10th Grade AIR Vocab 1

The artist's abstract painting left viewers pondering its meaning for hours.

What does abstract mean?

• easy to understand; straightforward and clear

• a controversial idea or theory

• an idea that is not physical or concrete

• representing reality in a straightforward manner

Answer explanation

The term 'abstract' refers to an idea that is not physical or concrete, which is why the artist's abstract painting left viewers pondering its meaning for hours.

1. The teacher had to admonish the students for talking during the exam.

What does admonish mean?

• to criticize or warn gently but seriously

• to punish excessively

• to publicly shame or humiliate

• to remove

Answer explanation

The correct meaning of 'admonish' is to criticize or warn gently but seriously, making it the most suitable choice among the options provided.

1. As a passionate environmentalist, she advocates for sustainable living practices.

What does advocates mean?

• questions the validity of and analyzes

• stands up for and promotes

• hopes and wishes for

• works hard to destroy

Answer explanation

The correct choice 'stands up for and promotes' aligns with the meaning of 'advocates' in the context of the sentence, where the person supports and encourages sustainable living practices.

1. Instead of conventional medicine, she opted for alternative therapies to treat her chronic pain.

What does alternative mean?

• natural and organic; chemical-free

• new and cutting edge; modern

• different from the usual; not typical

• better and improved; more effective

Answer explanation

The correct choice 'different from the usual; not typical' is the meaning of 'alternative' in the context of the sentence provided.

1. His ambiguous response only added to the confusion surrounding the situation.

What does ambiguous mean?

• overly agitated; beyond warranted frustration

• unclear or uncertain; multiple possible meanings

• opposite from what is expected

• too formal and abrupt

Answer explanation

The word 'ambiguous' means unclear or uncertain with multiple possible meanings, which matches the correct answer choice.

1. She used an analogy comparing the human brain to a computer to explain neural networks.

What does analogy mean?

• a partial similarity drawn in order to enhance explanation or understanding

• a coded network of websites that work together

• an uneducated belief or opinion on a popular topic of discussion

• a poetic way of speaking that highlights differences in two or more subjects

Answer explanation

The term 'analogy' refers to a partial similarity drawn to enhance explanation or understanding, making it the correct choice in this context.

1. With assiduous effort, he completed his thesis ahead of schedule.

What does assiduous mean?

• showing great care and perseverance

• little to no genuine care or effort

• efforts made out of spite in order to complete a mundane task

• a great struggle through hardship

Answer explanation

The word 'assiduous' means showing great care and perseverance, which aligns with the description of completing a thesis ahead of schedule with effort.

1. Immigrants often have to assimilate to the culture of their new country.

2. What does assimilate mean?

• to oppose and question

• to celebrate and give thanks for

• to study and create

• to conform, adjust, and become a part of

Answer explanation

Assimilate means to conform, adjust, and become a part of the culture of a new country, which is why immigrants often have to assimilate to their new surroundings.

1. Regular exercise can augment the benefits of a healthy diet.

What does augment mean?

• take away from; decrease

• mimic by having the same impact

• make greater by adding to it; increase

• impact in some way, whether negatively or positively

Answer explanation

The correct choice means to make greater by adding to it; increase, which aligns with the meaning of the word 'augment' in the context of the sentence.

1. The antique vase was verified as authentic by experts.

2. What does authentic mean?

• old/ancient

• valuable/expensive

• genuine/real

• original/unique

Answer explanation

The word 'authentic' means genuine or real, not old/ancient, valuable/expensive, or original/unique. In this context, it refers to the vase being verified as a true original.