Practice test 4 Flashcards
ephemeral
temporary, short-lived
The downsizing of American corporations is probably not an ephemeral phase; it is becoming a permanent feature of American corporate management.
base
low
Marta, upon realizing that Geoffrey struggled to follow the conversation, was peeved that his base level of knowledge earned him acceptance for doctoral research, let alone a postdoctoral fellowship.
tacit
implied without direct expression
Given the undeniably intimate nature of portrait painting, a number of popular theories have arisen concerning the relationship between artist and model. Whether because of the setting of the painting, the detail and expression of the painted figure, tacit romantic undertones, or even historical information, art historians and amateur enthusiasts alike have speculated about the possibility of affairs between painters and subjects, whether these were of a platonic, amorous, or even carnal nature. While many of these theories are apocryphal, highly publicized affairs between famous painters and their models throughout history cannot help but make any portrait viewer wonder.
amend
to alter; modify
Although the students had intended to drive from Delaware to Washington, D.C. that night, a weather advisory warned that the roads had been blocked by snow and ice, forcing the students to modify/amend their plan.
tetchy
petulant; irritable; touchy
The fact that the CEO was overtired may have explained her tetchy/petulant attitude during the negotiations this morning, and a meeting that was expected to yield concordance ended instead in dispute.
approbation
praise
Her exemplary writing as an investigative journalist notwithstanding, the hardworking Anne toiled in anonymity for the majority of her career, never truly garnering the approbation she richly deserved.
opprobrium
disgrace
bijoux
trinkets
When shopping for new bijoux, Kelsey preferred brooches with verdigris tones. The green shade had a unique ability to subdue the effect of her garishly bright red hair and piercing blue eyes.
obstinate
stubborn
The obstinate president remained headstrong in his approach to resolving the crisis. Even though the situation around him was deteriorating precipitously, he continued his unilateral decision-making process, eschewing dissenting opinions.
deprecating
disapproving
bucolic
rural; idyllic; pastoral
While many artists who rose to fame during the Industrial Revolution strove to convey the harsh realities of city life, others took an escapist approach; bucolic/pastoral and mundane, their work epitomized what is more commonly considered regionalism.
otiosity
laziness; indolence
Certainly otiosity/indolence had never been his problem, yet we had no confidence in his ability to get the job done, as he lacked focus; he was so easily distracted that while he appeared to be engaged at a task, he had no understanding of what it took to complete it.
indolence
laziness; otiosity
Certainly otiosity/indolence had never been his problem, yet we had no confidence in his ability to get the job done, as he lacked focus; he was so easily distracted that while he appeared to be engaged at a task, he had no understanding of what it took to complete it.
obduracy
stubbornness
puerility
childishness
unheralded
not acclaimed or widely recognized; obscure
The excellent but unheralded/obscure actress, virtually unknown in mainstream Hollywood or on Broadway, commonly appears in trendy art films and in small, exclusive theatrical productions across the country.
prudent
careful and wise
aural
has to do with speech or sound
If attending a Shakespeare play is, essentially, aural experience, it is amazing how often you strain to hear the words spoken with any sense of meter.
slovenly
untidy
Sarah’s impeccable attire, which garners constant praise from her colleagues, stems from her childhood distaste for her brother’s slovenly appearance.
predilection
affinity for; a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something.
“my predilection for Asian food”
eschew
to avoid
Given his predilection for rare comic books, Patrick finds it nearly impossible to eschew a new addition to his collection when presented with a prized find. Patrick’s family warns, however, that his relentless desire to (ii)augment his amassment of comic books will one day have dire financial consequences.
omnipotent
all-powerful
insular
narrow-minded
perfunctory
indifferent; routine
