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Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Joshua had a very _________ daily schedule, rigidly planning every hour of the day.
Although it might seem that a rigid schedule is difficult, we cannot imply that directly. The word “regimented” best fits the needs of this sentence, meaning “strictly organized in a strict schedule.” The word is related to a number of words for “ruling” such as “regal,” “regent,” and “regalia.”
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The librarian continually reminds students to choose __________ sources for their research papers since accuracy of information is important in the writing process.
Since the librarian wants information that is accurate in students' papers, she most likely reminds students to choose credible or trustworthy sources.
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Robert loved to have large ceremonies in which he could __________ present himself before a crowd in a grandiose and self-centered manner.
Since Robert likes to draw attention to himself with large ceremonies, he could be said to act “pompously.” In an older sense, “pomp” or a “pompous display” would merely mean a large and splendid event. However, the word often implies not only a grand style but likewise that it is meant to draw attention to the one showing said style.
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Before you drink the water from that dirty river, you need to filter it and treat it with certain chemicals; only then will it be __________.
"Potable" means suitable for drinking.
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“Don’t you think that assigning five hours of homework a night is a bit too __________?” the concerned parent asked the teacher.
"Onerous" means burdensome.
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“It wasn’t very nice or __________ to tell that other little girl that you thought she was boring,” Ann said to her daughter.
"Tactful" means skillful at not offending others.
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Ever since Jean Paul and I broke up, everyone tells me the same __________ phrase: there are always more fish in the sea.
"Hackneyed" means clichéd, or worn out by overuse.
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Marisol had only a(n) __________ understanding of how to fix and maintain her car, and so she took an automobile repair class.
"Superficial" means shallow, or lacking depth.
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Because Louisa had just jogged three miles in the sun, her face looked __________.
"Florid" means having a red or flushed complexion. It also can mean flowery or ornate.
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I don’t know what to do with a very __________ student whom I have. My usual responses to bad behavior, such as sending him to the principal’s office and having conferences with the parents, are not changing his actions.
"Recalcitrant" means defiant or unapologetic.
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The young boy offered her his hand, grinning __________, since he knew it was still covered in mud.
The subject of the sentence knows that he is going to cause someone displeasure, therefore he is being mischeivous—"devilish," when used in this context, means the same thing; therefore "devilishly" is the correct answer.
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The cleric’s __________ was off-putting; everyone could see he was only pretending to believe.
"Hypocrisy" means affectation or false pretense of behaving in a good way. Naturally, a religious man or woman's affected belief would be unsettling.
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Punk music fans seem to enjoy it when their musicians scream __________ at them; they relish being cursed.
"Maledictions" are curses. A punk musician who screams maledictions at his fans is cursing them.
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The punk musician’s __________ ingratiated him to his fans; they loved his rudeness.
"Insolence" means rudeness and arrogance, while "ingratiate" means make someone else see you positively. A performer whose fans love rudeness would bring himself into their good graces by being arrogant and rude.
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The chess player found himself in a serious __________ when he lost his most powerful piece early in the game.
"Quandary" means difficulty or problematic situation. A chess player would be in a difficult situation if he or she lost his or her most powerful piece early on in a game.
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The aging professor believed his speeches on immigration laws gave his students a unique perspective, but they mostly viewed him as an out-of-touch __________.
The students view their professor as out of touch, indicating that he is perceived in a negative light. Four of the possible answer choices are very positive. Only "bigot" is sufficiently negative.
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The garden slowly evolved into a state of chaos thanks to her __________.
"Negligence" is a noun which means act of choosing not to (neglecting to) do something. Here, it is clear that not tending the garden is what has led it to become chaotic.
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Mike fell down the stairs last night and awoke the whole neighborhood with the __________ that he created.
Falling down the stairs and awaking the neighborhood implies that there was a lot of loud noise, and so "clamor" is the only answer choice that fits.
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The riot police were careful not to __________ the angry crowd that had gathered in the central plaza.
"Incite" means to provoke or agitate. "Foster" means to promote or support. "Disdain" means to scorn or despise. "Placate" means to soothe or pacify. "Nullify" means to cancel or revoke.
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Answer the following sample question. Select the word or pair of words that most correctly completes the sentence.
My paper is too long, so I'll need to __________ some of the longer paragraphs.
"Truncate" means to shorten or abbreviate. "Hinder" means to prevent or slow down. "Rescind" means to declare null and void. "Patent" means to secure a copyright on an invention. "Curate" means to gather items or data for presentation.
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