The passage discusses the meaning of several words: - A fabrication is something that is fake or not true. - When something is authentic, it is genuine or real. - A decade is a period of 10 years. - To fortify means to strengthen. - An ardent supporter is someone who is very passionate and enthusiastic in their support.

1. Vocabulary: Word Meanings from Context 11. The news story was based on a letter that was a fabrication. Now the
1. Poor Farmer Chevez labours sixteen hours a day and never has time for reporter who wrote the story is in big trouble. Will anyone believe him
a vacation. He deserves better! Everyone should have at least one day a again?
week for rest and relaxation. A fabrication is __________.
A. plays C. works a. made of cloth c. funny
B. eats D. unions b. full of long words d. fake
2. It's not that I'm unfriendly, but sometimes I want to leave society 12. The reporter insisted that the letter he used was authentic. He said
behind and be alone for awhile. that he had shown it to many experts before he used it in his story.
A. people living as members of a group When something is authentic, it’s __________.
B. homes with messy floors a. genuine, or real
C. the fastest runners b. carefully written
D. people who are afraid of Girl Scouts c. full of tasty worms
d. very old
3. Our new alarm system will wake up the entire neighborhood if an
intruder gets in the house. 13. In 1975, Governor James promised to do something about the high
An intruder is someone who intrudes. To intrude is to __________. taxes in our state. She didn’t present a tax cut bill to lawmakers until
A. paint or repair old buildings 1985. It took her a decade to keep her promise, but better late than
B. wear ones shoes on the wrong feet never.
C. go where one is not wanted or doesn't belong How long is a decade?
D. be very noisy a. 75 years c. a century
b. 85 years d. 10 years
4. Those scientists want to hear what our professor thinks about their
theory because he is the foremost expert in their field. 14. Your plan looks good. I hope it will really work. It’s time to implement
A. The first or main one C. least informed it and see if it’s as brilliant as you claim.
B. craziest D. loudest a. instrument c. change
b. take apart d. carry out
5.Fortunately, the dizzy spell was transient. He was able to continue
playing within seconds and had no trouble winning the match. 15. If your plan fails, we’ll have to find someone who can devise a better
When you describe an event as “transient,” you are saying that one.
__________. a. design
a. it sounds like a train c. it helps you win b. dislike
b. it is quite harmful d. it doesn't last long c. appliance
d. to use peanut butter as toothpaste
6. Brea and Elizabeth are having a dispute over which radio station to play
at work. It would be so much simpler if they both liked the same kind of 16. Of course, I’m not saying that your plan is no good. I tend to be
music. optimistic, so I won’t be surprised when you succeed.
A dispute is a __________. a. expecting the best to happen
a. musical instrument c. discovery b. needing glasses to see
b. choice of music d. disagreement c. full of gas
d. unselfish
7. When they heard the good news about the court’s decision, the angry
crowd cheered and then began to disperse. “It looks like everyone is going 17. When your plan brings us great wealth, you will be rewarded for your
home,” one reporter stated. sagacity.
Which would be the opposite of “disperse”? a. good looks c. intelligence
a. come together c. fly like a bird b. mistakes d. huge appetite for herbs
b. smile d. sing
18. No matter what happens, I assure you that I will not forget how hard
8. It’s a wonder to me how anyone can still be undecided about this you have worked on this project.
election. These two candidates are certainly distinct. Each would lead our a. dare c. act like a donkey
nation in opposite directions. b. promise d. forget
What does “distinct” mean?
a. needing a bath c. clearly different Ryan is a great inventor. However, I don’t think that his latest invention,
b. dishonest d. about the same age edible socks, is likely to be too successful. Not many people want to eat
socks. There are some things in life that should remain inedible.
9. Mr. Huge was very proud of his auto superstore. “We have such an
extensive selection of cars,” he said, “so everyone should find a vehicle 19.Which word in the passage means “fit to be eaten”?
that he or she will love!”
The word “extensive” means __________. 20.Which word in the passage means “not fit to be eaten”?
a. costing a lot of money c. having no color
b. large amount d. not enough
21. Marsha is really an introvert. When I took her to Jason’s party, she sat
10. Friendship is a priceless thing. If Chris put a price, or conditions, on her in a corner without speaking to anyone. All she did was eat most of the
friendship, it’s no longer priceless. In fact, it’s not real friendship at all! snacks. The only reason she hangs out with me is because I never try to
If something is priceless, __________. force her to be sociable. She would never forgive me if I introduced her to
a. it has a missing tag c. it has great value anyone.
b. it has no value d. it is made out of rice An introvert is usually _____.

