PARCC Reading Vocabulary Practice Questions
1. After practice, the girls' softball team stated, "We're famished!" Famished means...
1. B: Famished means extremely hungry, starving. It does not mean fatigued (A) or tired. It does not mean excited (C) or ready (D).
2. The newborn baby was enamored with the rattle. Enamored means...
2. A: Enamored, derived from the literal meaning "in love with," means fascinated. It does not mean happy (B), unsure what to do (C), or aggravated (D), i.e. irritated.
3. When having a problem, it is best to dissect the situation, then act. Dissect means...
3. D: To dissect is literally to cut apart, i.e. figuratively to analyze. It does not mean to control (A), discuss (B), or ignore (C).
4. The bouncer's countenance discouraged brawls. Countenance means...
4. C: Countenance as a noun (not a verb) means facial expression or appearance. It does not mean a message (A), presence (B), or strength (D).
5. The child apprized her father's authority and behaved herself in church. Apprized means...
5. A: To apprize (also spelled apprise) means to inform or to appreciate; the latter meaning applies here. It does not mean to compromise (B), i.e. to settle differences through mutual concessions or to threaten or endanger; to defy (C), i.e. oppose; or to note (D), i.e. notice, observe, or record.
6. The aural component of balance is critical for postural control during ambulation. Aural means related to the...
6. B: Aural means related to the ears. Related to the eyes (A) would be visual. Related to the nose (C) would be nasal. Related to the hands (D) would be manual.
7. The wound exhibited signs of copious drainage requiring medical intervention. Copious means...
7. C: Copious means profuse or abundant, i.e. maximal, not minimal (A), an antonym. This meaning is not related to, and does not mean, clear (B) or foul (D).
8. The scientist was able to evoke powerful emotions from her audience. Evoke means...
8. C: To evoke means to call forth, elicit, or draw out, as emotions. It does not mean to sell (A), calm (B), or exaggerate (D).A:
9. The official exhibited a heedless attitude when dealing with the dignitaries. Heedless means...
9. A: Heedless means thoughtless: to heed is to pay attention to, mind, or observe something, and heedless is not paying attention/ignoring. It does not mean pleasant (B), friendly (C), or bitter (D).
10. The general tried to instill the hope of victory in his troops. Instill means...
10. A: Infuse is the best synonym here for instill, meaning to impart, inject, introduce or put something into someone or something. These two words do not mean to delay (B), i.e. put off or slow down; to inscribe (C), i.e. write, etch, or imprint; or to indict (D), i.e. accuse.
11. The winning team of the World Series often has a jovial attitude. Jovial means...
11. A: Jovial means happy or merry, the opposite of sad (B) and somber (C). It does not mean laborious (D), i.e. effortful, difficult, or painstaking.
12. A lyre was played in ancient Rome. The lyre is a...
12. A: A lyre was a stringed instrument played in ancient Greece and Rome, similar to/a precursor of the modern harp. It was not a percussion instrument (B) like drums, cymbals, bells, chimes, triangle, etc. or a rhythmic percussion device (D), i.e. a non-melodic percussion instrument; or a wind instrument (C), which is blown and is not a stringed instrument.