Having grown up beside a river choked with factory waste, the novelist [abhorred] pollution in any form. She refused to own a car, wrote furious letters to companies that overpackaged their products, and spent her weekends hauling trash out of the shallows. Friends joked that she would sooner walk ten miles than accept a plastic bag.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "abhorred" most nearly means studied closely / ignored completely / hated intensely / caused accidentally	hated intensely — Her "furious letters" and weekends spent hauling trash show deep hatred of pollution, not study or indifference.
The town charter of 1790 promised that no future council could [abridge] the right of residents to gather in the square and speak their minds. When a later mayor tried to ban public meetings after dark, citizens waved copies of the charter at him. The mayor quickly backed down.  What does the word "abridge" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? celebrate publicly / write down formally / shorten the text of / restrict or reduce	restrict or reduce — The mayor's attempt to "ban public meetings" is what the charter forbade, so "abridge" here means to restrict a right, not to shorten a piece of writing.
The professor's first lecture on quantum fields was so [abstruse] that even graduate students who had studied physics for years could not follow it. Afterward, she rewrote the entire talk using marbles, flashlights, and a bathtub, and the room finally began nodding along. Attendance at the next session doubled.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "abstruse" as it is used in the excerpt? harsh and critical / rushed and brief / hard to grasp / cheerful and lively	hard to grasp — Experienced students "could not follow it," and she fixed the problem by using simple objects, so the lecture was hard to understand.
After twenty seasons coaching girls' basketball in the Bronx, Ms. Reyes had a shelf crowded with trophies. Yet the [accolade] she valued most was a handwritten card from a former player, now a doctor, thanking her for teaching the value of practice. She kept it pinned above her office desk.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "accolade" most nearly means formal complaint / team uniform / honor or praise / difficult challenge	honor or praise — The card is compared with her trophies and offers thanks, so it is a form of honor or praise.
Leaving a library book out for a week costs only a few cents a day, but the fines [accrue] quietly. By the time Jonah found the overdue atlas under his bed in June, he owed more than the book itself had cost. His sister made him pay it from his birthday money.  What does the word "accrue" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? pile up gradually / disappear suddenly / get divided / get forgiven	pile up gradually — A few cents a day grew until he "owed more than the book itself had cost," so the fines piled up gradually.
The food critic was famous for her [acerbic] reviews. Of one new restaurant she wrote only, "The soup was cold, the bread was colder, and the waiter was the coldest of all," and the owner closed his doors within a month. Restaurant owners across the city dreaded her visits.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "acerbic" as it is used in the excerpt? sour-tasting / carefully balanced / sharply cutting / rarely read	sharply cutting — Her one-line review mocks everything and helped close the restaurant, so her writing was sharply cutting; "sour-tasting" is a trap because the word describes her reviews, not food.
Mira argued for an hour that she was old enough to ride the subway to Coney Island alone. Her father refused, then hesitated, then finally [acquiesced], on the condition that she text him from every station along the way. Mira agreed instantly and was out the door within minutes.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "acquiesced" most nearly means laughed loudly / argued harder / gave in reluctantly / changed the subject	gave in reluctantly — He moves from refusing to hesitating to agreeing "on the condition" that she text him, which shows reluctant agreement.
At sixteen, Priya already ran a small online shop selling hand-dyed socks. Her business [acumen] showed in every choice: she tracked which colors sold fastest, raised prices before the winter rush, and never bought more yarn than she could sell. By her junior year, she had saved enough to buy her first knitting machine.  What does the word "acumen" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? sharp judgment / good fortune / creative talent / family wealth	sharp judgment — The examples are all smart decisions about tracking sales, pricing, and supplies, which show sharp judgment rather than luck or artistic skill.
Before the hikers set out for the summit, the ranger [admonished] them to turn back by two o'clock no matter how close they were to the top. Afternoon storms, she explained, had caught many confident climbers on the exposed ridge. Most groups listened, and every one of them made it home dry.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "admonished" as it is used in the excerpt? praised warmly / strongly advised / scolded for a mistake / secretly tested	strongly advised — The hikers have not done anything wrong yet; the ranger is warning them about storms, so "admonished" means strongly advised here, not scolded.
When the young violinist returned to her hometown, the [adulation] was overwhelming. Crowds lined the street outside the concert hall, children waved homemade posters, and the local newspaper called her "the greatest musician this valley has ever known." She was so overwhelmed that she could barely finish her thank-you speech.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "adulation" most nearly means extreme admiration / nervous excitement / quiet curiosity / mild disapproval	extreme admiration — Crowds, posters, and the claim that she is "the greatest musician" show admiration far beyond the ordinary.
Before the [advent] of the elevator, most city buildings stopped at five or six stories, since few tenants wanted to climb any higher. Once safe passenger elevators appeared in the 1850s, the top floor went from the cheapest apartment to the most desirable. Elevators reshaped the skyline as much as steel did.  What does the word "advent" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? slow failure / high price / careful design / coming into use	coming into use — The excerpt contrasts life before elevators with what happened "once safe passenger elevators appeared," so "advent" means their arrival.
For three years the two chess players met in every city final, and each match lasted for hours. Tomas admitted that his [adversary] knew his favorite openings better than his own coach did, and that losing to her had made him a stronger player. He still keeps the scorecard from their longest game.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "adversary" as it is used in the excerpt? instructor / admirer / opponent / teammate	opponent — They face each other in finals and he loses to her, so she is his opponent, not a teammate or teacher.
New students were often nervous about meeting the principal, but Mr. Delgado was surprisingly [affable]. He learned every freshman's name by October, told terrible jokes at assemblies, and kept a jar of pretzels on his desk for anyone who stopped by. By winter, students were stopping by just to chat.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "affable" most nearly means friendly and approachable / forgetful and easily distracted / shy and quiet / strict and formal	friendly and approachable — Jokes, learning names, and snacks for visitors show a friendly, approachable person; "surprisingly" signals he is not the strict figure students feared.
Hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood, has an even stronger [affinity] for carbon monoxide than for oxygen. That is why a faulty furnace is so dangerous: the gas grabs the protein's binding sites, and oxygen can no longer attach. Even a small leak can be deadly in a closed room.  What does the word "affinity" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? resistance / personal fondness / tendency to bind / family relationship	tendency to bind — A protein cannot feel fondness; the excerpt says the gas "grabs the protein's binding sites," so "affinity" here means a chemical tendency to bind.
Concrete is not simply cement. Builders mix cement paste with water and [aggregate], and the result is only as strong as its ingredients: smooth river pebbles bond poorly, so engineers prefer jagged crushed rock, sifted to just the right size. Most of a sidewalk's weight comes from these stones, not from the cement.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "aggregate" as it is used in the excerpt? chemical glue / final score / crushed rock and gravel / total amount	crushed rock and gravel — The excerpt talks about pebbles and "jagged crushed rock" as an ingredient of concrete, so here "aggregate" is the stony material, not a total.
Mateo usually dragged his feet when asked to help at home. But when his aunt asked who wanted to test her new telescope on the roof, he grabbed his jacket with such [alacrity] that he was on the stairs before she finished her sentence. His aunt laughed all the way up.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "alacrity" most nearly means careful slowness / eager speed / quiet anger / nervous worry	eager speed — He is "on the stairs before she finished her sentence," in contrast to usually dragging his feet, which shows eager speed.
The night before his surgery, Jun lay awake imagining everything that could go wrong. The nurse's calm explanation of each step did much to [allay] his fears, and by midnight he was finally asleep. In the morning, he even joked with the doctors about the hospital's terrible pudding.  What does the word "allay" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? share / reveal / ease / cause	ease — Her "calm explanation" led to him finally falling asleep, so it eased his fears rather than causing them.
On the surface, the novel follows a family of ants preparing for winter. Read as an [allegory], though, it is about something larger: the hardworking ants represent people who plan ahead, while the singing grasshopper stands for anyone who lives only for today. Readers of every age find a lesson in it.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "allegory" as it is used in the excerpt? nature guide / comic poem / symbolic story / true history	symbolic story — The ants "represent" people and the grasshopper "stands for" a type of person, so the novel is a symbolic story, not a guide to insects.
Scientists once struggled to explain why vampire bats share food. A bat that has fed well will often give some of its meal to a hungry roost-mate, even one that is not a relative. Such [altruism] seemed to make little sense, until researchers noticed that bats remember who has helped them.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "altruism" most nearly means group migration / unselfish helping / fierce competition / careful hunting	unselfish helping — The bats give food to hungry roost-mates, "even one that is not a relative," which is unselfish helping.
The neighborhood had no park, and summer temperatures on its blacktop streets often climbed past 100 degrees. To [ameliorate] the heat, volunteers planted two hundred trees and painted rooftops white, and within five years the block measured noticeably cooler. Residents now sit outside on summer evenings for the first time in years.  What does the word "ameliorate" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? lessen / increase / celebrate / study	lessen — Planting trees and painting roofs made the block "noticeably cooler," so they were lessening the harmful heat.
Lucia expected her strict grandfather to reject her idea of a vegetable garden on the fire escape. To her surprise, he was quite [amenable]; he only asked that she use lightweight pots and water them before he left for work. Within a week, tomatoes were climbing the iron railing.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "amenable" as it is used in the excerpt? strongly opposed / easily angered / willing to go along / completely unaware	willing to go along — "To her surprise" signals he did not reject the idea, and he only added small conditions, so he was willing to go along.
At the first meeting, the club's plan for the spring festival was still [amorphous]: some members wanted a talent show, others a food fair, and no one had chosen a date, a location, or a budget. By the third meeting, members had finally voted on a theme, and the plan began to take shape.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "amorphous" most nearly means not yet clearly defined / lacking a physical body / widely popular / kept secret	not yet clearly defined — The plan has no date, place, or budget, and members disagree on what it is, so it is not yet clearly defined; a plan never has a physical body.
Eagle-eyed viewers spotted several [anachronisms] in the film set in 1776. A background actor was wearing a wristwatch, and a shop window displayed a dress with a zipper, though zippers would not be invented for more than a century. The director promised to fix the errors before the film's release online.  What does the word "anachronisms" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? things out of their time / deleted scenes / costly effects / famous speeches	things out of their time — A wristwatch and a zipper did not exist in 1776, so the mistakes are objects placed in the wrong time.
Rather than open her speech with statistics about food waste, the student began with an [anecdote]: the time her little brother tried to compost an entire pumpkin in the family's tiny apartment, and the smell that lingered for weeks afterward. The audience laughed, and then listened closely to every number that followed.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "anecdote" as it is used in the excerpt? formal definition / detailed chart / stern warning / brief personal story	brief personal story — Instead of statistics, she tells about one real incident with her brother, which is a brief personal story.
The two bakeries on Arthur Avenue had competed for decades, and the [animosity] between their owners was legendary; neither man would even walk on the other's side of the street. It took a blackout, and a shared generator, to get them speaking again. Now they share a table at every street festival.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "animosity" most nearly means friendly rivalry / business partnership / bitter dislike / shared history	bitter dislike — Refusing to walk on the other's side of the street and not speaking show bitter dislike, not a friendly rivalry.
Ms. Okafor required every student to [annotate] the short story before class. Margins filled with questions, underlined phrases, and arrows connecting a character's first words to her last, and the discussion that followed was the liveliest of the year. Several students said the exercise made them notice details they had missed on a first reading.  What does the word "annotate" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? copy by hand / summarize briefly / read aloud / add notes to	add notes to — The "margins filled with questions" and underlined phrases show students adding notes to the text.
For months, the weather station's readings were steady and predictable. Then, one January night, the thermometer recorded 71 degrees, an [anomaly] so strange that technicians at first assumed the sensor itself was broken and sent someone to replace it. The new sensor recorded the same number.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "anomaly" as it is used in the excerpt? broken tool / something unusual / weather warning / regular pattern	something unusual — The reading breaks months of "steady and predictable" data, so it is something unusual; the sensor was only assumed to be broken.
The guide warned the group not to [antagonize] the geese nesting beside the pond. Last spring, she explained, a boy had waved a stick at one, and the whole flock had chased him across the meadow, honking furiously. The group gave the nests a wide berth for the rest of the walk.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "antagonize" most nearly means provoke / feed / photograph / avoid	provoke — The warning is backed by a story of a boy waving a stick and angry geese chasing him, so "antagonize" means to provoke.
The tiny, cluttered bookshop on the corner was the [antithesis] of the giant superstore across the street. Where the superstore had bright lights and endless aisles, the shop had one dim lamp, a sleeping cat, and an owner who knew every title by heart. Regulars liked it that way.  What does the word "antithesis" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? close copy / exact opposite / longtime partner / future owner	exact opposite — The excerpt lists contrasts with "Where the superstore had... the shop had," showing the shop is the exact opposite.
Doctors listening for a heartbeat often place the stethoscope low on the left side of the chest, near the [apex] of the heart. Because the heart is shaped like an upside-down cone, this narrow end actually points downward and to the left, toward the hip.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "apex" as it is used in the excerpt? central chamber / outer wall / highest point / pointed tip	pointed tip — The apex is the "narrow end" of a cone that "points downward," so here it is the pointed tip, not the highest point.
When her grandmother's old ring turned up in a drawer, Ana took it to a jeweler to have it [appraised]. He examined the stone with a magnifying glass, weighed the band, and announced that it was worth far more than anyone in the family had guessed.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "appraised" most nearly means sold / informed about / polished / valued by an expert	valued by an expert — The jeweler examines the ring and announces what it is "worth," so it was valued by an expert.
The team doctor promised to [apprise] the coach of the injured player's condition every few hours. Sure enough, at noon, three, and six o'clock, she called with updates on the swelling in his ankle and how well he could walk. By evening, the coach knew the player would be ready for Saturday.  What does the word "apprise" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? judge the value / keep informed / scold firmly / heal quickly	keep informed — She calls with "updates" at regular times, so she keeps the coach informed; "judge the value" is a trap from the similar word "appraise."
For decades, the magazine's fashion editor was the city's leading [arbiter] of style. If she praised a young designer's coat in her column, stores ordered hundreds; if she ignored it, the coat was often forgotten by spring. Young designers waited nervously each week to learn whether she had noticed their work.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "arbiter" as it is used in the excerpt? harsh opponent / official referee of disputes / fashion model / judge who sets standards	judge who sets standards — Her praise or silence decides which coats succeed, so she is a judge whose taste sets standards; she is not settling a dispute between two sides.
Reading the letters from the 1840s was slow work. Words like "betwixt" and "ere" appeared in nearly every line, and the writer's [archaic] spelling of "shew" for "show" tripped up even the history teacher. Students kept a list of puzzling words on the board, and by Friday it filled two columns.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "archaic" most nearly means carefully printed / no longer in use / careless and incorrect / beautiful and elegant	no longer in use — The letters are from the 1840s and use old words like "betwixt," so "shew" is an outdated spelling, not a careless error.
Even at eighty, the retired astronomer spoke about comets with the [ardor] of a teenager. She would leap from her chair, wave her hands to trace their orbits, and forget her tea until it was ice-cold. Her grandchildren said that listening to her was better than any planetarium show.  What does the word "ardor" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? careful precision / intense enthusiasm / gentle humor / deep sadness	intense enthusiasm — Leaping from her chair and forgetting her tea show intense enthusiasm for comets.
Before publishing the story, the reporter needed to [ascertain] whether the photograph was genuine. She contacted the photographer, compared the image with satellite maps, and checked the shadows against the time of day listed in the caption. Only when every detail matched did she send the story to her editor.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "ascertain" as it is used in the excerpt? find out for sure / doubt openly / assume quickly / hide carefully	find out for sure — Contacting the photographer and checking maps and shadows are ways to find out for sure, not to assume.
