NJSLA Vocabulary in Context 5

Question 1

In the excerpt, a scientist is described as 'meticulous in her record-keeping, double-checking every measurement.' What does meticulous mean?

Accepted Answer

showing great attention to detail

Answer

Meticulous means very careful and precise, paying great attention to detail.

Question 2

The author writes: 'His ostentatious display of wealth — gold watches, designer suits — made his coworkers uncomfortable.' What does ostentatious mean?

Accepted Answer

showy and designed to impress

Answer

Ostentatious means characterized by a vulgar or pretentious display intended to impress others.

Question 3

In a historical text, the author describes a famine that 'decimated the population of the region.' In modern usage, what does decimated most likely mean?

Accepted Answer

severely reduced or destroyed a large portion of

Answer

In modern usage, decimated means severely reduced in number or strength.

Question 4

Read this line from a story: 'She was pragmatic about the situation, focusing on what could be done rather than lamenting what was lost.' What does pragmatic mean?

Accepted Answer

practical and focused on results

Answer

Pragmatic means dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical considerations.

Question 5

A passage uses the word 'ambivalent' in this sentence: 'She felt ambivalent about moving away — excited for the new opportunity but sad to leave her home.' What does ambivalent mean?

Accepted Answer

having mixed feelings

Answer

Ambivalent means having mixed or contradictory feelings about something.

NJSLA Exam Practice Test

NJSLA Exam Practice Test

NJSLA Vocabulary in Context 5