1. Read the following passage:
(1) When the novelist visited the high school, students asked how she wrote believable dialogue. (2) She said she often listened to conversations on buses and in grocery stores, not to copy them exactly, but to catch rhythms and pauses. (3) “Real speech,” she noted, “is full of half-finished thoughts, interruptions, and small repairs.” (4) She then read a scene where two sisters argued, and the argument felt real precisely because it was messy. (5) The students realized the author wasn’t aiming for perfect sentences; she was trying to <u>capture</u> how people actually talk.
As it is used in line 5, the word <u>capture</u> most nearly means:
2. As it is used in paragraph 4, the word 'anomaly' most nearly means:
3. $22
4. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) A city council debated whether to convert an abandoned rail line into a bike-and-walk trail. (2) Supporters emphasized health benefits and the chance to connect neighborhoods that had long been separated by busy roads. (3) Opponents worried about noise and parking, arguing that the project would invite crowds to quiet streets. (4) During public comment, a resident who lived beside the rail line described the current situation: weeds, broken glass, and occasional illegal dumping.
(5) “Right now,” she said, “we have an unused corridor that attracts problems because nobody claims it.” (6) She acknowledged that a trail would change the area, but she argued that change was already happening—just in the worst way. (7) Her point was not that every concern was trivial, but that the status quo was not a neutral option; it carried its own <u>cost</u>.
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>cost</u> most nearly means:
5. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) In biology lab, students compared two ponds: one shaded by trees and another exposed to full sun. (2) The shaded pond had cooler water and fewer algae floating near the surface. (3) The sunny pond, however, showed a green film along the edges and a faint odor that grew stronger in the afternoon. (4) When the class measured dissolved oxygen, they found that oxygen levels dipped sharply overnight in the sunny pond.
(5) Their instructor explained that algae can photosynthesize during the day, producing oxygen, but at night both algae and other organisms continue to respire, consuming oxygen. (6) If algae grow rapidly, nighttime oxygen use can exceed daytime production. (7) The result is a <u>cycle</u> in which growth creates conditions that stress fish and other animals.
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>cycle</u> most nearly means:
6. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) Marcus trained for a 10K by running the same route each morning. (2) At first, he focused on speed, checking his watch every few minutes and feeling disappointed when his pace slowed. (3) After a week, a coach suggested a different approach: run comfortably for most of the distance and save effort for the final stretch. (4) “If you sprint too early,” the coach said, “you’ll pay for it later.”
(5) Marcus tried the advice and found that his breathing stayed steadier. (6) He finished runs feeling tired but not wrecked, and he recovered faster the next day. (7) The coach called this <u>economy</u>—not in money, but in how Marcus spent his energy.
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>economy</u> most nearly means:
7. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) A teacher asked students to debate whether school start times should be later. (2) One student cited research on adolescent sleep cycles; another worried about after-school jobs and sports. (3) The discussion grew heated until the teacher interrupted. (4) “Before you argue solutions,” she said, “agree on the problem you’re trying to solve.”
(5) She wrote two questions on the board: Are students tired because of biology, or because of habits? (6) The class realized that different answers implied different policies. (7) The teacher called this step <u>clarifying</u> the terms, because without it, students were talking past one another.
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>clarifying</u> most nearly means:
8. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) A novelist described her first draft as “a messy map.” (2) Characters appeared, disappeared, and reappeared with different names, and scenes sometimes contradicted one another. (3) Yet she refused to call the draft a failure. (4) “It’s evidence,” she said, “that the story is moving.”
(5) During revision, she highlighted paragraphs that felt alive and circled those that seemed to exist only to explain. (6) She then cut entire pages, not because they were bad sentences, but because they slowed the reader’s attention. (7) “A draft is supposed to be <u>rough</u>,” she told her students. (8) “You can’t polish what you haven’t made.”
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>rough</u> most nearly means:
9. The 'robust' security measures ensured the safety of the data. As it is used in line 37, the word 'robust' most nearly means:
10. $23
11. The new policy was designed to 'facilitate' growth in the industry. As it is used in line 25, the word 'facilitate' most nearly means:
12. The 'exuberant' crowd cheered loudly at the concert. As it is used in line 5, the word 'exuberant' most nearly means:
13. As it is used in line 44, the word biofouling most nearly means:
14. The 'transient' visitors left the city after the festival ended. As it is used in line 31, the word 'transient' most nearly means:
15. The novel's 'poignant' ending left a deep impression on readers. As it is used in line 40, the word 'poignant' most nearly means:
16. $25
17. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) While assembling a model bridge in engineering club, Talia insisted on testing each joint before adding the next piece. (2) Her teammate wanted to build quickly and fix problems later, arguing that they could reinforce weak spots with extra glue. (3) Talia disagreed: “If we hide flaws now, we won’t know which part actually failed when the bridge collapses.” (4) She marked each joint, applied weight, and recorded how much it held.