The poet lived an almost [ascetic] life in her cabin on the lake: no electricity, a single wooden chair, one meal a day of bread and beans, and no visitors except the mail carrier on Thursdays. She said the quiet helped her hear each line before she wrote it down.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "ascetic" most nearly means strict and self-denying / wealthy and idle / busy and social / lazy and fond of comfort	strict and self-denying — Her life has no electricity, one chair, and one plain meal a day, so it is strict and self-denying.
Thanks to the [assiduous] work of a dozen volunteers, the century-old quilt was restored. For eight months they met every Saturday, removing damaged threads one at a time and matching each new patch to the original fabric. Today the quilt hangs proudly in the town museum, looking almost new.  What does the word "assiduous" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? careful and persistent / hurried and very careless / expensive and rare / occasional and casual	careful and persistent — Meeting every Saturday for eight months and removing threads "one at a time" shows careful, persistent effort.
Most readers assumed the butler was guilty, but one [astute] reviewer pointed out that the clock in chapter two showed the wrong time. From that tiny detail, she correctly guessed the real culprit before the final chapter. The author later sent her a signed copy of his next book.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "astute" as it is used in the excerpt? confused / perceptive / well-respected / harsh	perceptive — She noticed a "tiny detail" others missed and solved the mystery, so she was perceptive.
No written records survive from the mountain village, but its stone stairway [attests] to centuries of use. Each step has been worn into a shallow bowl by countless feet climbing to the well and back again. Archaeologists say the stairway may be the oldest structure still standing in the region.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "attests" most nearly means gives proof of / formally swears / stands in place of / adds to	gives proof of — A stairway cannot swear to anything; its worn steps are evidence, so "attests" means gives proof of.
The new bakery's opening day was [auspicious]. The line stretched around the block before dawn, the first batch of rolls sold out in twenty minutes, and a popular food writer posted glowing photos before lunch. By the end of the month, the owners were already planning a second location.  What does the word "auspicious" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? mysterious / ordinary / disastrous / promising	promising — Long lines, a quick sellout, and glowing photos all point to future success, so the day was promising.
In the old folktale, the miller had grain enough to feed the whole valley, yet he sold it only to those who could pay triple the fair price. His [avarice] finally cost him everything when the villagers built a mill of their own. No one in the valley ever bought from him again.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "avarice" as it is used in the excerpt? laziness / loneliness / cleverness / greed	greed — Charging triple even though he had plenty shows extreme greed for money.
Cats have a well-known [aversion] to citrus. Gardeners who want to keep neighborhood cats out of their tomato beds often scatter orange peels between the plants, and most cats will turn up their noses and stroll right past. The trick is cheap, harmless, and surprisingly effective.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "aversion" most nearly means hidden hunger / natural attraction / curiosity / strong dislike	strong dislike — Orange peels keep cats away and they "turn up their noses," which shows a strong dislike.
An [avid] birder since age nine, Ruth has kept a notebook of every species she has spotted in Central Park, rising before dawn even in February to catch sight of the first warblers of the year. Her notebook now lists more than two hundred kinds of birds.  What does the word "avid" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? reluctant / inexperienced / occasional / enthusiastic	enthusiastic — Keeping a notebook for years and rising before dawn in winter show eager enthusiasm, not an occasional or new interest.
Every geometry course begins with a few [axioms], such as the idea that a straight line can be drawn between any two points. No one tries to prove these statements; instead, every later theorem is built on top of them. Change one, and the whole structure of geometry shifts.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "axioms" as it is used in the excerpt? proven theorems / great mathematicians of old / accepted starting truths / difficult problems	accepted starting truths — They are not proved but serve as the base on which theorems are built, so they are accepted starting truths.
The judges praised the student's photographs but called her captions [banal]. Phrases like "a beautiful sunset" and "nature is amazing" added nothing that the pictures had not already shown, and the judges urged her to write something fresher. She rewrote every caption before the final show.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "banal" most nearly means dull and unoriginal / misspelled / rude and offensive / far too long	dull and unoriginal — The examples are tired phrases, and the judges wanted "something fresher," so the captions were dull and unoriginal.
The street performer [beguiled] the crowd in Washington Square Park for nearly an hour. Children sat cross-legged on the pavement and adults forgot their errands as she juggled teacups, told riddles, and played the accordion with her feet. When she finally bowed, the crowd begged for one more song.  What does the word "beguiled" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? charmed / tricked dishonestly / robbed / annoyed	charmed — The audience happily forgets errands to watch her act; nothing suggests a trick, so "beguiled" here means charmed.
Few animals look less athletic than the desert tortoise. The tortoise's slow, heavy walk [belies] its endurance. Some individuals travel several miles in a single day across rocky ground, and a few have lived for more than 150 years. Scientists have tracked some walking steadily through heat that would exhaust a person.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "belies" as it is used in the excerpt? clearly shows / has nothing to do with / hides the truth about / greatly improves	hides the truth about — The slow walk suggests weakness, but the tortoise is actually tough, so the walk hides the truth about its endurance.
Most moose ignore hikers, but a bull moose in autumn can be [belligerent]. Park rangers warn visitors that if one lowers its head and flattens its ears, it is ready to charge, and they should get behind a tree at once. Calves nearby make them even more dangerous.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "belligerent" most nearly means frightened / curious / aggressive / sleepy	aggressive — A moose that is "ready to charge" is aggressive; the contrast with moose that "ignore hikers" confirms it.
The library's new science wing was paid for by a mysterious [benefactor]. For years no one knew her name; the only clue was a note attached to the check that read, "For the kids who, like me, once had no books at home." The wing opened last fall.  What does the word "benefactor" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? underpaid librarian / famous architect / strict critic / generous supporter	generous supporter — She paid for the wing and wrote a kind note to children, so she is a generous supporter.
Instead of thanking the waiter for finding her lost wallet under a booth, the customer [berated] him for ten minutes in front of the entire restaurant, complaining loudly that the search had taken far too long. The other diners stared at their plates in embarrassed silence until she finally stormed out.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "berated" as it is used in the excerpt? questioned politely / rewarded generously / ignored completely / scolded angrily	scolded angrily — She was "complaining loudly" for ten minutes until she "stormed out," so she scolded him angrily.
For residents of the block, the abandoned factory was a [blight]: its broken windows, weedy lot, and leaning fence made the whole street look neglected, and few new families wanted to move in. When artists turned it into studios, neighbors finally began planting flowers out front.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "blight" most nearly means reliable source of jobs / eyesore that spoils an area / historic landmark worth saving / disease of crops	eyesore that spoils an area — A factory cannot catch a plant disease; its broken windows and weeds made "the whole street look neglected," so it was an eyesore spoiling the area.
The candidate for class president gave a [bombastic] speech, promising "a glorious new era of unprecedented magnificence" and comparing the cafeteria to an ancient empire. Afterward, students agreed that it had been entertaining, but no one could say what he actually planned to do about the broken water fountains.  What does the word "bombastic" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? short and simple / carefully researched and accurate / quiet and humble / full of inflated language	full of inflated language — Phrases like "unprecedented magnificence" sound grand, yet no one knew his plans, so the speech was full of inflated language.
All week, Jamal told everyone at the pool that he wasn't the least bit afraid of the high dive and would do a flip off it on Saturday. But his [bravado] faded at the top of the ladder; he stood frozen for five minutes, gripping the rails, then climbed quietly back down.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "bravado" as it is used in the excerpt? boastful show of courage / sincere fear / real athletic skill / polite modesty	boastful show of courage — He bragged all week but froze at the top, so his courage was a boastful show rather than real skill or modesty.
In a [brazen] move, the squirrel climbed right onto the picnic table, stared directly at the family, and dragged an entire bagel away while they watched with their mouths open. It did not even bother to hurry, pausing on the fence to nibble its prize in full view of everyone.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "brazen" most nearly means made of brass / quiet and sneaky / clumsy and slow / shameless and bold	shameless and bold — The squirrel steals in full view and "did not even bother to hurry," so it was shameless and bold; "made of brass" is another meaning of the word that does not fit an animal.
Getting a permit for the community mural took longer than painting it. The group filled out eleven forms, visited three different city offices, and waited four months for a single signature from a department head. One volunteer joked that the [bureaucracy] was the real work of art.  What does the word "bureaucracy" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? team of volunteer artists and helpers / city budget / system of rules and offices / freshly painted wall	system of rules and offices — The forms, offices, and long wait for a signature describe a system of official rules and offices.
At five in the morning, the rainforest erupts in a [cacophony]. Howler monkeys roar from the treetops, parrots screech, frogs croak from every puddle, and insects drone without pause, each species seemingly trying to drown out the rest. Visitors who hoped for a peaceful sunrise often reach for earplugs.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "cacophony" as it is used in the excerpt? deep silence / harsh mixture of noises / burst of bright tropical colors / gentle melody	harsh mixture of noises — Roaring, screeching, and croaking, with species trying to "drown out the rest," make a harsh mixture of noises, not a gentle melody.
Nina had no interest in joining the school musical. But her friends [cajoled] her for an entire week, praising her voice, bringing her cookies, and promising she would only have to sing one short song. By Friday she gave in and signed up, and she ended up loving every rehearsal.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "cajoled" most nearly means forced / coaxed / ignored / warned	coaxed — Praise, cookies, and promises are gentle ways of persuading, so they coaxed her; nothing suggests force.
When the elderly tenant explained that she could not climb six flights of stairs while the elevator was broken, the building manager gave a [callous] shrug and said she should "just move somewhere else." Other tenants were so upset by his response that they carried her groceries up every day.  What does the word "callous" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? nervous / unfeeling / apologetic / confused	unfeeling — Shrugging and telling her to "just move" shows no concern for her struggle, so he was unfeeling.
For six straight nights, four-year-old Leo refused to go to bed without his drum set beside him. His exhausted parents argued, bargained, and hid the drums in a closet, but on the seventh night they [capitulated], and Leo fell asleep happily hugging a snare drum.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "capitulated" as it is used in the excerpt? celebrated / gave in / punished him / moved out	gave in — After a week of resisting, the parents let Leo have the drum, so they gave in.
Spring weather in the mountains is famously [capricious]. A hiker may start the morning in shorts under clear blue skies and, by lunch, be hunting for shelter from sleet; an hour later, the sun may be blazing again. Experienced guides pack for every season, no matter what the forecast says.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "capricious" most nearly means changeable / unusually pleasant / steady / freezing	changeable — The weather swings from sun to sleet and back within hours, so it is changeable, not steady or always freezing.
The [cardinal] rule of the darkroom, our photography teacher told us on the first day, was never to open the door while film was exposed. One burst of light could ruin a whole afternoon's work, so a red sign above the door glowed whenever someone was developing pictures inside.  What does the word "cardinal" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? bright red / handwritten / most important / often forgotten	most important — The rule is stressed on the first day because breaking it ruins the work, so it is the most important rule; "bright red" is a trap based on the sign and the color called cardinal.
After months of keeping her grief to herself, Elena finally wrote a long letter to her late grandfather and read it aloud beside the river where he had taught her to fish. She cried for an hour, but afterward felt lighter than she had all year; the letter had been a kind of [catharsis].  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "catharsis" as it is used in the excerpt? emotional release / school assignment / family tradition / serious mistake	emotional release — Crying and then feeling "lighter than she had all year" describe an emotional release that brings relief.
Dad agreed to let Sofia stay out until ten for the neighborhood street fair, with one [caveat]: she had to text him every hour. If she missed even a single check-in, he said, she would be home by eight every weekend for the rest of the month. Sofia set four alarms on her phone.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "caveat" most nearly means reward / condition / complaint / schedule	condition — Dad's permission depends on her texting every hour, with a penalty if she does not, so the caveat is a condition.
To the [chagrin] of the spelling-bee champion, she misspelled her own street name on the registration form, and the error was printed in the program for everyone in the auditorium to see. Her friends teased her about it for weeks, and she turned red every time the topic came up.  What does the word "chagrin" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? embarrassment / boredom / complete confusion / delight	embarrassment — Being teased and turning red over a public mistake show embarrassment.
The traveling "doctor" sold bottles of colored water as a cure for everything from baldness to broken bones, promising instant results to anyone who paid. By the time the townspeople realized he was a [charlatan], he had packed his wagon and left for the next county with their money.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "charlatan" as it is used in the excerpt? fraud / lost traveler / honest merchant / skilled healer	fraud — He sold colored water as a cure and fled with the money, so he was a fraud, not a real healer or honest merchant.
Having lost money on a hasty investment years earlier, Grandpa was [circumspect] about his neighbor's new business idea. He read every page of the proposal twice, called three people who had worked with the neighbor, and waited a full month before deciding whether to put in any money at all.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "circumspect" most nearly means careless / cautious / excited / angry	cautious — Reading twice, calling references, and waiting a month show caution, especially after a "hasty" mistake.
During the war, members of the resistance held [clandestine] meetings in a bakery cellar. They entered one at a time through a back door, spoke only in whispers, and always left before dawn so that no patrol would notice anyone coming or going. Not one of them was ever caught.  What does the word "clandestine" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? official / noisy / frequent / secret	secret — Entering one at a time, whispering, and avoiding patrols show the meetings were secret.
In the early solar system, dust and ice drifted in a vast cloud around the young Sun. Over millions of years, these particles [coalesced], sticking together into pebbles, then boulders, and eventually entire planets. Astronomers can watch the same process happening today around distant young stars.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "coalesced" as it is used in the excerpt? melted away slowly / came together / broke apart / spun faster	came together — Particles "sticking together" into larger and larger objects means they came together.
Fully [cognizant] of the dangers, the divers entered the flooded cave anyway. They had studied maps of every tunnel, packed double the usual air supply, and agreed to turn back the moment visibility dropped. Their preparation, not luck, brought every one of them safely back to the surface.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "cognizant" most nearly means aware / fearful / ignorant / careless	aware — Their detailed preparation shows they knew the dangers well, so they were aware; "fearful" is a trap, since knowing about danger is not the same as being afraid.
The novelist wanted her teenage characters to sound like real kids talking in a hallway, so she filled their dialogue with [colloquial] expressions like "no way" and "for real, though," while keeping the narrator's descriptions more formal. Young readers said the conversations felt like ones they had every day.  What does the word "colloquial" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? highly scientific and technical / informal and conversational / old-fashioned / rude	informal and conversational — The expressions sound like "real kids talking" and are contrasted with "more formal" narration, so they are informal and conversational.
The job posting for the restaurant promised a salary [commensurate] with experience. Applicants who had cooked in busy kitchens for ten years would be offered far more than those just out of culinary school, and the head chef said the scale would be reviewed every year.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "commensurate" as it is used in the excerpt? unrelated / in proportion / equal for all / lower than usual	in proportion — Experienced cooks earn more and beginners less, so pay is in proportion to experience, not equal for all.
Over forty years, Grandma's recipe binder had grown into a true [compendium]: more than three hundred dishes from five countries, with notes on substitutions, cooking times, and which cousin liked which cake. When the family finally scanned it, the file took up an entire afternoon to print.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "compendium" most nearly means short summary / fancy dinner / comprehensive collection / family argument	comprehensive collection — Three hundred dishes with detailed notes make a comprehensive collection, not a short summary.
Chefs often say that a great dish needs contrast. At the corner restaurant, the tart cranberry sauce [complements] the rich, salty turkey, cutting through its heaviness so that each bite feels balanced rather than overwhelming. Regulars order the combination every week, and the kitchen sells out by early evening.  What does the word "complements" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? replaces / goes well with and completes / praises / overpowers and hides the taste of	goes well with and completes — The sauce makes each bite "balanced" by adding contrast, so it goes well with the turkey; "praises" is a trap from the similar word "compliment."
