1.
Synonym - After fighting rush-hour traffic all the way home, Antoine headed to his studio to find catharsis by playing the guitar.
Correct Answer
D. Relief
Explanation
Antoine finds relief by playing the guitar in his studio after enduring the stress of rush-hour traffic. This suggests that playing the guitar helps him to release or alleviate his stress and tension, providing him with a sense of relief.
2.
Synonym - Mimi tried to persuade the jury that her client was not a cohort of the accused robber.
Correct Answer
B. Accomplice
accomplice
Explanation
The word "cohort" in the sentence suggests that Mimi is trying to convince the jury that her client was not a partner or collaborator of the accused robber. An accomplice is someone who assists or participates in a criminal act, which aligns with the meaning of "cohort" in this context. Therefore, the correct answer is accomplice.
3.
Synonym - The eerie, screeching sounds of the modern composition gave it a diabolical sound.
Correct Answer
A. Evil
Explanation
The correct answer is "evil" because the sentence describes the modern composition as having eerie and screeching sounds, which gives it a diabolical sound. This implies that the composition has a dark and sinister quality, aligning with the meaning of "evil".
4.
Synonym - After graduating from college, the two friends embarked on a year-long odyssey of self-discovery.
Correct Answer
A. Quest
Explanation
The correct answer is "quest" because it means a long and challenging journey or search for something. In the given sentence, the two friends are described as embarking on a year-long odyssey of self-discovery, which implies that they are on a journey or search to discover themselves. Therefore, "quest" is the most suitable synonym in this context.
5.
Antonym - The bartender was found to be culpable in the crash, since he had served alcohol to the driver.
Correct Answer
A. Blameless
Explanation
The word "culpable" in the sentence means responsible or guilty. Therefore, the antonym of culpable is blameless, which means not responsible or guilty. In the given context, it implies that the bartender is not at fault or responsible for the crash because they did not serve alcohol to the driver.
6.
Antonym - The water-rationing law necessitates a strict lawn-watering schedule.
Correct Answer
B. Requests
Explanation
The word "antonym" in the question suggests that we are looking for a word that has the opposite meaning of "necessitates." "Necessitates" means to require or make something necessary. Therefore, the correct answer is "requests," which means to ask or demand something in a polite or formal way. This is the opposite of requiring or making something necessary.
7.
Antonym- The entire senior class became partisans for the cause of voter registration.
Correct Answer
B. Obstacles
Explanation
The word "partisans" in the sentence suggests that the senior class strongly supported and advocated for the cause of voter registration. An antonym for "partisans" would be a group or individuals who oppose or create obstacles for the cause. Therefore, "obstacles" is the correct answer as it represents the opposite meaning of "partisans".
8.
Antonym - Scurrilous stories about Catherine the Great are still repeated centuries after her death.
Correct Answer
B. Complimentary
Explanation
The word "scurrilous" in the sentence indicates that the stories about Catherine the Great are derogatory and offensive. Therefore, the opposite of "scurrilous" would be "complimentary," meaning that the stories are positive and flattering.
9.
Antonym - Grandma Baker was full of aphorisms such as “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
Correct Answer
A. Untruths
Explanation
The word "antonym" suggests that we are looking for a word that is the opposite in meaning to "aphorisms." The given sentence describes Grandma Baker as someone who is "full of aphorisms," which implies that she frequently speaks wise and meaningful statements. Therefore, the opposite of aphorisms would be "untruths," as it refers to statements that are false or not based on facts.
10.
Anytonym - Meg loved to use old-fashioned aphorisms when she spoke.
Correct Answer
B. Untruths
Explanation
The correct answer is "untruths" because an antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. In this context, "aphorisms" are short, wise sayings, so the opposite would be "untruths," which are false statements or lies.
11.
Culpability is least related to which of the following?
Correct Answer
B. Innocence
Explanation
Culpability is the state of being responsible for a wrongdoing or being at fault. It is closely related to blame, fault, and responsibility as they all involve holding someone accountable for their actions. However, innocence refers to the absence of guilt or wrongdoing, thus making it least related to culpability.
