Boost your Vocabulary Cambridge 11 - Test 4 - Passage 01

Which word is a synonym for precious in this sentence: To biomedical researchers all over the world, twins offer a precious opportunity to untangle the influence of genes and the environment - of nature and nurture.

• valuable

• crucial

• numerical

• invisible

Which word is a synonym for split in this sentence: Because identical twins come from a single fertilized egg that splits into two, they share virtually the same genetic code.

• happen

• break

• decide

• show

Which word is a synonym for virtually in this sentence: Because identical twins come from a single fertilized egg that splits into two, they share virtually the same genetic code.

• ever

• never

• almost

• usually

Which word is a synonym for quantify in this sentence: Alternatively, by comparing the experiences of identical twins with those of fraternal twins, who come from separate eggs and share on average half their DNA, researchers can quantify the extent to which our genes affect our lives.

• combine

• recognize

• perceive

• calculate

Which word is a synonym for extent in this sentence: Alternatively, by comparing the experiences of identical twins with those of fraternal twins, who come from separate eggs and share on average half their DNA, researchers can quantify the extent to which our genes affect our lives.

• degree

• reflection

• tension

• perceive

Which word is a synonym for ailment in this sentence: If identical twins are more similar to each other with respect to an ailment than fraternal twins are, then vulnerability to the disease must be rooted at least in part in heredity.

• exertion

• motion

• illness

• amount

Which word is a synonym for pinpoint in this sentence: These two lines of research - studying the differences between identical twins to pinpoint the influence of environment, and comparing identical twins with fraternal ones to measure the role of inheritance - have been crucial to understanding the interplay of nature and nurture in determining our personalities, behavior, and vulnerability to disease.

• identify

• conceal

• express

• reverse

Which word is a synonym for interplay in this sentence: These two lines of research - studying the differences between identical twins to pinpoint the influence of environment, and comparing identical twins with fraternal ones to measure the role of inheritance - have been crucial to understanding the interplay of nature and nurture in determining our personalities, behavior, and vulnerability to disease.

• variation

• revolution

• direction

• interaction

Which word is a synonym for twist in this sentence: But twin studies took a surprising twist in the 1980s, with the arrival of studies into identical twins who had been separated at birth and reunited as adults.

• change

• submit

• emit

• orbit

Which word is a synonym for carry out in this sentence: Numerous tests were carried out on the twins, and they were each asked more than 15,000 questions.

• underestimate

• implement

• elevate

• protect