The painting of the mountains and the lake (is/are) beautiful.

Each of the students (knows/know) the answer.

Events in a story that are foreshadowed early (build/builds) suspense.

The shop under the bridge which sells handmade crafts (operates/operate) year-round.

The staff at the library (was/were) disappointed when the event was canceled.

Infer the meaning of the word Alluded based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): With a smile, she mentioned something that suggested a deeper story. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because the speaker referenced the past lightly, listeners had to infer the rest. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While others spoke directly, he slipped in quiet references.

Infer the meaning of the word Salient based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): The one irregular line in the chart drew his attention immediately among otherwise consistent data. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because her argument centered on one especially important point, the panel focused on that above all else. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While many details blurred together, this single fact rose unmistakably to the forefront.

Infer the meaning of the word Proponents based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): Dozens defended the new policy passionately. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because many voiced support, the initiative gained momentum. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While critics complained loudly, others backed the proposal fully.

Infer the meaning of the word Confounding based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): When the machine suddenly reversed directions, everyone stared in disbelief. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because the results contradicted earlier data, the researchers didn’t know how to interpret them. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While most experiments behaved normally, this one acted unpredictably.

Infer the meaning of the word Pragmatic based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): Instead of insisting on the perfect solution, she chose the option that actually worked. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because time was short, the committee adopted a strategy focused on results rather than elegance. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While others clung to lofty visions, he grounded decisions in reality.

Infer the meaning of the word Verisimilitude based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): The actor’s performance felt so lifelike that audiences forgot they were watching fiction. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because the novelist captured dialogue exactly as people actually speak, readers felt immersed in reality. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While some portrayals felt exaggerated, this one mirrored life with striking accuracy.

Infer the meaning of the word Spectacle based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): The fireworks burst across the sky, leaving everyone speechless. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because the parade was enormous, crowds gathered everywhere. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While some scenes went unnoticed, this one demanded attention.

Infer the meaning of the word Amplify based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): When the singer stepped closer, the sound grew stronger. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because she added vivid detail, the scene became more powerful. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While the first message felt subtle, the second heightened urgency.

Infer the meaning of the word Irrefutable based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): When video footage appeared, no one could argue anymore. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because measurements matched perfectly, the results stood firm. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While earlier claims were weak, this one had absolute proof.

Infer the meaning of the word Malign based on the context clues provided in the paragraphs. Paragraph 1 (Character Reaction): He spread rumors designed to damage her standing among colleagues. Paragraph 2 (Cause and Effect): Because the article misrepresented his actions intentionally, it harmed his reputation. Paragraph 3 (Contrast): While some offered fair criticism, others spoke with clear intent to injure.

Acoustic ecologists studying forest ecosystems recorded unusually strong sound reflections in two distant regions. Despite different tree species in each forest, the frequency of the reflections was nearly identical. Soil scans revealed similar underground rock formations. Proposed Conclusion: The acoustic reflections are likely caused by geological structure rather than vegetation type. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?

Researchers surveyed 14 culturally distinct groups to determine whether sweetness perception varies by culture. All groups rated the same sweet compounds as similarly pleasant regardless of background. Proposed Conclusion: Preferences for sweetness appear largely universal rather than culturally determined. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?

Soil biologists noted that two microbial species consistently occurred together in samples from distant farms. Laboratory cultures revealed that one species secretes a nutrient compound that increases the growth rate of the other species. Soil type and moisture were controlled across experiments. Proposed Conclusion: The pairing of the two microbes is likely due to a mutually beneficial metabolic relationship. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?

Ornithologists studying migratory raptors in the Highlands Range used GPS trackers to analyze route selection during spring flights. They observed that birds consistently avoided narrow valleys with erratic updrafts, choosing broader, more stable air corridors instead. Proposed Conclusion: All migratory birds worldwide choose wide, stable air corridors for the same energy-minimizing reasons observed in Highlands raptors. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?

A political-science research team compared voter turnout across two matched sets of neighborhoods during an election cycle. Turnout increased significantly in neighborhoods that received door-to-door canvassing emphasizing local issues and ballot explanations, while comparable neighborhoods without canvassing showed minimal change. Proposed Conclusion: Door-to-door canvassing increased voter turnout in this study. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?

Two countries with nearly identical oil import–export ratios responded in opposite ways to the same oil price shock. No structural differences substantial enough to explain the divergence were found. Proposed Conclusion: Oil trade ratios alone cannot account for cross-country differences in oil-shock effects. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?

A novel uses a magical-realism tradition describing a character who can hear unspoken thoughts as a metaphor for empathy. Some readers mistakenly believe the narrator intends this power to be taken literally. The author warned this misunderstanding alters how readers judge narrative reliability. Proposed Conclusion: These readers may conclude the narrator is untrustworthy because the events described seem impossible. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?

Scholars who align games with literature or film emphasize narrative techniques and audiovisual style. Nguyen argues these frameworks fall short because they ignore how designers construct agency systems that shape player experience. Proposed Conclusion: Nguyen believes narrative-focused frameworks are insufficient because they ignore designer-created agency systems. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?

Researchers tested competition between red-spotted butterflies and meadow bees, which both fed from the same blossoms. In open-access plots, bees abandoned 76% of flowers after butterflies landed, while butterflies abandoned only 4% of initially shared flowers. Proposed Conclusion: Butterflies competitively displace bees from shared blossoms. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?

A 1984 study of captive gorillas and a 1963 study of wild chimpanzees each examined only 8 individuals. Modern statistical analysis requires samples of at least 16 individuals. Since both studies fall dramatically below this threshold, the findings offer limited insight into population-level handedness patterns. Proposed Conclusion: Neither study provides statistically meaningful evidence for comparing handedness patterns in primates. Question: Is the proposed conclusion logically correct?