2013年托福词汇精选试题及答案12

1. In the United States in the early 1800's, individual state governments had more effect on the economy than did the federal government. States chartered manufacturing, banking, mining, and transportation firms and participated in the construction of various internal improvements such as canals, turnpikes, and railroads.

The word "effect" is closest in meaning to which of following?

(A) value

(B) argument

(C) influence

(D) restraint

2. The states encouraged internal improvements in two distinct ways: first, by actually establishing state companies to build such improvements; second, by providing part of the capital for mixed public-private companies setting out to make a profit.

The word "distinct" is closest in meaning to which of following?

(A) separate

(B) innovative

(C) alarming

(D) provocative

3. Finally, state governments experimented with direct labor and business regulation designed to help the individual laborer or consumer, including setting maximum limits on hours of work and restrictions on price-fixing by businesses.

The word "setting" is closest in meaning to which of following?

(A) discussing

(B) analyzing

(C) establishing

(D) avoiding

4. Although the states dominated economic activity during this period, the federal government was not inactive. Its goals were the facilitation of western settlement and the development of native industries. Toward these ends the federal government pursued several courses of action.

The word "ends" is closest in meaning to which of following?

(A) benefits

(B) decisions

(C) services

(D) goals

5. What forms of life were able to make such a drastic change in lifestyle? The traditional view of the first terrestrial organisms is based on mega fossils-relatively large specimens of essentially whole plants and animals.

The word "drastic" is closest in meaning to which of following?

(A) widespread

(B) radical

(C) progressive

(D) risky

6. It turns out that some fossils can be extracted from these sediments by putting the rocks in an acid bath. The technique has uncovered new evidence from sediments that were deposited near the shores of the ancient oceans-plant microfossils and microscopic pieces of small animals.

The word "extracted" is closest in meaning to which of following?

(A) located

(B) preserved

(C) removed

(D) studied