All practice questions

13931 questions

Question 3401Question

Despite working two part-time jobs, the struggling artist could barely _______ ends meet in the expensive city. Which of the following words correctly completes the fixed expression in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: make

Answer

The word 'make' correctly completes the fixed idiomatic expression 'make ends meet'.
The fixed expression 'make ends meet' is an established English idiom meaning to earn enough money to pay for necessities. The verb 'make' is the only word that correctly forms this conventional phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target fixed phrase contextually associated with managing personal finances and covering expenses.
Recognize that the sentence describes earning just enough income to survive financially.
English fixed phrases rely on specific, unalterable word pairings established by standard usage.
2
Select the correct verb to complete the phrase.
The conventional idiom is 'make ends meet'.
Verbs like 'bring', 'join', or 'reach' break the fixed collocation, making the sentence idiomatically incorrect.

Key Concept

Fixed Idioms and Collocations in English Lexis
Question 3402Question

Read the sentence context below carefully:

"Following the unexpected departure of the principal investigator, the board decided to shelve the renewable energy project until fresh grants could be secured."

Which of the following best captures the contextual meaning of the word shelve as used in the sentence above?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: postpone or temporarily suspend

Answer

The correct option is 'postpone or temporarily suspend'.
The correct choice ('postpone or temporarily suspend') accurately reflects the contextual use of 'shelve', which implies putting a plan or project on hold until conditions (such as obtaining fresh grants) allow it to resume.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context around the target word 'shelve'.
The sentence notes that the action is taken 'until fresh grants could be secured' after an unexpected departure.
Contextual clues indicate a temporary delay awaiting future resources.
2
Deduce the figurative meaning of 'shelve' fitting this scenario.
To shelve a plan or project means to put it aside temporarily.
Substituting 'postpone or temporarily suspend' preserves the logical flow and meaning of the sentence.

Key Concept

Contextual Word Meaning (Figurative Usage vs. Literal Definition)
Question 3403Question

In the sentence below, select the option that is MOST NEARLY OPPOSITE IN MEANING to the capitalized word.

Although the newly appointed administrator introduced the reform policies with considerable fanfare, their long-term impact on the rural healthcare system proved to be PERNICIOUS.

Which of the following words is opposite in meaning to PERNICIOUS as used in the context of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: beneficial

Answer

The word opposite in meaning to PERNICIOUS is 'beneficial'.
In the provided sentence, 'pernicious' refers to something causing subtle, gradual, but severe harm or destruction. The word 'beneficial' means conferring benefits or producing good effects, which serves as a direct antonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the target word in context
In the sentence, 'pernicious' describes policies that had a harmful, damaging, or destructive long-term effect despite a promising start ('introduced with considerable fanfare').
Determining contextual meaning is essential before searching for an antonym.
2
Identify the required semantic opposite
The opposite of a harmful or destructive effect is an effect that brings good, improvement, or advantage.
Antonyms require matching the core evaluative polarity (negative to positive).
3
Evaluate the option choices against the semantic opposite
'Beneficial' directly means producing advantageous or positive effects, providing a precise contextual antonym.
'Beneficial' contrasts directly with the harmful nature of 'pernicious'.

Key Concept

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning in Context
Question 3404Question

Read the passage below carefully and answer the question that follows:

In the savanna belt of northern Ghana, women's shea cooperatives have traditionally relied on solar-drying harvested nuts on open concrete mats before mechanical extraction. Recently, unseasonal rainfall during the early harvest months forced several federations to adopt biomass-fueled hot-air dryers. While this technological shift halved processing times and protected the nuts from mould infestation during wet spells, it significantly increased operational costs due to the rising price of sustainably sourced firewood. Surprisingly, premium international cosmetics buyers began offering higher purchase contracts to these specific cooperatives. This commercial advantage arose not from the faster turnaround time, but because the controlled thermal environment of the biomass dryers consistently yielded unfermented kernels with lower free fatty acid levels—a key quality metric for luxury skincare formulations. Consequently, nearby independent processors who lacked capital for mechanical dryers began renting off-peak shift hours from the cooperatives, turning the drying facilities into a vital secondary revenue stream for the women.

Based on the passage, what can be logically inferred about the international cosmetics buyers' decision to offer higher contracts?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: They prioritized the superior chemical purity of the processed kernels over the reduced processing duration.

