Vocabulary in context

In the sentence 'The committee reached a consensus after hours of debate,' the word 'consensus' most nearly means:

• AGeneral agreement✓
• BA formal vote taken by the committee
• CA long delay before any decision
• DDisagreement

Answer: Consensus means a general or widespread agreement, which fits reaching it after debate.

In 'Despite the setback, she remained resolute and refused to give up,' the word 'resolute' most nearly means:

• ADisheartened
• BUnconvinced
• CGood-humoured
• DDetermined✓

Answer: Resolute means firmly determined, consistent with refusing to give up.

In 'The report was so verbose that readers struggled to find the key points,' the word 'verbose' most nearly means:

• AUsing too many words✓
• BHighly accurate
• CVery short
• DClearly written

Answer: Verbose means using more words than needed, which explains why readers struggled to find key points.

In 'His tactful reply avoided offending anyone in the room,' the word 'tactful' most nearly means:

• ADeliberately rude and blunt
• BSensitive and diplomatic✓
• CLoud
• DConfusing

Answer: Tactful means showing sensitivity and diplomacy, which fits avoiding offence.

In 'The ancient manuscript was remarkably well preserved despite its age,' the word 'preserved' most nearly means:

• ADecayed
• BHidden
• CTranslated
• DKept in good condition✓

Answer: Preserved means maintained in good condition, contrasting with what age might do.

In 'The evidence was inconclusive, so the jury could not reach a verdict,' the word 'inconclusive' most nearly means:

• ADecisive
• BNot leading to a firm conclusion✓
• CLengthy
• DIllegal

Answer: Inconclusive means not producing a definite result, which is why no verdict was reached.

In 'She gave a candid account of what had really happened,' the word 'candid' most nearly means:

• AMisleading
• BHesitant
• CHonest and frank✓
• DDetailed but false

Answer: Candid means truthful and straightforward, fitting an account of what really happened.

In 'The instructions were ambiguous, leaving staff unsure of what to do,' the word 'ambiguous' most nearly means:

• AStrictly forbidden by the safety rules
• BPerfectly clear to every member of staff who read them
• CExtremely detailed from beginning to end
• DOpen to more than one interpretation✓

Answer: Ambiguous means having more than one possible meaning, which left staff unsure.

In 'The drought had a detrimental effect on the harvest,' the word 'detrimental' most nearly means:

• ATemporary
• BBeneficial
• CSurprising
• DHarmful✓

Answer: Detrimental means causing harm or damage, which a drought would do to a harvest.

In 'The negotiator's conciliatory tone helped calm the angry crowd,' the word 'conciliatory' most nearly means:

• AIntended to soothe or reconcile✓
• BCompletely indifferent to the crowd
• CConfusing and hard for the crowd to follow
• DAggressive

Answer: Conciliatory means intended to pacify or win goodwill, consistent with calming the crowd.

In 'The new policy was met with widespread apathy from staff,' the word 'apathy' most nearly means:

• ALack of interest or concern✓
• BCareful and detailed forward planning
• COpen hostility
• DStrong enthusiasm

Answer: Apathy means a lack of interest or concern, the opposite of strong reaction.

In 'His arguments were so cogent that even his critics were persuaded,' the word 'cogent' most nearly means:

• ALengthy
• BClear and convincing✓
• CWeak
• DOffensive

Answer: Cogent means clear, logical, and convincing, which explains why critics were persuaded.

In 'The volunteers showed great tenacity, working through the night to finish,' the word 'tenacity' most nearly means:

• APersistent determination✓
• BCarelessness and a lack of effort
• CQuiet politeness
• DSudden anger

Answer: Tenacity means persistent determination, fitting volunteers who worked through the night.

In 'The witness gave a meticulous description of the scene,' the word 'meticulous' most nearly means:

• AVague and uncertain about the details
• BBrief
• CReluctant
• DShowing great attention to detail✓

Answer: Meticulous means very careful and precise, fitting a detailed description.

In 'The committee's decision was unprecedented in the club's long history,' the word 'unprecedented' most nearly means:

• AWidely expected
• BNever done before✓
• CQuickly reversed
• DStrictly illegal

Answer: Unprecedented means having no previous example, i.e. never done before.