Sentence Equivalence Select Many Practice Test 5

Question 1

It has been used also in a more stylish sense, to mean the study of all the ways of accomplishing things with ______.

1.  Panache

2.  Flair

3.  Ineptitude

4.  Flare

5.  Ignorance

Correct Answer: A and B

Explanation:

A careful reading of the sentence suggests that the blank is referring to accompanying things with style. Out of all the given answer options, ‘panache’ and ‘flair’ are the only two words that means the same as ‘style’ and therefore, A and B are the correct answers.

Question 2

At both levels of our federal system there is the same ______between those who have certain rights and those who try to encroach upon them.

1.  Accord

2.  Conflagration

3.  Tussle

4.  Conflict

5.  Tousle

Correct Answer: C and D

Explanation:

Two types of people are being discussed in the sentence. One set of people have certain rights and the other set try encroach upon them. These two sets of people obviously do not agree with each other. Therefore, it is likely that the missing word is related to ‘disagreement’. Therefore, C and D are the correct answers as these are the only two words in the given list that mean the same as ‘disagreement’ and which complete the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Question 3

It was found that this flaw had many causes and all of them were ______in a historical anomaly.

1.  Entrenched

2.  Rotted

3.  Rooted

4.  Confused

5.  Segregated

Correct Answer: A and C

Explanation:

The words, ‘rooted’ and ‘entrenched’ are used to imply that something is deeply ingrained within something else. When seen in the context in which the missing word has been used, it is apparent that A and C are the correct answers as these are the only two words from the given list that mean the same and which render the same meaning to the given sentence.

Question 4

Such people perform jobs in which they are closely supervised and are required to ______orders and instructions.

1.  Thwart

2.  Follow

3.  Disobey

4.  Obey

5.  Rebuff

Correct Answer: B and D

Explanation:

Since the people doing the jobs are being closely supervised, it is apparent that they respond to the orders being given. Therefore, it is likely that the missing word would be close to ‘obey’ in meaning and it definitely cannot be a word like ‘disobey’. This implies that B and D are the correct answers as both these words fit the requirements.

Question 5

People who suddenly find themselves without a job or without hope of finding one are more prone to go into ______depression.

1.  Depleted

2.  Uncanny

3.  Acute

4.  Abstracted

5.  Severe

Correct Answer: C and E

Explanation:

It has been brought out that jobless people are likely to go into depression. Therefore, it is likely that the missing word is describing a level of the said depression. Out of all the given answer options, ‘severe’ aptly describes a level of depression. ‘Acute’ also means severe. There are no other synonyms in the given list. Therefore, C and E are the correct answers.

Question 6

Since society can be studied scientifically, sociology is worthy of recognition in the ______world.

1.  Social

2.  Academic

3.  Scientific

4.  Practical

5.  Scholastic

Correct Answer: B and E

Explanation:

The type of world being described by the missing word is being defined by the fact that society can be studied scientifically. There is no synonym for the word, ‘scientific’ in the given list of answer options. Since, society can be studied scientifically; it is likely that the world being described is ‘academic’ in nature. ‘Scholastic’ carries the same meaning as the word, ‘academic’ and therefore, B and E are the correct answers.

Question 7

A more immediate effect, unfortunately, has been the ______communication gap between the rich and poor.

1.  Increasing

2.  Inconceivable

3.  Shrinking

4.  Expanding

5.  Decreasing

Correct Answer: A and D

Explanation:

The missing word describes the communication gap between the rich and poor. This missing word has a negative connotation as it has been mentioned that it is an unfortunate effect. ‘Inconceivable’ could have been used in the blank, but it does not have a synonym in the given list. The missing word cannot be a word like ‘shrinking’, as a lessening gap between the rich and the poor cannot be an unfortunate effect. Therefore, the missing word has to be something that hints at an increasing gap between the rich and the poor. In view of the above, it is evident that A and D are the correct answers.

Question 8

The idea was to give voice to those on the ______of the social and economic pyramid.