2. a. friendly c. unclean c. teach about or explain
b. hungry d. shy d. disagree with
22. Sunshine said, “Amber, why are you making such a big deal about 30. Both sides battled for years. They were very far apart and could find
Robert’s hair? Yes, he did dye it purple. It is rather unusual for a guy to no way to make a lasting peace. When the fighting finally came to an end,
have purple hair. On the other hand, it’s not exactly going to change the everyone was exhausted and embittered.
course of world history. It’s really quite a trivial matter.” What does “embittered” mean?
What does “trivial” mean? a. very angry c. humorous
a. strange c. disgusting b. sour tasting d. resentful
b. unimportant d. dangerous
31. We walked slowly down the trail with great trepidation. No one who
23. Both sides in the election contest are throwing accusations at each had gone this way had ever been heard from again. Had they simply found
other. The Gore supporters claim that Governor Bush is trying to thwart a better place to settle on this dark planet? We doubted that.
the will of the people. The Bush supporters say that Mr. Gore is trying to Which word is a synonym of “trepidation”?
create votes or assign choices to people who did not really cast votes for a. movement c. enjoyment
president. b. worry d. laughter
What does “thwart” mean?
a. help c. block 32. Only an hour or so had passed before a tremendous roar shook the
b. figure out d. tickle ground. At that very moment, a strange grey creature materialized before
our eyes. It resembled a lizard in shape. It was about ten feet high at the
24. There is a legal battle raging and the judges are concerned that time is shoulders and at least fifty feet long.
running out. Lawyers are being asked to expedite the matter by getting What did the creature do?
their paperwork in early. a. It whipped its tail back and forth.
What does “expedite” mean? b. It stamped its feet.
a. quicken c. sue c. It showed its sharp teeth.
b. agree on d. discuss d. It appeared.
25. The Florida legislature believes that it has the power to choose the 33. Kathy was looking for a strong but light material to use for making her
winner of the election if the courts haven’t finished their work by water jugs. Unfortunately, she chose noodelite. It proved to too porous to
December 12. Both houses are controlled by Republicans and they would hold jelly.
surely resolve the matter in Bush’s favor. A porous material _____.
What does “resolve” mean? a. is good for holding things that you pour
a. cancel c. debate b. protects you in pouring rain
b. consider d. settle c. allows liquids to flow through it
d. is necessary for making bowling balls
26. The election could actually end up being decided in the U.S. Congress.
Al Gore’s vice presidential running mate, Joe Lieberman, and perhaps Mr. 34. We have rather lofty expectations for you, son. You will attend
Gore himself, would be able to vote on the matter. Some would argue college. You will become rich and famous. You will be elected president of
that they should recuse themselves, but they would probably exercise the United States before you turn forty.
their right to vote. Which word is a synonym of “lofty”?
What does “recuse” mean? a. high c. small
a. step aside and not be involved b. shaky d. lowly
b. admit that you are wrong
c. leave the country 35. Ashlee was not happy with her friend Samantha. “I’ve been waiting
d. insist on being heard here for an hour!” she growled into her cell phone. “You’d better hie
yourself over here,” she continued, “or we’ll leave without you.
27. If you count all the votes in an area that heavily supports candidate A, a. hurry, or hasten
and only some of the votes in an area that heavily supports candidate B, b. stroll, or walk slowly
you’ll skew the results in favor of candidate A. c. float above the trees
What does “skew” mean? d. greet in an unfriendly manner
a. roast c. slant
b. ignore d. ask 36. When Beth and Donna were fighting over a boy who didn’t like either
one of them, Shana stepped in as a mediator. She sat them both in a
28. The home team made sure that the officials were on their side. They corner and kept them talking to each other. Finally, Shana’s efforts
won a close game and the championship with many questionable resulted in her two friends making up.
decisions from the officials. However, no one from any other town would What does ‘mediator mean’?
accept the winners as legitimate champions. a. troublemaker c. witness
What does “legitimate” mean? b. peacemaker d. competitor
a. real c. sneaky
b. talented d. good looking 37. No one suspected that Jerry was a spy. On the surface he behaved like
any normal citizen. When his covert activity was discovered and
29. Some people believe that lawyers are always working to see that announced to the world, we were all shocked.
justice is done. On the other hand, some believe that lawyers only want to a. friendly c. loud
manipulate the legal system to get what they want. Could both sides be b. helpful d. hidden
right?
