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High School Placement Test Questions 321–325 (page: 66)

Updated On: 23-Sep-2026

Which word does not belong with the others?

  1. cry
  2. wriggle
  3. climb
  4. crawl
  5. dance

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

The verb "cry" describes a person shedding tears. Each of the other verbs describe a way to move: climb, crawl, dance and wriggle. "Wriggle" means to squirm or wiggle, much like a snake or worm.



Which word does not belong with the others?

  1. Check
  2. Curb
  3. Restrain
  4. Limit
  5. Halt

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

All of these words have some relation to stopping or slowing down a process, but note that the word “halt” is different from the other options, for it indicates brining something completely to its end, stopping it entirely. The other options all indicate some sort of limitation without implying the complete ending or removal of the thing that is being limited. To “curb” something is to place some sort of limitation on that thing, as when someone “curbs his temper,” thus keeping his rage in check. A restraint does not completely stop something from moving (at least necessarily), it merely places some limitation on that thing. For instance, “spending restraints” are the limits that a given group has regarding potential financial expenditure.



Which word does not belong with the others?

  1. reddish
  2. violet
  3. green
  4. blue

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

While all of these words are associated with color, reddish does not fit. Reddish is only an adjective used to describe another color. Violet, blue and green can be nouns as well, and describe specific colors.



Which word does not belong with the others?

  1. unruffled
  2. satiny
  3. velvety
  4. smooth
  5. calloused

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

Each of the related words here pertains to smoothness. Something “satiny” is like the silky fabric “satin.” Likewise, velvety is soft like its namesake fabric.
When something is “unruffled” it is in good order and is calm (lacking any rough, uneven patches). This can be used metaphorically or – at times, at least – literally (e.g. unruffled fabric).
When something is calloused, it is made rough – as when someone’s hands are covered with calluses because of hard manual labor.



While the Gutenberg press was perhaps one of the greatest inventions of all time, we should not let its importance blind us to other very important events in the history of linguistic development. Granted, the efficiency of printing allowed for the dissemination of much learning in Europe. Still, such printing was not unique to Europe, and even in the scope of world history, there are several events that are equally as miraculous regarding the transmission of knowledge.
For instance, most people overlook the amazing nature of the first time that human beings communicated with spoken language. Perhaps there were simple signs by which these early humans could indicate their needs to each other. However, when the first event of person-to-person speech occurred, it was far more marvelous than simple practical communication. Such speech was like a sharing of ideas.
When true speech happened, people were able to communicate knowledge to each other, freeing it from its isolation in one lonely person. By means of such speech, knowledge could be orally transmitted from generation to generation, thus preserving wisdom in a way that is completely impossible without speech.
Of course, such spoken tradition is very fragile, relying on memories and stories that are passed down from generation to generation. For this reason, the invention of writing is extremely important. In contrast to the spoken word, the written word can continue to exist and be useful so long as it can be read intelligently. Likewise, much more can be recorded than ever could be remembered by someone with the best of memories. Indeed, once these records are written, copies can be sent to anyone who is able to read the language in question. Likewise, it can be translated into written copies to be read by others. For these (as well as many other reasons) the invention of writing was a very significant event in history, greatly expanding the possibilities for the exchange of knowledge.
Thus, the printing press is quite important, but it is part of a larger story. Like both spoken and written communication, it allows human beings to communicate knowledge not only to each other but also across multiple generations. Often, we think of the press merely in its ability to provide a great number of books in a short period of time. However, when considered as a chapter in this longer tale, it likewise appears as the means by which humanity is able to conquer time by allowing the knowledge of today to live for multiple generations.
What does the boldfaced word “across” mean in its context?

  1. Upon completion of
  2. Contradicting
  3. Sitting opposite to
  4. Opposed to
  5. Spanning

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

The word "across" has a very general meaning of "from one side to another side." This applies not only the case of (e.g.) two people sitting across from each other, but it can also be used in many other contexts – like "travelling across the country" and "hiking across the mountain range." In this passage, the word is being used in the sense of "spanning across" multiple generations.
When something "spans" a space or group of things, it fully covers it from end to end. This is the sense here. The knowledge preserved by writing and printing is able to remain for many generations.



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