Category 1
I believe that if you lower taxes so that people can keep more of the money they earn, it will be an incentive for them to work harder. What is the meaning of “incentive”? __________.
a. a reason to do something
b. a small amount of money
c. a tax
d. a good job
a. a reason to do something
(incentive (n) = something that encourages you to do something )
Some people are sure that the new health care law will mean better care for everyone. Others argue that the law will mean less care and longer waiting lines for those who need to see doctors. It's a controversy that will not go away soon. A controversy is something that people _______.
a. have strong disagreements over
b. blow their noses into
c. need to fix
d. are not happy about
a. have strong disagreements over
controversy (n) = public discussion and argument about something that many people strongly disagree about, think is bad, or are shocked by
When the Pilgrims landed in what is now Massachusetts, they were fearful that the Native Americans would attack them. However, the people that they encountered, the Wampanoag Indians, were a peaceful and generous tribe. To encounter, is to _______.
a. meet
b. note how many
c. fight
d. exchange text messages
a. meet
encounter (v.) = to meet somebody, or discover or experience something, especially somebody/something new, unusual or unexpected
As the summer sun sent scattered rays through the maple and oak leaves overhead, the young deer stood frozen, making it almost impossible for the hikers to see her. In the above passage, the word “frozen” means _______.
a. very cold
b. visible
c. not moving
d. not melted
c. not moving
frozen (adj.) = unable to move because of a strong emotion such as fear or horror
Speaking rudely to the judges was rash behavior. You really hurt your chances of winning! In the above context, what does “rash” mean?
a. an itchy skin condition
b. funny
c. trying to hide or disguise a piece of cheese
d. with little thought or consideration
d. with little thought or consideration
(rash as an adjective means "doing something that may not be sensible without first thinking about the possible results; done in this way." If the word was a noun, the meaning would be "an area of red spots on a person’s skin, caused by an illness.")
Removing seeds from cotton plants was a slow job until Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. What is a cotton gin?
a. a drink
b. a book
c. a machine
d. a cloth
c. a machine
a cotton gin = a machine for separating the seeds of a cotton plant from the cotton
gin = engine = machine
The original Pilgrims called themselves the “Saints” and referred to others who joined with them for the voyage as the “Strangers.” In this context, “original” means _______.
a. one of a kind
b. first
c. humorous
c. musical
b. first
(original (adj.) = existing at the beginning of a particular period, process or activity )
A wonderful 98 year old woman is working day and night to knit scarves to send as gifts for the troops. What a selfless person she is! A selfless woman _______.
a. is selfish
b. has no care for other
c. cares about no one
d. cares more about others than herself
d. cares more about others than herself
selfless (adj.) = thinking more about the needs, happiness, etc. of other people than about your own
Most of America's Founding Fathers did not believe in women's suffrage. Only men could vote in the United states until 1920. What is “suffrage” ?
a. something that causes physical pain
b. an early flag
c. the right decision to make
d. the right to vote
d. the right to vote
suffrage (n) = the right to vote in political elections
In the early 1600s, a dangerous trip across the Atlantic Ocean was a daunting idea. The Europeans, who would someday be known as the Pilgrims, must have been a very determined and brave group of settlers. A daunting task is one that would _______ someone.
a. tickle
b. amuse
c. lose or misplace
d. frighten or intimidate
d. frighten or intimidate
daunting (adj.) = making somebody feel nervous and less confident about doing something; intimidating
The Saints and Strangers argued about how they would live in the New World. After much discussion, they came together and signed the Mayflower Compact. The Compact was _______.
a. a container for makeup
b. a small item
c. a machine used for mashing corn
d. an agreement
d. an agreement
compact (n.) = a formal agreement between two or more people or countries
Fortunately, the explosion diverted the asteroid from a course that would have sent it hurdling into our planet. To divert is to _______.
a. change the direction of
b. look for really high waves
c. jump into a dry river
d. look through a telescope
a. change the direction of
diverted (v.) = to make somebody/something change direction
No matter where you go, the Internet is following you. Almost every portable device is being made with an Internet connection. Most new TVs and many other appliances come with Internet connections as well. The Internet is truly ubiquitous. If something is ubiquitous, __________.
a. it is fuzzy and will bite you
b. it is everywhere
c. it costs too much money
d. it causes rashes
b. it is everywhere
(ubiquitous /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/ = "seeming to be everywhere or in several places at the same time; very common")
Some people are always bashing the president just like others bashed the one before him. Wouldn't you think that everyone could find something to praise him for, at least once in a while? What does “bashing” mean in the above selection?
a. hitting hard with a heavy tool
b. going to too many expensive parties
c. speaking or writing harshly about
d. voting for a different candidate
c. speaking or writing harshly about
bashing = (used especially in newspapers) very strong criticism of a person or group
Wherever he goes, the esteemed Dr. Sanchez is applauded for his life saving research. What does “esteemed” mean?
a. held over boiling water
b. very old
c. unable to chew gum
d. greatly admired
d. greatly admired
(esteemed (v.) = to respect and admire somebody/something very much)
Christmas is a time when Dad reverts to his childhood. I really think he looks forward to Santa’s visit more than any other member of the family. Mom says that he’ll always be a child during this season. What does “reverts to” mean in the above passage?
a. stands up straight
b. peeks at presents
c. drinks too much eggnog
d. goes back to being what he was
d. goes back to being what he was
revert to something = to return to a former state; to start doing something again that you used to do in the past