PRACTICE TEST 1 95
20. a. Warily is a manner marked by keen caution, cunning, and watchful
prudence.
21. a. Caustic means bitingly sarcastic, cutting; able to burn or dissolve by
chemical action. The main context clue is that people find Aswad’s jokes
upsetting rather than humorous; thus choice a is the only option that
makes sense.
22. d. Enigma means something that is puzzling or difficult to understand; a
baffling problem or riddle. The context tells you that people know who San-
dra is, but no one knows anything about her; thus, she remains a mystery.
23. d. The prefix ex- means out, out of, away from. Exorbitant means greatly
exceeding (far away from) the bounds of what is normal or reasonable.
24. d. The noun suffix -tion means the act or state of. Denunciation means the
act of denouncing, especially in public; to openly condemn or accuse of evil.
25. c. The noun suffix -sis means the process of. Metamorphosis means a trans-
formation, a marked change of form, character, or function. Choices b
and c are both nouns, but for choice b to be correct, it would require the
suffix -ist.
26. a. The prefix re- means back, again. To reconcile means to reestablish a close
relationship between, to bring back to harmony.
27. b. The adjective suffix -ic means pertaining or relating to, having the qual-
ity of. Didactic means intended to instruct; tending to be excessively
instructive or moralizing. Only choice b defines a quality.
28. d. The prefix uni- means one. Unilateral means one-sided. Notice also the
adjective suffix -al, meaning action or process.
29. a. The prefix sub- means under, beneath, below. The adjective subordinate
means (1) of a lower or inferior class or rank; secondary; (2) subject to the
authority or control of another. As a noun it means one that is subordinate
to another, and as a verb (notice the -ate suffix) it means (1) to put in a
lower or inferior rank or class; (2) to make subservient; subdue.
30. c. The adjective suffix -ive means having the nature of. Incisive means pene-
trating and clear; sharp, acute, biting.
31. b. The prefix inter- means between or among. Intermittent means occurring
at intervals, not continuous; periodic, alternate.
32. d. The prefix mis- means bad, evil, wrong. Miscreant means a villain, crimi-
nal; an evil person.
33. a. The adjective suffix -ial means having the quality of, related to, suitable
for. Perennial means lasting an indefinitely long time, forever; constantly
recurring, happening again and again or year after year. Choice a is the
only adjective definition.