Midterm Exam Reviewer - Meaning

Question 1

The meaning of individual words.

Answer 1

Lexical meaning

Question 2

The meaning of phrases or sentences.

Answer 2

Semantic meaning

Question 3

The meaning derived from the context in which language is used.

Answer 3

Pragmatic meaning

Question 4

Which word is synonymous with “ephemeral”?
a) Persistent
b) Transient
c) Eternal
d) Permanent

Answer 4

b) Transient

Question 5

In the word “exasperate,” what is the lexical meaning?
a) Soothe
b) Irritate
c) Praise
d) Calm

Answer 5

b) Irritate

Question 6

Which word is an antonym for “malleable”?
a) Flexible
b) Rigid
c) Adaptable
d) Pliable

Answer 6

b) Rigid

Question 7

What is the lexical meaning of “prolific”?
a) Unproductive
b) Fertile
c) Limited
d) Scant

Answer 7

b) Fertile

Question 8

What does the term “ambivalent” mean?
a) Indifferent
b) Confident
c) Undecided
d) Aggressive

Answer 8

c) Undecided

Question 9

In the sentence “The torrent of rain flooded the streets,” what is the lexical
meaning of “torrent”?
A) A large rock
B) A fast-flowing stream of water
C) A tall building
D) A type of bird

Answer 9

B) A fast-flowing stream of water

Question 10

In the sentence “She was captivated by the eloquence of his speech,” what is
the lexical meaning of “eloquence”?
A) Lack of speech
B) Ability to speak many languages
C) Fluent and persuasive speaking or writing
D) Musical instrument

Answer 10

C) Fluent and persuasive speaking or writing

Question 11

In the sentence “The quaint little village was like something out of a
storybook,” what is the lexical meaning of “quaint”?
A) Large and bustling
B) Old-fashioned and charming
C) Modern and sleek
D) Noisy and chaotic

Answer 11

B) Old-fashioned and charming

Question 12

In the sentence “His indomitable spirit inspired everyone around him,” what is
the lexical meaning of “indomitable”?
A) Easily defeated
B) Unable to be subdued or defeated
C) Weak and fragile
D) Reserved and shy

Answer 12

B) Unable to be subdued or defeated

Question 13

In the sentence “The verdant fields stretched out as far as the eye could see,”
what is the lexical meaning of “verdant”?
A) Dry and barren
B) Covered with snow
C) Green with vegetation
D) Desert-like

Answer 13

C) Green with vegetation

Question 14

In the sentence “The painting was a masterpiece of Renaissance art,” what is
the lexical meaning of “masterpiece”?
A) A piece of furniture
B) A work done by an apprentice
C) An exceptionally good piece of work
D) A mathematical theorem

Answer 14

C) An exceptionally good piece of work

Question 15

In the sentence “The arduous journey through the mountains tested their
endurance,” what is the lexical meaning of “arduous”?
A) Easy and effortless
B) Simple and straightforward
C) Difficult and demanding
D) Luxurious and comfortable

Answer 15

C) Difficult and demanding

Question 16

In the sentence “The cacophony of car horns made it impossible to
concentrate,” what is the lexical meaning of “cacophony”?
A) A harmonious blend of sounds
B) A loud and unpleasant mixture of sounds
C) Silence
D) A type of birdcall

Answer 16

B) A loud and unpleasant mixture of sounds

Question 17

In the sentence “His gargantuan appetite amazed everyone at the table,” what
is the lexical meaning of “gargantuan”?
A) Extremely small
B) Of average size
C) Enormous or gigantic
D) Lacking appetite

Answer 17

C) Enormous or gigantic

Question 18

In the sentence “The ubiquitous presence of smartphones has changed the
way we communicate,” what is the lexical meaning of “ubiquitous”?
A) Rare and hard to find
B) Present everywhere
C) Limited to specific locations
D) Easily broken

Answer 18

B) Present everywhere

Question 19

What does the expression “hit the hay” signify?
a) Going to a farm
b) Going to bed
c) Playing a sport
d) Making furniture

Answer 19

b) Going to bed

Question 20

What does the saying “jumping on the bandwagon” mean?
a) Engaging in a new trend
b) Exercising on a vehicle
c) Joining a music group
d) Playing a musical instrument

Answer 20

a) Engaging in a new trend

Question 21

What does it mean to “cut to the chase”?
a) Begin a car race
b) Get to the main point
c) Trim a garden hedge
d) Start a movie

Answer 21

b) Get to the main point

Question 22

If someone says “the ball is in your court,” what is he/she suggesting?
a) A game of tennis
b) It’s your responsibility now
c) Passing the ball to someone else
d) Playing a team sport

Answer 22

b) It’s your responsibility now

Question 23

What does it mean to be “caught red-handed”?
a) Caught with red paint
b) Caught while committing a crime
c) Caught in a love affair
d) Caught playing with red objects

Answer 23

b) Caught while committing a crime

Question 24

What does the phrase “I’ll think about it” pragmatically indicate?
a) Immediate acceptance
b) Rejection
c) Willingness to consider
d) Disinterest

Answer 24

c) Willingness to consider

Question 25

When someone says, “You always do that,” the pragmatic meaning is likely:
a) Compliment
b) Criticism
c) Agreement
d) Surprise

Answer 25

b) Criticism

Question 26

What is the pragmatic meaning of the statement “I suppose we could try that
approach”?
a) Enthusiastic agreement
b) Openness to considering an option
c) Strong disagreement
d) Refusal

Answer 26

b) Openness to considering an option

Question 27

In the sentence “It’s quite chilly in here, isn’t it?” the pragmatic meaning is:
a) Seeking confirmation
b) Making a statement
c) Complimenting the temperature
d) Expressing disagreement

Answer 27

a) Seeking confirmation

Question 28

In the statement “That’s not what I had in mind,” the pragmatic meaning is:
a) Agreement
b) Disagreement
c) Surprise
d) Indifference

Answer 28

b) Disagreement