Practice test 3

Question 1

abate

Answer 1

to lessen or lower

The value of the shares in the shipping company continued to plummet, yet the major stockholder believed that in the long term the shares’ value would not abate.

Question 2

impute

Answer 2

to assign or attribute something to someone

Question 3

gossamer

Answer 3

thin or fine

The newly discovered genus of arachnids is distinguished from its close relatives by its gossamer silk, which produces webs so fine they are all but invisible to the naked eye. However, the webs have surprising tensile strength and are capable of standing up to the thrashing of larger prey such as dragonflies.

Question 4

adamantine

Answer 4

very hard

Question 5

frangible

Answer 5

easy to break

Question 6

tensile

Answer 6

strength against tension

The newly discovered genus of arachnids is distinguished from its close relatives by its gossamer silk, which produces webs so fine they are all but invisible to the naked eye. However, the webs have surprising tensile strength and are capable of standing up to the thrashing of larger prey such as dragonflies.

Question 7

denouement

Answer 7

the final outcome

Unlike the first two books in the series, which kept readers engaged through tortuous and suspenseful plots, the story in the third book was less than compelling and the denouement was predictable.

Question 8

abstruse

Answer 8

understood by few; esoteric; arcane

The film about an arcane medieval manuscript was unlikely to sell a large number of tickets; nevertheless, the critics greeted the film’s abstruse/esoteric subject with rapturous approval and acclaim.

Question 9

philistine

Answer 9

hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts; lowbrow

Question 10

irascibility

Answer 10

gets angry easily

Question 11

redress for

Answer 11

remedy for

Question 12

panacea for

Answer 12

complete solution for

Julian was cynical when his wife suggested that playing music could be the redress for/panacea for his irascibility; however, he found that the effects of this practice allowed him quiescence, even in the presence of his most vexatious colleagues.

Question 13

quiescence

Answer 13

a state of quietness or inactivity

Question 14

acrimony

Answer 14

bitterness

In the realm of international politics, diplomats stationed in foreign countries must be skilled speakers to avoid misunderstandings; even the friendliest conversation can result in acrimony/enmity if culturally inappropriate words are used.

Question 15

joviality

Answer 15

the quality of being in a good mood

Question 16

forbearance

Answer 16

patience; resistance