2. During the job interview, the candidate asked several _____ questions about the company’s goals and work culture, demonstrating his genuine interest in the position.
(A) conversant
(B) fastidious
(C) pertinent
(D) stigmatized

48. Which portion of the text most effectively challenges the claim that arts education is a frivolous activity? (A) The passage describing the Arts Impact project’s funding from the U.S. Department of Education. (B) The passage describing the students’ makeup, especially their socio-economic characteristics. (C) The passage describing the artistic process as involving skills used in other academic subjects. (D) The passage describing Elizabeth Whitford’s belief that the arts can instill character traits.

49. Which of the following is the best description of the stylistic choices in reinforcing the text’s message? (A) Conversational and engaging style, making the project accessible to a wide audience. (B) Formal and academic tone, emphasizing the academic rigor of the project. (C) Critical and skeptical tone, questioning the validity of the project’s claims. (D) Humorous and lighthearted approach, downplaying the seriousness of the project’s goals.

50. What underlying assumption is made in the text to influence the overall argument? (A) The assumption that the arts are only beneficial for academically successful students (B) The assumption that the arts have a dubious impact on the development of character traits (C) The assumption that making art can alter the brain and improve learning (D) The assumption that student engagement leads to improved learning outcomes

1. The team of engineers struggled to _____ a design that would meet all the project’s requirements while staying within the allocated budget. (A) conceive (B) deceive (C) perceive (D) retrieve

3. The small village is _____ to have the best artisanal cheese in the region, attracting foodies from far and wide to sample its delicious offerings. (A) devoured (B) hoisted (C) muffled (D) reputed

4. The old oak tree had a _____ bark, with patches of gray, brown, and green creating an intricate pattern on its trunk. (A) husky (B) mottled (C) quaint (D) rigid

5. After being left in the hot car, the garden hose was so _____ that water could barely squeeze through. (A) constricted (B) erudite (C) gluttonous (D) infatuated

6. The bakery’s _____, a jovial woman with flour-dusted cheeks, proudly displayed her freshly baked bread and pastries. (A) conjurer (B) hypnotist (C) proprietor (D) royalist

7. The fierce storm _____ the coastline with powerful waves and howling winds, causing significant erosion and damage to the beachfront properties. (A) belied (B) debunked (C) lashed (D) muddled

8. The formal gala was a night of _____, with guests indulging in champagne, laughter, and lively conversations that carried on into the early hours of the morning. (A) cremation (B) debasement (C) grievance (D) frivolity