Answer

The international buyers offered higher purchase contracts because they prioritized the improved chemical quality (lower free fatty acid levels) of the kernels over the speed of processing.
The text directly links the premium purchase contracts to the low free fatty acid levels achieved through controlled drying, while explicitly ruling out processing speed as the driver of this commercial benefit. Therefore, it is logically deduced that buyers valued product quality parameters above time savings.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage to locate the cause of the premium contracts offered by international buyers.
The text notes that international buyers offered higher purchase contracts to cooperatives using biomass dryers.
Identifying the target evidence line is necessary to deduce the buyers' underlying rationale.
2
Synthesize the contrast presented regarding processing speed versus product quality.
The passage explicitly clarifies that the commercial advantage 'arose not from the faster turnaround time, but because... dryers consistently yielded unfermented kernels with lower free fatty acid levels'.
Distinguishing between what the text rules out (speed) and what it highlights (chemical quality) isolates the valid deduction.
3
Match the synthesized textual evidence with the correct inference option.
The correct option accurately reflects that buyers valued kernel quality metrics over turnaround efficiency.
Ensures logical alignment between textual deduction and option meaning.

Key Concept

Deductive Synthesis of Implicit Evidence
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 3405Question

After months of intense negotiations, the trade union representatives finally succeeded in driving a ________ bargain, securing substantial wage increases and improved safety protocols for factory workers.

Which word correctly completes the fixed collocation in the sentence above?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: hard

Answer

The word 'hard' correctly completes the fixed collocation 'drive a hard bargain'.
The expression 'drive a hard bargain' is a well-established fixed collocation in English meaning to insist on getting the best possible terms during a negotiation. Only 'hard' completes this specific idiomatic structure correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context and identify the structural gap
The context describes trade union representatives bargaining aggressively to achieve concessions.
Understanding the context points to an idiomatic expression related to tenacious business or contract negotiations.
2
Identify the standard fixed phrase and evaluate options against idiomatic usage rules
The verb phrase 'driving a ... bargain' strictly requires the adjective 'hard' to form the standard English collocation 'drive a hard bargain'.
Fixed collocations cannot be formed by substituting general synonyms like 'tough', 'firm', or 'strict', as collocational partnership depends on conventional usage rather than semantic equivalence.

Key Concept

Fixed Collocations and Idiomatic Verb-Noun Phrases
Question 3406Question

In the sentence below, fill in the blank with a word that is MOST NEARLY OPPOSITE IN MEANING to the capitalized word.

Fill in the blanks below

Although the union representatives were expected to remain INTRANSIGENT during the dispute, their attitude was surprisingly , enabling a swift agreement.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

compliant (or flexible / acquiescent / accommodating / yielding / amenable)
The target word 'INTRANSIGENT' means refusing to compromise or holding firmly to a position. The sentence contrast introduced by 'Although' signals that the union representatives did the opposite of what was expected. Terms like 'compliant', 'flexible', 'acquiescent', 'accommodating', or 'yielding' express a willingness to adjust one's position, making them accurate contextual antonyms.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of the capitalized target word 'INTRANSIGENT' in the context of the sentence.
'INTRANSIGENT' describes someone who is stubborn, unyielding, or uncompromising in their stance.
Determining the contextual meaning of the capitalized word is necessary before selecting its antonym.
2
Identify the structural contrast signal in the sentence clause.
The conjunction 'Although' signals a direct contrast between the expected behavior ('INTRANSIGENT') and the actual attitude shown during negotiations.
The missing word must convey the opposite idea of being uncompromising in order to complete the sentence logically.
3
Determine an appropriate antonym that fits both syntactically and semantically.
Words such as 'compliant', 'flexible', 'acquiescent', or 'accommodating' mean willing to yield or negotiate, serving as precise contextual antonyms.
Being compliant or accommodating directly reverses the concept of intransigence and explains why a swift agreement was reached.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms and Contrast Markers
Question 3407Question

Read the passage excerpt below:

'During the town hall meeting, Elder Danjuma cautioned the community that the charismatic developer proposing a quick buyout was a wolf in sheep's clothing. He pleaded with the villagers to open their eyes to the real motives before their ancestral farmland slipped through their fingers like sand.'

