wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Boost your Vocabulary Cambridge 09 - Test 1 - Passage 01

Total questions: 56

Worksheet time: 56mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which word is a synonym for SYNTHETIC in this sentence: The man who invented SYNTHETIC dyes Henry Perkin was born on March 12,1838, in London, England.

a)

offence

b)

surpass

c)

artificial

d)

deficient

2.

Which word is a synonym for DYES in this sentence: The man who invented synthetic DYES Henry Perkin was born on March 12,1838, in London, England.

a)

expedite

b)

haggle

c)

peculiar

d)

pigment

3.
Which word is a synonym for PROMPTED in this sentence: As a boy, Perkin’s curiosity PROMPTED early interests in the arts, sciences, photography, and engineering.
a)
motivate
b)
throat
c)
convention
d)
hasty
4.
Which word is a synonym for FUNCTIONAL in this sentence: But it was a chance stumbling upon a run-down, yet FUNCTIONAL, laboratory in his late grandfather’s home that solidified the young man’s enthusiasm for chemistry.
a)
practical
b)
leak
c)
embassy
d)
discriminate
5.
Which word is a synonym for SOLIDIFIED in this sentence: But it was a chance stumbling upon a run-down, yet functional, laboratory in his late grandfather’s home that SOLIDIFIED the young man’s enthusiasm for chemistry.
a)
instinctive
b)
alloy
c)
strengthen
d)
decent
6.
Which word is a synonym for ENTHUSIASM  in this sentence: But it was a chance stumbling upon a run-down, yet functional, laboratory in his late grandfather’s home that solidified the young man’s ENTHUSIASM for chemistry.
a)
motionless
b)
theme
c)
ornamental
d)
interest
7.
Which word is a synonym for DEVOTION  in this sentence: His talent and DEVOTION to the subject were perceived by his teacher, Thomas Hall, who encouraged him to attend a series of lectures given by the eminent scientist Michael Faraday at the Royal Institution.
a)
dedication
b)
ascend
c)
impractical
d)
craft
8.
Which word is a synonym for PERCEIVED  in this sentence: His talent and devotion to the subject were PERCEIVED by his teacher, Thomas Hall, who encouraged him to attend a series of lectures given by the eminent scientist Michael Faraday at the Royal Institution.
a)
identify
b)
helicopter
c)
reed
d)
eccentricity
9.
Which word is a synonym for ATTEND  in this sentence: His talent and devotion to the subject were perceived by his teacher, Thomas Hall, who encouraged him to ATTEND a series of lectures given by the eminent scientist Michael Faraday at the Royal Institution.
a)
regardless
b)
flare
c)
join
d)
despise
10.
Which word is a synonym for EMINENT  in this sentence: His talent and devotion to the subject were perceived by his teacher, Thomas Hall, who encouraged him to attend a series of lectures given by the EMINENT scientist Michael Faraday at the Royal Institution.
a)
hideous
b)
famous
c)
horror
d)
flux
11.
Which word is a synonym for FIRED  in this sentence: Those speeches FIRED the young chemist’s enthusiasm further, and he later went on to attend the Royal College of Chemistry, which he succeeded in entering in 1853, at the age of 15.
a)
flutter
b)
remnant
c)
inspire
d)
flame
12.
Which word is a synonym for HEADED  in this sentence: At the time of Perkin’s enrolment, the Royal College of Chemistry was HEADED by the noted German chemist August Wilhelm Hofmann.
a)
control
b)
compulsory
c)
eccentric
d)
aggregation
13.
Which word is a synonym for NOTED in this sentence: At the time of Perkin’s enrolment, the Royal College of Chemistry was headed by the NOTED German chemist August Wilhelm Hofmann.
a)
rejoice
b)
enchant
c)
commonplace
d)
famous
14.
Which word is a synonym for GIFTS  in this sentence: Perkin’s scientific GIFTS soon caught Hofmann’s attention and, within two years, he became Hofmann’s youngest assistant.
a)
destine
b)
talent
c)
lane
d)
subordinate
15.
Which word is a synonym for BREAKTHROUGH  in this sentence: Not long after that, Perkin made the scientific BREAKTHROUGH that would bring him both fame and fortune.
a)
monopolize
b)
quay
c)
navigation
d)
innovation
16.
Which word is a synonym for FAME  in this sentence: Not long after that, Perkin made the scientific breakthrough that would bring him both FAME and fortune.
a)
exonerate
b)
perplex
c)
reputation
d)
fiber
17.
Which word is a synonym for FORTUNE in this sentence: Not long after that, Perkin made the scientific breakthrough that would bring him both fame and FORTUNE.
a)
