NBT NBT Academic Literacy: Vocabulary in Context 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: "The report's conclusions were **predicated** on the assumption that all data had been accurately recorded." In context, 'predicated on' means:
- opposed to
- independent of
- based on (Correct answer)
- consistent with
Correct answer: based on
'Predicated on' means founded upon or based on a particular assumption or condition.
Question 2: "Her response to the criticism was notably **equivocal**, leaving the audience uncertain about her actual position." 'Equivocal' means:
- clearly stated
- deliberately ambiguous (Correct answer)
- emotionally charged
- logically flawed
Correct answer: deliberately ambiguous
'Equivocal' means open to more than one interpretation; deliberately ambiguous.
Question 3: "The **proliferation** of misinformation on social media poses a serious threat to democratic discourse." The best replacement for 'proliferation' is:
- reduction
- rapid spread (Correct answer)
- careful analysis
- regulation
Correct answer: rapid spread
'Proliferation' means rapid and often excessive increase or spread.
Question 4: "The new legislation was **contentious**, dividing parliament along ideological lines." As used here, 'contentious' most nearly means:
- poorly drafted
- causing disagreement (Correct answer)
- financially costly
- recently proposed
Correct answer: causing disagreement
'Contentious' means causing or likely to cause argument; the context of 'dividing parliament' supports this.
Question 5: "The defendant's testimony was **inconsistent** with physical evidence recovered from the scene, casting doubt on his credibility." The connotation of 'inconsistent' here is closest to:
- contradictory (Correct answer)
- incomplete
- unverified
- complex
Correct answer: contradictory
'Inconsistent' with evidence means the testimony contradicted the physical facts.
Question 6: "The study adopted a **holistic** approach, examining not just economic indicators but also social and environmental factors." 'Holistic' most nearly means:
- concentrating on one aspect
- considering the whole system (Correct answer)
- based on historical data
- focused on measurable outcomes
Correct answer: considering the whole system
'Holistic' means considering all parts together rather than in isolation; a whole-system view.
Question 7: "The **austere** conditions of the research station — no heating, limited supplies — tested the scientists' resolve." As used here, 'austere' most nearly means:
- dangerously unsafe
- strictly controlled
- severely simple and uncomfortable (Correct answer)
- scientifically controlled
Correct answer: severely simple and uncomfortable
'Austere' describes conditions that are severely plain and lacking comfort.
NBT NBT Academic Literacy: Vocabulary in Context 3
"The report's conclusions were **predicated** on the assumption that all data had been accurately recorded." In context, 'predicated on' means: