Essential Academic Vocabulary

What does "prerequisite" mean in this sentence? "A strong foundation in grammar is a prerequisite for effective writing."

• An obstacle

• A suggestion

• A necessary condition

• A simple task

Answer explanation

In this sentence, "prerequisite" means a necessary condition. It indicates that having a strong foundation in grammar is essential for achieving effective writing, rather than being just a suggestion or an obstacle.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

How is "surpass" used in this sentence? "She worked hard to surpass her previous achievements."

• To improve on

• To ignore

• To reflect on

• To abandon

Answer explanation

In the sentence, "surpass" means to improve on or exceed previous achievements. Therefore, the correct choice is "To improve on," as it captures the intent of working hard to achieve greater success.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Fill-in-the-blank: The scientist's research was __________, covering many fields of study.

• A. Narrow

• B. Multifarious

• C. Limited

• D. Singular

Answer explanation

The correct choice is B. Multifarious, which means diverse or varied. This fits the context of the scientist's research covering many fields, unlike the other options that imply limitation or singularity.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

What does "undermine" mean in this sentence? "Criticizing your teammate in public can undermine their confidence."

• Strengthen

• Weaken

• Support

• Defend

Answer explanation

In this sentence, "undermine" means to weaken someone's confidence. Criticizing a teammate publicly can damage their self-esteem, making "weaken" the correct choice among the options.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

What is a synonym for "exemplify"?

• Represent

• Criticize

• Simplify

• Oppose

Answer explanation

The word "exemplify" means to represent or illustrate something. Therefore, "represent" is a synonym, while "criticize," "simplify," and "oppose" do not convey the same meaning.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

Fill-in-the-blank: The teacher used charts and graphs to _________ her explanation.

• A. Reverberate

• B. Exemplify

• C. Undermine

• D. Surpass

Answer explanation

The teacher used charts and graphs to exemplify her explanation, meaning she illustrated or clarified her points visually. The other options do not fit the context of enhancing understanding.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

What does "multifarious" mean in this sentence? "The exhibit showcased a multifarious collection of artworks from around the world."

• Diverse

• Simple

• Modern

• Common

Answer explanation

In the sentence, "multifarious" means diverse, indicating that the collection of artworks includes a variety of styles and origins from around the world. The other options do not accurately reflect this meaning.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

What does "irksome" mean in this sentence? "The repetitive nature of the task made it increasingly irksome."

• Pleasurable

• Annoying

• Fascinating

• Motivating

Answer explanation

In the sentence, "irksome" refers to something that causes annoyance or irritation. The repetitive nature of the task leads to feelings of frustration, making "annoying" the correct choice.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

What is a synonym for "homogeneous"?

• Diverse

• Similar

• Powerful

• Complicated

Answer explanation

The term "homogeneous" refers to things that are similar or uniform in nature. Therefore, "similar" is the correct synonym, while "diverse," "powerful," and "complicated" convey different meanings.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5B

The lawyer presented strong (a)   to prove her client was innocent.

• evidence

• arguments

• testimonies

• alibis