1.

A person who studies semantics studies

a. the history of language.
b. the meaning and interpretation of words and symbols.
c. extinct languages.
d. the use of symbols to solve mathematical problems.

2. The penultimate chapter in a book is

a. the first chapter.
b. the middle chapter.
c. the second to last chapter.
d. the last chapter.

3. If you are at the apex of your career, you are

a. just starting out.
b. about to switch to a new field.
c. just about to quit.
d. at the height of your career.

4. A politician who has a bevy of supporters

a. has only a few supporters.
b. has a large group of supporters.
c. has supporters who contribute large amounts of money.
d. has supporters who are very nice.

5. The denouement of a movie would most likely occur

a. in the first five minutes.
b. in the middle of the film.
c. in the last ten minutes.
d. in advertisements.

6. If you engender mistrust between two coworkers, you

a. create that mistrust.
b. remove that mistrust.
c. worsen that mistrust.
d. understand that mistrust.

7. An experiment performed on a simian would be performed on

a. a human being.
b. a volunteer.
c. a monkey.
d. rabbit.
8. A person who is known for his mendacity can be expected to
a. always tell the truth.
b. be a great story teller.
c. be very persistent.
d. be dishonest.
9. 490. Which of the following would you expect to undulate?
a. a flag
b. an airplane
c. a dog
d. a teacher
10. 491. If you addle someone while he or she is talking, you
a. listen carefully to that person.
b. confuse that person.
c. ignore that person.
d. look that person in the eye.
11. 492. A person who is under the auspices of someone else is
a. estranged from the other person.
b. a close family member.
c. beyond that person’s comprehension.
d. being protected or supported by that person.
12.If you give someone your approbation, you give them
a. your support.
b. your approval.
c. your love.
d. your notice of resignation.
 13.In which case is the assistant the de facto boss?
a. when the assistant is the one who makes all of the decisions
b. when the assistant has been promoted to the boss’s position
c. when the assistant has so much work that he or she has to hire
his or her own assistant
d. when the assistant starts his or her own company
14. When married couples have become inured to each other, they
have
a. become tired of each other.
b. become indebted to each other.
c. become used to each other.
d. become insensitive to each other.
15. A schism between two people is a(n)
a. agreement.
b. argument.
c. closeness because of many shared beliefs.
d. separation because of a difference of opinion.
16. Which of the following is a tenet of the United States of America?
a. Puerto Rico
b. freedom of speech
c. Mexico
d. trial by jury
17. If you are guilty of temerity, you have done something
a. wasteful.
b. illegal.
c. brash.
d. sacrilegious.
18. Which of the following would be considered elite in the military?
a. a foot soldier
b. an army medic
c. a Green Beret
d. a platoon leader

19.Where are you most likely to find an example of sophistry?

a. during a debate between political candidates
b. during a formal dinner during the holidays
c. during a concert
d. at the end of a mystery novel
20. Which of the following will obviate your need for this book?
a. failing to answer most of the questions correctly
b. loaning it to a friend
c. preparing for a standardized test like the SAT exam
d. incorporating all of these words into your vocabulary

Answer key

1. b. Semantics is the study of meaning in language; the study of

relationships between signs and symbols and their meanings.
2. . c. Penultimate means next to last.
3. 483. d. Apex is the highest point; tip or pointed end.
4. b. A bevy is a large group or assemblage. It also means a flock of
animals or birds.
5. . c. The denouement is the resolution or clearing up of the plot at
the end of a narrative.
6. a. To engender is to produce; to give rise to, bring into existence.
7. . b. A supplicant is someone who beseeches or entreats; someone
 who asks humbly for something.
8. c. Simian is of, or like, an ape or monkey.
9. d. Mendacity is the tendency to be dishonest or untruthful; a
falsehood or lie.
10.a. To undulate is to move in waves or in a wavelike fashion.
11.b. To addle means to muddle or confuse. It also means to become
rotten, as in an egg.
12.d. Auspice means protection or support; patronage. It also means a
forecast or omen.
13.b. Approbation means approval.
14.a. De facto means in reality or fact; actual.
15.c. Inured means accustomed to; adapted.
16.d. A schism is a separation or division into factions because of a
difference in belief or opinion.

17.b. A tenet is a belief, opinion, doctrine, or principle held to be true

by a person, group, or organization.
18.c. Temerity is the foolish disregard of danger; brashness, audacity.
19.c. Elite means the best or most skilled members of a social group
or class; a person or group regarded as superior.
20.a. Sophistry is clever but faulty reasoning; a plausible but invalid
argument intended to deceive by appearing sound.
501. d. To obviate is to make unnecessary, to get rid of.