Lesson 9
anachronism: anything that is out of place in time. It is formed by the combination of the Greek roots ana (“against”) and chronos (“time”)
anon: soon; shortly. Used as an abbreviation, anon. means “anonymous”
antebellum: before the war; especially before the American Civil War. This word is formed from the Latin Prefix ante (“before”) and the root bellum (“war”)
antediluvian: old-fashioned; before the flood. The Latin word for “flood” is diliuvium.
atavism: reversion to a primitive type; resemblance to a remote ancestor. The Latin atavus means “father of a great-grandfather.”
augury: the art of prophecy; an omen. The original Latin word augur means “priest who presides at fertility rituals.”
betimes: early; promptly; before it is too late.
biennial: happening every two years. Biennial should not be confused with biannual, which means “twice a year”
diurnal: daily; of the daytime. Diurnal is contrasted with nocturnal
eon: long, indefinite period of time; thousand years.
ephemeral: short-lived; transitory. Ephemeros is a Greek word meaning “for the day”
epoch: noteworthy period. It comes form a Greek word meaning “pause” – almost as if mankind takes time out before entering a new important phase
generation: the period of time between the birth of one group and that of its offspring. A generation is about 30 years.
score: twenty people or objects; twenty years. It comes from the Greek word for a “scratch” or “mark” used in keeping tallies.
tercentenary: a period of 300 years. Ter is the Latin prefix for “three” and centenary means “hundred”
Exercises
I. Which Word Comes to Mind?
In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.
A woman wearing a style of dress that is completely out of date
(epoch, antediluvian, diurnal)
Emperor Nero looking at his wristwatch
(tercentenary, ephemeral, anachronism)
A young man following in his grandfather’s footsteps
(anon, atavism, score)
You meet your old classmates every two years at a reunion
(antebellum, betimes, biennial)
Your fortune is told by a gypsy
(augury, generation, eon)
They had been married for two decades
(eon, score, diurnal)
The painter believed that everyone was entitled to fifteen minutes of fame
(ephemeral, epoch, tercentenary)
Many inventions were introduced during the industrial Revolution
(anon, epoch, atavism)
Plantation life was a feature of the South in the early 1800s
(antebellum, generation, anachronism)
My family chore is to walk the dog each day
(biennial, antediluvian, diurnal)
II. True or False?
In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.
____ 1. Abraham Lincoln’s “Fourscore and seven” was 87 years
____ 2. Ephemeral is the opposite of “permanent”
____ 3. Someone who comes to you betimes takes his time about it
____ 4. Cotton was the great crop of the antebellum South
____ 5. The United States will have its tercentenary celebration in 2076
____ 6. An entire generation has grown up using personal computers
____ 7. To show a modern man driving up in a new car is an anachronism.
____ 8. Dinner will be served anon
____ 9. The frightening augury lashed out at the startled travelers.
____ 10. Our previous biennial reunion was in 1997 so we expect the next one in 1999
III. Fill in the Blank
Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below.
We spotted an ______________ in the movie when Julius Caesar looked at his wristwatch.
In the next decade, our company will issue five ______________ journals.
Industrialization spelled the end of an era for the ______________ southern states.
The Beatles started a musical _____________ that has gained worldwide acceptance.
Because of the ______________ gap, Roger found it difficult to relate to his grandson.
My grandfather’s _____________ notions need updating.
With the evident power of ____________, Liza could predict the future.
Guido’s interest in philately proved to be _____________ because he sold his entire collection.
It seemed to take an ______________ before the traffic jam allowed us to get moving again.
Breakfast was preceded invariably by a ______________ prayer that helped Roy get through the rest of the day.
IV. What’s the Antonym?
Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?
1. now ________________
2. late ________________
3. modern ________________
4. permanent ________________
5. nightly ________________
6. something relevant ________________
7. nightly ________________
8. postwar ________________
9. an instant ________________
10. an advance ________________
Saturday, July 28, 2007
July 27th, 2007 [quant]
1.If a rectangle’s length and width are both doubled, by what percent is the rectangle’s area increased?
A. 50
B. 100
C. 200
D. 300
E. 400
Ans : D
2.On the xy-coordinate plane, points A and B both lie on the circumference of a circle whose center is O, and the length of AB equals the circle’s diameter. If the (x,y) coordinates of O are (2,1) and the (x,y) coordinates of B are (4,6), what are the (x,y) coordinates of A?
A. (3, 3/2)
B. (1, 2/2)
C. (0, -4)
D. (2/2, 1)
E. (-1, -2/2)
Ans : C
3.An empty swimming pool can be filled to capacity through an inlet pipe in 3 hours, and it can be completely drained by a drainpipe in 6 hours. If both pipes are fully open at the same time, in how many hours will the empty pool be filled to capacity?
A. 4
B. 4.5
C. 5
D. 5.5
E. 6
Ans : E
4.Five years ago, Beth’s age was three times that of Amy. Ten years ago, Beth’s age was one half that of Chelsea. If C repre- sents Chelsea’s current age, which of the following represents Amy’s current age?
A. c/6 + 5
B. 2c
C. (c-10)/3
D. 3c-5
E. 5c/3 - 10
Ans : A
5.If the area of two circles are in the ratio 169 : 196 then the ratio of their radii is
A. 10 : 11
B. 11 : 12
C. 12 : 13
D. 13 : 14
E. None of the above
Ans : D
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A. 50
B. 100
C. 200
D. 300
E. 400
Ans : D
2.On the xy-coordinate plane, points A and B both lie on the circumference of a circle whose center is O, and the length of AB equals the circle’s diameter. If the (x,y) coordinates of O are (2,1) and the (x,y) coordinates of B are (4,6), what are the (x,y) coordinates of A?
A. (3, 3/2)
B. (1, 2/2)
C. (0, -4)
D. (2/2, 1)
E. (-1, -2/2)
Ans : C
3.An empty swimming pool can be filled to capacity through an inlet pipe in 3 hours, and it can be completely drained by a drainpipe in 6 hours. If both pipes are fully open at the same time, in how many hours will the empty pool be filled to capacity?
A. 4
B. 4.5
C. 5
D. 5.5
E. 6
Ans : E
4.Five years ago, Beth’s age was three times that of Amy. Ten years ago, Beth’s age was one half that of Chelsea. If C repre- sents Chelsea’s current age, which of the following represents Amy’s current age?
A. c/6 + 5
B. 2c
C. (c-10)/3
D. 3c-5
E. 5c/3 - 10
Ans : A
5.If the area of two circles are in the ratio 169 : 196 then the ratio of their radii is
A. 10 : 11
B. 11 : 12
C. 12 : 13
D. 13 : 14
E. None of the above
Ans : D
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July 25th, 2007 [analogies]
1) refridgerator:food
2) fan:cable
3) schedule:time
4) splurge:money
5) peripheral:edge
6) church:state
7) needle : sew
8) tag:identity
9) car:wheel
10) careless:punctual
11) theatre:play
12) pariah:ostracize
13) vindicated:blame
14) culpable:condemnation
15) coterie:intimates
16) schedule:time
17) bulge:protuberance
18) resignation:office
19) attentive:officious
20) barrage: explosives
21) ruffle:shirt
22) ineradicable:eliminate
23) vaccinate:disease
24) untenable:defend
25) charisma:bore
26) muster:crew
27) incontrovertible:dispute
28) carefree:responsibilities
29) beckon:hand
30) matter:hardness
31) arrogant:defer
32) experience:green
33) date:calender
34) overture:opera
35) striate:grooved
36) magician:legerdemain
37) chasten:humbled
38) knot:solve
39) chortle:glee
40) perfunctory:depth
41) topical:currency
42) fence:livestock
43) terrestrial:earth
44) lock:secure
45) frilll:superfluity
46)saga:poem
47) vivid:intensify
48) infinite:measure
49) judge:laws
50) pelf:impecunious
51) cell:confinement
52) cistern:liquids
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2) fan:cable
3) schedule:time
4) splurge:money
5) peripheral:edge
6) church:state
7) needle : sew
8) tag:identity
9) car:wheel
10) careless:punctual
11) theatre:play
12) pariah:ostracize
13) vindicated:blame
14) culpable:condemnation
15) coterie:intimates
16) schedule:time
17) bulge:protuberance
18) resignation:office
19) attentive:officious
20) barrage: explosives
21) ruffle:shirt
22) ineradicable:eliminate
23) vaccinate:disease
24) untenable:defend
25) charisma:bore
26) muster:crew
27) incontrovertible:dispute
28) carefree:responsibilities
29) beckon:hand
30) matter:hardness
31) arrogant:defer
32) experience:green
33) date:calender
34) overture:opera
35) striate:grooved
36) magician:legerdemain
37) chasten:humbled
38) knot:solve
39) chortle:glee
40) perfunctory:depth
41) topical:currency
42) fence:livestock
43) terrestrial:earth
44) lock:secure
45) frilll:superfluity
46)saga:poem
47) vivid:intensify
48) infinite:measure
49) judge:laws
50) pelf:impecunious
51) cell:confinement
52) cistern:liquids
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July 24th, 2007 [quant]
1 The product of two positive integers m and n is twice their sum. If n is 6, what is the
value of m ?
(A) 8
(B) 6
(C) 4
(D) 3
(E) 2 d
2 If x : y = 2 :3 , y : z = 3: 4 , and x = 8 , then z - y =
(A) 1
(B) 4
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 12 b
3 If S is the set of all numbers x such that 1 - 2x £ 3, which of the following is true about
S ?
(A) The least number in S is -1.
(B) The least number in S is 0.
(C) The least number in S is 3.
(D) The greatest number in S is - 2 .
(E) The greatest number in S is -1. a
4 An operation * defined on whole numbers gives results such as the following:
2 * 3 = 7
3 * 4 =13
1* 5 = 6
0 * 6 =1
According to the equations above, which of the following could define the operation * ?
