VR_FIB_2
Question 1
Explanation A good word for the blank is a liking of because of the clue “the salmon was prepared with such care that even those…found the meal to be delicious.” Don’t cross out (A) if you don’t know what contention means. (B) doesn’t mean liking, so leave it in. (D) definitely doesn’t match liking, so cross it out. (E) doesn’t match liking quite as well as (C). You’re left with (A) and (C). Go with what you know. The best answer is (C).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice A contention with: An argument with An assurance of: A guarantee of
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A penchant for: An inclination for A preconception of: A bias for An endorsement: A backing of
Question 2
Explanation Coming up with your own word should be fairly easy for this text completion because the clue is very direct. The clue is “the seemingly unimportant.” Well, if the detail only seems unimportant, what is it actually? Very important. Therefore, a good word for the blank might be wonders. Does (A) match? No. (B) and (C) definitely don’t match. (D) looks good - it’s a very positive word but don’t forget about (E). (E) doesn’t make any sense, so the best answer is (D).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Recessions: Decline Obstructions: Blockages, Obstacles, Impediments Incapacities: Inabilities, Incapability
X
Breakthroughs: Discoveries, Innovations Dissolutions: Break-ups
Question 3
Explanation The first blank describes the kind of art installation that would support the idea that Sacramento is the city of trees, so you need a word that means something like related to trees. Of the choices, arboreal is the best fit. The second blank refers to an effect of budget cuts that would cause concern about the future of Sacramento’s green canopy, so using something like reduced would make sense to describe what happened to the Urban Forestry workforce. Of the choices, only abridged makes sense.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice
X
An arboreal: Related to trees Amalgamated: Mixed, Mingled, Combined An impressionist: 19th century art movement Ameliorated: Improved, Make better A terrestrial: Related to earth
X
Abridged: Condensed, Shortened
Question 4
Explanation The time triggers initially and soon indicate that the first blank is going contrast with the discovery that the house was indeed haunted, so a word that means something like doubting would make sense. Of the choices, only dubious of fits. The second blank needs to agree with solitary while contrasting with more playful and curious; of the choices, only lugubrious is sufficiently negative.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Credulous of: Believe anything, Naive
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Lugubrious: Sorrowful, Tearful
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Dubious of: Doubtful of Jocund: Jovial, Mirthful Receptive to: Open to Inquisitive: Curious
Question 5
Explanation For the first blank, recycle the clue wastrel; of the choices, only rake means wastrel. Similarly, the second blank means something like wastrel-like, so licentious is the best choice there. When the suitor abandoned both the realm and his daughter, the count’s concerns were eased, so assuaged is the best fit for the third blank.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice
X
Rake: Profligate, Wastrel Munificent: Magnanimous, Generous, Large-hearted Broached: Initiate, Bring up a topic for discussion Maverick: Rebel
X
Licentious: Lustful, Lubricious
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Assuaged: Soothe, Palliate, Relieve Delegate: Assign work; (b) Participant in a seminar/convention Occult: Supernatural Exacerbated: Make worse
Question 6
Explanation Start with third blank, where you have the strongest clue. The blank describes what other jurists might do, and they’re contrasted with the judge who presided over cases; hence, something like not preside would make sense in the blank. Of the answers, only recuse means to not preside. The first two blanks have to work together: Either the judge is known to be fair, and it would be rare for someone to request a replacement, or the opposite is true. Of the answer choices, only disinterested and proxy have the correct relationship.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Iniquitous: Sinful, Egregious Modification: Adjustment Regale: Entertain, Treat Biased: Prejudice Remonstration: Protest, Objection
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Recuse: Disqualify oneself as a judge
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Disinterested: Impartial
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Proxy: A person acting for another Foment: Incite, Arouse, Agitate, Stir up
Question 7
Explanation Because there will always be more to analyze, the critical analysis could not be complete and therefore you are looking for words that mean complete. Comprehensive and exhaustive both describe a complete analysis. Synonyms pedantic and learned both refer to scholarly endeavors, but don’t fit the meaning of the blank. Abstruse describes something that is difficult to understand and elaborate describes something intricate or involved. Although both words could describe the analysis of Shakespeare, neither fits the story of the sentence and the meaning of the blank.
Vocabulary
Correct
Choice Abstruse: Recondite, Profound, Deep, Difficult to understand Pedantic: Pedagogue, Narrowly focused
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Comprehensive: Including all Elaborate: Detailed Learned: Erudite, Scholarly, Pundit
X
Exhaustive: Complete, Including all
Question 8
Explanation The trigger while indicates that leniency was shown to those who did the opposite of remain defiant, so the blank must mean something like submissive. Both bellicose and turbulent are nearly opposite of what you’re looking for, so eliminate answer choices (A) and (E). Neither prolix which means verbose, or venerated, which means esteemed, means submissive, so eliminate choices (D) and (F). Both complaisant and obeisant mean submissive, so answer choices (B) and(C) give you appropriate, equivalent sentences.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Bellicose: Aggressive, Truculent
X
Complaisant: Obedient, Submissive
X
Obeisant: Submissive Prolix: Speak or write at length Turbulent: Unrest, disorder Venerated: Respected, Revered
Question 9
Explanation The clue tells you that whatever Clovis did to paganism, he did it in favor of Christianity, so something like give up would make sense in the blank. Both legitimize and espouse are nearly opposite of what you’re looking for, so eliminate choices (D) and (E). Neither desiccate, which means dry, or exacerbate, which means make worse, mean give up, so eliminate choices (A) and (C). Both abjure and renounce mean give up, so choices (B) and (F) give you appropriate, equivalent sentences.
Vocabulary
Correct
Choice Desiccate: Dry, Arid, Anhydrate, Dehydrate
X
Abjure: Reject, Recant, Forswear, Retract, Resile, Renounce Exacerbate: Make worse Legitimize: Legalize Espouse: Champion, Support
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Renounce: Reject, Abjure
Question 10
Explanation The clue tells you that the Aeneid has been widely disseminated since its publication, so a word like model or example would fit the blank. Both anomaly and nadir are nearly opposite of what you’re looking for, so eliminate choice (C) and (E). Choices (B) and (F) are commonly confused words, but neither works here: An epithet can be a descriptive word or phrase or an expression of contempt, and an epitaph is an inscription on a grave marker. Both paragon and epitome mean perfect example, so choices (A) and (D) give you appropriate, equivalent sentences.
Vocabulary
Correct
Choice
X
Paragon: Perfect example, Model Epithet: Name, (b) Abusive word Anomaly: Error, Aberrant, Deviant
X
Epitome: Model, Representative Nadir: Lowest point, Trough Epitaph: Inscription on a tombstone