Question

choose the most accurate paraphrase for each sentence.

1. we all agreed that the mayors comments were gratuitous.

(a) we all agreed that the mayors comments were uncalled for.
(b) we all agreed that the mayors comments were deserving of praise.

1. my mother will not countenance us getting another dog.

(a) my mother will not oppose us getting another dog.
(b) my mother will not support us getting another dog.

1. the coming blizzard forced us to expedite the mail delivery.

(a) the coming blizzard forced us to terminate the mail delivery.
(b) the coming blizzard forced us to speed up the mail delivery.

1. the governors action has created a precedent.

(a) the governors action has created an example for others.
(b) the governors action has created a complete disaster.

1. my sister was implacable in her determination to stay up late tonight.

(a) my sister was wavering in her determination to stay up late tonight.
(b) my sister was resolute in her determination to stay up late tonight.

1. the former olympic athlete was asked to adjudicate the race.

(a) the former olympic athlete was asked to be a judge in the race.
(b) the former olympic athlete was asked not to compete in the race.

1. his claim that he was worth billions turned out to be illusory.

(a) his claim that he was worth billions turned out to be false.
(b) his claim that he was worth billions turned out to be accurate.

1. disgruntled citizens signed a national petition.

(a) ecstatic citizens signed a national petition.
(b) unhappy citizens signed a national petition.

1. we were mesmerized by the scene unfolding before us.

(a) we could not bear to look at the scene unfolding before us.
(b) we could not look away from the scene unfolding before us.

1. experts agree that the signature on the painting is spurious.

(a) experts agree that the signature on the painting is a fake.
(b) experts agree that the signature on the painting is genuine.

1. the town celebrates its centennial next year.

(a) the town celebrates its one - hundredth birthday next year.
(b) the town celebrates its fiftieth birthday next year.

Explanation:

1. "Gratuitous" means unnecessary or uncalled - for. Option (a) uses "uncalled for" which is a synonym. Option (b) uses "deserving of praise" which is the opposite.
2. "Countenance" means to support or approve. Option (b) uses "not support" which is the correct meaning. Option (a) uses "not oppose" which is the opposite.
3. "Expedite" means to speed up. Option (b) uses "speed up" which is a synonym. Option (a) uses "terminate" which is different.
4. "Precedent" means an example. Option (a) uses "example for others" which is a synonym. Option (b) uses "complete disaster" which is different.
5. "Implacable" means resolute or unyielding. Option (b) uses "resolute" which is a synonym. Option (a) uses "wavering" which is the opposite.
6. "Adjudicate" means to judge. Option (a) uses "be a judge" which is a synonym. Option (b) uses "not to compete" which is different.
7. "Illusory" means false or deceptive. Option (a) uses "false" which is a synonym. Option (b) uses "accurate" which is the opposite.
8. "Disgruntled" means unhappy. Option (b) uses "unhappy" which is a synonym. Option (a) uses "ecstatic" which is the opposite.
9. "Mesmerized" means unable to look away. Option (b) uses "could not look away" which is a synonym. Option (a) uses "could not bear to look" which is different.
10. "Spurious" means fake. Option (a) uses "a fake" which is a synonym. Option (b) uses "genuine" which is the opposite.
11. "Centennial" means one - hundredth. Option (a) uses "one - hundredth birthday" which is a synonym. Option (b) uses "fiftieth" which is different.

Answer:

1. A. We all agreed that the mayor’s comments were uncalled for.
2. B. My mother will not support us getting another dog.
3. B. The coming blizzard forced us to speed up the mail delivery.
4. A. The governor’s action has created an example for others.
5. B. My sister was resolute in her determination to stay up late tonight.
6. A. The former Olympic athlete was asked to be a judge in the race.
7. A. His claim that he was worth billions turned out to be false.
8. B. Unhappy citizens signed a national petition.
9. B. We could not look away from the scene unfolding before us.
10. A. Experts agree that the signature on the painting is a fake.
11. A. The town celebrates its one - hundredth birthday next year.