looking more closely at something. The correct
answer is "narrow". In order to look more closely at something, you narrow the
range over which you are looking. "Find" is a close second. However, the
researchers are looking more closely at the sequences, not necessarily finding them.
Report an Error

Example Question #22 : Vocabulary In Context

The following passage is excerpted from a speech delivered by Susan B. Anthony

in 1873. The speech was delivered after Anthony was tried and fined $100 for
voting in the 1872 presidential election.

It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male
citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it,
not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of
ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people— women as
well as men. And it is a downright mockery to talk to women of their
enjoyment of the blessings of liberty while they are denied the use of the only
means of securing them provided by this democratic-republican government—
the ballot.

For any State to make sex a qualification that must ever result in the
disfranchisement of one entire half of the people is a violation of the supreme
law of the land. By it the blessings of liberty are forever withheld from women
and their female posterity. To them this government had no just powers
derived from the consent of the governed. To them this government is not a
democracy. It is not a republic. It is an odious aristocracy; a hateful oligarchy
of sex; the most hateful aristocracy ever established on the face of the globe; an
oligarchy of wealth, where the right govern the poor. An oligarchy of learning,
where the educated govern the ignorant, or even an oligarchy of race, where
the Saxon rules the African, might be endured, but this oligarchy of sex, which
makes father, brothers, husband, sons, the oligarchs over the mother and
sisters, the wife and daughters of every household—which ordains all men
sovereigns, all women subjects, carries dissension, discord and rebellion into
every home of the nation.

As used in the highlighted sentence, “just” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

confirmed

partial

lawful

exact

Correct answer:

lawful
Explanation:

With vocabulary in context questions, we need to focus on the context used in the
passage. In the sentence, if we were to take out the word “just,” and replace it with
something else, “lawful” would be the best fit. The surrounding paragraph
addresses that current voting laws are “unlawful,” so suggesting that the
government has no “lawful” powers fits our context perfectly. While “exact” and
“confirmed” match other meanings for the word just, they do not align with the
context of the passage, and would change the meaning. Keep in mind, vocabulary in
context is a context question, not a vocabulary memorization question, so our job is
generally to take common terms and find the meaning of those terms that best
matches with the context.

Report an Error

Example Question #26 : Vocabulary In Context

The following passage is excerpted from a speech delivered by Susan B. Anthony

in 1873. The speech was delivered after Anthony was tried and fined $100 for
voting in the 1872 presidential election.

For any State to make sex a qualification that must ever result in the
disfranchisement of one entire half of the people is a violation of the supreme
law of the land. By it the blessings of liberty are forever withheld from women
and their female posterity. To them this government had no just powers
derived from the consent of the governed. To them this government is not a
democracy. It is not a republic. It is an odious aristocracy; a hateful oligarchy
of sex; the most hateful aristocracy ever established on the face of the globe; an
oligarchy of wealth, where the right govern the poor. An oligarchy of learning,
where the educated govern the ignorant, or even an oligarchy of race, where
the Saxon rules the African, might be endured, but this oligarchy of sex, which
makes father, brothers, husband, sons, the oligarchs over the mother and
sisters, the wife and daughters of every household—which ordains all men
sovereigns, all women subjects, carries dissension, discord and rebellion into
every home of the nation.

Webster, Worcester and Bouvier all define a citizen to be a person in the

United States, entitled to vote and hold office. The one question left to be
settled now is: Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents
will have the hardihood to say they are not. Being persons, then, women are
citizens; and no State has a right to make any law, or to enforce any old law,
that shall abridge their privileges or immunities. Hence, every discrimination
against women are citizenswomen in the constitutions and laws of the several
States is today null and void, precisely as is every one against African
Americans.

As used in the highlighted sentence, “abridge” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

enhance

restore

diminish

shorten

Correct answer:

diminish

Explanation:

With vocabulary in context questions, we need to focus on the context first and
foremost. In the sentence, if we were to take out the word “abridge,” and replace it
with something else, “lessen” or “take away from” would be the best fit. So,
“diminish” makes a lot of sense in context, and is our correct answer. While
“shorten” might be the most common association we would make with “abridge”
without the context, it doesn’t fit what we’re looking for in context, as it would not
make sense to “shorten” privileges or immunities. Finally, restore and enhance both
directly conflict with the context, and cannot be our correct answers. Keep in mind,
vocabulary in context is a context question, not a vocabulary memorization
question, so our job is generally to take common terms and find the meaning of
those terms that best match with the context.

Report an Error

Example Question #23 : Vocabulary In Context

The following is an excerpt from Agnes Grey, an autobiographical novel by Anne

Bronte that follows the life of a governess working in wealthy British households
in the 19th century.

To avoid trouble and confusion, I have taken my pupils one by one, and
discussed their various qualities; but this can give no adequate idea of being
worried by the whole three together; when, as was often the case, all were
determined to ‘be naughty, and to tease Miss Grey, and put her in a passion.’

Sometimes, on such occasions, the thought has suddenly occurred to me—’If

they could see me now!’ meaning, of course, my friends at home; and the idea
of how they would pity me has made me pity myself—so greatly that I have
had the utmost difficulty to restrain my tears: but I have restrained them, till
my little tormentors were gone to dessert, or cleared off to bed (my only
prospects of deliverance), and then, in all the bliss of solitude, I have given
myself up to the luxury of an unrestricted burst of weeping. But this was a
weakness I did not often indulge: my employments were too numerous, my
leisure moments too precious, to admit of much time being given to fruitless
lamentations.

As used in the highlighted sentence, “deliverance” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

arrival

appearance

unhappiness

liberation

Correct answer:

liberation

Explanation:

With vocabulary in context questions, we need to focus on the context used in the
passage. In the sentence, if we were to take out the word “deliverance,” and replace
it with something else, “freedom” (or liberation) would fit our context nicely and
maintain the original meaning of the sentence. While “unhappiness” matches the
tone of the surrounding paragraph, it would not make sense to replace “deliverance”
with “unhappiness,” as the passage is suggesting that this time is her only escape or
freedom from the challenges of her job. Additionally, while “appearance” and
“arrival” fit *a* meaning of the word deliverance, they would not make sense in the
context of the highlighted sentence. Keep in mind, vocabulary in context is a
context question, not a vocabulary memorization question, so our job is generally to
take common terms and find the meaning of those terms that best matches with the
context.