(5) The process took longer, but when the final bridge supported more weight than expected, the team understood why. (6) Because they had tested parts separately, they could trace strength to specific design choices rather than luck. (7) For Talia, the slow approach created <u>accountability</u>—a clear record of what worked and what didn’t.
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>accountability</u> most nearly means:
18. The 'vicarious' thrill he experienced during the movie was exhilarating. As it is used in line 17, the word 'vicarious' most nearly means:
19. His 'ardent' support for the cause was evident in his speeches. As it is used in line 22, the word 'ardent' most nearly means:
20. The scientist's approach to the problem was to 'mitigate' the risks involved. As it is used in line 15, the word 'mitigate' most nearly means:
21. The lawyer's argument was 'compelling', convincing the jury of his client's innocence. As it is used in line 28, the word 'compelling' most nearly means:
22. The plan was 'meticulous', leaving no detail overlooked. As it is used in line 11, the word 'meticulous' most nearly means:
23. The 'convoluted' explanation left the audience confused. As it is used in line 32, the word 'convoluted' most nearly means:
24. The editor's comments were intended to 'temper' the author's enthusiasm. As it is used in line 8, the word 'temper' most nearly means:
25. The 'quaint' village attracted many tourists with its old-world charm. As it is used in line 38, the word 'quaint' most nearly means:
26. The 'eminent' scientist was invited to speak at the conference. As it is used in line 21, the word 'eminent' most nearly means:
27. The cultural tradition was 'prevalent' throughout the region. As it is used in line 18, the word 'prevalent' most nearly means:
28. Read the following passage:
(1) The debate team prepared for weeks, collecting articles and statistics to support their side. (2) On the day of the competition, however, their opponents introduced a new angle: instead of disputing the numbers, they questioned how the numbers were gathered. (3) “A survey can look scientific,” the opponents argued, “but if it only reaches one neighborhood, its results can’t represent the whole city.” (4) Suddenly the debate turned from conclusions to methods, and the team realized their evidence was less solid than they had assumed. (5) Their coach later said the opponents had <u>undermined</u> the argument by attacking its foundation.
As it is used in line 5, the word <u>undermined</u> most nearly means:
29. $26
30. As it is used in line 44, the word biofouling most nearly means:
31. As it is used in the third paragraph, the word consolidation most nearly means:
32. As it is used in the fourth paragraph, the word frictionless most nearly means:
33. In Passage A, the reference to the "shadowy" Michelangelo (bolded) functions primarily to:
34. As it is used in line 35, the word temperament most nearly means:
35. As it is used in line 22, the word *introverted* most nearly means:
36. As it is used in Passage A (paragraph 2), the word bourgeois most nearly means:
37. As it is used in the passage, the phrase 'rational dress' most nearly means:
38. Her 'astute' observations were valued by her colleagues. As it is used in line 9, the word 'astute' most nearly means:
39. The team was 'jubilant' after winning the championship. As it is used in line 13, the word 'jubilant' most nearly means:
40. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) The museum’s new exhibit paired ancient tools with modern replicas that visitors could handle. (2) Curators hoped the contrast would make the past feel less distant: a stone scraper, after all, looks crude until you try to slice hide with it. (3) At the entrance, a sign warned that the replicas were not toys, and staff demonstrated how to hold them safely. (4) Many visitors were surprised by how quickly their hands tired.
(5) “It’s not that the tools are poorly made,” a guide explained. (6) “They’re designed for a different rhythm of work—steady, repetitive, and long.” (7) The exhibit’s purpose was to show that technology is not a simple ladder of improvement but a set of solutions shaped by environment and need. (8) In that sense, the replicas served as a <u>bridge</u> between observation and understanding.
As it is used in line 8, the word <u>bridge</u> most nearly means:
41. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) On a hiking trip, Jonah kept stopping to take photos of the same valley. (2) His friend teased him for being indecisive: “Pick one shot and move on.” (3) Jonah shook his head. (4) “I’m not trying to capture everything,” he said. (5) “I’m trying to catch what changes when the light shifts.”
(6) As clouds moved, the valley alternated between bright patches and deep shadow. (7) A distant river seemed to appear and vanish depending on the angle of sun. (8) Jonah waited for a moment when the scene felt balanced, then pressed the shutter. (9) For him, patience was not delay but a necessary <u>measure</u> of attention.
As it is used in line 9, the word <u>measure</u> most nearly means:
42. $33
43. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) A journalist followed a community group that restored neglected parks. (2) The group’s leaders insisted that planting trees was only part of the work; the harder task was persuading neighbors that the parks belonged to them. (3) On Saturdays, volunteers not only picked up litter but also introduced themselves to passersby and asked what changes they wanted to see. (4) Some residents requested benches; others wanted better lighting.
(5) Over months, the parks grew busier, and the group noticed a shift: vandalism decreased as more people used the space regularly. (6) “It’s not magic,” one leader said. (7) “When a place is watched and cared for, it gains a kind of <u>protection</u> that fences can’t provide.”
