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Problem Solving
Vocabulary
Sentence Completion - Master Guide
1

Though the accident damaged the car pretty

severely, mechanics were able to _____ it and make
it almost as good as new.
A. destroy
B. build
C. salvage
D. hinder
E. cure

de·stroy (dĭ-stroi′)
v. de·stroyed, de·stroy·ing, de·stroys
v.tr.
1. To break apart the structure of, render physically unusable, or cause to cease to exist as a
distinguishable physical entity: The fire destroyed the library. The tumor was destroyed with a
laser.
2. To put an end to; eliminate: "In crowded populations, poverty destroys the possibility of
cleanliness" (George Bernard Shaw).
3. To render useless or ruin: felt that an overemphasis on theory had destroyed the study of
literature.
4. To put to death; kill: destroy a rabid dog.
5. To subdue or defeat completely; crush: The rebel forces were destroyed in battle.
6. To cause emotional trauma to; devastate: The divorce destroyed him.
v.intr.
To be destructive; cause destruction: "Too much money destroys as surely as too little" (John
Simon).

build (bĭld)
v. built (bĭlt), build·ing, builds
v.tr.
1. To form by combining materials or parts; construct.
2. To order, finance, or supervise the construction of: The administration built several new
housing projects.
3. To develop or give form to according to a plan or process; create: build a nation; built a
successful business out of their corner grocery store.
4. To increase or strengthen by adding gradually to: money building interest in a savings
account; build support for a political candidate.
5. To establish a basis for; found or ground: build an argument on fact.
v.intr.
1. To make something by combining materials or parts.
2. To engage in the construction or design of buildings: "Each of the three architects built in a
different style" (Dwight Macdonald).
3. To develop in magnitude or extent: clouds building on the horizon.
4. To progress toward a maximum, as of intensity: suspense building from the opening scene
to the climax.
n.
1. The physical makeup of a person or thing, especially one's physique: an athletic build.
2. Computers Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for
release to users.
Phrasal Verbs:
build down
To reduce or diminish, especially in a systematic numerical fashion: build down the armed
forces in peace time.
build in (or into)
To construct or include as an integral part of: a wall with shelving that was built in; build
stability into the economy.
build on (or upon)
To use as a basis or foundation: We must build on our recent success.
build out
To develop all the land available in (an area, such as a municipality).
build up
1. To develop or increase in stages or by degrees: built up the business; building up my
endurance for the marathon.
2. To accumulate or collect: sediment building up on the ocean floor.
3. To bolster: build up the product with a massive ad campaign; built up my hopes after the
interview.
4. To fill up (an area) with buildings.
Idiom:
build on sand
To provide with an unstable foundation: Having bought only high-risk stocks, my portfolio was
built on sand.

sal·vage (săl′vĭj)
n.
1.
a. The rescue of a ship or its cargo from fire or shipwreck.
b. The ship or cargo saved in such a rescue.
c. Award given to those who aid in such a rescue when under no obligation to do so,
especially in the form of a portion of the cargo.
d. The recovery of a sunken ship or its cargo by divers or submersibles.
2.
a. The act of saving imperiled property from loss.
b. The property so saved.
3. Something saved from destruction or waste and put to further use.
tr.v. sal·vaged, sal·vag·ing, sal·vag·es
1. To save from loss or destruction.
2. To save (discarded or damaged material) for further use.
hin·der 1 (hĭn′dər)
v. hin·dered, hin·der·ing, hin·ders
v.tr.
To obstruct or delay the progress of: a snowfall hindered the mountain climbers; lack of funds
that hindered research.
v.intr.
To interfere with action or progress.

cure (kyo͝or)
n.
1.
a. A drug or course of medical treatment used to restore health: discovered a new cure for
ulcers.
b. Restoration of health; recovery from disease: the likelihood of cure.
c. Something that corrects or relieves a harmful or disturbing situation: The cats proved to be a
good cure for our mouse problem.
2. Ecclesiastical Spiritual charge or care, as of a priest for a congregation.
3. The office or duties of a curate.
4. The act or process of preserving a product.
v. cured, cur·ing, cures
v.tr.
1.
a. To cause to be free of a disease or unhealthy condition: medicine that cured the patient of
gout.
b. To cause to be free of, to lose interest in, or to stop doing something: a remark that cured
me of the illusion that I might be a good singer; a bad reaction that cured him of the desire to
smoke cigars; a visit to the dentist that cured her of eating sweets.
2. To eliminate (a disease, for example) from the body by medical or other treatment; cause
recovery from: new antibiotics to cure infections.
3. To remove or remedy (something harmful or disturbing): cure a social evil.
4. To preserve (meat, for example), as by salting, smoking, or aging.
5. To prepare, preserve, or finish (a substance) by a chemical or physical process.
6. To vulcanize (rubber).
v.intr.
1. To effect a cure or recovery: a drug that cures without side effects.
2. To be prepared, preserved, or finished by a chemical or physical process: hams curing in
the smokehouse.
2

Silvio first arranged the anthology in _____ order

based on when each piece was published, but he
later switched to _____ ordering system based on
the author's name of each piece.
A. reverse, a straightforward
B. random, an orderly
C. mathematical, a geometric
D. chronological, an alphabetical
E. original, a superior

su·pe·ri·or (so͝o-pîr′ē-ər)
adj.
1. Higher than another in rank, station, or authority: a superior officer.
2. Of a higher nature or kind.
3. Of great value or excellence; extraordinary.
4. Greater in number or amount than another: an army defeated by superior numbers of
enemy troops.
5. Presuming to be or suggesting that one is morally or socially better than others; disdainful or
supercilious.
6. Above being affected or influenced; indifferent or immune: "Trust magnates were superior to
law" (Gustavus Myers).
7. Located higher than another; upper.
8. Botany Inserted or situated above the perianth. Used of an ovary.
9. Printing Set above the main line of type.
10. Logic Of wider or more comprehensive application; generic. Used of a term or proposition.
n.
1. One that surpasses another in rank or quality.
2. Ecclesiastical The head of a religious community, such as a monastery, abbey, or convent.
3. Printing A superior character, as the number 2 in x2.

