Context clues

^{Some people are always bashing the president just like others bashed the one before him. Wouldn't you think that everyone could find something to praise him for, at least once in a while?}
What does “bashing” mean in the above selection?

•  hitting hard with a heavy tool
• going to too many expensive parties
• speaking or writing harshly about
• voting for a different candidate

Christmas is a time when Dad reverts to his childhood. I really think he looks forward to Santa’s visit more than any other member of the family. Mom says that he’ll always be a child during this season.
What does “reverts” mean in the above passage?

• stands up straight
• drinks too much coffee
• goes back to being what he was
• peaks at presents

Again they searched meticulously, but no keys. If you did something meticulously, you would be-

• feeling silly.
• working very carefully.
• trying to finish quickly.
• trying to find something.

Tanya loved her dad, but she wondered why she was so organized when he was so haphazard.  A person who is haphazard is- 

• lost
• lovable 
• worried
• disorganized

Luis pondered the idea, remaining deep in thought for half a minute or so. What does pondered mean?

• rejected
• laughed at
• agreed with
• thought about

Based on context clues in the passage below, truncated means ______________.

I was upset that the ebook file was truncated because I couldn't find out how the story ended.

• Finished
• Cut short 
• Boring
• Too long

Luis was adamant and insisted, "But Mom said she was preparing dinner tonight!" The word that best defines adamant is-

• happy 
• unsure
• nervous
• stubborn

The United States has a vast amount of newly discovered clean geothermal (natural heat from the Earth's crust) energy. Tapping into this energy source could provide at least 10 times the energy that can be obtained from the nation's known coal reserves.

What does vast mean?

• a large amount

• not enough

• dangerous

If you don't curtail your spending, you'll be broke in no time at all. Which is a synonym for "curtail"

• reduce

• follow

• behind

If you don't curtail your spending, you'll be broke in no time at all!

Which word is a synonym of "curtail"?

• reduce

• follow

• spend more

• behind