Comprehension test
Dahlia Bartley, Contributor

After two weeks of working with comprehension, you will do a multiple-choice test today. Check the options carefully and make sure that you choose the correct answers. We will check the responses next week.

OPPOSITES

In each sentence, one word is underlined. Choose the word which is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word.

1. The teacher was impartial in his handling of the matter.

(A) neutral

(B) difficult

(C) biased

(D) stern

2. We shall make the project a compulsory one.

(A) voluntary

(B) practical

(C) progressive

(D) volatile

3. This event has been described as significant.

(A) rewarding

(B) fruitful

(C) conspicuous

(D) meaningless

4. The project requires a great deal of mental effort on everyone's part.

(A) practical

(B) physical

(C) mechanical

(D) manual

5. Whenever it rains, the electricity supply tends to fluctuate.

(A) become weak

(B) stay off

(C) be constant

(D) fade away.

6. The illicit burning of the cane is threatening our sugar industry.

(A) widespread

(B) traditional

(C) illegal

(D) permitted

7. Ronald's failure to compete in the heats resulted in his being ineligible to participate in the rest of the games.

(A) qualified

(B) unable

(C) eager

(D) unwanted

8. Susan can be very hypocritical about her feelings for her friends.

(A) sincere

(B) aggressive

(C) confused

(D) entertaining

USAGE

Some of the following sentences are unacceptable because of inappropriate grammar or vocabulary. Some are acceptable as they are. No sentence has more than one error. Select the one underlined part you feel is inappropriate and write the corresponding letter. If the sentence is acceptable as it stands, write D.

9. No one (A)know the extent of the damage (B)done by the hurricane which (C)struck the island. (D)No Error.

10. The prolonged absence of rain had (A)seriously affected the country's (B)agricultural industries and (C)bring ruin to farmers. (D)No Error.

11. We (A)were amazed at the large (B)amount of people (C)thronging the gates. (D)No Error.

12. Yesterday a wreath was (A)lain at the Marcus Garvey Shrine, (B)in (C)commemoration of his birthday. (D)No Error.

13. One of the (A)most exciting stories (B)that was included in the collection (C)was written by a child seven years old. (D)No Error.

14. When the (A)President arrived (B)at the stadium the parade had already (C)begun . (D)No Error.

15. The (A)coach thinks the (B)team is doing (C)reasonable well in the competition. (D)No Error.

16. Prices are (A)raising very fast (B)nowadays but wages are low and people cannot afford the (C)luxury items. (D)No Error.

SENTENCE COMPLETION

Each of the following sentences is followed by four words lettered A-D. Choose the lettered word which best completes each sentence.

17. A ___________ was held in the class to formulate plans for an educational tour to the oil refinery in Kingston .

(A) debate (B) discussion (C) talk (D) tutorial

18. The survivors of the crew made efforts to __________ the treasure from the ship when the storm had subsided.

(A) retrieve (B) salvage (C) conceal (D) accumulate.

19. You will have to ____________ the soap and water solution before you put the clothes in it.

(A) dilute (B) dissolve (C) deter (D) soak

20. The pain __________ by the dog's bite was agonising.

(A) injected (B) introduced (C) inflicted (D) invested

21. The defending champion claimed that he could knock down his ____________ in the third round.

(A) competition (B) contestant (C) opponent (D) resistant

22. Today, the language of advertising enjoys an enormous _______________; it profoundly ___________ the tongues and pens of children and adults.

(A) popularity . . . . . . manipulates

(B) seclusion . . . . . . manages

(C) circulation . . . . . . influences

(D) defamation . . . . . . ingratiates

Synonyms

In each of the following sentences, there is an underlined word. Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

23. The comedian promised to be the first donor of a human brain to the laboratory.

(A) sender (B) contributor(C) taker (D) giver

24. In his speech, the psychologist gave tacit approval to corporal punishment.

(A)direct (B) cautious (C) clear (D) unspoken

25. After we failed to win, we left with our opponents' taunting voices following us to school.

(A) annoying (B) screaming(C) laughing (D) mocking

I close now with the following words for your contemplation:

Life is not a cup to be drained,

But a goblet to be filled.

Think carefully about the objects with which you will fill your own goblet.

See you next week.

Alvin Edwards secured 10 subjects in his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Dahlia Bartley teaches at Glenmuir High School.