PRE-TEST IN READING (Advanced-HIGHER)

GETTING MEANING THROUGH CONTEXT CLUES

Choose the meaning of the underlined word as used in the sentence.

Joanna felt terribly abashed when she walked into the wrong hotel room.

• ashamed

• insulted

• frustrated

Choose the meaning of the underlined word as used in the sentence.

She smelled of the flowers, but showed no desire to pluck them; and, when I gathered a few for her, she refused to have them pinned on her dress.

• plant beautiful flowers

• take away from a place or situation

• nurture plants to make them healthy

Choose the meaning of the underlined word as used in the sentence.

Because Cherry lost weight so fast, her skin is now very saggy and she has a tired, lackluster complexion.

• attractive

• skin disease

• lacking brilliance and shine or dull

• soft and flawless

Choose the meaning of the underlined word as used in the sentence.

He was a studious and precocious boy, more interested in religious matters, history and foreign politics than in boyish things.

• a person who is more developed or more mature than expected for their age

• a person who is interested in religion

• a person who is conscious of his body

• a person who is talented

Choose the meaning of the underlined word as used in the sentence.

Because the famous celebrity hates to be accosted by her fans, she wears disguises when she goes out in public.

• to be approached in an unwanted way

• to be harassed physically

• to be humiliated unintentionally in a given situation

IDENTIFYING WORDS THAT ARE STRESSED ON THE FIRST AND SECOND SYLLABLE

Identify the correct syllable stress of the underlined word.

There was a political protest going on in the street.

• PROtest

• proTEST

Identify the correct syllable stress of the underlined word.

We have decided to reject the building proposal as it would have cost too much money.

• REject

• reJECT

Identify the correct syllable stress of the underlined word.

I was asked to conduct the orchestra at short notice.

• CONduct

• conDUCT

Identify the correct syllable stress of the underlined word.

The default settings of that TV are bad, but you can configure it differently.

• DEfault

• deFAULT

Identify the correct syllable stress of the underlined word.

Some companies exploit their staff by expecting them to work overtime for no extra pay.

• EXploit

• exPLOIT