Academic vocabulary in context (SAT/ACT)

Question 1

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? The historian argued that the treaty was not a sudden break with the past but rather the ___ of decades of slow negotiation.

• A. origin
• B. interruption
• C. culmination
• D. rejection

Question 2

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? Because the instructions were ___, each team interpreted them differently. (open to more than one meaning)

• A. concise
• B. ambiguous
• C. redundant
• D. explicit

Question 3

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? While the poet's early work is often ___, filled with obscure references, her later poems are strikingly direct.

• A. brief
• B. humorous
• C. opaque
• D. transparent

Question 4

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? The new evidence did not ___ the theory; instead, it raised fresh doubts. (the evidence failed to support it)

• A. substantiate
• B. inspire
• C. describe
• D. undermine

Question 5

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? The engineer's design was praised for its ___: it used half the materials of earlier models while being just as strong.

• A. efficiency
• B. extravagance
• C. complexity
• D. fragility

Question 6

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? The artist's style is ___: she combines ancient techniques with digital tools. (it mixes different sources)

• A. eclectic
• B. uniform
• C. obsolete
• D. conventional

Question 7

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? Initially ___ about the new method, the team became enthusiastic once they saw its results.

• A. confident
• B. doubtful
• C. indifferent
• D. ecstatic

Question 8

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? The artist's style is ___: she combines ancient techniques with digital tools. (it mixes different sources)

• A. conventional
• B. eclectic
• C. obsolete
• D. uniform

Question 9

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? Supporters described the policy as ___, arguing that it would benefit every community equally.

• A. provisional
• B. divisive
• C. arbitrary
• D. equitable

Question 10

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? The committee's report was ___, covering every possible objection in detail. (thorough)

• A. cursory
• B. ambiguous
• C. comprehensive
• D. biased

Question 11

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? Supporters described the policy as ___, arguing that it would benefit every community equally.

• A. provisional
• B. equitable
• C. arbitrary
• D. divisive

Question 12

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? Rainfall in the region is highly ___, varying wildly from year to year. (unpredictable)

• A. abundant
• B. negligible
• C. consistent
• D. erratic

Question 13

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? The engineer's design was praised for its ___: it used half the materials of earlier models while being just as strong.

• A. fragility
• B. extravagance
• C. efficiency
• D. complexity

Question 14

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? Because the instructions were ___, each team interpreted them differently. (open to more than one meaning)

• A. explicit
• B. ambiguous
• C. redundant
• D. concise

Question 15

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? Some ecologists caution that removing a single predator can have ___ effects, altering an entire food web in ways that are hard to foresee.

• A. temporary
• B. far-reaching
• C. intentional
• D. trivial

Question 16

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? Rainfall in the region is highly ___, varying wildly from year to year. (unpredictable)

• A. erratic
• B. consistent
• C. negligible
• D. abundant