1.  Level

2.  Foot

3.  Bottom

4.  Height

5.  Mid

Correct Answer: B and C

Explanation:

The people who are being referred to are at a specific place in the pyramid. Therefore, ‘level’ and ‘height’ are clearly incorrect as neither of them specifies a certain location in the pyramid. Out of the remaining answer options, ‘bottom’ and ‘foot’ refer to the same location in the pyramid and therefore, B and C are the correct answers.

Question 9

What has happened after their escapade is a startling ______of fortune.

1.  Revolution

2.  Reverence

3.  Voltaic

4.  Reversal

5.  Volte-face

Correct Answer: D and E

Explanation:

A study of the given answer options brings out that ‘voltaic’ and ‘revolution’ are clearly incorrect as these two words cannot be used with the term, ‘fortune’ in the context of its usage in the given sentence. The word, ‘reversal’ and ‘volte-face’ mean the same and placing either of them in the sentence completes the intended meaning of the sentence. Therefore, D and E are the correct answers.

Question 10

As was the painter’s desire, he is now free to paint anything he ______.

1.  Selects

2.  Despises

3.  Chooses

4.  Derides

5.  Condemns

Correct Answer: A and C

Explanation:

Since the painter is now painting whatever he desires, the missing word cannot be a word like ‘despise’ that has a negative connotation; rather it should be a word like ‘chooses’ that is positive. Out of the given list of answer options the only other word that carries the same meaning as ‘chooses’ is ‘selects’. In view of the above, it is evident that A and C are the correct answers.

Question 11

Many things have contributed to encouraging the ______of abstract art.

1.  Abatement

2.  Growth

3.  Deterioration

4.  Development

5.  Cessation

Correct Answer: B and D

Explanation:

The missing word is referring to an aspect of abstract art that needs to be encouraged. This implies that the missing word cannot be a word like ‘cessation, ‘abatement’ or ‘deterioration’ which has negative connotations. ‘Growth’ and ‘development’ fit well in the blank and they impart a significant meaning to the sentence. Therefore, B and D are the correct answers.

Question 12

Thus, for a book to succeed it is essential that the writer and his public ______about what is significant.

1.  Write

2.  Think

3.  Agree

4.  Read

5.  Concur

Correct Answer: C and E

Explanation:

If a book is to be successful, the public needs to agree to what the writer is saying. Also, it is important to note that the public does not write a book. Therefore, C is correct and A is incorrect. Out of the remaining options, ‘concur’ is the only word that means the same as ‘agree’ and which would impart the same meaning as ‘agree’ when placed in the blank. Therefore, C and E are correct.

Question 13

He could see that the fast-talking consultant kept up a constant phone ______with his clients.

1.  Matter

2.  Patter

3.  Pattern

4.  Chatter

5.  Squatter

Correct Answer: B and D

Explanation:

The word, ‘patter’ and ‘chatter’ mean to carry on casual talk and they fit in well with the meaning being conveyed by the sentence. ‘Squatter’, ‘matter’ and ‘pattern’ are grossly incorrect as they are not relevant to the context in which the missing word is being used in the sentence. This implies that B and D are the correct answers.

Question 14

A system that has brought ______prosperity cannot survive if such betrayals become commonplace.

1.  Betrayed

2.  Abandoned

3.  Unimagined

4.  Inconceivable

5.  Deceived

Correct Answer: C and D

Explanation:

Prosperity cannot be ‘betrayed’ and therefore, A is incorrect. Out of the remaining answer options, ‘unimagined’ and ‘inconceivable’ are the only two words that mean the same and which fit in well with the meaning being conveyed by the remaining sentence. Therefore, C and D are the correct answers.

Question 15

Surprisingly for some, by this time, the reputation of business leaders had grown ______.

1.  Astonishingly

2.  Surprisingly

3.  Expectedly

4.  Agonisingly

5.  Extraordinarily

Correct Answer: A and E

Explanation:

D is clearly incorrect as reputations cannot grow agonisingly. Out of the remaining answer options, A and E are the correct answers as these are the only words that carry the same meaning and would impart the same meaning to the sentence if either of them is placed in the blank.