For two years the engineers had sketched and tested designs for a footbridge across the gorge. Then a new survey revealed that the eastern cliff was slowly crumbling. Rather than risk building on unstable rock, the team [abandoned] the project entirely and began scouting for a safer crossing several miles downstream.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "abandoned" most nearly means argued about / delayed for a season / quietly finished / gave up on	gave up on — The team would not "risk building" and "began scouting for a safer crossing" somewhere else, so they gave up on the project entirely rather than pausing or finishing it.
Grandpa's plan sounded [absurd] at first: he wanted to teach the family parrot to answer the telephone. Everyone at dinner laughed so hard that Aunt Rita spilled her soup. Six weeks later, though, the bird squawked a perfectly clear "Hello?" into the receiver, and the caller on the other end hung up in confusion.  What does the word "absurd" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? ridiculous / frightening / secret / expensive	ridiculous — The family "laughed so hard" at the idea of a parrot answering the phone, which shows the plan seemed ridiculous, not costly, secret, or frightening.
In early spring, the high meadow offers little for hungry deer, and the herd wanders for miles each day searching for green shoots. By July, however, food is [abundant]: clover, wild grasses, and berries cover the hillsides so thickly that the deer barely have to move to find a meal.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "abundant" most nearly means hidden / scarce / unappetizing / plentiful	plentiful — The plants "cover the hillsides so thickly" that the deer "barely have to move," so food is plentiful, unlike the scarce spring.
Each winter, snow falls on the glacier faster than the short summer can melt it. Over thousands of years, these yearly layers [accumulate], pressing down on the older snow beneath them. Under all that weight, the buried snow slowly hardens into dense blue ice hundreds of feet thick.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "accumulate" as it is used in the excerpt? build up / vanish / break apart / shift sideways	build up — Snow falls "faster than... summer can melt it," and the layers press down on older snow, so they build up over time instead of vanishing or breaking apart.
When Lena slipped into the crowded rehearsal room ten minutes late, the conductor did not stop the music. Instead, he [acknowledged] her with a quick nod toward the empty chair in the violin section. She hurried into it, relieved that he did not seem angry about her late arrival.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "acknowledged" most nearly means admitted / ignored / noticed and greeted / scolded	noticed and greeted — The conductor gives Lena "a quick nod" toward her chair and does not seem angry, so he noticed and greeted her; "admitted" is a different meaning of the word that does not fit a nod.
Ms. Okafor's drama class spent the fall [adapting] a three-hundred-page novel for the stage. The students cut minor characters, turned long descriptions of the countryside into short scenes, and rewrote the narrator's private thoughts as lines the actors could speak aloud. By December, the book had become a ninety-minute play.  What does the word "adapting" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? getting used to over time / reviewing / memorizing / rewriting in a new form	rewriting in a new form — The class cut characters and rewrote thoughts as spoken lines until "the book had become a... play," so they were rewriting it in a new form, not just getting used to it.
The city council had received hundreds of complaints about the broken streetlights on Fulton Avenue, where people walking home after dark could barely see the curb. At last week's meeting, members finally voted to [address] the problem by hiring two extra electricians and replacing every bulb on the street by spring.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "address" most nearly means deal with / ignore / write a letter about / give a speech about	deal with — The council plans to fix the problem "by hiring two extra electricians and replacing every bulb," so "address" means deal with it, not speak or write about it.
For years, Dr. Ruiz [advocated] for a protected bike lane along the busy avenue. She wrote letters to newspapers, spoke at every neighborhood meeting, and led group rides past city hall. Some neighbors found her persistence tiring, but when the lane finally opened, cyclists hung a small thank-you sign on the fence beside it.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "advocated" as it is used in the excerpt? reluctantly voted / secretly paid / publicly argued / quietly complained	publicly argued — She "wrote letters to newspapers" and "spoke at every neighborhood meeting," so she publicly argued for the lane; nothing she did was secret, quiet, or reluctant.
From the age of nine, Teresa kept a notebook of star charts under her pillow and stayed up late tracking the moons of Jupiter through a borrowed telescope. Her [ambition] was never simply to look at the planets, though. She wanted to stand one day in mission control and help guide a spacecraft to Mars.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "ambition" most nearly means habit / goal / talent / fear	goal — The excerpt says what Teresa "wanted" to do "one day," so her ambition is a goal for the future, not a habit or talent she already has.
Experienced goalkeepers rarely just react to a penalty kick. Instead, they [anticipate] it. By watching the angle of the kicker's hips and the placement of the planted foot, they can guess which corner the ball will fly toward and begin diving before it has even been struck.  What does the word "anticipate" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? predict / block / fear / remember	predict — Goalkeepers "guess which corner the ball will fly toward" and dive "before it has even been struck," so they predict the kick rather than simply blocking it.
The night before the audition, Jun could not sit still. He paced the kitchen, checked his violin strings a dozen times, and kept asking his sister whether she thought the judges would be strict. When their mother set dinner in front of him, he felt too [anxious] to eat more than a few bites.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "anxious" most nearly means overconfident / proud / bored / worried	worried — Jun paces, checks his strings over and over, and asks whether the judges "would be strict," all signs that he is worried.
The magician's [apparent] ability to read minds amazed the audience, and many guests went home convinced she had a true gift. The next week, however, a stagehand revealed the secret: an assistant seated in the front row had been signaling the name of each card with tiny movements of her fingers.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "apparent" as it is used in the excerpt? inherited from family / seeming but false / clearly genuine / newly learned	seeming but false — The stagehand reveals that an assistant was secretly signaling, so the mind-reading only seemed real; "clearly genuine" is the trap the reveal rules out.
The new wing of the natural history museum was designed to [appeal] to younger visitors. Instead of long labels behind glass, it offers touch screens, a sandy fossil dig pit, and a dinosaur skeleton that kids can walk right underneath. On opening weekend, the line of families stretched around the block.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "appeal" most nearly means attract interest / make a formal request / give a warning / complain	attract interest — The touch screens, dig pit, and walk-under skeleton are meant to draw kids in, and the long line of families shows it worked, so "appeal" means attract interest.
Standing at the foot of the redwood, Priya finally [appreciated] how tall the tree really was. In her textbook photographs it had looked impressive, but now she had to tilt her head all the way back, and even then its top disappeared into the drifting fog.  What does the word "appreciated" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? fully understood / complained about / doubted / grew in value	fully understood — Seeing the tree in person, Priya grasps a size that photos could not show, so she "fully understood" its height; "grew in value" is another meaning of the word that does not fit here.
During the class debate, Kofi [asserted] that the school day should start an hour later. He did not hedge or say "maybe." He stated his position plainly, looked straight at the audience, and backed it up with three studies on how much sleep teenagers need.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "asserted" most nearly means denied / wondered aloud whether / hinted / declared firmly	declared firmly — Kofi "did not hedge" and "stated his position plainly," so he declared it firmly rather than hinting or asking.
When the team captain broke her wrist in October, Aisha [assumed] leadership of the squad. For the rest of the season she ran the warm-ups, organized the carpools, and gave the pep talk in the locker room before every game, even though no one had officially asked her to.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "assumed" as it is used in the excerpt? took on / supposed without proof / pretended to have / turned down	took on — Aisha actually ran warm-ups, carpools, and pep talks, so she took on the leader's job; "supposed without proof" is another meaning of the word that does not fit.
The vendor swore the coin was a Roman original, but the museum expert was doubtful. After weighing it and examining its edges under a microscope, she smiled and declared it [authentic]. The metal, the wear, and the stamping all matched coins made in the second century.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "authentic" most nearly means ancient-looking / damaged / genuine / valuable	genuine — The expert doubted the coin was "a Roman original" until tests showed it "matched coins made in the second century," so it is genuine; a fake could also look ancient.
The movers carried the boxes of books up three flights without complaint, but the antique harp was [awkward] to carry. Its curved frame was taller than either of them, it would not fit through the doorway straight on, and there was no good place to grip it without touching the strings.  What does the word "awkward" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? hard to handle / noisy / embarrassing / expensive	hard to handle — The harp's curved frame, its height, and the lack of a "good place to grip it" make it hard to handle; "embarrassing" is another meaning of the word that does not fit an object.
Before the new freight elevator could be approved, inspectors loaded its platform with steel weights equal to twelve adults. The cables had to [bear] that load for a full hour without stretching or slipping. Only after the test did the city post a certificate inside the elevator door.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "bear" most nearly means produce / bring / decorate / support	support — The cables had to hold the weights "without stretching or slipping," so "bear" means support the load.
Researchers followed two groups of middle schoolers for a year. Students who read for twenty minutes before bed fell asleep faster and scored higher on vocabulary tests than those who did not. The scientists concluded that the nightly habit offered a clear [benefit], and they recommended it to schools across the state.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "benefit" most nearly means advantage / expense / risk / disadvantage	advantage — The readers "fell asleep faster and scored higher," and scientists recommended the habit, so it gave an advantage.
This year, the judges of the city science fair were not told the students' names or schools. Organizers made the change after parents complained that, in past years, judges had shown a [bias] toward students from the larger schools, awarding them prizes even when projects from smaller schools were stronger.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "bias" as it is used in the excerpt? unfair preference / careful respect / strict rule / hidden fear	unfair preference — Judges gave prizes to larger schools "even when" smaller schools' work was stronger, which shows an unfair preference.
The mural on the side of the Bronx laundromat can be spotted from three blocks away. The artist chose [bold] reds and oranges, outlined every shape in thick black paint, and avoided any soft or faded tones, so that even drivers speeding past on the avenue turn their heads to look.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "bold" most nearly means vivid / dull / brave / delicate	vivid — The colors can be seen "from three blocks away" and the artist "avoided any soft or faded tones," so they are vivid; "brave" is a meaning for people, not colors.
Summer storms on the plains are often [brief]. A wall of dark cloud rolls in from the west, rain pounds the wheat fields for about ten minutes, and then the sun is shining again before farmers have even finished closing their barn doors. Locals like to joke that if you dislike the weather, you only have to wait a quarter of an hour.  What does the word "brief" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? warm / frequent / gentle / short	short — The rain lasts "about ten minutes" and the sun returns before farmers finish closing doors, so the storms are short; "pounds" rules out "gentle."
Although the delivery robot looked like nothing more than a metal box on wheels, it was [capable] of climbing stairs, opening doors, and sorting packages by weight. Engineers had packed dozens of sensors and motors inside its plain gray shell, and in tests it outworked two human assistants.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "capable" most nearly means programmed to avoid / in need / able / afraid	able — Its sensors and motors let it climb stairs and sort packages, and it "outworked two human assistants," so it was able to do these tasks.