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>protection</u> most nearly means:
44. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) In a small coastal town, fishermen noticed that their usual catch had declined. (2) Some blamed new regulations; others suspected that warmer water had shifted fish populations offshore. (3) A marine scientist visited and asked the fishermen to describe what they were seeing: not just fewer fish, but different species appearing in the nets. (4) She then compared their observations with temperature records and satellite images.
(5) “No single factor explains everything,” she said. (6) “But when multiple signs point in the same direction, we can draw a stronger conclusion.” (7) She called the fishermen’s reports valuable <u>evidence</u>, especially because they were collected over decades of daily work.
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>evidence</u> most nearly means:
45. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) A theater director coached actors to avoid “showing” emotions too obviously. (2) “If you announce sadness with a trembling voice every time,” he said, “the audience stops believing you.” (3) Instead, he asked them to focus on what the character wanted in each scene and to let emotion emerge from obstacles. (4) When an actor played anger as quiet and controlled rather than loud, the scene became more unsettling.
(5) The director explained that restraint can sharpen impact. (6) “The audience leans in,” he said, “because they sense what’s underneath.” (7) In his view, the most powerful performances are often the most <u>subtle</u>.
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>subtle</u> most nearly means:
46. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) In a psychology study, participants were asked to recall a stressful event and then write about it for ten minutes. (2) Some wrote in a purely factual way, listing what happened in order. (3) Others were prompted to describe what the event meant to them and how it changed their perspective. (4) A week later, the second group reported less lingering distress.
(5) The researchers cautioned that writing is not a cure-all, and not everyone benefits in the same way. (6) Still, they argued that reflection can help people organize emotions into a coherent story. (7) In their analysis, the key difference was not the amount of detail but the <u>frame</u> participants used to interpret the experience.
As it is used in line 7, the word <u>frame</u> most nearly means:
47. The following passage is numbered by line for reference.
(1) During a rehearsal, the conductor stopped the orchestra in the middle of a loud passage. (2) “You’re playing the notes,” she said, “but you’re not listening to the room.” (3) She asked the brass section to play again, this time softer, and instructed the strings to keep their sound warm rather than sharp. (4) The difference was immediate: the melody surfaced, and the harmony stopped feeling crowded.
(5) Afterward, a student complained that the piece now felt less exciting. (6) The conductor disagreed. (7) “Intensity isn’t only volume,” she said. (8) “It’s <u>pressure</u>—the sense that something is building even when you hold back.”
As it is used in line 8, the word <u>pressure</u> most nearly means:
48. $34
49. $35
50. $36
51. $37
52. $38
53. $39
54. $3a
55. $3b
56. $3c
57. Her 'tenacity' allowed her to overcome numerous obstacles. As it is used in line 7, the word 'tenacity' most nearly means:
58. The 'pedantic' professor was known for focusing on trivial details. As it is used in line 29, the word 'pedantic' most nearly means:
59. His 'candid' remarks surprised everyone at the meeting. As it is used in line 19, the word 'candid' most nearly means:
60. The author’s attitude toward the "coffeehouse internet" can best be described as:
61. The results of the experiment were 'subtle', requiring careful analysis to interpret. As it is used in line 30, the word 'subtle' most nearly means:
62. The 'ephemeral' nature of the performance made it even more special. As it is used in line 23, the word 'ephemeral' most nearly means:
63. The 'altruistic' act of donating to charity was applauded by the community. As it is used in line 36, the word 'altruistic' most nearly means:
64. The 'serene' landscape provided a perfect backdrop for meditation. As it is used in line 34, the word 'serene' most nearly means:
65. The artist's work was characterized by 'intricate' patterns that captivated viewers. As it is used in line 35, the word 'intricate' most nearly means:
66. Her 'forthright' manner made her an effective leader. As it is used in line 26, the word 'forthright' most nearly means:
67. The 'capricious' weather made it difficult to plan outdoor activities. As it is used in line 6, the word 'capricious' most nearly means:
68. Read the following passage:
(1) The coach told the team that their biggest problem wasn’t speed but focus. (2) During practice, players sprinted hard for the first few drills, then started chatting between plays and missing instructions. (3) In the last scrimmage, they lost points not because they couldn’t keep up physically, but because they forgot assignments and left opponents unguarded. (4) “Your effort is <u>inconsistent</u>,” the coach said. (5) “You can’t play brilliantly for two minutes and then drift for the next five.”
As it is used in line 4, the word <u>inconsistent</u> most nearly means:
69. During the final act of the play, the protagonist's demeanor was described as 'resigned' to his fate. As it is used in line 42, the word 'resigned' most nearly means:
70. $3e
71. The politician's statement was 'ambiguous', leaving room for multiple interpretations. As it is used in line 12, the word 'ambiguous' most nearly means:
72. The solution was 'innovative', offering a new approach to the problem. As it is used in line 14, the word 'innovative' most nearly means:
73. As it is used in line 35, the word temperament most nearly means:
74. As it is used in line 22, the word *introverted* most nearly means: