Nelson-Denny Practice Test

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Enhance your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills with the Nelson-Denny test. Study with comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Ensure your success with detailed explanations and insights!

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What does 'prevaricate' mean?

To speak clearly
To be evasive
To provide answers directly
To align truthful statements

The correct answer is: To be evasive

The term 'prevaricate' is rooted in the notion of being evasive or avoiding the truth. It refers to the act of speaking in a misleading way or providing information that obscures the real intentions or facts of a situation. When someone is prevaricating, they often do not provide honest answers, instead opting for vagueness or indirectness. This aligns with the correct answer, as being evasive captures the essence of what it means to prevaricate. In contrast, the other options present definitions that are incompatible with the meaning of 'prevaricate.' Speaking clearly and providing answers directly both imply transparency and honesty, while aligning truthful statements suggests a straightforward presentation of facts. These terms do not reflect the complexity of evasion and misrepresentation that 'prevaricate' conveys.