(A) x * y = x + y
(B) x * y = 2x + y
(C) x * y = y2 - x
(D) x * y = x2 + y
(E) x * y = xy + 1 e
5 A loaf of bread and 2 one-pound containers of butter cost a total of $4.95. If a pound of butter costs $0.90 more than a loaf of bread, how much does a pound of butter cost?
(A) $1.05
(B) $1.58
(C) $1.95
(D) $2.03
(E) $2.93 c
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value of m ?
(A) 8
(B) 6
(C) 4
(D) 3
(E) 2 d
2 If x : y = 2 :3 , y : z = 3: 4 , and x = 8 , then z - y =
(A) 1
(B) 4
(C) 6
(D) 8
(E) 12 b
3 If S is the set of all numbers x such that 1 - 2x £ 3, which of the following is true about
S ?
(A) The least number in S is -1.
(B) The least number in S is 0.
(C) The least number in S is 3.
(D) The greatest number in S is - 2 .
(E) The greatest number in S is -1. a
4 An operation * defined on whole numbers gives results such as the following:
2 * 3 = 7
3 * 4 =13
1* 5 = 6
0 * 6 =1
According to the equations above, which of the following could define the operation * ?
(A) x * y = x + y
(B) x * y = 2x + y
(C) x * y = y2 - x
(D) x * y = x2 + y
(E) x * y = xy + 1 e
5 A loaf of bread and 2 one-pound containers of butter cost a total of $4.95. If a pound of butter costs $0.90 more than a loaf of bread, how much does a pound of butter cost?
(A) $1.05
(B) $1.58
(C) $1.95
(D) $2.03
(E) $2.93 c
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July 23rd, 2007 [Rescue Words 9]
1. Overture - An introductory section or part, as of a poem; a prelude; to present as an introduction or proposal; introduction, approach
2. Sanctimonious - Feigning piety or righteousness; of or practicing hypocrisy; self-righteous, hypocritical about one’s own holiness
3. Inanity - Something empty of meaning or sense; total lack of ideas, meaning, or substance
4. Vulgarian - A vulgar person, especially one who makes a conspicuous display of wealth; an unrefined, rude person; a vulgar person (especially someone who makes a vulgar display of wealth)
5. Miscreant - An evildoer; a villain; an infidel; a heretic; evil, immoral; a villain
6. Wretched - So objectionable as to elicit despisal or deserve condemnation; terrible, very bad; of very inferior quality; miserable
7. Epic - An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero; a literary or dramatic composition that resembles an extended narrative poem celebrating heroic feats
8. Mendacious - Lying; untruthful; false; untrue; dishonest; given to or marked by deliberate concealment or misrepresentation of the truth
9. Narrative - A narrated account; a story; the art, technique, or process of narrating; a recounting of past events
10. Appease - To bring peace, quiet, or calm to; soothe; satisfy, pacify
11. Defiant - Marked by defiance; disobedient, disregardful
12. Raucous - Rough-sounding and harsh; boisterous and disorderly; rowdy; noisy; harsh and unpleasant
13. Meager - Deficient in quantity, fullness, or extent; scanty. Deficient in richness, fertility, or vigor; feeble
14. Flirtatious - Full of playful allure; provocative, teasing; given to flirting
15. Bumptious - Crudely or loudly assertive; pushy; self-assertive offensively self-assertive
16. Assertive - Inclined to bold or confident assertion; aggressively self-assured
17. Trite - Lacking power to evoke interest through overuse or repetition; hackneyed
16. Panegyric - A formal eulogistic composition intended as a public compliment. Elaborate praise or laudation; an encomium
17. Impecunious - Lacking money; penniless
18. Armageddon - The scene of a final battle between the forces of good and evil, prophesied to occur at the end of the world; a decisive or catastrophic conflict
19. Intrigue - A secret or underhand scheme; a plot; arouse curiosity
20. Gullible - Easily deceived or duped; easily imposed on or tricked; naive, trusting
21. Daguerreotype - An early photographic process with the image made on a light-sensitive silver-coated metallic plate
22. Musket - A smoothbore shoulder gun used from the late 16th through the 18th century
22. Hieroglyphic - Of or relating to representation by drawings or pictures
23. Papyrus - The writing paper of the ancient Egyptians, and later of the Romans
24. Pastiche - A mixture of materials, forms, motifs, and/or styles; often incongruous; dramatic, literary, or musical piece openly imitating the previous works of other artists, often with satirical intent; an artistic effort that imitates or caricatures the work of another artist
25. Bust - A sculpture representing a person’s head, shoulders, and upper chest
26. Sacrilege - Desecration, profanation, misuse, or theft of something sacred; irreverence
27. Conscientious - Guided by or in accordance with the dictates of conscience; principled; thorough and assiduous; moral, upright; thorough, careful
28. Daft - Mad; crazy; foolish; stupid; scots; frolicsome
29. Reagent - A substance used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure, examine, or produce other substances
30. Temerity - Foolhardy disregard of danger; recklessness; nerve, audacity; rash or presumptuous daring
31. Menial - Work pertaining to servants; work that is demeaning or insulting to the person performing it; lowly, low-status
32. Miscreant - A wicked or evil person; a scoundrel; something said to be the cause of particular trouble or an evil; a mean, worthless character in a story or play
33. Stultify - To render useless or ineffectual; cripple; to cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous; to allege or prove insane and so not legally responsible
34. Lambast - Censure severely or angrily; beat with a cane
35. Pique - A state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride
36. Vociferous - Making, given to, or marked by noisy and vehement outcry; loud, insistent
37. Pariah - An outcast; a member of a low caste or class
38. Raft - A flat structure, typically made of planks, logs, or barrels, that floats on water and is used for transport or as a platform for swimmers; a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform
39. Buoyant - Having the ability to float; light in weight; lighthearted; gay
40. Unrealizable - Impossible to achieve
41. Renegade - common vagabond; a worthless or wicked fellow; one who deserts from a military or naval post; a deserter; one faithless to principle or party; an apostate from Christianity or from any form of religious faith
42. Ferocious - Extremely savage; fierce; marked by unrelenting intensity; extreme
43. Prolixity - Words or the use of words in excess of those needed for clarity or precision; boring verboseness
44. Mortify - To deprive of esteem, self-worth, or effectiveness; to cause (a person) to be self-consciously distressed; embarrass
45. Pusillanimous - Lacking courage; cowardly; lacking courage and resolution; marked by contemptible timidity; without spirit or bravery
46. Percipient - Having the power of perceiving, especially perceiving keenly and readily; astute; characterized by ease and quickness in perceiving
47. Anachronistic - Something that is out of place and time; erroneous in date
48. Fervor - Great warmth and intensity of emotion; intense heat; excitement, enthusiasm
49. Disinfectant - An agent, such as heat, radiation, or a chemical, that destroys, neutralizes, or inhibits the growth of disease-carrying microorganisms 180. Terseness - Brief and to the point; effectively concise; brief, short
50. Hoarse - Rough or grating in sound; having or characterized by a husky, grating voice; raspy in voice
51. Effusive - Unrestrained or excessive in emotional expression; gushy; profuse; overflowing
52. Obliterate - To destroy all traces of; to wipe out, rub off, or erase; to remove completely (a body organ or part), as by surgery, disease, or radiation
53. Index - An alphabetized list of names, places, and subjects treated in a printed work, giving the page or pages on which each item is mentioned; something that serves to guide, point out, or otherwise facilitate reference
54. Laconic - Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise; short, to the point
55. Nimble - Quick, light, or agile in movement or action; deft; dexterous, smart
56. Clumsyness - Lacking dexterity and grace in physical movement; not agile; awkward; clumsily lacking in the ability to do or perform
57. Partisan - A fervent, sometimes militant supporter or proponent of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea; one who supports and adheres to another; exhibiting bias; interested, factional
58. Recuperation - A return to normal health; gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury; recovery
59. Doldrums - A period of stagnation or slump; period of depression or unhappy listlessness; region of the ocean near the equator, characterized by calms, light winds, or squalls; feeling or spell of dismally low spirits; depression
60. Cow - To frighten with threats or a show of force; browbeat, intimidate;
any of various chiefly domesticated mammals of the genus Bos, including cows, steers, bulls, and oxen, often raised for meat and dairy products
61. Lop - To decrease, as in length or amount, by or as if by severing or excising; to hang limply, loosely, and carelessly; cut off from a whole
62. Fluvial - Of, relating to, or inhabiting a river or stream. Produced by the action of a river or stream
63. Jejune - Not interesting; dull; lacking maturity; childish; lacking in nutrition
64. Indespensible - Not to be dispensed with; essential; obligatory; unavoidable; necessary
65. Hubris - Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance
66. Vigilance - Alert watchfulness; carefulness
67. Enfeeble - To deprive of strength; make feeble; make very weak
68. Ethereal - Characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; intangible; highly refined; delicate; of the celestial spheres; heavenly; spiritual; so light and insubstantial as to resemble air or a thin film
69. Laggard - One that lags; a straggler; hanging back or falling behind; dilatory; falling behind
70. Tarpaulin - Material, such as waterproofed canvas, used to cover and protect things from moisture; a waterproof cloth, esp. one used in large sheets for covering anything exposed to the weather
71. Mottled - Spotted or blotched with different shades or colors; speckled
72. Vault - A room or compartment, often built of steel, for the safekeeping of valuables; a burial place or receptacle for human remains; to move off the ground by a muscular effort of the legs and feet; act of jumping
73. Allay - To reduce the intensity of; relieve; to calm or pacify; set to rest
74. Stature - The natural height of a human or animal in an upright position; achieved level; status; importance
75. Infinitude - The state or quality of being infinite; an immeasurably large quantity, number, or extent; an infinite quantity
76. Hellion - A mischievous, troublesome, or unruly person
77. Lunge - A sudden thrust or pass, as with a sword; a sudden forward movement or plunge; pounce; dive for
78. Garish - Marked by strident color or excessive ornamentation; gaudy. loud and flashy
79. Piquant - Pleasantly pungent or tart in taste; spicy. appealingly provocative: a piquant wit. charming, interesting, or attractive
http://www.file27.com/id840/july%20word2.txt