The young fox was [cautious] around the campsite. It circled the tents twice from a distance, froze at every snapping twig, and sniffed the forgotten sandwich for a long time before finally snatching it and darting back into the trees. Even then, it kept one eye on the tents as it ran.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "cautious" as it is used in the excerpt? playful / hungry / careful / friendly	careful — The fox keeps "a distance," freezes at sounds, and sniffs for "a long time" before acting, all signs of being careful; hunger explains why it came, not how it acted.
For decades, mapmakers agreed that the river began at a small lake in the northern hills. Then a young surveyor [challenged] that belief. She pointed out that the lake sat lower than the river's upper stretches and could not possibly feed it, and she traced the true source to a spring twenty miles away.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "challenged" most nearly means questioned / made more difficult / invited to a contest / accepted	questioned — The surveyor gives evidence that the old idea was wrong, so she questioned the belief; "invited to a contest" is a different meaning of the word.
On dry, windy hillsides, a wildfire can travel faster than a person can run. To [check] the flames, crews cut wide strips of bare earth called firebreaks ahead of the fire, so that when it reaches the line it finds nothing left to burn and dies down.  What does the word "check" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? measure / inspect / mark with a symbol / stop the spread of	stop the spread of — The firebreaks leave the fire "nothing left to burn" so it "dies down," which means crews stop its spread; "inspect" is the everyday meaning that does not fit.
Of all her grandmother's belongings, Rosa [cherished] one thing above the rest: a cracked teacup painted with tiny blue birds. She kept it wrapped in silk on the highest shelf of her closet and took it down only once a year, on her grandmother's birthday, to drink a single cup of jasmine tea.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "cherished" most nearly means treasured / photographed / repaired / borrowed	treasured — Rosa wraps the cup "in silk" and keeps it safe for a yearly ritual, showing she treasured it.
Many readers were confused by the cookbook's instruction to "fold" the egg whites into the batter. In the next edition, the author [clarified] the step by adding a photograph and explaining that the whites should be gently lifted over the batter with a spatula, not stirred in a circle.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "clarified" as it is used in the excerpt? made clearer / shortened / removed / printed in larger type	made clearer — Readers were "confused," so the author added a photo and an explanation, which made the step clearer; the step was not removed or shortened.
For months, the two rival bakeries on Arthur Avenue had planned to join together as one company. But the deal [collapsed] at the last minute when the owners could not agree on whose family name would go on the sign. Both shops stayed open, and their owners stopped speaking to each other.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "collapsed" most nearly means fell over / grew larger / was delayed / failed completely	failed completely — The owners "could not agree" and both shops stayed separate, so the deal failed completely; it was not just delayed, and nothing physically fell.
The old lighthouse stands on the highest rock of the island, a hundred feet above the waves. From the lantern room at its top, the keeper [commanded] a view of the entire harbor, with every fishing boat, buoy, and hidden reef visible at once. On clear nights he could see the lights of the mainland as well.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "commanded" most nearly means gave orders about / requested / blocked / had	had — From the high lantern room, "the entire harbor" was "visible at once," so the keeper simply had that view; no orders were given.
Joining the youth orchestra is not a casual decision. Every member must [commit] to two rehearsals a week, a summer tour, and an hour of practice each day. Players who miss more than three rehearsals in a season lose their seat to someone on the waiting list.  What does the word "commit" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? object / listen / pledge oneself / apply	pledge oneself — The decision is "not casual," and members who miss rehearsals lose their seat, so they must pledge themselves to the schedule.
The hikers had planned to reach the summit by noon and eat lunch above the clouds. But a sudden snow squall [compelled] them to turn back halfway up, and they spent the afternoon drinking cocoa in the lodge instead, watching the mountain disappear behind a curtain of white.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "compelled" most nearly means helped / gently persuaded / invited / forced	forced — The hikers wanted the summit, but the "sudden snow squall" left them no choice, so it forced them back.
A honeybee hive may look like a simple box of wax, but it is a [complex] society. Some workers clean cells, others guard the entrance, still others cool the hive by fanning their wings, and scouts perform dances that tell their sisters exactly where to find flowers.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "complex" most nearly means crowded / dangerous / unpredictable / complicated	complicated — The hive "may look... simple," but the excerpt lists many different jobs that fit together, so it is complicated.
Mira's hands were shaking when she walked onto the stage, and she could hear her heart pounding in her ears. She closed her eyes, took three slow breaths, and [composed] herself before lifting her bow to the strings. By the first note, her nerves had disappeared.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "composed" most nearly means calmed / dressed / wrote music for / introduced	calmed — Mira's shaking hands steady after "three slow breaths" and her nerves disappear, so she calmed herself; she did not write music here.
Jada wanted to paint the bedroom they shared purple; her younger brother wanted bright green. After an hour of arguing, they reached a [compromise]. One wall would be purple, one would be green, and the other two would stay white, which, to their mother's surprise, looked rather nice.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "compromise" as it is used in the excerpt? flat refusal / win for just one side / middle-ground deal / new argument	middle-ground deal — Each sibling gets one wall in their color and gives up the rest, so it is a middle-ground deal, not a win for one side.
The octopus has a remarkable way of [concealing] itself from predators. Within seconds it can change both the color and the texture of its skin to match the rocks and seaweed around it, until a diver swimming just inches away sees nothing but an ordinary patch of reef.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "concealing" most nearly means feeding / cleaning / hiding / defending	hiding — The octopus matches its surroundings until a diver "sees nothing but an ordinary patch of reef," so it is hiding itself.
The summer music festival [concluded] with a fireworks display over the East River. As the last golden sparks faded, the crowd began folding blankets and drifting back toward the subway, still humming the songs they had heard all evening. A few volunteers stayed behind until midnight, picking up litter from the lawn.  What does the word "concluded" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? ended / decided / began / was canceled	ended — After the fireworks, the crowd folds blankets and heads home, so the festival ended; "decided" is another meaning that does not fit an event.
Copper is used in most household wiring because it [conducts] electricity so well. Current flows through the metal with very little resistance and wastes almost no energy as heat, which is why copper is also found inside motors, computers, and phone chargers. Rubber and plastic, by contrast, are wrapped around the wires to keep the current from escaping.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "conducts" most nearly means manufactures / transmits / blocks / directs	transmits — "Current flows through the metal," so copper transmits electricity; it does not produce it, and "directs" is the meaning used for leading a group.
For weeks, Leo avoided the mess growing in the garage, closing the door whenever he walked past. Finally, one Saturday morning, he decided to [confront] it. He rolled up his sleeves, dragged every box onto the driveway, and refused to stop until he could see the floor again.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "confront" as it is used in the excerpt? run from / face directly / complain about / photograph	face directly — After weeks of avoiding the mess, Leo rolls up his sleeves and works until it is done, so he faces it directly.
In 1815, a volcano erupted on an island on the other side of the world, hurling ash high into the atmosphere. One [consequence] was a "year without a summer" in New England the following year, when snow fell in June and frost killed crops in August.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "consequence" most nearly means result / warning / measurement / cause	result — The cold summer came after the eruption and because of it, so it was a result; the eruption itself was the cause.
Building a model of the Brooklyn Bridge took Ana a [considerable] amount of time. She worked on it every weekend from September to May, gluing thousands of toothpicks one by one, and she tore down and rebuilt the cables twice before they hung just right.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "considerable" most nearly means wasted / unexpected / large / small	large — She worked "every weekend from September to May," which is a large amount of time.
Three neighbors called the animal shelter about an escaped goat. Each caller said it wore a blue collar and was trotting toward the community garden, so their descriptions were [consistent] with one another. Volunteers hurried to the garden and found the goat happily munching tomatoes.  What does the word "consistent" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? very detailed / steady over time / hard to believe / matching each other	matching each other — All three callers gave the same details, so their descriptions matched each other; "steady over time" is another meaning of the word that does not fit three separate calls.
In the week before the science fair, Dev was [consumed] by his project. He forgot to answer his friends' texts, skipped his favorite TV show, and even dreamed about solar panels at night. His mother joked that she would need to tape his dinner to the poster board to get him to eat.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "consumed" most nearly means defeated / completely absorbed / bored / eaten away bit by bit	completely absorbed — Dev forgets texts and even dreams about his project, so it fills his mind completely; "eaten away bit by bit" is a literal meaning that does not fit a person's interest.
Unlike his older brothers, who dreamed of moving to big cities, Samuel was [content] to stay on the family farm. He liked the quiet mornings, the smell of cut hay, and the sight of the same green hills he had known since he was a small boy.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "content" most nearly means embarrassed / forced / satisfied / unwilling	satisfied — Samuel "liked" everything about farm life and, unlike his brothers, did not dream of leaving, so he was satisfied to stay.
The tour guide told the group that the old mansion had been built in 1890. A few rooms later, however, he pointed to a fireplace and called it "original to the house, from 1855." That remark [contradicted] his earlier statement, and a sharp-eyed sixth grader raised her hand to ask which date was correct.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "contradicted" as it is used in the excerpt? repeated / supported / went against / explained	went against — The second date does not match the first, which is why the student asks "which date was correct," so the remark went against his earlier statement.
When the community garden's water pump broke, the whole block pitched in. The deli owner [contributed] two hundred dollars, the retired plumber donated an afternoon of his time, and the kids on the corner held a lemonade sale that raised another fifty dollars toward the repair.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "contributed" most nearly means gave / lost / demanded / borrowed	gave — The block "pitched in" to fix the pump, and the deli owner's money went toward the repair, so he gave it.
Long before highways and freight trains, canals [conveyed] goods across New York State. Barges loaded with grain, lumber, and salt were pulled by mules walking along the towpaths, and a trip from Buffalo to the Hudson River took about a week. Cheap shipping along the canal helped turn New York City into a busy center of trade.  What does the word "conveyed" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? transported / produced / expressed / manufactured	transported — Barges loaded with goods traveled from Buffalo to the Hudson, so the canals transported them; "expressed" is the meaning used for ideas, not grain.
Marine biologists were surprised to watch two dolphins [cooperate] while hunting. One dolphin herded a school of fish toward the shallow water, while the other waited near the shore to block their escape. Then the pair took turns feeding on the trapped fish until none were left.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "cooperate" most nearly means argue / work together / compete for food / play	work together — Each dolphin does a different part of the hunt and they "took turns feeding," so they work together; they share the fish instead of competing for it.
On the mountain's summit ridge, timing is [crucial]. Climbers who cross before the morning sun softens the snow move quickly and safely. Those who arrive even an hour late may sink to their knees with every step or set off a slide, so guides wake their groups at two in the morning.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "crucial" most nearly means completely unpredictable / rarely discussed / easy to judge / extremely important	extremely important — Being "even an hour late" can be dangerous, and guides wake groups at two in the morning, so timing is extremely important.
Over three summers at chess camp, Malik [cultivated] a patient, careful style of play. He learned to wait for his opponents' mistakes instead of rushing to attack, and he reviewed every lost game in his notebook. By eighth grade, he was regularly beating players twice his age.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "cultivated" most nearly means quickly abandoned / gradually developed / secretly copied / planted and grew crops	gradually developed — Over "three summers" Malik learned new habits and studied his games, so he gradually developed his style; "planted and grew crops" is a meaning that does not fit chess.