Report an Error

Example Question #27 : Vocabulary In Context

The following is an excerpt from Agnes Grey, an autobiographical novel by Anne

Bronte that follows the life of a governess working in wealthy British households
in the 19th century.
I particularly remember one wild, snowy afternoon, soon after my return in
January: the children had all come up from dinner, loudly declaring that they
meant ‘to be naughty;’ and they had well kept their resolution, though I had
talked myself hoarse, and wearied every muscle in my throat, in the vain
attempt to reason them out of it. I had got Tom pinned up in a corner, whence,
I told him, he should not escape till he had done his appointed task. Meantime,
Fanny had possessed herself of my workbag, and was rifling its contents—and
spitting into it besides. I told her to let it alone, but to no purpose, of course.
‘Burn it, Fanny!’ cried Tom: and this command she hastened to obey. I sprang
to snatch it from the fire, and Tom darted to the door. ‘Mary Ann, throw her
desk out of the window!’ cried he: and my precious desk, containing my letters
and papers, my small amount of cash, and all my valuables, was about to be
precipitated from the three-story window. I flew to rescue it. Meanwhile Tom
had left the room, and was rushing down the stairs, followed by Fanny. Having
secured my desk, I ran to catch them, and Mary Ann came scampering after.
All three escaped me, and ran out of the house into the garden, where they
plunged about in the snow, shouting and screaming in exultant glee.

What must I do? If I followed them, I should probably be unable to capture

one, and only drive them farther away; if I did not, how was I to get them in?
And what would their parents think of me, if they saw or heard the children
rioting, hatless, bonnetless, gloveless, and bootless, in the deep soft snow?

As used in the highlighted sentence, “vain” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

futile

exceptional

conceited

successful

Correct answer:

futile

Explanation:

With vocabulary in context questions, we need to focus on the context used in the
passage. In the sentence, if we were to take out the word “vain,” and replace it with
something else, “unsuccessful,” :doomed,” or “futile” would fit our context nicely
and maintain the original meaning of the sentence. “Successful” completely
changes the meaning of the context, as would “exceptional, and “conceited” would
just be outright illogical. Keep in mind, vocabulary in context is a context question,
not a vocabulary memorization question, so our job is generally to take common
terms and find the meaning of those terms that best matches with the context.

Report an Error

Example Question #24 : Vocabulary In Context

This passage is adapted from “Flagship Species and Their Role in the
Conservation Movement” (2020)

Until recently, two schools of thought have dominated the field of establishing
“flagship” endangered species for marketing and awareness campaigns. These
flagship species make up the subset of endangered species conservation experts
utilize to elicit public support - both financial and legal -
for fauna conservation as a whole.

The first concerns how recognizable the general public, the audience of most
large-scale funding campaigns, finds a particular species, commonly termed its
“public awareness.” This school of thought was built on the foundation that if
an individual recognizes a species from prior knowledge, cultural context, or
previous conservational and educational encounters (in a zoo environment or
classroom setting, for instance) that individual would be more likely to note
and respond to the severity of its endangered status. However, recently
emerging flagship species such as the pangolin have challenged the singularity
of this factor.

Alongside public awareness, conservation experts have long considered a

factor they refer to as a “keystone species” designation in the flagstone
selection process. Keystone species are those species that play an especially
vital role in their respective habitats or ecosystems. While this metric is
invaluable to the environmentalists in charge of designating funds received,
recent data has expressed the more minor role a keystone species designation
seems to play in the motivations of the public.

Recent scholarship has questioned both the singularity and the extent to which
the above classifications impact the decision making of the general public.
Though more complicated to measure, a third designation, known as a species’
“charisma,” is now the yardstick by which most flagship species are formally
classified. Addressing the charisma of a species involves establishing and
collecting data concerning its ecological (interactions with humans/the
environments of humans), aesthetic (appealing to human emotions through
physical appearance and immediately related behaviors), and corporeal
(affection and socialization with humans over the short- and long-terms)
characteristics. This process has been understandably criticized by some for its
costs and failure to incorporate the severity of an endangered species’ status
into designation, but its impact on the public has been irrefutable. While
keystone and public awareness designations are still often applied in the field
because of their practicality and comparative simplicity, charisma is now
commonly accepted as the most accurate metric with which to judge a species’
flagship potential.

In the context of the passage, the word “fauna” in paragraph one most nearly
means

Possible Answers:

conservation

all

flagship

animal

Correct answer:

animal

Explanation:

Here, the paragraph speaks about the role of flagship species in the conservation of
animals. Thus, using context, we can conclude that the word “fauna” must mean
animal. While the paragraph as a whole speaks about conservation and ends with
the phrase “as a whole,” it would not make sense to take out the word “fauna” and
replace it with any of our other answer options. With vocabulary in context
questions, we need to focus on finding the term (using process of elimination and/or
anticipating the correct answer by filling in the blanks ourselves) to find the correct
contextual meaning to the term.

Example Question #1 : Vocabulary In Context

This passage is adapted from Jane Austen, Mansfield Park. Originally published
1814. Fanny has recently moved to live with her relatives at Mansfield Park.

They were a remarkably fine family, the sons very well-looking, the daughters
decidedly handsome, and all of them well-grown and forward of their age, which
produced as striking a difference between the cousins in person, as education had
given to their address; and no one would have supposed the girls so nearly of an age
as they really were. There were in fact but two years between the youngest and
Fanny. Julia Bertram was only twelve, and Maria but a year older.

As used in line 43, "address" most nearly means

Possible Answers:

inscription

speech.

lecture.

house.

Correct answer:

speech.

Explanation:

For any vocabulary in context question, you should first look at the context of the
sentence and determine what word or idea would best replace the word you are
being asked about. The paragraph is describing the Bertram sisters and talking
about the relative development of the Bertrams and Fanny. The paragraph compares
their "person," referring to their appearances, and their "address." This obviously
has to do with something about the girls, whether about how they act, dress, or look.
The only answer that could refer to an aspect of a person's actions is "speech," as
the other answer choices do not logically describe an aspect of a person's character
or appearance.

