Question 1

I have asked Nancy several times to stop meddling in my private affairs.
What is the meaning of the word "meddling" in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

Given that the context of the sentence refers to the speaker's "private affairs," we can infer that the speaker does not like what Nancy is doing and wants her to stop. If you meddle in someone else's private affairs, you interfere in their personal business against that person's will.
Insulting is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, "insulting" does not make sense. 
Negotiating is incorrect. You negotiate with people, not private affairs.
Hesitating is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, "hesitating" does not make sense.

Question 2

Joe is inclined to be moody and often shows his emotions to others. 
Which of the following definitions is correct for "inclined" as used in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

From context, we learn that Joe often shows his emotions to others; therefore, he tends to act in a particular way (he is moody).
Sloping at an angle is incorrect. One of the meanings of inclined is "sloping at an angle." However, from the context of the target sentence, we can guess that the word is not used that way here. 
Wanting to do something is incorrect. One of the meanings of inclined is "wanting to do something." (e.g. I am inclined to help my brother when he asks.) However, the context does not suggest that being moody is something that Joe wants to do. 
Raising a valid argument is incorrect. When placed in the context of the target sentence, this answer choice does not make sense.

Question 3

Polar Dinosaurs
When you think of the typical dinosaur habitat, images of steamy swamps or boiling tropical forests probably come to mind. And certainly, dinosaurs flourished in such environments for millions of years. You might not think of Antarctica or Alaska as probable homes for dinosaurs. However, paleontologists have unearthed the remains of dinosaurs that did quite well in environments that were cold for at least part of the year. Known as polar dinosaurs, they endured long periods of darkness, sometimes up to six months each winter.
Seventy million years ago, Alaska was cold but not as cold as it is today. Still, winters would have come with plenty of ice and snow. Scientists estimate that Alaska's climate at the time would have come close to that of Chicago today. The fossil evidence shows that relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex would have hunted the thirty-five-foot-long herbivore Edmontosaurus in forests rich with conifers, or cone-bearing trees, such as ancestors to modern junipers or pines.
Polar dinosaurs had two options when winter arrived. They could stay put or escape to warmer climes. Amazingly, it appears that some remained in the area over the long winters. This raises the question of whether the polar dinosaurs were warm-blooded, like modern birds and mammals, or cold-blooded, like modern reptiles. Warm-blooded animals maintain body temperature internally, through metabolism. By contrast, cold-blooded animals warm their bodies by absorbing heat from the sun and their surroundings. That's why you might see a lizard sunning itself on a rock early in the morning. But, at extreme northern and southern latitudes, the sun doesn't rise for several months during the winter. In these places, it would be nearly impossible for a cold-blooded dinosaur to survive. Could these dinosaurs have actually been warm-blooded?
Common sense says that they had to be warm-blooded. And many paleontologists now agree. To see why you just need to look at the bones. Bones of all animals have growth rings, similar to the growth rings found on trees. They indicate how quickly or slowly an animal grows. The researchers compared the dinosaurs' growth rates with those of both living and extinct animals and found that the dinosaurs' growth rate matched that of mammals. Scientists also looked at limb length and the amount of muscle required to move the limbs. Cold-blooded animals typically have shorter limb length and less muscle mass than warm-blooded animals. Based on hip height, these scientists concluded that the five largest dinosaurs would have had to be warm-blooded to walk or run. The polar dinosaurs lived in a very strange world. And many scientists now think that the only way they could have thrived there was by being warm-blooded.
What is the meaning of "boiling," as used in the first paragraph?

Accepted Answer

The author uses the word "boiling" to describe the typical dinosaur's habitat, so here, boiling must mean hot. This idea is contrasted with the information that follows about dinosaurs thriving in cold climates.
Although boiling water bubbles, from the context of the sentence we know we are describing a forest, which of course cannot bubble.
When placed in the target sentence, troubled does not make sense and therefore must be an incorrect answer choice.
When placed in the target sentence, large does not make sense and therefore must be an incorrect answer choice.

