Vocab Quiz 17.9

Historians often regard the Enlightenment as a precursor to the political revolutions of the eighteenth century, arguing that its intellectual currents made such uprising almost inevitable.
In this context, the word 'precursor to' most nearly means:

• an alternative to

• a development that paved the way for

• a movement against

• a cause competing with

The monks practiced an elemental lifestyle, stripped of comfort and ornamentation, which they believed brought them closer to spiritual truth.
In this context, elemental most nearly implies:

• primitive and essential

• chaotic and unrestrained

• refined and sophisticated

• complex and carefully balanced

Unlike his peers who indulged moderately, his overindulgence in luxury weakened both his finances and his reputation. In this context, the word 'overindulgence' means:

• cautious restraint

• excessive enjoyment

• balanced moderation

• rigid discipline

Although the senator claimed merely to be voicing concerns, her remarks were said to instigate a series of heated demonstrations across the capital.
In this context, instigate most nearly means:

• authorize officially

• provoke into action, engender something

• describe in detail

• scatter unintentionally

• The scientist argued that curiosity is an e (a)   part of human nature, present even in early childhood.

• ( = forming an essential part, fundamental)

1. The steam engine was a crucial technological development and a (a)   the Industrial Revolution.

2. ( = something that precedes another and leads to the occurrence of something)

• The activist’s fiery speech helped to (a)   a movement for greater government transparency.

  ( = provoke, start something, to cause something into action)

The university imposed a rigid dress code, leaving no room for individual expression or cultural variation.

Here, the word 'rigid' to 'flexibility' is the same as:

• overindulgence to self-moderation

• instigate to provoke

• elemental to sophisticated

When the vase shattered, fragments began to ___ across the marble floor, making it dangerous to walk barefoot. Choose the CORRECT WORD to complete the sentence.

• instigate

• agitate

• scatter

• travel

The senator’s vulgar remarks during the debate shocked the audience, as they expected diplomacy and restraint in such a formal setting. In this context, the word 'vulgar' means:

• offensive and coarse

• innovative and bold

• cautious and measured

• refined and elegent