ELA 1/2 Words in Context: "Challenges"

1. Mountain climber Alex Honnold faced an unprecedented challenge when he attempted to scale El Capitan's 3,000-foot granite wall without ropes. While many climbers viewed this endeavor as _, Honnold approached it with methodical preparation, spending years memorizing every hold and practicing each sequence until it became second nature. His unwavering focus and systematic training ultimately led to a successful free solo climb in 2017.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• conventional

• reckless

• straightforward

• unattainable

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

2. When marine biologist Sylvia Earle first descended to the ocean depths in a pressurized suit in 1979, she encountered technical difficulties that threatened her mission. The suit's communication system malfunctioned, leaving her temporarily _ from her surface team. Despite this setback, she maintained her composure and completed her research objectives, setting a world record for the deepest untethered walk on the seafloor.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• isolated

• liberated

• protected

• separated

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

3. During the development of the polio vaccine, Jonas Salk faced significant skepticism from the scientific community regarding his unconventional approach. While his colleagues _ the use of killed virus particles, believing them ineffective, Salk persisted with his methodology. His determination ultimately led to the creation of a safe, effective vaccine that helped eradicate polio in many parts of the world.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• endorsed

• questioned

• dismissed

• analyzed

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

4. The Wright brothers' pursuit of powered flight was marked by countless setbacks and failures. Their approach to these challenges was notably _; rather than becoming discouraged by each unsuccessful attempt, they meticulously documented their observations and used this data to refine their designs, treating each failure as a crucial step toward their ultimate success.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• emotional

• impulsive

• methodical

• casual

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

5. Marie Curie's groundbreaking research into radioactivity presented unique challenges, not least because the scientific community of her time was largely _ to women researchers. Despite facing institutional barriers and gender bias, she persevered, becoming the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two scientific fields.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• welcoming

• hostile

• indifferent

• receptive

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

6. The Mars Rover Perseverance faces daily challenges in its exploration of the red planet. The harsh Martian environment, with its extreme temperatures and frequent dust storms, requires the rover to be remarkably _; it must adapt its operations and protect its sensitive equipment while continuing to gather crucial scientific data.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• resilient

• aggressive

• passive

• careless

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

7. In developing the theory of relativity, Einstein encountered widespread resistance from the physics community. His ideas were initially met with _, as they challenged fundamental assumptions about space and time that had been accepted for centuries. Yet his mathematical proofs and subsequent experimental validations eventually transformed our understanding of the universe.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• enthusiasm

• skepticism

• indifference

• approval

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

8. The challenge of preserving ancient manuscripts requires conservators to be exceptionally _. Each document presents unique deterioration patterns and requires specific environmental conditions, making standardized preservation approaches ineffective. The success of conservation efforts often depends on the ability to adapt techniques to each manuscript's particular needs.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• hasty

• rigid

• meticulous

• casual

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

9. Katherine Johnson's work at NASA during the Space Race was _ to the success of early space missions. As a Black woman mathematician in the 1960s, she faced both racial and gender discrimination, yet her exceptional calculations proved crucial for plotting trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo missions.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• peripheral

• irrelevant

• instrumental

• insignificant

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

10. The development of renewable energy technologies presents engineers with _ challenges. While the basic principles of solar and wind power are well understood, creating efficient, cost-effective systems that can reliably replace fossil fuels requires innovative solutions to complex technical and economic problems.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• minimal

• straightforward

• multifaceted

• simple

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4