Question

1. according to the passage, what does it mean to be malevolent? (a) to be evil (b) to cause cancer (c) to be kind (d) to reform (e) to be a man
2. according to the passage, degenerate means (a) driven by blind ambition (b) having low - moral standards (c) reform - minded (d) having inherited the gene for a small build (e) popular with the general public
3. how does the writer provide a clue to the meaning of convivial? (a) the writer gives an antonym for the word. (b) the writer implies that convivial means “hardiness or good health.” (c) the writer links the word to optimism. (d) the writer relates convivial to enjoying social situations. (e) the writer says that convivial means “natural and down to earth.”
4. how does the writer let us know that fastidious may be defined as displaying careful attention to detail? (a) the writer relates it to being careless and irresponsible. (b) the writer considers it only one view. (c) the writer relates it to being a professional showperson. (d) the writer compares it to being controversial. (e) the writer says barnum had definite ways of doing things.
5. according to the passage, what does it mean that opinion would oscillate between admiration and condemnation? (a) opinion was always admiring. (b) opinion was always condemning. (c) opinion moved back and forth. (d) opinion caused many arguments between barnum and tom thumb. (e) opinion made everyone including his own employees turn against barnum.

Explanation:

1. The word "malevolent" means having or showing ill - will or malice, which is similar to being evil.
2. "Degenerate" often refers to having low moral standards.
3. "Convivial" is related to being friendly and enjoying social situations.
4. If Barnum had definite ways of doing things, it implies being meticulous or paying careful attention to detail, which is what "fastidious" means.
5. "Oscillate" means to move back and forth, so opinion moving between admiration and condemnation means it moves back and forth.

Answer:

1. A. to be evil
2. B. having low moral standards
3. D. The writer relates convivial to enjoying social situations.
4. E. The writer says Barnum had definite ways of doing things.
5. C. Opinion moved back and forth.