Nelson-Denny Reading Test Meaning from Context Vocabulary 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The scientist's HYPOTHESIS was that increased sugar consumption led to decreased attention spans, a claim she set out to test through controlled experiments. What does 'hypothesis' mean?
- A proven scientific law
- A proposed explanation to be tested (Correct answer)
- A set of experimental results
- A published research conclusion
Correct answer: A proposed explanation to be tested
'Hypothesis' is a proposed explanation that serves as a starting point for investigation, shown by 'she set out to test' it.
Question 2: The ANTAGONIST in the thriller novel constantly undermined the hero's plans, creating obstacle after obstacle to prevent her from reaching her goal. What does 'antagonist' mean?
- A helpful ally who supports the hero
- A character who opposes the main character (Correct answer)
- A neutral bystander in the story
- The story's narrator
Correct answer: A character who opposes the main character
'Antagonist' refers to a character who actively opposes the protagonist, shown by undermining and creating obstacles for the hero.
Question 3: After the scandal, the celebrity's TARNISHED reputation made it difficult for her to find work, as studios were reluctant to be associated with her. What does 'tarnished' mean?
- Greatly enhanced and improved
- Damaged or made less valuable (Correct answer)
- Publicly discussed and debated
- Temporarily forgotten
Correct answer: Damaged or made less valuable
'Tarnished' means damaged or diminished in quality or purity, evidenced by studios avoiding association with her.
Question 4: The lawyer argued that the evidence was INADMISSIBLE because it had been obtained without a proper warrant, violating her client's rights. What does 'inadmissible' mean?
- Not allowed to be presented in court (Correct answer)
- Highly persuasive to a jury
- Gathered through accepted methods
- Difficult for experts to interpret
Correct answer: Not allowed to be presented in court
'Inadmissible' means not acceptable as evidence in court, explained by the improper method by which it was obtained.
Question 5: The PERIPHERAL details in the background of the painting—a clock, a candle, a half-eaten meal—told a story of their own, separate from the main scene. What does 'peripheral' mean?
- Located at the center of focus
- Relating to the edge or outer area (Correct answer)
- Brightly colored and eye-catching
- Deliberately placed for symmetry
Correct answer: Relating to the edge or outer area
'Peripheral' means on the outer edge or of secondary importance, shown by 'background' details separate from the 'main scene.'
Question 6: The TURBULENT history of the region, marked by wars, famines, and political upheaval, had shaped its people's fierce sense of resilience. What does 'turbulent' mean?
- Peaceful and prosperous
- Marked by conflict and instability (Correct answer)
- Largely unrecorded and mysterious
- Gradually improving over centuries
Correct answer: Marked by conflict and instability
'Turbulent' means characterized by conflict or instability, directly supported by the listing of wars, famines, and upheaval.
Question 7: The explorer's RESILIENCE after losing her supplies in the river—improvising tools and finding food in the wild—allowed her to complete the expedition. What does 'resilience' mean?
- Carelessness about risk and safety
- The ability to recover quickly from difficulties (Correct answer)
- Dependence on advanced technology
- A tendency to avoid dangerous situations
Correct answer: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties
'Resilience' means the ability to recover from setbacks, shown by the explorer's ability to improvise and continue after a major loss.
Nelson-Denny Reading Test Meaning from Context Vocabulary 5
The scientist's HYPOTHESIS was that increased sugar consumption led to decreased attention spans, a claim she set out to test through controlled experiments.
What does 'hypothesis' mean?