2. Sanctimonious - Feigning piety or righteousness; of or practicing hypocrisy; self-righteous, hypocritical about one’s own holiness
3. Inanity - Something empty of meaning or sense; total lack of ideas, meaning, or substance
4. Vulgarian - A vulgar person, especially one who makes a conspicuous display of wealth; an unrefined, rude person; a vulgar person (especially someone who makes a vulgar display of wealth)
5. Miscreant - An evildoer; a villain; an infidel; a heretic; evil, immoral; a villain
6. Wretched - So objectionable as to elicit despisal or deserve condemnation; terrible, very bad; of very inferior quality; miserable
7. Epic - An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero; a literary or dramatic composition that resembles an extended narrative poem celebrating heroic feats
8. Mendacious - Lying; untruthful; false; untrue; dishonest; given to or marked by deliberate concealment or misrepresentation of the truth
9. Narrative - A narrated account; a story; the art, technique, or process of narrating; a recounting of past events
10. Appease - To bring peace, quiet, or calm to; soothe; satisfy, pacify
11. Defiant - Marked by defiance; disobedient, disregardful
12. Raucous - Rough-sounding and harsh; boisterous and disorderly; rowdy; noisy; harsh and unpleasant
13. Meager - Deficient in quantity, fullness, or extent; scanty. Deficient in richness, fertility, or vigor; feeble
14. Flirtatious - Full of playful allure; provocative, teasing; given to flirting
15. Bumptious - Crudely or loudly assertive; pushy; self-assertive offensively self-assertive
16. Assertive - Inclined to bold or confident assertion; aggressively self-assured
17. Trite - Lacking power to evoke interest through overuse or repetition; hackneyed
16. Panegyric - A formal eulogistic composition intended as a public compliment. Elaborate praise or laudation; an encomium
17. Impecunious - Lacking money; penniless
18. Armageddon - The scene of a final battle between the forces of good and evil, prophesied to occur at the end of the world; a decisive or catastrophic conflict
19. Intrigue - A secret or underhand scheme; a plot; arouse curiosity
20. Gullible - Easily deceived or duped; easily imposed on or tricked; naive, trusting
21. Daguerreotype - An early photographic process with the image made on a light-sensitive silver-coated metallic plate
22. Musket - A smoothbore shoulder gun used from the late 16th through the 18th century
22. Hieroglyphic - Of or relating to representation by drawings or pictures
23. Papyrus - The writing paper of the ancient Egyptians, and later of the Romans
24. Pastiche - A mixture of materials, forms, motifs, and/or styles; often incongruous; dramatic, literary, or musical piece openly imitating the previous works of other artists, often with satirical intent; an artistic effort that imitates or caricatures the work of another artist
25. Bust - A sculpture representing a person’s head, shoulders, and upper chest
26. Sacrilege - Desecration, profanation, misuse, or theft of something sacred; irreverence
27. Conscientious - Guided by or in accordance with the dictates of conscience; principled; thorough and assiduous; moral, upright; thorough, careful
28. Daft - Mad; crazy; foolish; stupid; scots; frolicsome
29. Reagent - A substance used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure, examine, or produce other substances
30. Temerity - Foolhardy disregard of danger; recklessness; nerve, audacity; rash or presumptuous daring
31. Menial - Work pertaining to servants; work that is demeaning or insulting to the person performing it; lowly, low-status
32. Miscreant - A wicked or evil person; a scoundrel; something said to be the cause of particular trouble or an evil; a mean, worthless character in a story or play
33. Stultify - To render useless or ineffectual; cripple; to cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous; to allege or prove insane and so not legally responsible
34. Lambast - Censure severely or angrily; beat with a cane
35. Pique - A state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride
36. Vociferous - Making, given to, or marked by noisy and vehement outcry; loud, insistent
37. Pariah - An outcast; a member of a low caste or class
38. Raft - A flat structure, typically made of planks, logs, or barrels, that floats on water and is used for transport or as a platform for swimmers; a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform
39. Buoyant - Having the ability to float; light in weight; lighthearted; gay
40. Unrealizable - Impossible to achieve
41. Renegade - common vagabond; a worthless or wicked fellow; one who deserts from a military or naval post; a deserter; one faithless to principle or party; an apostate from Christianity or from any form of religious faith
42. Ferocious - Extremely savage; fierce; marked by unrelenting intensity; extreme
43. Prolixity - Words or the use of words in excess of those needed for clarity or precision; boring verboseness
44. Mortify - To deprive of esteem, self-worth, or effectiveness; to cause (a person) to be self-consciously distressed; embarrass
45. Pusillanimous - Lacking courage; cowardly; lacking courage and resolution; marked by contemptible timidity; without spirit or bravery
46. Percipient - Having the power of perceiving, especially perceiving keenly and readily; astute; characterized by ease and quickness in perceiving
47. Anachronistic - Something that is out of place and time; erroneous in date
48. Fervor - Great warmth and intensity of emotion; intense heat; excitement, enthusiasm
49. Disinfectant - An agent, such as heat, radiation, or a chemical, that destroys, neutralizes, or inhibits the growth of disease-carrying microorganisms 180. Terseness - Brief and to the point; effectively concise; brief, short
50. Hoarse - Rough or grating in sound; having or characterized by a husky, grating voice; raspy in voice
51. Effusive - Unrestrained or excessive in emotional expression; gushy; profuse; overflowing
52. Obliterate - To destroy all traces of; to wipe out, rub off, or erase; to remove completely (a body organ or part), as by surgery, disease, or radiation
53. Index - An alphabetized list of names, places, and subjects treated in a printed work, giving the page or pages on which each item is mentioned; something that serves to guide, point out, or otherwise facilitate reference
54. Laconic - Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise; short, to the point
55. Nimble - Quick, light, or agile in movement or action; deft; dexterous, smart
56. Clumsyness - Lacking dexterity and grace in physical movement; not agile; awkward; clumsily lacking in the ability to do or perform
57. Partisan - A fervent, sometimes militant supporter or proponent of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea; one who supports and adheres to another; exhibiting bias; interested, factional
58. Recuperation - A return to normal health; gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury; recovery
59. Doldrums - A period of stagnation or slump; period of depression or unhappy listlessness; region of the ocean near the equator, characterized by calms, light winds, or squalls; feeling or spell of dismally low spirits; depression
60. Cow - To frighten with threats or a show of force; browbeat, intimidate;
any of various chiefly domesticated mammals of the genus Bos, including cows, steers, bulls, and oxen, often raised for meat and dairy products
61. Lop - To decrease, as in length or amount, by or as if by severing or excising; to hang limply, loosely, and carelessly; cut off from a whole
62. Fluvial - Of, relating to, or inhabiting a river or stream. Produced by the action of a river or stream
63. Jejune - Not interesting; dull; lacking maturity; childish; lacking in nutrition
64. Indespensible - Not to be dispensed with; essential; obligatory; unavoidable; necessary
65. Hubris - Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance
66. Vigilance - Alert watchfulness; carefulness
67. Enfeeble - To deprive of strength; make feeble; make very weak
68. Ethereal - Characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; intangible; highly refined; delicate; of the celestial spheres; heavenly; spiritual; so light and insubstantial as to resemble air or a thin film
69. Laggard - One that lags; a straggler; hanging back or falling behind; dilatory; falling behind
70. Tarpaulin - Material, such as waterproofed canvas, used to cover and protect things from moisture; a waterproof cloth, esp. one used in large sheets for covering anything exposed to the weather
71. Mottled - Spotted or blotched with different shades or colors; speckled
72. Vault - A room or compartment, often built of steel, for the safekeeping of valuables; a burial place or receptacle for human remains; to move off the ground by a muscular effort of the legs and feet; act of jumping
73. Allay - To reduce the intensity of; relieve; to calm or pacify; set to rest
74. Stature - The natural height of a human or animal in an upright position; achieved level; status; importance
75. Infinitude - The state or quality of being infinite; an immeasurably large quantity, number, or extent; an infinite quantity
76. Hellion - A mischievous, troublesome, or unruly person
77. Lunge - A sudden thrust or pass, as with a sword; a sudden forward movement or plunge; pounce; dive for
78. Garish - Marked by strident color or excessive ornamentation; gaudy. loud and flashy
79. Piquant - Pleasantly pungent or tart in taste; spicy. appealingly provocative: a piquant wit. charming, interesting, or attractive
http://www.file27.com/id840/july%20word2.txt
July 22nd, 2007 [Rescue Words 8]
aficionado: a fan; devotee. Although this word originally described bull-fighting fans, it is now used to refer to devotees of all sports.
barrio: part of the city where Spanish-speaking people live; ghetto.
bonanza: rich pocket of ore; any source of wealth. In Spanish it means “fair weather at sea.” A popular television program of the 1960s was entitled “Bonanza”
bravado: pretended courage
desperado: bold outlaw; dangerous criminal. The relationship to our word “despair” is apparent. One who is without hope can be a dangerous criminal.
flotilla: a small fleet. The Spanish word flota means “fleet” Flotilla, then, is a diminutive form of flota.
grandee: a nobleman of the highest rank
hacienda: large estate; country house. The Old Spanish word facienda meant “estate.” The change from f to h is apparent in many words.
lariat: lasso; a rope used for tethering grazing horses. Reata is “rope” in Spanish.
machismo: manly self-assurance; masculine drive; virility.
manana: tomorrow; at some indefinite time in the future. There is a perjorative twist to manana, suggesting laziness.
palmetto: small palm tree
renegade: deserter; turncoat; traitor. In Spanish, the word renegado means “to deny.”
siesta: midday nap. In Spanish and Latin American countries businesses often close at midday to allow for siesta time.
torero: bullfighter on foot. The toreador was a bullfighter on horseback, but that term is no longer used since all bullfighters today are toreros.