What does “manipulate” mean? 38. The workers stood in front of the factory and wondered what to do
a. control in a dishonest way next. The doors were locked and the windows were boarded up. They
b. give help

3. doubted that they would even collect their final pay checks now that the a. very old c. very humorous
company was insolvent. b. very wealthy d. very stingy
a. broke, or out of money
b. hiring new workers 48. There is a very interesting article about solar storms in the February
c. changing a name 14, 2000 issue of Time magazine. It tells about how these disturbances not
d. making too much money only affect spacecraft, but can also disrupt terrestrial life. For example,
they have even caused automatic garage doors to open in one town.
39. Kim was a very good substitute teacher. She liked working with third What does “terrestrial” mean?
and fourth graders most of all. She especially liked discussing important a. of or on the planet Earth
current events issues with the kids. She had expected them to be b. protective of automotive equipment
indifferent to such grown-up topics as taxes and social security. She was c. solar
pleasantly surprised to discover that they were really interested in those d. in or near a pond
issues and wanted to learn more about them.
a. similar c. not caring 49. “Michelle, I’m very upset about what you said,” Rosie stated firmly.
b. very unusual d. gross “You didn’t come right out and accuse me of eating all your candy. On the
other hand, your remarks about my love of chocolate were made for a
40. Mr. Burke stood before his employees. They had never seen him in reason. You are insinuating that I’m the candy thief!”
such a serious mood. “I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that your future What does “insinuate” mean?
with this company depends on how hard you work,” he stated firmly. a. to keep something hot or cold
a. a girl again c. important b. to suggest without clearly saying
b. honest and trustworthy d. not responsible c. to do something evil
d. to protect from disease
41. “I am going to rescind the permission I gave you to use my toys!” T. J.
announced angrily. “I thought you would take good care of them, but I 50. I think it would help our basketball team, if we allowed girls to play.
was wrong!” I’ve seen how Patty has a knack for making the tough shots when they’re
a. repeat c. continue needed most. She wants to play on our team and we’d win more games
b. celebrate d. cancel with her help.
What does “knack” mean?
42. I am working very hard for the same candidate that you support. You a. to throw or toss c. a kind of sports bag
are doing it for pay. I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing it out of b. a hard punch d. an ability
conviction.
a. being found guilty c. anger 51. Prunella and Paula are sisters, but they’re very different. Just look at
b. strong belief d. a desire to eat prunes how they dress. Prunella doesn’t care what she wears. Paula, on the other
hand, is quite chic [sheek].
43. It was a sad and haunting strain that met our ears as we entered the a. intelligent c. full of feathers
old theater. There was a beauty in the voice that we’d never forget. This b. stylish d. dressed in old clothes
would be a special concert.
What does “strain” mean in the context of the selection? 52. I looked at the plans for your new house. This is earthquake country.
a. effort c. melody You need to fortify the frame or you’ll have a disaster with the first
b. injury d. filter tremor.
a. shake c. strengthen
44. I want you to weigh his words carefully. He seems sincere and b. build d. destroy
presents his arguments well. There is, however, something that doesn’t
quite ring true about the candidate. 53. Helen’s attitude toward dealing with criminals has changed over the
What does “weigh” mean in the context of the selection? years. She used to believe that everyone can change and deserves a
a. to measure the mass c. to think about second chance. She now believes that some crimes are so heinous that
b. to put pressure on a scale d. to be important those responsible should be shown no mercy.
a. guilty c. accidental
45. Michael is an ardent supporter of his presidential candidate. That b. terrible d. unimportant
became obvious to me when I found out how much time he’s donated to
the campaign. Perhaps Michael knows what he’s doing. 54. There may be some parts of my plan to arrest the thieves that should
What does “ardent” mean in the context of the selection? be changed. But I feel very strongly that renting the apartment over their
a. old c. foolish headquarters is the linchpin of the scheme. We must do that immediately!
b. intelligent d. very strong a. part that everything else depends on
b. piece of metal used to connect things
46. Mary, of course you’re overweight. You eat too much junk food. Even c. place where people live
worse, you exercise infrequently. d. a computer designed for police work
What does “infrequently” mean?
a. with a frown on one’s face 55. Amy was feeling low. Every business she tried lost money or made
b. at a gym only pennies a day. Her newest idea was selling chocolate covered baby
c. while wearing heavy clothes shoes. She was convinced that it would be a lucrative business. Her friends
d. not often tried to warn her that it was not a certain road to riches.
a. tasting great with vanilla ice cream
47. Your uncle wouldn’t even part with a dime to help the kids pay for b. helping young feet to grow correctly
their trip. That’s just one more example of his penurious ways. In c. showing no careful thought
contrast, many people who have much less money have donated a great d. bringing in a lot of money, or profit
deal to the cause.
What does “penurious” mean?

4. SCORE:
1-15 WEAK
16-30 SATISFACTORY
31-45 GOOD
46-55 EXCELLENT