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Scholastic Aptitude Test Exam Questions 329–336 (page: 43)

Updated On: 31-Jul-2026

Given the research available today on how students learn differently, teachers need to have an ______ bag of tricks to successfully engage them all.

  1. enormous
  2. expansive
  3. available
  4. impromptu
  5. eclectic

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

Justification
The phrase “bag of tricks” refers to a collection of varied techniques or resources that a teacher can draw upon to meet diverse learner needs. Eclectic (option E) specifically denotes a selective mixture of different methods or sources , which aligns precisely with the idea of a heterogeneous set of strategies for engaging all students. Enormous (A) and expansive (B) describe size or scope but do not convey the notion of diversity of techniques. Available (C) merely indicates that something is accessible; it lacks the nuance of mixed or varied resources. Impromptu (D) suggests spontaneity rather than a curated, varied repertoire, making it a poor fit for the context of a prepared set of engagement tools.
Therefore, E. eclectic best captures the intended meaning of a teacher’s diverse, adaptable collection of instructional strategies.


Reference:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary entry for eclectic: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eclectic Cambridge Dictionary entry for eclectic: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/eclectic



Children today are being taught to be ______ of any abnormality including strangers, standing packages, or simply anything out of the order; not for merely their own good, but for the good of the community `" such are the times we now live in.

  1. skittish
  2. wary
  3. shy
  4. impudent
  5. challenging

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Justification
B: wary – The sentence describes children being taught to be vigilant toward anything that deviates from the norm (abnormal behavior, strangers, unattended packages, etc.) for the safety of the community. “Wary” precisely conveys a cautious, watchful attitude toward potential threats. A. skittish – Implies nervousness or jumpiness, usually in response to sudden stimuli; it does not convey the deliberate, purposeful caution required in a community-safety context. C. shy – Refers to timidity or reluctance to engage socially; it does not relate to vigilance or protective behavior. D. impudent – Means disrespectful or impertinent, the opposite of the respectful vigilance the sentence demands. E. challenging – Suggests defiance or confrontation, which does not align with the protective, watchful stance described.
Therefore, B. wary is the only choice that accurately reflects the intended meaning of being alert and cautious about potential dangers in the environment.


Reference:

Merriam-Webster definition of wary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wary Cambridge Dictionary entry for wary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/wary



In general, new breakthroughs in scientific and biological research allow us to identify origins of many viruses of formerly ______ origins.

  1. escapable
  2. mysterious
  3. abstract
  4. useful
  5. memorable

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Justification
B: mysterious – The phrase “origins of many viruses of formerly mysterious origins” correctly conveys that the sources of these viruses were previously unknown or incompletely understood. “Mysterious” precisely describes something that is puzzling or not yet explained, which aligns with the context of scientific breakthroughs revealing hidden origins.

A: escapable – “Escapable” refers to something that can be avoided or eluded; it does not describe the nature of origins and is semantically inappropriate in this context.
C: abstract – While “abstract” can refer to conceptual ideas, it does not capture the sense of unknown or puzzling origins that the sentence intends to express.
D: useful – “Useful” describes utility or benefit, which is unrelated to the notion of origins being previously unclear.
E: memorable – “Memorable” pertains to something easily recalled, which does not fit the meaning required for describing unknown viral origins.
Therefore, B. mysterious is the only option that accurately reflects the intended meaning of the sentence.


Reference:

1. Merriam-Webster definition of mysterious: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mysterious 2. Cambridge Dictionary entry for mysterious:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/mysterious



Hitherto impossible research has been made ______ by the new technology recently engineered by her company with greatly enhanced scope and depth of mapping the core of the earth.

  1. commonplace
  2. controversial
  3. problematic
  4. feasible
  5. resolute

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Justification
The sentence describes research that was formerly impossible but is now made possible by a newly engineered technology. The word that conveys this shift from “cannot be done” to “can be done” is feasible – meaning capable of being done, achieved, or accomplished. Commonplace implies something ordinary or frequent, which does not capture the transformative nature of the research. Controversial suggests disagreement or debate, which is unrelated to the technical capability being discussed. Problematic denotes a difficulty or issue, the opposite of what the sentence intends to express. Resolute describes a firm determination, a quality of a person, not a state of research.
Therefore, D. feasible is the only option that accurately reflects that the new technology renders previously unattainable research now attainable.


Reference:

Merriam-Webster definition of feasible: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feasible Cambridge Dictionary definition of feasible: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/feasible



The dissimilarities are absolutely striking; even though she is ______, she has few friends, and even though she is a ______ stylist, few customers ask for her when booking.

