VR_FIB_9
Question 1
Explanation Since no connecting word — such as and, for, so, etc. — follows the comma, the phrase “seemingly with an endless reserve of energy” defines the missing word. Now, a person with an endless reserve of energy would be lively, which is the meaning of vivacious. So, the correct answer choice is (B).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Jejune: Immature, Callow, Puerile, Juvenile
X
Vivacious: Full of life Solicitous: Caring, Concerned Impudent: Insolent, Rude, Imperious, Impertinent Indolent: Lazy, Slothful
Question 2
Explanation Man is a social being; to function properly, he needs to be an integral part of society. When a person fails to integrate himself into society, he often feels alienated and incomplete, which, without a social support system, can lead to suicide. The author believes that those who commit suicide do so because they are unable to integrate themselves into the society. So, the correct answer choice is (E).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Materialize: Come into reality, happen Seclude: Confine, Cloister, Sequester, Withdraw Homogenize: To make similar Secure: Assure, Guarantee
X
Integrate: Incorporate, Make part of a whole
Question 3
Explanation The first sentence describes AIDS as a big threat; it also describes another disease that is unreported and is on a greater rampage. Yet, the author says there is a cure for this silent killer. It is ironic that the silent killer disease, which causes more harm than AIDS, is curable. So, the correct answer choices are rampaging and irony.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice
X
Rampaging: Act violently Conundrum: A difficult problem, Confusion Digressing: Deviating, Rambling Conflict: Clash, Dispute Alleviating: Mollifying, Assuaging, Relieving
X
Irony: What is expected differs from what happens
Question 4
Explanation The show was organized to tell the stories of successful celebrities. By profiling these celebrities, the show narrates the stories of the influential newsmakers from all walks of life. So, the correct answer choices are profiling and
influential.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Narrating: Telling, Recounting
X
Influential: Powerful, Prestigious
X
Profiling: Writing about, Representing Ordinary: Commonplace, Normal Parading: Displaying, Flaunting, Exhibiting Pedestrian: Prosaic, Lacking imagination
Question 5
Explanation The second sentence contains the phrase “for example,” indicating that it provides clarification for the previous sentence. An argument over where to place a comma, then, indicates that the subjects of debate are often negligible (insignificant). If sides are arguing merely to gain power over the other side, then politics have become polarized. Finally, if both sides are struggling for power, then they wouldn’t give in—or show deference to the other side. So, the correct answer choices are polarized , negligible and deference.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Antiquated: Old, Antediluvian, Ancient, Archaic
X
Negligible: Paltry, Trifling, Insignificant, Minor Ambivalence: Mixed feelings
X
Polarized: Two contrasting or conflicting positions Exigent: Urgent
X
Deference: Respect, Oblige Homogenized: Made similar Convoluted: Complex and intricate Favouritism: Inclined to favor someone over other
Question 6
Explanation This is an example of a multiple blank question in which the answers heavily depend on each other. The sentence following the colon explains the sentence before it. For this question, perhaps the easiest blank to answer first is the third blank, “_____ to him but injurious to others,” which can be solved without referencing the rest of the sentence. Usage of ‘but’ helps figure out the third blank. The blank must be opposite of “injurious” and therefore advantageous. Now, reread the entire sentence with “advantageous” in the blank. If someone is performing acts that help one but hurt others, the first blank must mean something like “support.” The word here, then, is rationalize. Reread the sentence with both blanks filled in. If a person is rationalizing evil, then they are “supporting”—or justifying—that belief system. So, the correct answer choices are rationalize, justifying and
advantageous.
Vocabulary Correct
Choice
X
Rationalize: Justify, Defend by reasoning Converting: Changing Adverse: Unfavorable Thwart: To prevent or foil something Impugning: Attack as false or wrong Asinine: Fatuous, Inane, Vacuous, Stupid Condemn: Criticize, Castigate
X
Justifying: Rationalize
X
Advantageous: Beneficial, Profitable
Question 7
Explanation The key words in this sentence are “indigents,” meaning impoverished people, and “refuse,” meaning garbage. So, if poor people are building their homes out of garbage, they must have limited resources. So, the correct answer choices are (B) and (D).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Myriad: Multitude, Too many
X
Dearth: Lack of, Paucity Dichotomy: Twofold
X
Paucity: Lack of, Scarcity Perpetuity: Continuity, Eternity, Indefinite Profusion: Abundance, Plethora
Question 8
Explanation Burnt hair smells terrible. If you don’t know this, the key phrase is “unpleasant result.” You might come up for a word to fit the blank such as “nasty.” So, the correct answer choices are (D) and (E).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Querulous: Complaining, Fretful, Whiny Banal: Hackneyed, Trite, Repeated too often Pithy: Concise, Terse, Laconic, Sententious
X
Acrid: Strong and sharp, Corrosive
X
Pungent: Acrid Dull: Boring, Tedious, Wearisome
Question 9
Explanation Pretentious people put on airs, so a new neighbor that stands out would be genuine or sincere. So, the correct answer choices are (C) and (E).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Exigency: Emergency Guile: Deceitful, Chicanery
X
Artlessness: Innocent, Ingenuous Ambiguity: Confusion, Equivocal
X
Ingenuousness: Naive Cheekiness: Being rude, Inclined to take liberties
Question 10
Explanation Picturesque would make sense in the sentence, but does
not have a synonym. The other answer choices do not fit the sentence, except for vast and spacious, which mean the same thing. So, the correct answer choices are (D) and (F).
Vocabulary Correct
Choice Picturesque: Beautiful, Colorful, Expressive Cloistered: Confined, Secluded Prim: Affectedly (artificially) refined
X
Vast: Big, Huge Confining: Limiting
X
Spacious: Broad, Vast