SAT Reading & Writing Quiz: Words in Context

Question 1

Passage: Although the scientist's claim was initially met with skepticism, later experiments gave it considerable support. As used in the passage, "considerable" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

substantial

Question 2

Passage: The director's remarks were brief but candid, leaving no doubt about the team's shortcomings. In this context, "candid" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

frank

Question 3

Passage: The committee's decision to postpone the vote was not an indication of disinterest; rather, it reflected a desire for a more thorough review. As used here, "reflected" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

revealed

Question 4

Passage: The new policy was praised as pragmatic because it balanced ideal goals with practical limits. As used in the passage, "pragmatic" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

realistic

Question 5

Passage: While the novelist's early work was verbose, her later writing became markedly concise. In this context, "verbose" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

wordy

Question 6

Passage: The biographer portrays the inventor not as a lone genius but as someone whose achievements were cumulative, building on decades of shared research. As used here, "cumulative" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

accumulating over time

Question 7

Passage: The archaeologist remained circumspect when reporters asked about the newly discovered site, noting that preliminary findings can be misleading. In context, "circumspect" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

cautious

Question 8

Passage: Critics argued that the mural was derivative, echoing familiar motifs without adding a distinct perspective. As used in the passage, "derivative" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

uncreative

Question 9

Passage: The columnist's rebuttal was measured rather than polemical, aiming to persuade skeptical readers through evidence. As used here, "polemical" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

aggressively argumentative

Question 10

Passage: By publishing the raw data set, the lab made its process transparent and invited independent verification. In context, "transparent" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

open and clear