Exercises
I. Which word comes to Mind?
In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.
You go to see a performance of the opera “Carmen”
(lariat, flotilla, torero)
The calendar pictures a man asleep under a tree next to a lawn mower.
(barrio, bravado, manana)
A young man starts a fight to impress his girlfriend.
(machismo, siesta, renegade)
You win the lottery
(aficionado, bonanza, palmetto)
There is a wild police chase after the bank robber
(desperado, grandee, hacienda)
The FBI arrests a man for selling U.S. secrets to a foreign country
(aficionado, renegade, grandee)
Stores in Spain close for two hours after lunch
(siesta, hacienda, palmetto)
The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria
(flotilla, barrio, manana)
David stands up to Goliath
(desperado, lariat, bravado)
A bull-fighting fan shouts, “Ole!”
(bonanza, aficionado, barrio)
II. True or False?
In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.
____ 1. A truly courageous person does not have to resort to bravado.
____ 2. Feminists have contempt for those men who display machismo.
____ 3. Ordinarily a grandee might take a siesta in his hacienda
____ 4. The Spanish Armada was too awesome to be described as a flotilla.
____ 5. A lariat can be the high point of a Spanish meal when it is seasoned properly.
____ 6. The spectators applauded the torero for his fearlessness.
____ 7. We bought an expensive barrio as a wedding gift
____ 8. Our winning lottery ticket proved to be a bonanza
____ 9. General Parker promised amnesty for any renegade who turned himself in.
____ 10. Because of his lifelong philanthropy, the desperado was honored at a White
House ceremony.
III. Fill in the Blank
Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below.
Since Teddy is an _____________ of baseball, we got him two tickets to the World Series.
Refreshed by her ______________, Maria was ready to go to work.
As fish prices declined, the ______________ of shrimp boats was cut in half.
Our new mayor proposed to tear down sections of the _____________ and build middle-income housing.
The _____________ was caught up on a horn of the bull and badly injured.
With unexpected _______________, the young man confronted the bully.
Movie cowboys generally are proficient with a ________________.
“Au revoir, so long, ciao, _____________” she said as her taxi pulled away.
A photograph of the ______________ appeared on the Most Wanted list in our post office.
On Navy Day, we stood upon the pier to watch the ____________ sail into the
Harbor.
IV. What’s the Antonym?
Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?
1. cowardice _______________
2. patriot _______________
3. today _______________
4. weakness _______________
5. lawman _______________
6. loss _______________
7. state of alertness _______________
8. shack _______________
9. peon _______________
10. wealthy neighborhood _______________
barrio: part of the city where Spanish-speaking people live; ghetto.
bonanza: rich pocket of ore; any source of wealth. In Spanish it means “fair weather at sea.” A popular television program of the 1960s was entitled “Bonanza”
bravado: pretended courage
desperado: bold outlaw; dangerous criminal. The relationship to our word “despair” is apparent. One who is without hope can be a dangerous criminal.
flotilla: a small fleet. The Spanish word flota means “fleet” Flotilla, then, is a diminutive form of flota.
grandee: a nobleman of the highest rank
hacienda: large estate; country house. The Old Spanish word facienda meant “estate.” The change from f to h is apparent in many words.
lariat: lasso; a rope used for tethering grazing horses. Reata is “rope” in Spanish.
machismo: manly self-assurance; masculine drive; virility.
manana: tomorrow; at some indefinite time in the future. There is a perjorative twist to manana, suggesting laziness.
palmetto: small palm tree
renegade: deserter; turncoat; traitor. In Spanish, the word renegado means “to deny.”
siesta: midday nap. In Spanish and Latin American countries businesses often close at midday to allow for siesta time.
torero: bullfighter on foot. The toreador was a bullfighter on horseback, but that term is no longer used since all bullfighters today are toreros.
Exercises
I. Which word comes to Mind?
In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.
You go to see a performance of the opera “Carmen”
(lariat, flotilla, torero)
The calendar pictures a man asleep under a tree next to a lawn mower.
(barrio, bravado, manana)
A young man starts a fight to impress his girlfriend.
(machismo, siesta, renegade)
You win the lottery
(aficionado, bonanza, palmetto)
There is a wild police chase after the bank robber
(desperado, grandee, hacienda)
The FBI arrests a man for selling U.S. secrets to a foreign country
(aficionado, renegade, grandee)
Stores in Spain close for two hours after lunch
(siesta, hacienda, palmetto)
The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria
(flotilla, barrio, manana)
David stands up to Goliath
(desperado, lariat, bravado)
A bull-fighting fan shouts, “Ole!”
(bonanza, aficionado, barrio)
II. True or False?
In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.
____ 1. A truly courageous person does not have to resort to bravado.
____ 2. Feminists have contempt for those men who display machismo.
____ 3. Ordinarily a grandee might take a siesta in his hacienda
____ 4. The Spanish Armada was too awesome to be described as a flotilla.
____ 5. A lariat can be the high point of a Spanish meal when it is seasoned properly.
____ 6. The spectators applauded the torero for his fearlessness.
____ 7. We bought an expensive barrio as a wedding gift
____ 8. Our winning lottery ticket proved to be a bonanza
____ 9. General Parker promised amnesty for any renegade who turned himself in.
____ 10. Because of his lifelong philanthropy, the desperado was honored at a White
House ceremony.
III. Fill in the Blank
Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below.
Since Teddy is an _____________ of baseball, we got him two tickets to the World Series.
Refreshed by her ______________, Maria was ready to go to work.
As fish prices declined, the ______________ of shrimp boats was cut in half.
Our new mayor proposed to tear down sections of the _____________ and build middle-income housing.
The _____________ was caught up on a horn of the bull and badly injured.
With unexpected _______________, the young man confronted the bully.
Movie cowboys generally are proficient with a ________________.
“Au revoir, so long, ciao, _____________” she said as her taxi pulled away.
A photograph of the ______________ appeared on the Most Wanted list in our post office.
On Navy Day, we stood upon the pier to watch the ____________ sail into the
Harbor.
IV. What’s the Antonym?
Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?
1. cowardice _______________
2. patriot _______________
3. today _______________
4. weakness _______________
5. lawman _______________
6. loss _______________
7. state of alertness _______________
8. shack _______________
9. peon _______________
10. wealthy neighborhood _______________
Sunday, July 22, 2007
July 17th 2007[quantitative]
1 For how many of the integers from 10 to 99 is at least one of the two digits a 4?
(A) 9
(B) 10
(C) 18
(D) 19
(E) 20 C
2 If the average (arithmetic mean) of a,b, and c is 40, what is the average (arithmetic
mean) of (3a + 10), (3b + 10) , and (3c + 10) ?
(A) 50
(B) 70
(C) 130
(D) 150
(E) It cannot be determined from the information given. C
3 If each of 4 subsidiaries of Corporation R has been granted a line of credit of $700,000 and each of the other 3 subsidiaries of Corporation R has been granted a line of credit of
$112,000, what is the average (arithmetic mean) line of credit granted to a subsidiary of
Corporation R?
(A) $1,568,000
(B) $448,000
(C) $406,000
(D) $313,600
(E) $116,000 B
4 The volume of a box with a square base is 54 cubic centimeters. If the height of the box is twice the width of the base, what is the height, in centimeters?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 6
(E) 9 B
(A) 9
(B) 10
(C) 18
(D) 19
(E) 20 C
2 If the average (arithmetic mean) of a,b, and c is 40, what is the average (arithmetic
mean) of (3a + 10), (3b + 10) , and (3c + 10) ?
(A) 50
(B) 70
(C) 130
(D) 150
(E) It cannot be determined from the information given. C
3 If each of 4 subsidiaries of Corporation R has been granted a line of credit of $700,000 and each of the other 3 subsidiaries of Corporation R has been granted a line of credit of
$112,000, what is the average (arithmetic mean) line of credit granted to a subsidiary of
Corporation R?
(A) $1,568,000
(B) $448,000
(C) $406,000
(D) $313,600
(E) $116,000 B
4 The volume of a box with a square base is 54 cubic centimeters. If the height of the box is twice the width of the base, what is the height, in centimeters?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 6
(E) 9 B
July 19th 2007[quantitative]
1 If (a -1)(b - 2) = 0, which of the following must be true?
I. a = 1 and b = 2.
II. If a ¹1, then b = 2
III. If a =1, then b ¹ 2 .
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) III only
(D) I and II
(E) II and III b
2 If (x - 5)( y + 2) = 0 , which of the following must be true?
(A) x = y
(B) x > y
(C) x < y (D) xy = -10 (A) None of the above e
3 If (-2,k) is a point on the graph of y = 2×2 - 3x +1, then k =
(A) -13 (B) -1 (C) 3 (D) 11 (E) 15 e
4 The product of two positive integers m and n is twice their sum. If n is 6, what is the value of m ?
(A) 8 (B) 6 (C) 4 (D) 3 (E) 2 d
5 If x : y = 2 :3 , y : z = 3: 4 , and x = 8 , then z - y = (A) 1 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8 (E) 12 b
click here
I. a = 1 and b = 2.
II. If a ¹1, then b = 2
III. If a =1, then b ¹ 2 .
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) III only
(D) I and II
(E) II and III b
2 If (x - 5)( y + 2) = 0 , which of the following must be true?
(A) x = y
(B) x > y
(C) x < y (D) xy = -10 (A) None of the above e
3 If (-2,k) is a point on the graph of y = 2×2 - 3x +1, then k =
(A) -13 (B) -1 (C) 3 (D) 11 (E) 15 e
4 The product of two positive integers m and n is twice their sum. If n is 6, what is the value of m ?
(A) 8 (B) 6 (C) 4 (D) 3 (E) 2 d
5 If x : y = 2 :3 , y : z = 3: 4 , and x = 8 , then z - y = (A) 1 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8 (E) 12 b
click here
July 21st, 2007[ SENTENCE COMPLETION]
choose the correct answers from the given choices
1) Some of the world’s most notorious criminals put on a_______________of piety and respectability.
2) Speaking in riddles and dressed in old robes, the artist gained a reputation as something of an____________________
3) The________________between the French and the English regularly erupted into open warfare.
4) The_____________________of penicillin was unsurpassed when it was first introduced; the drug completely eliminated almost all bacterial infections for which it was administered.
5) The___________________of the Sun King’s court is evident in the lavish decoration and luxuriousness of his palace at
6) The Ayatollah Khomeini’s____________________of our President and people whipped up the frenzy of the Iranian “students.”
7) The countess complained that the vulgar peasants lacked the__________________appropriate for a visit to the palace.
8) The form and physiology of leaves vary according to the______________________in which they develop: for example, leaves display a wide range of adaptations to different degrees of light and moisture.
9) The imposition of harsh taxes was the____________________that finally brought on the revolution.
10) The repetition of a sound or letter in two or more words in a sequence is an_______________________
a) alliteration b) antipathy c) catalyst d) decorum e) efficacy f) enigma g) environment h) ostentation i) veneer j) vilification
http://www.file27.com/id829/SENTENCECOMPLETION9.txt
July 21st, 2007[ READING COMPREHENSION]
The principle of selection solved the riddle as to how what
was purposive could conceivably be brought about without the
intervention of a directing power, the riddle which animate
nature presents to our intelligence at every turn, and in
5 face of which the mind of a Kant could find no way out, for
he regarded a solution of it as not to be hoped for. For,
even if we were to assume an evolutionary force that is
continually transforming the most primitive and the simplest
forms of life into ever higher forms, and the homogeneity of
10 primitive times into the infinite variety of the present, we
should still be unable to infer from this alone how each of
the numberless forms adapted to particular conditions of life
should have appeared precisely at the right moment in the
history of the earth to which their adaptations were
15 appropriate, and precisely at the proper place in which all
the conditions of life to which they were adapted occurred:
the humming-birds at the same time as the flowers; the
trichina at the same time as the pig; the bark-coloured moth
at the same time as the oak, and the wasp-like moth at the
20 same time as the wasp which protects it. Without processes
of selection we should be obliged to assume a
“pre-established harmony” after the famous Leibnitzian model,
by means of which the clock of the evolution of organisms
is so regulated as to strike in exact synchronism with that
25 of the history of the earth!All forms of life are strictly adapted to the conditions
of their life, and can persist under these conditions alone.
There must therefore be an intrinsic connection between the
conditions and the structural adaptations of the organism,
30 and, since the conditions of life cannot be determined by
the animal itself, the adaptations must be called forth by
the conditions. The selection theory teaches us how this
is conceivable, since it enables us to understand that there
is a continual production of what is non-purposive as well
35 as of what is purposive, but the purposive alone survives,
while the non-purposive perishes in the very act of arising.
This is the old wisdom taught long ago by Empedocles.
1. It can be inferred that the author believes that the “Leibnitzian model” (line 22) is
A. ingenious and worthy of serious consideration
B. untenable by all rational people
C. an acceptable solution to Kant’s dilemma
D. unworthy of further consideration
E. an alternative that might still be valid
2. The author’s primary purpose in this extract is to
A. suggest that a particular theory explains otherwise puzzling phenomena
B. describe the details of the selection theory for a lay audience
C. justify a particularly controversial model of the origins of life
D. persuade the reader that Empedocles was right
E. prove that selection is the only possible way of looking at evolutionary biology
3. The examples in lines 17 - 19 are intended to
A. reinforce the author’s point that is difficult to explain adaptation
B. show that adaptations must take place only at specific times and in specific places
C. give specific illustration of organisms that are particularly well-adapted to their conditions
D. show organisms that have evolved synchronously in a predestined manner
http://www.file27.com/id822/RC5.txt
July 21st, 2007[quantitative]
1. Point Q lies at the center of the square base (ABCD) of the pyramid pictured above. The pyramid’s height (PQ) measures exactly one half the length of each edge of its base, and point E lies exactly halfway between C and D along one edge of the base. What is the ratio of the surface area of any of the pyramid’s four triangular faces to the surface area of the shaded triangle?
- 3 :√2
- √5:1
- 4√3:3
- 2√2:1
- 8:√5
2. A rectangular tank 10″ by 8″ by 4″ is filled with water. If all of the water is to be transferred to cube-shaped tanks, each one 3 inches on a side, how many of these smaller tanks are needed?
- 9
- 12
- 16
- 21
- 39
3. At 10 a.m. two trains started traveling toward each other from stations 287 miles apart. They passed each other at 1:30 p.m. the same day. If the average speed of the faster train exceeded the average speed of the slower train by 6 miles per hour, which of the following represents the speed of the faster train, in miles per hour?
- 38
- 40
- 44
- 48
- 50
4. A portion of $7200 is invested at a 4% annual return, while the remainder is invested at a 5% annual return. If the annual income from both portions is the same, what is the total income from the two investments?
- $160
- $320
- $400
- $720
- $1,600
5. (1/4)3 + (3/4)3 + 3(1/4)(3/4)(1/4 + 3/4) =?
- 1/64
- 27/64
- 49/64
- 0
- 1
http://www.file27.com/id827/Quant15.txt
Monday, July 16, 2007
rescue words[mythology]
Mythology (I)
Adonis: an exceptionally handsome young man; a plant with solitary red or yellow flowers. Adonis was beloved by both Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and Persephone, the queen of the dead. He was killed by a boar in a hunting expedition and from his life’s blood sprang up a crimson flower.
Bacchanal: a follower of Bacchus (Greek, Dionysus), the god of wine; a drunken reveler; an orgy. Early Greek drama developed in connection with the festival honoring this god.
Cassandra: a daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy who had the gift of prophecy but was cursed by Apollo so that her prophecies, though true, were fated never to be believed; one who prophecies doom or disaster. The Trojans thought Cassandra was insane and would be destroyed if Paris went to Sparta, and that there were armed Greeks in the Wooden Horse. If either of these prophecies had been heeded, Troy would have been saved.
Cornucopia: abundance; horn of plenty. Named after the horn of the goat Amalthea that suckled the infant Zeus, the horn is always full of food and drink in endless supply.
Erotic: concerning sexual love and desire; amatory. Eros was the Greek god of love, identified by the Romans with Cupid and represented as a winged child. While erotic has retained the sexual connotation, cupidity has acquired the meaning of “greed.”
Herculean: tremendously difficult and demanding; resembling Hercules in size, power, or courage. Hercules was the son of Zeus and Alcmene who won immortality by performing Twelve Labors demanded by the jealous Hera.
Hermetic: made airtight by fusion or sealing; insulated or cloistered; magical. Hermes (Latin, Mercury) was the messenger of the gods and the god of roads, commerce, invention, cunning, and theft. A most versatile god, Hermes is identified with the caduceus, the golden staff with wings at the top and intertwined with serpents, which is the symbol of today’s medical profession.
Hydra: the nine-headed serpent slain by Hercules; a persistent or many-sided problem that presents new obstacles as soon as old ones are solved. The hydra had to b en slain by Hercules as one of his Twelve Labors. This monster grew two heads for each one cut off. Hercules finally destroyed the hydra by cauterizing the necks as he cut off the heads.
Hymeneal: pertaining to marriage; a wedding song or poem. Hymen, the god of marriage, was represented as a handsome youth holding a torch.
Iridescent: displaying lustrous colors like those of the rainbow. Iris was a messenger of the gods and regarded as the goddess of the rainbow.
Narcissism: excessive admiration of oneself; egocentrism. Narcissus was a youth who, having spurned the love of Echo, fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool, and after wasting away from unsatisfied desire was transformed into the flower that bears his name. The plant, incidentally, has narcotic effects (from Greek narke, “numbness)
Odyssey: a long series of wanderings, especially when filled with notable experiences or hardships. The Odyssey, called “the greatest tale of all time,” is the second epic of Homer. It recounts the wandering and adventures of Odysseus after the fall of Troy, and his eventual return home to his faithful wife Penelope.
Olympian: pertaining to the twelve gods of the ancient Greek pantheon whose abode was Mt. Olympus; majestic; incomparably superior; pertaining to the Olympic games. Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, is located in northern Greece (Macedonia). It is sometimes used synonymously with “heaven” or “the Sky.”
Palladium: anything believed to provide protection or safety; a safeguard or guarantee of the integrity of social institutions. Palladion was the fabled statue of Pallas Athena that assured the safety of Troy as long as it remained within the city.
Phoenix: a person or thing of peerless beauty or excellence; a person or thing that has become renewed or restored after suffering calamity or apparent annihilation. The phoenix was a mythical bird of great beauty, fabled to live 600 years in the Arabian desert, to burn itself on a funeral pyre, and to rise form its ashes to live through another cycle. It is an emblem of immortality.
Sounds Italian
Which is the fastest tempo – andante, allegretto, or adagio?
Is fortissimo a title given to a high-ranking officer?
Does libretto refer to the words or the music?
Which requires more than one note, a crescendo or an arpeggio?
Which indicates musical skill – bravura, intaglio, or imbroglio?
- adagio – slowly, in music. The plural, adagios, refers to a slow movement in music or a slow ballet dance requiring skillful balancing.
- andante – moderate in tempo. This is a musical direction faster than adagio but slower than allegretto. A slightly faster tempo is given the diminutive andantino.
- arpeggio – the playing of the tones of a chord in rapid succession rather than simultaneously.
- bravura – in music, a florid passage requiring great skill and spirit in the performer; a display of daring; a brilliant performance (used as a noun and as an adjective).
- contralto – the lowest female voice or part, between a soprano and a tenor; a woman having such a voice.
- crescendo – a gradual increase in the volume or intensity of sound; a music passage played in crescendo. Crescendo is also used as a verb.