Question 4

Monarch Butterflies
Take a moment and think of a butterfly-any type of butterfly at all. Chances are good that the distinct orange, black, and yellow monarch butterfly came to mind. The monarch is perhaps the most beautiful of all butterflies in existence. That is, to a human the coloration is beautiful, but not so for other animals. The coloring is like a flashing red light to potential predators, sending a warning that the insect is foul tasting and poisonous. However, the greatest threat to the wellbeing of the monarch butterfly might not be coming from predators, but from the activities of humans.
As larvae, monarch caterpillars feed almost exclusively on the milkweed plant. This plant is critical for their survival and adults will return to areas rich in milkweed to lay their eggs directly on the plants. The milkweed that they feed on contains a poisonous toxin that is then stored in their bodies. This is what makes the monarch butterfly taste so terrible to predators. An animal that eats a monarch probably won't die, but it will feel sick enough to avoid other monarchs in the future.
Perhaps the most amazing aspect of the monarch is its 3000-mile annual migration. Every year as winter approaches, millions of these insects leave their homes in the United States and Canada, heading south to Southern California and Mexico. They travel between fifty and one hundred miles a day, the entire journey taking up to two months to complete. The monarchs return to the same forests every year, with some landing on the same trees that their ancestors did years earlier. As many as one billion of these delicate creatures find their way to the mountains of Mexico each year. Towards the end of winter, the monarchs mate. The males die soon afterwards but the females fly north, depositing eggs on milkweed plants along the way. Eventually, they too will die along the journey. The eggs will hatch and the larvae will become butterflies. These insects then continue the journey north.
Sadly, this regal insect is facing a number of threats to its existence. For one, scientists predict that one major effect of climate change will be wetter and colder winters. If they are dry, monarchs can survive sub-freezing temperatures, but if they're wet, they will freeze to death. Furthermore, as summers warm, habitats that are suitable for them will begin to move further and further north. This results in longer migrations. Before long, the distances may simply be too much for the insects to handle. Finally, the monarch faces extreme habitat loss in Mexico. Illegal logging there has greatly reduced the forests where the butterflies head in the winter. This problem in particular has become so serious that the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the monarch as a "threatened phenomena." Will the monarch survive? It seems that it is up to the actions of human beings.
What is the meaning of "distinct," as used in the first paragraph of the passage?

Accepted Answer

The author uses the word "distinct" to suggest that the monarch's coloration is unique, and sets it apart from other butterflies, which is why we're able to immediately picture what it looks like.
Sometimes confusing is incorrect. The context suggests that "distinct" means something that is easily recognized by people, such as the Monarch butterflies' coloring. Their colors are not something that confuses people.
Quite ordinary is incorrect. The context suggests that "distinct" means something that is easily recognizable. If it was "quite ordinary," you would not be able to easily think of what a Monarch butterfly looks like because it's not memorable.
Extremely large is incorrect. From context, we can infer that "distinct" does not mean "extremely large" because we know that the passage is talking about a butterfly and no other details suggest anything about its size.

Question 5

I got a good tan during my vacation because the weather was so fair. 
Which of the following definitions is correct for "fair" as used in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

From context we learn that the narrator got a tan. We can therefore guess that fair means "pleasant and dry."
Treating everyone equally is incorrect. One of the meanings of fair is "treating everyone equally." However, from the context of the target sentence, we can infer that the word is not used that way here. 
Quite large in amount is incorrect. One of the meanings of fair is "quite large in amount" (e.g. a fair amount of money). However, from the context of the target sentence, we can infer that the word is not used that way here. 
Mysterious and unusual is incorrect. When placed in the context of the target sentence, this answer choice does not make sense.

Question 6

Ms. Smith's team is engaged in a very important project at this time. 
What is the meaning of the word "engaged" in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

If people are engaged in doing something, they are involved in it.
Composed is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, the word "composed" does not make sense. 
Confused is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, the word "confused" does not make sense.
Accepted is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, the word "accepted" does not make sense.

Question 7

I loathe having to wake up early and get out of bed on the weekends since I already have to be awake for work before dawn during the week.
What is the meaning of the word "loathe" in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

If you loathe something, you dislike it. From the sentence, we can infer that the speaker strongly dislikes having to get up early on the weekends since he/she already has to be up early during the week.
Enjoy is incorrect. We can guess from context that this is an incorrect answer choice because "enjoy" is positive. We can guess from context that the correct answer choice must be negative. 
Continue is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, this word does not make sense.
Persuade is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, this word does not make sense.

Question 8

She tied the rope firmly around the pole to make it fast.
Which of the following dictionary definitions corresponds with "fast" as used in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

From the context of the sentence, where it says she tied the rope firmly to a pole, we can guess that the rope was tied in such a way that it was fixed and could not move.
At a quick or rapid pace is incorrect. One of the meanings of fast is "at a quick or rapid pace." However, from the context of the target sentence, we can infer that the word is not used that way here since it is not describing the speed of something.
Done without waiting or delay is incorrect. One of the meanings of fast is "done without waiting or delay." However, from the context of the target sentence, we can infer that the word is not used that way here because it is not describing how quickly something it being done.
Invite people to an event is incorrect. When placed in the context of the target sentence, this answer choice does not make sense.

Question 9

Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson (1907-1964) was an American marine biologist, conservationist, and author. She was born on a family farm in Pennsylvania and spent her youth exploring the countryside and writing stories, often about animals. It seems as if Carson was born to be an author. By the age of ten, she had already had her first book published. She began her adult career as an aquatic biologist in the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, but became a full-time writer by the 1950s. More than anything else, she was interested in what can happen when, as she put it, "Things go out of kilter." Because of this, she began work on her groundbreaking book Silent Spring.
Developed in 1939, DDT was the most potent pesticide that world had ever known. It showed just how vulnerable nature was to the actions of humanity. While most pesticides of the day killed only one or two types of insects, DDT could kill hundreds. Originally used only by the military to clear South Pacific islands of malaria-causing insects during World War Two, it was cleared for civilian use in 1945. Carson grew justifiably more and more concerned about DDT as its effects on the environment slowly became known. She tried to publish magazine articles to raise the alarm about the poison, but no one would publish her work. Having gathered a vast amount of research on the subject, Carson started a four-year writing odyssey that culminated with the publishing of Silent Spring in 1962.
Carson described how a single application of DDT could poison the environment for weeks or even months. It could enter water sources and remain toxic even when diluted. Ultimately, it accumulated in the fatty tissues of animals-including human beings-and caused cancer and genetic damage. The book's most famous chapter, "A Fable for Tomorrow," described an American town where all life-even human children-had been "silenced" from the deleterious effects of the poison.
The reaction from the chemical industry was immediate. A major chemical manufacturer published a response to Silent Spring with a brochure that made fun of Carson's work. It described a world that was plagued by famine, disease, and insect swarms because chemical pesticides had been banned. In spite of this backlash, her careful work paid off. DDT was ultimately banned after President John F. Kennedy ordered a committee to investigate the effects of the chemical on the environment. But perhaps the most important legacy of her book was a new awareness of humanity's potential to inflict damage on the environment. Before the book, conservation had never garnered much public interest. But the problems that Carson wrote about-water contamination, cancer, and mass extinction-could not be ignored. For the first time, the urgent need to regulate industry to protect the environment became accepted. And from this, the modern environmental movement was born.
What is the meaning of "deleterious," as used in the third paragraph of the passage?

Accepted Answer

This paragraph describes the negative effects that DDT has on the environment. From context, we can then infer that deleterious means "harmful."
There's no context to suggest that the effects of DDT are "ordinary." Therefore, this cannot be a correct answer choice.
From context, we know that the effects of DDT are quite negative. Such negative effects would not be "popular."
The author suggests that the effects of DDT were quite clear. Therefore, "confusing" cannot be a correct answer choice.

Question 10

Dolly the Sheep
The topic of human reproductive cloning has been highly debated for decades. However, the world's most famous clone was actually a sheep. Dolly the Sheep (July 5, 1996 - February 14, 2003) was the first mammal to have been successfully cloned from an adult cell. Cloned at the Roslin Institute in Midlothian, Scotland, it took seven months for Dolly's cloning to be publicly announced. Once the success of the experiment was made known, though, it was considered by some to be a scientific, revolutionary breakthrough that changed the history of cloning.
Most people probably do not realize that cloning has existed since the beginning of time. For example, organisms such as bacteria create offspring that are genetically identical to the parent through asexual reproduction, the primary form of reproduction for single-celled organisms. In biotechnology, cloning is known as the process of producing copies of cells or DNA fragments. In the cloning of Dolly the Sheep, British biologists called upon the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique.
The SCNT technique is a process in which the nucleus from an ordinary, adult cell is transferred into an enucleated oocyte, or commonly known as an unfertilized, developing egg cell. Then, the hybrid cell is divided by an electric shock and implanted in a surrogate mother. In this case, Dolly the Sheep had three mothers, one of which provided the egg, one that provided the DNA, and one that carried the cloned embryo to term. The SCNT process is not only a substantially effective form of animal cloning, but it results in a creature having nearly the same genetic potential as the one providing the nuclear DNA.
Interestingly, while Dolly the Sheep is considered to be the most famous cloning experiment, it was not the first time that an animal had been cloned. In fact, other sheep had been cloned in 1984 and 1995, but these experiments were not as notable since they involved embryonic and fetal cells. The fact that Dolly the Sheep had been made from adult cells is what set the experiment apart from the rest. This successful cloning broke new ground in both biology and medicine, as it proved that genetic material from a specific adult cell could be programmed to grow a completely different organism.
Dolly the Sheep also triggered an intense worldwide response and a burning debate regarding bioethics. Skeptics and critics of the SCNT technique argued that the process could be used to create human clones, which could act as a violation of human dignity. Some countries even banned cloning and considered it illegal. Those in favor of the SCNT technique, on the other hand, argued that SCNT could help improve understanding of aging and genetics, while also leading to the production of cheaper medicines.
What is the meaning of the word "triggered", as used in paragraph 5?

Accepted Answer

"Prompted" is the correct meaning of the word as used in paragraph 5, as it portrays the idea that the intense worldwide response and debate was caused by the Dolly the Sheep experiment.
"Halted" is the opposite of the meaning, as it would suggest that the experiment ended the debate and worldwide response.
"Defended" is not the correct meaning, as it implies that the results of the experiment were in support of, or argued in favor of, an ongoing debate about the issue of SCNT cloning.
"Interpreted" is not the correct meaning, as it would suggest that the experiment was able to provide reasoning to the debates and worldwide response.

Question 11

Marie Curie
Marie Curie (1867 - 1934) was a famous Polish scientist and Nobel Prize winner. While she is often regarded as an important historical figure, most people may not realize the extent of Curie's accomplishments in the scientific field, let alone the remaining impact these effects have had on modern scientific developments. Originally named Maria Sklodowska, the famous scientist was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867. Due to her family's involvement in government affairs, the Sklodowska family suffered a significant economic loss and they were forced to give up their property during the Polish national uprisings.
Despite the economic challenges faced by her family, Marie was adamant in pursuing her education and was known for her prodigious memory from a young age. After working diligently as a teacher in Poland, Marie made her way to Paris in 1891 to study at the Sorbonne (the University of Paris). Brought together by their mutual passion for science, Marie met her future husband, Pierre Curie, in 1894. Their marriage the following year marked the beginning of a series of scientific breakthroughs.
The pair seemed destined to make a difference in the scientific field due to their passion for physics and chemistry. Together, they discovered two new elements: polonium and radium. Marie devoted her research towards obtaining a pure form of radium in the metallic state, but struggled to finalize the project. In the meantime, she penned the term "radioactivity" after following Henri Becquerel's discovery of the phenomenon in 1896. Soon after, Marie, along with her husband Pierre and Becquerel, won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903.
After Pierre's sudden death in 1906, Marie continued her experiments and research mostly on her own, all while raising her two daughters, Irene and Eve. During the years after her husband's death, Curie was installed as the first female professor at the Sorbonne in 1906 and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for the isolation of a pure form of radium in 1911. When it comes to Curie's varied achievements, her research on the use of X-radiography is most often hailed as her greatest, as it would later pave the way towards treating illnesses and advancing the medicinal field. Due to the nature of her research and her time as a radiologist in field hospitals, Curie was often unprotected when exposed to X-rays. Decades of this exposure lead to her death from leukemia in 1934.
Despite the initial adversity and hardship faced by Curie, she contributed groundbreaking findings in the scientific field. Her immense contributions have not just made an impact when it comes to science, though. Curie is also an important symbol for women's history, as she was able to defy traditional stereotypes of women during her lifetime, and was the first woman in history to win a Nobel Prize. By realizing the hurdles that Curie faced in her early years, her desire to change the scientific field for the better, and her astounding accomplishments, one can come to truly understand and appreciate Curie's achievements.
What is the meaning of the word "prodigious", as used in the second paragraph?

Accepted Answer

The correct meaning of the word "prodigious" is most similar to "impressive". In this context, the author establishes that Curie's memory was impressive in nature.
Strange is incorrect. In this context, the author establishes that Curie's memory was impressive in nature. "Strange" provides a negative connotation that does not reflect on the impressive nature of her memory.
Unexceptional is incorrect. In this context, the author establishes that Curie's memory was impressive in nature. "Unexceptional" is the opposite of "prodigious" in this case, and it completely changes the meaning of the sentence. 
Minute is incorrect. In this context, the author establishes that Curie's memory was impressive in nature. "Minute" refers to the small size of something, which does not have a direct correlation to the word "prodigious".

Question 12

The scientist's new theory was so elegant that he could explain it all in just a few minutes.
What is the meaning of the word "elegant" in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

If a theory is "elegant" it is simple and easy to understand and could thus be explained in a short amount of time.
Unusual is incorrect. From context we can infer that an unusual theory and the amount of time needed to explain it are not necessarily related. 
Confusing is incorrect. From context, we can infer that a confusing theory would not be be easily explained in five minutes. 
Awkward is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, the word "awkward" does not make sense.

Question 13

Tidal Power
The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun, as well as Earth's rotation, create the tides-the rise and fall in sea levels. In some places, tidal action can cause water levels-especially those near the shore-to vary up to forty feet. Today, the awesome power of the tides is used to generate electricity. The two main types of tidal power systems are tidal barrages and tidal turbines.
Tidal barrages use a structure similar to a dam. The structure, called a barrage, is located across an inlet of an ocean bay or lagoon. Massive gates attached to the barrage open and close to control water levels and flow rates. They allow the tidal basin to fill with water on the incoming flood current. This water is then emptied through an electric turbine system on the outgoing current. As water races through the turbine system, electricity is generated.
Tidal turbines look and operate quite similar to wind turbines. But because water is about 800 times denser than air, tidal turbines must be much sturdier and heavier. These power generation units are permanently attached to the sea floor in areas with a strong tidal flow. They operate as the ocean's current spins past massive blades. The blades are attached to turbines that produce electricity. Systems in Scotland and South Korea have tidal turbines that are capable of producing up to 1.5 megawatts of electricity-enough electricity to power roughly 1,500 homes.
But tidal power is not without some drawbacks. Scientists think that the electromagnetic waves generated by the tidal turbines could disrupt ocean life. In particular, scientists are worried that they might affect the migration patterns of aquatic animals. But already, a workaround has been suggested-the turbines are simply turned off when certain migrating sea mammals approach them. Another drawback of tidal power is the high cost of construction. They are, for example, much more expensive to install than wind or solar power facilities. Still, tidal power facilities are durable, lasting as much as four times as long as wind or solar power plants.
Tidal power emits zero greenhouse gases, so it is an extremely clean power source. It takes up relatively little space, too, when compared to other green energy projects. For example, the Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station in South Korea was easily added to an existing 12.5 kilometer-long seawall. Windfarms and even solar farms, on the other hand, can take up vast tracts of land, sometimes amounting to hundreds of square kilometers. Another benefit of tidal power is that the power it generates is extremely predictable. Obviously, the gravitational pull of the sun and moon are not going to cease any time soon. The benefits of tidal power seem to outweigh its drawbacks. Clearly, it's time to produce more of these electricity-generating facilities wherever possible.
What is the meaning of "emits," as used in the fifth paragraph of the passage?

Accepted Answer

From context, we can guess that emits means "produces" in the sentence. Tidal power produces zero greenhouse gases.
"Carries" does not make sense when inserted into the target sentence. The same can be said for "cleans" and "pulls."

Question 14

Alone, I stopped and debated with myself which way I should go next. 
Which of the following definitions is correct for "debated" as used in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

From context, we can guess that the narrator is considering an action carefully before actually doing anything. Therefore, this is the correct answer choice.
Argued formally with someone else is incorrect. One of the meanings of debated is "to argue formally with someone else." However, we can see that that is not the meaning here from the context of the target sentence since the speaker is alone.
Realized a mistake had been made is incorrect. From the context of the target sentence, we can see that this answer choice does not make sense. 
Asked another person for help is incorrect. From the context of the target sentence, we can see that the narrator is alone and could not therefore ask anyone for help.

Question 15

Claus was born in a small village in the depths of a German forest. 
Which of the following dictionary definitions corresponds with "depths" as used in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

From the context of the sentence, we can conclude that depth here means "very far inside an area."' This is because we know Claus was born in a small village and can infer that it was somewhere deep in the woods.
Something that is serious is incorrect. One of the meanings of depth is "something that is serious." (e.g. The figures show the depth of the economic crisis.) However, from the context of the target sentence, we can conclude that the word is not used that way here.
An immense stone structure is incorrect. When placed in the context of the target sentence, this answer choice does not make sense.
Qualities that are not obvious is incorrect. One of the meanings of depth is "qualities that are not obvious." (e.g. Mary had hidden depths of talent.) However, from the context of the target sentence, we can conclude that the word is not used that way here.

Question 16

Tom played the chess game well, despite a few slips at the beginning.
Which of the following definitions is correct for "slip" as used in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

From the context of the sentence, we can infer that he made some minor or insignificant mistakes at the beginning of the game, but overall, he played well.
A small piece of paper is incorrect. One of the meanings of slip is "a small of paper." However, from the context of the target sentence, we can infer that the word is not used that way here.
A fall on a slippery surface is incorrect. One of the meanings of slip is "a fall on a slippery surface." However, from the context of the target sentence, we can infer that the word is not used that way here.
A short snack or refreshment break is incorrect. When placed in the context of the target sentence, this answer choice does not make sense.

Question 17

Mary never balances the checkbook herself because family finances are her husband's province. 
Which of the following definitions is correct for "province" as used in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

From context, we can guess that family finances are an area that the husband is responsible for managing.
An area into which some countries are divided is incorrect. One of the meanings of province is "an area into which some countries are divided." However, we can see that that is not the meaning here from the context of the target sentence. 
A way to spend one's free time is incorrect. This phrase does not make sense within the context of the sentence.
A distant family member is incorrect. When placed in the context of the target sentence, this answer choice does not make sense.

Question 18

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
There's a silent killer stalking unsuspecting victims in the woodlands of North America. The killer is tiny-often small enough to fit on the head of a pin-but it packs a powerful punch. Who is this villain? It's a blood-sucking tick whose bite can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in humans.
RMSF is not actually caused by the tick itself. Rather, it can occur after the tick is infected with a pathogenic bacterium known as Rickettsia rickettsii. Thus, the tick is merely a vector, or carrier, of the disease-causing bacteria. Ticks that carry these bacteria are the most common source of infection. In order for the infection to be passed on from insect to human, an infected tick must attach itself to the skin for six to ten hours.
Many people who are infected with Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria become sick after about one week. Others, however, might not display any symptoms of RMSF for up to fourteen days. The initial signs and symptoms are nonspecific and can mimic those of other illnesses. These include high fever, chills, severe headache, achy muscles, nausea or vomiting, and general confusion. Three to five days after these initial symptoms occur, a distinctive non-itchy rash can appear. The rash-bright red spots about five millimeters across-usually first appears on the wrists and ankles, and then spreads outwards. Nonetheless, some people never develop these spots at all, making diagnosis tricky.
RMSF damages the lining of the body's smallest blood vessels, causing clots to form as well as leaks to occur. This, in turn, can cause other problems including inflammation of the brain, inflammation of the lungs, or kidney failure. In some cases, amputation of the fingers and toes may be necessary due to blood vessel damage. If left untreated, the disease can cause death. Historically, the death rate for the disease was as high as eighty percent.
With modern antibiotics, there is a sure cure for the disease. Doxycycline is the recommended antibiotic treatment for RMSF in adults and children of all ages. But you can decrease the chances of getting RMSF by taking a few simple precautions. First, always wear long pants and sleeves when you're out in the woods. Products containing DEET can often repel ticks. But more than anything else, check yourself for ticks from head to toe after being in a wooded or grassy area. Still, care must be taken because ticks can be tiny and easily overlooked. Taking this step has a distinct payoff. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
What is the meaning of the word "pathogenic," as used in the second paragraph?

Accepted Answer

There are context clues in the second paragraph that suggest that pathogenic means "disease-causing" because it is used to describe the bacteria. For example, in the following sentence, we learn that the tick is "a vector for the disease-causing bacteria." In addition, the entire paragraph focuses on the causes of RMSF, a potentially fatal disease.
There is nothing in the context of the second paragraph that suggests that the bacterium is "slow-moving."
A bacterium is by definition an "extremely small" organism. Thus, it would be redundant to modify the word bacterium with a phrase like "extremely small."
There is nothing in the context of the second paragraph that suggests that the bacterium is "unusually shaped."

Question 19

Arachnophobia: The Fear of Spiders
Have you ever jumped at the unexpected sight of a black eight-legged spider? If you have, you are not alone. It has been estimated that as many as one in three women and one in four men have experienced varying degrees of arachnophobia, more commonly known as a fear of spiders. Since the term phobia means an extreme fear of a particular object or idea, not everyone who dislikes spiders has a phobia. In fact, the level of fear experienced by people with classic cases of arachnophobia include interruptions of daily life, such as refusing to clean the house in fear of finding a spider or cobweb. Although the exact reason behind society's fear of spiders is still up to question, scientists have provided various theories that shed light on the possible reasonings behind the phenomenon.
One theory, for example, dates back to our ancestors. While most spiders do not pose a serious risk to humans, they are in some way venomous, and a fear of spiders in Paleolithic times may have helped humans survive and reproduce. Other scientists, however, disagree with this theory, since fears of deadlier animals and insects (such as scorpions and tigers) are not as common as arachnophobia. Some scientists have also posited that the fear of spiders came about from negativity regarding the species that has been passed down through generations. In other words, even if most spiders aren't deadly, people have been taught to have strong, negative reactions to them throughout history.
Psychologists have put forth two major cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT) aimed at helping those experiencing the potentially debilitating effects of arachnophobia, which can include not being able to go to work or perform daily tasks. The first CBT technique, known as Cognitive Reframing, helps change the way a patient perceives various triggers. The goal of this technique is to change one's physical reaction to spiders, thus eliminating the severity of the phobia. Those who undergo this therapy are encouraged to challenge the fearful thoughts associated with spiders and replace them with positive thoughts. Systematic Desensitization, on the other hand, is a product of classical conditioning and behavioral therapy. This therapy includes relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, which seek to calm stressful physical responses to the phobia.
In more intense cases of arachnophobia, however, antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications are prescribed as a way to coincide with the effects of CBT therapy and offer additional support. Psychologists believe that the combination of medication and CBT therapy could lead to quicker, more stable results in patients. Interestingly, virtual reality therapy, which includes fake, virtual representations of phobias, may be just as effective as traditional treatments. However, a virtual eight-legged spider is not as scary as the real thing!
What is the meaning of the word "debilitating", as used in paragraph 3?

Accepted Answer

This is the correct meaning of the word in paragraph 4, as it signifies effects that can leave a person very weak or unable to confront a given situation. It is important to note that the use of "crippling" does not refer to a physical disability in this case, but rather, a mental effect of a phobia.
Invigorating has the opposite meaning, since "invigorating" means to make one feel strong or ready to confront a situation. In this case, "debilitating" is best described as "crippling".
Although painful can be an effect of experiencing something that is "debilitating", it is not the correct meaning for the word in paragraph 4. In this case, "debilitating" is best described as "crippling" because it has such a major psychological effect on people.
Satisfying does not have anything to do with the word "debilitating" and does not provide the correct meaning of the word in paragraph 4.

Question 20

The politician's remarks only inflamed an already dangerous situation.
What is the meaning of the word "inflamed" in the sentence above?

Accepted Answer

Given the context of the sentence, where it says "an already dangerous situation," we can infer that whatever is happening is not making things better, but worse. If you enflame a situation, you make it worse by making people angry or more excited.
Enlarged is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, the word "enlarge" does not make sense.
Made warmer is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, the words "make warmer" do not make sense.
Made happier is incorrect. When placed in the target sentence, the words "make happier" do not make sense.

Exam 3: ATI-TEAS-Reading

I have asked Nancy several times to stop meddling in my private affairs. What is the meaning of the word "meddling" in the sentence above?

Joe is inclined to be moody and often shows his emotions to others. Which of the following definitions is correct for "inclined" as used in the sentence above?

I got a good tan during my vacation because the weather was so fair. Which of the following definitions is correct for "fair" as used in the sentence above?

Ms. Smith's team is engaged in a very important project at this time. What is the meaning of the word "engaged" in the sentence above?

I loathe having to wake up early and get out of bed on the weekends since I already have to be awake for work before dawn during the week. What is the meaning of the word "loathe" in the sentence above?

She tied the rope firmly around the pole to make it fast. Which of the following dictionary definitions corresponds with "fast" as used in the sentence above?

The scientist's new theory was so elegant that he could explain it all in just a few minutes. What is the meaning of the word "elegant" in the sentence above?

Alone, I stopped and debated with myself which way I should go next. Which of the following definitions is correct for "debated" as used in the sentence above?

Claus was born in a small village in the depths of a German forest. Which of the following dictionary definitions corresponds with "depths" as used in the sentence above?

Tom played the chess game well, despite a few slips at the beginning. Which of the following definitions is correct for "slip" as used in the sentence above?

Mary never balances the checkbook herself because family finances are her husband's province. Which of the following definitions is correct for "province" as used in the sentence above?

The politician's remarks only inflamed an already dangerous situation. What is the meaning of the word "inflamed" in the sentence above?