Hikers on the high ridge kept reporting a [curious] sight: a single palm tree growing among the snow-covered pines. Rangers did not believe the stories until they saw it for themselves. They later learned that a camper had planted a seedling decades earlier, and against all odds it had survived the mountain winters.  What does the word "curious" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? eager to learn / beautiful / frightening / strange	strange — A palm tree among snowy pines is so out of place that rangers "did not believe the stories," so the sight is strange; a sight cannot be "eager to learn."
The director offered Maya the lead role in the spring musical, but she [declined]. She explained that she would rather design the sets, since painting backdrops was what she loved most, and she recommended her friend Ava for the part instead. The director thanked her and gave Ava the script that afternoon.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "declined" most nearly means politely refused / complained bitterly / grew weaker / accepted eagerly	politely refused — Maya gives the role to Ava because she would "rather design the sets," so she politely refused; "grew weaker" is another meaning of the word that does not fit.
On the first page of her novel, the author [dedicated] the book to her seventh-grade English teacher, writing, "For Mr. Alvarez, who told me my stories mattered." Years later, a reporter tracked him down in Ohio and read the line to him over the phone. He was too moved to speak.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "dedicated" as it is used in the excerpt? mailed / devoted all her time to / inscribed in honor of / sold	inscribed in honor of — The line "For Mr. Alvarez" on the first page shows she named him as the person the book honors; "devoted all her time to" is a different meaning of the word.
When the teacher asked the class to put their phones away, Rafael leaned back, crossed his arms, and kept scrolling. His [defiant] stare made it clear he had no intention of following the rule, no matter how many times he was asked. The rest of the room went silent, waiting to see what would happen.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "defiant" most nearly means confused about the instructions / sleepy / openly disobedient / embarrassed	openly disobedient — Rafael "kept scrolling" and had "no intention of following the rule," so he is openly disobedient, not confused or embarrassed.
The old carpenter worked at a [deliberate] pace. He measured each board twice, studied the grain of the wood before every cut, and never let anyone rush him, even when a customer stood tapping a foot impatiently by the door. His tables took months to finish but lasted for generations.  What does the word "deliberate" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? slow and careful / hurried / lazy and distracted / accidental	slow and careful — He measures twice, studies the grain, and "never let anyone rush him," so his pace is slow and careful.
To [demonstrate] that air has weight, Ms. Chen balanced two inflated balloons at opposite ends of a meter stick. When she popped one of them with a pin, the stick tipped toward the balloon that was still full, and the whole class gasped at the simple proof.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "demonstrate" most nearly means hide the fact / prove / pretend / march in protest	prove — The tipping stick is called "the simple proof" that air has weight, so "demonstrate" means prove; marching in protest is a different meaning of the word.
The instruction manual for the school's new 3D printer was so [dense] that Omar had to read each paragraph three times. Nearly every sentence introduced an unfamiliar term, and the pages kept referring to diagrams in other chapters that he had not yet found. He finally gave up and asked the technology teacher to walk him through it.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "dense" most nearly means filled with colorful pictures / heavy to carry / short / difficult to understand	difficult to understand — Omar must read "each paragraph three times" because of unfamiliar terms, so the manual is difficult to understand; "heavy to carry" is a literal meaning that does not fit.
The ancient wall painting [depicts] a busy market scene. Merchants weigh fish on hanging scales, a boy chases a runaway goat between the stalls, and in one corner a woman bargains over a basket of figs. Every face is painted with such care that visitors linger for minutes.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "depicts" most nearly means conceals / explains the history of / shows / damages	shows — The excerpt lists what can be seen in the painting, such as merchants, a boy, and a goat, so the painting shows the scene.
After three days lost in the desert, the explorer was [desperate] for water. He dug into a dry riverbed with his bare hands, squeezed moisture from cactus pulp, and even licked the morning dew off the metal buckles of his pack. When a rescue plane finally spotted him, he waved his shirt over his head with both arms.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "desperate" as it is used in the excerpt? calm / slightly curious / well supplied / in extreme need	in extreme need — He licks dew off buckles and squeezes cactus pulp, things only someone in extreme need would try.
Geologists wanted to [determine] how old the canyon walls really were. By counting the layers of rock and testing tiny crystals for radioactive elements, they found that the deepest layers had formed nearly two billion years ago, long before any animals lived on land. The results surprised even researchers who had studied the canyon for decades.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "determine" most nearly means change / find out / protect / guess wildly about	find out — The geologists ran tests and "found" an exact age, so "determine" means find out; testing is the opposite of guessing.
Kenji faced a [dilemma]. If he went to his best friend's birthday party on Saturday, he would miss the regional robotics competition his team had trained for all year. If he went to the competition, his friend might never forgive him. Either way, someone would be disappointed.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "dilemma" most nearly means a celebration / a difficult choice / a misunderstanding / an unexpected reward	a difficult choice — Kenji must pick between the party and the competition, and "either way, someone would be disappointed," so he faces a difficult choice.
As the hikers climbed above the tree line, the roar of the waterfall below slowly [diminished]. By the time they reached the summit, it had faded to a faint hiss that they could hear only when the wind died down and everyone stood perfectly still.  What does the word "diminished" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? echoed / stopped completely / became less / grew louder	became less — The roar "faded to a faint hiss" but could still be heard, so it became less without stopping completely.
As soon as Lucia opened the door to her grandmother's apartment, she noticed the [distinct] smell of fresh bread and cinnamon. Even with the window open and the radiator hissing, the scent filled the hallway and was impossible to miss. Lucia smiled, because it meant her grandmother had been baking all morning.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "distinct" most nearly means faint / separate and different / unpleasant / clearly noticeable	clearly noticeable — The smell "filled the hallway and was impossible to miss," so it was clearly noticeable; "separate and different" is another meaning that would need something to compare it to.
Young birdwatchers often struggle to [distinguish] between two common sparrows, since both are small, brown, and streaky. The trick is to look closely: the song sparrow has a dark spot in the center of its chest, while the chipping sparrow wears a bright rust-colored cap.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "distinguish" most nearly means attract / tell apart / photograph together / confuse	tell apart — The excerpt gives a "trick" for spotting the difference between two similar birds, so "distinguish" means tell them apart.
While one squirrel chattered loudly from a high branch to [distract] the dog, a second squirrel scampered across the lawn and grabbed the last acorn from beneath the picnic table. By the time the dog finally turned around, both squirrels were gone. The trick worked so well that the pair repeated it the very next afternoon.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "distract" as it is used in the excerpt? draw the attention of / welcome / feed scraps to / frighten away permanently	draw the attention of — The dog is busy watching the noisy squirrel and does not notice the second one until it "finally turned around," so its attention was drawn away; it was not chased off.
The coral reef supports a remarkably [diverse] community of life. Within a single square yard, divers have counted bright parrotfish, spiny lobsters, waving sea fans, giant clams, and dozens of tiny shrimp hiding among the branches of the coral. Scientists estimate that reefs shelter about a quarter of all ocean species, even though they cover only a tiny fraction of the sea floor.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "diverse" most nearly means dangerous / rapidly shrinking / varied / colorless	varied — The excerpt lists many different kinds of creatures in one small space, so the community is varied.
The Empire State Building once [dominated] the Manhattan skyline. For four decades no other tower in the city came close to its height, and on clear days its spire could be seen from many miles away, rising far above the rooftops around it. Today, newer towers have risen all around it, but many visitors still consider it the symbol of the city.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "dominated" as it is used in the excerpt? was the most noticeable part of / decorated / bullied / was overshadowed by the rest of	was the most noticeable part of — No tower "came close to its height" and it rose "far above the rooftops," so it was the most noticeable part of the skyline; a building cannot bully anyone.
When the town's only bridge washed away in the spring flood, the council took [drastic] action. Within a week it had closed two schools, rerouted every bus, and hired a ferry to carry commuters across the river until a new bridge could be built. Some residents grumbled, but most agreed that the situation called for bold steps.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "drastic" most nearly means minor / careless / extreme / delayed	extreme — Closing schools, rerouting every bus, and hiring a ferry "within a week" are big, sudden steps, so the action was extreme.
Every Sunday night, Carmen felt a familiar [dread] creeping over her. The math quiz was always first thing Monday morning, and no matter how much she studied, she lay awake picturing the blank page and the ticking clock on the classroom wall. By Monday morning, her stomach would be in knots before she even reached the bus stop.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "dread" most nearly means deep fear / pride / boredom / excitement	deep fear — Carmen "lay awake" imagining a blank page before the quiz, which shows deep fear about what is coming.
The puppy was so [eager] to go outside that it spun in circles by the front door, whined, and grabbed its own leash in its mouth before anyone had even found their shoes. Ten minutes later, it was tugging Luis down the sidewalk toward the park.  What does the word "eager" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? sleepy / very excited / unwilling to move / afraid	very excited — The puppy spins, whines, and grabs its own leash, all signs it is very excited to go out.
For the school's hundredth birthday, the art club built an [elaborate] model of the original 1926 building. It included working lights in every window, tiny hand-painted desks in each classroom, and a clock tower whose hands actually moved. Members spent nearly six months on it, working through lunch periods and staying late on Fridays. It now sits in a glass case in the front lobby.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "elaborate" most nearly means roughly sketched / quickly made / very detailed / inexpensive	very detailed — The model has lights "in every window," hand-painted desks, and a moving clock, so it is very detailed.
After the tournament's first round, half of the thirty-two teams were [eliminated]. Only the sixteen winners advanced to the next bracket, while the rest packed their bags and headed home to watch the remaining games on television. Their coaches promised that they would return stronger next year.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "eliminated" most nearly means removed from the competition / rewarded / given an extra chance to play / injured	removed from the competition — Only winners "advanced," while the other teams "headed home," so they were removed from the competition.
After seventeen years underground, millions of cicadas [emerged] from the soil in a single week. They crawled up tree trunks, split open their old skins, and filled the summer air with a buzzing so loud that neighbors had to shout to be heard over it.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "emerged" most nearly means dug deeper / fell silent / came out / disappeared	came out — After years "underground," the cicadas crawl up trees and fill the air with noise, so they came out of the soil.
In her end-of-season speech, the coach [emphasized] teamwork above everything else. She mentioned it in her first sentence and her last, told three stories about players who had passed instead of shooting, and had the whole team repeat the word "together" aloud. Players later said it was the only part of the speech they remembered.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "emphasized" as it is used in the excerpt? stressed / ignored / questioned / joked about	stressed — She returns to teamwork again and again and has the team repeat "together," so she stressed it as most important.