Report an Error

Example Question #2 : Vocabulary In Context

The following passage and corresponding figure are from Emilie Reas. "How the
brain learns to read: development of the “word form area”", PLOS Neuro
Community, 2018.

Earlier studies have shown that the ventral visual cortex supports recognition
of an array of visual stimuli, including objects, faces, and places. Within this
area, a subregion in the left hemisphere known as the “visual word form area”
(VWFA) shows a particular selectivity for written words. However, this region
is characteristically plastic. It’s been proposed that stimuli compete for
representation in this malleable area, such that “winner takes all” depending
on the strongest input. That is, how a site is ultimately mapped is dependent on
what it’s used for in early childhood. But this idea has yet to be confirmed, and
the evolution of specialized brain areas for reading in children is still poorly
understood.

As used in the highlighted line, “plastic” most nearly means

Possible Answers:
resistant.

artificial.

adaptable.

springy.

Correct answer:

adaptable.

Explanation:

As with any vocabulary in context question, you should look to understand the
context of the sentence and then to choose the answer choice that best completes the
idea presented. In the sentence itself, you're only told that the area is
"characteristically plastic". However, in the next paragraph, you are told that the
region is "malleable," indicating that plastic must be a synonym for malleable. The
only answer that matches this is, "adaptable".

Report an Error

Example Question #3 : Vocabulary In Context

This passage is adapted from Adam K. Fetterman and Kai Sassenberg, “The
Reputational Consequences of Failed Replications and Wrongness Admission
among Scientists", first published in December 2015 by PLOS ONE.

It may seem strange that others consider it less likely that questionable
research practices, for example, were used when a scientist admits that they
were wrong. However, it does make sense from the standpoint that wrongness
admission seems to indicate honesty. Therefore, if one is honest in one domain,
they are likely honest in other domains. Moreover, the refusal to admit might
indicate to others that the original scientist is trying to cover something up. The
lack of significance of most of the interactions in our study suggests that it even
seems as if scientists might already realize this. Therefore, we can generally
suggest that scientists admit they are wrong, but only when the evidence
suggests they should.

As used in the highlighted line, “domain” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

kingdom.

field.
value.

context.

Correct answer:

context.

Explanation:

As with other vocabulary in context questions, the key here is to look at the context
of the sentence and then figure out which answer choice would best replace the
word in question. In this case, the author is arguing that if someone appears to be
honest in one area they may be seen as being honest in other areas as
well. "Kingdom" and "value" are obviously outside the scope of the idea of
"area"."Field and "context", "field" would seem to imply field of study, which is too
specific for this sentence. The more general "context" is a better fit and more
closely matches the idea of "area" that you are trying to account for.

Report an Error

Example Question #4 : Vocabulary In Context

The passage is excerpted from Ngonghala CN, et. al’s “Poverty, Disease, and the
Ecology of Complex Systems” © 2014 Ngonghala et al.

The modern economics literature on poverty traps, however, is strikingly silent

about the role of feedbacks from biophysical and biosocial processes. Two
overwhelming characteristics of under-developed economies and the poorest,
mostly rural, subpopulations in those countries are (i) the dominant role of
resource-dependent primary production—from soils, fisheries, forests, and
wildlife—as the root source of income and (ii) the high rates of morbidity and
mortality due to parasitic and infectious diseases. For basic subsistence, the
extremely poor rely on human capital that is directly generated from their
ability to obtain resources, and thus critically influenced by climate and soil
that determine the success of food production. These resources in turn
influence the nutrition and health of individuals, but can also be influenced by
a variety of other biophysical processes. For example, infectious and parasitic
diseases effectively steal human resources for their own survival and
transmission. Yet scientists rarely integrate even the most rudimentary
frameworks for understanding these ecological processes into models of
economic growth and poverty.

This gap in the literature represents a major missed opportunity to advance

our understanding of coupled ecological-economic systems. Through feedbacks
between lower-level localized behavior and the higher-level processes that they
drive, ecological systems are known to demonstrate complex emergent
properties that can be sensitive to initial conditions. A large range of ecological
systems—as revealed in processes like desertification, soil degradation, coral
reef bleaching, and epidemic disease—have been characterized by multiple
stable states, with direct consequences for the livelihoods of the poor. These
multiple stable states, which arise from nonlinear positive feedbacks, imply
sensitivity to initial conditions.

As used in the highlighted line, “emergent” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

developing

unchanging

urgent

essential

Correct answer:

developing

Explanation:

If we look to the context of the sentence in this example and fill-in-the-blank with
our own new word in the sentence, “through feedbacks between lower-level
localized behavior and the higher-level processes that they drive, ecological systems
are known to demonstrate complex emergent properties that can be sensitive to
initial conditions,” The word you would most likely choose on your own given the
context is either “new” or “emerging.” So, we need an answer that maintains that
meaning. “Unchanging” can be eliminated because the context shows that there is a
change from initial conditions. “Essential” does not fit in with the context as
nothing indicates they are important or required. “Urgent” is tricky, as it seems on
the surface to be a synonym of “emergent” (emergency/urgent), but makes no sense
when inserted into the sentence. ‘Developing” works perfectly when you place it in
the sentence, as it is similar to “new” and “emerging” and creates a logical meaning.

Report an Error

Example Question #5 : Vocabulary In Context

The passage is adapted from Ngonghala CN, et. al’s “Poverty, Disease, and the
Ecology of Complex Systems” © 2014 Ngonghala et al.

In his landmark treatise, An Essay on the Principle of Population, Reverend

Thomas Robert Malthus argued that population growth will necessarily exceed
the growth rate of the means of subsistence, making poverty inevitable. The
system of feedbacks that Malthus posited creates a situation similar to what
social scientists now term a “poverty trap”: i.e., a self-reinforcing mechanism
that causes poverty to persist. Malthus’s erroneous assumptions, which did not
account for rapid technological progress, rendered his core prediction wrong:
the world has enjoyed unprecedented economic development in the ensuing
two centuries due to technology-driven productivity growth.