erosion
b)
riches
c)
deliver
d)
confident
18.
Which word is a synonym for VIABLE  in this sentence: At the time, quinine was the only VIABLE medical treatment for malaria.
a)
feasible
b)
spectator
c)
mutual
d)
dwelling
19.
Which word is a synonym for TREATMENT  in this sentence: At the time, quinine was the only viable medical TREATMENT for malaria.
a)
discretion
b)
tuition
c)
medicine
d)
amplify
20.
Which word is a synonym for DERIVED FROM  in this sentence: The drug is DERIVED FROM the bark of the cinchona tree, native to South America, and by 1856 demand for the drug was surpassing the available supply.
a)
secure
b)
originate
c)
juvenile
d)
justify
21.
Which word is a synonym for SURPASSING  in this sentence: The drug is derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, native to South America, and by 1856 demand for the drug was SURPASSING the available supply.
a)
modulate
b)
transcend
c)
exploration
d)
groove
22.
Which word is a synonym for SUBSTITUTE  in this sentence: Thus, when Hofmann made some passing comments about the desirability of a synthetic SUBSTITUTE for quinine, it was unsurprising that his star pupil was moved to take up the challenge.
a)
alternate
b)
submerge
c)
ally
d)
clockwise
23.
Which word is a synonym for TAKE UP  in this sentence: Thus, when Hofmann made some passing comments about the desirability of a synthetic substitute for quinine, it was unsurprising that his star pupil was moved to TAKE UP the challenge.
a)
start
b)
inflation
c)
suburb
d)
notably
24.
Which word is a synonym for ATTEMPTING  in this sentence: He was ATTEMPTING to manufacture quinine from aniline, an inexpensive and readily available coal tar waste product.
a)
try
b)
entry
c)
mount
d)
grand
25.
Which word is a synonym for MANUFACTURE  in this sentence: He was attempting to MANUFACTURE quinine from aniline, an inexpensive and readily available coal tar waste product.
a)
produce
b)
hollow
c)
precaution
d)
dormitory
26.
Which word is a synonym for MYSTERIOUS  in this sentence: Instead, he produced a MYSTERIOUS dark sludge.
a)
enigmatic
b)
laborer
c)
suitcase
d)
prototype
27.
Which word is a synonym for NATURE in this sentence: Luckily, Perkin’s scientific training and NATURE prompted him to investigate the substance further.
a)
gown
b)
patent
c)
flux
d)
character
28.
Which word is a synonym for INCORPORATING  in this sentence: INCORPORATING potassium dichromate and alcohol into the aniline at various stages of the experimental process, he finally produced a deep purple solution.
a)
merge
b)
mask
c)
peak
d)
prominence
29.
Which word is a synonym for SOLUTION in this sentence: Incorporating potassium dichromate and alcohol into the aniline at various stages of the experimental process, he finally produced a deep purple SOLUTION.
a)
debate
b)
shove
c)
mixture
d)
bang
30.
Which word is a synonym for FAVOURS  in this sentence: And, proving the truth of the famous scientist Louis Pasteur’s words ‘chance FAVOURS only the prepared mind’, Perkin saw the potential of his unexpected find.
a)
help
b)
juvenile
c)
preferable
d)
testimony
31.
Which word is a synonym for TEXTILE  in this sentence: Historically, TEXTILE dyes were made from such natural sources as plants and animal excretions.
a)
bulletin
b)
linear
c)
dismiss
d)
material
32.
Which word is a synonym for AFFORD  in this sentence: Indeed, the purple colour extracted from a snail was once so costly that in society at the time only the rich could AFFORD it.
a)
statute
b)
drawing
c)
pay for
d)
gutter
33.
Which word is a synonym for MUDDY in this sentence: Further, natural dyes tended to be MUDDY in hue and fade quickly.
a)
nomination
b)
dome
c)
murky
d)
anxiety
34.
Which word is a synonym for HUE  in this sentence: Further, natural dyes tended to be muddy in HUE and fade quickly.
a)
consult
b)
motivate
c)
choke
d)
color
35.
Which word is a synonym for FADE  in this sentence: Further, natural dyes tended to be muddy in hue and FADE quickly.
a)
capable
b)
drill
c)
lighten
d)
underestimate
36.
Which word is a synonym for GRASPED  in this sentence: Perkin quickly GRASPED that his purple solution could be used to colour fabric, thus making it the world’s first synthetic dye.
a)
compress
b)
understand
c)
condemnation
d)
convict
37.
Which word is a synonym for FABRIC in this sentence: Perkin quickly grasped that his purple solution could be used to colour FABRIC, thus making it the world’s first synthetic dye.
a)
fort
b)
enclose
c)