Exploring the dusty attic of their new house, the twins [encountered] something they had never expected: a trunk full of letters written by their great-great-grandmother during her voyage from Ireland in 1891. Each bundle was tied with a faded green ribbon. The girls spent the rest of the afternoon reading them aloud by flashlight.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "encountered" most nearly means threw away / carefully repaired / came across / searched for	came across — The twins find something "they had never expected" while exploring, so they came across it; they were not searching for it.
Built more than two thousand years ago, the stone aqueduct has [endured] through earthquakes, floods, and centuries of storms. Visitors today can still walk beneath its original arches and see the water stains left by the stream it once carried across the valley. Engineers still study its design to learn why it has held up so well.  What does the word "endured" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? been rebuilt / suffered pain / lasted / collapsed	lasted — Visitors can "still walk beneath its original arches," so the aqueduct has lasted; a stone structure cannot suffer pain.
Professional photographers often use soft lamps and reflective panels to [enhance] a portrait. The extra light smooths harsh shadows, brings out the color in a subject's eyes, and makes the whole image look warmer and more inviting. Many photographers say that good lighting matters more than an expensive camera.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "enhance" most nearly means improve / damage / shrink / copy exactly	improve — The lighting smooths shadows and makes the image "warmer and more inviting," so it improves the portrait.
The blue whale is an [enormous] animal. Its heart alone is about the size of a small car, and its tongue can weigh as much as an elephant. A fully grown adult can stretch nearly the length of a basketball court, making it the largest creature known to have lived on Earth.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "enormous" most nearly means gentle / huge / ancient / endangered	huge — Every detail compares the whale's size to big things, like a car, an elephant, and a basketball court, so "enormous" means huge.
To [ensure] that the newly hatched sea turtles reached the ocean safely, volunteers patrolled the beach every night. They switched off porch lights that might confuse the hatchlings, smoothed out deep tire ruts in the sand, and gently chased away hungry gulls. By the end of the season, more than two thousand hatchlings had made it to the water.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "ensure" most nearly means pretend / make certain / doubt / wonder whether	make certain — The volunteers take many careful steps so the turtles will reach the ocean, which means they are making certain it happens.
In the 1850s, New York City [established] a vast public park in the middle of Manhattan. Workers moved millions of cartloads of earth and planted hundreds of thousands of trees, creating the meadows, lakes, and winding paths that New Yorkers still enjoy today. Today the park welcomes more than forty million visitors a year.  What does the word "established" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? set up / closed / sold / discovered	set up — Workers built the park by moving earth and planting trees, and it is "still" used today, so the city set it up to last; it was created, not discovered.
Before choosing a site for the new telescope, astronomers spent two years [evaluating] mountaintops around the world. They measured how many nights were cloudless, how steady the air was, and how much light from nearby cities reached each peak. In the end, they chose a peak in the Chilean desert, where the sky is clear on most nights of the year.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "evaluating" most nearly means judging carefully / purchasing land on / avoiding / climbing	judging carefully — The astronomers measured clear nights, steady air, and city light at each peak to decide which was best, so they were judging the sites carefully.
Scientists once believed that dinosaurs were slow, cold-blooded reptiles. But fossils found in recent decades, including bones with fast-growth patterns and feathers preserved in stone, have provided strong [evidence] that many dinosaurs were active, warm-blooded animals. Many museums have since repainted their dinosaur models with feathers and posed their skeletons as if running.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "evidence" most nearly means rumor / decoration / doubt / proof	proof — The fossils are facts that support a new idea about dinosaurs, so they serve as proof; nothing in the excerpt suggests a rumor or doubt.
Uncle Ray likes to [exaggerate] when he tells fishing stories. According to him, the bass he caught last summer was as long as a canoe, though the photo on his refrigerator shows a fish barely the length of his forearm. His family just smiles and nods whenever he starts the story again at holiday dinners.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "exaggerate" as it is used in the excerpt? forget details / overstate / tell the truth / whisper	overstate — He claims the fish was "as long as a canoe," but the photo shows a small fish, so he overstates its size.
The new cookbook is beautiful, but it [excludes] every recipe that takes longer than thirty minutes. Readers hoping for slow-cooked stews or homemade bread will have to look elsewhere, since the author wanted the book to focus only on quick weeknight meals. Even so, it has become one of the best-selling cookbooks of the year.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "excludes" most nearly means leaves out / shortens / highlights / ranks	leaves out — Readers wanting slow recipes "will have to look elsewhere," so the book leaves those recipes out.
When water freezes, it [expands]. That is why a soda can left in the freezer overnight may split open, and why winter ice can widen cracks in sidewalks until chunks of concrete break loose. Most other liquids do the opposite, taking up less space as they become solid.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "expands" most nearly means turns transparent / melts / grows larger / shrinks	grows larger — Freezing water splits cans and widens cracks, and other liquids "do the opposite" by taking up less space, so water grows larger.
When the new student sat down alone in the noisy cafeteria, Ines walked over and [extended] an invitation to join her table. The new girl smiled with relief. Within a week, the two were trading books and walking home together every afternoon. Ines later said it was the easiest friendship she had ever made.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "extended" most nearly means made longer / refused / offered / postponed	offered — Ines walks over and invites the new student, who "smiled with relief," so she offered the invitation; "made longer" is another meaning that does not fit.
The night sky has [fascinated] people for thousands of years. Ancient sailors traced pictures among the stars, farmers timed their planting by the phases of the moon, and today amateur astronomers stay up until dawn just to watch a comet pass. Even small children point upward and ask what the bright dots are.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "fascinated" most nearly means deeply interested / bored / frightened / puzzled and annoyed	deeply interested — People trace star pictures and "stay up until dawn" to watch the sky, which shows it has deeply interested them.
The most famous [feature] of the old train station is its ceiling. Painted deep green and dotted with gold stars, it shows the constellations of the winter sky, and travelers often stop in the middle of the busy main hall just to stare up at it.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "feature" most nearly means news story / noticeable part / ticket price / train schedule	noticeable part — The ceiling is a part of the station so striking that travelers stop to stare at it, so it is a noticeable part; "news story" is a different meaning of the word.
The principal's answer was [firm]: no student would be allowed to leave the building during the drill, for any reason. Several eighth graders tried to argue, but she simply repeated the rule and pointed toward the stairwell without another word. The students filed down the steps in silence.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "firm" most nearly means uncertain and easily changed / not open to change / hard to the touch / friendly	not open to change — When students argue, she "simply repeated the rule," so her answer was not open to change; "hard to the touch" describes objects, not answers.
Ms. Nakamura's tutoring schedule is [flexible]. Students can book sessions in the early morning, after school, or on weekends, and they can move an appointment to another day with just a few hours' notice and no extra charge. Many families say this freedom is the main reason they chose her over other tutors.  What does the word "flexible" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? expensive / very strict / able to bend easily / easy to change	easy to change — Students can pick many times and "move an appointment" easily, so the schedule is easy to change; "able to bend easily" is the physical meaning.
Butterfly wings are surprisingly [fragile]. Covered in thousands of tiny scales, they can lose their color and even tear if someone pinches them too hard, which is why naturalists hold the insects only by the edge of a wing, using two gentle fingers. Collectors store them in sealed cases to protect them from dust and moisture.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "fragile" most nearly means poisonous / unusually large / easily damaged / brightly colored	easily damaged — The wings "can... tear" if pinched, and naturalists handle them gently, so they are easily damaged.
Strong headwinds [frustrated] the balloonists' attempt to cross the ocean. Each time they rose to a new altitude in search of a better current, the wind pushed them back toward land, and after four days they were forced to come down only a few miles from where they had started.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "frustrated" most nearly means sped up / blocked the success of / annoyed / celebrated	blocked the success of — The wind kept pushing the balloon back until the crew had to land near the start, so it blocked the attempt from succeeding; an "attempt" cannot feel annoyed.
Off the windy coast of Long Island, rows of tall turbines [generate] electricity for thousands of homes. Each spinning blade turns a shaft connected to a machine that converts the wind's motion into power, which then travels through underwater cables to the shore. On the windiest days, the turbines can supply more power than the nearby towns can use.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "generate" most nearly means produce / waste / transport / measure	produce — The turbines' machines convert wind "into power," so they produce electricity; the cables, not the turbines, transport it.
When the new neighbors moved in, Mrs. Abebe baked them a loaf of honey bread and left it on their doorstep with a handwritten note. It was a small [gesture], but it made the family feel welcome on a street where they knew no one.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "gesture" most nearly means demand / kind action / hand movement / mistake	kind action — Baking bread and writing a note made the family "feel welcome," so the gesture was a kind action; "hand movement" is the other meaning, which does not fit here.
As the train rushed along the river, Lila caught a [glimpse] of the heron. She saw only a flash of gray wings and a long beak before the trees closed in again, and she spent the rest of the trip wondering whether she had imagined it.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "glimpse" most nearly means brief look / memory / long study / photograph	brief look — She saw "only a flash" before the trees blocked the view, so it was a brief look, not a long study.
Over the summer, the shy rescue dog [gradually] grew more confident. In June it hid under the bed whenever anyone entered the room; by August it would sniff visitors' shoes; and by September it was greeting them at the door with its tail wagging. Its new family still keeps an old blanket under the bed, just in case.  What does the word "gradually" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? rarely / completely by accident / suddenly / little by little	little by little — The dog changes step by step from June to August to September, so it grew confident little by little, not suddenly.
At first, Hana could not [grasp] how a ship made of steel could float when a single steel nail sinks straight to the bottom. Then her teacher explained that the ship's shape pushes aside a huge amount of water, and suddenly the whole idea made sense.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "grasp" most nearly means build / explain / hold tightly / understand	understand — After the explanation, "the whole idea made sense," so at first Hana could not understand it; "hold tightly" is the physical meaning.
After the blizzard knocked out the power, everyone in the building was [grateful] to the teenager in apartment 4B. She carried bags of groceries up five flights for her elderly neighbors and lent her camping lantern to a family with a newborn baby. The next week, the neighbors surprised her with a card signed by every family on her floor.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "grateful" most nearly means suspicious / annoyed / unaware / thankful	thankful — The teenager carried groceries and lent her lantern during the blackout, so her neighbors felt thankful.
The veterinarian's expression was [grave] as she studied the X-ray of the old horse's leg. She took off her glasses, sat down slowly, and told the family that the injury was more serious than anyone had thought. The family listened in silence, stroking the horse's neck.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "grave" most nearly means cheerful / confused / related to a burial place / very serious	very serious — She sits down slowly and reports that the injury is "more serious than anyone had thought," so her expression was very serious.
A single old oak can [harbor] more than two hundred kinds of insects. Beetles tunnel beneath its bark, caterpillars chew its leaves, and tiny wasps lay eggs inside its acorns, all of them finding food and protection in the same tree. Cutting down such a tree destroys far more than wood.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "harbor" most nearly means provide a home for / sail beside / secretly hold in mind / drive away	provide a home for — The insects are "finding food and protection" in the tree, so the oak gives them shelter. Nothing in the excerpt is about keeping a secret feeling or chasing insects away.
