On the ECL and the ALCPT, many reading questions ask for the meaning of a word in a sentence, and many listening questions turn on one key word. These 30 questions train both: everyday American English words in context, and the military terms used in training.
Answer each question: the explanation appears at once.
Words in context 20 questions
Read the sentence, then choose the meaning of the word in quotation marks.
1The colonel issued new orders this morning. “Issued” means:
A. officially gave out To issue orders = to give them officially.2The store is two blocks away. A “block” is:
A. a section of street between two intersections Block = the distance between two street corners.3The enemy suffered heavy casualties. “Casualties” are:
A. soldiers killed or wounded Casualties = personnel killed, wounded, or missing.4The area is under constant surveillance. “Surveillance” means:
A. close observation Surveillance = continuous watching of a person, place, or activity.5“Chain of custody” refers to:
A. the documented handling of evidence Chain of custody: the documented handling of evidence.6They underestimated their adversary. An “adversary” is:
A. an enemy or opponent Adversary = opponent, enemy.7“Collateral damage” means:
A. unintended harm to civilians or property Collateral damage = unintended harm to civilians or property.8The restroom is down the hall on the left. A “restroom” is:
A. a public toilet / bathroom Restroom (US) = public toilet.9“Surge capacity” means:
A. the ability to increase output rapidly Surge capacity = the ability to increase output quickly.10The convoy reached the port safely. A “convoy” is:
A. a group of vehicles or ships traveling together Convoy = vehicles/ships moving together, often under escort.11“Standing orders” are:
A. permanent instructions Standing orders = permanent instructions.12I need to stop for gas before we hit the highway. In American English, “gas” means:
A. fuel for the car (gasoline) Gas = gasoline (petrol in British English).13A “no-fly zone” is:
A. airspace where flights are prohibited No-fly zone = airspace where flights are prohibited.14“Rules of engagement” determine:
A. when and how force may be used Rules of engagement = rules on when and how force may be used.15He is on leave this week. “Leave” means:
A. authorized absence from duty Leave = official permission to be absent (vacation).16The patrol was caught in an ambush. An “ambush” is:
A. a surprise attack from a hidden position Ambush = a surprise attack by concealed forces.17The squad took cover behind the wall. “Took cover” means:
A. protected themselves from fire To take cover = to shelter from enemy fire.18“Hardware” in a defense context means:
A. military equipment Hardware (defense) = military equipment.19The soldiers returned to their barracks after the exercise. “Barracks” are:
A. buildings where soldiers live Barracks = military housing for personnel.20Please email me your résumé. A “résumé” is:
A. a summary of your education and work experience Résumé (US) = CV (UK): a summary of your education and work experience.
Military terms 10 questions
Complete each sentence with the right term. Learn more on the military terms page.
21An aircraft that has no pilot on board is a ______.
A. drone A drone (UAV) is an aircraft with no pilot on board.22A ______ officer helps the commander with planning and administration at headquarters.
B. staff A staff officer works at headquarters and helps the commander plan and run operations.23A ______ is a temporary stop in fighting.
A. truce Truce = an agreement to stop fighting for a time.24To move troops away from a dangerous area is to ______ them.
A. evacuate To evacuate = to move people out of a dangerous place.25Information about the enemy is called ______.
A. intelligence Intelligence = information about an enemy's forces and plans.26The ship's ______ is the officer second in command.
A. executive officer The executive officer (XO) is second in command after the commanding officer.27Soldiers captured by the enemy are ______.
A. prisoners of war Prisoners of war (POWs) = members of the armed forces captured by the enemy.28The chain of ______ defines who reports to whom.
B. command Chain of command = the line of authority through which orders pass.29The commander ordered a formal ______ into the accident.
A. inquiry An inquiry = an official investigation. Inquire is the verb.30To ______ a ceasefire means to respect it.
B. observe To observe a ceasefire = to respect it; to breach it = to break it.
Learn the words, not only the answers
The ECL vocabulary list has 132 words in themes (ranks, life on base, orders, travel, health, maps) with flashcards and a quiz. For a scored test, take the ALCPT vocabulary test.