Choose a word which could replace "disconcerting" in this sentence:
Make sure you research your presentation topic thoroughly- it can be very disconcerting to be asked a question you can't answer.
Answer
exciting
embarrasing
boring
depressing
Question 2
Question
Laila talks about everyone's private lives- she's an ineffable gossip.
Ineffable means:
Answer
quiet
cruel
unstoppable
generous
Question 3
Question
The main thing in an opinion essay is that you give and support your opinion- your actual opinion is inconsequential.
Can you see the prefix and suffix in "inconsequential"- can they help you to guess the meaning?
Answer
not important
important
will lead to consequences
may lead to arguments with the person marking the essay
Question 4
Question
Hugo broke both his legs while skiing and as a result was incapacitated for several weeks and unable to attend lectures.
Which word or phrase could be used to replace "incapacitated"?
Answer
annoyed
unable
in hospital
unable to do anything
Question 5
Question
The American constitution states that people have "inalienable" rights to things such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. What could "inalienable" mean here? Think about the root word (alien).
Answer
you can't send these rights into space.
these rights can't be taken away.
these rights don't apply to foreigners
these rights only apply to foreigners
Question 6
Question
You must buy a ticket before the commencement of your journey. Any passenger who does not have a valid ticket after the train leaves will have to pay a fine.
What could "commencement" mean here?
Answer
end
middle
half way
start
Question 7
Question
Despite some evidence of bacteria on a few planets, scientists have yet to find conclusive evidence of life on other planets.
What does "conclusive" mean? Can you recognise a root word in it?
Answer
finished
undeniable
clear
exciting
Question 8
Question
Areas of study at university are normally categorised into fields such as Science and Humanities.
What does "categorised" mean here?
Answer
sorted
controlled
decided
planned
Question 9
Question
What strategies can you use to read well and cope with unknown vocabulary?
Tick all the ones you think are useful.
Answer
Stop and underline every new word.
Translate every word into your first language
Skip unknown words as you will get most of the meaning anyway.
Try to guess the meaning of words, thinking about context and word order.
Notice any prefixes and suffixes, and see if you can see a root word you already know.
Stop reading if you don't understand the text.
Ask your teacher for the meaning of new words.
Use a translation website to change the text into your first language.
Question 10
Question
Vaccines are a useful way of preventing communicable diseases such as flu, measles, and malaria.
Can you guess what "communicable" means?
Answer
something that can be spread from one person or animal to another.