Question

act vocabulary : part 6
assigned by: michael whitehead
due: oct 16, 2025 1:59 pm
instructions
respond to the items below.

1. the character of our small town is warm and friendly, making it a good place to live. as used in this sentence, character most nearly means-

a. good reputation.
b. oddness and eccentricity
c. intrinsic nature.
d. moral qualities.

1. since a diamond is one of the worlds hardest materials, a common, but not foolproof, way to test whether it is real is to test whether it can scratch the surface of glass. as used in this sentence, scratch most nearly means-

a. rub to relieve itching
b. cut the surface of
c. postpone until later
d. gather together

1. since her parents were alumni, siri thought they could provide direction about whether this was a good school for her, although she knew that she would ultimately have to make the choice of which college to attend herself. as used in this sentence, direction most nearly means-

a. a course or route leading to a place or point.
b. a message describing how something is to be done.
c. the act of managing something.
d. advice as to a decision or course of action.

1. touring the gettysburg battlefield was a solemn experience that moved me deeply, and i will never forget. as used in this sentence, solemn most nearly means-

a. simple.
b. earnest.
c. legal.
d. religious.

1. in the 18th through the mid - 19th century, the british east india company controlled trade in india and southeast asia and exploited its monopoly on spices to its benefits. as used in this sentence, trade most nearly means-

a. commercial exchange of goods and services.
b. skilled practice of a profession.
c. succession of government
d. people working on a business.

Explanation:

1. In the sentence "The character of our small - town is warm and friendly", "character" refers to the intrinsic nature of the town. Option C "intrinsic nature" is correct as it describes the inherent qualities that make the town what it is.
2. When testing if a diamond is real by seeing if it can "scratch" the surface of glass, "scratch" means to cut the surface of. Option B is correct as it implies making a mark or cut on the glass surface.
3. Since Siri thought her parents (alumni) could provide "direction" about a good school, "direction" here means advice on a decision or course of action. Option D is correct as her parents' experience could give her advice for her college - choice decision.
4. "Touring the Gettysburg Battlefield was a solemn experience", "solemn" means serious. Option B "serious" is correct as the context of a battlefield implies a serious and respectful experience.
5. The British East India Company controlled "trade" in India and Southeast Asia. "Trade" refers to the commercial exchange of goods and services. Option A is correct as it is the most appropriate meaning in the context of the company's economic activities.

Answer:

1. C. intrinsic nature
2. B. cut the surface of
3. D. advice as to a decision or course of action
4. B. serious
5. A. commercial exchange of goods and services