The night guard did not steal the painting himself. But because he knowingly left the back door unlocked that night and turned off the hallway camera, investigators considered him [complicit] in the theft. He lost his job, and the case against the actual thieves relied partly on his testimony.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "complicit" as it is used in the excerpt? badly injured / easily fooled / totally innocent / partly responsible	partly responsible — He "knowingly" helped the thieves, so he shares responsibility; "easily fooled" is ruled out because he acted on purpose.
The hikers' first mistake was starting the climb at noon instead of dawn. They [compounded] it by ignoring the storm forecast posted at the trailhead, and by the time thunder rolled over the ridge, they were still two miles from shelter. Rangers used their story as a warning for years.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "compounded" most nearly means combined chemically / forgot / made worse / corrected	made worse — Ignoring the forecast added a second error that left them stuck in a storm, so it made the first mistake worse.
The poem's central [conceit] compares the city to a beating heart. Subway lines become arteries, rush hour becomes a racing pulse, and the quiet hours before dawn become the brief moment between beats. The comparison runs through all twelve stanzas, and the final line ends on a single word: "rest."  What does the word "conceit" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? regular rhyming pattern / main character / extended comparison / excessive pride	extended comparison — The poem "compares the city to a beating heart" across twelve stanzas, so the conceit is an extended comparison, not pride.
After the heated argument at lunch, Omar sent his friend a [conciliatory] text that evening: a sincere apology, a joke about their favorite team's terrible season, and an offer to buy pizza on Friday. Within minutes his friend replied with a thumbs-up and a request for extra cheese.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "conciliatory" as it is used in the excerpt? threatening / peace-making / boastful / confusing	peace-making — An apology, a joke, and an offer of pizza after an argument are attempts to make peace.
When his mother asked why the living room lamp was broken, Felix [concocted] an elaborate tale involving a stray cat, an open window, and a sudden gust of wind. Unfortunately for him, the family did not own a cat, and the window had been painted shut for years.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "concocted" most nearly means cooked / made up / confessed / repaired	made up — His "tale" falls apart because there was no cat and the window could not open, so he made up the story; he is not cooking anything.
This year, three unusual events [concurred] in a single week: the full moon, the highest tide in a decade, and a powerful storm off the coast. Together they pushed seawater into streets that had never flooded before, and shop owners stacked sandbags in their doorways.  What does the word "concurred" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? happened at once / agreed in opinion / canceled out / were predicted	happened at once — Events cannot hold opinions; the three arrived "in a single week" and acted "together," so they happened at the same time.
The celebrated chef rarely left her kitchen and considered chatting with customers beneath her. On opening night, however, she [condescended] to step into the dining room for a moment, nodding stiffly at the diners as though she were granting them a rare and generous favor.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "condescended" as it is used in the excerpt? was eager / talked down to / stooped, as if doing a favor / was afraid	stooped, as if doing a favor — She thinks chatting is "beneath her" yet comes out "as though she were granting them a rare and generous favor," so she lowered herself; "talked down to" does not fit the phrase "to step into."
The library's top floor, with its soft lighting, wide desks, and strict no-talking rule, was [conducive] to long hours of study. On the noisy ground floor, by contrast, few students lasted more than twenty minutes before giving up and heading home with their homework unfinished.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "conducive" most nearly means helpful for / harmful to / unrelated to / limited to	helpful for — The quiet floor is contrasted with the noisy one where students give up, so it was helpful for studying.
After the accident, doctors predicted that the injured runner would never compete again and urged her to find a new hobby. She [confounded] those predictions, returning eighteen months later to win the city half-marathon by nearly a full minute. Her medical team was among the first to congratulate her.  What does the word "confounded" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? announced / proved wrong / puzzled / agreed with	proved wrong — Predictions cannot be puzzled; by winning, she showed they were false, so she proved them wrong.
No one knows exactly why the ancient builders arranged the massive stones in a circle. Some researchers say it was a calendar, others a meeting place or a monument to the dead, but without written records or clear evidence, every theory remains [conjecture]. The debate fills whole shelves at the library.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "conjecture" as it is used in the excerpt? building plan / ancient law / guesswork / proven fact	guesswork — "Without written records or clear evidence," no theory can be proven, so each is guesswork.
To most visitors, the two cheeses looked identical. But the [connoisseur] standing beside me sniffed each one, tasted a single crumb, and announced that one had been aged in a cave for exactly eighteen months. The shopkeeper checked the label and nodded in amazement. I bought the older one.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "connoisseur" most nearly means picky child / hungry beginner / store clerk / discerning expert	discerning expert — Identifying the exact aging from one crumb, confirmed by the label, shows an expert's refined taste.
To the [consternation] of the graduation committee, the forecast changed overnight from sunny to severe thunderstorms, and the outdoor ceremony was only six hours away. Members began calling every gym and auditorium in town, hoping one could hold four hundred guests on short notice. By noon, they had found one.  What does the word "consternation" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? alarm / delight / boredom / relief	alarm — A sudden storm forecast hours before the ceremony sends members scrambling to find a new place, which shows alarm.
During the debate, Kai stayed silent while his opponent spoke, meaning it as a sign of respect. Unfortunately, the judges [construed] his silence as a lack of preparation and marked him down for failing to respond. Afterward, his coach explained that in debate, quiet is rarely taken as politeness.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "construed" as it is used in the excerpt? interpreted / praised / built / ignored	interpreted — Kai meant respect, but the judges took it as unpreparedness, so they interpreted it differently; "built" is a trap from the similar word "construct."
The school's first attempt at a talent show was a [consummate] disaster. The curtain jammed halfway open, the microphone squealed through every song, and the fog machine filled the gym so thickly that the fire alarm went off. Teachers still laugh about it ten years later.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "consummate" most nearly means brief / well-planned / highly skilled / complete and total	complete and total — Disasters cannot be skilled; everything went wrong, so "consummate" here means complete and total.
Whether to replace the school's old mascot proved surprisingly [contentious]. At the meeting, alumni shouted over students, petitions circulated on both sides, and the vote was postponed twice because no one could agree on how it should even be held. Even former yearbook editors weighed in with angry letters.  What does the word "contentious" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? causing argument / easily decided / widely popular / rarely discussed	causing argument — Shouting, competing petitions, and postponed votes show the issue caused argument.
Mia's spot at the summer science camp was [contingent] on her grades. If she kept a B average through March, her parents would pay the fee; if not, she would spend the summer working at her uncle's hardware store. She posted her report card on the refrigerator as a reminder.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "contingent" as it is used in the excerpt? dependent / guaranteed / a group / harmful	dependent — The "if... if not" structure shows the camp depended on her grades; "a group" is a trap from the noun meaning of the word.
Explorers who sailed to the tropics in the 1700s often [contracted] malaria, a disease spread by mosquitoes. Many returned home weak with fever, and some never fully recovered. It would be more than a century before scientists understood exactly how the illness passed from insects to people.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "contracted" most nearly means studied / became infected with / grew smaller / signed an agreement	became infected with — The explorers returned "weak with fever," so they caught the disease; they did not sign an agreement or shrink.
Jake had promised to water the class plants over spring break and then forgot completely. On Monday, staring at the wilted ferns, he was so [contrite] that he spent his own allowance on new seedlings and stayed after school all week to plant them. His teacher said she had never seen a better apology.  What does the word "contrite" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? completely unaware / secretly proud / mildly amused / deeply sorry	deeply sorry — Spending his own money and his teacher calling it an "apology" show he felt deeply sorry.
The plot of the mystery was so [convoluted] that the author included a chart at the back of the book: six suspects, three secret twins, two fake deaths, and a timeline that jumped between four different decades. Several reviewers admitted they had needed the chart to finish the novel.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "convoluted" as it is used in the excerpt? predictable / complicated / short / exciting	complicated — Readers needed a chart to keep track of twins, fake deaths, and jumping timelines, so the plot was complicated.
The new biology teacher was known for her [copious] handouts. By October, students had binders three inches thick, and one student joked that the class had already used more paper than the school library. Still, most agreed the handouts made studying for tests much easier.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "copious" most nearly means colorful / expensive / confusing / plentiful	plentiful — Binders "three inches thick" by October show there were plenty of handouts.
Everyone expected heavier traffic once the new bridge opened. A less obvious [corollary] was that the small shops along the old ferry route, which had depended on waiting passengers for decades, began to close one by one. Within five years, the waterfront looked almost deserted.  What does the word "corollary" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? early warning / natural consequence / rival plan / main cause	natural consequence — The shop closures followed from the bridge opening, so they were a consequence, not a cause.
Coach Ruiz could accept a missed shot, a sloppy pass, or even a lost championship game. What she would not [countenance] was a player mocking an opponent. Anyone who did spent the rest of the game on the bench, no matter how many points he had scored.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "countenance" as it is used in the excerpt? describe / notice / face / tolerate	tolerate — She "could accept" mistakes but benched anyone who mocked others, so she would not tolerate it; "face" is a trap from the noun meaning of the word.
At first, marine scientists gave little [credence] to the fisherman's report of a squid that glowed bright blue. Only after a research submarine filmed one at a depth of 3,000 feet did the idea gain serious attention, and the fisherman was invited to help name the species.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "credence" most nearly means criticism / funding / publicity / belief	belief — Scientists doubted the report until film proved it, so at first they gave it little belief.
The peppered moth's [cryptic] coloring is its best defense. Resting on lichen-covered bark, its speckled gray wings blend so perfectly with the tree that hungry birds fly past without noticing it, even from just a few inches away. Moths that stand out are eaten far more often.  What does the word "cryptic" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? puzzling in meaning / camouflaging / constantly changing / brightly warning	camouflaging — The wings "blend so perfectly" with bark that birds miss the moth, so the coloring hides it; nothing here is a puzzle to decode.
The investigation found that the bridge's collapse was not simply bad luck. Engineers who had ignored repeated warnings about rust were judged [culpable], while the workers who had first reported the problem were praised for their honesty. New inspection rules were passed the following year.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "culpable" as it is used in the excerpt? to blame / skilled / innocent / lucky	to blame — The engineers ignored warnings and are contrasted with workers who were praised, so they were to blame.
For generations, people believed that bulls are enraged by the color red. A team of researchers set out to [debunk] the idea, waving cloths of several different colors in front of bulls. The animals charged whichever cloth was moving, regardless of color, which showed that motion, not redness, set them off.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "debunk" most nearly means spread widely / prove false / support / invent	prove false — Their test showed motion, not color, mattered, so they proved the old belief false.
At the regional chess championship, players were expected to sit silently, shake hands before and after each game, and never comment on an opponent's moves. When one teenager slammed his king onto the board after a loss, the arbiter reminded him that the tournament's [decorum] applied to losers as much as to winners.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "decorum" most nearly means spirit of fierce rivalry / proper standards of conduct / official rules for scoring / decorative furnishings	proper standards of conduct — The excerpt lists expected behaviors (sitting silently, shaking hands), and slamming the king broke them, so "decorum" means proper standards of conduct.
No written records survive from the village, but archaeologists found fish bones in nearly every hearth and dozens of carved bone hooks buried nearby. From this evidence, they [deduced] that fishing, not farming, fed most of the families who lived there.  What does the word "deduced" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? concluded by reasoning / doubted very strongly / announced to the public / subtracted from a total	concluded by reasoning — The archaeologists reach their idea "from this evidence" (bones and hooks), so they concluded it by reasoning; "subtracted" confuses the word with "deduct."
Walking along the far west side of Manhattan, visitors can still spot rusted rails that once carried freight trains straight into factory buildings. The rail line has been [defunct] since the 1980s, though parts of it have since been turned into a garden walkway.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "defunct" as it is used in the excerpt? newly repaired / dangerous for visitors to approach / no longer in operation / privately owned	no longer in operation — The rails are "rusted" and "once carried" trains, and the line has become a walkway, so it is no longer in operation.
When the coach asked Priya to captain the team for the final match, she [demurred], pointing out that two seniors had played far longer than she had. Only after both seniors insisted that she take the role did she finally accept the armband.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "demurred" most nearly means politely objected / complained bitterly / asked a question / agreed eagerly	politely objected — Priya gives a polite reason not to accept and only says yes later, so she politely objected; nothing suggests bitterness or eagerness.
In 1906, a reporter spent weeks inside a meatpacking plant and then published what he had seen: spoiled meat, filthy floors, and workers without gloves. Readers across the country [denounced] the conditions, flooding lawmakers with angry letters until new food-safety laws were passed.  What does the word "denounced" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? publicly condemned / described accurately / quietly accepted / investigated secretly	publicly condemned — Readers sent "angry letters" that led to new laws, so they publicly condemned the conditions; the reporter, not the readers, described them.
The town square was bustling with holiday shoppers, but Ana barely noticed them. Her grandmother had moved across the country that morning, and as Ana walked past the bakery where they used to share pastries every Saturday, she felt utterly [desolate].  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "desolate" as it is used in the excerpt? calm and relieved / deeply lonely and sad / completely empty of people / bitterly angry	deeply lonely and sad — Ana misses her grandmother as she passes their old bakery, so she feels lonely and sad; the "bustling" square rules out the meaning "empty of people."
For months the rowing team had trained before dawn, but at the championship their boat finished last by nearly a minute. Back at the dock, the rowers sat [despondent], staring at the water, and not even the coach's talk of next season could make them look up.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "despondent" most nearly means silent out of respect / worn out from effort / hopeless and gloomy / furious at one another	hopeless and gloomy — Not even hope for next season can lift them, which shows they are hopeless and gloomy, not merely tired or angry.
Comets usually follow predictable orbits around the sun. Several decades ago, however, astronomers noticed that one comet had begun to [deviate] from its expected path; Jupiter's powerful gravity was tugging it off course, and two years later it crashed into the giant planet.  What does the word "deviate" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? shine much more brightly / slow to a stop / speed up suddenly / turn away from a course	turn away from a course — The comet leaves "its expected path" because gravity tugs it "off course," so "deviate" means turn away from a course.
The watchmaker's bench held tweezers no thicker than a pine needle and screws smaller than grains of sand. With remarkable [dexterity], she lifted each gear into place without a single tremble, finishing in an hour a repair that would take an apprentice all day.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "dexterity" as it is used in the excerpt? strength of grip / patience with customers / knowledge of history / skill with the hands	skill with the hands — She handles tiny parts quickly and "without a single tremble," which shows skill with the hands, not strength or patience with people.
Many people imagine a strict [dichotomy] between artists and scientists: one group dreamy and emotional, the other logical and precise. Yet Leonardo da Vinci filled his notebooks with sketches of faces and careful studies of how water flows, suggesting that both ways of thinking can live in one mind.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "dichotomy" most nearly means a hidden similarity / a friendly partnership / a long argument / a sharp division	a sharp division — The excerpt sets up two opposite groups ("one... the other") before questioning the split, so "dichotomy" means a sharp division.
Ms. Calloway returned Jordan's essay with a single note in the margin: his argument was too [diffuse]. In twelve pages he had touched on climate, transit, housing, and school lunches without ever making one clear point, so she asked him to cut it to three focused pages.  What does the word "diffuse" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? spread through the air / wordy and unfocused / unfair to others / too short to judge	wordy and unfocused — Jordan's essay wanders across many topics "without ever making one clear point," so here "diffuse" means wordy and unfocused, not physically spread through the air.
The new robot receptionist greeted every visitor by name, which most people found convenient. What many found [disconcerting], however, was the way its painted eyes followed them across the lobby, never blinking, long after the conversation had ended.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "disconcerting" as it is used in the excerpt? hard to operate / convenient / unsettling / entertaining	unsettling — "However" sets up a contrast with "convenient," and unblinking eyes following people are creepy, so the word means unsettling.
