Vocab Quiz Wellesley College

"Decisions are not irrevocable. Choices do come back." What is the meaning of irrevocable as it is used in the sentence?

• to return

• unable to change

• the ability to make poor choices

• able to change

"And who- who knows? Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps, and preside over the White House as the President's spouse- and I wish him well." Which word could replace the word preside?

• to live in

• follow

• neglect

• govern

"The essence of this spirit was captured in a moving speech about tolerance given last year by a student body president of one of your sister colleges." What is the meaning of essence based on the sentence?

• an extract from a plant

• the most significant aspect of a thing/ person

• a particular quality

• the figurative meaning

"I chose literacy because I honestly believe that if more people could read, write, and comprehend, we would be that much closer to solving so many of the problems that plague our nation and our society." What is the meaning of plague as it is used in the sentence?

• to cause worry and distress to

• to pester and harass someone continually

• a contagious and widespread disease.

• a type of curse

"...and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;..." What is the meaning of prudence as it is used in the sentence?

• skill and good judgement in the use of resources

• to be cautious

• ability to govern with an iron fist

• ability to govern oneself by the use of reason

"a position different from that which they have hitherto occupied, ..., a descent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to such a course." Which word could replace impel?

• dissuade

• prevent

• inspire

• delay

"He has monopolized nearly all the profitable employments, and from those she is permitted to follow, she receives but a scanty remuneration." What is the meaning of remuneration based on the sentence?

• to pay an equivalent for work

• to pay more for work

• to pay less than is deserved

• to pay in items rather than money

"...that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;..." What is the meaning of inalienable based on the sentence?

• to be worked for

• to be foreign

• impossible to take away

• impossible to give

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism,..." What is the meaning of despotism as it is used in the sentece?

• a type of government ruled by the people

• a system of government where the ruler has unlimited power

• a form of democracy

• a system of government where the ruler allows only certain classes to have power

"But the most fascinating thing about these sales is how they highlight the fickle and transient nature of children's fads." Which word can replace the word transient?

• long-lasting

• enduring

• brief

• interesting