Adjectives 1
The final test results were so __________ that no one could argue about the outcome anymore.
conclusive
The difference between the crowded city streets and the silent desert landscape was __________.
stark
She worried that her short message might __________ her intentions and make her seem upset when she wasn’t.
misconstrue
Before the trip, the group reviewed their __________ to make sure everyone knew the schedule and destinations.
itinerary
We consulted the clairvoyant to tell us our future.
Is clairvoyant an ADJECTIVE or a NOUN in this sentence?
It is a noun, because it is a PERSON and nouns are people, places, things, and ideas.
If clairvoyant were being used as an adjective, it would describe something: We consulted the clairvoyant woman to tell us our future.
His __________ behavior at the assembly made it difficult for anyone around him to pay attention.
obnoxious
Their conversation was pleasant but __________, never touching on anything meaningful or personal.
Superficial
He couldn’t __________ why his friend would suddenly stop speaking to him without explanation.
fathom
The company offered free repairs as __________ for the inconvenience caused by the faulty product.
reparation
The submarine dived 880 fathoms in the ocean.
Is fathom used as a NOUN or VERB in this sentence?
Noun
These fathoms are a thing! They can be measured and counted.
When fathom is used as a verb, it means someone is thinking hard or trying to understand something: I cannot fathom why you would do such a crazy scheme.
Her __________ conduct during the field trip set a standard the rest of the class admired.
exemplary
The lake was so __________ at dawn that it reflected the sky like a perfect mirror.
placid
The tree’s roots began to __________ above the soil, creating bumps along the path.
protrude
Even when no one was watching, she showed her __________ by returning the lost wallet without taking anything.
integrity
Books randomly _______ from the messy bookshelf, so I pushed most of them back in.
protrude or stark?
Protrude
Protrude makes sense for two reasons. 1. The sentence needs a verb in the blank--the books are sticking out. Stark is an adjective, so it doesn't work here. 2. Stark means something "sticks out" in a very harsh, desperate way OR a totally bare, empty way.
The speaker’s message was so __________ that the audience remained silent long after she finished.
potent
The team faced the __________ reality that, without funding, the entire program would be shut down within weeks.
stark
During her speech, she chose to __________ to the problem without mentioning anyone by name
allude
He stopped by the office on the __________ of asking a simple question, but he really wanted to overhear the discussion.
pretext
She avoided the shop on the corner because it had a __________ reputation for selling damaged goods and refusing refunds.
Obnoxious or disreputable?
Disreputable
The shop has a bad reputation for being dishonest, so disreputable makes the most sense here. Obnoxious would make more sense if the shop owner was loud or rude.
Her __________ insight into people’s motives made it seem as though she could read thoughts before anyone spoke.
clairvoyant
The plant species is __________ to the region, found naturally nowhere else in the world.
endemic
The coach tried to __________ the frustrated players by reminding them of how much progress they had made.
placate
Using charm and __________, he managed to talk his way out of the difficult situation.
guile
I tried to _________ my mother by promising to earn my failing credits over the summer.
Placid or placate?Placate
Placate is the best option here because you need a verb. The person in the sentence is doing an action--calming his mother down.
Placid would only work if it were an adjective describing someone: My mother was placid after I took summer school and replaced my failing credits.