The new museum wing was designed to sit quietly beside the historic building rather than compete with it. Instead of bold signs, the architects placed [discreet] bronze plaques near each doorway, small enough that many visitors walked past without noticing them.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "discreet" most nearly means able to keep secrets well / costly and polished / separate and distinct / modest and inconspicuous	modest and inconspicuous — The plaques replace "bold signs" and are so small people miss them, so "discreet" means modest and inconspicuous; plaques cannot keep secrets.
Kenji had always imagined that professional chefs spent their days inventing dazzling new dishes. A summer job in a busy restaurant kitchen soon [disillusioned] him: most of his shift was spent peeling potatoes, scrubbing pans, and making the same soup two hundred times.  What does the word "disillusioned" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? inspired to work harder / trained in a new skill / frightened into quitting the job / freed from a false belief	freed from a false belief — Kenji's dazzling image of chefs is replaced by the dull reality of the job, so he is freed from a false belief.
Because both bakeries belonged to her cousins, Mrs. Feld refused to judge the pie contest. Organizers instead invited a chef from another town, someone with no friends or relatives in the competition, to serve as a [disinterested] judge whose decision no one could call unfair.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "disinterested" as it is used in the excerpt? strict and harsh / impartial and fair / highly experienced / bored and inattentive	impartial and fair — The chef has no connections to any baker, so the judge is impartial; "bored" is the common mistaken meaning of the word.
When eleven-year-old Ruth suggested that the class plant native wildflowers to attract bees, the older students gave a [dismissive] laugh and went back to planning a gravel path. Two years later, her wildflower patch was the only part of the schoolyard the city garden club chose to photograph.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "dismissive" most nearly means sharing a private joke / treating it as unworthy / warmly encouraging / nervously uncertain	treating it as unworthy — The students laugh and "went back to planning" their own idea, ignoring Ruth's, so they treat her suggestion as unworthy.
After the old library closed, the city council had to decide on the [disposition] of its forty thousand books. Some volumes were sent to schools, rare maps went to a university archive, and the rest were sold at a weekend sale to raise money for a new branch.  What does the word "disposition" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? value or price / handling or distribution / usual mood or temperament / condition or damage	handling or distribution — The excerpt explains where the books went (schools, an archive, a sale), so "disposition" here means how they were handled or distributed, not anyone's mood.
For decades, most geologists insisted that the continents had never moved. Alfred Wegener's theory of drifting continents met with loud [dissent] from nearly every expert of his time, and only after his death did new evidence from the ocean floor show that he had been right.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "dissent" as it is used in the excerpt? careful study / strong disagreement / public confusion / eager support	strong disagreement — The experts "insisted" the continents never moved, and Wegener was proved right only later, so they strongly disagreed with him.
Uncle Theo inherited a small fortune from his grandmother, but within five years he had [dissipated] nearly all of it on flashy cars, lavish parties, and get-rich-quick schemes that never paid off. By thirty, he was borrowing money from his younger sister.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "dissipated" most nearly means drifted away like fog / hidden carefully / invested wisely / wasted foolishly	wasted foolishly — Spending on parties and failed schemes until he had to borrow money shows he wasted the fortune foolishly.
The company's posters celebrated its love of the planet, showing green forests, clear rivers, and smiling children planting trees. Customers noticed the [dissonance], however, when the same company shipped each small product wrapped in three layers of plastic.  What does the word "dissonance" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? a clash between words and actions / widespread agreement among customers / a sudden loud complaint / a harsh, unpleasant musical noise	a clash between words and actions — The posters praise nature while the packaging wastes plastic, so "dissonance" here is a clash between words and actions, not a musical sound.
Two scientists studied the same recordings of whale songs and reached sharply [divergent] conclusions. One argued that the songs were used to attract mates, while the other insisted that they helped whales find their way across thousands of miles of open ocean.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "divergent" as it is used in the excerpt? surprisingly loud / widely differing / nearly identical / carefully tested	widely differing — The scientists' explanations point in opposite directions ("One argued... while the other insisted"), so the conclusions are widely differing.
For thirty years, the bakery's owner kept her famous rye bread recipe locked in a drawer. Only on the day she retired did she [divulge] it, reading the ingredients aloud to her two apprentices, who scribbled every word in their notebooks.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "divulge" most nearly means sell / destroy / reveal / improve	reveal — The once-locked recipe is read aloud for the apprentices to copy, so she reveals the secret.
In the play, Count Varga smiles warmly at the young prince and promises to protect his kingdom. Yet in the very next scene, the audience watches the count sell the prince's secret plans to a rival king. By the final act, his [duplicity] has cost him every ally he ever had.  What does the word "duplicity" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? foolish clumsiness / doubled wealth / deceitful double-dealing / generous loyalty	deceitful double-dealing — The count promises protection but secretly betrays the prince, so "duplicity" means deceitful double-dealing.
Mr. Hale rarely said more than "fine" about a student's work, so the class was stunned when he praised Delia's science project. He called it "brilliant," "original," and "the best I've seen in twenty years," and the [effusive] compliments continued until the bell rang.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "effusive" as it is used in the excerpt? gushing and lavish / written and formal / insincere and fake / brief and carefully polite	gushing and lavish — The teacher heaps on praise that lasts "until the bell rang," so the compliments are gushing and lavish, the opposite of his usual "fine."
Students were confused about why the moon seemed to change shape each night. To [elucidate] the idea, Ms. Park darkened the room, held a ball in front of a lamp, and slowly moved it around a student's head so that each phase appeared in turn.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "elucidate" most nearly means make more complicated / celebrate / measure / make clear	make clear — The students "were confused," and Ms. Park uses a demonstration to help them understand, so she makes the idea clear.
The small science fair usually drew only parents and teachers as judges. This year, however, the organizers persuaded an [eminent] marine biologist, a woman whose research on coral reefs had been honored around the world, to review the projects.  What does the word "eminent" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? about to happen soon / widely respected / recently hired / nervous and shy	widely respected — Her research has been "honored around the world," so she is distinguished; "about to happen" is the meaning of the similar word "imminent."
From the lighthouse balcony, the view was breathtaking. A ring of jagged gray cliffs [encompassed] the tiny harbor on three sides, leaving only a narrow channel through which the village's fishing boats could slip out to the open sea each morning.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "encompassed" as it is used in the excerpt? lit up / wore away / surrounded / included as a topic	surrounded — A "ring" of cliffs on "three sides" with one narrow opening means the cliffs surrounded the harbor.
Coaches in the youth league complained that lateness had become [endemic] among the players: nearly every team had someone arriving after warm-ups, and some had half the roster missing at kickoff. The league finally began taking away points for late arrivals.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "endemic" most nearly means found in just one place / common and widespread / dangerous and contagious / rare and unusual	common and widespread — Lateness happens on "nearly every team," so it is common and widespread in the league, not limited to one place.
The new principal began eating lunch in the cafeteria every day, listening for hours to students' complaints about schedules and food. Over time, this willingness to listen [engendered] a loyalty that no assembly speech could ever have produced.  What does the word "engendered" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? wore down / covered up / put to the test / brought about	brought about — Listening over time created loyalty that speeches "could ever have produced," so "engendered" means brought about.
For over a century, the town's schools had closed every Friday afternoon in autumn for the harvest, long after most families stopped farming. The tradition was so [entrenched] that when the board proposed ending it, hundreds of residents who had never picked an apple packed the meeting in protest.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "entrenched" as it is used in the excerpt? deeply established / widely mocked / recently invented by students / barely remembered	deeply established — The tradition has lasted a century and people fight to keep it even without farming, so it is deeply established.
Before the expedition left base camp, the guide [enumerated] every item each climber needed to carry, from rope and headlamp to two liters of water and spare gloves, and refused to move on until each person had held up every object in turn.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "enumerated" most nearly means listed one by one / packed tightly / counted the cost of / borrowed from others	listed one by one — The guide names each item in turn and checks each one, so "enumerated" means listed one by one.
For weeks, Nadia had struggled to understand why her paper airplanes kept nosediving. Then, watching a hawk tilt its tail feathers as it glided over the park, she had an [epiphany]: the problem wasn't the wings at all, but the back edge of the plane.  What does the word "epiphany" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? a nagging worry / a sudden insight / a lucky accident / a long, drifting daydream	a sudden insight — After weeks of confusion, watching the hawk suddenly shows Nadia the answer, so an "epiphany" is a sudden insight.
The bakery on Arthur Avenue had not changed in sixty years: flour dusted the wooden counters, the owner knew every customer's name, and bread came out of a brick oven at five each morning. To many Bronx residents, it was the [epitome] of an old-fashioned neighborhood shop.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "epitome" as it is used in the excerpt? oldest rival / brief written summary / highest price / perfect example	perfect example — Every detail matches the idea of an old-fashioned shop, so the bakery is a perfect example of one; nothing in the excerpt is a written summary.
When the power failed in the middle of her piano recital, plunging the hall into darkness, Mei kept playing from memory. Her [equanimity] amazed the audience, and when the lights flickered back on, she finished the piece without missing a note.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "equanimity" most nearly means fairness to all / quick temper / musical talent / calm composure	calm composure — Mei stays steady and keeps playing during a sudden blackout, which shows calm composure rather than just talent.
Asked directly whether the new bridge would open on schedule, the project manager [equivocated], saying that "many factors were in play" and that "timelines are always evolving." Reporters left with pages of notes and no real answer.  What does the word "equivocated" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? spoke evasively / argued angrily / answered honestly / measured exactly	spoke evasively — The manager uses vague phrases and gives "no real answer" to a direct question, so he spoke evasively.
Mr. Okafor's lectures on ancient Rome were famous. He could quote Latin poets from memory, explain the details of Roman plumbing, and connect a single coin to three centuries of history. Even other teachers sat in the back of his room to learn from such an [erudite] speaker.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "erudite" as it is used in the excerpt? old-fashioned / loud and dramatic / strict and demanding / deeply learned	deeply learned — Quoting poets from memory and connecting a coin to centuries of history show deep knowledge, so he is deeply learned.
Long before solar panels appeared on city rooftops, the young architect [espoused] the idea that buildings should produce as much energy as they use. She wrote articles, gave talks at universities, and designed her own home to prove her point.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "espoused" most nearly means married / secretly doubted / copied from others / openly supported	openly supported — She writes, speaks, and builds to promote the idea, so she openly supported it; "married" is an old meaning that does not fit an idea.
The company's memo announced that several employees would soon be "transitioning to new opportunities." Workers quickly understood that the phrase was a [euphemism]: thirty people were losing their jobs at the end of the month, and none of them had another job lined up.  What does the word "euphemism" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? a legal warning / a mild stand-in for a harsh fact / a technical term / a cheerful promise of better times	a mild stand-in for a harsh fact — The gentle phrase hides the harsh fact that people are losing their jobs, so it is a mild stand-in for something unpleasant.
In the old tale, a humble stable boy who rescued the princess's horse from a flood was [exalted] overnight. The king made him a knight, granted him a castle in the hills, and seated him at the royal table among lords who had once ordered him to clean the stalls.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "exalted" as it is used in the excerpt? made extremely joyful / praised in a song / sent into hiding / raised to a high rank	raised to a high rank — Being made a knight, given a castle, and seated among lords shows the boy was raised to a high rank.
The tiny island had only one grocery store, and every item arrived by ferry. As a result, prices were [exorbitant]: a gallon of milk cost eleven dollars, and a single watermelon cost more than a family's dinner out on the mainland.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "exorbitant" most nearly means outrageously high / fair and reasonable / rising slowly / carefully fixed	outrageously high — Eleven-dollar milk and a watermelon pricier than a dinner out show the prices are outrageously high.
With a snowstorm only a day away, the town needed its new snowplows immediately. To [expedite] delivery, the manufacturer skipped its usual shipping schedule and sent the trucks by overnight train instead of the two-week road route.  What does the word "expedite" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? cancel / inspect / speed up / pay extra for	speed up — Swapping a two-week route for an overnight train is a way to speed up delivery before the storm.
The researchers had measured the glacier's retreat for only fifteen years, but the trend was steady: about thirty meters per year. [Extrapolating] from those numbers, they predicted that the ice would vanish from the valley entirely by the end of the century.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "Extrapolating" as it is used in the excerpt? removing carefully / copying earlier figures exactly / projecting a trend forward / recovering slowly	projecting a trend forward — The researchers extend a steady fifteen-year trend into the future to make a prediction, which is extrapolating.
A young humpback whale had become tangled in a fishing net off the coast of Long Island. Working from a small boat, rescuers spent four hours cutting the ropes one by one until they finally [extricated] the animal, which swam off with a slap of its tail.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "extricated" most nearly means measured / captured / fed / freed	freed — Cutting the ropes until the whale swims away means the rescuers freed it from the net.
By midsummer the abandoned lot had been transformed, though no one had planted anything there in years. Sunflowers towered over the fence, squash vines crawled across the old parking stripes, and [exuberant] tangles of morning glories climbed every lamppost and spilled onto the sidewalk.  What does the word "exuberant" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? dry and wilted / carefully trimmed / growing thickly / recently planted	growing thickly — The vines "climbed every lamppost and spilled onto the sidewalk," describing plants growing thickly; no one had planted anything there in years, so they were not recently planted.
Grandpa had never cared much for plants, but in his seventies he took a [fancy] to orchids. Within a year, every windowsill in his apartment held a pot, and he could name each variety by its Latin title.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "fancy" as it is used in the excerpt? a wild daydream / a costly decoration / a strong liking / an elegant style	a strong liking — Grandpa fills his windowsills with orchids and learns their names, so he developed a strong liking for them.
The museum's head of conservation was famously [fastidious]. She wore white gloves to turn every page, logged each fingerprint she found on a display case, and once sent back an entire shipment of frames because one corner was a millimeter out of square.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "fastidious" most nearly means deeply nervous / extremely particular / easily bored / unusually fast	extremely particular — Rejecting frames for a millimeter's error and logging every fingerprint show she is extremely particular about detail.
Before sonar, sailors entering an unfamiliar harbor had to [fathom] the water by hand. A crew member would drop a weighted rope over the side, count the knots as it sank, and call out the depth so the captain could steer away from hidden sandbars.  What does the word "fathom" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? measure the depth of / completely understand / calm down / swim through	measure the depth of — The sailors drop a weighted rope and "call out the depth," so here "fathom" means measure the depth of the water.
The opossum has an unusual defense. When a predator approaches, it may topple over, go limp, and even give off a foul smell, [feigning] death so convincingly that many hunters lose interest and wander away.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "feigning" as it is used in the excerpt? avoiding / causing / faking / fearing	faking — The opossum only acts dead "so convincingly" that predators are fooled, so it is pretending.
The new recording studio cost a fortune, but musicians loved it. Its microphones captured sound with such [fidelity] that listeners could hear a guitarist's fingers sliding along the strings and even the faint creak of a drummer's stool.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "fidelity" most nearly means loudness of volume / cost of equipment / loyalty to a person / exactness of reproduction	exactness of reproduction — Hearing tiny details like fingers on strings shows the microphones reproduce sound exactly, not that anyone is loyal.
The referee had ignored small shoves all game, but when the defender grabbed the striker's jersey with both hands and dragged her to the ground in full view of the crowd, he blew his whistle at once. Such a [flagrant] foul, he explained, left him no choice.  What does the word "flagrant" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? hidden from view / accidental and minor / blatant and obvious / sweet-smelling	blatant and obvious — Unlike the small shoves, this foul happened "in full view of the crowd" with both hands, so it was blatant and obvious.
