Question

respond to the items below.

1. the intern was too blunt when talking to patients and needed to leave room for hope as well as give correct information.

as used in this sentence, \blunt\ most nearly means
a. dull.
b. abrupt.
c. direct.
d. unpleasant.

1. since we have operations across the country, our office locations are diffuse, so we bring all the employees together once a year for a conference.

as used in this sentence, \diffuse\ most nearly means
a. diverse.
b. spread out.
c. concentrated.
d. wordy.

1. the commander announced he would delay the action and not execute the plan to storm the shore until the weather cleared.

as used in this sentence, \execute\ most nearly means
a. carry out the legacies of
b. kill.
c. accomplish.
d. put in effect.

1. they will launch the new model of the phone at the national electronics fair.

as used in this sentence, \launch\ most nearly means
a. introduce.
b. propel.
c. move suddenly.
d. discharge.

1. the skier looked down at the sheer drop of the slope and decided to try an easier path.

as used in this sentence, \sheer\ most nearly means
a. very steep.
b. very thin
c. complete and absolute
d. not mixed with something else

Explanation:

Question 1

To determine the meaning of "blunt" in the sentence, we analyze the context: the intern's communication with patients lacked tact (needed to leave room for hope). "Direct" fits as being too straightforward without sensitivity. "Dull" refers to lack of interest, "abrupt" is sudden, "unpleasant" is about being disagreeable—"direct" (C) matches the context of overly straightforward communication.

The sentence says office locations are "diffuse" because operations are across the country. "Spread out" (B) matches the idea of locations being scattered. "Diverse" is about variety, "concentrated" is the opposite (gathered), "wordy" is about language—so "spread out" is correct.

In the context of a plan to storm the shore, "execute" means to put the plan into action. "Put in effect" (D) matches. "Carry out the legacies of" is irrelevant, "kill" is incorrect, "accomplish" is too general—"put in effect" is the best fit.

Answer:

C. direct

Question 2