Regents English Vocabulary and Word Meaning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the suffix '-ology' indicate about a word's meaning?
- The study or science of something (Correct answer)
- Against something
- Before something
- Without something
Correct answer: The study or science of something
The suffix '-ology' means 'the study or science of,' as seen in words like biology (study of life) and psychology (study of the mind).
Question 2: Which sentence uses the word 'pragmatic' correctly?
- She was pragmatic and always worried about theoretical outcomes.
- His pragmatic approach focused on practical solutions to real problems. (Correct answer)
- The pragmatic student ignored all facts.
- Her pragmatic style was overly emotional and sentimental.
Correct answer: His pragmatic approach focused on practical solutions to real problems.
'Pragmatic' means dealing with things practically and realistically rather than theoretically, so the second sentence uses it correctly.
Question 3: On the Regents English exam, an 'analogy' is used to:
- List a series of unrelated facts
- Explain an unfamiliar concept by comparing it to something familiar (Correct answer)
- Summarize the plot of a story
- Define technical vocabulary precisely
Correct answer: Explain an unfamiliar concept by comparing it to something familiar
An analogy explains an unfamiliar or abstract concept by drawing a comparison to something more familiar and concrete.
Question 4: What does the word 'credible' mean in the context of evaluating sources?
- Entertaining and engaging
- Trustworthy, believable, and reliably accurate (Correct answer)
- Long and detailed
- Written by a famous person
Correct answer: Trustworthy, believable, and reliably accurate
'Credible' means worthy of trust and belief, supported by accurate evidence and from a reliable source.
Question 5: Which of the following words has a NEGATIVE connotation?
- Confident
- Bold
- Arrogant (Correct answer)
- Determined
Correct answer: Arrogant
'Arrogant' carries a negative connotation of excessive pride and self-importance, unlike the similarly-meaning but neutral 'confident.'
Question 6: What does 'rhetoric' mean in the context of the Regents English exam?
- Simple, everyday language
- The art of using language effectively to persuade or communicate (Correct answer)
- Silent communication through body language
- Scientific or technical writing
Correct answer: The art of using language effectively to persuade or communicate
Rhetoric is the art of using language strategically and effectively to persuade, inform, or motivate an audience.
What does the suffix '-ology' indicate about a word's meaning?