Eiken Reading: Vocabulary in Context Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The city council's decision to build a new library was a momentous one, celebrated by residents who had been campaigning for it for years. In this sentence, 'momentous' most nearly means:
- temporary
- controversial
- unimportant
- very important (Correct answer)
Correct answer: very important
The context that residents had been 'campaigning for it for years' and 'celebrated' the decision indicates that it was a very significant and important event. 'Momentous' means having great importance or significance.
Question 2: Despite the initial challenges, the team was diligent in their efforts to complete the project ahead of schedule, often staying late to double-check their work. What does 'diligent' mean in this context?
- careless and hurried
- showing care and effort (Correct answer)
- naturally talented
- reluctant and unwilling
Correct answer: showing care and effort
The phrase 'often staying late to double-check their work' is a clear example of being diligent. It describes someone who is careful, hardworking, and conscientious in their tasks.
Question 3: The instructions for assembling the furniture were ambiguous, leaving my father confused about which screws to use for the different parts. Which of the following is the best definition for 'ambiguous'?
- unclear or having more than one meaning (Correct answer)
- perfectly detailed and helpful
- written in a foreign language
- designed for experts only
Correct answer: unclear or having more than one meaning
The fact that the father was 'confused about which screws to use' shows that the instructions were not clear. 'Ambiguous' means open to more than one interpretation or not having one obvious meaning.
Question 4: In an attempt to alleviate the traffic congestion downtown, the mayor proposed building a new subway line. The word 'alleviate' is used to mean:
- increase the severity of
- study the cause of
- make less severe (Correct answer)
- ignore completely
Correct answer: make less severe
Building a new subway line is an action taken to solve the problem of traffic congestion. Therefore, 'alleviate' means to make the problem (the congestion) less severe or more bearable.
Question 5: Scenario: A company discovered that a popular product had a minor defect. To maintain its reputation for quality, the managers decided it was crucial to recall all the items and offer customers a free replacement. Why was the recall considered 'crucial'?
- It was an optional and unimportant activity.
- It was a profitable way to sell more products.
- It was extremely important for protecting the company's image. (Correct answer)
- It was a simple way to ignore the problem.
Correct answer: It was extremely important for protecting the company's image.
The context explains that the company wanted to 'maintain its reputation for quality.' This makes the recall an action of decisive importance, or 'crucial,' to achieving that goal. The other options misinterpret the company's motivation.
Question 6: Many scientists believe that, without significant global intervention, the extinction of certain endangered species is inevitable. In this sentence, 'inevitable' means:
- unlikely to happen
- easily preventable
- a surprising development
- certain to happen and unavoidable (Correct answer)
Correct answer: certain to happen and unavoidable
The sentence structure 'without significant...intervention...is inevitable' implies that if no action is taken, the outcome is certain. 'Inevitable' means something that cannot be avoided or is sure to occur.
Eiken Reading: Vocabulary in Context Questions and Answers
The city council's decision to build a new library was a momentous one, celebrated by residents who had been campaigning for it for years.
In this sentence, 'momentous' most nearly means: