VR_FIB_10
Question 1
Explanation The word “age� in the sentence implies that the missing word is characteristic of age. Youthful fits well: Despite her advanced age, she has a youthful sense of humor. So, the correct answer choice is (E).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Mature: Wise, Ripe Trivial: Insignificant, Petty Ambiguous: Confusing, Equivocal Asinine: Inane, Fatuous, Vacuous, Stupid
X
Youthful: Young, Vigorous and fresh
Question 2
Explanation The phrase “all but” implies that the debate was a makeor-break event for the candidate. Suppose the candidate did well. Then his spirits would be high, and we would expect the missing word to be positive. However, a positive word in the phrase “all but____ any hope” is awkward. Hence, the candidate must have done poorly in the debate and had his hopes for election nixed (prohibited). So we turn to the answer-choices looking for “nixed.” It’s not there, but a synonym—nullifies—is. So, the correct answer choice is (A).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice
X
Nullifies: Negates, Annuls, Makes invalid Encourages: Advocates, Recommends Guarantees: Ensures, Assures, Warrants Accentuates: Emphasizes, Stresses Contains: Limits, Confines, Restricts
Question 3
Explanation According to the author, the core issue involves a hard, practical point that is to be dealt with in a practical manner. Pragmatism means “practical approach.� The author stresses the Immediacy of the situation since it is raising life threatening issues. So, the correct answer choices are immediacy and
pragmatism.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Evidence: Attest, Demonstrate, Testify
X
Pragmatism: Practical approach
X
Immediacy: Instant, Quickness Erudition: Scholarly, Learned, Profound Existence: To live, Being Involvement: Participation, Engage in
Question 4
Explanation Recognize that the phrase “dismantled by war and its development clogged by illiteracy” explains the first blank. Such description would best be described as Chaotic. The phrase “In spite of” lets us know that the locals do not feel how one would expect them to about their country. Thus, instead of feeling what we’d expect — disgrace — they take pride in their country, or flaunt their nationalism. So, the correct answer choices are chaotic and flaunt.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Diverse: Different, Varied
X
Flaunt: Display proudly, Parade, Flash, Show off
X
Chaotic: Disorder, Pandemonium, Bedlam Curb: Restrict, Stop Static: Unchanging, Inactive, Still Conceal: To hide, Not revealing
Question 5
Explanation The first sentence doesn’t have enough information in it to fill in the first blank, so check the second sentence for clues. “However” contrasts the rare auctions with auctions where items are sold for less than anticipated prices. Contradictory provides such a contrast between these dissimilar auctions. For the second blank, we need a word that matches ‘high prices’. Unprecedented which means like nothing that has come before is an apt answer. For the third blank, we need a word that contrasts the “rarest” auctions. Hence, Myriad which means a great number is the best match. So, the correct answer choices are contradictory, unprecedented and myriad.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Prestigious: Esteemed, Honored, Illustrious Incongruous: Out of place, Inconsistent Somber: (a) Dull; (b) Gloomy, Sad, Melancholy Infamous: Notorious, Known for bad reasons
X
Unprecedented: Without any past record, New
X
Myriad: Multitude, Too many
X
Contradictory: Conflicting, Belie, Negate, At odds Pretentious: Ostentatious, Meretricious, Tawdry Quixotic: Romantic, Utopian, Ideal
Question 6
Explanation Volatile is same as explosive. Hence, explosive remarks
must have convinced many that he was volatile. If a person is volatile, we can predict his character will be seen in negative ways. Hence, Ignoble or lacking nobility works for the second blank. Thus, his future as a politician certainly seems not rosy. Precarious, which means uncertain and unstable, is therefore the best match for the third blank. So, the correct answer choices are volatile, ignoble and
precarious.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Indifferent: Apathy, Lack interest Courageous: Brave, Audacious Guaranteed: Assured Charming: Delightful, Pleasing in nature Virtuous: Morally excellent
X
Precarious: (a)Unstable; (b) Dangerous, Parlous
X
Volatile: (a) Erratic, Fickle; (b) Explosive
X
Ignoble: Lack nobility, Disgraceful Facetious: Humorous, Cleverly amusing
Question 7
Explanation Come up with your own word to fit the blank. Since the person must remain committed, then the blank must be opposite in meaning to committed, such as “released.” Answers (A) and (B) do not mean “released,” and (E) and (F), though synonyms, mean the opposite of released. So, the correct answer choices are (C) and (D).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Denounced: Being accused, Been spoken against Disavowed: Being denied
X
Acquitted: Released, Vindicated, Exonerated
X
Discharged: Released, Exculpated, Assoiled Incarcerated: Imprisoned, Jailed Apprehended: Arrested
Question 8
Explanation The phrase “While many……others” implies a contradiction within the sentence. Thus, the answer should be opposite in meaning to “enlightening” or “continually relevant.” Your word to fit the blank might be something like “obsolete” or “irrelevant.” Archaic and antediluvian both mean outdated. A trick answer is inane, which means empty or silly. This would make sense in the context of the sentence, but it has no pair word. Hence, inane cannot be an answer. So, the correct answer choices are (A) and (D).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice
X
Archaic: Ancient, Old Inane: Vacuous, Stupid Idiosyncratic: Eccentric, Peculiar
X
Antediluvian: Ancient Illuminative: To make clear, Free from confusion Edifying: Instructive, Didactic, Pedagogy
Question 9
Explanation If Michael is able to do the job (“aptitude is certain”), but he has a reputation for dishonesty (“probity is equivocal”), the manager would have a difficult time deciding whether to hire him. Come up with a word or phrase to fit the blank, such as “go back and forth.” So, the correct answer choices are (A) and (E).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice
X
Vacillate: Fluctuate, Waver Relent: Give in, Soften, Yield Rejoice: Celebrate, Feel happy Propitiate: Please, Make peace with, Appease
X
Hesitate: Balk, Waver Exult: Feel extreme happy
Question 10
Explanation The phrase “rather than” lets us know the blank is opposite in meaning to “subjective.” You might come up with the word “objective” for the blank. So, the correct answer choices are (D) and (F).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Obscure: Unclear, Blur Personal: Private Disingenuous: Artful, Shrewd, Cunning like a fox
X
Dispassionate: Impartial, Objective, Neutral Illusory: Imaginary, Fictitious
X
Unbiased: Neutral