When the librarian asked who had left the window open during the storm, Marcus [hesitated]. He opened his mouth, closed it again, and glanced at the puddle spreading across the carpet before he finally raised his hand. The librarian simply nodded and handed him a towel.  What does the word "hesitated" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? refused to answer at all / apologized loudly / paused uncertainly / answered quickly	paused uncertainly — Marcus opens and closes his mouth and glances around "before he finally raised his hand," so he pauses because he is unsure. He does not refuse, and he certainly does not answer quickly.
Few living things survive on the high slopes of the Atacama Desert, one of the most [hostile] places on Earth. Rain may not fall there for years, the soil is thick with salt, and at night the temperature plunges below freezing. Even so, a few hardy lichens cling to the rocks there.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "hostile" as it is used in the excerpt? far from any city / eager to start a fight / harsh and hard to live in / unfriendly toward visitors	harsh and hard to live in — The excerpt lists no rain, salty soil, and freezing nights, and says few things "survive" there, so the place is harsh for life. A desert cannot be unfriendly or eager to fight the way a person can.
Doctors in the 1850s could not see germs, so stopping disease was mostly guesswork. John Snow tried a different approach: he marked every cholera case in his London neighborhood on a map and used the pattern to [identify] a single water pump as the source of the outbreak.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "identify" most nearly means draw a picture of / recognize and point out / clean thoroughly / order the city to shut down	recognize and point out — Snow used the pattern on his map to figure out which pump was "the source," so he recognized and pointed it out. The map is a tempting wrong answer, but he drew the cases, not the pump.
To [illustrate] how much water a leaky faucet wastes, the science teacher placed a bucket under the dripping classroom sink on Monday. By Friday, the bucket was nearly full, and no one needed a lecture to understand the point. Several students later checked the faucets in their own kitchens at home.  What does the word "illustrate" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? make clear with an example / measure the exact amount of / fix completely / draw pictures of	make clear with an example — The bucket experiment helps students "understand the point" without a lecture, so it demonstrates the idea. No pictures are drawn, and the faucet is not fixed.
The meteorite was no bigger than a car, but it struck the ground at roughly forty thousand miles per hour. The force of the [impact] carved a crater nearly a mile wide in the Arizona desert and flung rock in every direction. Scientists still visit the site today to study the shattered stone.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "impact" as it is used in the excerpt? public attention / sudden warning / lasting influence / violent collision	violent collision — The meteorite "struck the ground," and the "force" carved a crater, so the word means the crash itself. The common meaning "influence" is a trap here.
Your body does not wait for you to think before you pull your hand off a hot stove. Nerves in your fingertips send an electrical [impulse] to the spinal cord, which fires a message back to the arm muscles in a fraction of a second.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "impulse" most nearly means a brief signal / a sudden, unplanned wish / a steady supply / a careless mistake	a brief signal — The nerves "send" something "electrical" that leads to a "message back," so it is a quick signal. The everyday meaning, a sudden wish, does not fit nerves.
A thick ring of dried mud on the tree trunks, nearly four feet above the ground, [indicated] how high the river had risen during the spring flood. Park rangers used these marks to decide where the new hiking trail could safely go. Without those marks, the trail might have been built in the flood zone.  What does the word "indicated" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? helped to cause / gave evidence of / made it hard to guess / pointed a finger toward	gave evidence of — The mud ring is a mark the rangers "used" to judge the flood's height, so it is a sign or evidence. Mud cannot point a finger or cause the flood.
Every sandcastle on the beach will be gone by morning; with the tide rising twice a day, its collapse is [inevitable]. Knowing this, the children at the contest worked quickly and photographed their towers before the water arrived. The winning team, in fact, cheered when the first wave finally swept their castle away.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "inevitable" as it is used in the excerpt? hard to predict / certain to happen / quick and violent / sad to watch	certain to happen — The tide rises "twice a day" and every castle "will be gone," so collapse cannot be avoided. The children plan for it, which shows it is predictable, not surprising.
Weather can [influence] what people buy. On rainy days, one grocery chain discovered, shoppers bought more soup and fewer salads, so managers began moving the soup display near the entrance whenever storms were forecast. Sales of umbrellas, not surprisingly, jumped as well, though some people still bought salads on the stormiest days.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "influence" most nearly means keep a record of / accurately predict / have an effect on / completely control	have an effect on — Rain changes shopping habits ("more soup and fewer salads") without forcing every choice, so weather affects what people buy rather than controlling it.
The [initial] reports from the lab were alarming: the river water seemed to contain high levels of lead. After a second round of testing, however, scientists learned that the first samples had been stored in old metal jars, and the river was safe after all.  What does the word "initial" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? official / careless / first / final	first — The reports came before "a second round of testing" and are called "the first samples," so they were the earliest ones. The jars were a problem, but the word itself does not mean careless.
Although no one believed him, Grandpa [insisted] that he had once caught a catfish as long as the rowboat. He repeated the story at every family dinner, and each time the fish grew a little longer. By the time Rosa was ten, she could tell the tale herself, though she never believed it either.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "insisted" as it is used in the excerpt? stated firmly / joked quietly / wished privately / admitted unwillingly	stated firmly — Grandpa keeps telling the story "although no one believed him," so he firmly sticks to his claim. He tells it out loud at every dinner, so it is not private or quiet.
The old photographs of the ferry terminal did more than decorate the classroom wall. They [inspired] Tomas to interview his grandmother about her years working on the boats, and his project later won first prize at the history fair. Now several of his classmates are planning interviews of their own.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "inspired" most nearly means confused / motivated / forbade / frightened	motivated — The photos "did more than decorate": they led Tomas to start a project that won a prize, so they motivated him.
Unlike her easygoing brother, Rina was [intense] about everything. She practiced violin until her fingers ached, argued over every point in a board game, and once rewrote a school essay six times. Her coach admired her drive but sometimes reminded her to enjoy the music.  What does the word "intense" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? very hot / easily bored / extremely serious and focused / shy and quiet around strangers	extremely serious and focused — She is contrasted with an "easygoing" brother and pushes hard at everything, so she is extremely serious. "Very hot" fits intense heat, not a person.
The note taped to the gym door said only, "Practice canceled — field." Some players [interpreted] it to mean the field was flooded; others guessed it had been booked for a concert. Nobody could be sure until the coach called that evening. It turned out the field was simply being reseeded.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "interpreted" as it is used in the excerpt? translated from another language / refused to read / took the meaning of / rewrote neatly	took the meaning of — Players reach different conclusions about what the short note means, so they are deciding its meaning. The note is already in English, so translation is a trap.
When neighbors reported that their tomato plants were wilting overnight, the community garden club decided to [investigate]. Members checked the soil, tested the water from the hose, and finally found a family of groundhogs tunneling beneath the beds. The club now surrounds each bed with a buried wire fence.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "investigate" most nearly means replant everything / search for the cause / give up / complain loudly	search for the cause — The members check soil and water until they "found" the groundhogs, so they search for the reason the plants are dying.
Scientists spent years trying to [isolate] the chemical that gives chili peppers their heat. Once they had a pure sample, free of the hundreds of other substances in the pepper, they could study exactly how it affects the tongue. That research later helped doctors develop new creams for sore muscles.  What does the word "isolate" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? make lonely / heat up / give a name to / separate out	separate out — The goal is "a pure sample, free of the hundreds of other substances," so the scientists separate the chemical from everything else. A chemical cannot be made lonely.
The school newspaper prints just four times a year, so each [issue] is packed. The spring one included a profile of the custodian, a review of the cafeteria's new menu, and a crossword puzzle designed by sixth graders. Copies usually disappear from the front office within a single morning.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "issue" as it is used in the excerpt? heated argument / single edition / supply of paper / problem to solve	single edition — The paper "prints just four times a year," and "the spring one" contains articles and a puzzle, so the word means one printed edition. The common meaning, a problem, is a trap.
Owls hunt in near darkness by relying on [keen] hearing. One ear sits slightly higher than the other, so the bird can tell exactly where a mouse is rustling beneath the snow, even when it cannot see the mouse at all. Few predators can match this skill.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "keen" most nearly means eager and excited / loud and harsh / highly sensitive / weak and fading	highly sensitive — The owl can locate "exactly where a mouse is rustling" without seeing it, so its hearing is very sharp. "Eager" fits people, not ears.
Long after the concert ended, a few fans [lingered] outside the stage door, hoping the singer would come out to sign programs. Inside, the ushers had already swept the aisles and switched off the lights. At last, a guard gently told them the building was closing.  What does the word "lingered" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? shouted / stayed on / rushed off / argued	stayed on — The fans are still there "long after the concert ended," even after the lights are off, so they stayed longer than expected.
Throughout the hearing, the young night guard [maintained] that he had never left his post on the night the museum's alarm went silent. Even when witnesses described seeing him in town, he repeated his account without changing a single detail. His supervisor, who had worked beside him for years, believed every word of it.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "maintained" as it is used in the excerpt? kept repairing / firmly claimed / quietly admitted / secretly doubted	firmly claimed — He "repeated his account without changing a single detail" despite the witnesses, so he firmly claimed it was true. The "keep in repair" meaning does not fit a statement.
The fire alarm that emptied the school on Tuesday turned out to be [merely] a test. Within ten minutes, students were back in their seats, and the principal apologized for not warning teachers ahead of time. Teachers will receive an email before the next drill.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "merely" most nearly means only / certainly / secretly / nearly	only — Students returned "within ten minutes," showing it was nothing more than a test and not a real fire.
Ancient Polynesian navigators crossed thousands of miles of open ocean without maps or compasses. Their [method] relied on reading the stars, the shape of the waves, and the flight paths of seabirds that returned to land each evening. Young navigators spent years memorizing these signs before they were trusted to guide a canoe.  What does the word "method" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? final destination / way of doing something / type of boat / reason for making the journey	way of doing something — The word is followed by how they found their way (stars, waves, seabirds), so it means their way of navigating.
The bakery started with a [modest] budget: two used ovens, a borrowed mixer, and enough flour for one week. Ten years later, it supplies bread to more than forty restaurants across Brooklyn. The owners still keep one of those first ovens in the front window.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "modest" as it is used in the excerpt? carefully hidden / wisely planned / humble about success / fairly small	fairly small — The list after the colon (used ovens, a borrowed mixer, one week of flour) shows the budget was small. A budget cannot be humble, so that common meaning is a trap.
Detective Ruiz was puzzled. Nothing had been taken from the museum gift shop, so robbery could not explain the broken window. She began to wonder what [motive] anyone could have for breaking in and then leaving everything behind. She returned to the shop the next morning to look for clues.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "motive" most nearly means witness / escape route / tool / reason	reason — Robbery "could not explain" the break-in, so she is looking for some other reason someone would do it.