Match each figurative expression from the excerpt on the left with its correct contextual meaning on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

a wolf in sheep's clothing
open their eyes
slipped through their fingers like sand

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'a wolf in sheep's clothing' matches 'A deceitful person concealing harmful intentions behind a friendly appearance'; 'open their eyes' matches 'Become alert and recognize the impending danger'; 'slipped through their fingers like sand' matches 'Be lost gradually and uncontrollably'.
Each figurative phrase is correctly paired with its contextual intended meaning: 'a wolf in sheep's clothing' highlights hidden deceit, 'open their eyes' signifies gaining awareness of reality, and 'slipped through their fingers like sand' conveys an inevitable loss.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the expression 'a wolf in sheep's clothing' in the context of the developer's charismatic demeanor and quick buyout proposal.
Identified as a metaphor for a deceptive person pretending to be friendly.
The developer presents himself positively, but the elder warns of hidden bad intentions.
2
Analyze the expression 'open their eyes' in response to the elder pleading with villagers.
Identified as an idiomatic call for awareness and alertness.
The elder wants them to see past the false promises.
3
Analyze the simile 'slipped through their fingers like sand' regarding ancestral land.
Identified as expressing a gradual, uncontrollable loss of property.
Sand slipping through fingers represents a resource slipping away beyond control.

Key Concept

Interpreting contextual meanings of figurative language including metaphors, similes, and idioms within narrative excerpts.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 3408Question

Match each vocabulary word on the left with the word on the right that is most nearly opposite in meaning. Which mapping correctly pairs each word with its precise antonym?

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

dilatory
obfuscate
loquacious
supercilious

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct matches pair 'dilatory' with 'prompt', 'obfuscate' with 'clarify', 'loquacious' with 'reticent', and 'supercilious' with 'humble'.
Each target word is accurately paired with its semantic opposite: 'dilatory' (slow/delaying) pairs with 'prompt' (quick/punctual); 'obfuscate' (make obscure) pairs with 'clarify' (make clear); 'loquacious' (talkative) pairs with 'reticent' (reserved); and 'supercilious' (haughty) pairs with 'humble' (modest).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Define the precise meaning of each target vocabulary word in the left column.
'Dilatory' means slow or tending to delay; 'obfuscate' means to confuse or make obscure; 'loquacious' means overly talkative; 'supercilious' means arrogant or condescending.
Establishing the exact definition of each word is necessary before searching for its opposite.
2
Identify the direct antonym for each term among the options in the right column.
Tending to delay ('dilatory') is opposed by being 'prompt'; making obscure ('obfuscate') is opposed by 'clarify'; talkative ('loquacious') is opposed by 'reticent'; arrogant ('supercilious') is opposed by 'humble'.
Matching each word to its semantic opposite completes the correct mapping.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms and Direct Semantic Opposites
Question 3409Question

In John K. Kargbo's drama *Let Me Die Alone*, match each major character listed on the left with their corresponding narrative role or defining action on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Queen Yoko
Lamboi
Musa
Ndapi

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Queen Yoko matches with consolidating and expanding the Mende chiefdom through strategic diplomacy while sacrificing her maternal domestic life; Lamboi matches with scheming ruthlessly to dethrone the monarch by orchestrating a child's murder and framing the ruler; Musa matches with functioning as the sinister medicine man who colludes in fabricating ritual evidence to ruin the queen's standing; Ndapi matches with serving as the chief warrior whose personal grief over his missing daughter is exploited to incite rebellion.
Each character's structural function aligns directly with their narrative actions in *Let Me Die Alone*: Queen Yoko embodies sovereign ambition and sacrifice; Lamboi acts as the mastermind antagonist seeking power; Musa serves as the corrupt spiritual accomplice; and Ndapi represents the warrior whose personal tragedy is weaponized against the state.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify Queen Yoko's central role in the play
Recognize that as monarch, Yoko expands Mende territory through diplomacy and sacrifice.
Yoko's main narrative arc centers on chiefdom expansion and leadership demands.
2
Analyze Lamboi's actions as antagonist
Connect Lamboi to the plot to overthrow Yoko using Jeneba's murder.
Lamboi's ambition drives the central conflict against the queen.
3
Determine Musa's function in the conspiracy
Pair Musa with the role of the malicious medicine man assisting Lamboi.
Musa provides the ritual expertise needed to execute the frame-up.
4
Identify Ndapi's character dynamic
Link Ndapi to the warrior father whose loss is manipulated by the conspirators.
Ndapi's distress over his daughter Jeneba turns his loyalty away from Yoko.