As used in the highlighted line, “posited” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

conceived

replicated

undermined

challenged

Correct answer:

conceived

Explanation:

If we look to fill-in-the-blanks in our existing context, “The system of feedbacks

that Malthus posited creates a situation similar to what social scientists now term a
“poverty trap”: i.e., a self-reinforcing mechanism that causes poverty to persist,” the
most likely word you would pick on your own here is either “developed” or
“theorized.” Looking at the answer choices, “challenged” and “undermined” are
both the opposite of what is required by the context. “Replicated” would be correct
if he was replicating someone else’s work, but the evidence in the context of the
paragraph is that this system was his own creation. “Conceived” nicely matches
“developed” and “theorized” and is thus our correct choice.

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Advanced Vocabulary In Context

The following is an excerpt from Night and Day, a novel by Virginia Woolf that
was first published in 1919. The novel tells the story of two main female
characters in London in the early 20th century.

It was a Sunday evening in October, and in common with many other young
ladies of her class, Katharine Hilbery was pouring out tea. Perhaps a fifth part
of her mind was thus occupied, and the remaining parts leapt over the little
barrier of day which interposed between Monday morning and this rather
subdued moment, and played with the things one does voluntarily and
normally in the daylight. But although she was silent, she was evidently
mistress of a situation which was familiar enough to her, and inclined to let it
take its way for the six hundredth time, perhaps, without bringing into play
any of her unoccupied faculties. A single glance was enough to show that Mrs.
Hilbery was so rich in the gifts which make tea-parties of elderly distinguished
people successful, that she scarcely needed any help from her daughter,
provided that the tiresome business of teacups and bread and butter was
discharged for her.

As used in the highlighted line, “mistress” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

supporter

manager

admirer

victim

Correct answer:

manager

Explanation:

If we look to the context, we can see that Katharine Hilbery is hosting a group of
people and pouring tea. So, when the sentence in question uses the term “mistress,”
the passage intends to say that she is “in charge of” the situation unfolding before
her. This aligns most directly with “manager.” It would not make sense in context to
say that she was an admirer or supporter of the situation, nor is she precisely the
“victim” of the situation at hand. It’s important to keep in mind when tackling
vocabulary in context questions that vocabulary in context is a context question, not
a memorization question, so our job is generally to take common terms and find the
meaning of those terms that best matches the context.

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Vocabulary In Context

The following is an excerpt from “Human Life and Migration - an Origin Story,”
(2020)

It is now commonly accepted that human life originated in East Africa. There
is less agreement as to whether the humans that left Africa in a final exodus as
recently as 100,000 years ago replaced all other hominids (thus becoming
ancestors to everyone now alive) or humans evolved independently in
geographically separated regions. Recently, the replacement scenario, as it is
sometimes called, has been lent support from genetic research.

Genetic investigations into the origins of human life most often focus on
mitochondrial DNA. As opposed to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA is
transmitted only from the mother. This allows for the tracing of mutations that
arise independently of changes that occur because of the combining of the
mother’s and father’s DNA. As useful as this is, the high mutation rate of
mitochondrial DNA allows scientists a look at only relatively recent prehistory.
Nuclear DNA, on the other hand, has a low mutation rate, making it ideal for
looking into the more distant past. Studying the nuclear DNA of fossils now
shows a substantial decrease in population size in Europe and Asia
approximately 50—80 thousand years ago. No such decrease happened in
Africa. This supports the idea that migrants from Africa replaced all previous
humans, and did not interbreed with earlier migrants.

Other research shows less genetic diversity the farther human populations are
located from Africa. This difference in diversity, which continues to the
present day, also supports the hypothesis that modern human life came from
Africa and gradually spread throughout the world. It is worth noting that
there is no discontinuity in the decrease of diversity as one travels from Africa;
this points to less distinct ethnic and racial divisions than is popularly thought
to be the case.

As used in the highlighted portion, “discontinuity” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

predictability

consistency

inconsistency

discontentedness

Correct answer:

inconsistency

Explanation:

In this example, “discontinuity” is used in context to mean that the decrease of

diversity is consistent, basically, that the described pattern continues without
interruption. This aligns perfectly with our correct answer, “inconsistency.”
“Consistency” and “predictability,” run counter to the meaning, and would change
the interpretation of the sentence in question entirely, and discontentedness might
*sound* similar to the given word, but would make no sense in the given context.
So, by process of elimination, “inconsistency” is our only viable option in the
context of the sentence.

Report an Error

Example Question #2 : Vocabulary In Context

The following is an excerpt from Agnes Grey, an autobiographical novel by Anne

Bronte that follows the life of a governess working in wealthy British households
in the 19th century.

To avoid trouble and confusion, I have taken my pupils one by one, and
discussed their various qualities; but this can give no adequate idea of being
worried by the whole three together; when, as was often the case, all were
determined to ‘be naughty, and to tease Miss Grey, and put her in a passion.’

Sometimes, on such occasions, the thought has suddenly occurred to me—’If

they could see me now!’ meaning, of course, my friends at home; and the idea
of how they would pity me has made me pity myself—so greatly that I have
had the utmost difficulty to restrain my tears: but I have restrained them, till
my little tormentors were gone to dessert, or cleared off to bed (my only
prospects of deliverance), and then, in all the bliss of solitude, I have given
myself up to the luxury of an unrestricted burst of weeping. But this was a
weakness I did not often indulge: my employments were too numerous, my
leisure moments too precious, to admit of much time being given to fruitless
lamentations.

As used in the highlighted sentence, “admit of” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

want

forbid

tolerate

necessitate

Correct answer:

tolerate

Explanation:

With vocabulary in context questions, we need to focus on the context first and
foremost. In the sentence, if we were to take out the phrase “admit of,” and replace
it with something else, “allow” (or tolerate!) would be the best fit. So, “tolerate” is
our correct answer. Contextually, it doesn’t make sense to say that she was too busy
to “want” to spend time feeling sorry for herself, or “necessitate” doing so. Finally,
“forbid” certainly doesn’t make sense contextually, as she isn’t “too busy to forbid
herself from crying,” - she’s attempting *not to* cry because she is too busy to
afford to be able to do so. Keep in mind, vocabulary in context is a context
question, not a vocabulary memorization question, so our job is generally to take
common terms and find the meaning of those terms that best matches with the
context.

