NEC PRACTICE TEST 1 - SPRINGBOARD

After months of speculation, the company finally decided to __________ its controversial merger plans.

A. Backpedal on B. Hammer out C. Hinge on D. gloss over

A. backpedal on = withdraw from, reverse or retreat from a plan/statement

hammer out = negotiate and reach an agreement

hinge on = depend pon

gloss over = lướt qua, bỏ qua, nói qua loa 1 vấn đề

The professor’s lecture was full of __________ arguments that confused rather than enlightened the audience. A. spurious B. cogent C. trenchant D. lucid

A. spurious (adj) false, not genuine, misleading - giả mạo, ko chính thống, ko đúng sự tht (lời đồn, info, claim, credential)

cogent : strong, convincing, logical

trenchant - sharp, forceful

lucid = clear, easy to understand

The candidate’s speech was a masterclass in political __________, cleverly avoiding any concrete promises. A. directness B. equivocation C. veracity D. coherence

A. directness → being straightforward, open → ❌ doesn’t fit because the speech avoided concrete promises.

B. equivocation → the use of ambiguous, vague language to avoid committing (sự mập mờ, lấp lửng)→ ✔

C. veracity → truthfulness, accuracy → ❌ opposite meaning.

D. coherence → logical consistency, clarity → ❌ doesn’t fit with “avoiding promises.”

The new intern showed great __________, quickly adapting to the high-pressure environment of the newsroom. A. ineptitude B. malice C. aplomb D. disdain

A. ineptitude → lack of skill, clumsiness → ❌ opposite meaning.

B. malice → ill will, desire to harm → ❌ irrelevant.

C. aplomb → self-confidence, composure especially in difficult situations → ✔ fits perfectly with “quickly adapting to the high-pressure environment.”

D. disdain → contempt, lack of respect → ❌ doesn’t fit.

31. When his proposal was rejected, he didn’t argue — he simply __________ it on the chin and moved on.

A. took B. bit C. faced D. placed

take it on the chin (idm) accept criticism, defeat or bad

32. The manager issued a stern warning, hoping to __________ any future breaches of protocol.

A. instigate B. preclude C. exacerbate D. forego

A. instigate → to provoke or start something (usually negative)

B. preclude → to prevent something from happening

C. exacerbate → to make worse

D. forego → to give up, do without - từ bỏ, từ chối (ko làm gì đó làm b muốn làm)

→ Despite his love for sweets, he had to forego dessert to stick to his diet.

→ B

33. Her explanation was so __________ that even the most complex theories became accessible.

A. obstuse B. recondite C. pellucid D. elliptical

C. pellucid (adj) very clear and easy to understand

→ pellucid explanation / pellucid water

obstuse (adj) slow to understand; not sharp - chậm hiểu, ngu ngơ (góc) tù

recondite (adj) difficullt to understand, obscure and complex

elliptical (adj) using few words; indirect or not fully expressed

→ He gave an ellioptical ans that confused everyone.

34. He regarded the awards ceremony as a mere __________, caring little for public recognition.

A. vindication B. formality C. extravaganza D. anomaly

B. formality → something done because it’s required, not because it’s important

vindication → proof that someone was right/justified

extravaganza → a lavish, spectacular event

anomaly → something unusual, irregular

35. With a(n) __________ glance, she conveyed all her disapproval without saying a single word.

A. penetrating B. indierent C. dident D. fleeting

penetrating glance: ánh mắt xuyên người

Osteoarthritis is a(n) ______________ joint disease due to the wear and tear of joint cartilage. (GENERATE)

degenerative (adj) thoái hóa (tình trạng xấu đi theo thời gian)

osteoarthritis (n) viêm xương khớp

Although some hold out hope for a sea wall and land reclamation programme, it is admittedly nothing more than a mere ______________. (STOP)

stopgap (n) biện pháp tạm thời