Text Completion Drill #1 | IBA High-Frequency Word List 1

I want you to pay special attention to the following questions (bold): 1, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, and 17. Carefully look at the answer choices and try to identify the differences and nuances between them.

1. Despite the ceasefire agreement, the skirmishes along the border did not _________, and the hope for a lasting peace began to dwindle.

a. curtail
b. dwindle
c. capitulate
d. abate
e. proliferate


2. The young artist did not simply copy the master's style; she sought to _____ his creative spirit and innovative techniques, hoping to one day surpass his achievements.

a. camouflage
b. partake
c. assuage
d. flounder
e. emulate



3. After a decade of market dominance, the company became _____, ignoring emerging competitors and failing to innovate—a dangerous self-satisfaction that led to its decline.

a. acquiescent
b. industrious
c. magnanimous
d. complaisant
e. complacent



4. Known for his _____ nature, the junior executive agreed to every request from his superiors, often sacrificing his own well-being just to please them.

a. industrious
b. despondent
c. complaisant
d. acquiescent
e. complacent

5. Though she privately disagreed with the new policy, she remained publicly _______, choosing to accept the decision silently rather than cause a conflict.

a. acquiescent
b. magnanimous
c. complaisant
d. ubiquitous
e. despondent



6. After months of fruitless job searching and mounting debt, he became utterly _____, losing all hope and courage to face the future.

a. complacent
b. despondent
c. complaisant
d. innocuous
e. industrious



7. Due to unexpected budget cuts, the research institute was forced to _____ its most ambitious projects, significantly shortening their scope and duration.

a. proliferate
b. dwindle
c. camouflage
d. abate
e. curtail



8. In a _____ gesture, the victorious general offered the defeated soldiers fair terms of surrender and ensured they were treated with dignity.

a. innocuous
b. acquiescent
c. despondent
d. magnanimous
e. complaisant



9. The government's official statement was carefully worded to _____ public fears following the crisis, but it did little to calm the underlying anxiety.

a. assuage
b. placate
c. emulate
d. abate
e. proliferate



10. The mediator's primary role was to _____ the two warring factions, bringing a sense of calm so that a peace treaty could be discussed.

a. appease
b. curtail
c. capitulate
d. assuage
e. pacify

11. The historical policy of attempting to _____ the aggressor by ceding territory proved to be a catastrophic failure, as the concessions only emboldened further conquests.

a. pacify
b. assuage
c. placate
d. appease
e. capitulate

12. The professor’s lectures were legendary, not for their entertainment, but for their sheer _____, weaving together insights from history, philosophy, and literature with profound depth.

a. camouflage
b. erudition
c. despondency
d. magnanimity
e. complacency

13. With the advent of the new railway line, the once-sleepy town began to ______, with new businesses and residential areas sprouting up almost overnight.

a. proliferate
b. abate
c. burgeon
d. flounder
e. dwindle

14. Without clear leadership or a coherent strategy, the new startup began to ________, struggling awkwardly with product development and failing to secure funding.

a. flounder
b. dwindle
c. curtail
d. capitulate
e. burgeon

15. After weeks of relentless attacks and with supplies dwindling, the besieged city had no choice but to ______, surrendering to the overwhelming force of the enemy.

a. appease
b. abate
c. acquiesce
d. flounder
e. capitulate



16. In the unregulated online environment, conspiracy theories can ______ with alarming speed, spreading rapidly across social networks and reaching millions.

a. flounder
b. dwindle
c. partake
d. burgeon
e. proliferate

17. As the long, harsh winter dragged on, the isolated community's supply of food and fuel began to ______ to dangerously low levels.

a. curtail
b. flounder
c. dwindle
d. burgeon
e. abate

18. The visiting dignitary was invited to ______ in the traditional feast, a gesture of hospitality that symbolized her acceptance into the community.

a. partake
b. appease
c. placate
d. mollify
e. emulate

19. Once a luxury item, the smartphone has become so ______ that it's now a common, almost essential, tool for people of all ages and backgrounds.

a. burgeon
b. innocuous
c. ubiquitous
d. industrious
e. complacent

20. What started as a seemingly ______ comment about the new logo soon spiraled into a heated debate about the firm's entire marketing strategy.

a. magnanimous
b. innocuous
c. despondent
d. ubiquitous
e. erudite

21. The success of the colony was largely due to its ______ settlers, who worked diligently from dawn until dusk to clear the land and build a thriving community.

a. despondent
b. magnanimous
c. complaisant
d. erudite
e. industrious

22. The spy used her job as a journalist to ______ her true activities, her seemingly innocent interviews providing the perfect cover for gathering intelligence.

a. placate
b. curtail
c. abate
d. flounder
e. camouflage