Verbal Flashcards

Hannah would _________ her younger sister into an argument by mocking her and calling her names.

Answer: provoke

To "provoke" means to intentionally make someone angry or incite them to do something, often leading to a strong reaction like an argument. Hannah's actions of mocking and calling names are designed to instigate her sister, making "provoke" the most fitting verb to complete the sentence.

Cath and Donald have a tremendous fan base ________ are superb football players, and both of them will be attending the interview __________ on Sunday.

Answer: as they, here on

The correct pronoun to refer to Cath and Donald as superb football players is "they," as it acts as the subject of the implied clause "as they are superb football players." For the interview, "here on Sunday" correctly specifies both the location and the day. Thus, "as they, here on" creates a grammatically sound and coherent sentence.

You will receive the chocolates ___________ you follow my instructions.

Answer: As long as

The phrase "as long as" is a conjunction that means "provided that" or "on the condition that." It correctly establishes the condition under which the chocolates will be received: following the instructions. The other options do not convey this necessary conditional meaning.

Perhaps he thought she had equal ________ to the money he had collected before they married, but she didn't, especially now.

Answer: Rights

The sentence discusses entitlement to money, and "rights" refers to a legal or moral claim to something. Therefore, "equal rights to the money" is the most appropriate and grammatically correct phrase in this context. The other options like incompetency, ineptness, or liberty do not fit the meaning of entitlement.

The pupils ___________ me always as they leave the classroom for lunch.

Answer: Disturb

The subject "The pupils" is plural, and the adverb "always" indicates a habitual action in the present tense. For a plural subject in the simple present tense, the verb takes its base form without an "-s" ending. Therefore, "disturb" is the correct verb conjugation.

A blacklist would result in increased financial _________ of its government, potential penalties on its central bank, and downgrades of its banking and credit institutions.

Answer: Scrutiny

"Scrutiny" refers to close and critical observation or examination. A blacklist would naturally lead to increased financial examination and oversight of a government, making "scrutiny" the most appropriate word to describe the intensified financial oversight. The other options do not convey this specific meaning of detailed inspection.

He is _______ than I expected.

Answer: More of a fool

When comparing a noun like "fool" in this context, the correct comparative structure is "more of a [noun]." This phrasing emphasizes the degree to which someone embodies the characteristic of being a fool. "More a fool" or "A more fool" are grammatically incorrect or awkward.

"It's a pity you can't stay for dinner," his mother adds as the meal ________ to a close.

Answer: Comes

The phrase "as the meal comes to a close" describes a general truth or a habitual action in the present tense, fitting the context of the mother's ongoing statement. Since "meal" is a singular subject, the verb "comes" (third-person singular present tense) is the correct form.

The gravitational force is inversely proportional to the _________ between two objects.

Answer: Distance

According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This fundamental principle of physics dictates that as the distance between objects increases, the gravitational force between them decreases.

The quantum theory was once viewed as irrational, unnatural, and __________ with common sense.

Answer: incompatible

"Incompatible" means unable to exist or be used together, or inconsistent with something else. If quantum theory was viewed as irrational and unnatural, it would naturally be seen as inconsistent or "incompatible" with common sense. The other options do not convey this meaning of fundamental disagreement.

Moths are nocturnal pollinators, visiting sweet-smelling flowers during the hours of darkness, whereas butterflies are ______, attracted to brilliant blossoms during the day.

Answer: diurnal

The sentence contrasts moths, which are "nocturnal" (active at night), with butterflies. The opposite of nocturnal, describing activity during the day, is "diurnal." Therefore, butterflies are described as diurnal because they are attracted to brilliant blossoms during the day.