DSAT DSAT Vocabulary and Words in Context 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In 'The governor's laconic speech disappointed reporters hoping for details,' 'laconic' most nearly means:
- Emotional and passionate
- Rambling and unfocused
- Brief and concise (Correct answer)
- Rehearsed and formal
Correct answer: Brief and concise
Laconic means using very few words, often to the point of seeming rude or mysterious.
Question 2: Which definition of 'novel' applies in 'The researchers proposed a novel approach to treating the disease'?
- A long fictional book
- New and original (Correct answer)
- Controversial and risky
- Previously tested
Correct answer: New and original
As an adjective, 'novel' means new and not resembling something formerly known or used.
Question 3: The word 'tenuous' in 'The connection between the two events is tenuous at best' most nearly means:
- Strong and well-documented
- Widely accepted
- Weak and insubstantial (Correct answer)
- Surprising and counterintuitive
Correct answer: Weak and insubstantial
Tenuous means very weak or slight, lacking a firm basis.
Question 4: In the context 'Despite criticism, the artist remained sanguine about the reception of her work,' 'sanguine' most nearly means:
- Anxious and worried
- Optimistic and positive (Correct answer)
- Defensive and guarded
- Indifferent and detached
Correct answer: Optimistic and positive
Sanguine means optimistic, especially in a difficult situation.
Question 5: The word 'nominal' in 'The fee for the service was nominal, barely covering costs' most nearly means:
- Extremely high
- Related to names
- Very small or token (Correct answer)
- Negotiable
Correct answer: Very small or token
Nominal in this context means trifling or very small compared to the real value.
Question 6: In 'The documentary provided an unvarnished look at poverty in rural communities,' 'unvarnished' most nearly means:
- Artistic and stylized
- Plain and without embellishment (Correct answer)
- Biased and one-sided
- Incomplete and partial
Correct answer: Plain and without embellishment
Unvarnished means presenting facts plainly without concealment or embellishment.
DSAT DSAT Vocabulary and Words in Context 2
In 'The governor's laconic speech disappointed reporters hoping for details,' 'laconic' most nearly means: