(C) distortion

　　(D) prejudice

　　270. These new urbanites, already convinced that cities were overwhelmed with great problems, eagerly embraced the progressive reforms that promised to bring order out of the chaos of the city.

　　The word "embraced" is closest in meaning to which of following?

　　(A) suggested

　　(B) overestimated

　　(C) demanded

　　(D) welcomed　271. Reformers feared that the privately owned utility companies would charge exorbitant rates for these essential services and deliver them only to people who could afford them.

　　The word "exorbitant" is closest in meaning to which of following?

　　(A) additional

　　(B) expensive

　　(C) various

　　(D) modified

　　272. Proponents of these reforms argued that public ownership and regulation would insure widespread access to these utilities and guarantee a fair price.

　　The word "Proponents" is closest in meaning to which of following?

　　(A) Experts

　　(B) Pioneers

　　(C) Reviewers

　　(D) Supporters

　　273. By 1776 the fine art of painting as it had developed in western Europe up to this time had been introduced into the American colonies through books and prints, European visitors and immigrants, and traveling colonists who brought back copies of old master paintings and acquaintance with European art institutions. By the outbreak of the Revolution against British rule in 1776, the status of the artist had already undergone change.

　　The word "outbreak" is closest in meaning to which of following?

　　(A) cause

　　(B) beginning

　　(C) position

　　(D) explanation

　　The word "undergone" is closest in meaning to which of following?

　　(A) led to

　　(B) transformed

　　(C) preferred

　　(D) experienced

　　274. Some colonial urban portraitist, such as John Singleton Copley, Benjamin West, and Charles Willson Peale, consorted with affluent patrons.

　　The word "consorted" is closest in meaning to which of following?

　　(A) made decisions

　　(B) studied

　　(C) agreed

　　(D) associated

　　275. Although subject to fluctuations in their economic status, all three enjoyed sufficient patronage to allow them to maintain an image of themselves as professional artists, an image indicated by their custom of signing their paintings.

　　The word "sufficient" is closest in meaning to which of following?

　　(A) adequate

　　(B) temporary

　　(C) friendly

　　(D) expensive

　　276. The railroad simultaneously stripped the landscape of the natural resources, made velocity of transport and economy of scale necessary parts of industrial production, and carried consumer goods to households;it dispatched immigrants to unsettled places, drew emigrants away from farms and villages to cities, and sent men and guns to battle.

　　The word "drew" is closest in meaning to which of following?

　　(A) obliged

　　(B) designed

　　(C) helped

　　(D ) attracted

　　277. It standardized time and travel, seeking to annihilate distance and space by allowing movement at any time and in any season or type of weather.