Report an Error

Example Question #3 : Vocabulary In Context

The following is an excerpt from Night and Day, a novel by Virginia Woolf that
was first published in 1919. The novel tells the story of two main female
characters in London in the early 20th century.

It was a Sunday evening in October, and in common with many other young
ladies of her class, Katharine Hilbery was pouring out tea. Perhaps a fifth part
of her mind was thus occupied, and the remaining parts leapt over the little
barrier of day which interposed between Monday morning and this rather
subdued moment, and played with the things one does voluntarily and
normally in the daylight. But although she was silent, she was evidently
mistress of a situation which was familiar enough to her, and inclined to let it
take its way for the six hundredth time, perhaps, without bringing into play
any of her unoccupied faculties. A single glance was enough to show that Mrs.
Hilbery was so rich in the gifts which make tea-parties of elderly distinguished
people successful, that she scarcely needed any help from her daughter,
provided that the tiresome business of teacups and bread and butter was
discharged for her.

Considering that the little party had been seated round the tea-table for less
than twenty minutes, the animation observable on their faces, and the amount
of sound they were producing collectively, were very creditable to the hostess.
It suddenly came into Katharine’s mind that if some one opened the door at
this moment he would think that they were enjoying themselves; he would
think, “What an extremely nice house to come into!” and instinctively she
laughed, and said something to increase the noise, for the credit of the house
presumably, since she herself had not been feeling exhilarated. At the very
same moment, rather to her amusement, the door was flung open, and a young
man entered the room. Katharine, as she shook hands with him, asked him, in
her own mind, “Now, do you think we’re enjoying ourselves enormously?”...
“Mr. Denham, mother,” she said aloud, for she saw that her mother had
forgotten his name.

As used in the highlighted line, “faculties” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

priorities

abilities

annoyances

teachers

Correct answer:

abilities

Explanation:

In this example, we’ll need to be careful to assess the meaning of the term in its
context. While “faculties” might sometimes be associated with the term “teachers,”
- this term definitely doesn’t fit the meaning at play in the given context. The
sentence in question is attempting to say that the task at hand seemed at this point to
be routine to Katharine, and that it didn’t require her to apply her “talents.” So, if
we would fill in the blank on our own using the term “talents,” the only answer that
matches this option is “abilities.” It’s important that we ensure that the chosen
answer doesn’t just express “a” meaning of the term in question - we need the
meaning that fits the context and maintains the given meaning.

Report an Error

Example Question #2 : Vocabulary In Context

The following is an excerpt from “Human Life and Migration - an Origin Story,”
(2020)

It is now commonly accepted that human life originated in East Africa. There
is less agreement as to whether the humans that left Africa in a final exodus as
recently as 100,000 years ago replaced all other hominids (thus becoming
ancestors to everyone now alive) or humans evolved independently in
geographically separated regions. Recently, the replacement scenario, as it is
sometimes called, has been lent support from genetic research.

Genetic investigations into the origins of human life most often focus on
mitochondrial DNA. As opposed to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA is
transmitted only from the mother. This allows for the tracing of mutations that
arise independently of changes that occur because of the combining of the
mother’s and father’s DNA. As useful as this is, the high mutation rate of
mitochondrial DNA allows scientists a look at only relatively recent prehistory.
Nuclear DNA, on the other hand, has a low mutation rate, making it ideal for
looking into the more distant past. Studying the nuclear DNA of fossils now
shows a substantial decrease in population size in Europe and Asia
approximately 50—80 thousand years ago. No such decrease happened in
Africa. This supports the idea that migrants from Africa replaced all previous
humans, and did not interbreed with earlier migrants.

Other research shows less genetic diversity the farther human populations are
located from Africa. This difference in diversity, which continues to the
present day, also supports the hypothesis that modern human life came from
Africa and gradually spread throughout the world. It is worth noting that
there is no discontinuity in the decrease of diversity as one travels from Africa;
this points to less distinct ethnic and racial divisions than is popularly thought
to be the case.

As used in the highlighted portion, “tracing” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

tracking

overlooking

sketching

outlining

Correct answer:

tracking

Explanation:

In this example, the context suggests that transmittal of mitochondrial DNA from
the mother allows the origins of mutations to be “traced.” If we were to fill in the
blank with another term that maintains this context, “tracking” aligns well, as it
maintains the meaning that the origins of the mutations can be kept track of. While
“tracing” can mean outlining or sketching in other contexts, it would be completely
illogical here. Keep in mind with vocabulary in context, it’s important that we
ensure that the chosen answer doesn’t just express “a” meaning of the term in
question - we need the
Example Question #11 : Vocabulary In Context

The researchers used Chicago HiRise assembly technology to up the quality of

Willy’s genome sequence. “This new assembly allowed us to
identify fine chromosomal rearrangements between the horse and the donkey that
likely played an active role in their divergence and, ultimately, speciation,” they
write.

As used in the highlighted line, “fine” most nearly means

Possible Answers:

ornamental.

ostentatious.

small-scale.

of good quality.

Correct answer:

small-scale.

Explanation:

For any vocabulary in context question, you should first look at the context of the
sentence and determine what word or idea would best replace the word you are
being asked about. The paragraph in question is discussing chromosomal
rearrangements, so whatever the correct answer is should be able to describe those
rearrangements. Choices "ornamental", "ostentatious", and "of good quality" all
deal with the quality of the rearrangements, which doesn't make sense in this
context - the rearrangements either happened or they didn't. Only "small-scale"
makes sense, as a new piece of equipment could make finding "small-scale"
changes to the genome easier.

Report an Error

Example Question #12 : Vocabulary In Context

The passage is adapted from Ngonghala CN, et. al’s “Poverty, Disease, and the
Ecology of Complex Systems” © 2014 Ngonghala et al.

In his landmark treatise, An Essay on the Principle of Population, Reverend

Thomas Robert Malthus argued that population growth will necessarily exceed
the growth rate of the means of subsistence, making poverty inevitable. The
system of feedbacks that Malthus posited creates a situation similar to what
social scientists now term a “poverty trap”: i.e., a self-reinforcing mechanism
that causes poverty to persist. Malthus’s erroneous assumptions, which did not
account for rapid technological progress, rendered his core prediction wrong: the
world has enjoyed unprecedented economic development in the ensuing two
centuries due to technology-driven productivity growth.

