2 B. Bursar is similar to the word reimburse. The question gives context clues about tuition payment, and that should give you enough clues to select the correct answer, Choice (B).
3 C. Estrange means to alienate, Choice (C). Note that estrange is a verb, and the only answer choice that’s also a verb is Choice (C); the others are adjectives.
4 A. Momentous is an adjective and means very significant, Choice (A).
5 C. Chastised means disciplined or punished, so Choice (C) is the most correct choice. Choices (A), (B), and (D) are unrelated.
6 D. The correct answer is Choice (D). Obtrude means to intrude or to impose oneself on another. The other choices are unrelated.
7 B. Opulent is an adjective that means wealthy, rich, or affluent. Choice (B) is the answer closest in meaning. The other choices are unrelated or opposite of the meaning.
8 B. Recapitulate is a verb that means to summarize. It’s also the longer version of the word recap. The correct answer is Choice (B). Choice (A) is somewhat close, but Choice (B) is the closest in meaning.
9 A. Clemency means forgiveness or leniency in punishing a person. Choice (A) is the correct answer. The other choices are unrelated. Knowing prefixes can be useful when determining the definitions of many words. For example, you may have heard the word inclement used to describe stormy, severe weather. If you know that the prefix in- can mean not, you can conclude that clement is likely to be mild and gentle, traits related to mercy.
10 C. Eschew is a verb that means to avoid or keep away from. Choice (C) is the correct answer, and the other answers are unrelated.
11 B. Pollute means to contaminate, Choice (B).
12 A. Latent means present but not visible or noticeable, so Choice (A) is the correct answer. Latent can also mean dormant, but none of the answer choices relates to that definition.
13 A. Salutary is an adjective meaning beneficial, so Choice (A) is correct. If you took Spanish in high school, you may remember that a related word, salud, relates to health and well-being, making Choice (A) a good guess.
14 C. Reflect is a verb that means to think deeply about, demonstrate, or give back. Ignore would be most opposite in meaning from the choices given.
15 D. Blame can be both a noun and a verb; as a verb, it means to condemn, place responsibility, or accuse. So, exalt is most opposite in meaning.
16 D. Amenable is an adjective meaning willing and cooperative.
17 B. Calamity is a noun meaning disaster.
18 B. Forthright is an adjective meaning straightforward and honest, so of the choices given, polite is the closest to the opposite.
19 B. Profound is an adjective meaning thoughtful, intellectual, and intense, so mild is the most opposite in meaning.
20 B. Nominal is an adjective meaning insignificant or lower than the actual or expected value.
21 B. Fidelity is a noun meaning faithfulness and loyalty in a relationship.
22 C. Avert is a verb meaning to turn something away or prevent it from happening.
23 B. Keen is an adjective meaning interested and enthusiastic, so reluctant is the choice most opposite in meaning.
24 D. Quell is a verb meaning to defeat or suppress.
25 A. Truncate is a verb meaning to shorten or abbreviate.
26 D. Kinetic is an adjective meaning relating to or characterized by motion.
27 C. Corroborate is a verb meaning to back up or confirm a story.
28 C. Forge is a verb meaning to counterfeit or fabricate.
Chapter 5
Paragraph Comprehension
IN THIS CHAPTER
Any other organization would call this section of the ASVAB the Reading Comprehension subtest, but the Department of Defense is a stickler for precision. You’ll be reading paragraphs, darn it, so you’re being tested on how well you understand paragraphs! Not words, not sentences, not essays, but paragraphs!
One thing you get from basic training is that comprehending the drill sergeant’s orders and the information in your instruction manuals is important. The ability to read and understand the written directions in your basic training manual can save you and your buddies hundreds of push-ups (trust me on this one). The Paragraph Comprehension subtest measures your ability to understand what you read and draw conclusions from that material. It contains a number of written passages and questions about those passages. After you enlist, you’ll discover that the military runs on paperwork. If you can’t read and understand a regulation, how are you going to follow it?
On the paper-and-pencil version, you have 13 minutes to answer 15 questions. If you’re taking the computerized version of the ASVAB, you have 27 minutes to read the passages and answer 10 questions. If you get tryout questions in the Paragraph Comprehension subtest of the CAT-ASVAB, you have 75 minutes to complete 25 questions. I cover tryout questions in Chapter 1.
Understanding the Importance of Paragraph Comprehension for Military Jobs
The Paragraph Comprehension subtest is an important part of your AFQT score, which is the most important score because it determines whether a particular branch of service lets you join. The score is so important that I plan to keep on repeating it until you’re mumbling “The AFQT is the most important score” in your sleep.
The vast majority of military jobs require a decent score on the Paragraph Comprehension subtest. In fact, you’ll have a hard time qualifying for any branch if the ASVAB shows the military that you won’t understand the written orders you’ll receive. For example, if the directions in a military recipe make your head spin, how are you going to use it to cook an edible meal for 2,000 troops? (Assuming you want to become a military cook, that is.) Table 5-1 shows the military job qualification line scores that are calculated by using your Paragraph Comprehension subtest score.
TABLE 5-1 Military Line Scores That Use the Paragraph Comprehension Score
| Branch of Service | Line Score |
|---|---|
| U.S. Army | Clerical, General Technical, Operators and Food, Surveillance and Communications, and Skilled Technical |
| U.S. Air Force | Administrative and General |
|
U.S. Navy and Coast Guard
|