The greenhouse had clearly been [neglected] for years. Vines had pushed through cracked panes, the watering pipes were rusted shut, and a thick layer of dust covered every potting table. When the new owners finally unlocked the door, a family of sparrows flew out from the rafters. It would take months of work before anything could grow there again.  What does the word "neglected" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? left uncared for / overcrowded with visitors / recently rebuilt / carefully locked	left uncared for — Cracked panes, rusted pipes, and thick dust show that no one took care of the greenhouse.
For centuries, many people held the [notion] that the deep ocean floor was a cold, dark desert where nothing could live. Then, in 1977, a research submarine found giant tube worms thriving beside hot-water vents on the seafloor. The discovery forced scientists to rethink where life could exist.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "notion" as it is used in the excerpt? record / belief / map / fear	belief — The discovery of tube worms proved the old idea wrong, so the word means a belief people held.
The engineers' solution was [novel]: instead of building a taller wall to keep floodwater out, they designed a park that could safely fill with water during storms and drain afterward. On dry days, the same park is filled with soccer games and picnics. Cities around the world have since sent planners to study the design.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "novel" most nearly means related to books / only temporary / very expensive / new and original	new and original — The plan is set against the usual idea ("instead of building a taller wall"), so it is new and original. The noun "novel" means a book, which is a trap here.
The rescue team's [objective] was simple: reach the stranded hikers before nightfall. Every decision that afternoon, from which trail to take to how much gear to carry, was made with that single aim in mind. The team reached the hikers with forty minutes of daylight to spare.  What does the word "objective" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? map / problem / fair-minded view / goal	goal — "That single aim" refers back to the word, so it means the team's goal. The adjective "objective" means fair, but that sense does not fit here.
For wheelchair users trying to get around the city in the 1970s, the biggest [obstacle] was often the curb. Without ramps at street corners, a single six-inch step could make an entire block impossible to reach. Activists spent years pushing the city to change its sidewalks.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "obstacle" as it is used in the excerpt? barrier / advantage / rule / destination	barrier — The curb makes a block "impossible to reach," so it is something that blocks the way.
Before the class could visit the bird sanctuary, Mr. Alvarez had to [obtain] a permit from the parks department. He filled out three forms, mailed a copy of the school's insurance, and waited nearly a month for approval. When the permit finally arrived, the whole class cheered.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "obtain" most nearly means get / lose / refuse / design	get — The forms, insurance, and waiting for approval are the effort needed to get the permit.
Many fishermen in the village [opposed] the plan to build a wind farm just offshore. They argued that the turbines would scare away fish and block the routes their boats had used for generations. At a crowded town meeting, several of them asked the officials to move the project farther out to sea.  What does the word "opposed" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? were against / paid for / designed / sat across from	were against — The fishermen "argued" that the turbines would cause harm, so they were against the plan.
The [origin] of the word "sandwich" is often traced to an eighteenth-century English nobleman. According to the story, he asked for meat between slices of bread so he could eat without leaving his card game. Historians are not sure the tale is true, but the name has stuck for centuries.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "origin" as it is used in the excerpt? meaning / source / spelling / popularity	source — The excerpt explains where the word came from ("traced to" a nobleman), so it means the source.
Although the factory closed decades ago, its effects [persist]. Chemicals from its old pipes still seep into the creek, and health officials warn families not to eat fish caught downstream. Cleaning the water could take another twenty years. Some residents remember swimming in the creek as children and wonder whether their grandchildren ever will.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "persist" most nearly means keep trying hard / slowly disappear / continue to exist / spread quickly	continue to exist — The chemicals "still seep" into the creek decades later, so the effects continue to exist. Effects cannot try hard, so the determination meaning is a trap.
The novel is told from the [perspective] of the family dog, who notices every dropped crumb and every slammed door but misunderstands nearly everything the humans say to one another. Readers laugh at the dog's mistakes, but they also start to see the family's arguments in a new way. By the last chapter, the dog seems wiser than anyone.  What does the word "perspective" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? time period / main setting / drawing technique / point of view	point of view — The story is told through what the dog "notices" and "misunderstands," so it is the dog's point of view. Perspective in art is a trap; nothing here is drawn.
At first, the city council planned to cut the library's weekend hours. Then a group of teenagers spoke at the hearing, describing how they used the quiet rooms to study, and they [persuaded] the council to keep the doors open. The council members later admitted they had not realized how many students depended on those rooms.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "persuaded" as it is used in the excerpt? thanked / forced / politely reminded / convinced	convinced — The teenagers changed the council's mind by explaining how they used the library, which is convincing with reasons, not forcing.
After the third broken vase, it was [plain] to everyone in the house that the new kitten could not be trusted on the shelves. Mom moved the remaining glass pieces into a closed cabinet that same afternoon. The kitten, meanwhile, simply moved on and discovered the curtains in the living room.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "plain" most nearly means unfair / simple and undecorated / obvious / boring	obvious — Three broken vases made the problem clear "to everyone," so it was obvious. The "undecorated" meaning describes objects, not a fact.
A watchmaker's work must be [precise]. A gear that is off by even a fraction of a millimeter can cause the whole watch to lose minutes each day, so every part is measured under a magnifying glass before it is fitted. Some watchmakers spend a full day on a single tiny spring.  What does the word "precise" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? slow / expensive / beautiful / exact	exact — A tiny error of "a fraction of a millimeter" ruins the watch, and parts are measured under magnification, so the work must be exact.
By studying the tiny tremors that ripple through a volcano, scientists can sometimes [predict] an eruption days before it happens. In 1991, such warnings allowed tens of thousands of people near Mount Pinatubo to leave safely. Without that early notice, the eruption could have been far more deadly.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "predict" as it is used in the excerpt? cause / prevent / forecast / measure the size of	forecast — Scientists know "days before it happens," and people left in time, so they forecast the eruption; they could not prevent it.
The dry desert air helped [preserve] the ancient scrolls. Sealed in clay jars inside a cave, they survived for nearly two thousand years with their ink still readable. Shepherds discovered them by accident while searching for a lost goat. Today the scrolls are kept in a museum room where light, heat, and moisture are carefully controlled.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "preserve" most nearly means hide from view / write down / keep from decaying / translate	keep from decaying — Because of the dry air, the scrolls "survived" with readable ink, so it kept them from rotting. The jars hid them, but the air did the protecting.
The [primary] reason most visitors come to the island is its beaches. A growing number, however, arrive for the bird-watching, especially in spring, when flocks of migrating warblers rest in the island's pine forests. Local guides now lead early-morning bird walks for these visitors, and several hotels lend out binoculars.  What does the word "primary" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? only / earliest / main / simple	main — Most visitors come for the beaches, but "a growing number" come for birds, so beaches are the main reason, not the only one.
Airplanes stay aloft because of a basic [principle] of physics: air moving quickly over the curved top of a wing has lower pressure than the slower air beneath it, so the wing is pushed upward. Engineers use the same idea when they design racing cars, which need to be pushed down toward the track instead.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "principle" as it is used in the excerpt? school leader / rule of nature / new invention / sum of money	rule of nature — The colon introduces how air pressure always behaves, a general rule of physics. "School leader" belongs to the sound-alike word "principal."
After the guide checked that everyone's helmet was buckled, the group [proceeded] into the cave. The passage narrowed quickly, and soon the only light came from their headlamps. Every few minutes, the guide stopped to point out bats clinging to the ceiling. After half an hour of careful walking, they reached a chamber filled with glittering crystals.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "proceeded" most nearly means turned back / refused to go / waited outside / moved forward	moved forward — The next sentence describes the passage narrowing as they go deeper, so the group moved forward into the cave.
Volunteering at the animal shelter had a [profound] effect on Zara. She came home, read every book about animal care in the school library, and announced that she wanted to become a veterinarian. Her parents were surprised, since she had never shown much interest in animals before. Two years later, she still keeps a photo of the first puppy she cared for above her desk.  What does the word "profound" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? deep and lasting / slight / confusing / physically deep	deep and lasting — The trip changed her whole career plans, so the effect was deep and lasting. "Physically deep" describes a hole or a lake, not an effect on a person.
Signs along the beach [prohibit] dogs between May and September, when endangered shorebirds nest in the dunes. Owners who ignore the rule can be fined up to five hundred dollars. Rangers say the rule has helped the plover population grow every year since it began. Dogs are welcome again once the chicks have learned to fly.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "prohibit" as it is used in the excerpt? forbid / count / train / welcome	forbid — The excerpt calls it "the rule" and mentions fines for ignoring it, so the signs forbid dogs.
The lighthouse stands on the most [prominent] point of the coastline, a rocky cliff that juts far out into the sea. Sailors approaching the harbor can spot it from nearly twenty miles away. For centuries, ships used that cliff as a landmark long before the tower was built. Today the lighthouse is also a popular spot for photographers at sunset.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "prominent" most nearly means dangerous to climb / sticking out and easy to see / ancient and crumbling / famous and important	sticking out and easy to see — The cliff "juts far out" and can be seen from twenty miles away, so the point sticks out. The "famous" meaning fits people, not a cliff.
A sudden rise in asthma cases among children [prompted] the city to test the air near several bus depots. The results led to new rules requiring electric buses on the busiest routes. Parents had been asking for action for years, and many cheered the decision. Within two years, asthma visits to the local clinic had begun to fall.  What does the word "prompted" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? led / arrived on time for / delayed / punished	led — The asthma cases caused the city to take action and test the air. "On time" is the meaning of the adjective "prompt," a trap here.
At the student council meeting, Hana [proposed] turning the empty lot behind the gym into a vegetable garden. Several members liked the idea, and the council voted to discuss it with the principal the following week. Two teachers offered to help plan the planting beds.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "proposed" as it is used in the excerpt? suggested / built / loudly demanded / rejected	suggested — Members "liked the idea" and voted to discuss it later, so Hana offered a suggestion for others to consider, not a demand.
For the young rower, the [prospect] of competing at the national championship was both thrilling and terrifying. She had six months to cut eight seconds from her time, and even her coach was not sure it could be done. Still, she showed up at the boathouse every morning at five.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "prospect" most nearly means possibility / reward / fond memory / rival	possibility — She has "six months" to qualify and it is uncertain, so the championship is a future possibility, not a memory.
The zookeeper warned visitors not to tap on the glass. Even gentle tapping can [provoke] the gorillas, she explained, and an upset silverback may charge the window to drive off what it sees as a threat. Most visitors listened, and the gorillas soon went back to eating.  What does the word "provoke" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? feed / hide away from / anger or upset / calm	anger or upset — Tapping can make a gorilla "upset" enough to "charge the window," so it stirs up anger.