o·rig·i·nal (ə-rĭj′ə-nəl)
adj.
1. Preceding all others in time; first: Who played the original Dracula?
2.
a. Not derived from something else; fresh and unusual: an original play, not an adaptation.
b. Showing a marked departure from previous practice; new: a truly original approach. See
Synonyms at new.
3. Productive of new things or new ideas; inventive: an original mind.
4. Being the source from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is made.
n.
1. A first form or model from which others are made or developed: Later versions of the car
retained key features of the original.
2.
a. An authentic work of art: bought an original, not a print.
b. A work that has been composed firsthand or used to make a copy, reproduction, or
translation: kept the original but sent a photocopy to his publisher.
3.
a. A person with a creative or unusual personality.
b. A person who is appealingly odd or curious; a character.
4. Archaic The source from which something arises; an originator.

al·pha·bet·i·cal (ăl′fə-bĕt′ĭ-kəl) also al·pha·bet·ic (-bĕt′ĭk)

adj.
1. Arranged in the customary order of the letters of a language.
2. Of, relating to, or expressed by an alphabet.

chron·o·log·i·cal (krŏn′ə-lŏj′ĭ-kəl, krō′nə-) also chron·o·log·ic (-lŏj′ĭk)

adj.
1. Arranged in order of time of occurrence.
2. Relating to or in accordance with chronology.

ge·o·met·ric (jē′ə-mĕt′rĭk) also ge·o·met·ri·cal (-rĭ-kəl)

adj.
1.
a. Of or relating to geometry and its methods and principles.
b. Increasing or decreasing in a geometric progression.
2. Using simple geometric forms such as circles and squares in design and decoration.
3. Of or relating to properties in algebraic geometry involving algebraically closed fields.

math·e·mat·i·cal (măth′ə-măt′ĭ-kəl) also math·e·mat·ic (-ĭk)

adj.
1. Of or relating to mathematics.
2.
a. Precise; exact.
b. Absolute; certain.
3. Possible according to mathematics but highly improbable: The team has only a
mathematical chance to win the championship.
or·der·ly (ôr′dər-lē)
adj.
1.
a. Free from disorder; neat or well-arranged: an orderly room.
b. Having a systematic arrangement: a garden with orderly rows.
2.
a. Given to keeping things neat or well-arranged: an orderly housekeeper.
b. Adhering or conforming to a method or system: an orderly researcher.
3. Devoid of violence or disruption; peaceful: an orderly transition of governments.
n. pl. or·der·lies
1. An attendant who does routine, nonmedical work in a hospital.
2. A soldier assigned to attend and perform various tasks for a superior officer.
adv.
Systematically; regularly.

ran·dom (răn′dəm)
adj.
1. Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective: random movements. See Synonyms at
chance.
2. Mathematics & Statistics Of or relating to a type of circumstance or event that is described
by a probability distribution.
3. Of or relating to an event in which all outcomes are equally likely, as in the testing of a blood
sample for the presence of a substance.
Idiom:
at random
Without a governing design, method, or purpose; unsystematically: chose a card at random
from the deck.

re·verse (rĭ-vûrs′)
adj.
1. Turned backward in position, direction, or order: the reverse side of the poster.
2. Moving, acting, or organized in a manner contrary to the usual: in reverse order.
3. Causing backward movement: a reverse gear.
4. Printing Printed in such a way that the normally colored part appears white against a
colored or black background.
n.
1. The opposite or contrary: All along we thought Sue was older than Bill, but just the reverse
was true.
2.
a. The back or rear part: the reverse of the flyer.
b. The side of a coin or medal that does not carry the principal design; the verso.
3. A change to an opposite position, condition, or direction.
4. A change in fortune from better to worse; a setback: suffered financial reverses.
5.
a. A mechanism, such as a gear in a motor vehicle, that is used to reverse movement.
b. The position or operating condition of such a mechanism.
c. Movement in an opposite direction.
6. Football An offensive play in which a ball carrier running in one direction executes a handoff
to a player running in the opposite direction.
v. re·versed, re·vers·ing, re·vers·es
v.tr.
1. To turn around to the opposite direction: The wind reversed the weather vane.
2. To turn inside out or upside down: reverse a jacket.
3. To exchange the positions of; transpose: reversed the people on stage.
4. Law To change or set aside (a lower court's decision).
5.
a. To cause to adopt a contrary viewpoint: reversed himself during the campaign.
b. To change to the opposite: reversed their planned course of action.
6. To cause (an engine or mechanism) to function in reverse.
7. To direct that (a charge) apply to the person receiving instead of making a telephone call.
v.intr.
1. To turn or move in the opposite direction.
2. To reverse the action of an engine.
Idiom:
reverse (one's) field
To turn and proceed in the opposite direction.

straight·for·ward (strāt-fôr′wərd)
adj.
1.
a. Honest and frank: "He was straightforward if the news was bad" (Alec Wilkinson). See
Synonyms at frank1.
b. Free from ambiguity or pretense; plain and open: straightforward advice.
2. Easy to accomplish, identify, or understand; not complicated, uncertain, or involved: a
straightforward car repair; a disease with straightforward symptoms; a straightforward
approach to the problem.
3. Proceeding in a straight course; direct.
adv.
In a direct course or an honest manner.
3

Apart from the one small river running through it,

the desert is entirely _____.
A. arid
B. humid
C. remote
D. temperate
E. moist

ar·id (ăr′ĭd)
adj.
1. Lacking moisture, especially having insufficient rainfall to support trees or woody plants: an
arid climate.
2. Lacking interest or feeling; lifeless and dull: a technically perfect but arid musical
performance.