When the lifeguard warned the swimmers about a strong current, one teenager answered with a [flippant] "Guess I'll just swim faster," and his friends laughed. Ten minutes later, the lifeguard had to paddle out on a rescue board and tow the same boy back to shore.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "flippant" most nearly means joking and unserious / polite but firm / nervous and quiet / angry and threatening	joking and unserious — The boy makes a joke about a real danger and his friends laugh, so his answer is unserious; it is not angry or nervous.
The museum's signs clearly asked visitors not to touch the sculptures or use flash photography. Yet even after a guard reminded them twice, a group of tourists [flouted] both rules, posing with their hands on a marble statue while their cameras flashed again and again.  What does the word "flouted" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? proudly showed off / openly disobeyed / read carefully / failed to notice	openly disobeyed — The tourists break the rules "even after a guard reminded them twice," so they openly disobeyed; "showed off" is the meaning of the look-alike word "flaunt."
The team's travel plans remained [fluid] all week. Depending on the weather, the bus might leave on Thursday or Friday, and the coach warned families that the hotel and even the opponent could still change before the weekend.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "fluid" as it is used in the excerpt? smooth and graceful / likely to change / liquid and runny / firmly settled	likely to change — The bus day, hotel, and opponent "could still change," so the plans are likely to change; nothing here is liquid or graceful.
Great scientists have their [foibles] like anyone else. One famous physicist reportedly owned several identical gray suits so he would never waste time choosing clothes, and he was known to forget his own address when lost in thought.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "foibles" most nearly means harmless quirks / lifelong rivals / major discoveries / serious crimes	harmless quirks — Identical suits and forgetting his address are small, odd habits, so "foibles" means harmless quirks.
Engineers noticed hairline cracks in the dam's concrete long before any water leaked through. To [forestall] a disaster, they lowered the reservoir by several feet and began repairs that autumn, years before the cracks could have grown dangerous.  What does the word "forestall" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? study in detail / announce to the public / bring on sooner / head off in advance	head off in advance — The engineers act "years before the cracks could have grown dangerous," so they are heading off disaster in advance.
Every December, the twins agreed to [forgo] birthday presents from each other. Instead, they pooled the money they would have spent and bought warm coats for the volunteers at the animal shelter, a tradition that lasted well into their twenties.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "forgo" as it is used in the excerpt? go without / forget about / trade with each other / go before	go without — The twins skip gifts and spend "the money they would have spent" elsewhere, so they go without presents; "go before" is the meaning of "forego."
Unlike the other judges, who offered vague compliments to every contestant, Chef Moreau was [forthright]. She told one baker that his crust was soggy, another that her filling was too sweet, and a third that she should start over from scratch.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "forthright" most nearly means bluntly honest / especially hungry / cruelly unfair / quietly kind	bluntly honest — Unlike the judges with "vague compliments," Moreau states each problem directly, so she is bluntly honest, not unfair.
The discovery of penicillin was largely [fortuitous]. A scientist left a dish of bacteria uncovered before a vacation, and when he returned, he noticed that a mold had drifted in and killed the bacteria around it, something he had never planned to test.  What does the word "fortuitous" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? carefully planned / extremely costly / widely criticized / owed to lucky chance	owed to lucky chance — The mold "drifted in" and he "never planned to test" it, so the discovery happened by lucky chance.
Caught in a storm off the Carolina coast, the old cargo schooner took on water faster than her crew could pump it out. By midnight she had [foundered], and the sailors watched from their lifeboats as her masts slipped beneath the waves.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "foundered" as it is used in the excerpt? filled with water and sank / lost its way at sea / run aground on rocks / established a new company	filled with water and sank — The ship takes on water and her masts slip "beneath the waves," so here "foundered" means filled with water and sank.
The neighborhood association's meetings had grown [fractious]. Members interrupted one another, argued for an hour over the color of new benches, and twice the meeting ended early when people stormed out, slamming the door behind them. The president finally hired a professional to run the sessions.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "fractious" most nearly means broken into small pieces / quarrelsome and unruly / dull and pointless / small and quiet	quarrelsome and unruly — Interrupting, arguing, and storming out show the meetings were quarrelsome and unruly, not literally broken.
During the final hour before the restaurant opened, the kitchen was [frenetic]: cooks shouted orders, pans clattered, a dishwasher sprinted past with a stack of plates, and the head chef darted between stations tasting every sauce.  What does the word "frenetic" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? wildly hectic / dimly lit / calm and orderly / nearly empty	wildly hectic — Shouting, clattering, sprinting, and darting describe a wildly hectic scene.
The city's first food festival in Queens offered almost everything imaginable. Visitors could taste the full [gamut] of the borough's cooking, from Colombian arepas and Tibetan dumplings to Greek pastries and Bangladeshi curries, all within three blocks.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "gamut" as it is used in the excerpt? secret recipe / entire range / single example / high price	entire range — The list stretches across many cuisines, "from" one end to another, so "gamut" means the entire range.
In the old farming village, every family helped [garner] the wheat before the first frost. Children tied the stalks into bundles, adults carried them to the barn, and by nightfall the year's grain was safely stored for the winter.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "garner" most nearly means praise loudly / sell at the market / plant in rows / gather and store	gather and store — The wheat is bundled, carried to the barn, and "safely stored," so "garner" here means gather and store a harvest.
The [garrulous] taxi driver began talking the moment I climbed in and didn't stop until we reached Brooklyn. By then I had heard about his three cousins, his favorite pizza place, the history of the bridge, and why pigeons are smarter than people think.  What does the word "garrulous" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? very well informed about history / extremely talkative / rude and grumpy / careful and slow	extremely talkative — He talks nonstop about everything from cousins to pigeons, so he is extremely talkative.
Critics praised the film's acting but complained about its [gratuitous] car chases. One reviewer pointed out that the story would have made perfect sense without any of them, and that the forty minutes of crashing cars only made the movie drag.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "gratuitous" as it is used in the excerpt? realistic / free of charge / unnecessary / thrilling	unnecessary — The story "would have made perfect sense without" the chases, so they are unnecessary; "free of charge" is another meaning that does not fit here.
In one folk tale, the tortoise cannot outrun the hare, so he relies on [guile] instead. He places his identical cousins at every mile marker along the route, and the exhausted hare, seeing a tortoise ahead of him at each one, finally gives up.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "guile" most nearly means physical speed / patient courage / good luck / sly cleverness	sly cleverness — The tortoise wins by tricking the hare with look-alike cousins, which is sly cleverness, not speed or luck.
The [hapless] substitute teacher had a terrible first day: the projector broke, a fire drill interrupted his only lesson, and when he finally sat down to eat, he discovered that a squirrel had stolen the sandwich he had left on the windowsill.  What does the word "hapless" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? cheerful / careless / strict / unlucky	unlucky — Everything that goes wrong is outside his control (a broken projector, a fire drill, a squirrel), so he is unlucky.
The climbers later described their descent as [harrowing]. With a storm closing in, they inched down an icy ridge roped together in near-darkness, unable to see more than a few feet, and wondering whether each step would hold.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "harrowing" as it is used in the excerpt? boring and endlessly repetitive / terrifying and distressing / peaceful and slow / proud and joyful	terrifying and distressing — An icy ridge in darkness during a storm, unsure "whether each step would hold," is a terrifying experience.
In the lab, students stirred salt into warm water until no crystals were visible. The resulting solution was [homogeneous]: a sample taken from the top of the beaker contained exactly as much salt as a sample taken from the bottom.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "homogeneous" most nearly means evenly mixed throughout / cloudy in color / heavier near the bottom of the beaker / unsafe to touch	evenly mixed throughout — The top and bottom samples contain "exactly as much salt," so the solution is evenly mixed throughout.
In the Greek myth, Icarus is given wings of feathers and wax and warned not to fly too close to the sun. Thrilled by his new power and certain nothing could harm him, he soars higher and higher until the wax melts. His [hubris] turns a miraculous gift into his downfall.  What does the word "hubris" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? loyalty to his father / fear of heights / reckless overconfidence / curiosity about science	reckless overconfidence — Icarus is "certain nothing could harm him" and ignores a warning, so his downfall comes from reckless overconfidence.
When Marcus said his backpack weighed a thousand pounds, nobody took him literally. His friends knew he was using [hyperbole], the same way he claimed he had waited "forever" for the bus that morning when it had come in twelve minutes.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "hyperbole" as it is used in the excerpt? deliberate exaggeration / outright lying / a quiet complaint / a precise scientific measurement	deliberate exaggeration — "Nobody took him literally," and "forever" really meant twelve minutes, so he is exaggerating on purpose, not lying.
In an age when painters were expected to copy realistic scenes, she was an [iconoclast]. She splashed bright colors across giant canvases, ignored the rules her teachers had drilled into her, and openly mocked the academy's idea of "proper" art.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "iconoclast" most nearly means a careful copyist / a loyal student / a maker of small statues / a rebel against tradition	a rebel against tradition — She ignores the rules and mocks the academy's ideas, so she is a rebel against tradition.
Every musician in the orchestra knew the conductor's [idiosyncrasy]: before each concert, he tapped his baton exactly seven times on the music stand, straightened his left cuff, and only then lifted his arms to begin.  What does the word "idiosyncrasy" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? great talent / secret fear of crowds / personal quirk / harsh temper	personal quirk — Tapping exactly seven times and straightening one cuff is an odd personal habit, a quirk.
On a hot highway, the shimmering pool of water ahead can seem so real that drivers slow down. The water is [illusory], however: it is only hot air bending light from the sky, and it vanishes the moment a car draws near.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "illusory" as it is used in the excerpt? dangerously deep / brightly colored / not actually real / quickly evaporating	not actually real — The "water" is only bent light, so it is not actually real; it vanishes because it never existed, not because it evaporates.
Scientists monitoring the volcano noticed that the ground had swelled several inches overnight and that small earthquakes were coming every few minutes. Convinced that an eruption was [imminent], they ordered nearby villages evacuated before sunrise.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "imminent" most nearly means about to happen / unlikely to occur / already finished / famous and respected	about to happen — The warning signs and the rush to evacuate "before sunrise" show the eruption is about to happen; "famous and respected" is the meaning of "eminent."
When the school board proposed closing the music program, a ninth grader stepped to the microphone. Her voice shook as she described how the orchestra had kept her coming to school, and by the end of her [impassioned] plea, several board members were wiping their eyes.  What does the word "impassioned" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? full of strong feeling / calm, cool, and detached / carefully memorized / quickly forgotten	full of strong feeling — Her shaking voice and the listeners' tears show the plea was full of strong feeling.
The judges searched for a single mistake in the gymnast's routine and found none. Her landings were steady, her timing was [impeccable], and every spin ended exactly where it should, earning her the first perfect score in the competition's history.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "impeccable" as it is used in the excerpt? flawless / slower than usual / unusual / risky	flawless — The judges found no mistake and gave a perfect score, so her timing was flawless.
The new team captain was talented, but her [imperious] manner soon wore on everyone. She snapped her fingers to summon teammates, gave orders without ever saying please, and expected each one to be carried out instantly.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "imperious" most nearly means shy and gentle / related to an empire / quietly helpful / arrogantly bossy	arrogantly bossy — Snapping fingers and expecting instant obedience show an arrogant, bossy manner.
The hikers trusted their new jackets, which were coated with a special layer that made them [impervious] to water. After six hours of steady rain, every hiker unzipped a jacket to find the shirt underneath completely dry.  What does the word "impervious" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? very heavy / not letting liquid pass through / brightly colored / unbothered by criticism	not letting liquid pass through — The shirts stay "completely dry" after hours of rain, so the jackets do not let water pass through.
Hamid was famous among his friends for being [impetuous]. He once bought a used kayak an hour after seeing it online, never asking whether it would fit in his apartment, and he signed up for a marathon the same night he watched one on television.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "impetuous" as it is used in the excerpt? impulsive and hasty / athletic and strong / cautious and careful / generous and kind	impulsive and hasty — Buying a kayak within an hour without thinking and signing up for a marathon on a whim show he is impulsive.
The two rival chess clubs had been [implacable] enemies for decades. No peace offering, joint tournament, or shared pizza night could soften their dislike, and members still refused to sit at the same table during the city championship.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "implacable" most nearly means easily confused / friendly but competitive / newly formed / impossible to win over	impossible to win over — Nothing "could soften their dislike," so the clubs are enemies who cannot be calmed or won over.
Planting the same crop in the same field year after year slowly [impoverishes] the soil. The plants use up the same nutrients each season, and eventually the earth is so weak that even well-watered seeds grow small and pale.  What does the word "impoverishes" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? takes all the money from / waters too heavily / breaks into chunks / drains of nourishment	drains of nourishment — The plants "use up the same nutrients" until the earth is weak, so the soil is drained of nourishment; soil has no money.
For months, raccoons raided the community garden with [impunity], tearing open tomatoes and digging up carrots while the gardeners slept. Fences didn't stop them, motion lights didn't scare them, and the garden club began to wonder if anything ever would.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "impunity" as it is used in the excerpt? in broad daylight / without facing consequences / in large groups / with great care	without facing consequences — Nothing the gardeners tried stopped or scared the raccoons, so they raided without facing consequences.
The talk-show host asked the prize-winning chemist only [inane] questions: her favorite color, whether she preferred cats or dogs, and what she ate for breakfast. Viewers who had tuned in to hear about her research were deeply disappointed.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "inane" most nearly means clever and witty / rude and insulting / silly and pointless / difficult and technical	silly and pointless — The questions are trivial and ignore her research, disappointing viewers, so they are silly and pointless.
After forty minutes of rambling debate, Zara raised her hand and asked a single [incisive] question: "If the new schedule saves money, why does the budget go up?" The room went silent, and the proposal was withdrawn within a week.  What does the word "incisive" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? keenly insightful / long and confusing / shy and hesitant / slicing and cutting	keenly insightful — Her one question cuts straight to the flaw and ends the debate, so it is keenly insightful, not literally cutting.
A single false rumor that a store was giving away free televisions [incited] chaos at the mall. Within an hour, hundreds of people were pushing through the doors, and security guards had to close the parking lot.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "incited" as it is used in the excerpt? reported on / investigated / calmed down / stirred up	stirred up — The rumor caused hundreds of people to rush in, so it stirred up chaos.
When the tiny underdog school beat the defending champions by thirty points, the announcer's voice rose in an [incredulous] shout. Fans in the stands rubbed their eyes and checked the scoreboard twice, as if the numbers might change.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "incredulous" most nearly means disbelieving / furious / amazing to others / bored	disbelieving — Fans rub their eyes and recheck the scoreboard because they can hardly believe it, so the shout is disbelieving.
The astronomy club's rules were simple: whoever borrowed the telescope was responsible for its care. It was [incumbent] on each member to wipe the lens, cap it tightly, and return it to the locked cabinet before leaving the roof.  What does the word "incumbent" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? required as a duty / optional but polite / currently holding office / hard to remember	required as a duty — Members are "responsible" for the telescope's care, so these tasks are required duties; no one here holds an office.
Decades later, Grandma could still describe her first glimpse of the Manhattan skyline from the deck of the ship. The memory was [indelible]: she recalled the gray dawn, the gulls overhead, and the way her mother squeezed her hand.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "indelible" as it is used in the excerpt? impossible to forget / hard to describe / partly invented / painful and difficult to recall	impossible to forget — She remembers every detail "decades later," so the memory is impossible to forget.
The old fishing nets were [indiscriminate]: along with the cod the boats were after, they swept up turtles, dolphins, young fish too small to sell, and anything else in their path. Newer nets are designed to let unwanted animals slip free.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "indiscriminate" most nearly means expensive to use / illegal / not selective / extremely strong	not selective — The nets caught "anything else in their path," not just cod, so they did not select what they caught.
