NJSLA Vocabulary in Context 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the passage, the author uses the word 'dearth' in: 'There was a dearth of evidence to support the claim.' What does dearth mean?
- abundance
- scarcity (Correct answer)
- reliability
- confusion
Correct answer: scarcity
Dearth means a scarcity or lack of something.
Question 2: A character is described as 'gregarious — always surrounded by friends and the first to introduce himself to strangers.' What does gregarious mean?
- shy and reserved
- sociable and outgoing (Correct answer)
- loud and aggressive
- thoughtful and quiet
Correct answer: sociable and outgoing
Gregarious means fond of company; sociable.
Question 3: Read this sentence: 'The pundit's caustic review of the film left the director feeling deeply wounded.' What does caustic mean in this context?
- enthusiastic
- lengthy
- sharply critical (Correct answer)
- confused
Correct answer: sharply critical
Caustic means bitterly sarcastic or severely critical.
Question 4: In the poem, the speaker uses the word 'ephemeral' to describe a sunset: 'Its beauty was ephemeral, lasting only moments before darkness fell.' What does ephemeral mean?
- eternal
- short-lived (Correct answer)
- colorful
- distant
Correct answer: short-lived
Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time.
Question 5: A student encounters the word 'ameliorate' in a health article: 'Regular exercise can ameliorate symptoms of anxiety.' What does ameliorate mean?
- worsen
- measure
- improve (Correct answer)
- eliminate
Correct answer: improve
Ameliorate means to make something bad or unsatisfactory better.
Question 6: In the sentence 'The soldiers showed remarkable fortitude, enduring hardship without complaint,' what does fortitude mean?
- cowardice
- courage and endurance (Correct answer)
- anger
- confusion
Correct answer: courage and endurance
Fortitude means mental and emotional strength in facing adversity.
Question 7: A text describes a leader who 'placated the angry crowd with promises of reform.' What does placated mean?
- angered further
- ignored completely
- calmed or appeased (Correct answer)
- dismissed
Correct answer: calmed or appeased
To placate means to make someone less angry or upset, usually by giving in to their demands.
NJSLA Vocabulary in Context 4
In the passage, the author uses the word 'dearth' in: 'There was a dearth of evidence to support the claim.' What does dearth mean?