Since then, over 100 tons of fossils, 1.5 million from vertebrates, 2.5 million from invertebrates, have been recovered, often in densely concentrated tangled masses. The word "tangled" is closest in meaning to which of following?
(A) buried beneath
(B) twisted together
(C) quickly formed
(D) easily dated

A flood of ice would then surge into the Southern Sea. With the continued rise in sea level, more ice would plunge into the ocean, causing sea levels to rise even higher, which in turn would release more ice and set in motion a vicious cycle. The word "plunge" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) drop (B) extend (C) melt (D) drift

Group members look to instrumental leaders to "get things done." Expressive leadership, on the other hand, is leadership that emphasizes the collective well-being of a social group's members. The word "collective" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) necessary (B) typical (C) group (D) particular

They offer sympathy when someone experiences difficulties or is subjected to discipline, are quick to lighten a serious moment with humor, and try to resolve issues that threaten to divide the group. The word "resolve" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) avoid repeating (B) talk about (C) avoid thinking about (D) find a solution for

Thousands of tons were extracted before 1875, when it was first noticed that the tar contained fossil remains. Major excavations were undertaken that established the significance of this remarkable site. The word "noticed" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) predicted (B) announced (C) corrected (D) observed

The asphalt at La Brea seeps to the surface, especially in the summer, and forms shallow puddles that would often have been concealed by leaves and dust. The word "concealed" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) highlighted (B) covered (C) transformed (D) contaminated

The ocean bottom --- a region nearly 2. 5 times greater than the total land area of the Earth --- is a vast frontier that even today is largely unexplored and uncharted, until about a century ago, the deep-ocean floor was completely inaccessible, hidden beneath waters averaging over 3,600 meters deep. The word "inaccessible" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) unrecognizable (B) unreachable (C) unusable (D) unsafe

The DSDP's drill ship, the Glomar Challenger, was able to maintain a steady position on the ocean's surface and drill in very deep waters, extracting samples of sediments and rock from the ocean floor. The word "extracting" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) breaking (B) locating (C) removing (D) analyzing

Today, largely on the strength of evidence gathered during the Glomar Challenger's voyages, nearly all earth scientists agree on the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift that explain many of the geological processes that shape the Earth. The word "strength" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) basis (B) purpose (C) discovery (D) endurance

For every three Canadians in 1945, there were over five in 1966. In September 1966 Canada's population passed the 20 million mark. Most of this surging growth came from natural increase. The word "surging" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) new (B) extra (C) accelerating (D) surprising

When the prairies were being settled, undoubtedly, the good economic conditions of the 1950's supported a growth in the population, but the expansion also derived from a trend toward earlier marriages and an increase in the average size of families. The word "trend" is closest in meaning to which of following? (A) tendency (B) aim (C) growth (D) directive