Vocabulary Unit 6 Test, Level B

John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) was perhaps the greatest in a long line of fearless and dynamic American explorers of the nineteenth century. To Powell, the pursuit of science and the expansion of human knowledge were of the utmost importance. Whether he sought to be anonymous or not, Powell's achievements brought him glory - and the fact that he achieved them with one arm (he lost the other at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862) made them all the more glorious.

What does dynamic most likely mean as it is used in the above paragraph?

• wildly curious

• uncontrollably explosive

• sturdy and reliable

• intensely energetic

John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) was perhaps the greatest in a long line of fearless and dynamic American explorers of the nineteenth century. To Powell, the pursuit of science and the expansion of human knowledge were of the utmost importance. Whether he sought to be anonymous or not, Powell's achievements brought him glory - and the fact that he achieved them with one arm (he lost the other at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862) made them all the more glorious.

Which word is closest in meaning to utmost as it used in the above paragraph?

• extreme

• greatest

• least

• strangest

John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) was perhaps the greatest in a long line of fearless and dynamic American explorers of the nineteenth century. To Powell, the pursuit of science and the expansion of human knowledge were of the utmost importance. Whether he sought to be anonymous or not, Powell's achievements brought him glory - and the fact that he achieved them with one arm (he lost the other at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862) made them all the more glorious.

Anonymous comes from the Greek word anonumos. Anonumos most likely means...

• learned

• nameless

• charming

• heroic

In 1869, Powell and nine companions set out in four boats to explore the canyons of the Green and Colorado Rivers. The expedition was not equipped to deal with whitewater rapids, and the grim 1000-mile journey was made harder by a shortage of rations. Native Americans in the Grand Canyon River Gorge were astonished to see Powell and his team taking on waters that even they were reluctant to navigate. Two years later, Powell led a second - and better equipped - expedition into the region.

What is the meaning of grim as it is used in the paragraph above?

• short

• dirty

• frightful

• merciful

In 1869, Powell and nine companions set out in four boats to explore the canyons of the Green and Colorado Rivers. The expedition was not equipped to deal with whitewater rapids, and the grim 1000-mile journey was made harder by a shortage of rations. Native Americans in the Grand Canyon River Gorge were astonished to see Powell and his team taking on waters that even they were reluctant to navigate. Two years later, Powell led a second - and better equipped - expedition into the region.

Which word means the opposite of reluctant in the above paragraph?

• eager

• thoughtful

• patient

• persistent

Match the following

• snare

• odd or old-fashioned in a pleasing way

• quaint

• to catch

• inimitable

• not able to be copied

• prescribe

• to order as a rule to be followed

Select the item that means the same as the underlined word.

a preview of the storm

• result

• shadow

• foretaste

• report

Select the item that means the same as the underlined word.

a prominent author

• well-known

• unknown

• young

• forgotten

Select the item that means the same as the underlined word.

cattle browsing in the field.

• grazing

• sleeping

• plowing

• stampeding

Select the item that means the same as the underlined word.

back with a vengeance

• mercy

• assistance

• shelter

• force