Losing her sight at forty did not stop the marathon runner. With a guide tethered to her wrist, she kept training through snow and summer heat, and at sixty she finished her twentieth race. Reporters called her spirit [indomitable].  What does the word "indomitable" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? easily discouraged by setbacks / oddly cheerful / quietly lonely / impossible to defeat	impossible to defeat — She keeps running for decades despite losing her sight, so her spirit cannot be defeated.
The new restaurant's waiters were friendly but completely [inept]. Orders arrived at the wrong tables, soup was served after dessert, and one waiter dropped an entire tray of drinks into a customer's lap. By the end of the first week, the owner had hired an experienced server to retrain them all.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "inept" as it is used in the excerpt? unskilled / overworked / unfriendly / dishonest	unskilled — Mixed-up orders and a dropped tray show a lack of skill; "friendly" rules out "unfriendly."
Engineers built wall after wall to protect the village, but the sea's advance was [inexorable]. Each winter the waves claimed another few feet of the cliff, and by the century's end the old lighthouse stood alone at the water's edge.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "inexorable" most nearly means impossible to stop / rarely noticed by anyone / partly reversed / very sudden	impossible to stop — Despite "wall after wall," the sea keeps advancing every winter, so its advance is impossible to stop.
Many people treat GPS directions as [infallible], but the system has steered drivers into lakes, onto closed roads, and down hiking trails. Experienced travelers still glance at road signs, knowing that even the smartest technology can be wrong.  What does the word "infallible" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? incapable of error / costly to repair / impossible to find / easy for anyone to use	incapable of error — The excerpt argues against the belief that GPS is never wrong, noting that "even the smartest technology can be wrong."
The new intern was so [ingenuous] that when a coworker joked that the elevator ran on hamster power, she asked where the hamsters were kept. Her coworkers found her trusting nature charming, though they soon stopped teasing her.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "ingenuous" as it is used in the excerpt? brilliantly inventive / innocently trusting / coldly unfriendly / secretly sly	innocently trusting — She believes an obvious joke, and the excerpt mentions her "trusting nature," so she is innocently trusting; "inventive" is the meaning of "ingenious."
After twenty years of driving on the right side of the road, my uncle found it hard to adjust in London. The habit was so [ingrained] that he kept reaching for a gearshift on the wrong side and twice signaled with the windshield wipers.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "ingrained" most nearly means easily broken / recently learned / deeply fixed / rarely used	deeply fixed — Twenty years of habit keep taking over despite his efforts, so it is deeply fixed.
The hospital cafeteria's soup was famously [insipid]. Patients joked that it tasted like warm water with a carrot waved over it, and visitors began slipping little packets of salt and pepper into their pockets before lunch.  What does the word "insipid" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? almost tasteless / burned and bitter / far too spicy / served cold	almost tasteless — It tastes like "warm water" and visitors bring salt and pepper, so the soup is almost tasteless.
At first, the cliff seemed [insurmountable] to the young hikers: a wall of rock rising hundreds of feet above them with no visible path. Then their guide pointed out a narrow ledge zigzagging up the face, and the impossible suddenly looked merely difficult.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "insurmountable" as it is used in the excerpt? dangerously slippery / impossible to overcome / boring and tiring / surprisingly easy	impossible to overcome — The cliff looked like "the impossible" until the guide found a path, so it seemed impossible to overcome.
The flight delay seemed [interminable]. Hour after hour, the announcements promised departure "shortly," the children grew restless, and by midnight passengers were curled up on the floor beside the gate. When the plane finally took off at dawn, a few weary travelers actually applauded.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "interminable" most nearly means dangerous / seemingly endless / never explained to anyone / brief and minor	seemingly endless — "Hour after hour" until midnight, the delay drags on, so it seems endless.
City planners had tried everything to end the rush-hour jam at the bridge: new traffic lights, extra lanes, even ferry service. Nothing worked, and after thirty years the problem was considered [intractable] by everyone at city hall.  What does the word "intractable" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? easy to fix / not yet noticed by anyone / newly created / impossible to solve	impossible to solve — After "everything" failed for thirty years, the problem is considered impossible to solve.
New deckhands on the crab boat shivered and stamped their feet, complaining that the spray froze on their eyelashes. Tomas just kept coiling rope with bare hands. Twenty winters on the Bering Sea had [inured] him to the cold, and he hardly noticed the ice forming along the rail.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "inured" as it is used in the excerpt? briefly exposed to / made eager for / made resentful of / made used to	made used to — Tomas "hardly noticed" the ice after "twenty winters," so long experience has made him used to the cold rather than resentful or eager.
The galley cook had burned the stew again, and the captain let loose a stream of [invective] that could be heard from the crow's nest. He called the cook a menace, a disgrace, and worse, until the poor man retreated below deck with his ears burning.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "invective" most nearly means formal orders / abusive insults / quiet complaints / clever inventions	abusive insults — The captain calls the cook "a menace, a disgrace, and worse" loudly enough to be heard far away, so the word means abusive insults, not quiet complaints or orders.
Everyone in the harbor town knew to tiptoe around Mr. Hale, the [irascible] lighthouse keeper. A child's question, a gull on his railing, or a boot left on his clean steps was enough to send him into a shouting fit. Visitors learned to wave from the road and keep walking.  What does the word "irascible" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? easily angered / deeply lonely / hard of hearing / highly respected	easily angered — Tiny things like "a gull on his railing" send him "into a shouting fit," so he is easily angered; nothing in the excerpt suggests loneliness or respect.
The student podcast about the Constitution was not the dry lecture the teachers expected. The hosts gave the founders silly nicknames, joked about their powdered wigs, and staged a mock argument over who had the worst handwriting. The tone was [irreverent], yet listeners came away remembering every article.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "irreverent" as it is used in the excerpt? deeply sorrowful / thoroughly researched / playfully disrespectful / carefully neutral	playfully disrespectful — Silly nicknames and jokes about wigs show the hosts poking fun at serious figures, which is playful disrespect, not neutrality or sorrow.
When the engineers finally opened the new dam's gates in 1958, the valley began to fill. Within a month, the church steeple and the old schoolhouse had vanished under forty feet of water. Some families later regretted selling their farms, but the choice was [irrevocable]: the village would never see daylight again.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "irrevocable" most nearly means impossible to reverse / carefully planned / slow to happen / open to later revision	impossible to reverse — The village "would never see daylight again," so the choice could not be undone, even though some families regretted it.
The kayakers paused at the [juncture] of the two rivers. On the left, the water ran brown with mud from the mountains; on the right, it was clear and green. For nearly a mile the two currents flowed side by side in the same channel before finally blending together.  What does the word "juncture" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? deep pool / critical moment / meeting point / wide bend	meeting point — The kayakers are at the spot where "two rivers" come together and flow side by side, so the word names a place where things join, not a moment in time.
Ms. Okafor gave her history students wide [latitude] on the final project. They could write a short play, build a model of a medieval town, or record a podcast interview with an imaginary knight. Her only rule was that every fact had to be backed up by a real source.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "latitude" as it is used in the excerpt? strict guidance / amount of time / freedom to choose / distance from the equator	freedom to choose — Students could pick among a play, a model, or a podcast, with "only" one rule, so they have freedom to choose; the excerpt has nothing to do with geography or time limits.
The duchess received the reporters in her library but did not offer them chairs. She answered each question in a [lofty] tone, gazing over their heads at the bookshelves, as if explaining something obvious to small children who had wandered in by mistake.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "lofty" most nearly means very tall / high-pitched / superior and condescending / gentle and endlessly patient	superior and condescending — She treats the reporters like "small children" and refuses them chairs, so her tone is superior and condescending; "high-pitched" is a trap based on the word's literal meaning of "high."
At first the archivist thought the bundle of letters was ordinary family mail. Only after weeks of reading did she grasp the [magnitude] of the find: the letters described a secret meeting that no history book had ever mentioned, and they would force scholars to rewrite an entire chapter of the city's past.  What does the word "magnitude" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? hidden danger / exact location in the archive / great importance / physical weight	great importance — The letters "would force scholars to rewrite an entire chapter," which shows how important the discovery is; nothing points to its location, danger, or weight.
Nobody in the family liked the portrait at the top of the stairs. The painted great-uncle seemed [malevolent]: his narrow eyes followed you down the hall, and his thin smile looked like the smile of someone who had just set a trap and was waiting for you to step in it.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "malevolent" as it is used in the excerpt? deeply sad / very ancient / wishing harm / poorly painted	wishing harm — His smile looks like that of someone who "set a trap," so the portrait seems to wish harm; nothing suggests sadness or poor painting.
The restorer worked in cotton gloves and held her breath whenever she leaned close to the violin. Its varnish had stayed flawless for nearly three hundred years, and she knew that one careless fingerprint or drop of sweat could [mar] a surface no modern craftsman could ever recreate.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "mar" most nearly means damage / measure / darken / polish	damage — She wears gloves because a fingerprint could harm a "flawless" finish, so the word means damage; polishing would not be something to fear.
Locals still call the narrow strip of grass behind the bus depot "the Grand Meadow." The name is a [misnomer]: the strip is barely wider than a sidewalk, it holds two benches and one tired maple, and on most days pigeons outnumber the people.  What does the word "misnomer" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? well-known city landmark / local legend / inaccurate name / spelling error	inaccurate name — A strip "barely wider than a sidewalk" is not grand or a meadow, so the name is inaccurate; it is not misspelled, legendary, or famous.
Most people assume a beekeeper needs years of training. Yet with only a [modicum] of instruction—two Saturday workshops and a borrowed veil—the members of the rooftop garden club in Queens were soon harvesting honey from three healthy hives.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "modicum" as it is used in the excerpt? official record / complete absence / small amount / great deal	small amount — The members had "only" two workshops, which is a small amount of instruction, not none at all and not a great deal.
To save money, the town council voted to stop repairing the old seawall. Critics called the decision [myopic]. The savings would cover a year of street paving, they pointed out, but the next major storm could flood the entire waterfront and cost the town fifty times as much.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "myopic" most nearly means unable to see distant objects / against the law / short-sighted in planning / generous to the town	short-sighted in planning — The critics point out that the plan saves money now but risks a much bigger cost later, so it fails to think ahead; it is not about eyesight.
Two weeks before the festival, the committee's plans were still [nebulous]. When the principal asked what the students had decided, the chair could only say, "Something with music, maybe outdoors, possibly on a Friday." Nobody had booked a band, picked a date, or chosen a location.  What does the word "nebulous" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? kept secret from the principal / vague and undefined / cloudlike in shape / overly ambitious	vague and undefined — The chair's answer is full of "something" and "maybe," and nothing has been decided, so the plans are vague; "cloudlike in shape" is a literal trap.
The fire inspector's report did not hold back. Smoke detectors had no batteries, the fire escape had been rusted shut for years, and boxes blocked both exits. The building's owner, the report concluded, had been [negligent], ignoring warnings from tenants since at least 2019.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "negligent" as it is used in the excerpt? unusually cruel / poorly paid / careless about duties / forgetful about people's names	careless about duties — The owner ignored warnings and let safety problems pile up, which shows failure to do his duty; nothing suggests cruelty or pay.
The science museum could have charged twenty dollars a ticket. Instead, its founders insisted on a [nominal] admission price—one dollar for adults, a quarter for children—because they wanted every family in the neighborhood to walk through the doors, no matter what their budget.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "nominal" most nearly means very small / required by law / set by tradition / paid monthly	very small — A price of "one dollar for adults, a quarter for children" instead of twenty dollars is a very small amount; nothing in the excerpt mentions a law, a tradition, or monthly payments.
Rather than ask his boss outright for a raise, Theo made [oblique] remarks all week. He mentioned how much rents had risen, sighed about the price of subway fares, and wondered aloud how other workers managed. His boss, busy with her own deadlines, never noticed the hints.  What does the word "oblique" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? rude / indirect / loud / slanted	indirect — Theo avoids asking "outright" and drops "hints" instead, so his remarks are indirect; "slanted" is the word's physical meaning, which does not fit remarks.
The director's new assistant was [obsequious] from his first day. He laughed too loudly at every joke she made, agreed with her opinions before she finished stating them, and once thanked her three times for handing him a stapler. The rest of the crew rolled their eyes.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "obsequious" as it is used in the excerpt? shy and silent / very efficient / too eager to please / openly rebellious and defiant	too eager to please — Laughing too loudly and thanking her three times for a stapler show someone trying far too hard to please; he is neither rebellious nor silent.
Stepping into the restored theater felt like traveling back to 1928. Gold leaf curled along every balcony, crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, and the seats were upholstered in deep red velvet. The [opulent] lobby, the guide explained, had been designed to make every ticket holder feel like royalty.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "opulent" most nearly means dimly lit / crowded / old-fashioned / luxurious	luxurious — Gold leaf, crystal, velvet, and "royalty" all point to luxury; the chandeliers "glittered," so it is not dim.
In ancient Athens, citizens had an unusual way of dealing with a man they feared was growing too powerful. Each voter scratched a name on a piece of broken pottery, and if enough votes were cast, the city would [ostracize] that man, forcing him to leave Athens for ten years.  What does the word "ostracize" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? honor publicly / elect to office / punish with fines / send away	send away — The man is forced "to leave Athens for ten years," so the word means send away, not fine or honor.
Bottles of Dr. Pemberly's Golden Tonic sold by the thousands in the 1880s. Its labels promised a [panacea]: one spoonful a day would supposedly cure headaches, toothaches, baldness, weak nerves, and even bad luck. Chemists who later tested the tonic found mostly sugar water and alcohol.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "panacea" as it is used in the excerpt? rare plant / cure for everything / pleasant flavor / dangerous and toxic poison	cure for everything — The labels claimed it cured headaches, baldness, "and even bad luck," so it was sold as a cure for everything.
The surprise hit of the talent show was a [parody] of the principal's morning announcements. Two seniors copied his slow drumroll of a voice, his habit of saying "and furthermore," and his weekly reminder about hallway gum, until even the principal himself was laughing in the front row.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "parody" most nearly means formal complaint / humorous imitation / serious tribute / exact word-for-word copy	humorous imitation — The seniors exaggerate the principal's habits and make everyone laugh, so it is a humorous imitation, not a serious tribute or exact copy.
Every April, Mrs. Park replants her marigolds and petunias, which die with the first frost. The lavender along her fence is different. It is [perennial], sinking back to bare woody stems each winter and sending up fresh purple spikes from the same roots every spring for more than a decade.  What does the word "perennial" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? living for many years / constantly troublesome / sweet-smelling / fast-growing	living for many years — Unlike flowers that must be replanted, the lavender returns "from the same roots every spring for more than a decade," so it lives for many years.
Wolves have long been cast as villains. The documentary argued that old cartoons and fairy tales [perpetuated] the image of the bloodthirsty wolf, passing it from one generation of children to the next, long after biologists had shown that wild wolves almost never attack people.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "perpetuated" as it is used in the excerpt? punished / proved false / kept alive / invented	kept alive — The stories kept "passing it from one generation to the next," so they kept the false image alive; biologists, not cartoons, disproved it.
Judge Alvarez allowed the lawyer plenty of time, but she had one firm rule: questions had to be [pertinent] to the night of the warehouse fire. When he began asking the witness about her high school grades, the judge cut him off and told him to return to the evening in question.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "pertinent" most nearly means relevant / brief / difficult / polite	relevant — The judge stops questions about high school grades because they have nothing to do with the fire, so questions had to be relevant.
