it's just too volatile right now.

17. 18. 19. 20. 11.

a. decline b. stabilize c. increase d. neutralize

That actress is best known for her _____ laugh—it's like no other.

a. familiar b. ordinary c. distinctive d. renowned

Schoolchildren are usually taught the importance of their national _____ very early.

a. weather b. downturn c. savings d. heritage

It simply makes good _____ sense to save money for retirement.

a. economical b. economics c. economist d. economy

After discussing the situation, Carlos and I came to a(n) _____ agreement with which we were both satisfied.

a. communal b. independent c. mutual d. dual

Even if I don't win the award, it's still an honor to be a(n) _____.

12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

a. applicant b. champion c. nominee d. spectator

I see parents of twins and triplets and I can't imagine having _____ children at once.

a. multiply b. double c. individual d. multiple

I'm one of two vice-presidents, and my _____ at the other office will be your main point of contact.

a. counterpart b. supervisor c. subordinate d. employee

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a. principle b. principal c. standard d. irrelevant

His time in office was marked by _____ affairs and controversy.

a. highbrow b. unemotional c. scandalous d. unintended

I became a partner in the law firm, _____ increasing my salary considerably.

17. 18. 19. 20. 1.

a. thereby b. hereby c. standby d. passerby

Choosing not to hire someone based on their race or sex is a textbook example of _____.

a. discriminate b. discrimination c. discriminatory d. discriminator

Tony gets _____ if he drinks too much, and he's liable to hurt someone.

a. peaceful b. hostile c. ambivalent d. apathetic

What was the suspect's _____ to kill Gene?

a. motivate b. motivator c. motivation d. motive

After all these years, I still _____ that it wasn't my fault.

a. portend b. attend c. contend d. pretend

I find jazz music _____ to rock and roll.

a. prefer

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

b. refer c. preferable d. referee

The city was closed off because of the _____, with people fighting in the streets and breaking into stores.

a. disagreement b. riot c. complaint d. harmony

Ballet dancers are characterized by their _____ movements.

a. grace b. disgrace c. disgraceful d. graceful

In my opinion, the mayor should have quit months ago; he's completely _____ and corrupt.

a. moral b. ethical c. immoral d. sincere

Sara and Beth are _____ twin sisters, so it's easy to confuse them.

a. identical b. similar c. matching d. double

His _____ career goal is to become president of the university.

a. preliminary b. ultimate

7. 8. 9.

c. critical d. central

If the moon were ____, I think we would have sent colonists there years ago.

a. habit b. habitat c. habitation d. habitable

Nothing can prepare you for the _____ size of the Great Wall of China.

a. immense b. immerse c. eminent d. imminent

Use a _____ cloth to clean the rust from the old metal.

a. course b. cores c. curse d. coarse

10. Look around—everything you see is within the king's _____.

a. birthright b. homeland c. domain d. headquarters

11. We hired a contractor to come _____ a new air conditioning system

after our old one broke.

a. install b. inspect