[Latin āridus, from ārēre, to be dry; see as- in Indo-European roots.]

a·rid′i·ty (ə-rĭd′ĭ-tē), ar′id·ness n.

hu·mid (hyo͞o′mĭd)
adj.
Containing or characterized by a high amount of water or water vapor: humid air; a humid
evening.

[Middle English, from Latin hūmidus, from hūmēre, to be moist.]

hu′mid·ly adv.

re·mote (rĭ-mōt′)
adj. re·mot·er, re·mot·est
1.
a. Located far away; distant in space.
b. Hidden away; secluded: a remote hamlet.
2. Distant in time: the remote past.
3. Faint; slight: a remote possibility; had not the remotest interest.
4. Far removed in connection or relevance: a cause remote from everyday concerns.
5. Distantly related by blood or marriage: a remote cousin.
6. Distant in manner; aloof.
7. Operating or controlled from a distance: remote sensors.
8. Computers Located at a distance from another computer that is accessible by cables or
other communications links: a remote terminal.
n.
1. A radio or television broadcast originating from a point outside a studio.
2. A remote control device.

[Middle English, from Old French remot, from Latin remōtus, past participle of removēre, to
remove; see remove.]

tem·per·ate (tĕm′pər-ĭt, tĕm′prĭt)

adj.
1.
a. Of or occurring in the Temperate Zone: temperate regions; temperate species.
b. Characterized by moderate temperatures, weather, or climate; neither hot nor cold.
2.
a. Moderate in degree or quality; restrained: temperate criticism.
b. Exercising moderation and self-restraint: learned to be temperate in eating and drinking.
3. Biology Of or relating to a virus that infects bacterial cells but rarely causes lysis: temperate
bacteriophages.

moist (moist)
adj. moist·er, moist·est
1. Slightly wet; damp: a moist sponge; a dog's moist nose.
2. Humid: the moist gulf air.
3. Characterized by considerable rainfall; rainy: a moist climate.
4. Juicy or succulent; not dried out: Basting keeps the turkey moist in the oven.
5. Tearful: moist eyes.
4

The dancer tried to _____ the movements of her

teacher, exactly copying every graceful step.
A. plagiarize
B. interpret
C. mimic
D. possess
E. refine

pla·gia·rize (plā′jə-rīz′)
v. pla·gia·rized, pla·gia·riz·ing, pla·gia·riz·es
v.tr.
1. To reproduce or otherwise use (the words, ideas, or other work of another) as one's own or
without attribution.
2. To plagiarize the words, ideas, or work of (another person).
v.intr.
To present another's words or ideas as one's own or without attribution.

pla′gia·riz′er n.

in·ter·pret (ĭn-tûr′prĭt)
v. in·ter·pret·ed, in·ter·pret·ing, in·ter·prets
v.tr.
1. To explain the meaning of: The newspapers interpreted the ambassador's speech as an
attempt at making peace. See Synonyms at explain.
2. To understand the significance of; construe: interpreted his smile to be an agreement;
interpreted the open door as an invitation.
3. To present or conceptualize the meaning of by means of art or criticism: The actor
interpreted the character with great subtlety.
4. To translate from one language into another: interpreted the ambassador's remarks for the
assembly.
v.intr.
To serve as an interpreter for speakers of different languages.
[Middle English interpreten, from Old French interpreter, from Latin interpretārī,
from interpres, interpret-, negotiator, explainer; see per- in Indo-European roots.]

in·ter′pret·a·bil′i·ty, in·ter′pret·a·ble·ness n.
in·ter′pret·a·ble adj.

mim·ic (mĭm′ĭk)
tr.v. mim·icked, mim·ick·ing, mim·ics
1.
a. To copy or imitate closely, especially in speech, expression, and gesture: a girl who naturally
mimics her older sister.
b. To copy or imitate so as to ridicule; mock: always mimicking the boss. See Synonyms at
imitate.
2. To reproduce or simulate: "Scientists figured out how to mimic conditions in the bowels of
the earth and began fabricating ... synthetic diamonds" (Natalie Angier).
3.
a. To resemble by biological mimicry: an insect that mimics a twig.
b. To have a similar structure, action, or effect as: a drug that mimics a compound in the body.
c. To produce symptoms like those of (a disease).
d. To produce (symptoms) like those produced by a different disease.
n.
One that imitates, especially:
a. One who copies or mimics others, as for amusement.
b. One who practices the art of mime.
c. An organism that resembles another by mimicry.
d. A chemical having a structure, action, or effect like that of another.
e. A disease or disorder producing symptoms like those of another.
adj.
1. Relating to or characteristic of a mimic or mimicry.
2. Make-believe; mock: a mimic battle.

[From Latin mīmicus, mimic, from Greek mīmikos, from mīmos, imitator, mime.]

mim′ick·er n.

pos·sess (pə-zĕs′)
tr.v. pos·sessed, pos·sess·ing, pos·sess·es
1.
a. To have as property; own: possess great wealth.
b. Law To have under one's power or control: possess illegal drugs.
2.
a. To have as a quality, characteristic, or other attribute: possesses great tact.
b. To have mastery or knowledge of: possess a knowledge of Sanskrit; possess valuable
information.
3.
a. To gain control or power over. Used of a demon or spirit.
b. To occupy fully the mind or feelings of: The dancers were possessed by the music.
c. Often Offensive To have sexual intercourse with (a woman).
d. Archaic To control or maintain (one's nature) in a particular condition: I possessed my
temper despite the insult.
4. Archaic To cause (oneself) to own, hold, or master something, such as property or
knowledge.
5. Archaic To gain or seize.

