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Determining Precise Meaning

Choose the most accurate paraphrase for each sentence.

1. Shray made a desultory effort to change his ways.
(a) Shray made a strenuous effort to change his wavs.
(b) Shray made a half-hearted effort to change his ways.

2. Ticket prices for the party were prohibitive.
(a) Ticket prices for the party were not sold to the public.
(b) Ticket prices for the party were very expensive.

3. We will not cede our right to colonize the moon.
(a) We will not give up our right to colonize the moon.
(b) We will not put in writing our right to colonize the moon.

4. Salomé was beset by her numerous infirmities.
(a) Salomé was troubled by her numerous infirmities.
(b) Salomé was indifferent to her numerous infirmities.

5. The hour-long speech galvanized the crowd.
(a) The hour-long speech greatly excited the crowd.
(b) The hour-long speech had a calming effect on the crowd.

6. The magnitude of the hurricane is unknown.
(a) The position of the hurricane is unknown.
(b) The size of the hurricane is unknown.

7. The marching band formed the vanguard of the parade.
(a) The marching band formed the leading position in the parade.
(b) The marching band formed the rear of the parade.

8. The astronaut's visionary plans include humans colonizing Mars.
(a) The astronaut's wholly imaginary plans include humans colonizing Mars.
(b) The astronaut's ambitious plans include humans colonizing Mars.

9. She followed a circuitous path to the presidency.
(a) She followed a rapid path to the presidency.
(b) She followed a roundabout path to the presidency.

10. The school board decided to implement the plan.
(a) The school board decided to execute the plan.
(b) The school board decided to scrap the plan.

11. Our house is adjacent to the old post office.
(a) Our house is close to the old post office,
(b) Our house is identical to the old post office

1 answer

Here are the most accurate paraphrases for each sentence:

  1. (b) Shray made a half-hearted effort to change his ways.
  2. (b) Ticket prices for the party were very expensive.
  3. (a) We will not give up our right to colonize the moon.
  4. (a) Salomé was troubled by her numerous infirmities.
  5. (a) The hour-long speech greatly excited the crowd.
  6. (b) The size of the hurricane is unknown.
  7. (a) The marching band formed the leading position in the parade.
  8. (b) The astronaut's ambitious plans include humans colonizing Mars.
  9. (b) She followed a roundabout path to the presidency.
  10. (a) The school board decided to execute the plan.
  11. (a) Our house is close to the old post office.