- falsetto - a typically male singing voice, the result of artificially produced tones in an upper register that go beyond the voice’s normal range.
- fortissimo – a very loud passage, sound or tone. The word is also used as an adverb.
- imbroglio – a confused or difficult situation; a confused heap or tangle. The original Latin word describes the situation best – inbroglio (“entangled in a bush”)
- intaglio – a figure or design cut beneath the surface of a hard metal or stone; the art of carving in this manner; a gemstone carved in intaglio. Intaglio is in contrast with cameo, where the design is raised and differs in color from the background.
- largo – in a slow, solemn manner (a direction in music); a slow, broad movement (noun).
- libretto – the text of an opera or other dramatic musical work. It is the Italian diminutive of libro (“book”).
- salvo – a simultaneous discharge of firearms; a sudden outburst of cheers or the like. It is not surprising to find that words like salutation, salutary, salve, and salvation are related to salvo since the Latin salve (“hail”), and salvus (“safe or well”), form the ancestry of both strands of meaning.
- staccato – music performed with a crisp, sharp attack to simulate rests between successive tones; composed of abrupt, distinct, emphatic parts or sounds. This word is from the Old French word destachier(“detach”) and is contrasted with legato.
- vendetta – blood feud; a prolonged feud marked by bitter hostility. This is the Italian word for revenge and is related to vindicate, our meaning for which is “to avenge.”
Exercises:
I. Which Word Comes to Mind?
In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.
- A musical direction
(largo, falsetto, contralto)
- A volley of rockets
(salvo, adagio, andante)
- An embarrassing situation
(fortissimo, libretto, imbroglio)
- A scrawny boy seeking to get even with a bully
(vendetta, bravura, arpeggio)
- Machine-gun fire
(crescendo, intaglio, staccato)
- I’m going to get you for that
(largo, vendetta, fortissimo)
- The story of Carmen
(libretto, arpeggio, falsetto)
- Sudden loud music drowned out our conversation
(fortissimo, staccato, andante)
- A female singer with a surprisingly deep voice
(bravura, falsetto, contralto)
- A carved gemstone
(imbroglio, intaglio, adagio)
II. True or False?
In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.
____ 1. A contralto has a higher-pitched voice than a soprano.
____ 2. If the direction read andante, the music should be played slowly.
____ 3. A man singing in falsetto has probably hit a wrong note.
____ 4. An intaglio design is cut below the surface.
____ 5. A participant in a vendetta tends to harbor unreasonable hatred.
____ 6. A sergeant barked out his commands in staccato fashion.
____ 7. With a salvo of fireworks, the celebration ended.
____ 8. I requested a largo tempo because the music was too slow and solemn.
____ 9. Applause for the winning candidate reached a crescendo.
____ 10. Parents were called to school to settle the imbroglio that had developed between
their childrenExercises
I. Which Word Comes to Mind?]
In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.
Stung by Cupid’s arrow
(hydra, Cassandra, erotic)
A sumptuous feast
(narcissism, cornucopia, odyssey)
Joseph’s coat of many colors
(iridescent, hymeneal, palladium)
Superhuman feats of strength
(Adonis, hermetic, Herculean)
Wine, women, and song
(Olympian, bacchanal, phoenix)
Admiring himself in the mirror
(narcissism, hymeneal, palladium)
The male model appeared on several magazine covers
(hermetic, Herculean, Adonis)
This year, designers are using vivid rainbow colors
(iridescent, erotic, bacchanal)
Story of the journey of Ulysses
(odyssey, Olympian, palladium)
From last place to first place
(phoenix, narcissism, hermetic)
II. True or False?
In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.
____ 1. Phoenix and palladium both suggest permanence.
____ 2. A stick-in-the-mud would be unlikely to engage in an odyssey.
____ 3. A narcissist is a lover of flowers.
____ 4. A bacchanal would likely attend every wedding feast but his own.
____ 5. Cassandra’s song would probably be a top seller.
____ 6. The happy month held a cornucopia of good news for the family.
____ 7. I refuse to deal with iridescent complaints.
____ 8. After his plastic surgery, Ronnie was a regular Adonis.
____ 9. The president said, “Bringing peace to the Middle East is a Herculean task.”
____ 10. Feeding the hydra was very costly.
III. Find the Imposter
Find and circle the one word on each line that is not related to the other three.
1. Cassandra dramatic prophetic doomsday
2. baccalaureate revelry bacchanal Dionysian
3. wisdom metallic palladium safety
4. luxuriant cornucopia corpulent plethora
5. erotic wandering digression desultory
IV. Fill in the Blank
Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below
When the package was opened, out poured a veritable ______________ of goodies.
Filling fifty bags of leaves from our lawn in two hours proved to be a __________ task.
Like the ____________, our last place team rose from the ashes to become champions.
The designer filled her dark showroom with _____________ fabrics, which brightened it considerably.
As I read the autobiography, I followed the author’s _____________ from poverty to riches.
Receiving an Academy Award is akin to scaling ____________ heights.
Although he had been an ordinary looking teenager, Maxwell developed into a genuine ______________.
When smallpox destroyed the model’s good looks, she was cured of her ____________.
I always anticipate a victory but my sister remains a _______________.
The choir and organist launched into a beautiful _______________ as the bridal couple entered the chapel.
Rescue Words 7
Social Sciences
aberrant: deviating from what is normal or typical. It comes from the Latin aberrare (“to go astray”)
anthropomorphism: attributing human shape to gods, objects, animals. The Greek anthropo is a combining form that means “man” or “human”
archetype: model; original pattern; prototype. One meaning of the Greek prefix arch is “main” or chief.”
authoritarian: characterized by unquestioning obedience to authority. An authoritarian figure is one who rejects individual freedom of judgment and action.
cathedrals: the relieving of the emotions by art; the alleviation of fears by bringing them to consciousness. This Greek word has played an important role in theater, as well as in paychiatry.
demography: the science of vital statistics, as of births, deaths, population, etc. It comes from the Greek root demos (“the people”) and graph (“to write”)
epidemiology: the branch of medicine that investigates the causes and controls of epidemics. This word is composed of two Greek roots meaning “among the people”
euthanasia: method of causing death painlessly, mercy killing. In Greek, it means “happy death”
extrovert: a person who is active and expressive, a person who is outgoing. The opposite is introvert.
psychic: of the psyche or mind, beyond natural or known physical processes. All of our words that begin with psych comes from the Greek word pyschikos (“of the soul”)
psychopath: a person afflicted with a mental disorder. The Greek root path means “suffering” or “diseases”
psychotherapy: using forms of mental treatment to cure nervous disorders. Therapy comes from the Greek therapeia (“one who serves or treats medically”)
schizophrenia: a mental disorder characterized by delusions of persecution and omnipotence. Some victims of this disease are said to have a “split personality”
subliminal: below the threshold of apprehensions subconscious. Limen is a Latin word meaning “threshold”
traums: an emotional experience that has a lasting psychic effect. The Greek word trauma means “wound”
Exercises
I. Which word comes to Mind?
In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.
A nurse is suspected of having given an overdoes of drugs to a cancer-ridden patient
(subliminal, euthanasia, anthropomorphism)
Researchers examine the tissues of the corpses.
(epidemiology, psychotherapy, psychic)
Man bites dog
(aberrant, authoritarian, catharsis)
The government issues statistics on the ten fastest growing cities
(schizophrenia, extrovert, demography)
A citizen of Hiroshima continues to have nightmares
(archetype, trauma, psychopath)
The life of the party
(catharsis, extrovert, trauma)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
(schizophrenia, epidemiology, demography)
Commands from a dictator
(subliminal, psychic, authoritarian)
A family asks the doctors to “pull the plug”
(archetype, catharsis, euthanasia)
A Walt Disney show
(trauma, anthropomorphism, subliminal)
II. True or False?
In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.
____ 1. Psychotherapy is used to treat muscles that have atrophied
____ 2. Aberrant behavior is always welcomed by society.
____ 3. Subliminal suggestions tend to be subtle ones.
____ 4. Psychopaths and schizophrenics can be cured quickly today.
____ 5. Jupiter throwing his lightning bolts across the sky is an example of
anthropomorphism.
____ 6. Her lawyer claimed that camp experiences led to Helen’s trauma.
____ 7. Our family operates on democratic principles because Dad is an authoritarian
figure.
____ 8. The supermarket owners studied the neighborhood’s demography before building
the new store.
____ 9. Europe’s Black Plague is a fruitful study for epidemiologists.
____ 10. Euthanasia deals with young people in China.
III. Fill in the Blank
Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below.
It was obvious to the emergency room doctor that the patient had undergone a serious _____________.
Concern over the so-called “mercy killing” led the clergyman to organize a symposium on _______________.
The classroom was run in an ______________ fashion because the teacher scorned democratic principles.
We were confounded by the _______________ results of the test in which the poorest students received the highest grades.
Study of our neighborhood’s projected _______________ will to help us to plan for the influx of new families.
We usually refer to people with multiple personalities as suffering from ______________.
The psychologist advanced the theory that the deranged murderer was a ________________.
As an uninhibited ______________. Larry was the life of the party.
Since I am dedicated to eliminating infectious diseases, I plan to major in ______________.
Following a _____________ in the final act, the playwright created a happy ending.
IV. What’s the Antonym?
Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?
