Vocabulary in Context

34 Grade 9 English questions on Vocabulary in Context, with worked marking schemes. 34 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Which is the correct collocation?

   A. make a mistake

   B. do a mistake

   C. take a mistake

   D. get a mistake

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   "The government's austerity measures have been met with widespread protests. Citizens argue that cuts in social services disproportionately affect the poor."

   The word "disproportionately" means:

   A. fairly

   B. to an unfair and unequal degree

   C. equally

   D. completely

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme

   B. disproportionately = to an unfair, unequal degree

3. Question 3

   1 mark

   "His rhetoric was persuasive, but lacked substance."

   "Rhetoric" means:

   A. the art of persuasive speaking

   B. writing

   C. violence

   D. silence

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   "The effulgent sunrise painted the sky in vivid hues." "Effulgent" means:

   A. dark and gloomy

   B. radiant and dazzling

   C. pale and cold

   D. fading

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   "Her perspicacious analysis impressed the board." "Perspicacious" means:

   A. negative

   B. having sharp insight

   C. lengthy

   D. superficial

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   "His magnanimous gesture surprised everyone." "Magnanimous" means:

   A. generous and forgiving

   B. unexpected

   C. selfish

   D. sudden

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   "The teacher's pedagogical methods were innovative and effective."

   "Pedagogical" relates to:

   A. law

   B. science

   C. teaching

   D. medicine

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   "The committee reached a consensus after lengthy debate."

   "Consensus" means:

   A. general agreement

   B. compromise

   C. silence

   D. disagreement

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   Which word pair is a correct example of a euphemism?

   A. "big" for "large"

   B. "die" for "pass away"

   C. "fast" for "quick"

   D. "pass away" for "die"

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    "His laconic reply left everyone wondering." "Laconic" means:

    A. lengthy and detailed

    B. emotional

    C. using very few words

    D. polite

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    The antonym of "ephemeral" is:

    A. brief

    B. temporary

    C. long-lasting

    D. short-lived

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    C. ephemeral = short-lived; antonym = long-lasting

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    "The entrepreneur's audacious plan to expand into new markets impressed the investors."

    "Audacious" means:

    A. modest

    B. cautious

    C. bold and daring

    D. foolish

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    "The vitriolic criticism hurt the young author." "Vitriolic" means:

    A. constructive

    B. gentle

    C. bitterly harsh

    D. brief

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    "The country's infrastructure is in a state of disrepair."

    "Disrepair" means:

    A. poor condition

    B. excellent condition

    C. modern

    D. new

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    "The novel presents an ambiguous ending that leaves readers debating the protagonist's fate."

    "Ambiguous" means:

    A. clear

    B. happy

    C. open to multiple interpretations

    D. tragic

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    Which word is the correct collocation: "She _______ a decision after careful thought."

    A. did

    B. got

    C. made

    D. took

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    The sentence "Let sleeping dogs lie" is:

    A. a simile

    B. an idiom

    C. a metaphor

    D. personification

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    B. idiom = fixed expression with non-literal meaning

18. Question 18

    1 mark

    "The minister gave an unequivocal statement on the matter." "Unequivocal" means:

    A. unofficial

    B. clearly expressed, leaving no doubt

    C. biased

    D. vague

    (1 mark)

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19. Question 19

    1 mark

    "The ambiguous statement left everyone confused." "Ambiguous" means:

    A. clear and definite

    B. open to more than one interpretation

    C. formal

    D. polite

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    B. ambiguous = open to multiple interpretations

20. Question 20

    1 mark

    A euphemism is:

    A. a mild or indirect expression for something unpleasant

    B. an exaggeration for effect

    C. a word with the same meaning as another

    D. a word that sounds like what it means

    (1 mark)

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21. Question 21

    1 mark

    "The proliferation of social media has transformed how people communicate."

    "Proliferation" means:

    A. regulation

    B. rapid increase/spread

    C. invention

    D. decline

    (1 mark)

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22. Question 22

    1 mark

    "The politician was known for his mendacious claims." "Mendacious" means:

    A. dishonest

    B. truthful

    C. bold

    D. eloquent

    (1 mark)

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23. Question 23

    1 mark

    "His verbose essays lost the reader's attention." "Verbose" means:

    A. brief

    B. confusing

    C. brilliant

    D. using more words than necessary

    (1 mark)

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24. Question 24

    1 mark

    "The obsequious assistant agreed with everything the boss said." "Obsequious" means:

    A. intelligent

    B. honest

    C. confident

    D. excessively compliant and flattering

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    D. obsequious = excessively eager to please

25. Question 25

    1 mark

    The word "sub-" in "submarine" means:

    A. under/below

    B. above

    C. between

    D. through

    (1 mark)

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26. Question 26

    1 mark

    "In many African traditions, the elderly are considered custodians of wisdom and cultural heritage. Storytelling by grandparents transmits values from one generation to the next."

    The word "custodians" means:

    A. teachers

    B. enemies

    C. leaders

    D. guardians and keepers

    (1 mark)

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27. Question 27

    1 mark

    "The nebulous policy left workers confused." "Nebulous" means:

    A. unclear and vague

    B. clear

    C. strict

    D. inspiring

    (1 mark)

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28. Question 28

    1 mark

    "The garrulous neighbour talked for three hours." "Garrulous" means:

    A. rude

    B. excessively talkative

    C. quiet

    D. friendly

    (1 mark)

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29. Question 29

    1 mark

    "The juxtaposition of wealth and poverty in the city is striking."

    "Juxtaposition" means:

    A. separation

    B. placing side by side for comparison

    C. similarity

    D. combination

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    B. 'Juxtaposition' = placing close together for contrast

30. Question 30

    1 mark

    "The altruistic nurse worked overtime without expecting extra pay."

    "Altruistic" means:

    A. selfless

    B. selfish

    C. lazy

    D. ambitious

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    A. 'Altruistic' = selflessly concerned for others

31. Question 31

    1 mark

    "The journalist's exposé revealed systemic corruption in the county government."

    The word "systemic" means:

    A. minor

    B. widespread throughout the system

    C. accidental

    D. personal

    (1 mark)

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32. Question 32

    1 mark

    "The novel was written in a sardonic tone." "Sardonic" means:

    A. inspiring

    B. dryly humorous and mocking

    C. optimistic

    D. tragic

    (1 mark)

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33. Question 33

    1 mark

    "The proliferation of social media has fundamentally changed how information is shared. While it has democratised access to information, it has also accelerated the spread of misinformation."

    What does "democratised" mean in this context?

    A. made it unreliable

    B. made it available to everyone

    C. made it expensive

    D. made it controlled by governments

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    B. democratised = made available to everyone

34. Question 34

    1 mark

    "Every year, thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River in what is considered one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth. Crocodiles lurk in the waters, waiting for their opportunity."

    The word "spectacles" in this context means:

    A. impressive and remarkable sights

    B. animal behaviour

    C. dangerous events

    D. glasses for the eyes

    (1 mark)

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