Reading Comprehension

Detriment

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

These two factors, the altitude and the weather, tend separately and together to defeat the climber. The height weakness slows him down; it forces him to­ spend days and nights in the course of his assault on the summit. The weather, besides adding to the ­demands of his energy and moral fortitude, conspires to deny him the time he needs to complete his mission. Whereas in lower mountains and on easy ground the weather may be no more than a handicap, in the high Himalayas it is decisive, regardless of terrain. The deduction to be drawn from these two factors was clear enough. We must either so fortify ourselves , that we could continue, without detriment, to live and have our being above the limit of natural acclimatization, better still, we must solve the problem of speed. It was desirable, in fact, that we should meet both these requirements and thus give to those chosen to attempt the summit, some measure of insurance against ­the vagaries of the weather.

Refuge

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

This passage sums up the two problems peculiar to the book trade which made it different from any other trade - the problem of selection and the problem of stocking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove saleable, before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business, and how is he, at the same time, to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks, but he is then no longer a bookseller. He may take refuge in the sale of safe items to a restricted circle of customers, but he thereby cuts himself off from all that is vital in his trade and dooms him to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publications, but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele. Readers remain faithful to their own discoveries. Failure to follow up a book, an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.

Clientele

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

This passage sums up the two problems peculiar to the book trade which made it different from any other trade - the problem of selection and the problem of stocking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove saleable, before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business, and how is he, at the same time, to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks, but he is then no longer a bookseller. He may take refuge in the sale of safe items to a restricted circle of customers, but he thereby cuts himself off from all that is vital in his trade and dooms him to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publications, but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele. Readers remain faithful to their own discoveries. Failure to follow up a book, an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.

Dooms

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

This passage sums up the two problems peculiar to the book trade which made it different from any other trade - the problem of selection and the problem of stocking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove saleable, before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business, and how is he, at the same time, to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks, but he is then no longer a bookseller. He may take refuge in the sale of safe items to a restricted circle of customers, but he thereby cuts himself off from all that is vital in his trade and dooms him to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publications, but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele. Readers remain faithful to their own discoveries. Failure to follow up a book, an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.

Assault

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

These two factors, the altitude and the weather, tend separately and together to defeat the climber. The height weakness slows him down; it forces him to­ spend days and nights in the course of his assault on the summit. The weather, besides adding to the ­demands of his energy and moral fortitude, conspires to deny him the time he needs to complete his mission. Whereas in lower mountains and on easy ground the weather may be no more than a handicap, in the high Himalayas it is decisive, regardless of terrain. The deduction to be drawn from these two factors was clear enough. We must either so fortify ourselves , that we could continue, without detriment, to live and have our being above the limit of natural acclimatization, better still, we must solve the problem of speed. It was desirable, in fact, that we should meet both these requirements and thus give to those chosen to attempt the summit, some measure of insurance against ­the vagaries of the weather.

Conspires

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

These two factors, the altitude and the weather, tend separately and together to defeat the climber. The height weakness slows him down; it forces him to­ spend days and nights in the course of his assault on the summit. The weather, besides adding to the ­demands of his energy and moral fortitude, conspires to deny him the time he needs to complete his mission. Whereas in lower mountains and on easy ground the weather may be no more than a handicap, in the high Himalayas it is decisive, regardless of terrain. The deduction to be drawn from these two factors was clear enough. We must either so fortify ourselves , that we could continue, without detriment, to live and have our being above the limit of natural acclimatization, better still, we must solve the problem of speed. It was desirable, in fact, that we should meet both these requirements and thus give to those chosen to attempt the summit, some measure of insurance against ­the vagaries of the weather.

Affords

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

The learning of a foreign language should be an integral part of every university student's education. As a discipline, it affords the mind excellent training. It utilizes skills needed in so many other subjects: the concentration required for memorizing music (not to mention developing the ear for tone and pitch); the logical thinking for resolving mathematical problems, even the deductive reasoning capabilities needed to comprehend philosophical concepts. The mind is stretched through the simple act of teaming the gram­matical patterns, vocabulary and phonological system of a language. At the same time, the student of a for­eign language is acquiring a useful tool. This tool has a double advantage, for a whole most people (especially teachers) expound on the rewards of being able to communicate in a second, third or fourth language. Perhaps the more promising of the two, is being able to understand and hopefully appreciate another cul­tural group through their literature, their music and customs all of which are best assimilated through the medium of their language

Withstanding

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

The first plunge into public speaking often reveals quite unexpectedly the physical strain imposed on the nervous system. Muscles controlling your lungs, your body, or your memory may need strengthening. Mannerisms which divert physical energy may need checking, deep breathing may have to be practiced. But once you are aware of these necessary adjuncts to public speaking, you can overhaul the machinery and be reasonably confident of withstanding the strain. The human machine, like all machinery, breaks down occasionally and bad health or brain tiredness will react on your speaking ability, but just as no healthy minded person should live in constant fear of illness, so no trained speaker should anticipate physical breakdowns. Should mental blackouts occur, it is not necessarily a tragedy, and auto-suggestion can be practiced, or methods of diverting audiences can be learnt, or appeal by frank confession of your mental lapse can be tried. Any of these remedies can help overcome fear and restore self-confidence.

