NoRedInk Vocabulary in Context 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the sentence 'The new law was *contentious*, sparking heated debate in both houses of Congress,' *contentious* means:
- Widely supported
- Causing disagreement and argument (Correct answer)
- Quickly passed
- Unconstitutional
Correct answer: Causing disagreement and argument
'Heated debate' directly signals that *contentious* describes something that provokes controversy.
Question 2: 'She gave a *cursory* glance at the report before rushing to her next meeting.' The word *cursory* implies the glance was:
- Thorough and detailed
- Quick and superficial (Correct answer)
- Critical and analytical
- Repeated several times
Correct answer: Quick and superficial
*Cursory* means hasty and therefore not thorough; rushing to a meeting reinforces the lack of depth.
Question 3: The word *lucid* in 'Despite the complexity of quantum physics, her *lucid* explanation helped every student understand' means:
- Clear and easy to understand (Correct answer)
- Oversimplified and inaccurate
- Lengthy and detailed
- Technical and advanced
Correct answer: Clear and easy to understand
*Lucid* means expressed clearly; every student understanding confirms the explanation succeeded in clarity.
Question 4: Which context clue strategy is used in: 'The *loquacious* student, who talked constantly and dominated every discussion, frustrated the teacher'?
- Antonym clue
- Definition clue embedded in the sentence
- Example clue
- Restatement clue (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Restatement clue
The phrase 'who talked constantly and dominated every discussion' restates the meaning of *loquacious* in different words.
Question 5: 'The *benevolent* donor funded the entire hospital wing anonymously, asking for nothing in return.' *Benevolent* most nearly means:
- Wealthy
- Well-meaning and generous (Correct answer)
- Secretive
- Business-minded
Correct answer: Well-meaning and generous
*Benevolent* describes a desire to do good for others; funding a hospital wing anonymously is a classic expression of goodwill.
Question 6: In 'The treaty was *nullified* after one nation violated its core terms,' *nullified* means:
- Strengthened and reaffirmed
- Made legally void and invalid (Correct answer)
- Renegotiated by both parties
- Temporarily suspended
Correct answer: Made legally void and invalid
*Nullify* means to make something legally without effect; violating core terms triggers cancellation of the agreement.
Question 7: Read: 'The explorer's account of the hidden valley seemed *implausible* until photographs confirmed every detail.' *Implausible* means:
- Fascinating and well-told
- Hard to believe (Correct answer)
- Geographically inaccurate
- Widely circulated
Correct answer: Hard to believe
*Implausible* means not seeming reasonable or probable; the need for photographic proof signals initial disbelief.
NoRedInk Vocabulary in Context 3
In the sentence 'The new law was *contentious*, sparking heated debate in both houses of Congress,' *contentious* means: