APPLY THE MEANING

Familiar words. A different situation.

8 questions that use guided words beyond their original reading. Choose the best answer before opening a definition, then read the explanation.

YOUR CHECKPOINT SET

8 words to put to work

Read the situation carefully. Look for the exact sense and tone, not just a loosely related word.

1,565guided words with a checkpoint

Set 5 of 196 / Words 33-40 of 1565. Choose specific words in the dictionary

1A hobbyist labels an ordinary doodle an unparalleled masterpiece to suggest a level of artistic importance the work does not support. Why pretentious?A. The artist admits that the drawing is an early experiment.B. Any enthusiastic enjoyment of one's work is necessarily false.C. The artist accurately describes a simple drawing without exaggeration.D. The description tries to make the work seem more impressive than warranted.

2A bill contains an unexplained surcharge. Which reply would obfuscate the issue?A. It identifies the charge as an error and states the corrected total.B. It names the service, its price, and the date the customer requested it.C. It says the clerk does not yet know and gives a time for a clear answer.D. It describes complex billing architecture without saying what the charge pays for.

3A renter asks whether a promised repair will be completed this week. Which reply uses equivocation?A. No, the part has not arrived, so completion this week is not possible.B. We remain committed to the kind of progress that people understandably hope to see.C. I do not yet know; I will check the booking and answer at three.D. Yes, it is booked for Thursday, and here is the confirmed appointment.

4A neighbor offers help moving boxes but privately intends to inspect a valuable collection. What is the ulterior motive?A. The hidden wish to inspect the collection.B. A purpose fully disclosed before the offer is accepted.C. The openly stated purpose of helping with boxes.D. The weight of the boxes being carried.

5A customer is called discerning when choosing boots. Which behavior supports that description?A. She assumes every expensive pair is equally well made.B. She rejects every pair solely because the shop is unfamiliar.C. She picks whichever box is closest without inspecting the boots.D. She compares stitching, fit, and sole quality before judging the pairs.

6A shop owner sees that umbrella sales rise before rain reaches town. Which response is astute?A. She ignores the timing because annual sales have not changed.B. She puts all seasonal goods on sale regardless of demand.C. She assumes umbrellas cause rain and orders fewer of them.D. She checks approaching-storm alerts and stocks umbrellas before shoppers arrive.

7A buyer flips quickly through a used workbook, sees that pages are present, and misses extensive answers written inside. Which assessment is justified?A. The buyer carefully checked every answer before purchasing.B. The inspection was cursory because it lacked attention to detail.C. The inspection was exhaustive because the book was opened.D. The missed writing proves the workbook had no pages.

8A guest receives an apology delivered mechanically while the speaker looks away and immediately changes the subject. What supports perfunctory?A. The apology is brief but attentive and specific.B. The speaker carefully acknowledges the particular harm and listens.C. The apology seems routine and receives little care or attention.D. The speaker sincerely asks what needs to be corrected.

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