READING ITEM:
Because of powerful opposition to the Covenant of the League Nations, led by Republican Henry Cabot Lodge, the Senate refused to sanction the entry of the United States into the League, and without America’s participation and leadership, the League ultimately failed.

In the sentence above, the word sanction most nearly means

(A) prohibit
(B) prolong
(C) discourage
(D) replace
(E) approve

READING EXPLANATION:
Correct Answer: (E)
This item demonstrates the importance of attending to the verbal clues provided by the text. You probably know that "sanction" is a peculiar word in that in one context it can mean approve but in another it can mean "order," particularly an order prohibiting something. The two meanings are very nearly opposites. Which is intended here? The sentence states that there was "powerful opposition" to the League and that ultimately the U.S. did not participate. Since the U.S. was not a member, we conclude that the Senate refused to approve U.S. membership.