In the context of the highlighted portion of the passage, “enjoyed” most nearly
means

Possible Answers:

wanted

experienced

avoided

delighted

Correct answer:

experienced

Explanation:

In this example, we need to contextualize the use of “enjoyed,” as the term itself
could carry several different meanings. In context, “enjoyed” seems to mean that
the world has “experienced” economic development. So, our correct answer is
“experienced.” The world may very well have “taken delight” in this development
(the primary definition of “enjoyed,”) but contextually, we only know that it
experienced this growth. In fact, though “delighted” might sound convincing, it
actually implies a completely different and illogical meaning, seeming to imply that
the word “delighted” or brought joy to economic development. “Wanted” and
“avoided” are also both illogical, and change the meaning of the sentence in
question.

Report an Error

Example Question #13 : Vocabulary In Context

The passage is adapted from Ngonghala CN, et. al’s “Poverty, Disease, and the
Ecology of Complex Systems” © 2014 Ngonghala et al.

The economics literature on poverty traps, where extreme poverty of some

populations persists alongside economic prosperity among others, has a history
in various schools of thought. The most Malthusian of models were advanced
later by Leibenstein and Nelson, who argued that interactions between
economic, capital, and population growth can create a subsistence-level
equilibrium. Today, the most common models of poverty traps are rooted in
neoclassical growth theory, which is the dominant foundational framework for
modeling economic growth. Though sometimes controversial, poverty trap
concepts have been integral to some of the most sweeping efforts to catalyze
economic development, such as those manifest in the Millennium Development
Goals.

In the context of the highlighted portion of the passage, “catalyze” most nearly
means

Possible Answers:

stop

impede

foster

curb

Correct answer:

foster

Explanation:

In this example, we’ll need to use context cluse and process of elimination to
identify the best alternative to the word “catalyze.” Earlier in the paragraph, the
context cites economic growth, so we know that efforts are being made to
encourage or accelerate growth. Here, the only option that aligns with this meaning
is “foster.” Even if you weren’t quite familiar with the meaning of “foster” in its
context, we can use process of elimination to identify the correct answer. “Impede,”
“curb,” and “stop,” all clearly give the opposite meaning of what we’re looking for,
and can thus be eliminated. We’ll also want to be wary of cases where two or more
answer choices seem to provide the same meaning, as they do here. Since they
cannot all be the correct answer, there’s a far better chance that something is
problematic about all options, and they can thus be eliminated.

Report an Error

Example Question #14 : Vocabulary In Context

The passage is adapted from Ngonghala CN, et. al’s “Poverty, Disease, and the
Ecology of Complex Systems” © 2014 Ngonghala et al.

In his landmark treatise, An Essay on the Principle of Population, Reverend

Thomas Robert Malthus argued that population growth will necessarily exceed
the growth rate of the means of subsistence, making poverty inevitable. The
system of feedbacks that Malthus posited creates a situation similar to what
social scientists now term a “poverty trap”: i.e., a self-reinforcing mechanism
that causes poverty to persist. Malthus’s erroneous assumptions, which did not
account for rapid technological progress, rendered his core prediction wrong:
the world has enjoyed unprecedented economic development in the ensuing
two centuries due to technology-driven productivity growth.

Nonetheless, for the billion people who still languish in chronic extreme poverty,
Malthus’s ideas about the importance of biophysical and biosocial feedback (e.g.,
interactions between human behavior and resource availability) to the dynamics of
economic systems still ring true. Indeed, while they were based on observations
of human populations, Malthus ideas had reverberations throughout the life
sciences. His insights were based on important underlying processes that
provided inspiration to both Darwin and Wallace as they independently
derived the theory of evolution by natural selection. Likewise, these principles
underlie standard models of population biology, including logistic population
growth models, predator-prey models, and the epidemiology of host-pathogen
dynamics.

In the context of the highlighted portion of the passage, “languish” most nearly
means

Possible Answers:

excel

suffer

enjoy

dialect

Correct answer:

suffer

Explanation:

In this example, we’ll need to utilize the surrounding context to understand the
meaning of the term in question. In this case, the context refers to those who
“languish,” in extreme poverty. This context alone tells us that “excel” and “enjoy”
certainly don’t fit the bill. Additionally, “dialect” is completely illogical, and has
been included to distract readers who might be tempted to misunderstand
“languish” given the similarity of the root of the word to “language.” Thus, our only
reasonable answer, and the one we would likely route to if we “filled-in-the-blanks”
with our own term, is “suffer.”
Report an Error

Example Question #11 : Vocabulary In Context

The passage is excerpted from Carter G, Leffer L (2015) “Social Grooming in

Bats: Are Vampire Bats Exceptional?” © 2015 Carter, Leffer

Patterns of social grooming among categories of individuals also differed

between the two species. In the Bechstein’s bat, adult female social grooming
was not detectably symmetrical, and was predicted by kinship, occurring
mostly between adult mothers and daughters, sometimes between sisters, and
only rarely between non-kin. In vampires, female social grooming was highly
symmetrical and relatively common among non-kin, where it correlated with co-
roosting association and food sharing.

In the context of the highlighted portion of the passage, “symmetrical” most

nearly means

Possible Answers:

proportional

different

unique

parallel

Correct answer:

proportional

Explanation:

Using context clues, we can see that “symmetry” in social grooming essentially
means that there is a predictable a proportional relationship between how much time
is spent when the second animal grooms the first, and when the first grooms the
second. This leads us to the correct answer, “proportional.” “Different” and
“unique” are both too similar to one another to be differentiated (and thus, are
unlikely to be correct answers), and express a meaning entirely counter to the one
presented in the passage. Parallel is also illogical, and attempts to distract us with
our understanding of the visual meaning of “symmetrical.” However, only
“proportional” could be placed where the term in question is located in the text
without changing the meaning.