After fifteen years as an accountant, Ms. Duarte decided to [pursue] her childhood dream of becoming a pastry chef. She enrolled in night classes, practiced recipes every weekend, and saved for three years. Last spring, she finally opened a small shop in Queens, where her guava pastries now sell out by noon.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "pursue" most nearly means give up on / work toward / run after / write about	work toward — She takes classes, practices, and saves until she opens a shop, so she works steadily toward her dream. "Run after" is the chasing meaning, which does not fit a dream.
Many people are terrified of flying, yet by the numbers, air travel is far safer than riding in a car. Psychologists say such fears are usually not [rational]. They grow out of a feeling of being out of control, trapped in a seat thousands of feet up, rather than from the actual risk.  What does the word "rational" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? easy to hide / based on logic / shared by many people / dangerous	based on logic — The fear does not match "the numbers" and comes from a feeling "rather than from the actual risk," so it is not based on logic. The fear is common, but that is not what the word means here.
As the plane bounced through the storm clouds, several passengers gripped their armrests. Then the pilot's calm voice came over the speaker. "Just a little turbulence, folks," she said. "We'll be on the ground in Denver in twenty minutes." Her words [reassured] the passengers, and a few even laughed at their own nervousness.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "reassured" as it is used in the excerpt? warned of danger / confused / frightened further / comforted	comforted — After the pilot speaks, passengers stop gripping armrests and "even laughed at their own nervousness," so her words made them less worried.
After reports that the toy truck's small wheels could come loose and be swallowed, the manufacturer [recalled] nearly two million of them. Stores pulled the boxes from their shelves within days, and families who mailed the trucks back received a full refund along with a letter of apology.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "recalled" most nearly means remembered / redesigned for safety / advertised in newspapers everywhere / asked people to send back	asked people to send back — Stores "pulled the boxes," and families "mailed the trucks back" for refunds, so the company asked for the toys to be returned. The everyday meaning, "remembered," is a trap here.
For three weeks, divers searched the muddy bottom of the bay where the steamship had sunk in 1898. On the final day of the search, they [recovered] the ship's bronze bell. Covered in barnacles but still in one piece, it now hangs in the city's maritime museum, where visitors are allowed to ring it once a year.  What does the word "recovered" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? became healthy again / repaired and polished completely / found and brought back / rang loudly	found and brought back — After searching the bay, the divers come up with the bell and it ends up in a museum, so they found and brought it back. A bell cannot become healthy, so that meaning is a trap.
On the last evening of camp, the counselors asked each camper to sit quietly by the lake and [reflect] on the summer. Some wrote in journals about the friendships they had made. Others thought about the fears they had faced on the climbing wall, or about what they would do differently next year.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "reflect" as it is used in the excerpt? throw back light / think carefully / complain / swim slowly	think carefully — The campers write in journals and think about friendships and fears, so they are thinking carefully about their summer. The lake might throw back light, but the campers are the ones reflecting.
A new study [reinforces] what earlier research had suggested: students who sleep at least eight hours remember more of what they learn. Like the older studies, it found that tired students forgot nearly a third of a lesson within a day. The researchers now hope schools will think twice about very early start times.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "reinforces" most nearly means disproves / copies word for word / supports / adds steel beams to	supports — The new study found the same thing "like the older studies," so it strengthens their conclusion. Adding beams is the building meaning, which does not fit research.
The first publisher [rejected] the young writer's mystery novel, sending back a short note that called the story "too strange for readers." Refusing to give up, she mailed the manuscript to eleven more publishers. The twelfth one accepted it, and the book went on to sell more than a million copies.  What does the word "rejected" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? edited / turned down / lost / praised	turned down — The note calls the story "too strange," and she has to try other publishers, so the first one refused to accept it.
When Ms. Hart asked for examples of how the Erie Canal changed New York, Jamal began describing his favorite pizza place in Buffalo. "Interesting," she said with a smile, "but not very [relevant]. Let's stick to trade and travel in the 1800s." Jamal laughed and switched to talking about grain barges.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "relevant" as it is used in the excerpt? interesting / connected to the topic / accurate in every detail / polite	connected to the topic — The teacher asks him to "stick to trade and travel," so the pizza story is off the topic. She even calls it "interesting," which rules that choice out.
The rescued cat was [reluctant] to leave her carrier. For nearly an hour she stayed pressed against the back of it, peering out at her new home with wide eyes. Only after the house grew quiet did she finally creep out, one paw at a time, onto the soft rug in the living room.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "reluctant" most nearly means unwilling / sleepy / eager / unable	unwilling — The cat stays pressed to the back for an hour and comes out only when it is quiet, so she was unwilling, not unable; she does come out eventually.
Traffic on Elm Street had become so heavy that children could no longer safely walk to the elementary school. The town's [remedy] was surprisingly simple: it closed one block to cars each morning from 7:30 to 8:30. Within a month, the number of students walking to school had doubled.  What does the word "remedy" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? punishment / solution / complaint / medicine	solution — The town's answer to the traffic problem is closing a block, which is a solution, not a medicine.
The weather service said there was only a [remote] chance of snow on the day of the parade, so the organizers did not rent heated tents. Sure enough, the morning arrived clear and mild, and the marching bands played in light jackets as thousands of people lined the avenue.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "remote" as it is used in the excerpt? far away / very small / sudden / controlled from a distance	very small — The organizers skip the tents because snow is so unlikely, so the chance was very small. A chance cannot be far away, so that common meaning is a trap.
From the road, the rock formation [resembles] a sleeping giant. A rounded hilltop forms his forehead, a long ridge makes his nose, and two boulders look like folded arms resting on his chest. Hikers have called it "the Old Man" for more than a century, and children love to point out his chin.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "resembles" most nearly means looks like / stands beside / is named after / faces toward	looks like — The excerpt maps parts of the rock onto a face and arms, so the formation looks like a giant.
Olivia [resented] being left out of the group photo at the class picnic. She said nothing at the time and even smiled as the others posed. But for weeks afterward, she refused to sit with those friends at lunch, and she stopped answering their messages.  What does the word "resented" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? did not notice at all / felt proud of / laughed about / felt bitter about	felt bitter about — Olivia stops sitting with her friends and answering them for weeks, which shows lasting hurt and anger, not that she ignored or enjoyed it.
Builders in earthquake zones now set skyscrapers on thick rubber pads that help the towers [resist] shaking. During a strong quake, the pads absorb much of the ground's motion, so the floors above sway only slightly. In one test, a glass of water on the tenth floor barely spilled.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "resist" as it is used in the excerpt? hold up against / measure / refuse to obey / cause	hold up against — The pads absorb motion so the floors "sway only slightly," so the towers withstand the shaking. A building cannot refuse to obey.
After failing her driving test for the second time, Nadia [resolved] to practice parallel parking every evening until she could do it without thinking. Her father set up orange cones in the empty school parking lot, and she backed between them again and again, long after the streetlights flickered on.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "resolved" most nearly means forgot / firmly decided / refused to try again / solved	firmly decided — Nadia makes a firm plan to practice every evening and then follows through, so she decided firmly. She had not yet solved anything, so that meaning is a trap.
In the desert town of Agua Fría, water is the most precious [resource]. Residents collect rain in barrels on their roofs, pour leftover dishwater onto their gardens, and pay steep fees if they use more than their share. Children there learn to turn off the faucet while brushing their teeth before they learn to read.  What does the word "resource" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? useful supply / comfort / tradition / danger	useful supply — Residents save, reuse, and ration water because they cannot waste it, so it is a valuable supply. Water is not described as dangerous.
It took a team of artists four years to [restore] the subway station's tile mosaics. They scrubbed away a century of soot, replaced missing tiles one by one, and matched the original colors so closely that riders cannot tell old pieces from new. The station reopened last June to crowds of curious visitors.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "restore" as it is used in the excerpt? return to original condition / photograph / paint over / replace with a brand-new modern design	return to original condition — The artists match "the original colors" so old and new cannot be told apart, so they bring the mosaics back to how they were, not replace them with something new.
To protect the fragile alpine meadow, the park [restricts] visitors to a single raised wooden boardwalk. Anyone who steps off the path onto the wildflowers can be asked to leave. Rangers say the plants, which grow only a few weeks each summer, can take decades to recover from a single trampling.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "restricts" most nearly means welcomes / charges / limits / attracts	limits — Visitors must stay on one boardwalk and can be removed for stepping off, so the park limits where they can go.
The Rhône Glacier has [retreated] more than a mile since 1900. Photographs from that year show its ice reaching all the way to the valley floor. Today, hikers must climb for half an hour across bare, scraped rock to touch its edge, and workers cover parts of it with white blankets each summer to slow the melting.  What does the word "retreated" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? given up a fight / shrunk back / grown larger / taken a rest	shrunk back — The ice once reached the valley but now stops far up the rock, so the glacier has pulled back. Glaciers do not fight, so "given up a fight" is a trap.
When workers peeled away five layers of wallpaper in the old farmhouse kitchen, they [revealed] a hand-painted map of the county, dated 1852. Historians believe a traveling artist painted it in exchange for meals and a bed. The owners now plan to protect the wall under glass.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "revealed" as it is used in the excerpt? uncovered / created / sold / damaged	uncovered — The map was under the wallpaper and appeared only after workers "peeled away" the layers, so they uncovered it. It was painted in 1852, so they did not create it.
The music academy's schedule was [rigid]. Students rose at six, ate breakfast at exactly 6:30, and attended the same classes in the same order every day. Anyone who arrived even one minute late lost weekend privileges, and no excuse, not even a broken alarm clock, was ever accepted.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "rigid" most nearly means physically stiff and unbending / crowded / relaxed / strict and unchanging	strict and unchanging — Every day follows the same order and "no excuse" is accepted, so the schedule is strict and never bends. A schedule cannot be physically stiff.
During the long northern winter, food becomes [scarce] for white-tailed deer. With grasses buried under deep snow, they survive by nibbling bark and twigs, and many lose a fifth of their body weight before spring. Herds often crowd together in sheltered valleys where a little more food can be found.  What does the word "scarce" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? frozen solid / hard to find / too expensive / unhealthy	hard to find — The grass is buried, deer must eat bark, and they lose weight, so food is hard to find.
Every summer, loggerhead sea turtles crawl out of the ocean onto Florida's beaches to [seek] safe places to lay their eggs. They avoid bright lights and crowded sand, choosing quiet, dark stretches of shore. Some towns now turn off their beachfront streetlights from May to October to help them.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "seek" as it is used in the excerpt? leave / guard / build / look for	look for — The turtles choose among spots, avoiding lights and crowds, so they are looking for safe places.
In the trial, the new medicine produced a [significant] drop in blood pressure. On average, patients' readings fell by twenty points within a month, a change large enough that many could stop taking their other pills. Doctors called the results the most promising they had seen in years.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "significant" most nearly means sudden and frightening / full of hidden meaning / barely noticeable / large and important	large and important — A twenty-point fall that lets patients stop other pills is a big, meaningful change. A "significant look" can mean full of hidden meaning, but that does not fit a number.