12.
The landlord refurbished the apartment before putting it up for rent. This means that he:
Correct Answer
B. Made it new
Explanation
The correct answer is "made it new." This means that the landlord renovated or restored the apartment to a new or like-new condition before putting it up for rent. Refurbishing typically involves repairing, cleaning, and updating the apartment to improve its overall quality and appearance.
13.
Which generations are a part of posterity?
Correct Answer
B. Future generations
Explanation
The term "posterity" refers to all future generations that will come after the current generation. It includes the generations that are yet to be born and will inherit the world from the present generation. Therefore, the correct answer is "future generations."
14.
Which of these is an example of enormity?
Correct Answer
B. World's tallest tree
Explanation
Enormity refers to the extreme scale or seriousness of something, often associated with negative or morally wrong actions. The phrase "world's tallest tree" does not represent an example of enormity as it does not imply any negative or morally wrong behavior. It simply indicates the height of a tree, which may be impressive but does not have any negative connotations.
15.
Tex-Mex is a regional hybrid cuisine, and though often denigrated as ______ , its popularity is ______ .
Correct Answer
C. derivative ... enormous
Explanation
Tex-Mex cuisine is a blend of Texas and Mexican flavors, often considered as a derivative or adaptation of traditional Mexican cuisine. Despite being criticized for not being authentic, Tex-Mex has gained enormous popularity. The use of the word "derivative" suggests that Tex-Mex is derived from Mexican cuisine, while "enormous" indicates the significant and growing popularity of this regional hybrid cuisine.
16.
Since Jeanne considered her gibe about his shoes innocuous, she was ______ how ______ Andy was by it.
Correct Answer
B. surprised at ... offended
Explanation
Jeanne believed that her comment about Andy's shoes was harmless and did not expect any negative reaction from him. However, she soon realized that Andy was not only taken aback by her remark but also felt hurt or insulted by it. This unexpected response from Andy left Jeanne feeling surprised and regretful for unintentionally offending him.
17.
From the evidence in the aftermath, authorities determined that the
explosion was not premeditated, but rather a(n) ______ disruption, and
so dealt with those responsible ______ harshly.
Correct Answer
B. Accidental ... less
Explanation
The evidence suggests that the explosion was not premeditated, indicating that it was accidental. As a result, the authorities dealt with those responsible less harshly, implying that the punishment was not as severe as it would have been if the explosion had been planned.
18.
ESOTERIC : KNOWN ::
Correct Answer
D. Obscure : obvious
Explanation
The relationship between "esoteric" and "known" is that "esoteric" means something that is known or understood by only a few people. Similarly, "obscure" means something that is not easily understood or known by many people, making it the correct analogy for the given question.
19.
Though you meant it to be innocuous, I was ______ your ______ gibe.
Correct Answer
D. Offended by ... sarcastic
Explanation
The person in the sentence was offended by a sarcastic remark. The word "offended" indicates that the remark was hurtful or disrespectful in some way, and "sarcastic" suggests that the remark was made with irony or mocking humor. This combination suggests that the person took the remark personally and felt insulted by it.
20.
Anytonym - Meg loved to use old-fashioned aphorisms when she spoke.
Correct Answer
B. Untruths
Explanation
The correct answer is "untruths" because an antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. In this case, "untruths" is the opposite of "aphorisms" as aphorisms are short, wise sayings, while untruths refer to false statements or lies.
21.
Antonym - We had never received such bad service as we did from the scurrilous waiter.
Correct Answer
A. Complimentary
Explanation
The word "antonym" indicates that we are looking for a word that has the opposite meaning of "scurrilous". The sentence states that the service received from the waiter was very bad. "Complimentary" is the correct answer because it means expressing praise or admiration, which is the opposite of bad service. "Impolite" means lacking manners or courtesy, "unshaven" means having facial hair that has not been shaved, and "knowledgeable" means having a lot of knowledge or information, none of which are opposite in meaning to "scurrilous".