1. democrat _____________
2. normal _____________
3. conscious _____________
4. shy one _____________
5. poor example ______________
1. Odium - The state or quality of being odious. Strong dislike, contempt, or aversion. A state of disgrace resulting from hateful or detestable
2. Glut - To fill beyond capacity, especially with food; satiate
3. Nervy - Arrogantly impudent; brazen. Showing or requiring courage and fortitude; bold.
4. Pallid - Having an abnormally pale or wan complexion; lacking intensity of color or luminousness
5. Diaphanous - So light and insubstantial as to resemble air or a thin film; fine, see-through
6. Dishevelled - Being in loose disarray; unkempt, as hair or clothing; marked by disorder; untidy; wrinkled, unkempt in appearance
7. Disconsolate - Seeming beyond consolation; extremely dejected; cheerless; gloomy; depressed, unhappy
8. Batten - Grow fat,thrive upon others
9. Conch - Large seashell
10. Ingenue - An artless girl;an actress who plays such parts
11. Orison - Prayer
12. Rambunctious - Boisterous and disorderly
13. Hellion - A mischievous, troublesome, or unruly person
14. Carpophagous - Feeding on fruit; fruit-eating
15. Rancor - Bitter, long-lasting resentment; deep-seated ill will
16. Derivative - Resulting from or employing derivation; copied or adapted from others
17. Spurn - To be unwilling to accept, consider, or receive; to kick at or tread on disdainfully
18. Quatrain - A stanza or poem of four lines
19. Fustian - A coarse sturdy cloth made of cotton and flax; pretentious speech or writing; pompous language; pompous, bombastic, and ranting
20. Bombastic - Pompous, grandiloquent; boastful in speech or writing
21. Bootless - Without advantage or benefit; useless; unproductive of success
22. Futile - Having no useful result; trifling and frivolous; idle
23. Debase - To lower in character, quality, or value; degrade; adulterate
24. Compunction - A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt; a feeling of regret for one’s sins or misdeeds; a feeling of uncertainty about the fitness or correctness of an action; regret, sorrow
25. Yokel - An uneducated country person; clumsy, unsophisticated persona rustic; a bumpkin
26. Bumptious - Crudely or loudly assertive; pushy; self-important, conceited; offensively self-assertive
27. Chimera - A fantastic, impracticable plan or desire; dream, fantasy
28. Circumspect - Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences; prudent; trying attentively to avoid danger, risk, or error; cautious, discreet
29. Turpitude - Depravity; baseness; a base act
30. Infinitude - The state or quality of being infinite; an immeasurably large quantity, number, or extent
31. Cistern - A receptacle for holding water or other liquid, especially a tank for catching and storing rainwater
32. Dulcet - Pleasing to the ear; melodious; having a soothing, agreeable quality; archaic; sweet to the taste
33. Phlegmatic - Without emotion or interest; having or suggesting a calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional
34. Heresy - A controversial or unorthodox opinion or doctrine, as in politics, philosophy, or science; adherence to such controversial or unorthodox opinion; unorthodoxy
35. Anarchic - Lacking order or control; without law or control
36. Current - A steady, smooth onward movement; a general tendency, movement, or course; the amount of electric charge flowing past a specified circuit point per unit time; running; flowing
37. Gall - The quality or state of feeling bitter; the state or quality of being impudent or arrogantly self-confident; to make (the skin) raw by or as if by friction; to trouble the nerves or peace of mind of, especially by repeated vexations
38. Hirsute - Having a hairy covering
39. Malady - Any physical disease or disorder; a disease, a disorder, or an ailment; an unwholesome condition
40. Fickleness - The quality of being fickle; instability; inconsonancy
41. Resonant - Echoing; full in sound; vibrant in sound; having or producing a full, deep, or rich sound
42. Glacier - A huge mass of ice slowly flowing over a land mass, formed from compacted snow in an area where snow accumulation exceeds melting and sublimation
43. Saga - A long detailed report; epic tale, long story
44. Afferent - Carrying inward to a central organ or section, as nerves that conduct impulses from the periphery of the body to the brain or spinal cord; transmitting impulses from sense organs to nerve centers
45. Castigate - To inflict severe punishment on; to criticize severely
46. Lull - To make or become calm; pause, calm; ease off; to cause to sleep or rest
47. Malevolent - Having or exhibiting ill will; wishing harm to others; malicious
48. Imminent - About to occur; impending; at hand, on the way
49. Abate - To lessen; to subside; in metalwork, to cut away or beat down so as to show a pattern or figure in low relief
50. Stultify - To allege or prove insane and so not legally responsible; cause to appear foolish; deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless; cripple
51. Demur - To express opposition, often by argument; disagree; to delay
52. Munificent - Very liberal in giving; generous; showing great generosity
53. Tractable - Easily managed or controlled; governable; willing to carry out the wishes of others; manageable
54. Obsequious - Full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning; excessively eager to serve or obey; submissive
55. Slothful - Disinclined to work or exertion; lazy
56. Assiduity - Persistent application or diligence; unflagging effort; great and constant diligence and attention
57. Impel - To urge to action through moral pressure; drive; to drive forward; propel; prompt, incite
58. Prescience - Knowledge of actions or events before they occur; foresight; unusual or creative discernment or perception
59. Unswerving - Constant; steady
60. Vacillate - To sway from one side to the other; oscillate
61. Cajole - To urge with gentle and repeated appeals, teasing, or flattery; wheedle; attempt to coax; flatter
62. Obdurate - Stubborn and unfeeling
63. Allay - To reduce the intensity of; relieve; to calm or pacify; set to rest
64. Pelf - Wealth or riches, especially when dishonestly acquired
65. Effuse - To cause (a liquid) to flow in a steady stream; give out or emit; to spread or flow out
66. Bootless - Without advantage or benefit; useless; unproductive of success
67. Legerdemain - The use of skillful tricks and deceptions to produce entertainingly baffling effects; manual dexterity in the execution of tricks
68. Instate - To establish in office; install; to admit formally into membership or office, as with ritual
69. Blanket - To extend over the surface of; cover; a layer that covers or encloses
70. Denude - To divest of covering; make bare; to expose (rock strata) by erosion
71. Shrivel - To become or make much less or smaller; dwindle; to become or make shrunken and wrinkled, often by drying; to lose or cause to lose vitality or intensity; dehydrate, dry up
72. Grovel - To behave in a servile or demeaning manner; cringe; abase, demean oneself
73. Referee - One to whom something is referred, especially for settlement, decision, or an opinion as to the thing’s quality
74. Caginess - Having or showing a clever awareness and resourcefulness in practical matters; secretive; wary; careful; shrewd
75. Excise - An internal tax imposed on the production, sale, or consumption of a commodity or the use of a service within a country; a licensing charge or a fee levied for certain privileges; remove, delete
76. Conciliatory - Tending to conciliate; pacific; mollifying; propitiating; placid, yielding
77. Prolixity - Words or the use of words in excess of those needed for clarity or precision; using or containing an excessive number of words; long-winded; wordy
78. Semitic - Of, relating to, or constituting a subgroup of the Afro-Asiatic language group that includes Arabic, Hebrew, Amharic, and Aramaic; of or relating to the Semites or their languages or cultures
79. Cadge - To beg or get by begging
80. Futon - A thin mattress of tufted cotton batting or similar material, placed on a floor or on a raised, foldable frame; mattress consisting of a pad of cotton batting that is used for sleeping on the floor or on a raised frame
81. Toady - A person who flatters or defers to others for self-serving reasons; a sycophant; tray to gain favor by cringing or flattering
82. Rapprochement - A reestablishing of cordial relations, as between two countries; the state of reconciliation or of cordial relations; restoration of harmony
83. Obliterate - To destroy all traces of; to wipe out, rub off, or erase
84. Timorous - Full of apprehensiveness; timid; easily frightened
85. Ecumenical - Of worldwide scope or applicability; universal; non-denominational; of or relating to the worldwide Christian church; concerned with establishing or promoting unity among churches or religions
86. Bibulous - Given to or marked by the consumption of alcoholic drink; very absorbent, as paper or soil; inclined to drink; of or relating to drink or drinking
87. Fustian - Pretentious, pompous speech or writing; a coarse sturdy cloth made of cotton and flax; pompous or pretentious talking or writing
88. Impugn - To attack as false or questionable; challenge in argument; criticize, challenge
89. Pristine - Remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization. Remaining free from dirt or decay; clean
90. Vociferous - Offensively loud and insistent
91. Convoy - The act of accompanying or escorting, especially for protective purposes; an accompanying and protecting force, as of ships or troops; a group, as of ships or motor vehicles, traveling together with a protective escort or for safety or convenience; to accompany, especially for protection; escort
92. Belie - To give a false representation to; misrepresent; to show to be false; contradict; deceive
93. Nullify - To make null; invalidate; to counteract the force or effectiveness of; cancel, revoke
94. Dissembler - One who dissembles; one who conceals his opinions or dispositions under a false appearance; a hypocrite
95. Forthright - Direct and without evasion; straightforward; directly and frankly; manifesting honesty and directness, especially speech
96. Abhorrence - One that is disgusting, loathsome, or repellent; an object of extreme dislike; the act of detesting extremely; hate coupled with disgust
97. Allegory - The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form; a story, picture, or play employing such representation; a symbolic representation
98. Gossamer - So light and insubstantial as to resemble air or a thin film; gauzy, thin; soft light delicate material
99. Flag - To lose strength or power; droop
100. Thunderous - Producing thunder or a similar sound; loud and unrestrained in a way that suggests thunder; extremely ominous
101. Tempestuous - Violently disturbed or agitated, as by storms; tumultuous; stormy; wild
102. Haughty - Scornfully and condescendingly proud; arrogant
103. Chastise - To punish, as by beating; to criticize severely; rebuke; scold, discipline; to purify
104. Abhorrence - One that is disgusting, loathsome, or repellent; a feeling of repugnance or loathing; hate coupled with disgust; the act of detesting extremely
105. Irascible - Prone to outbursts of temper; easily angered. Characterized by or resulting from anger
106. Appendix - A collection of supplementary material, usually at the end of a book
107. Sumptuous - Of a size or splendor suggesting great expense; lavish; luxurious, splendid; rich and superior in quality
108. Fallow - Land left unseeded during a growing season; inactive; plowed but left unseeded during a growing season: fallow farmland
109. Plummet - To decline suddenly and steeply; to fall straight down; plunge; fall hard and fast
110. Benign - Of a kind and gentle disposition; having little or no detrimental effect; harmless
111. Immure - To confine within or as if within walls; imprison; lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
112. Voluble - Marked by a ready flow of speech; fluent; turning easily on an axis; rotating; talkative
113. Berate - To rebuke or scold angrily and at length; to reprimand loudly or harshly; criticize hatefully
114. Stolid - Having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; impassive; apathetic, stupid; without emotion or interest
115. Delineate - To draw or trace the outline of; sketch out. To represent pictorially; depict
116. Fracas - A noisy, disorderly fight or quarrel; a brawl; disturbance, fight
117. Gall - To become irritated, chafed, or sore; nerve, brashness; upset, irritate
118. Lampoon - A work, as a novel or play, that exposes folly by the use of humor or irony; ridicule, make fun of
119. Dwell - To live as a resident; reside; to fasten one’s attention; to speak or write at length; expatiate; live in
120. Vicissitudinous - Full of, or subject to, changes
121. Martinet - A rigid military disciplinarian; one who demands absolute adherence to forms and rules; one who demands strict obedience
122. Lenient - Inclined not to be harsh or strict; merciful, generous, or indulgent; not strict or severe; not harsh or strict in dealing with others
123. Anecdote - A short account of an interesting or humorous incident; an entertaining and often oral account of a real or fictitious occurrence; a short, interesting, and amusing story
124. Voluptuous - Giving, characterized by, or suggesting ample, unrestrained pleasure to the senses; well-developed, erotic; having fullness of beautiful form
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The GRE Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study and is often required for admission into a master's degree program.
