West B Test Reading: Word Meanings in Context 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The passage reads: 'Her *sardonic* smile told the audience she found the speaker's optimism naive.' What does 'sardonic' mean?
- Warm and encouraging
- Grimly mocking or cynical (Correct answer)
- Genuinely amused
- Politely neutral
Correct answer: Grimly mocking or cynical
'Sardonic' means grimly mocking, disdainful, or cynically humorous.
Question 2: Read: 'The organization's *ostensible* goal was charity, but investigators suspected financial misconduct.' What does 'ostensible' mean?
- Legally registered
- Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so (Correct answer)
- Genuinely altruistic
- Publicly celebrated
Correct answer: Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so
'Ostensible' means appearing as such but perhaps not actually being so.
Question 3: The text states: 'The chairman's *perfunctory* review of the report suggested he hadn't read it carefully.' What does 'perfunctory' mean?
- Carried out with minimal effort or care (Correct answer)
- Thorough and methodical
- Publicly criticized
- Legally required
Correct answer: Carried out with minimal effort or care
'Perfunctory' describes actions done as a routine duty with little thought or care.
Question 4: The passage says: 'The company's *fortuitous* timing—launching just before the market boom—made it an overnight success.' What does 'fortuitous' mean?
- Strategically planned
- Happening by lucky accident (Correct answer)
- Financially risky
- Deliberately delayed
Correct answer: Happening by lucky accident
'Fortuitous' means happening by chance, particularly a lucky or fortunate chance.
Question 5: Read this sentence: 'The author used *pathos* effectively, making readers deeply sympathize with the protagonist's loss.' What does 'pathos' mean?
- A quality that evokes sadness or pity (Correct answer)
- Logical argumentation
- Credibility through expertise
- Humor and irony
Correct answer: A quality that evokes sadness or pity
'Pathos' is a quality that evokes feelings of pity, sorrow, or tenderness in an audience.
Question 6: The article reads: 'The new principal's *stringent* discipline policy eliminated tardiness within the first month.' What does 'stringent' mean?
- Flexible and lenient
- Rigorously strict and precise (Correct answer)
- Financially incentivized
- Poorly enforced
Correct answer: Rigorously strict and precise
'Stringent' means very strict, precise, and demanding.
Question 7: The sentence reads: 'The diplomat used *euphemisms* to describe the military strikes, calling them 'targeted interventions.'' What does 'euphemisms' mean?
- Technical military terminology
- Mild or vague expressions substituted for harsh ones (Correct answer)
- Diplomatic treaties
- Statistical reports
Correct answer: Mild or vague expressions substituted for harsh ones
'Euphemisms' are mild or indirect words substituted for ones that might seem blunt or offensive.
West B Test Reading: Word Meanings in Context 5
The passage reads: 'Her *sardonic* smile told the audience she found the speaker's optimism naive.' What does 'sardonic' mean?