When the salesman at the street fair claimed that his cream would erase wrinkles overnight, Grandma was [skeptical]. She raised an eyebrow, asked to see the research behind the claim, and put her wallet back in her purse. "If it worked that well," she told me later, "everyone would already be using it."  What does the word "skeptical" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? confused / doubtful / angry / excited	doubtful — She asks for research, keeps her money, and explains why the claim cannot be true, so she doubts it.
Unlike wolves, which hunt in packs, the snow leopard is a [solitary] animal. Except for mothers raising cubs, each leopard roams its own mountain territory by itself, meeting another leopard only briefly. Scientists who study them may go months without spotting one, relying instead on hidden cameras.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "solitary" as it is used in the excerpt? silent / fierce / rare / living alone	living alone — The snow leopard is contrasted with pack-hunting wolves and roams "by itself," so it lives alone. It is hard to spot, but "rare" is not what the word means.
Before the bank would lend money for the new bakery, it asked to see the owners' business plan. The loan officer called the plan [sound]. It included careful cost estimates, a realistic schedule for opening, and a backup budget in case sales started slowly. Two weeks later, the loan was approved.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "sound" most nearly means loud and clear / short and simple / risky but very exciting / sensible and reliable	sensible and reliable — The plan has careful estimates, a realistic schedule, and a backup, and the loan is approved, so it is well reasoned and reliable. "Loud and clear" comes from the noise meaning of the word.
The concert in the Times Square subway station was completely [spontaneous]. A violinist began playing while waiting for the uptown train, a stranger joined in on a harmonica, and within minutes a crowd had gathered to clap along. When the train finally arrived, half the audience let it leave without them.  What does the word "spontaneous" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? brief / professional / unplanned / very loud	unplanned — The music starts while someone is "waiting for the uptown train" and a stranger joins in, so no one planned it.
Astronomers built the telescope on a concrete base sunk deep into the mountain's bedrock so it would stay [stable] even in strong winds. Without that firm footing, the slightest shake would blur images of galaxies billions of light-years away. Engineers checked the base for weeks before the first observation.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "stable" as it is used in the excerpt? very expensive / hidden from view / a shelter for horses / steady and firm	steady and firm — The base gives "firm footing" so the telescope does not shake, so it stays steady. A shelter for horses is the noun meaning of the word.
The chess club's [strategy] for the citywide tournament was to play carefully in the early rounds and save their energy for the final games against the strongest schools. The captain made each player study the top opponents' past matches. The plan worked: the team lost only one game all weekend.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "strategy" most nearly means uniform / trophy / plan / practice room	plan — The excerpt describes how the club would approach the tournament and later calls it "the plan," so it is a plan for winning.
As Mia read through her great-grandmother's diary from 1925, one detail [struck] her. Every entry, even on the hardest days of the long winter, ended with a list of three things to be grateful for. Mia closed the book and sat quietly for a long time, then started a list of her own.  What does the word "struck" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? caught her attention / confused her / made her quite angry / hit her	caught her attention — The detail makes Mia stop, think "for a long time," and start her own list, so it grabbed her attention. A diary detail cannot physically hit someone.
The differences between the two paintings are [subtle]. Only after comparing them under bright lights did the museum staff notice that the artist had added a faint shadow beneath the boat and slightly darkened the sky. Most visitors walk past both canvases without spotting any change at all.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "subtle" as it is used in the excerpt? dramatic / recent / hard to notice / accidental	hard to notice — Staff needed bright lights to find the changes and most visitors see nothing, so the differences are hard to notice.
Plants need [sufficient] light to grow, but not too much. A tomato seedling kept in a dark closet will grow pale and thin as it stretches toward any glimmer it can find, while one left under a powerful lamp all day may scorch its leaves. Gardeners aim for about eight hours a day.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "sufficient" most nearly means enough / natural / colorful / bright	enough — The excerpt warns against too little and too much light, so plants need enough, not simply bright light.
Trying hard to [suppress] a laugh, Ben pressed his lips together and stared at the floor as his little brother sang the school song off-key at the spring assembly. His shoulders shook, and his eyes watered, but he did not make a sound until the final note had ended.  What does the word "suppress" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? share / fake / notice / hold back	hold back — Ben presses his lips together and "did not make a sound," so he is holding the laugh back.
The goalie [sustained] a minor knee injury early in the second half but stayed in the game. She made three more saves before the final whistle. Afterward, trainers wrapped her knee in ice and told her to rest for at least a week before returning to practice.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "sustained" as it is used in the excerpt? avoided / treated / kept going / suffered	suffered — She ends up with ice on her knee and must rest, so she suffered the injury. "Kept going" describes her playing on, not what happened to the knee.
As the final round of the citywide spelling bee began, the [tension] in the auditorium grew. Parents leaned forward in their seats, the timer's ticking seemed louder than ever, and one contestant's hands trembled as she stepped up to the microphone. When she spelled the last word correctly, the whole room let out its breath.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "tension" most nearly means physical tightness / boredom / nervous strain / loud noise	nervous strain — Leaning forward, trembling hands, and the room letting out its breath all show nervous strain. "Physical tightness" describes a stretched rope, not a crowd.
Cactuses [thrive] in places that would kill most other plants. Their thick, waxy stems store water for months, their spines shade the surface from the blazing sun, and their roots spread wide to catch every drop of rain. Some giant saguaros grow taller than a two-story house and live for two hundred years.  What does the word "thrive" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? grow well / barely survive / spread disease / wither	grow well — The cactuses grow as tall as a house and live two hundred years, so they do more than barely survive; they grow very well.
Curiosity was the [trait] that defined the young scientist. As a child, she took apart clocks to see how they ticked and kept jars of beetles under her bed. As an adult, she spent forty years studying how honeybees find their way home, and she never stopped asking questions.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "trait" as it is used in the excerpt? quality of character / reward / job title / problem	quality of character — Her curiosity shows up in everything she does from childhood on, so it is a quality of her character.
For decades, the abandoned elevated railway rusted above the streets of Manhattan, covered in weeds and trash. Then, in just a few years, it was [transformed] into a park, with gardens, benches, and wide views of the Hudson River. Today millions of visitors stroll along the old tracks every year.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "transformed" most nearly means moved / torn down and replaced / measured / completely changed	completely changed — The rusty railway becomes a park that visitors stroll on, so it was completely changed; it still stands, so it was not torn down.
The first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic, in 1927, was a [triumph] for aviation. Newspapers around the world printed the pilot's photograph, and a crowd of more than one hundred thousand people rushed onto the airfield when he landed in Paris after thirty-three hours in the air.  What does the word "triumph" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? difficult test / loud parade / terrible risk / great success	great success — The world celebrates and crowds rush to greet the pilot after he lands safely, so the flight was a great success. The crowd is a tempting wrong answer, but it is a reaction to the success.
On a [typical] school day, Rafael wakes at 6:00, rides two subway lines from the Bronx to Brooklyn, and slides into his seat just as the first bell rings. On snow days, of course, the whole routine falls apart, and he spends the morning helping his little sister build a fort.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "typical" as it is used in the excerpt? long / difficult / exciting / usual	usual — The excerpt calls the schedule a "routine" and contrasts it with snow days, so a typical day is a usual one.
The engineering club tried dozens of designs for its solar car, including one shaped like a teardrop and another with folding panels that opened like wings. Some were fast; others were beautiful. [Ultimately], the students chose the simplest model, because it was the lightest and the easiest to repair at the side of a race track.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "Ultimately" most nearly means immediately / secretly / fortunately / in the end	in the end — The club tried "dozens of designs" before choosing one, so the choice came at the end of the process, not immediately.
Before it can carry passengers, every new elevator must [undergo] a series of safety tests. Engineers load it with heavy weights, cut its power in mid-ride, and check that the emergency brakes catch within a few inches. Only after it passes every test does the city post an inspection certificate inside.  What does the word "undergo" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? skip / design / go through / pass easily	go through — The elevator is put through the tests and certified "only after it passes," so it must go through them. Passing easily is a tempting wrong answer, but the word says nothing about how well it does.
Every snowflake's pattern is [unique]. As a flake falls, its crystal passes through slightly different temperatures and amounts of moisture than any other, so no two ever grow in exactly the same shape. Photographers who spend winters capturing them under microscopes say they have never found a matching pair.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "unique" as it is used in the excerpt? beautiful / frozen / one of a kind / tiny	one of a kind — "No two ever grow in exactly the same shape," and no matching pair has been found, so each one is one of a kind.
Mountain guides [urge] anyone hiking above ten thousand feet to drink plenty of water and climb slowly. Those who ignore this advice may develop pounding headaches, dizziness, and, in rare cases, dangerous swelling in the lungs. Many guides will turn a group around if anyone shows these signs.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "urge" most nearly means strongly advise / train / pay / forbid	strongly advise — The excerpt calls it "this advice" and warns what happens to people who ignore it, so the guides strongly advise hikers.
The directions to the cabin were frustratingly [vague]: "Drive north for a while, turn left near the big tree, and look for the blue mailbox." After passing at least a dozen large trees and no mailboxes at all, the family pulled over at a gas station to ask for help.  What does the word "vague" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? short / unclear / rude / incorrect	unclear — "For a while" and "the big tree" give no exact details, so the directions are unclear. Nothing shows they were wrong, only that they were hard to follow.
No one in the classroom knew the answer to the riddle, and the room stayed silent for almost a minute. Finally, Ella [ventured] a guess in a small voice: "Is it a shadow?" The teacher smiled and nodded, and the class burst into applause as Ella's cheeks turned pink.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "ventured" as it is used in the excerpt? traveled far with / dared to offer / risked money on / refused to give	dared to offer — Ella speaks up "in a small voice" after a long silence, so she bravely offers a guess. She is not traveling anywhere, so that meaning is a trap.
Even fifty years later, Grandpa's memory of his first day in New York is [vivid]. He can still describe the smell of roasted chestnuts on the corner, the roar of the elevated train overhead, and the exact red of the wool scarf his mother bought him on Delancey Street.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "vivid" most nearly means brightly colored / painful to think about / fading / clear and detailed	clear and detailed — He recalls smells, sounds, and exact colors after fifty years, so the memory is clear and detailed. The red scarf is a trap; the memory itself is not colored.
Drivers entering a traffic circle must [yield] to cars already moving around it. A large triangular sign at each entrance reminds them to slow down and wait for a safe gap before merging. City planners say circles built this way have cut serious crashes at busy intersections by more than a third.  What does the word "yield" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? produce a result / signal to / let others go first / race ahead of	let others go first — Drivers must "slow down and wait for a safe gap," so they let cars already in the circle go first. The "produce" meaning fits crops, not drivers.