Anticipate

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

The first plunge into public speaking often reveals quite unexpectedly the physical strain imposed on the nervous system. Muscles controlling your lungs, your body, or your memory may need strengthening. Mannerisms which divert physical energy may need checking, deep breathing may have to be practiced. But once you are aware of these necessary adjuncts to public speaking, you can overhaul the machinery and be reasonably confident of withstanding the strain. The human machine, like all machinery, breaks down occasionally and bad health or brain tiredness will react on your speaking ability, but just as no healthy minded person should live in constant fear of illness, so no trained speaker should anticipate physical breakdowns. Should mental blackouts occur, it is not necessarily a tragedy, and auto-suggestion can be practiced, or methods of diverting audiences can be learnt, or appeal by frank confession of your mental lapse can be tried. Any of these remedies can help overcome fear and restore self-confidence.

Mannerisms

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

The first plunge into public speaking often reveals quite unexpectedly the physical strain imposed on the nervous system. Muscles controlling your lungs, your body, or your memory may need strengthening. Mannerisms which divert physical energy may need checking, deep breathing may have to be practiced. But once you are aware of these necessary adjuncts to public speaking, you can overhaul the machinery and be reasonably confident of withstanding the strain. The human machine, like all machinery, breaks down occasionally and bad health or brain tiredness will react on your speaking ability, but just as no healthy minded person should live in constant fear of illness, so no trained speaker should anticipate physical breakdowns. Should mental blackouts occur, it is not necessarily a tragedy, and auto-suggestion can be practiced, or methods of diverting audiences can be learnt, or appeal by frank confession of your mental lapse can be tried. Any of these remedies can help overcome fear and restore self-confidence.

Lapse

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

The first plunge into public speaking often reveals quite unexpectedly the physical strain imposed on the nervous system. Muscles controlling your lungs, your body, or your memory may need strengthening. Mannerisms which divert physical energy may need checking, deep breathing may have to be practiced. But once you are aware of these necessary adjuncts to public speaking, you can overhaul the machinery and be reasonably confident of withstanding the strain. The human machine, like all machinery, breaks down occasionally and bad health or brain tiredness will react on your speaking ability, but just as no healthy minded person should live in constant fear of illness, so no trained speaker should anticipate physical breakdowns. Should mental blackouts occur, it is not necessarily a tragedy, and auto-suggestion can be practiced, or methods of diverting audiences can be learnt, or appeal by frank confession of your mental lapse can be tried. Any of these remedies can help overcome fear and restore self-confidence.

Deductive

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

The learning of a foreign language should be an integral part of every university student's education. As a discipline, it affords the mind excellent training. It utilizes skills needed in so many other subjects: the concentration required for memorizing music (not to mention developing the ear for tone and pitch); the logical thinking for resolving mathematical problems, even the deductive reasoning capabilities needed to comprehend philosophical concepts. The mind is stretched through the simple act of teaming the gram­matical patterns, vocabulary and phonological system of a language. At the same time, the student of a for­eign language is acquiring a useful tool. This tool has a double advantage, for a whole most people (especially teachers) expound on the rewards of being able to communicate in a second, third or fourth language. Perhaps the more promising of the two, is being able to understand and hopefully appreciate another cul­tural group through their literature, their music and customs all of which are best assimilated through the medium of their language

Stretched

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

The learning of a foreign language should be an integral part of every university student's education. As a discipline, it affords the mind excellent training. It utilizes skills needed in so many other subjects: the concentration required for memorizing music (not to mention developing the ear for tone and pitch); the logical thinking for resolving mathematical problems, even the deductive reasoning capabilities needed to comprehend philosophical concepts. The mind is stretched through the simple act of teaming the gram­matical patterns, vocabulary and phonological system of a language. At the same time, the student of a for­eign language is acquiring a useful tool. This tool has a double advantage, for a whole most people (especially teachers) expound on the rewards of being able to communicate in a second, third or fourth language. Perhaps the more promising of the two, is being able to understand and hopefully appreciate another cul­tural group through their literature, their music and customs all of which are best assimilated through the medium of their language

Remedies

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

The first plunge into public speaking often reveals quite unexpectedly the physical strain imposed on the nervous system. Muscles controlling your lungs, your body, or your memory may need strengthening. Mannerisms which divert physical energy may need checking, deep breathing may have to be practiced. But once you are aware of these necessary adjuncts to public speaking, you can overhaul the machinery and be reasonably confident of withstanding the strain. The human machine, like all machinery, breaks down occasionally and bad health or brain tiredness will react on your speaking ability, but just as no healthy minded person should live in constant fear of illness, so no trained speaker should anticipate physical breakdowns. Should mental blackouts occur, it is not necessarily a tragedy, and auto-suggestion can be practiced, or methods of diverting audiences can be learnt, or appeal by frank confession of your mental lapse can be tried. Any of these remedies can help overcome fear and restore self-confidence.

Restore

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

The first plunge into public speaking often reveals quite unexpectedly the physical strain imposed on the nervous system. Muscles controlling your lungs, your body, or your memory may need strengthening. Mannerisms which divert physical energy may need checking, deep breathing may have to be practiced. But once you are aware of these necessary adjuncts to public speaking, you can overhaul the machinery and be reasonably confident of withstanding the strain. The human machine, like all machinery, breaks down occasionally and bad health or brain tiredness will react on your speaking ability, but just as no healthy minded person should live in constant fear of illness, so no trained speaker should anticipate physical breakdowns. Should mental blackouts occur, it is not necessarily a tragedy, and auto-suggestion can be practiced, or methods of diverting audiences can be learnt, or appeal by frank confession of your mental lapse can be tried. Any of these remedies can help overcome fear and restore self-confidence.