ANSWER KEY AND EXPLANATIONS

Exercise 1

1. The correct answer is (D). An oration is a far more elaborate form of speech than a chat; a banquet is a far more elaborate form of meal than a snack.
   
2.  The correct answer is (C). Inclement is the opposite of clear; pertinent is the opposite of irrelevant.
   
3.  The correct answer is (C). Flour comes from wheat; wine comes from the grape.
   
4.  The correct answer is (D). A characteristic of iron is that it is common; a characteristic of a diamond is that it is rare.
   
5.  The correct answer is (D). A contest results in victory; study results in knowledge.
   
6.  The correct answer is (B). Diagnosis comes after careful analysis; a thesis comes after thorough research.
   
7.  The correct answer is (B). The mare is a parent of a filly; the king is a parent of a prince.
   
8.  The correct answer is (C). A recruit is new to the army; a convert is new to a religion.
   
9.  The correct answer is (A). Opulence is the same as luxury; poverty is the same as penury.
   
10.  The correct answer is (B). The purpose of a codicil is to change a will; the purpose of an amendment is to change the constitution.
    

Exercise 2

1. The correct answer is (B). To intimidate is to inspire fear; to astonish is to inspire wonder.
2.  The correct answer is (B). A stove is often part of a kitchen; a sink is often part of a bathroom.
3.  The correct answer is (C). You happily celebrate a marriage; you sorrowfully lament a bereavement.
   
4.  The correct answer is (C). Margarine is a manufactured substitute for butter; nylon is a manufactured substitute for silk.
   
5.  The correct answer is (B). A person may be negligent in meeting a requirement; he may similarly be remiss in performing his duty.
   
6.  The correct answer is (C). A gazelle is known to be swift; a swan is known to be graceful.
   
7.  The correct answer is (A). One falls into ignominy if he shows disloyalty; one gains fame if he shows heroism.
   
8.  The correct answer is (D). Saturnine and mercurial are antonyms; so are allegro and adagio.
   
9.  The correct answer is (C). Marmalade is made from oranges; ketchup is made from tomatoes.
   
10.  The correct answer is (B). An apostate is banished; an ally is welcomed.
    
11.  The correct answer is (D). All four—circle, sphere, wheel, and orange—are round.
    
12.  The correct answer is (C). Open is the opposite of secretive; forthright is the opposite of snide.
    
13.  The correct answer is (D). When you affirm, you are direct; when you hint, you are indirect. When you charge, you are direct; when you insinuate, you are indirect.
    
14.  The correct answer is (B). One throws a ball; one shoots a gun.
    
15.  The correct answer is (D). A greyhound is proverbially speedy; a sloth is proverbially sluggish.
    
16.  The correct answer is (C). A triangle is a three-sided plane figure; a pyramid is a three-sided solid figure. A square is a four-sided plane figure; a box is a four-sided solid figure.
    
17.  The correct answer is (A). To impeach is to charge or challenge; if the impeachment proceedings are successful, the charged person is dismissed. To arraign is to call into court as a result of accusation; if the accusation is proven, the arraigned person is convicted.
    
18.  The correct answer is (B). To emulate is to imitate another person’s good points; to mimic is to imitate another person. To praise is to speak well of another person; to flatter is to praise another person.
    
19.  The correct answer is (A). For people, the thin substance at the end of a hand is called a nail; for animals, the horny sheath at the end of a paw is called a claw.
    
20.  The correct answer is (B). A diamond is a partially compressed square; an ellipse is a partially compressed circle.