(A) The solar-activity cycle existed in its present form during the time period
in which the tree rings erew.
(B) The biological mechanisms causing tree growth are unaffected by short-term
weather pat- terns.
(C) Average tree-ring thickness varies from species to species.
(D) Tree-ring thicknesses reflecr changes in terres- trial climate.
(E) Both terrestrial climate and the solar-activity cycle randomly af~ct tree-ring
thickness.
The common belief of some linguists that each
language is a perfect vehicle for the thoughts of the
nation speaking it is in some ways the exact counterpart
of the conviction of the Manchester school of economics
that supply and demand will regulate everything for the(5)
best. Just as economists were blind to the numerous
cases in which the law of supply and demand left actual
wants unsatisfied, so also many linguists are deaf to
those instances in which the very nature of a ianguage
calls forth misunderstandings in everyday conversation,(10)
and in which, consequently, a word has to be modified
or defined in order to present the idea intended by the
speaker: "He took his stick,no, not John’s, but his
own." No language is perfec’t, and if we admit this truth,
we must also admit that it is not unreasonable to investi-(15)
gate the relative merits of different languages or of
different details in languages.
24. The primary purpose ofthe passage is to
(A) analyze an interesting feature of the English language
(B) refute a belief held by some linguists
(C) show that economic theory is relevant to linguistic study
(D) iilustrate the confusion that can result from the improper use of
language
(E) suggest a way in which languages can be made more nearly perfect.
25. The misunderstanding presented by the author in lines 13-14 is similar
to which of the following?
I. X uses the word "you" to refer to a group, but Y thinks that X is referring
to one person only.
II. X mistakenly uses the word "anomaly" to refer to a typical example,.but Y
knows that "anomaly" means "exception".
III. X uses the word "bachelor" to mean "unmarried man:’ but Y mistakenly thinks
that bachelor means "unmarried woman."
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) III only
(D) I and II only
(E) IIand IIIonly
26. In presenting the argument, theauthor does all of the following EXCEPT
(A) give an example
(B) draw a conclusion
(C) make a generalization
(D) make a comparison
(E) present a paradox
27. Which of the following contributes to the misunder- standing described
by the author in lines 13-14 ?
(A) It is unclear whom the speaker of the sentence is addressing.
(B) It is unclear to whom the word "his" refers the first time it is used.
(C) It is unclear to whom the word "his" refers the second time it is used.
(D) The meaning of "took" is ambiguous.
(E) It is unclear to whom "He" refers.
Directions: Each question below consists of a word printed in capital letters,
followed by five lettered words or phrases. Choose the lettered word or phrase
that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters. Slnce
some of the questions require you to distinguish fine siiadtj of meanirlg, be
sun tc, consider aii the choices before deciding which one is best.
28. FALLACY: (A) personal philosophy
(B) imaginative idea
(C) unconfirmed theory
(D) tentative opinion
(E)valid argument
29. DIVULGE:
(A) keep secret
(B) evaluate by oneself
(C) refine
(D) restore
(E) copy
30. BOYCOTT:
(A) extort
(B) underwrite
(C)underbid
(D)stipulate
(E)patronize
31. ADULTERATION:
(A) consternation
(B) purification
(C) normalization
(D) approximation
(E) rejuvenation
32. DEPOSlTlON:
(A) process ofcongealing
(B) process ofdistilling
(C) process of eroding
(D) process of evolving
(E) proeess of condensing
33. ENERVATE:
(A) recuperate
(B) resurrect
(C)renovate
(D)gather
(E)strengthen
34. LOQUACIOUS:
(A) tranquil
(B) skeptical
(C)morose
(D)taciturn
(E)witty
35. REPINE:
(A) intensify
(B)excuse
(C)expressjoy
(D)feelsure
(E)rushforward
36. VENERATION:
(A) derision
(B) blame
(C) avoidance
(D) ostracism .
(E) defiance
37. UNDERMINE:
(A)submerge
(B) public
(C) satisfatory
(D) trustworthy
(E) sophisticated
38. UNDERMINE:
(A) submerge
(B) supersede .
(C) overhaul
(D) undergird
(E) intersperse.
