Practice Test (Verbal Reasoning) Flashcards

Select the word that best completes the sentence: "Although the critic was usually ______, her review of the new novel was surprisingly generous and warm."

Answer: acerbic

"Acerbic" means sharp or harsh, contrasting with the surprisingly generous review.

In Text Completion, which word fits: "The committee's decision was so ______ that even its harshest opponents could find no fault with the reasoning."

Answer: cogent

"Cogent" means clear and convincing, which is why opponents found no fault.

Sentence Equivalence: Choose the word that produces a sentence equivalent in meaning to one using "abundant": "Resources in the region were ______."

Answer: plentiful

"Plentiful" is a synonym for "abundant," producing equivalent meaning.

Reading Comprehension: An author who writes that a theory is "elegant but ultimately unfalsifiable" most likely views the theory as:

Answer: appealing yet not testable against evidence

"Unfalsifiable" means it cannot be tested, despite being aesthetically appealing.

Select the word: "The professor's lectures were so ______ that students often left more confused than when they arrived."

Answer: abstruse

"Abstruse" means difficult to understand, explaining the students' confusion.

Text Completion: "Far from being a ______ figure, the diplomat was known for bold initiatives and decisive action."

Answer: timorous

"Timorous" means timid, contrasting with bold and decisive.

Which pair of words could both complete this Sentence Equivalence: "His ______ remarks offended nearly everyone at the dinner."

Answer: caustic / mordant

"Caustic" and "mordant" both mean bitingly critical, fitting remarks that offend.