RLA Vocabulary in Context 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the sentence 'The company's *unprecedented* losses forced the board to consider bankruptcy,' what does 'unprecedented' mean?
- Expected and predictable
- Never having happened before (Correct answer)
- Largely exaggerated
- Legally questionable
Correct answer: Never having happened before
'Unprecedented' means never done or experienced before — there is no precedent for it.
Question 2: The passage states: 'Her argument was *cogent*, with each point logically following from the last.' What does 'cogent' mean?
- Overly complex
- Clear, logical, and convincing (Correct answer)
- Emotionally charged
- Brief and incomplete
Correct answer: Clear, logical, and convincing
'Cogent' describes reasoning that is powerfully convincing because it is clear and logical.
Question 3: Read: 'The new law was meant to *curtail* excessive spending by government departments.' What does 'curtail' mean?
- Encourage and increase
- Reduce or limit (Correct answer)
- Monitor carefully
- Completely eliminate
Correct answer: Reduce or limit
'Curtail' means to reduce, limit, or restrict something.
Question 4: In the excerpt: 'The CEO's *pragmatic* approach focused on what was achievable rather than what was ideal,' what does 'pragmatic' mean?
- Overly idealistic
- Dealing with things practically rather than theoretically (Correct answer)
- Extremely innovative
- Highly traditional
Correct answer: Dealing with things practically rather than theoretically
'Pragmatic' means focused on practical results and real-world solutions rather than ideals.
Question 5: The article notes: 'The two nations have maintained an *amicable* relationship for decades, cooperating on trade and diplomacy.' What does 'amicable' mean?
- Tense and unstable
- Friendly and without conflict (Correct answer)
- Formal and distant
- Economically competitive
Correct answer: Friendly and without conflict
'Amicable' describes a relationship characterized by goodwill and a lack of hostility.
Question 6: The editorial reads: 'Many viewed the proposed law as an *infringement* on citizens' right to free speech.' What does 'infringement' mean?
- A necessary protection
- A violation or limitation of a right (Correct answer)
- An official endorsement
- A misinterpretation
Correct answer: A violation or limitation of a right
'Infringement' means an action that breaks a rule, law, or limits someone's rights.
Question 7: Read: 'The documentary presented a *nuanced* view of the conflict, acknowledging that blame was not one-sided.' What does 'nuanced' mean?
- Extremely biased
- Showing subtle distinctions and avoiding oversimplification (Correct answer)
- Confusingly vague
- Intentionally provocative
Correct answer: Showing subtle distinctions and avoiding oversimplification
'Nuanced' describes an approach that recognizes subtle differences rather than seeing things in black and white.
RLA Vocabulary in Context 5
In the sentence 'The company's *unprecedented* losses forced the board to consider bankruptcy,' what does 'unprecedented' mean?