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Technical Vocabulary In Context

The passage is excerpted from Carter G, Leffer L (2015) “Social Grooming in
Bats: Are Vampire Bats Exceptional?” © 2015 Carter, Leffer

It is not entirely clear if vampire bat social grooming is typical or exceptional when
compared to other bats or non-primate mammals. One hypothesis is that social
grooming in vampire bats is exceptional in quantity and quality, because it is
related to their uniquely cooperative food sharing behavior. Like many
primates, reciprocal patterns of vampire bat food sharing and social grooming
extend beyond mother-offspring bonds, suggesting they may provide both
direct and indirect fitness benefits. Among bats, the common vampire has an
extraordinarily large brain and neocortex for its body size. In primates,
increased neocortex size has been linked to higher metrics of social complexity,
such as social grooming network size and strategic deception.

In the context of the highlighted portion of the passage, “exceptional” most

nearly means

Possible Answers:

infrequent

irregular

above average

benevolent

Correct answer:

irregular

Explanation:

In this challenging example, we’re asked to use context to identify the meaning of
the word “exceptional,” and thus, which option maintains that meaning. What
makes this question tricky, is that the term exceptional could carry a number of
different meanings, depending on the context. Here, we want the meaning of
exceptional that contrasts “typical,” as this is how the term has been used in the
passage. “Atypical,” or a term with a similar contextual meaning should come to
mind. Of our options, only “irregular” matches to that meaning of atypical or
unusual. Benevolent certainly misses the mark in terms of context, even though we
might sometimes use the word “exceptional” to describe something or someone that
is especially good. “Infrequent” and “above average” also describe *a* meaning of
the term exceptional, but would be completely illogical when placed in the context
of its contrast to typical.
Report an Error

Example Question #2 : Technical Vocabulary In Context

The passage is excerpted from Carter G, Leffer L (2015) “Social Grooming in

Bats: Are Vampire Bats Exceptional?” © 2015 Carter, Leffer

Alternatively, the apparent distinctiveness of vampire bat social grooming

might stem from purely ecological factors. Social grooming may be more
obvious in vampire bats due to higher levels of ectoparasite infestation. Bat fly
density has been linked to species-level grooming rates and the two vampire
species that were observed ranked 5th and 6th place out of 53 neotropical bats
for average number of parasitic streblid flies per bat. A sampling bias could also
over-emphasize social grooming in vampire bats, because there is much effort
focused on studying vampire bat social behavior and a lack of data on social
grooming in other bats.

In the context of the highlighted portion of the passage, “bias” most nearly
means

Possible Answers:

partiality

fairness

dislike

aversion

Correct answer:

partiality

Explanation:

In this example, we’re tasked to use context to understand the meaning of “bias” in
the term “sampling bias.” The context later in the sentence addresses that a
sampling bias could over-emphasize a certain group. So, we’re meant to interpret
that a sampling bias expresses a partial or unfair distribution in the sample. This
aligns with our correct answer, “partiality.” This context directly contrasts with
“fairness,” and while a bias could lead someone to have a preference for one
component and an aversion to or dislike of another, the answers “dislike” and
“aversion” also don’t fit the given context, as the bias has been said to over-
emphasize a particular species. Keep in mind that even if you were uncertain of the
meaning of the term “partiality,” process of elimination is a great tool to eliminate
clearly incorrect answers and arrive at our correct option!
Report an Error

Example Question #16 : Vocabulary In Context

Dr. Ginny Bolton, examining roundworm samples collected in Borneo, noticed

that the heatworm’s tiny cilia (hairlike organelles) appeared to beat in a single
direction, aiding in the expulsion of food. Dr. Bolton later determined that the
cilia also made it much easier for the heatworm to live in the stifling confines of
tree bark. The cilia project from a cuticle that is made of keratin, a protein
that protects the worm’s epidermis from drying out and overheating. The cilia
help regulate the proliferation of the keratin, and the force of the cilia’s movements
varies as the external temperature changes, allowing for a highly responsive
thermostatic system, constantly adjusting the amount of keratin so that the worm
would be neither overexposed nor stifled.

In the context of the highlighted portion of the passage, “proliferation” most

nearly means

Possible Answers:

regulation

production

force

size

Correct answer:

production

Explanation:

In this example, we’re tasked to use context to understand the use of “proliferation”
in the context of the highlighted sentence. Here, we’re told that the cilia aids the
worm in understanding how much keratin is appropriate to produce given the
temperature. So, the cilia help regulate the “production” of keratin. While force,
regulation, and even size seem on-topic, none of them would fit the meaning if we
simply replaced the term proliferation with any of those options. Be careful not to
let similarity to the surrounding words trip you up - we’re looking for a term that
would maintain the meaning if we directly swapped it with the word in question,
and only “production” does so here.

Report an Error

Example Question #3 : Technical Vocabulary In Context

Dr. Ginny Bolton, examining roundworm samples collected in Borneo, noticed
that the heatworm’s tiny cilia (hairlike organelles) appeared to beat in a single
direction, aiding in the expulsion of food. Dr. Bolton later determined that the
cilia also made it much easier for the heatworm to live in the stifling confines of
tree bark. The cilia project from a cuticle that is made of keratin, a protein
that protects the worm’s epidermis from drying out and overheating. The cilia
help regulate the proliferation of the keratin, and the force of the cilia’s movements
varies as the external temperature changes, allowing for a highly responsive
thermostatic system, constantly adjusting the amount of keratin so that the worm
would be neither overexposed nor stifled.

In the context of the highlighted portion of the passage, “stifled” most nearly
means

Possible Answers:

extinguished

encouraged

quieted

smothered

Correct answer:

smothered

Explanation:

In this example, we’re tasked to use context to understand the use of “stifled” in the
context of the highlighted sentence. The term is directly contrasted with the term
“overexposed,” so contextually, we’re looking for a negative outcome that is the
opposite of leaving the worm overexposed. If the keratin is providing balance to the
worm, it’s ensuring the worm is neither overexposed, nor smothered. Essentially,
the keratin ensures it doesn’t lack enough keratin, but also makes sure the keratin
isn’t so abundant that it impedes the worm. So, “smothered” makes sense in this
context. While “quieted” and “extinguished” fit other definitions of the word
“stifled,” they don’t make sense in this context, and “encouraged” is completely
misaligned with the context.