[Middle English possessen, from Old French possesser, from Latin possidēre,
possess- : pos-, as master; see poti- in Indo-European roots + sedēre, to sit; see sed- in
Indo-European roots.]

pos·ses′sor n.

re·fine (rĭ-fīn′)
v. re·fined, re·fin·ing, re·fines
v.tr.
1. To reduce to a pure state; purify.
2. To remove by purifying.
3. To free from coarse, unsuitable, or immoral characteristics: refined his manners; refined her
speaking style.
v.intr.
1. To become free of impurities.
2. To acquire polish or elegance.
3. To use precise distinctions and subtlety in thought or speech.

re·fin′er n.
5

There is a/an _____ of talent in India; but, there

is a/an _____ of opportunities.
A. abundance, dearth
B. plethora, little
C. opulence, scarcity
D. potential, diminutive
E. overabundance, surplus

a·bun·dance (ə-bŭn′dəns)
n.
1.
a. A great or plentiful amount: an abundance of rain.
b. The condition of being in rich supply: bananas growing in abundance.
2.
a. Degree of plentifulness: "Species of low abundance are ignored in the calculation of
predominance" (William M. Lewis).
b. Chemistry The amount of an isotope of an element that exists in nature, usually expressed
as a percentage of the total amount of all isotopes of the element.
3. Affluence; prosperity: living in abundance.

dearth (dûrth)
n.
1. A scarce supply; a lack: "the dearth of uncensored, firsthand information about the war"
(Richard Zoglin).
2. Shortage of food; famine.

pleth·o·ra (plĕth′ər-ə)
n.
1. An abundance or excess of something: "[the pitcher's] sinker that clocks in the low nineties
... resulting in a plethora of weakly hit groundballs" (Buzz Bissinger).
2. An excess of blood in the circulatory system or in one organ or area.
[Late Latin plēthōra, from Greek, from plēthein, to be full; see pelə- in Indo-European
roots.]

lit·tle (lĭt′l)
adj. lit·tler or less (lĕs) also less·er (lĕs′ər), lit·tlest or least (lēst)
1.
a. Small in size: a little dining room.
b. Small in quantity or extent: a little money; a little work on the side. See Synonyms at small.
2. Short in extent or duration; brief: There is little time left.
3. Unimportant; trivial: a little matter.
4. Narrow; petty: mean little comments; a little mind consumed with trivia.
5. Having scant power or influence; of minor status: just a little clerk in the records office.
6.
a. Being at an early stage of growth; young: a little child.
b. Younger or youngest. Used especially of a sibling: My little brother is leaving for college
next week.
adv. less or lesser, least
1. Not much; scarcely: works long hours, sleeping little.
2. Not in the least; not at all: They little expected such a generous gift.
n.
1. A small quantity or amount: Give me a little.
2. Something much less than all: I know little of their history.
3. A short distance or time: a little down the road; waited a little.
Idioms:
a little
Somewhat; a bit: felt a little better.
little by little
By small degrees or increments; gradually.

[Middle English, from Old English lȳtel.]

lit′tle·ness n.

op·u·lence (ŏp′yə-ləns) also op·u·len·cy (-lən-sē)

n.
1. Wealth; affluence.
2. Great abundance or extravagance.

scar·ci·ty (skâr′sĭ-tē)
n. pl. scar·ci·ties
1. Insufficiency of amount or supply; shortage: a scarcity of food that was caused by drought.
2. Rarity of appearance or occurrence: antiques that are valued for their scarcity.

po·ten·tial (pə-tĕn′shəl)
adj.
1. Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent or undeveloped: a potential problem; a
substance with many potential uses.
2. Grammar Of, relating to, or being a verbal construction with auxiliaries such as may or can;
for example, it may snow.
n.
1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or future success: an investment
with a lot of potential; a singer who has the potential to become a major star.
2. The possibility that something might happen or result from given conditions: a tense
situation with the potential to turn into a riot; farming practices that increase the potential for
the erosion of topsoil.
3. Physics
a. See electric potential.
b. See gravitational potential.
c. See magnetic potential.
4. Grammar A potential verb form.

[Middle English potencial, from Old French potenciel, from Late Latin potentiālis,
powerful, from Latin potentia, power, from potēns, potent-, present participle of posse,
to be able; see potent.]

po·ten′tial·ly adv.

di·min·u·tive (dĭ-mĭn′yə-tĭv)
adj.
1. Extremely or extraordinarily small. See Synonyms at small.
2. Grammar Of or being a suffix that indicates smallness or, by semantic extension, qualities
such as youth, familiarity, affection, or contempt, as -let in booklet, -kin in lambkin, or -et in
nymphet.
n.
1. Grammar A diminutive suffix, word, or name.
2. A very small person or thing.

[Middle English diminutif, from Old French, from Latin dīminūtīvus, from dīminūtus,
past participle of dīminuere; see diminish.]

di·min′u·tive·ly adv.
di·min′u·tive·ness n.

o·ver·a·bun·dance (ō′vər-ə-bŭn′dəns)
n.
A going or being beyond what is needed, desired, or appropriate; an excess: teenagers with
an overabundance of energy.

o′ver·a·bun′dant adj.
o′ver·a·bun′dant·ly adv.
sur·plus (sûr′pləs, -plŭs′)
adj.
Being more than or in excess of what is needed or required: surplus grain. See Synonyms at
superfluous.
n.
1. An amount or quantity in excess of what is needed.
2. Accounting
a. Total assets minus the sum of all liabilities.
b. Excess of a corporation's net assets over the face value of its capital stock.
c. Excess of receipts over expenditures.