GRE General Test Overview
What Is It?
The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study.
Verbal Reasoning — The skills measured include the test taker's ability to
- analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it
- analyze relationships among component parts of sentences
- recognize relationships between words and concepts
Quantitative Reasoning — The skills measured include the test taker's ability to
- understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis
- reason quantitatively
- solve problems in a quantitative setting
Analytical Writing — The skills measured include the test taker's ability to
- articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
- examine claims and accompanying evidence
- support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
- sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
- control the elements of standard written English
Who Takes It and Why?
Prospective graduate applicants take the General Test. GRE test scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement undergraduate records and other qualifications for graduate study. The scores provide common measures for comparing the qualifications of applicants and aid in evaluating grades and recommendations.
Where Do People Take It?
The General Test is offered year-round at computer-based test centers in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries. It is offered at paper-based test centers in areas of the world where computer-based testing is not available. See which format is available.
Who Accepts It?
Any accredited graduate, business or professional school, or any department or division within a school, may require or recommend that its applicants take the General Test, a Subject Test, or both. If approved by the GRE Board, a non-accredited institution can also receive test takers' scores.
Computer-Based General Test Content and Structure
The computer-based General Test is composed of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections. In addition, one unidentified unscored section may be included, and this section can appear in any position in the test after the Analytical Writing Section. Questions in the unscored section are being tested for possible use in future tests, and answers will not count toward your scores.
Total testing time is up to three hours, not including the research section. The directions at the beginning of each section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the section.
The Analytical Writing section is always first. For the Issue task, two topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead, one topic will be presented.
The Verbal and Quantitative sections may appear in any order, including an unidentified unscored section. Treat each section presented during your test as if it counts.
Test Center Procedures and Regulations For Both Computer-Based and Paper-Based Tests
- Dress so that you can adapt to any room temperature.
- Friends or relatives who accompany you to the test center will not be permitted to wait in the test center or be in contact with you while you are taking the test. Except for ETS-authorized observers, visitors are not allowed in the testing room while testing is in progress.
- ID verification at the test center may include thumbprinting, photographing, videotaping, or other form of electronic ID confirmation. If you refuse to participate, you will not be permitted to test and you will forfeit your test fee. This is in addition to the requirement that you must present acceptable and valid identification.
- Personal items other than identification documents are not allowed in the testing room. This includes cell phones, PDAs, BlackBerry devices and any other electronic or photographic devices. You will not have access to your personal items during the test or during breaks. Before the test, you will receive instructions from test center staff regarding where you must deposit personal items. You will be required to follow the procedures set by the test center for storage of your cell phone or any electronic or photographic device you bring to the test center. If you take personal items into the test room, they will be collected by the test center staff. Personal items such as hats, scarves, jackets and outerwear that are taken into the test room are subject to inspection by the test center staff before being admitted to the test room. Failure to comply may result in dismissal from the test and/or cancellation of scores. If you fail to follow the directions of the test center staff, you will not be permitted to take the test. Any violation of this procedure during the test or breaks may result in cancellation of your scores, dismissal from the test center staff or banning from future testing. Test centers and ETS assume no responsibility for personal items or devices that you choose to bring into the test center.
- The test administrator will assign you a seat.
- On occasion, weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the test administrator's or ETS's control may require a delayed start or the rescheduling of your test appointment. In the event that it is then necessary to cancel your test session, or if it is later determined that your scores could not be reported, you will be offered the opportunity to schedule another test appointment free of charge or receive a full refund of the original test fee. You may also seek reimbursement from ETS for reasonable and documented expenses associated with traveling to the test center, even though technical problems are generally not the fault of ETS. To request reimbursement, contact ETS with the following information within 30 days of your original appointment: your name, date of birth, mailing address, daytime telephone number, e-mail address, original test date and registration or CBT appointment number, and a brief description of what occurred at the test center. All reimbursements will be made in U.S. dollars.
For Computer-Based Tests Only
The following procedures and regulations apply during the entire test session, which begins at sign-in, ends at sign-out, and includes breaks.
- If you requested and received an authorization voucher from ETS, you must take it with you to the test center.
- You will be required to write (not print) and sign a confidentiality statement at the test center. If you do not complete and sign the statement, you cannot test and your fees will NOT be refunded.
- You will be required to sign the test center log before and after the test session and any time you leave or enter the testing room.
- The test administrator will provide you with scratch paper that may be replaced after you have used all pages of the scratch paper initially given to you. You may not take your own scratch paper to the test, nor may you remove scratch paper from the testing room at any time. Scratch paper is provided to assist test takers in working out problems and for appropriate note taking during timed sections of the test. Scratch paper should NOT be used during untimed sections or during breaks.
- If you need to leave your seat at any time other than the break, raise your hand; timing of the section will not stop.
- If at any time during the test you have a problem with your computer, or for any reason need the administrator, raise your hand.
- Testing premises are subject to videotaping.
- The GRE General Test includes an optional 10-minute break after the Analytical Writing section and one-minute breaks between the remaining sections of the test. This break time cannot be exceeded.
- The maximum time allotted for the tutorial and/or other untimed sections prior to the test is 30 minutes. The purpose of the tutorial and/or other untimed sections prior to the test is to become familiar with the computer functions and other important information that will make your computer-based test experience as convenient as possible. The time you spend on the tutorial and/or other untimed sections should not be used for any other purpose. You may not use scratch paper during this time. Infractions will be reported to ETS, and the test administrator is authorized to dismiss you from the test administration if you fail to follow the test administrator's directions.
For Paper-Based Tests Only
The following procedures and regulations apply during the entire test session, which begins when you are admitted to the test center, ends when you leave the test center, and includes breaks.
- Test administrators will not honor requests for schedule changes.
- Take your admission ticket and photo ID to the test center.
- Take 3 or 4 sharpened soft-lead (No. 2 or HB) pencils and a good eraser. Pencils and erasers will not be supplied at the center. Mechanical pencils and pens are not permitted.
- No test taker will be admitted after test materials have been distributed.
- Paper of any kind is not permitted in the testing room.
- You must have the test administrator's permission to leave the room during the test. Any time lost cannot be made up.
- You may wish to pace yourself with your own watch, but the test administrator is the official timekeeper. You will not be permitted to continue the test or any part of it beyond the established time limit. Watch alarms and clocks on cell phones are not permitted.
- Cell phones must be turned off and are not permitted on the writing surface.
- Answers to multiple-choice questions recorded in the test book will not be scored. You may use the test book to work out your answers, but you must mark all your answers on the separate answer sheet before time is called.
- At the conclusion of the test you will be required to return your test book and answer sheet to the test administrator. These materials are the property of ETS.
- The General Test includes a 10-minute break after the Analytical Writing section and one-minute breaks between the remaining sections of the test.
Dismissal from a Test Center
A test administrator is authorized to dismiss you from a test session and/or your scores may be canceled by ETS for actions such as, but not limited to
- attempting to take the test for someone else or having someone else take the test for you
- failing to provide acceptable identification
- obtaining improper access to the test, a part of the test, or information about the test
- using and/or having a telephone or cell phone in your possession during the test session or during breaks
- using any aids in connection with the test, such as: mechanical pencils, pens, pagers, beepers, calculators, watch calculators, books, pamphlets, notes, rulers, highlighter pens, stereos or radios with headphones, telephones, cell phones, watch alarms (including those with flashing lights or alarm sounds), stop watches, dictionaries, translators, and any hand-held electronic or photographic devices
- creating a disturbance (Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated; the test administrator has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior.)
- attempting to give or receive assistance. Communication in any form is not permitted during the test administration. Discussion or sharing of test content during and after the test administration is prohibited.
- removing or attempting to remove test content from the test center. Under no circumstances may test content or any part of the test content be removed, reproduced, and/or disclosed by any means (e.g., hard copy, verbally, electronically) to any person or entity
- tampering with a computer.
- attempting to remove scratch paper from the computer-based testing room or using scratch paper during untimed sections of the test or during breaks
- bringing a weapon or firearm into the test center
- bringing food, drink, or tobacco into the testing room
- leaving the test center vicinity during the test session or during breaks
- leaving the testing room without permission
- taking excessive or extended unscheduled breaks during the test session. Test center administrators are required to strictly monitor unscheduled breaks and report test takers who take excessive or extended breaks.
- referring to, looking through, or working on any test, or test section, when not authorized to do so, or working after time has been called
- failing to follow any of the test administration regulations contained in the GRE Bulletin, given by the test administrator or specified in any test materials
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