material
d)
mighty
38.
Which word is a synonym for INSTANT  in this sentence: But perhaps the most fascinating of all Perkin’s reactions to his find was his nearly INSTANT recognition that the new dye had commercial possibilities.
a)
reactionary
b)
sway
c)
immediate
d)
typical
39.
Which word is a synonym for RECOGNITION  in this sentence: But perhaps the most fascinating of all Perkin’s reactions to his find was his nearly instant RECOGNITION that the new dye had commercial possibilities.
a)
detection
b)
desolate
c)
implication
d)
encounter
40.
Which word is a synonym for COMMERCIAL  in this sentence: But perhaps the most fascinating of all Perkin’s reactions to his find was his nearly instant recognition that the new dye had COMMERCIAL possibilities.
a)
military
b)
profitable
c)
glue
d)
refute
41.
Which word is a synonym for ASSURED  in this sentence: He asked advice of Scottish dye works owner Robert Pullar, who ASSURED him that manufacturing the dye would be well worth it if the colour remained fast (i.e. would not fade) and the cost was relatively low.
a)
ensure
b)
downtown
c)
elusive
d)
illusion
42.
Which word is a synonym for FIERCE  in this sentence: So, over the FIERCE objections of his mentor Hofmann, he left college to give birth to the modern chemical industry.
a)
pants
b)
intense
c)
intellectual
d)
lubricate
43.
Which word is a synonym for OBJECTIONS  in this sentence: So, over the fierce OBJECTIONS of his mentor Hofmann, he left college to give birth to the modern chemical industry.
a)
stress
b)
opposition
c)
lobster
d)
standpoint
44.
Which word is a synonym for MENTOR  in this sentence: So, over the fierce objections of his MENTOR Hofmann, he left college to give birth to the modern chemical industry.
a)
adviser
b)
explicit
c)
atlas
d)
excellent
45.
Which word is a synonym for SET UP  in this sentence: With the help of his father and brother, Perkin SET UP a factory not far from London.
a)
reverse
b)
gnaw
c)
establish
d)
extravagant
46.
Which word is a synonym for UTILISING  in this sentence: UTILISING the cheap and plentiful coal tar that was an almost unlimited by product of London’s gas street lighting, the dye works began producing the world’s first synthetically dyed material in 1857.
a)
hawk
b)
use
c)
enrolment
d)
banker
47.
Which word is a synonym for BOOST  in this sentence: The company received a commercial BOOST from the Empress Eugenie of France, when she decided the new colour flattered her.
a)
increase
b)
divert
c)
respective
d)
clumsy
48.
Which word is a synonym for EMPRESS  in this sentence: The company received a commercial boost from the EMPRESS Eugenie of France, when she decided the new colour flattered her.
a)
idiot
b)
queen
c)
appoint
d)
roam
49.
Which word is a synonym for SHADE  in this sentence: Very soon, mauve was the necessary SHADE for all the fashionable ladies in that country.
a)
hue
b)
valve
c)
insurance
d)
risky
50.
Which word is a synonym for ACHIEVED  in this sentence: Although Perkin’s fame was ACHIEVED and fortune assured by his first discovery, the chemist continued his research.
a)
attain
b)
shriek
c)
tyre
d)
expend
51.
Which word is a synonym for MERELY in this sentence: It is important to note that Perkin’s synthetic dye discoveries had outcomes far beyond the MERELY decorative.
a)
domestic
b)
only
c)
jerk
d)
freight
52.
Which word is a synonym for VITAL  in this sentence: The dyes also became VITAL to medical research in many ways.
a)
crucial
b)
hemisphere
c)
realm
d)
frontier
53.
Which word is a synonym for STAIN  in this sentence: For instance, they were used to STAIN previously invisible microbes and bacteria, allowing researchers to identify such bacilli as tuberculosis, cholera, and anthrax.
a)
insulation
b)
mark
c)
gleam
d)
drought
54.
Which word is a synonym for CRUCIAL  in this sentence: Artificial dyes continue to play a CRUCIAL role today.
a)
mathematics
b)
conceited
c)
clap
d)
vital
55.
Which word is a synonym for PLEASING TO  in this sentence: And, in what would have been particularly PLEASING TO Perkin, their current use is in the search for a vaccine against malaria.
a)
enjoyment
b)
sideways
c)
breed
d)
commitment
56.

Which word is a synonym for STUMBLING UPON SOMETHING in this sentence: But it was a chance STUMBLING UPON A RUN - DOWN, yet functional, laboratory in his late grandfather’s home that solidified the young man’s enthusiasm for chemistry.

a)

offence

b)

come across

c)

go into

d)

go through