[Middle English, an excess, surplus, from Old French, an excess, from Medieval Latin
superplūs : Latin super-, super- + Latin plūs, more; see pelə- in Indo-European roots.]
6

Considering the fact that he cheated on the final

exam, receiving a failing grade seems like a _____
punishment.
A. a brutal
B. an unfair
C. an appropriate
D. a futile
E. an unthinkable

bru·tal (bro͞ot′l)
adj.
1. Extremely ruthless or cruel.
2. Crude or unfeeling in manner or speech.
3. Harsh; unrelenting: a brutal winter in the Arctic.
4. Disagreeably precise or penetrating: spoke with brutal honesty.

bru′tal·ly adv.

un·fair (ŭn-fâr′)
adj. un·fair·er, un·fair·est
1. Contrary to justice or a sense of fairness: It was unfair to extend the deadline for some
students but not others.
2. Contrary to laws or conventions, especially in commerce; unethical: unfair dealing.
3. Not kind or considerate: It was unfair of me to laugh when he felt so sad.

un·fair′ly adv.
un·fair′ness n.

ap·pro·pri·ate (ə-prō′prē-ĭt)
adj.
Suitable for a particular person, condition, occasion, or place; fitting.
tr.v. (-āt′) ap·pro·pri·at·ed, ap·pro·pri·at·ing, ap·pro·pri·ates
1. To set apart for a specific use: appropriating funds for education.
2. To take possession of or make use of exclusively for oneself, often without permission: My
coworker appropriated my unread newspaper.

[Middle English appropriat, from Late Latin appropriātus, past participle of

appropriāre, to make one's own : Latin ad-, ad- + Latin proprius, own; see per in
Indo-European roots.]

ap·pro′pri·ate·ly adv.
ap·pro′pri·ate·ness n.
ap·pro′pri·a′tive (-ā′tĭv) adj.
ap·pro′pri·a′tor n.
Synonyms: appropriate, arrogate, commandeer, confiscate
These verbs mean to seize for oneself or as one's right: appropriated the family car; arrogated
the chair at the head of the table; commandeered a plane for the escape; confiscating stolen
property. See Also Synonyms at allocate.

futile
ineffectual; useless; incapable of producing any result; not successful: Trying to get the horse
to drink water was futile.

un·think·a·ble (ŭn-thĭng′kə-bəl)
adj.
1. Impossible to imagine; inconceivable: "The inert gases have been coaxed into combination,
and I have seen a fluoride of xenon, unthinkable in the 1940s" (Oliver Sacks).
2. Not worth considering because of being socially unacceptable, too difficult, or too risky:
Raising taxes was politically unthinkable.
3. Abhorrent; monstrous: unthinkable brutality.

un·think′a·bil′i·ty, un·think′a·ble·ness n.
un·think′a·bly adv.
7

Unlike her dog, which has _____ hair, Sam’s horse

has _____ hair, making it easier to groom.
A. fine, oily
B. thick, robust
C. curly, straight
D. smooth, filthy
E. coarse, knotted

fine 1 (fīn)
adj. fin·er, fin·est
1.
a. Of superior quality, skill, or appearance: a fine day; a fine wine.
b. Excellent in character or ability: a fine person; a fine writer.
2. Very small in size, weight, or thickness: fine type; fine paper.
3.
a. Free from impurities.
b. Metallurgy Containing pure metal in a specified proportion or amount: gold 21 carats fine.
4. Very sharp; keen: a blade with a fine edge.
5. Thin; slender: fine hairs.
6. Carefully or delicately made or done: fine china. See Synonyms at exquisite.
7. Consisting of very small particles; not coarse: fine dust.
8.
a. Marginally different or subtle: a fine difference.
b. Able to make or detect effects of great subtlety or precision; sensitive: has a fine eye for
color.
9. Trained to the highest degree of physical efficiency: a fine racehorse.
10. Characterized by refinement or elegance: people in the finest society.
11. Satisfactory; acceptable: Handing in your paper on Monday is fine.
12. Being in a state of satisfactory health; quite well: "How are you?" "I'm fine."
13. Used as an intensive: a fine mess.
adv.
1. Finely.
2. Informal Very well: doing fine.
tr. & intr.v. fined, fin·ing, fines
To make or become finer, purer, or cleaner.

[Middle English fin, from Old French, from Latin fīnis, end, supreme degree.]

fine′ness n.

oil·y (oi′lē)
adj. oil·i·er, oil·i·est
1.
a. Of or relating to oil.
b. Impregnated, smeared with, or containing oil; greasy.
2. Excessively suave or ingratiating. See Synonyms at unctuous.

oil′i·ly adv.
oil′i·ness n.

thick (thĭk)
adj. thick·er, thick·est
1.
a. Relatively great in extent from one surface to the opposite, usually in the smallest solid
dimension; not thin: a thick board.
b. Measuring a specified number of units in this dimension: two inches thick.
2. Heavy in form, build, or stature; thickset: a thick neck.
3. Having component parts in a close, crowded state or arrangement; dense: a thick forest.
4. Having or suggesting a heavy or viscous consistency: thick tomato sauce.
5. Having a great number; abounding: a room thick with flies.
6. Impenetrable by the eyes: a thick fog.
7.
a. Hard to hear or understand, as from being husky or slurred: thick speech.
b. Very noticeable; pronounced: has a thick accent.
8. Informal Lacking mental agility; stupid.
9. Informal Very friendly; intimate: thick friends.
10. Informal Going beyond what is tolerable; excessive.
adv.
1. In a thick manner; deeply or heavily: Seashells lay thick on the beach.
2. In a close, compact state or arrangement; densely: Dozens of braids hung thick from the
back of her head.
3. So as to be thick; thickly: Slice the bread thick for the best French toast.
n.
1. The thickest part.
2. The most active or intense part: in the thick of the fighting.
Idiom:
thick and thin
Good and bad times: They remained friends through thick and thin.

[Middle English thicke, from Old English thicce; see tegu- in Indo-European roots.]
thick′ish adj.
thick′ly adv.

ro·bust (rō-bŭst′, rō′bŭst′)

adj.
1. Full of health and strength; vigorous. See Synonyms at healthy.
2. Powerfully built; sturdy: a robust body.
3. Requiring or characterized by much strength or energy: a robust workout.
4.
a. Active or dynamic: a robust debate; a robust economy.
b. Working in an effective way; effective or productive: a robust search engine; a robust
hypothesis.
5. Marked by richness and fullness; full-bodied: a robust wine.
6. Substantial in amount: robust gains in stock prices.
7. Rough or crude; coarse: a robust tale.

