Mixed Deck — All ELPT Topics Flashcards

Choose the best transitional word to complete the sentence below. 'Many companies are now allowing employees to work from home, which can improve work-life balance. __________, it can also present challenges, such as feelings of isolation and difficulty collaborating with team members.'

Answer: However

The first part of the sentence presents a positive aspect of working from home. The second part introduces negative aspects (challenges). The word 'However' is used to signal a contrast or opposition between the two ideas, making it the most logical transition.

After hours of discussion, the team finally managed to come _______ with an innovative solution to the problem.

Answer: up

The correct particle to complete the phrasal verb is 'up'. 'To come up with' means to suggest or think of an idea or plan. [10, 21, 25, 30, 47] The other particles do not form a phrasal verb with 'come' that fits the meaning of the sentence.

Which sentence is most appropriate for an academic report?

Answer: The experimental results were conclusive.

Academic reports require formal, precise language that avoids intensifiers and slang.

Identify the informal expression: 'The CEO was fired / dismissed / let go / terminated.'

Answer: let go

'Let go' is an informal euphemism, while 'dismissed' and 'terminated' are formal and professional.

Read the following paragraph: (1) The concept of 'biomimicry' involves looking to nature for solutions to human problems. (2) For example, engineers studied the self-cooling properties of termite mounds to design more energy-efficient buildings. (3) Similarly, the slick, water-repellent surface of the lotus leaf inspired the creation of self-cleaning paints and coatings. (4) By emulating nature's time-tested patterns and strategies, innovators can develop sustainable and effective technologies. (5) This approach is gaining traction across various industries. Which sentence best states the main idea of the paragraph?

Answer: Sentence 1

Sentence 1 introduces the central concept of 'biomimicry' which the rest of the paragraph then explains and illustrates with examples. Sentences 2 and 3 are specific examples (supporting details), Sentence 4 explains the benefit of the concept, and Sentence 5 provides concluding information about its adoption. Sentence 1 is the topic sentence that all other sentences support.

Which closing is appropriate for a formal letter of application?

Answer: Yours sincerely,

'Yours sincerely' is the standard formal closing when the recipient's name is known.

A student told her friend, 'I only visit my relatives in the countryside once in a blue moon.' How often does the student visit her relatives?

Answer: Very rarely.

The idiom 'once in a blue moon' refers to an event that happens very infrequently or rarely. [2, 15, 28]

The collection of rare books, which _______ donated to the library decades ago, _______ now a major attraction for scholars worldwide.

Answer: was, is

The first verb refers to 'The collection,' which is a singular noun, so 'was' is correct. The phrase 'which was donated...' is a non-essential clause describing the collection. The main subject of the sentence is still the singular 'collection,' which agrees with the singular verb 'is' in the second part of the sentence.

In Sentence 1, what does “thrown into relief” mean?

Answer: Accentuated

Explanation: Sentence 2 elaborates upon the idea introduced in Sentence 1. Miss Brooke's physical beauty is so great that plain, "bare," or "poor" clothes only serve to underscore or emphasis it. None of the other words make sense when substituted into the passage.

Which sentence is written in passive voice?

Answer: The papers were graded by the teacher.

"The papers were graded by the teacher" uses "were graded" (to be + past participle), which is the defining structure of passive voice.

In Sentence 5, to what does “frippery” refer?

Answer: Ornate clothing

Explanation: While Sentences 3 and 4 digress somewhat from the main topic of Sentences 1 and 2 (Miss Brooke's style of clothing), Sentence 5 returns to the subject. Sentence 5 also notes that middle-class, respectable women such as the Brooke sisters regard this "frippery" as beneath their social position. Thus, it stands to reason that the "frippery" in question is foolishly ornate clothing.

Due to unexpected budget cuts, the committee decided to _______ the annual company picnic until next year.

Answer: put off

The correct phrasal verb is 'put off', which means to postpone or delay an event to a later time. [3, 15, 17, 33, 42] The other options do not fit the context: 'run into' means to encounter unexpectedly [8, 11, 22, 27, 48], 'give up' means to quit or stop trying [5, 19, 31, 41, 46], and 'look after' means to take care of.

Choose the correct preposition: 'She has been living in New York ___ 2018.'

Answer: since

'Since' is used with a specific point in time, while 'for' is used with a duration.

In Sentence 2, what rhetorical device does “scorpions of Rehoboam” represent?

Answer: Allusion

Explanation: An allusion is a reference to another literary (or sometimes historical, artistic, etc.) thing, place, or event (e.g. the title of the novel Brave New World alludes to the lines "O brave new world, / That has such people in 't!" in Shakespeare's The Tempest). Alliteration is the repetition of similar sounds at the beginning of multiple words (e.g. "two torn tulips"). A simile is a comparison using "like" or "as" (e.g. "the still pond is like a looking glass"). Metonymy is the substitution of one word for another word that's commonly associated with it (e.g. using "throne" to discuss a monarchy). Parallelism is the use of clauses with identical grammatical patterns, syntax, or meter (e.g. ""She expected nothing, hoped for everything, and received something"").

You will hear a university lecture excerpt: 'When preparing for your final presentation, remember to include three key components: a clear introduction stating your thesis, a body with at least three supporting arguments backed by research, and a concise conclusion. Your presentation should be 10-12 minutes long. Please do not include any video clips, as we won't have the equipment for playback.' According to the lecturer, which of the following should students NOT include in their presentation?

Answer: Video clips

The correct answer is 'Video clips.' The lecturer gives a specific negative instruction: 'Please do not include any video clips.' The other options are all listed as required components of the presentation.

In the following sentence, which word is an antonym for 'ambiguous'? 'The politician gave an ambiguous response to the reporter's question, leaving everyone uncertain of his true position.'

Answer: Definite

'Ambiguous' means open to more than one interpretation or having an unclear meaning. The direct opposite is 'definite,' which means clearly stated or decided, leaving no room for doubt.

Which of the following sentences uses a phrasal verb incorrectly?

Answer: He promised to look up to the word in the dictionary.

The sentence 'He promised to look up to the word in the dictionary' is incorrect. To search for information, the correct phrasal verb is 'look up'. [39] 'Look up to' means to admire and respect someone. [1, 36, 43] The other sentences are correct: 'break down' means to stop functioning [6, 14, 16, 24, 34]; 'get along with' means to have a good relationship [20, 26, 45, 49, 50]; and 'come up with' means to think of an idea. [10, 21, 25, 30, 47]

You will hear a voicemail message: 'Hi, this is Sarah from the dental office calling for Mark. Just a reminder that you have an appointment with Dr. Evans on Tuesday, April 5th, at 2:30 PM for your annual check-up. If you need to reschedule, please call us back at 555-0198 at least 24 hours in advance. Thanks.' What specific piece of information is provided in the message?

Answer: The reason for the appointment

The message explicitly states that the appointment is 'for your annual check-up,' which is the reason for the visit. The cost, address, and doctor's home number are not mentioned.

Which sentence is correct?

Answer: He depends on his parents.

'Depend on' is the correct collocation meaning to rely on someone or something.

Based on the passage, it can be inferred that “Cromwell” was a ______________.

Answer: political figure who fell from power

Explanation: The reference to Cromwell appears in Sentence 4 and denotes a historical man, Oliver Cromwell, who was a 17th-century leader of England before being overthrown. Although it's tempting to choose the "religious leader" option because the Brookes' ancestor is described as "a Puritan gentleman," read more closely. This same ancestor, after serving under Cromwell and then "conforming" or reversing his opinions back to the political majority, "managed to come out of all political troubles," not religious troubles.