  1. cute ... fair
  2. amiable ... consummate
  3. professional ... haphazard
  4. nice ... radical
  5. magnificent ... futuristic

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Justification
The sentence contrasts two qualities of the subject: a personal trait and a professional competence. Option B (“amiable … consummate”) supplies an adjective that describes a pleasant, sociable demeanor (amiable) and a noun that denotes mastery or completeness in her styling craft (consummate). Both words convey a positive yet qualified assessment that fits the context of “few friends” and “few customers ask for her,” implying that despite her amiable nature she lacks professional recognition. Option A (“cute … fair”) pairs a superficial compliment with an ambiguous term that does not convey expertise; “fair” is more often used for competence in a neutral sense, not for mastery. Option C (“professional … haphazard”) creates a contradictory pairing: “professional” suggests competence, whereas “haphazard” denotes carelessness, which would not logically explain why few customers seek her. Option D (“nice … radical”) mixes a mild positive adjective with a term that implies extreme or revolutionary change, which is semantically unrelated to styling proficiency. Option E (“magnificent … futuristic”) uses grandiose adjectives that do not align with the modest, negative tone of the sentence; “futuristic” especially lacks relevance to a stylist’s skill set.
Therefore, Option B best satisfies the semantic and collocational requirements of the sentence.


Reference:

Merriam-Webster definition of amiable: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amiable Merriam-Webster definition of consummate: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consummate



Sales literature that provide excessively complex and irrelevant numbers tend to ______ the real facts and generate sales by causing buyers to accept ______ data in lieu of the real and truthful information so hidden.

  1. obscure ... spurious
  2. hide ... rational
  3. confuse ... representational
  4. elucidate ... faulty
  5. define ... questionable

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Justification
The sentence describes sales literature that obscures the truth by presenting excessively complex and irrelevant numbers that lead buyers to accept false data. Option A – “obscure … spurious” fits precisely: obscure means to make unclear or hide, and spurious means false or misleading, which matches the idea of “hidden” and “faulty” information. Option B – “hide … rational” uses hide (close to obscure) but rational implies logical or reasonable, which contradicts the notion of misleading data. Option C – “confuse … representational” suggests confusion and something related to representation; representational does not convey the meaning of false data. Option D – “elucidate … faulty” uses elucidate (to clarify), the opposite of what the sentence describes; the literature does not clarify but rather obscures. Option E – “define … questionable” pairs define (to state clearly) with questionable (doubtful), which does not capture the idea of deliberately misleading, overly complex numbers.
Therefore, A is the only pair that accurately reflects the intended meaning of the sentence.


Reference:

Merriam-Webster definition of obscure: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscure Merriam-Webster definition of spurious: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spurious



Only his truest and most _____ fans remained faithful followers following the news of his steroid use.

  1. reticent
  2. vocal
  3. demonstrative
  4. boisterous
  5. ardent

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

Justification
The sentence describes fans who remained faithful after a scandal; the adjective must convey strong, enthusiastic loyalty. E. ardent means “fiery, passionate, zealous,” which directly matches “truest and most faithful fans.” A. reticent (reserved, uncommunicative) and B. vocal (speaking loudly) describe manner, not loyalty. C. demonstrative (showing emotions openly) could imply loyalty but emphasizes outward display rather than steadfast devotion. D. boisterous (noisy, lively) refers to behavior, not fidelity.
Thus, ardent best captures the unwavering, passionate support implied by “truest and most ___ fans.”


Reference:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary entry for ardent: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ardent Cambridge Dictionary entry for ardent: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ardent



It was her need to ______ that caused her to become an _____; the belief that the government was corrupt and the constant censorship being the two principal causes for move.

  1. express ... outcast
  2. release ... icon
  3. expose ... outsider
  4. expatiate ... expatriate
  5. control ... anarchist

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Justification
Option D – “expatiate … expatriate”
Expatiate means to explain or elaborate in speech or writing, which fits the blank describing a need to ______ that drives an action. Expatriate denotes a person who has left his or her own country, i.e., someone who becomes an ______ as a result of the circumstances described. The causal relationship in the sentence—her belief in government corruption and censorship prompting her to leave—matches the meaning of “expatriate” as a consequence of political disillusionment.
Why the other choices are unsuitable

A: express … outcast – Express does not convey the sustained, detailed explanation required; outcast describes social status, not the act of leaving one’s country. B. release … icon – Release is unrelated to the motive of leaving; icon refers to a symbol or figure of admiration, which does not logically follow from governmental censorship. C. expose … outsider – Expose can mean to reveal, but the resulting noun outsider does not specifically denote a person who has emigrated; the connection to the cause is weaker. E. control … anarchist – Control is the opposite of the described motivation (censorship limiting control) and anarchist denotes a political ideology, not the act of moving abroad.
Therefore, option D provides the precise lexical pair that aligns with both semantic meaning and grammatical construction.


Reference:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Expatiate: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expatiate Expatriate: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expatriate
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries:
Expatiate: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/expatiate Expatriate: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/expatriate



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