The saying that “a thousand truths are told in jest” would be well-heeded by those who are__________about what their humor might imply to others.
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Solution
(A. blithe, D. debonair)
Of the choices provided, those who are either blithe (carefree) or debonair (carefree) about their humor’s effect would logically benefit from knowing its significance.
The onscreen vampires of the current generation of film usually lack much feeling of being__________; they might better populate a soap opera than a horror movie.
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Solution
(C. baleful, E. pernicious)
If the vampires would fit a soap opera better than they would a horror movie, then they are probably not very scary. Both baleful (threatening; ominous) or pernicious (deadly) would therefore describe them.
Confused by his quarterly evaluation, which called his work ethic “phlegmatic” and “uninspired,” the worker argued that he actually completed his tasks with__________.
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Solution
(B. alacrity, C. zeal)
If the worker was surprised by his depiction as phlegmatic (unemotional) and uninspired, he must have thought he worked with alacrity (cheerful willingness) or zeal
(enthusiasm).
Claims that an atomic explosion could ignite the atmosphere had once been believed by some; however, after the first experimental atomic blast did not produce such an effect, the claims were widely regarded to be__________.
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Solution
(D. spurious, F. apocryphal)
Since the claims were once believed until an experiment disproved them, and since the word “however” creates a shift, spurious (false) or apocryphal (of unlikely validity) would describe the claims.
Chosen not as much for his charm, or lack thereof, as for his __________ appearance, the singer’s bodyguard proved to be an effective deterrent for many autograph-seekers.
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Solution
(B. minatory, C. menacing)
If the bodyguard’s appearance is a deterrent (that which discourages), then he might look minatory (threatening) or menacing.
It was often his garrulous nature that exposed his infantile sense of humor: when a room would grow silent, he would often feel compelled to offer __________ anecdote.
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Solution
(A. a sophomoric, E. a puerile)
If the person’s sense of humor is infantile (immature), then it follows that his anecdote will be sophomoric (immature) or puerile (childish).
Nitroglycerine is used in the manufacture of several explosives but must be handled with the utmost care due to its__________.
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Solution
(B. instability, D. volatility)
If nitroglycerine must be handled with care and is used to make explosives, it would make sense that these are due to its volatility (explosiveness) or instability.
Those who dismiss the poetry of e.e. cummings as whimsy would do well to consider the depths of genuine meaning that he in fact__________with exquisite care.
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Solution
(A, B) The phrase “in fact” signifies a shift in the sentence, so a logical shift from whimsy (imagination) would be to plumb (explore carefully) or fathom (probe) genuine meaning.