[Latin rōbustus, from rōbur, rōbus, oak, strength; see reudh- in Indo-European roots.]

ro·bust′ly adv.
ro·bust′ness n.

curl·y (kûr′lē)
adj. curl·i·er, curl·i·est
1. Having curls.
2. Having the tendency to curl.
3. Having a wavy grain: curly maple wood.

curl′i·ly adv.
curl′i·ness n.

straight (strāt)
adj. straight·er, straight·est
1. Extending continuously in the same direction without curving: a straight line.
2. Having no waves or bends: straight hair.
3.
a. Not bent or bowed; rigid or erect: a straight, strong back.
b. Sports Of or relating to a midair position in diving or gymnastics in which the body is held
rigid without bending at the hips or knees and the feet are kept together.
4. Perfectly horizontal or vertical; level or even: The mirror isn't straight.
5.
a. Direct and candid: a straight answer.
b. Following a direct or correct method or approach; systematic: straight reasoning.
c. Coming from a reliable source; factual: a straight tip; straight information.
6.
a. Showing or marked by honesty or fair-mindedness: straight business dealings.
b. Right; correct: made sure the facts were straight in the report.
7. Neatly arranged; orderly: The room is straight again.
8.
a. Uninterrupted; consecutive: sick for five straight days; their fourth straight victory.
b. Having the parts or details in correct sequence.
c. Games Constituting a straight in poker.
9. Characterized by undeviating support, as of a principle or a political party: always votes a
straight party line; a straight Democrat.
10.
a. Not deviating from what is considered socially normal, usual, or acceptable; conventional.
b. Conventional to an extreme degree.
11. Heterosexual.
12. Slang Not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
13.
a. Not deviating from the normal or strict form: straight Freudian analysis.
b. Not altered, embellished, or modified: does straight comedy.
14.
a. Concerned with serious or important matters: a straight drama without comedy or music.
b. Of or relating to a straight man.
15. Not mixed with anything else; undiluted: straight bourbon.
16. Sold without discount regardless of the amount purchased.
adv.
1. In a straight line; directly.
2. In an erect posture; upright.
3. Sports In the straight position, as in diving.
4. Without detour or delay: went straight home.
5. Without circumlocution; candidly: I'll say it to you straight: you're wrong.
6. In a neat and orderly condition: put the living room straight.
7. In an honest, law-abiding, or virtuous manner: lives straight.
8. Without stopping; continuously: walked six hours straight.
9. Without embellishment or modification: tell the joke straight.
10. Without ice, water, or a mixer: drink whiskey straight.
n.
1.
a. The straight part, as of a road: "The car darted forward on to the straight" (Kingsley Amis).
b. The straight part of a racecourse between the winning post and the last turn.
2. A straight line.
3. A straight form or position.
4. Games A poker hand containing five cards of various suits in numerical sequence, ranked
above three of a kind and below a flush.
5. A conventional person, especially one considered a member of established society.
6. A heterosexual person.
Idiom:
straight up
Served without ice, especially if chilled: whiskey straight up.

[Middle English, from past participle of strecchen, to stretch; see stretch.]

straight′ly adv.
straight′ness n.
smooth (smo͞oth)
adj. smooth·er, smooth·est
1.
a. Having a surface free from irregularities, roughness, or projections; even. See Synonyms at
level.
b. Free from waves or disturbances; calm: The lake is smooth today.
2.
a. Free from hair, whiskers, or stubble: felt his smooth cheek after the close shave.
b. Having a short dense flat coat. Used of dogs.
3.
a. Having a fine texture: a smooth fabric.
b. Having an even consistency: a smooth pudding.
c. Having an even or gentle motion or movement: a smooth ride.
4. Having no obstructions or difficulties: a smooth operation; a smooth trip.
5. Easy-going; serene: a smooth temperament.
6. Not sharp or bitter in taste: a smooth wine.
7. Delicately pleasing to the ear; not harsh or grating: a smooth voice.
8. Ingratiatingly polite and agreeable: known for his smooth remarks.
v. smoothed, smooth·ing, smoothes
v.tr.
1. To make (something) even, level, or unwrinkled: smoothed the fabric with an iron.
2. To rid of obstructions, hindrances, or difficulties: a real estate agent who smoothed the
process of applying for a mortgage.
3. To soothe or tranquilize; make calm: The president tried to smooth over the hurt feelings of
the disputing factions.
4. To cause to appear less harsh or severe than is the case: Don't try to smooth over their
faults.
v.intr.
To become smooth.
n.
1. The act of smoothing.
2. A smooth surface or part.

[Middle English smothe, from Old English smōth.]

smooth′er n.
smooth′ly adv.
smooth′ness n.

filth·y (fĭl′thē)
adj. filth·i·er, filth·i·est
1. Covered or smeared with filth; disgustingly dirty. See Synonyms at dirty.
2. Obscene or offensive: a filthy magazine; filthy language.
3. Vile; nasty: a filthy traitor.

filth′i·ly adv.
filth′i·ness n.

coarse
lacking delicacy or refinement; crude; harsh; rough; boorish; gross: His language was coarse
and unsuitable for children to hear.
Not to be confused with:
course – route or path; progress; duration; a way of behaving: She chose the wisest course.

knot 1 (nŏt)
n.
1.
a. A compact intersection of interlaced material, such as cord, ribbon, or rope.
b. A fastening made by tying together lengths of material, such as rope, in a prescribed way.
2. A decorative bow of ribbon, fabric, or braid.
3. A unifying bond, especially a marriage bond.
4. A tight cluster of persons or things: a knot of onlookers.
5. A feeling of tightness: a knot of fear in my stomach.
6. A complex problem.
7.
a. A hard place or lump, especially on a tree, at a point from which a stem or branch grows.
b. The round, often darker cross section of such a lump as it appears on a piece of cut lumber.
Also called node.
8. A protuberant growth or swelling in a tissue: a knot in a gland.
9.
a. Nautical A division on a log line used to measure the speed of a ship.
b. Abbr. kn. or kt. A unit of speed, one nautical mile per hour, approximately 1.85 kilometers
(1.15 statute miles) per hour.
c. A distance of one nautical mile.
10. Mathematics A closed loop that is embedded in three-dimensional space and that can be
intertwined with or tangled in itself, but that cannot intersect itself.
v. knot·ted, knot·ting, knots
v.tr.
1. To tie in or fasten with a knot or knots.
2. To snarl or entangle.
3. To cause to form a knot or knots.
v.intr.
1. To form a knot or knots.
2. To become snarled or entangled.
8

Sam is quite intelligent but rather _____.