Report an Error

Example Question #10 : Technical Vocabulary In Context

Genetic testing showed that the blueworm and the heatworm were not merely
structurally similar; to the scientists’ surprise, the worms were identical. This
was startling, not only because of their vastly differing habitats, but also
because of the difference in size. The answer again was to be found in the keratin,
a tough substance that normally inhibits growth, keeping the hydrostatic pressure
very high within the worm. The relatively large worm found in the rainforest
molts as it grows, allowing the worm to increase its volume a very small
amount each time it does, but the smaller worm cannot afford this much
exposure. The freezing temperatures trigger the production of keratin so
quickly that the worm has little chance to grow, thus keeping its volume
approximately one-fourth that of the larger worm.

In the context of the highlighted portion of the passage, “inhibits” most nearly
means

Possible Answers:

reverses

impedes

exhibits

accelerates

Correct answer:

impedes

Explanation:

In this example, we’re tasked to use context to understand the use of “inhibits” in
the context of the highlighted sentence. If the substance, keratin, “inhibits” growth,
and later context clarifies that keratin creates a situation in which “the worm has
little chance to grow, thus keeping its volume approximately one-fourth that of the
larger worm” we can see that inhibit must mean that it gets in the way of or
“impedes” growth. While exhibits might sound similar, its meaning does not align
with the context at all. Additionally, reverses and accelerates both take things too
far, as the context does not imply that the keratin actively reverses the size of the
worm, and instead just gets in the way of or “impedes” its further growth.

Example 1
For all of modern history, a small, carnivorous South American mammal
in the raccoon family has evaded the scientific community. Untold thousands of
these red, furry creatures scampered through the trees of the Andean cloud
forests, but they did so at night, hidden by dense fog. Nearly two dozen
preserved samples - mostly skulls or furs—were mislabeled in museum
collections across the United States. There’s even evidence that one individual
lived in several American zoos during the 1960s—its keepers were mystified as
to why it refused to breed with its peers.

‍ uestions:
Q
1. As highlighted in orange, the word “evaded” most nearly means devalued
A. devalued
B. eluded
C. confirmed
D. exploited

2. The passage suggest that the scientific community regarded the South
American mammal as
A. enigmatic
B. threatening
C. adaptable
D. endangered

Solutions:
1. It’s reasonable to assume that evaded means something slightly negative,
like “hid from” or “avoided.” If you know that’s the definition of eluded, you
can pick B and be done. If not, play process of elimination. Confirmed is
positive and means the opposite of what you’re looking for, which means C can
be eliminated. Devalued and exploited don’t fit with the idea of being hidden
by dense fog, so they can be eliminated as well. Even if you’re not entirely sure
what eluded means, you can still pick the correct answer as B.

2. You must find the information that describes what scientists think about the
mammal. The mammal evaded the scientific community, and its keepers were
mystified. The correct answer must, therefore, mean something like
mysterious. That is the definition of enigmatic, so A is the correct answer. Even
if you don’t know what enigmatic means, however, you can still get to A by
process of elimination. Threatening, adaptable, and endangered entirely
unrelated to the idea of being mysterious.‍

Example 2: The following passage is adapted from Susan B. Anthony’s

Remarks to the Woman’s Auxiliary Congress of the Public Press Congress,
May 23, 1893.

Mrs. President and Sisters, I might almost say daughters - I cannot tell
you how much joy has filled my heart as I have sat here listening to these
papers and noting those characteristics that made each in its own way
beautiful and masterful. I would in no ways lessen the importance of these
expressions by your various representatives, but I want to say that the words
that specially voiced what I may call the up-gush of my soul were to be found in
the paper read by Mrs. Swaim on “The Newspaper as a Factor of Civilization.”

I have never been a pen artist and I have never succeeded with
rhetorical flourishes unless it were by accident. But I have always admired
supremely that which I could realize the least. The woman who can coin words
and ideas to suit me best would not be unlike Mrs. Swaim, and when I heard
her I said: “That is worthy of Elizabeth Cady Stanton.”While I have been
sitting here I have been thinking that we have made strides in journalism in the
last forty years. I recall the first time I ever wrote for a paper. The periodical
was called the Lily. It was edited and quite appropriately—by a Mrs. Bloomer.
The next paper to which I contributed was the Una. These two journals were
the only avenues women had through which to face themselves in type to any
extent worthy of note before the war.

The press was as kind as it knew how to be. It meant well and did all for
us it knew how to do. We couldn’t ask it to do more than it knew how. But that
was little enough and I tried an experiment editing a newspaper myself. I
started a paper and ran it for two years at a vast cost to every one concerned in
it. I served seven years at lecturing to pay off the debt and interest on that
paper and I considered myself fortunate to get off as easily as that.

Questions
1. As highlighted in orange in the first paragraph, “voiced” most nearly means
A. recorded
B. rose
C. strained
D. conveyed

2. As highlighted in orange in the second paragraph, “coin” most nearly means

A. gain
B. spend
C. think up
D. learn about

3. As highlighted in orange in the second paragraph, “avenues” most nearly

mean
A. routes
B. means
C. escapes
D. conventions
4. As highlighted in orange in the third paragraph, “concerned” most nearly
means
A. worried
B. involved
C. bothered
D. altered

S‍ olutions
1. Anthony is basically saying that of all the speeches, she particularly liked
Mrs. Swalm’s speech because it voiced the gush-up of (her) soul. In other
words, it “voiced” her deepest feelings. Voiced means something along the lines
of expressed. Conveyed is closest to expressed, making D the correct answer.

2. Anthony is talking about the qualities of her ideal speechwriter; in that

context, think up makes perfect sense. If you know that the second meaning of
coin is “think up,” then you can assume C is the correct answer from the start.

3. If you plugged in your own word, you might have said something like
channels. Means is a synonym, so it is correct. If you think this sounds strange,
you can work by process of elimination. None of the other answers make sense
at all in context. The correct answer is B.

4. “Worried” is the most common definition of concerned, which means that

you can eliminate it from the get-go. If you had to plug in your own word,
there’s a pretty good chance you’d come up with something like involved,
which is, in fact, the answer. The correct answer is B.