The library on Fulton Street exists because of one woman's [philanthropy]. A seamstress who never earned much, she saved for forty years and left her entire savings to the neighborhood, asking only that the money be used for books and a reading room open to everyone.  What does the word "philanthropy" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? political influence / business skill / love of books / charitable giving	charitable giving — She "left her entire savings to the neighborhood" for a free reading room, which is charitable giving; "love of books" is a tempting wrong answer because the gift paid for books.
When the team lost the championship by one point, the coach gathered the players and offered only [platitudes]. "Everything happens for a reason," she said. "There's always next year." Jordan stared at her cleats. She had wanted to hear something real, not lines she had heard a hundred times.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "platitudes" as it is used in the excerpt? detailed instructions / overused sayings / harsh criticisms / secret signals	overused sayings — Jordan has heard the lines "a hundred times" and wanted "something real," so they are overused sayings, not criticism or instructions.
Visitors to the new food hall in the old shipyard are often frozen by indecision. A [plethora] of stalls lines both floors: Sichuan dumplings, Oaxacan tacos, Ethiopian stews, Neapolitan pizza, and at least six kinds of ice cream. Many people walk the full loop twice before choosing anything.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "plethora" most nearly means large number / shortage / printed list / small tasting sample	large number — So many stalls line "both floors" that people are "frozen by indecision," so the word means a large number.
Critics agree that the poet's new collection is her bravest. Instead of the light nature poems that made her famous, she [plumbs] her childhood memories, returning again and again to the summer her father left, and digging past easy answers toward feelings she had never written about before.  What does the word "plumbs" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? quickly forgets / explores deeply / measures water depth / neatly summarizes	explores deeply — She is "digging past easy answers" into old memories, so she explores them deeply; measuring water is the word's literal meaning and does not fit a poetry collection.
The cat crouched low in the tall grass, [poised] to spring. Her tail twitched once, then went still. Ten feet away, a sparrow hopped closer, pecking at seeds, unaware that every muscle in the cat's body was tensed for a single explosive leap.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "poised" as it is used in the excerpt? calm and elegant / ready to act / balanced on one foot / too frightened to move	ready to act — Her muscles are "tensed for a single explosive leap," so she is ready to act; "calm and elegant" is another meaning of the word that does not fit a tense hunter.
The plan to replace the park's old oak trees with a parking garage [polarized] the neighborhood. Half the residents signed petitions and chained themselves to trunks; the other half packed meetings demanding more parking. By summer, neighbors on opposite sides of the street had stopped speaking to each other.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "polarized" most nearly means magnetized / left confused about it / divided sharply / united	divided sharply — Residents split into two halves and stopped speaking, so the plan divided them sharply; "magnetized" is a science meaning that does not fit people.
When the bank building went up in 1911, the builders sealed a copper box inside its cornerstone. They filled it with newspapers, photographs, and letters addressed "To whoever opens this." They left the box for [posterity], hoping readers a century later would learn how people lived in their time.  What does the word "posterity" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? future generations / good luck / the current mayor / safekeeping by banks	future generations — The box was meant for "readers a century later," which means future generations.
In the lab, Mei added three drops of the clear silver solution to a beaker of salt water. Instantly, the liquid turned cloudy, and a fine white solid [precipitated], drifting slowly to the bottom of the beaker like snow settling in a glass globe.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "precipitated" as it is used in the excerpt? triggered suddenly / separated out as a solid / boiled away / dissolved completely into the water	separated out as a solid — A "white solid" forms and drifts to the bottom, so it separated out of the liquid; the excerpt describes a solid appearing, not something being triggered or dissolving.
At four, Ada was already [precocious]. She read the newspaper aloud at breakfast, corrected her older cousins' spelling, and asked her grandfather to explain how the stock market worked. Her preschool teacher finally suggested she spend reading time with the second graders down the hall.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "precocious" most nearly means advanced for her age / unusually talkative for a child / spoiled / nervous	advanced for her age — A four-year-old reading the newspaper and joining second graders is far ahead of her age; nothing suggests she is spoiled or nervous.
When Dr. Osei became principal, parents expected big changes. Instead, she kept most of her [predecessor]'s policies, including the morning reading hour and the Friday science fairs, and changed only one thing: she moved her desk out of the office and into the main hallway.  What does the word "predecessor" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? rival / person who held the job before / person who will hold the job next / assistant	person who held the job before — She kept the policies of the principal who came before her; the word refers to the earlier principal, not an assistant or a future one.
On his very first morning, the new intern rearranged the senior editor's desk, relabeled her files, and replaced her favorite lamp with one he liked better. When she arrived, she stood in the doorway for a long moment. "That," she said quietly, "was [presumptuous]."  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "presumptuous" as it is used in the excerpt? thoughtful and considerate / overly bold / efficient / accidental	overly bold — The intern changed someone else's desk without asking, on his first day, which is overly bold; the editor's stunned reaction shows it was not appreciated.
By age eight, the girl from the Bronx had won three citywide piano competitions against teenagers twice her age. Concert halls began calling her parents, and a famous teacher from Vienna flew to New York just to hear her play. Reporters soon labeled her a [prodigy].  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "prodigy" most nearly means exceptionally gifted child / loyal and hardworking student / strange event / nervous beginner	exceptionally gifted child — An eight-year-old beating teenagers and drawing a famous teacher across the ocean is an exceptionally gifted child.
A longtime [proponent] of protected bike lanes, Ms. Vega spent ten years at community board meetings arguing that painted lines were not enough. She brought maps of accidents, letters from parents, and photos of crowded corners until the board finally approved concrete barriers on Second Avenue.  What does the word "proponent" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? critic / inventor / advocate / opponent	advocate — She spent years arguing for bike lanes, so she supports the idea; "opponent" and "critic" mean the opposite.
For years, fans traded wild theories about how the magician made a grand piano vanish onstage. When his former assistant finally revealed the secret, it was disappointingly [prosaic]: a large mirror, a black curtain, and a trapdoor that any carpenter could have built in an afternoon.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "prosaic" as it is used in the excerpt? written in prose / surprisingly ingenious and clever / dangerous / ordinary and unexciting	ordinary and unexciting — The secret is "disappointingly" simple, something "any carpenter could have built," so it is ordinary; "written in prose" is a trap based on how the word looks.
The effort to save the Ridgewood community garden had many helpers, but Rosa Delgado was its chief [protagonist]. She organized every meeting, wrote every letter to the city, and stood on the front steps of City Hall with a petition of four thousand names until the council agreed to protect the lot.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "protagonist" most nearly means fierce opponent / silent observer / leading champion / main character in a novel	leading champion — Rosa organized meetings and led the petition, so she is the leading champion of the cause; the excerpt is about real events, not a novel.
The apartment was small and the kitchen had no window, but its [proximity] to the subway won the Guzman family over. From the front door, the station entrance was forty steps away, and Mr. Guzman could reach his job downtown in under fifteen minutes.  What does the word "proximity" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? view / noise / nearness / price	nearness — The station is "forty steps away," which describes nearness.
Thirty eighth graders spilled into the planetarium, shoving and shouting about who would sit where. Dr. Reyes said nothing. She simply dimmed the lights and switched on a sky full of stars, and the gasp that went through the room [quelled] the noise faster than any lecture could have.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "quelled" as it is used in the excerpt? ignored / silenced / measured / stirred up	silenced — After the lights dim, a gasp spreads and the shouting stops, so the noise was silenced, not stirred up.
Her opponent claimed that homework does nothing to help students learn. Imani listened, took notes, and then rose for her [rebuttal]. In two minutes she cited three studies showing the opposite and pointed out that his main source was forty years old. The judges scribbled furiously.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "rebuttal" most nearly means apology / response disproving an argument / agreement / opening statement of her own case	response disproving an argument — Imani speaks after her opponent and presents evidence "showing the opposite," so it is a response that disproves his argument.
For thirty years the painter lived as a [recluse] in a stone cottage on the cliffs. She refused interviews, had her groceries left at the gate, and once hid in the garden shed for an entire afternoon rather than greet a museum director who had driven six hours to meet her.  What does the word "recluse" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? prisoner / person who avoids others / famous and widely admired artist / wanderer	person who avoids others — She refuses interviews and hides rather than greet a visitor, so she avoids other people; she stays in one place, so she is not a wanderer.
Every Thanksgiving, after the pies come out, Grandpa [recounts] the story of his first winter in New York: the coat two sizes too big, the job washing dishes on Mulberry Street, and the night he got lost on the subway and ended up in Coney Island. The grandchildren know every word.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "recounts" as it is used in the excerpt? counts again / questions / forgets / tells in detail	tells in detail — Grandpa shares a story whose details "the grandchildren know every word" of, so he tells it in detail; "counts again" is another meaning that does not fit a story.
For decades, families on the east side of the river had been charged twice as much for water as families on the west. After a newspaper exposed the practice, the council voted to [redress] the injustice by refunding the overcharges and setting one price for the whole town.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "redress" most nearly means repeat / excuse / set right / investigate	set right — Refunding money and setting a fair price fix the wrong, so the council moves to set it right; the newspaper had already done the investigating.
The old sailor sat by the stove and [related] the tale of the storm of 1938 in a low voice. He spared no detail: the mast that snapped like a pencil, the waves taller than the lighthouse, the two days spent bailing water with a cooking pot.  What does the word "related" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? felt sympathy for / connected / was family to / told	told — He shares the tale "in a low voice" and "spared no detail," so he told it; the other choices are other meanings of the word that do not fit telling a story.
At the end of the ceremony, the principal paused before stepping away from the podium. "I would be [remiss]," she said, "if I did not thank the custodians, who stayed until two in the morning setting up these chairs." The audience rose and applauded the staff in the back row.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "remiss" as it is used in the excerpt? too emotional / uninvited / failing in my duty / remembered fondly by everyone	failing in my duty — She feels she must thank the custodians and would be wrong not to, so "remiss" means failing in her duty.
Few people expected the young prince to walk away. Yet at twenty-two, before a crowd of stunned courtiers, he [renounced] his claim to the throne, signed the papers that made his younger sister heir, and sailed for a new life as a marine biologist.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "renounced" most nearly means inherited / fought for / formally gave up / announced again in public	formally gave up — He chooses to "walk away" and signs papers making his sister heir, so he formally gave up his claim.
The science fair judges had seen sloppy work before, but this was different. One team had copied another school's data table, changed the names, and claimed the results as their own. The head judge called the act [reprehensible] and disqualified the team on the spot.  What does the word "reprehensible" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? slightly careless / deserving blame / difficult to prove / easy to forgive	deserving blame — Copying data and claiming it led to instant disqualification, so the act deserves strong blame; it was deliberate, not "slightly careless."
For eleven days the heat wave pressed down on the city, and fire escapes became bedrooms. Then, one evening, a thunderstorm rolled in off the harbor. For two blessed days the temperature dropped twenty degrees, a brief [respite] before the heat returned the following week.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "respite" as it is used in the excerpt? lasting cure / costly damage / serious warning / brief relief	brief relief — The cooler weather lasts "two blessed days" before the heat comes back, so it is brief relief, not a lasting cure.
In the 1990s, record stores were closing across the country as people switched to newer formats. Lately, though, the format has made a surprising [resurgence]: teenagers hunt through crates at flea markets, and new pressing plants have opened in Brooklyn to keep up with demand.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "resurgence" most nearly means legal ban / sudden surge of water / return to popularity / sudden decline	return to popularity — After stores were "closing," records are now in such demand that new plants have opened, so they have returned to popularity.
Though her discoveries filled textbooks, the chemist was a [retiring] woman. She still arrived at her lab at six every morning, but she slipped out the side door when reporters came, sent her assistants to accept awards, and once spent an entire banquet in the coat room to avoid giving a speech.  What does the word "retiring" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? exhausted / rude / about to stop working / shy and reserved	shy and reserved — She avoids reporters and speeches yet still works daily, so the word means shy and reserved, not about to stop working.
A house cat walks almost silently because it can [retract] its claws, sliding them back into sheaths in its paws. Only when it climbs, scratches, or pounces do the hooked tips slide out. Dogs, whose claws stay out all the time, click loudly across a wooden floor.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "retract" as it is used in the excerpt? take back a statement / sharpen / extend / pull back in	pull back in — The claws slide "back into sheaths" and come out only when needed, so the cat pulls them back in; "take back a statement" is another meaning that does not fit claws.
When the textile mill closed in 1979, the effects [reverberated] through the town for years. The diner lost its lunch crowd, the hardware store shut down, and the high school's graduating class shrank by half as families moved away to find work.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "reverberated" most nearly means had lasting effects / was celebrated / echoed loudly off buildings / was reversed	had lasting effects — The closing caused lost business and families moving away "for years," so it had lasting, spreading effects; there is no actual sound in the excerpt.
The lab's report ran to three hundred pages, but the city council had ten minutes. So the scientist stood and named only the [salient] findings: the river's oxygen levels had doubled, two native fish species had returned, and the old factory site still leaked chemicals during heavy rain.  What does the word "salient" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? jutting outward / minor / most important / outdated	most important — With only ten minutes to cover three hundred pages, she picks out the key points, so the word means most important.
The forecast called for a seventy percent chance of rain, and two vendors had already canceled. Still, the street fair's organizers remained [sanguine]. They hung extra tarps, moved the band under the bridge, and told volunteers that a little drizzle never stopped New Yorkers from buying dumplings.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "sanguine" as it is used in the excerpt? angry / worried / blood-red / optimistic	optimistic — The organizers prepare cheerfully and joke that drizzle won't stop buyers, so they are optimistic despite the bad forecast.
The play opens in a town council meeting where members argue for six hours about the color of a single park bench while a flood rises outside the window. By the final act, the water has reached the ceiling and they are still voting. Audiences laughed, but the [satire] had a sharp point about leaders who ignore real problems.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "satire" most nearly means true history / serious musical performance / sad story / humor used to criticize	humor used to criticize — The play makes people laugh while making "a sharp point" about bad leaders, which is humor used to criticize.
When the city cut the festival's budget in half, the organizers had to [scale] back their plans. The fireworks show was canceled, the main stage shrank to a flatbed truck, and three days of events were squeezed into one long Saturday afternoon.  What does the word "scale" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? weigh / climb / measure / reduce	reduce — The fireworks were canceled and three days became one, so the plans were reduced; "climb" is another meaning that makes no sense with "back."
Each fall, the swallows on the Long Island farm gather on the wires and vanish south, flying thousands of miles to spend the winter in South America. The cardinals, by contrast, are [sedentary]. The same pair may stay in a single backyard all year, flashing red against the snow in January.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "sedentary" as it is used in the excerpt? lazy / staying in one area / quiet / brightly colored in winter	staying in one area — Unlike the migrating swallows, cardinals "stay in a single backyard all year," so the word means staying in one area; "lazy" is a trap from the word's other meaning.
For weeks after the hurricane, the town had no power, no school, and no open stores. Volunteers cleared streets, opened a pop-up kitchen in the church parking lot, and organized games for children, all to bring back some [semblance] of normal life while repairs went on around them.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "semblance" most nearly means outward form / opposite / strict rule of behavior / memory	outward form — The volunteers create something that looks and feels like normal life while repairs continue, so it is an outward form, not the full reality.
The researcher had been trying to make a stronger glue and failed again and again. One batch came out so weak that it peeled away without leaving a mark. Instead of tossing it, a coworker used it to hold bookmarks in his hymnal, and the reusable sticky note was born. Engineers still call it a classic case of [serendipity].  What does the word "serendipity" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? bad luck / lucky accident / careful planning / hard work	lucky accident — A failed glue accidentally turned into a useful product, so it was a lucky accident, not careful planning.