A. idealistic
B. generous
C. lazy
D. optimistic

i·de·al·is·tic (ī-dē′ə-lĭs′tĭk)
adj.
Of, relating to, or having the nature of an idealist or idealism.

i′de·al·is′ti·cal·ly adv.

gen·er·ous (jĕn′ər-əs)
adj.
1. Liberal in giving or sharing. See Synonyms at liberal.
2. Showing kindness and magnanimity: It was generous of him to mention us in his remarks.
3. Marked by abundance; ample: a generous slice of cake.
4. Having a rich bouquet and flavor: a generous wine.
5. Obsolete Of noble lineage.

[French genereux, of noble birth, magnanimous, from Latin generōsus, from genus,
gener-, birth; see genə- in Indo-European roots.]

gen′er·ous·ly adv.
gen′er·ous·ness n.

la·zy (lā′zē)
adj. la·zi·er, la·zi·est
1. Not willing to work or be energetic.
2. Slow-moving; sluggish: a lazy river.
3. Conducive to inactivity or indolence: a lazy summer day.
4. Depicted as reclining or lying on its side. Used of a brand on livestock.

[Probably of Low German origin.]

la′zi·ly adv.
la′zi·ness n.
Synonyms: lazy, indolent, slothful
These adjectives mean not disposed to exertion, work, or activity: too lazy to wash the dishes;
an indolent hanger-on; slothful employees.

op·ti·mist (ŏp′tə-mĭst)
n.
1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome.
2. A believer in philosophical optimism.

op′ti·mis′tic adj.
op′ti·mis′ti·cal·ly adv.
9

Tim was such a worthless and lazy contributor to

the group that his inclusion in it served as _____,
rather than an advantage, to the group’s progress.
A. a hindrance
B. a positive
C. an onus
D. a cancer
E. a boon

hin·drance (hĭn′drəns)
n.
1.
a. The act of hindering: was angered by their hindrance of the project.
b. The condition of being hindered.
2. Something that hinders; an impediment.

[Middle English hindraunce, harm, from hindren, to hinder; see hinder1.]

pos·i·tive (pŏz′ĭ-tĭv)
adj.
1. Characterized by or displaying certainty, acceptance, or affirmation: a positive answer;
positive criticism.
2. Measured or moving forward or in a direction of increase or progress: positive steps.
3.
a. Desirable, admirable, or beneficial: a woman with many positive qualities; the positive
features of this new software.
b. Optimistic or constructive: a positive attitude.
c. Not disparaging or malicious: ran a positive political campaign.
4. Very confident; certain: I'm positive he's right. See Synonyms at sure.
5. Explicitly or openly expressed or laid down: a positive demand.
6. Admitting of no doubt; irrefutable: positive proof.
7. Concerned with practical rather than theoretical matters.
8. Philosophy
a. Of or relating to being or the possession of qualities rather than non-being or the absence of
qualities: the question of the positive existence of evil.
b. Of or relating to positivism.
c. Of or relating to positive law.
9. Of or relating to religion based on revelation rather than on nature or reason alone.
10. Informal Utter; absolute: a positive darling.
11. Mathematics
a. Relating to or designating a quantity greater than zero.
b. Relating to or designating the sign (+).
c. Relating to or designating a quantity, number, angle, or direction opposite to another
designated as negative.
12. Physics
a. Relating to or designating an electric charge of a sign opposite to that of an electron.
b. Of or relating to a body having fewer electrons than protons.
13. Chemistry Of or relating to an ion, the cation, that is attracted to a negative electrode.
14. Medicine Indicating the presence of a particular disease, condition, or organism: a positive
test for pregnancy.
15. Biology Indicating or characterized by response or motion toward the source of a stimulus,
such as light: positive tropism.
16. Having the areas of light and dark in their original and normal relationship, as in a
photographic print made from a negative.
17. Grammar Of, relating to, or being the simple uncompared degree of an adjective or
adverb, as opposed to either the comparative or superlative.
18. Driven by or generating power directly through intermediate machine parts having little or
no play: positive drive.
n.
1. An affirmative element or characteristic.
2. Mathematics A quantity greater than zero.
3. Physics A positive electric charge.
4. A photographic image in which the lights and darks appear as they do in nature.
5. Grammar
a. The uncompared degree of an adjective or adverb.
b. A word in this degree.
6. Music A division of some pipe organs, similar in sound to the great but smaller and less
powerful.

[Middle English, having a specified quality, from Old French positif, from Latin positīvus,
formally laid down, from positus, past participle of pōnere, to place; see apo- in
Indo-European roots.]

pos′i·tive·ly adv.
pos′i·tive·ness, pos′i·tiv′i·ty n.

o·nus (ō′nəs)
n.
1. A difficult or disagreeable responsibility or necessity; a burden or obligation.
2. Responsibility for an error or fault; blame: Each side wants to avoid the onus of having
started the disagreement.
3. The burden of proof: The onus was on the defense attorney.

can·cer (kăn′sər)
n.
1.
a. Any of various malignant neoplasms characterized by the proliferation of anaplastic cells
that tend to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize to new body sites.
b. The pathological condition characterized by such growths.
2. A pernicious, spreading evil: A cancer of bigotry spread through the community.

boon 1 (bo͞on)
n.
1. A benefit bestowed, especially one bestowed in response to a request.
2. A timely blessing or benefit: A brisk breeze is a boon to sailors.