Key Concept

Character role analysis and thematic function in prescribed African drama
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 3410Question

Read the sentence below carefully. Which word correctly completes the standard fixed phrase?

Fill in the blanks below

To ensure the university's research remained relevant, the department chair urged all senior faculty members to keep of recent advancements in artificial intelligence.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The word 'abreast' correctly completes the fixed phrase 'keep abreast of', which means to stay informed about the latest developments or news.
The expression 'keep abreast of' is an established fixed collocation in standard English that means to remain up to date with new developments, knowledge, or information.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context and structural frame.
The gap occurs in the structural frame 'keep _____ of', positioned before 'recent advancements'. Context indicates remaining updated with modern progress.
English prepositional and fixed phrases rely on strict lexical collocations.
2
Identify the standard English collocation that fits the meaning of staying updated.
'Abreast' uniquely combines with 'keep' and 'of' to form 'keep abreast of'.
Other near-synonyms like 'informed' or 'aware' require different syntactic patterns (e.g., 'stay aware of' or 'keep someone informed about').

Key Concept

Collocations and Fixed Phrases
Question 3411Question

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with the appropriate preposition.

Fill in the blanks below

Despite years of dedicated public service, the executive director's lavish personal expenditure was deemed completely incommensurate his modest official remuneration.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct preposition required to complete the blank is 'with'.
The adjective 'incommensurate' requires the dependent preposition 'with' to express that one entity is out of proportion or inappropriate in comparison to another.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the key adjective governing the prepositional compliment in the sentence structure.
The word 'incommensurate' functions as the predicate adjective describing the disproportion between expenditure and remuneration.
Adjectives indicating proportion, compatibility, or comparison require specific dependent prepositions to complete their meaning.
2
Apply standard rules of prepositional collocation for the adjective 'incommensurate'.
'Incommensurate' strictly collocates with the preposition 'with' when denoting disproportion or lack of parity between two things.
Standard formal English syntax mandates 'incommensurate with'; substituting prepositions such as 'to', 'for', or 'from' creates an unnatural or ungrammatical collocation.

Key Concept

Dependent Prepositions and Adjective-Preposition Collocations
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 3412Question

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with the appropriate pronoun that correctly agrees with its antecedent.

Fill in the blanks below

Each of the female surgeons completed shift before attending the medical conference.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

her
The sentence requires the singular feminine possessive pronoun 'her' because the antecedent 'Each' is grammatically singular, and the prepositional phrase 'of the female surgeons' specifies female gender.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent in the sentence.
The antecedent is the singular indefinite pronoun 'Each'.
'Each' is the subject of the sentence, while 'of the female surgeons' is a prepositional phrase modifying it.
2
Determine the gender and number of the pronoun needed for agreement.
The pronoun must be singular to match 'Each', and feminine possessive to match 'female surgeons'.
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in both number (singular) and gender (feminine).

Key Concept

Singular indefinite pronouns such as 'each' take singular pronouns that agree in number and gender with their antecedents.
Estimated Time:45s
Question 3413Question

Which word nearest in meaning to 'overly servile and excessively eager to please' correctly completes the context below?

Fill in the blanks below

During the bilateral summit, the ambassador's stance toward the visiting delegation alienated colleagues who expected a posture of firm national dignity.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The word 'obsequious' (or accepted synonyms 'fawning', 'sycophantic', 'servile') correctly completes the sentence by accurately describing an excessively submissive and overly eager effort to win favor.
The correct answer 'obsequious' precisely matches the intent of the sentence, as it describes a posture marked by servile attentiveness and excessive eagerness to flatter or oblige superiors.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the contextual clues provided in the sentence.
The sentence contrasts an undesirable behavior with 'a posture of firm national dignity', indicating that the missing word denotes excessive, unseemly submissiveness.
Contextual contrast requires a term that connotes degrading deference.
2
Identify the precise vocabulary term corresponding to 'overly servile'.
The adjective 'obsequious' directly signifies overly obedient, servile, or fawning behavior.
It captures both the literal meaning of servility and the negative evaluative tone implied by the stem.

