Reading Comprehension Vocabulary 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the sentence 'The scientist's findings were irrefutable,' what does 'irrefutable' mean?
- Impossible to deny or disprove (Correct answer)
- Difficult to understand
- Based on opinion
- Easily forgotten
Correct answer: Impossible to deny or disprove
'Irrefutable' means impossible to refute, deny, or disprove — the evidence is conclusive.
Question 2: Which word is closest in meaning to 'ambiguous'?
- Unclear or open to multiple interpretations (Correct answer)
- Completely wrong
- Overly simple
- Strongly opinionated
Correct answer: Unclear or open to multiple interpretations
'Ambiguous' means having more than one possible meaning or interpretation.
Question 3: A passage describes a character as 'taciturn.' This means the character is:
- Reserved and speaking very little (Correct answer)
- Extremely talkative
- Quick to anger
- Highly intelligent
Correct answer: Reserved and speaking very little
'Taciturn' describes someone who habitually speaks very little.
Question 4: The word 'ephemeral' most nearly means:
- Lasting for only a short time (Correct answer)
- Extremely important
- Deeply rooted
- Widely misunderstood
Correct answer: Lasting for only a short time
'Ephemeral' describes something that lasts for a very short time, like a mayfly's life.
Question 5: In context, 'The politician's rhetoric was incendiary' means the speech was:
- Designed to inflame strong emotions or provoke conflict (Correct answer)
- Calm and measured
- Factually incorrect
- Difficult to follow
Correct answer: Designed to inflame strong emotions or provoke conflict
'Incendiary' rhetoric is inflammatory — intended to arouse anger or controversy.
Question 6: Which answer best defines the word 'meticulous'?
- Showing great attention to detail and care (Correct answer)
- Acting without thinking
- Prone to exaggeration
- Reluctant to take action
Correct answer: Showing great attention to detail and care
'Meticulous' describes someone who is very careful and precise about details.
Question 7: The author describes the landscape as 'verdant.' What does this suggest?
- Green and lush with vegetation (Correct answer)
- Dry and barren
- Covered in snow
- Rocky and steep
Correct answer: Green and lush with vegetation
'Verdant' means green with growing plants, deriving from the Latin 'viridis' (green).
In the sentence 'The scientist's findings were irrefutable,' what does 'irrefutable' mean?