1.
The ____________ student came running down the hallway, once again late for class.
Correct Answer
A. Delinquent
Explanation
The word delinquent can mean "late" or "failing to perform duty"
2.
Many people questioned if Franklin D. Roosevelt's ___________ policies would truly be able to put more money in the pockets of the average American.
Correct Answer
E. Economic
Explanation
"Economic" is an adjective that refers to anything dealing with the exchange of goods, services, and money.
3.
His pale ____________ made some wonder if he was actually ill.
Correct Answer
A. Complexion
Explanation
"Complexion" refers to the tone of a person's skin.
4.
I enjoy ______________ on life in my spare time; after all, who doesn't need some occasional introspection?
Correct Answer
C. Reflecting
Explanation
"Reflecting" means, in this context, to examine inwards.
5.
Many today consider the Gothic style to be quite _____________; however, most Renaissance-era scholars found Gothic work ____________.
Correct Answer
B. Interesting ... mundane
Explanation
The word "however" indicates that the two words will likely have to be opposites. The only true opposites in the choices are "interesting" and "mundane."
6.
Although the electron is ______________ smaller than the proton, both particles carry equal and opposite charges.
Correct Answer
B. Considerably
Explanation
The word "although" signals that the electron is much smaller than the proton despite the fact that their charges cancel out. The only adverb that effectively modifies the meaning of "smaller" to means "much smaller" is "considerably"
7.
Pablo was a political ____________ and therefore had difficulty adapting to the public life.
Correct Answer
D. Novice
Explanation
The word "novice" means "newcomer."
8.
Despite the attacks of her coworkers, Linda never _______________ the bad feelings and instead kept her agression inside.
Correct Answer
E. Reciprocated
Explanation
To reciprocate is "to return in kind."
9.
The careful ___________ prepared the herbal, medicinal concoction.
Correct Answer
A. Apothecary
Explanation
Apothecary is an older term for pharmacist.
10.
Few could have _______________ the ________________ results of our season; we won seven games and lost only two.
Correct Answer
E. Predicted ... stellar
Explanation
The word "stellar" means "excellent," which is exactly what a 7-2 season would be. All of the other words do not carry a positive charge.
11.
Newton and Leibniz are said to have ____________ discovered the calculus; this is likely because the two were separated by many miles.
Correct Answer
D. Independently
Explanation
Because Newton and Leibniz were so far away, it is unlikely that they could have cooperated and thus discovered the calculus "independently."
12.
We did not initially recognize that he was a ______________, but we soon became aware of his ________________.
Correct Answer
A. Prevaricator ... deceptions
Explanation
A prevaricator is one who lies, and a deception is a form of a lie.
13.
Sometimes, it is better to __________ one's glee if it is the result of another person's loss.
Correct Answer
B. Contain
Explanation
Because one would not want to express glee at another's loss, one would "contain" his glee.
14.
Regardless of your ___________ on the ethical basis of stem-cell research, you must admit that it holds considerable scientific value.
Correct Answer
C. Opinion
Explanation
Because the sentence begins with the dependent clause "Regardless of ..." it must be in contrast with the fact that such research holds value. "Opinion" is the only word that fits here.
15.
Lenin believed that a single vanguard party had to lead worldwide socialism; consequently, many believed that world socialism was ____________ in nature.
Correct Answer
B. Monolithic
Explanation
The word "single" is what is important here - since Lenin believed in a single party to rule all, people thought that socialism was one unit, or "monolithic."
16.
Margaret Atwood has been ____________, even glorified, for her role as a mover and shaker among feminists.
Correct Answer
C. Lauded
Explanation
The key words here are "even glorified." You are looking for a word that means praised to a high degree. Although endorsed and lauded both carry positive charges, only lauded means "praised."
17.
The use of endnotes can _______________ the meaning of a paper and create difficulty for potential ______________.
Correct Answer
A. Obfuscate ... readers
Explanation
Because endnotes create "difficulty," the first word will have to be negatively charged and mean to make less clear, which is exactly what "obfuscate" means.
18.
The Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, was a ____________ period in history in which few major wars were fought.
Correct Answer
A. Tranquil
Explanation
"Tranquil" means peaceful or without movement.
19.
Rather than help to ____________ discourse, cable television debate programs often lead to undecipherable bickering.
Correct Answer
C. Clarify
Explanation
The key word here is "undecipherable," which means difficult to interpret. Since you are looking for an opposite word, the nearest antonym is "clarify."
20.
Most believed that his ____________ tirade was ____________ and not pre-meditated.
Correct Answer
D. Bitter ... incidental
Explanation
The key words here are "not pre-meditated." You have to look for the word that means "not pre-meditated." The only of these is the word "incidental."
21.
He may not create _____________, but he can provide consistent and solid performance.
Correct Answer
D. Miracles
Explanation
You are looking for the opposites of "consistent performance," which are one-time "miracles."
22.
His ____________ appearence made many feel comfortable in his moral judgments.
Correct Answer
B. Sagacious
Explanation
"Sagacious" means "sage-like" or having great wisdom.