Key Concept

Contextual vocabulary application and identification of exact synonyms for formal register words.
Question 3414Question

Complete the sentence below by supplying the word that is MOST NEARLY OPPOSITE IN MEANING to the capitalized target word.

Fill in the blanks below

Far from AMELIORATING the severe economic hardship faced by low-income families, the recently introduced tariff adjustments served only to their distress.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

exacerbate (or worsen / aggravate / compound / intensify)
The capitalized word 'AMELIORATING' means improving, mitigating, or making a bad situation better. The sentence structure begins with the contrastive marker 'Far from...', which requires an action opposite to improving. Therefore, the blank must be filled with a word meaning to make worse or intensify distress, such as 'exacerbate', 'worsen', or 'aggravate'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of the capitalized target word in context.
The word 'AMELIORATING' means making something bad or unsatisfactory better, improving, or mitigating.
Accurately identifying the contextual definition of the emphasized word is necessary before selecting its antonym.
2
Examine the sentence structure for contextual indicators.
The opening prepositional phrase 'Far from [action X]... served only to [blank]' sets up an explicit contrast between the intended positive effect (ameliorating) and the actual negative outcome.
The syntactic construction 'Far from...' signals that the blank must contain a word opposite in meaning to the target word.
3
Determine the appropriate contextual antonym.
The precise antonym of 'ameliorate' in the context of hardship or distress is to 'exacerbate' (or worsen/aggravate).
Inserting 'exacerbate' logically completes the contrast and maintains syntactic and semantic coherence.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms
Question 3415Question

In spite of the high stakes involved in the board evaluation, the executive provided only a PERFUNCTORY appraisal of the department's performance. Which of the following words is MOST NEARLY OPPOSITE in meaning to the capitalized word as used in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: thorough

Answer

The word 'thorough' is the most nearly opposite in meaning to 'PERFUNCTORY'.
In the given context, 'perfunctory' means carried out with minimal effort, care, or interest. The word 'thorough' means executed with great care, detail, and completeness, making it the direct contextual antonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the target word in its sentence context
In the sentence, 'perfunctory' describes an appraisal conducted hastily, shallowly, or with minimal interest despite the critical nature of the evaluation.
Determining the precise contextual meaning of the capitalized word is necessary before choosing its antonym.
2
Identify the required opposite meaning
The correct antonym must express diligence, depth of inquiry, and careful attention to detail.
The antonym must directly contradict the careless, superficial manner implied by 'perfunctory'.
3
Evaluate the option choices
'Thorough' explicitly means detailed, painstaking, and comprehensive, serving as the accurate antonym.
Evaluating each distractor prevents falling for synonym traps like 'cursory' or register mismatches like 'accountable'.

Key Concept

Identifying contextual antonyms in advanced English vocabulary
Question 3416Question

In the passage below, consider the context of the political address:

The minister's unexpected parliamentary address quickly devolved into a vituperative assault on his opponents, astonishing even his closest allies with its unrelenting bitterness and hostile tone.

Which option is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as used in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: scathing

Answer

The word nearest in meaning to 'vituperative' in this context is 'scathing'.
In the given sentence, 'vituperative' describes a speech characterized by intense hostility, verbal abuse, and bitterness. The word 'scathing', which means sharply critical and devastatingly harsh, accurately captures this meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context clues in the sentence.
The clues 'devolved into', 'unrelenting bitterness', and 'hostile tone' indicate that the attack was extremely harsh, abusive, and bitter.
Contextual indicators surrounding the target word dictate its specific nuance in the passage.
2
Define the target word 'vituperative'.
Vituperative means bitter, abusive, or harshly censorial in language.
Establishing the precise definition allows for matching with the closest candidate option.
3
Evaluate the option choices against the defined contextual meaning.
'Scathing' directly aligns with bitterly harsh criticism, whereas 'laudatory' is an antonym, 'perspicuous' refers to clarity of expression, and 'judicious' implies sound judgment.
Elimination of antonyms, paronyms/confusables, and unwarranted contextual inferences isolates the correct synonym.

Key Concept

Identifying Contextual Synonyms of Advanced Lexis
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 3417Question

Complete the sentence below by supplying a word in the blank that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word in bold.