[Middle English bone, from Old Norse bōn, prayer; see bhā- in Indo-European roots.]
10

Many critics worry that technological devices are

becoming _____ too soon these days; they contend
that humans are becoming too obsessed with progress
and that the proliferation of outdated and outmoded
technology underscores this obsession.
A. empowered
B. electronic
C. obsolete
D. updated
E. reconfigured

em·pow·er (ĕm-pou′ər)
tr.v. em·pow·ered, em·pow·er·ing, em·pow·ers
1. To invest with power, especially legal power or official authority. See Synonyms at
authorize.
2. To equip or supply with an ability; enable: "Computers ... empower students to become
intellectual explorers" (Edward B. Fiske).

em·pow′er·ment n.

e·lec·tron·ic (ĭ-lĕk-trŏn′ĭk, ē′lĕk-)

adj.
1. Of or relating to electrons.
2. Of, based on, operated by, or otherwise involving the controlled conduction of electrons or
other charge carriers, especially in a vacuum, gas, or semiconducting material.
3. Of, relating to, or produced by means of electronics: electronic navigation; electronic books.
4. Of or relating to music produced or altered by electronic means, as by a tape recorder or
synthesizer.
5. Of, implemented on, or controlled by a computer or computer network.

e·lec′tron′i·cal·ly adv.

ob·so·lete (ŏb′sə-lēt′, ŏb′sə-lēt′)

adj.
1. No longer in use: an obsolete word.
2. Outmoded in design, style, or construction: an obsolete locomotive.
3. Biology Vestigial or rudimentary, especially in comparison with related or ancestral species,
as the tailbone of an ape. Used of an organ or other part of an organism.
tr.v. ob·so·let·ed, ob·so·let·ing, ob·so·letes
To cause to become obsolete: "The textbook publishers use every trick known to the
marketing mind to obsolete their products year after year, thus closing off the possibility of
second-hand sales" (Thomas Frank).

[Latin obsolētus, past participle of obsolēscere, to fall into disuse; see obsolescent.]

ob′so·lete′ly adv.
ob′so·lete′ness n.
ob′so·let′ism n.

up·date (ŭp-dāt′)
tr.v. up·dat·ed, up·dat·ing, up·dates
1. To alter so as to be up to date: update a textbook; update the files.
2. To inform (someone) with the latest information.
n. (ŭp′dāt′)
1. Information that updates something or someone.
2. The act or an instance of bringing something or someone up to date.
3. An updated version of something.

re·con·fig·ure (rē′kən-fĭg′yər)
tr.v. re·con·fig·ured, re·con·fig·ur·ing, re·con·fig·ures
To rearrange the elements or settings of: reconfigure the wiring in a switchboard.
11

Because of the professor’s reputation for being

_____, the students in his class were surprised by
his _____ in the first lecture of the semester.
A. garrulous, bombast
B. pithy, terseness
C. succinct, congeniality
D. loquacious, brevity

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12

Athens is remembered by historians as a peaceful

society known for its philosophers and scientists,
while its neighbor, Sparta, is remembered for its
_____ people and focus.
A. gallant
B. Contentious
C. controversial
D. Inflammatory
E. martial

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13

The storm _____ our efforts to hold a company

picnic in the park last weekend, because it was
impossible to stay outdoors in such a _____.
A. destroyed, squalor
B. bolstered, torrent
C. thwarted, downpour
D. increased, monsoon
E. ruined, tragedy

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14

Far more than being merely _____, the titular

character in Herman Melville’s The Confidence-Man
appears to be downright _____ ; most contemporary
scholars assume he is a fill-in for the devil.
A. villainous, evil
B. restive, furtive
C. decorous, misanthropic
D. nefarious, indecent
E. moral, virtuous

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15

While none of the critics _____ the film, almost

everyone I know who saw it absolutely _____ it.
A. liked, hated
B. respected, disliked
C. saw, avoided
D. enjoyed, loved

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16

The carpenter ant is _____ critter and is not at

all _____.
A. an immense, gigantic
B. an industrious, lazy
C. a stupid, ignorant
D. an active, energetic
E. a tireless, hardworking

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17

It took Miranda years of substance abuse counseling

to finally achieve _____ ; she now leads a healthy
life free of drugs and alcohol.
A. sobriety
B. assistance
C. dignity
D. addiction

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18

Though the Chief had faith in us, he gave his _____

hesitatingly.
A. ascent
B. assent
C. condone
D. Signature

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19

There were also hugely pretentious films whose

visual chicanery could not conceal their _____ of
ideas and communication skills.
A. Cornucopia
B. drought
C. Soundness
D. fecundity

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20

Irate housewives banded together to discuss the

_____ advertisements and how best to have them
changed.
A. bawdy
B. informative
C. titillating
D. humorous

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21

The minister took the officials to _____ for their

failure to increase productivity.
A. task
B. stick
C. cudgels
D. cleaners

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22

The Reserve Bank of India’s recent decision to mark

up the short-term interest rates, the repo rates,
might appear _____, but is entirely _____ with its
recent monetary policy stance.
A. hasty, in sync
B. encouraging, coherent
C. sudden, consistent
D. well-considered, conflicting

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23

Despite their breath taking size, gentle behaviour,

and exceptional intelligence, whales can remain
_____ in the public imagination because of their
_____ habitat.
A. vague, isolated
B. conspicuous, prominent
C. clear, dwindling
D. indistinct, unapproachable

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24

One of Africa’s most-feared militias has _____ and

now faces the wrath of the population it _____.
A. strengthened, protected
B. crumbled, terrorized
C. failed, represented
D. Triumphed, fought

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25

Providing multipurpose farmland within urban areas

could help _____ poverty besides _____ the
aesthetics of our cities.
A. reduce, defacing
B. moderate, increasing
C. alleviate, enhancing
D. fight, developing

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