West B Test Reading: Word Meanings in Context 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the sentence: 'The scientist's findings were so *seminal* that they reshaped the entire field of genetics.' What does 'seminal' mean here?
- Highly influential and original (Correct answer)
- Controversial and disputed
- Technically flawed
- Widely misunderstood
Correct answer: Highly influential and original
'Seminal' describes something that strongly influences future developments and is foundational to a field.
Question 2: The passage states: 'After years of *acrimony*, the two departments finally reached a cooperative agreement.' What does 'acrimony' mean?
- Friendly competition
- Bitter hostility or ill will (Correct answer)
- Mutual respect
- Financial disagreement
Correct answer: Bitter hostility or ill will
'Acrimony' refers to bitterness or sharpness of manner or speech, especially in disputes.
Question 3: In the text: 'The attorney's argument was *cogent*, leaving little room for the jury to doubt the defendant's guilt.' What does 'cogent' mean?
- Emotionally charged
- Legally questionable
- Clearly logical and convincing (Correct answer)
- Overly complex
Correct answer: Clearly logical and convincing
'Cogent' means powerfully persuasive and logically sound.
Question 4: The article reads: 'Rather than making a *precipitate* decision, the board took several weeks to deliberate.' What does 'precipitate' mean in this context?
- Well-researched
- Hasty and rash (Correct answer)
- Financially sound
- Democratically reached
Correct answer: Hasty and rash
'Precipitate' as an adjective means acting too quickly without adequate consideration.
Question 5: The passage says: 'Critics called the policy *draconian*, arguing it imposed unfair burdens on low-income families.' What does 'draconian' mean?
- Generously funded
- Excessively harsh or severe (Correct answer)
- Carelessly designed
- Politically motivated
Correct answer: Excessively harsh or severe
'Draconian' describes laws or rules that are extremely strict and harsh, often disproportionately so.
Question 6: Read this sentence: 'The CEO's *tacit* approval of the merger surprised employees who expected a formal announcement.' What does 'tacit' mean?
- Enthusiastic and vocal
- Expressed without words; implied (Correct answer)
- Legally binding
- Conditional and uncertain
Correct answer: Expressed without words; implied
'Tacit' means understood or implied without being directly stated.
Question 7: The text reads: 'The author's prose was *prolix*, burying the central argument under layers of unnecessary detail.' What does 'prolix' mean?
- Refreshingly brief
- Excessively wordy or long-winded (Correct answer)
- Technically precise
- Beautifully poetic
Correct answer: Excessively wordy or long-winded
'Prolix' means using too many words, making writing tedious and hard to follow.
West B Test Reading: Word Meanings in Context 2
Read the sentence: 'The scientist's findings were so *seminal* that they reshaped the entire field of genetics.' What does 'seminal' mean here?