Fill in the blanks below

While the auditor noted that the executive's actions had a PERNICIOUS effect on the firm's assets, the board maintained that his strategic investments were ultimately to its financial growth.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The word opposite in meaning to 'PERNICIOUS' in this context is 'beneficial' (or 'salutary').
In this sentence context, 'PERNICIOUS' signifies having a harmful or damaging effect. The contrasting sentence structure introduced by 'While' demands a word that means producing good or advantageous outcomes. 'Beneficial' (or 'salutary') serves as the direct contextual antonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of the target word 'PERNICIOUS' in context.
'Pernicious' means having a subtle, highly harmful, or destructive effect.
Determining the contextual definition of the target word is necessary before identifying its antonym.
2
Analyze the sentence structure for contextual clues.
The subordinating conjunction 'While' establishes a contrast between the negative assessment of the auditor ('pernicious') and the positive view of the board.
The sentence contrast requires a positive adjective describing favorable impact to complete the blank correctly.
3
Select the exact antonym for 'PERNICIOUS'.
'Beneficial' (or 'salutary') means producing a favorable, wholesome, or advantageous effect.
Inserting 'beneficial' provides the exact opposite meaning to 'pernicious' within the formal business context.

Key Concept

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 3418Question

In the sentence below, select the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

The sudden imposition of stringent trade restrictions proved inimical to the fragile economic recovery of the developing nation.

Which option best replaces the underlined word without altering the meaning of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: adverse

Answer

adverse
In the sentence, 'inimical' describes something that obstructs, harms, or works against progress. The word 'adverse' means harmful, unfavorable, or hostile, making it the precise synonym that preserves the contextual meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The sentence describes how 'stringent trade restrictions' affected 'fragile economic recovery', establishing a clear negative/obstructive relationship.
Contextual indicators demonstrate that strict restrictions hinder or damage an already delicate recovery.
2
Define the target word 'inimical'
'Inimical' denotes something tending to obstruct, harm, or act in opposition/hostility toward an outcome.
Identifying the formal register definition clarifies its negative operational role in the sentence.
3
Evaluate options against contextual meaning
'Adverse' directly captures the harmful, unfavorable, and opposing nature of 'inimical' in an economic context.
Substituting 'inimical' with 'adverse' preserves both the exact semantic intent and academic tone of the sentence.

Key Concept

Contextual Synonym Identification
Question 3419Question

Which word nearest in meaning to 'expressed in few words without unnecessary details' correctly completes the sentence below?

Fill in the blanks below

The manager appreciated the assistant's explanation, as it clearly conveyed the essential facts of the project in less than two minutes.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

concise (or brief / succinct)
The sentence describes an explanation that delivered all essential facts in under two minutes, indicating brevity and efficiency. 'Concise' (or 'brief' / 'succinct') means giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the contextual clues provided in the sentence stem.
The phrase 'conveyed the essential facts of the project in less than two minutes' points to a word that signifies brevity and clarity.
Contextual clues define the specific nuance required for the target word slot.
2
Identify the word that accurately means expressed briefly and clearly.
The word 'concise' (or synonyms like 'brief' or 'succinct') describes communication that is short and straight to the point.
Selecting a word that directly fits both the definition clue and the grammatical context of the sentence.

Key Concept

Synonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning
Question 3420Question

The ambitious politician was accused of attempting to _______ favour with influential delegates prior to the party congress. Which verb correctly completes the standard fixed phrase in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: curry

Answer

The verb 'curry' correctly completes the fixed phrase 'curry favour'.
The correct response is 'curry'. In standard English, 'to curry favour' is a fixed idiom meaning to flatter or ingratiate oneself with someone to gain an advantage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target idiomatic expression in the sentence.
The phrase follows the structure '[verb] + favour + with [someone]', describing insincere efforts to win approval.
Recognizing standard English collocations requires identifying fixed word pairings.
2
Evaluate the choices against standard British English idiomatic usage.
'Curry favour' is the recognized fixed phrase.
Other options substitute general verbs that violate the established collocation.

Key Concept

Collocations and Fixed Phrases: Idiomatic Verb-Noun Pairings
Estimated Time:45s
PreviousPage 171 / 697Next
All practice questions — JAMB UTME | Examkin