2011年TOEFL词汇模拟题精选系列二十一

96. When Jules Verne wrote Journey to the Center of the Earth in 1864, there were many conflicting theories about the nature of the Earth's interior. Some geologists thought that it contained a highly compressed ball of incandescent gas, while others suspected that it consisted of separate shells, each made of a different material.
The word "conflicting" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) controlling
(B) outdated
(C) opposing
(D) important

097. Beyond a depth of around 2,900 kilometers, a great change takes place and the mantle gives way to the core. Some seismic waves cannot pass through the core and others are bent by it. From this and other evidence, geologists conclude that the outer core is probably liquid, with a solid center. It is almost certainly made of iron, mixed with smaller amount of other elements such as nickel.
The phrase "gives way to" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) runs along
(B) rubs against
(C) turns into
(D) floats on

098. Although scientists can speculate about its nature, neither humans nor machines will ever be able to visit it.
The word "speculate" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) report
(B) learn
(C) worry
(D) hypothesize

099. Farmers could get better prices for their crops if the alternative existed of sending them directly eastward to market, and merchants could sell larger quantities of their manufactured goods if these could be transported more directly and more economically to the west.
The word "alternative" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) option
(B) transition
(C) intention
(D) authorization

100. The distance was more than 350 miles, and there were ridges to cross and a wilderness of woods and swamps to penetrate.
The word "penetrate" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) cut down
(B) go through
(C) fill up
(D) take over

096 C

097 C

098 D

099 A

100 B