Astronomers had predicted a faint smudge, visible only through telescopes. Instead, the comet blazed across the night sky with a tail stretching a third of the way to the horizon, bright enough to read by. Older scientists agreed it was a [singular] sight, unlike anything they had seen in their careers.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "singular" as it is used in the excerpt? only one in number / frightening / dim / extraordinary	extraordinary — The comet was "unlike anything they had seen" and far brighter than predicted, so it was extraordinary; "only one in number" is the grammar meaning, which does not fit here.
In the months after her grandmother died, Ana rarely wanted to talk to anyone. She found [solace] instead in the old upright piano in the living room, playing the same Chopin piece her grandmother had taught her, until the ache in her chest loosened a little each evening.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "solace" most nearly means confusion / loneliness / advice / comfort	comfort — Playing the piano made "the ache in her chest" loosen, so the piano gave her comfort in her grief.
The cell signal at the summer camp was [sporadic] at best. A camper might get two bars standing on the dock at noon, lose them completely by the cabins, and then suddenly receive six days of messages at once while waiting in line for breakfast.  What does the word "sporadic" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? weak but completely constant / expensive / occasional and irregular / strong	occasional and irregular — The signal comes and goes unpredictably, appearing at the dock and vanishing at the cabins, so it is occasional and irregular.
The new gourmet cat food cost four dollars a can, and Mrs. Chen had driven across town to buy it. Biscuit sniffed the bowl once, flicked her tail, and walked away. She [spurned] it for three days, then happily ate a sardine that had fallen behind the refrigerator.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "spurned" as it is used in the excerpt? devoured / sniffed at curiously / hid away / rejected scornfully	rejected scornfully — Biscuit flicks her tail, walks away, and refuses the food for days, so she rejected it with scorn; she sniffs only once, so "sniffed at curiously" misses the point.
In the 1890s, reformer photographers climbed the narrow stairs of Lower East Side tenements to show the city how its poorest families lived. Their pictures revealed [squalid] rooms: no windows, one sink for an entire floor, garbage piled in airshafts, and eight people sleeping in a space the size of a closet.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "squalid" most nearly means newly built / tall and narrow / crowded with tourists / filthy and run-down	filthy and run-down — Garbage, no windows, and one sink per floor describe filthy, run-down living conditions.
The critic praised the novel's setting but complained about its people. The characters, she wrote, were [static]: the greedy uncle was just as greedy on page four hundred as on page one, and the timid heroine never once found her courage, no matter what disaster struck.  What does the word "static" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? electrically charged / crackling with noise / unchanging / heroic	unchanging — The uncle stays greedy and the heroine stays timid throughout, so the characters never change; the electrical meaning does not fit people in a novel.
Mrs. Albright had defended the neighborhood swimming pool for fifty years. When the city proposed closing it in 1975, she organized sit-ins; when the filters broke in 1990, she raised money for repairs; and at ninety-one she still spoke at every budget hearing. No one doubted she was the pool's most [staunch] supporter.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "staunch" as it is used in the excerpt? loyal and firm / former / secret / wavering and uncertain	loyal and firm — She defended the pool for fifty years, still speaking at hearings at ninety-one, so she is loyal and firm; nothing suggests she wavered.
For centuries, left-handed children in many countries faced a [stigma]. Teachers tied their left hands behind their backs, parents worried it was a sign of bad character, and some adults hid the habit their whole lives. Today scientists know left-handedness is simply a natural difference.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "stigma" most nearly means physical scar / special hidden talent / school rule / mark of disgrace	mark of disgrace — Teachers punished it, parents saw it as "bad character," and people hid it, so it carried a mark of disgrace; it was not a literal scar.
When the sculptor died, she left her farmhouse to the town, but with conditions. Her will [stipulated] that the house be turned into a free art school, that its doors stay open every Saturday, and that no tree on the property ever be cut down.  What does the word "stipulated" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? suggested politely as an idea / required as a condition / strictly forbade / secretly hid	required as a condition — The will lists "conditions" that must be met for the gift, so it required them; it did not merely suggest them.
The film critic sighed in her review. Every character was [stock]: the grumpy janitor who turns out to be wise, the popular girl who is secretly lonely, the nerdy best friend who saves the day with a laptop. Audiences, she wrote, had seen these people a thousand times.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "stock" as it is used in the excerpt? standard and predictable / well-developed / kept in storage for later sale / related to money	standard and predictable — Audiences have "seen these people a thousand times," so the characters are standard and predictable; storage and money are other meanings that do not fit.
After six hours of climbing through fog, the hikers stepped onto the summit just as the clouds tore open. Below them, a hundred miles of snowy peaks glowed pink in the dawn light. No one spoke. Years later, Daniel still struggled to describe that [sublime] moment to people who had not been there.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "sublime" most nearly means awe-inspiring / subtle / hidden from view / slightly disappointing	awe-inspiring — The view left the hikers speechless and was hard to describe for years, so it was awe-inspiring.
In 1900, horses still pulled most of the wagons, cabs, and streetcars in New York. Within twenty years, automobiles had [supplanted] them almost entirely. Stables became garages, blacksmiths retrained as mechanics, and the city's horse-watering troughs were left to collect leaves.  What does the word "supplanted" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? frightened / replaced / planted / supported	replaced — Stables became garages and blacksmiths became mechanics, so cars replaced horses.
Mr. Patel did not want a summary of each article. The strongest essays, he explained, would weave the three sources together, using the historian's dates, the scientist's data, and the journalist's interviews to build one new argument. What he wanted was a [synthesis], not a list.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "synthesis" as it is used in the excerpt? combination into a whole / exact copy / summary of each source separately / harsh criticism	combination into a whole — He wants the sources woven "together" into "one new argument," so the word means combining parts into a whole.
The coach asked the team captain whether anyone had broken curfew the night before the game. The captain stared at his shoes and said nothing for a full minute. His silence, the assistant coach later remarked, was [tantamount] to a confession.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "tantamount" most nearly means superior / equivalent / completely unrelated / opposed	equivalent — The captain's silence gave away the answer as clearly as admitting it would have, so it was equivalent to a confession.
Unlike his loud, impulsive brother, Uncle Felix was a [temperate] man. He never raised his voice in an argument, ate one slice of pie when others ate three, and waited a full day before answering any letter that made him angry.  What does the word "temperate" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? short-tempered and loud / mild in climate / self-controlled / lazy	self-controlled — Felix never raises his voice, eats one slice, and waits before replying, so he shows self-control; "mild in climate" describes weather, not a person.
After twenty-two years leading the orchestra, Maestro Ivanov stood at the end of the spring concert, thanked the musicians, and [tendered] his resignation to the board in a handwritten letter. The board members, though sad, accepted it the following week.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "tendered" as it is used in the excerpt? softened / refused / cared for gently and kindly / formally offered	formally offered — He hands the board a letter, which they later "accepted," so he formally offered his resignation; "softened" is a trap based on the adjective meaning of the word.
Every science student learns one central [tenet] of the scientific method: a result counts only if other researchers can repeat the experiment and get the same answer. A single amazing result, no matter how famous the scientist, proves nothing until others confirm it.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "tenet" most nearly means renter / lab tool / rare exception to rules / basic principle	basic principle — The excerpt describes a rule every science student learns, so it is a basic principle; "renter" is a trap from the similar-sounding "tenant."
Jasmine wrote her cousin a long, cheerful message about her first week of high school, full of jokes and questions about his new job. Three days later he answered with a single word: "Nice." She read the [terse] reply twice, wondering what she had done to annoy him.  What does the word "terse" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? confused / abruptly brief / detailed / warm	abruptly brief — A one-word answer to a long message makes her wonder if he is annoyed, so it is abruptly brief.
Mr. Delgado had tried everything to keep squirrels away from his bird feeder: a metal cone, a greased pole, even a spinning motor. Each time, the squirrels [thwarted] him within days, leaping from the fence or hanging upside down until the seed spilled out.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "thwarted" as it is used in the excerpt? admired / built for / cleaned up the mess after / defeated the plans of	defeated the plans of — The squirrels get past every device he tries, so they defeated his plans.
Mr. Kowalski was raking his lawn when the wind blew his neighbor's leaves over the fence again. He marched to the property line and delivered a [tirade] that lasted ten minutes, covering the leaves, the neighbor's parking, his barking dog, and a borrowed shovel from 2014.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "tirade" most nearly means polite note / brief and sincere apology / parade / long angry speech	long angry speech — He "marched" over and spoke for ten minutes about many complaints, so it was a long angry speech.
The singer performs only in the language of her small mountain village, yet her concerts sell out in Tokyo, São Paulo, and Lagos. Audiences who cannot understand a single lyric still weep at her songs. Her music, one critic wrote, [transcends] language entirely.  What does the word "transcends" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? goes beyond / ignores / translates / obeys	goes beyond — People who do not understand the lyrics are still moved, so her music goes beyond the limits of language; nothing is being translated.
Before she turned twelve, Leena had lived in five cities and attended seven schools, often arriving mid-semester with her belongings in garbage bags. Looking back on that [turbulent] childhood, she said the only steady thing was the library card she carried from town to town.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "turbulent" as it is used in the excerpt? bumpy and shaky in the air / boring / happy / full of upheaval	full of upheaval — Constant moving and changing schools describe a childhood full of upheaval; "bumpy and shaky in the air" is the literal meaning that does not fit a childhood.
For years, the town debated whether the old mill pond was polluted. Then the state lab released its results, and they were [unequivocal]: every sample contained lead at more than ten times the safe level. Within a week, the town fenced off the water.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "unequivocal" most nearly means partial / unfair / completely clear / uncertain and confusing	completely clear — Every sample showed high lead, ending years of debate and leading to quick action, so the results were completely clear.
The cliffs along the trail show layers of rock that once lay flat at the bottom of an ancient sea. Over millions of years, the slow [upheaval] of the land pushed those layers thousands of feet into the air, tilting them until they now stand almost on end.  What does the word "upheaval" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? lifting of the land / volcanic ash / erosion by wind / social disorder and unrest	lifting of the land — The rock layers were "pushed thousands of feet into the air," so the word means the lifting up of the land, not social disorder.
While the young queen was away visiting the northern provinces, her ambitious uncle gathered the palace guards, locked the gates, and declared himself ruler. By the time the queen returned, he had [usurped] her throne and sent her to live in a distant tower.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "usurped" as it is used in the excerpt? abandoned / seized wrongfully / defended / inherited	seized wrongfully — The uncle took the throne by locking her out while she was away, so he seized it wrongfully; he did not inherit it.
For a month, Julian [vacillated] between joining the robotics team and trying out for the school play. On Monday he was certain he wanted to build robots; by Wednesday he was practicing monologues in the mirror; by Friday he was back to sketching motors.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "vacillated" most nearly means decided firmly / complained bitterly to friends / went back and forth / worked very hard	went back and forth — He changes his mind from Monday to Wednesday to Friday, so he went back and forth, not decided firmly.
When the city announced a plan to pave over the community garden, the response was [vehement]. Neighbors packed the hearing room, waved signs, and lined up for three hours to speak, some pounding the podium as they described what the garden meant to their children.  What does the word "vehement" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? secret / written / mild / forceful	forceful — Packing the room, waving signs, and pounding the podium show forceful feeling, not a mild response.
In the center of the village green stands a [venerable] oak, more than four hundred years old. Generations of couples have married beneath it, the town council once met in its shade, and every spring the schoolchildren hang ribbons on its lowest branches to honor it.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "venerable" as it is used in the excerpt? sickly / respected for its age / easily damaged by storms / dangerous	respected for its age — The tree is four hundred years old and is honored by generations, so it is respected for its age; "easily damaged by storms" is a trap from the similar-looking "vulnerable."
When a diary claiming to belong to a Civil War nurse surfaced at an auction, historians were suspicious. The paper was the wrong age, the ink contained modern dyes, and one entry described a battle that had not happened yet. Experts soon doubted the [veracity] of the entire book.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "veracity" most nearly means length / truthfulness / handwriting / age	truthfulness — Modern ink and an impossible battle show the diary may be fake, so experts doubted its truthfulness.
Ms. Kim handed back Devon's first draft covered in red ink. His opening sentence ran to ninety words, and he had used "in my personal opinion, I think" four times on one page. "You have good ideas," she wrote, "but this draft is [verbose]. Cut it in half."  What does the word "verbose" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? spoken aloud / too wordy / rude / clear	too wordy — A ninety-word sentence and a request to "cut it in half" show the draft uses too many words; "spoken aloud" is a trap from "verbal."
Nearly everything of the 1780s fort has disappeared beneath a parking lot and a row of shops. The only [vestige] is a single moss-covered stone wall, about knee-high, that runs along the edge of the lot where tourists sometimes stop to take photos.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "vestige" as it is used in the excerpt? entrance / remaining trace / map / modern replacement	remaining trace — Almost everything has disappeared except one low wall, so the wall is the remaining trace of the fort.
The theft of the museum's tiny jade frog [vexed] Detective Ruiz for weeks. No alarm had sounded, no lock had been broken, and the guard swore no one had entered. She stared at the floor plans late into each night, muttering and crumpling one theory after another.  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "vexed" most nearly means bored / pleased / puzzled and frustrated / deeply frightened and nervous	puzzled and frustrated — She stays up late muttering and crumpling theories, so the case puzzled and frustrated her; nothing suggests fear or boredom.
Stuck at home all July with a broken leg, Lucas lived a [vicarious] summer. His friends sent him videos of cliff jumping at the lake, postcards from a camping trip, and a play-by-play of every baseball game, and he felt almost as if he had been there himself.  What does the word "vicarious" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? expensive / painful / experienced secondhand / boring and completely uneventful	experienced secondhand — Lucas enjoys the summer through his friends' videos and postcards, "almost as if he had been there," so he experiences it secondhand.
When the inventor first claimed that his flying machine would carry passengers across the Atlantic, newspapers [vilified] him. Editorials called him a liar and a madman, cartoons showed him tumbling into the sea, and one critic demanded that his investors have him arrested.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "vilified" as it is used in the excerpt? had him imprisoned / praised / ignored / spoke badly of	spoke badly of — Editorials called him "a liar and a madman," so the papers spoke very badly of him; he was not actually imprisoned.
The guitarist's fingers moved so fast that the front row could barely follow them. She played Spanish flamenco, then jazz, then a rock solo with the guitar behind her head, never missing a note. By the end, even the other musicians in the festival were cheering for the [virtuoso].  As it is used in the excerpt, the word "virtuoso" most nearly means beginner / highly skilled performer / virtuous person / patient music teacher at a school	highly skilled performer — Her flawless, lightning-fast playing impresses even other musicians, so she is a highly skilled performer; "virtuous person" is a trap based on how the word looks.
Mina was a [voracious] reader. She finished four novels a week, read cereal boxes at breakfast and shampoo bottles in the shower, and once stayed so long in the library's history section that a librarian had to remind her the building was closing.  What does the word "voracious" most likely mean as it is used in the excerpt? easily bored / very eager / hungry for food / slow and careful	very eager — Reading four novels a week and even cereal boxes shows great eagerness; "hungry for food" is the literal meaning, but the excerpt is about reading.
The bookshop on Atlantic Avenue is hard to forget. Teacups dangle from the ceiling as lampshades, children read inside a canoe filled with pillows, and the cat who sleeps on the register wears a small knitted scarf. Customers come back as much for the [whimsical] atmosphere as for the books.  Which phrase best describes the meaning of "whimsical" as it is used in the excerpt? gloomy / well-organized / playfully odd / expensive	playfully odd — Teacup lamps, a pillow canoe, and a cat in a scarf are playful and charmingly odd.
