The word "surging" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) new
(B) extra
(C) accelerating
(D) surprising
016. When the prairies were being settled, undoubtedly, the good economic conditions of the 1950's supported a growth in the population, but the expansion also derived from a trend toward earlier marriages and an increase in the average size of families.
The word "trend" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) tendency
(B) aim
(C) growth
(D) directive
017. After the peak year of 1957, the birth rate in Canada began to decline. It continued falling until in 1966, it stood at the lowest level in 25 years.
The word "peak" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) pointed
(B) dismal
(C) mountain
(D) maximum
018. Although the growth in Canada's population had slowed down by 1966 (the increase the first half of the 1960's was only nine percent) , another large population wave was coming over the horizon. It would be composed of the children who were born during the period of the high birth rate prior to 1957.
The phrase "prior to" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) behind
(B) since
(C) during
(D) preceding
019. Advocates of organic foods --- a term whose meaning varies greatly --- frequently proclaim that such products are safer and more nutritious than others.
The word "Advocates" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) Proponents
(B) Merchants
(C) Inspectors
(D) Consumers
020. There are numerous unsubstantiated reports that natural vitamins are superior to synthetic ones, that fertilized eggs are nutritionally superior to unfertilized eggs, that untreated grains are better than fumigated grains, and the like.
The word "unsubstantiated" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) unbelievable
(B) uncontested
(C) unpopular
(D) unverified
