Analyzing Word Association and Word Choice Answers

Read the paragraph.Prepared for the dearth of resources in the desert, the adventurers planned ahead. They packed extra provisions and mapped out every water spot along the way. Neither the heat nor the lack of food and water would get in the way of them finding the treasure.Which word is closest in meaning to the word dearth?

Read the paragraph.James’s face flushed in exuberance as he related the story to his friends. He practically acted out the event as he spoke, the liveliness of his body imitating the rushing river of his words.What is the author’s purpose for using the synonyms exuberance and liveliness?

Read the paragraph.When the store opened for the sale, the shoppers rushed in like a flock of hungry birds. They converged on the nearest aisle, bickering over the sale items and adding as many as they could to their carts before moving on to the next spot. By the time the sale was over, the shelves were picked clean of all the goods.What does the analogy suggest?

Read the paragraph.One of the spy’s greatest advantages was to appear completely innocuous in public. Today, she sat in the hotel lobby, the perfect picture of an ordinary, tired traveler, and she blended seamlessly into the crowd around her. But her harmless appearance in the lobby was all an act.Which word is a synonym for innocuous?

Read the paragraph.To Aiden, spring seemed like a volcano. For long stretches, the ground lay quiet. Then, all of a sudden, new plants began erupting from the ground, completely taking over the empty soil and covering it in shades of green. Next, the trees went from totally barren to suddenly bursting with new buds on every limb.Which statement best explains the meaning of the analogy?

Read the paragraph.The room was like a stretched rubber band as the singer and guitarist faced each other. The guitarist had just threatened to quit, and the singer had not reacted yet. The rest of the band held their breath as they waited to see how the singer would respond. What does the analogy emphasize?

Read the paragraph.Jayson's passion for knowledge was an endless ocean. A vast array of things interested him, from mathematics to art. While he could have kept his interest to just a surface-level knowledge of each subject, he chose to research more about the things that interested him. He never ran out of new interests and things to study.What statement is the analogy making about Jayson?

Read the paragraph.It was hard to believe the men were twins given their lifestyles. One twin lived frugally, saving money and being careful not to overspend. The other twin lived lavishly, spending money on jewelry, parties, and whatever else struck his fancy. But both were happy with their choices.Why does the author most likely use the antonyms frugally and lavishly?

Read the paragraph.With a steady rhythm, Celia put one foot in front of the other and continued up the steep trail. Her feet ached and the muscles in her legs groaned, but still, she climbed. Her footsteps kept time like a drum and the reliable up-and-down movement inched her forward. One step, two steps, three steps, four. All she had to do was stick to the beat and keep walking.How does the analogy impact the meaning of the sentences?

Read the paragraph.As a novice, the new nurse spent the first two weeks at work shadowing an experienced nurse who was an expert in his specialty. After the two weeks, the nurse no longer felt like a beginner and was confident enough to begin seeing patients on his own.Which word is an antonym for novice?

Read the paragraph.Preparing for final exams was a marathon. First, Yuna collected all her notes for the year and highlighted the important bits. Then, she reviewed the chapter summaries in her textbook. Finally, Yuna made flash cards, which she studied every night for the three weeks leading up to the exams.What does the analogy highlight?

Read the paragraph.As they got the gym ready for the dance, the decorating committee looked like a flock of birds trying to build a nest before it rains. Each member would dart to the edge of the gym and sort through a pile of materials to find just the right decoration. Then, they would all converge on a single spot and combine their finds to decorate the area. When they would finish, they would rush back to the edge of the gym to get the next set of materials. Back and forth they went, until the gym was filled with ribbon-like streamers, glittery posters, and shiny balloons.Why does the author most likely use the analogy?

Read the paragraph.During the competition, contestants had to ascend a series of platforms. This was a challenge because the platforms floated in a giant swimming pool, making them tip back and forth unpredictably. The idea was to entertain the audience with the contestants' skills, but it was also fun to watch the contestants plummet into the pool with a big splash.Which word best helps you understand the meaning of plummet?

Read the paragraph.Clouds blotted out the sun for the third day in a row, and Luz felt as though winter would never end. Looking for any indications that spring might be near, Luz scanned the yard. When she spotted the robins as they flew into the nearby shrubberies, Luz’s frown broke into a grin. Robins are the harbingers of spring, and when they arrive, warmer spring days soon follow.Which word is a synonym for harbingers?

Read the paragraph.When the first-year lawyers entered the conference room, they were confronted by an absurd amount of paperwork. The massive conference table was buried under stacks of paper, and boxes filled with more files were stacked around the room. Despite their boss's instructions, it was ludicrous to think they could read it all in one night.Which word is closest in meaning to the word ludicrous?