TOPIK Practice – TOPIK I 어휘 [vocabulary] 1–5 (7/26/2026) – mitch mcconnell senate absence

정답: A. 부재

How to solve: The sentence describes concerns about a leadership void in the Senate due to Mitch McConnell's 'long ( )'. The most fitting word to describe his non-presence is '부재' (absence).

A — 부재 (不在) means absence or non-presence. This accurately describes the situation where a key leader is not present, leading to concerns about a leadership vacuum.

B — 참석 (參席) means attendance or presence. This is the opposite of what the sentence implies, as his absence is causing concern.

C — 회의 (會議) means meeting or conference. While the Senate holds meetings, '회의' itself does not describe the leader's state of being away.

D — 협상 (協商) means negotiation. This is a political activity, not a term describing someone's physical absence from their post.

정답: B. 복귀

How to solve: The sentence states that Leader McConnell was away due to health issues and recently came back to Washington to resume work. '복귀' (return) is the most appropriate word to describe his action of coming back.

A — 퇴임 (退任) means retirement or stepping down from office. This is contrary to resuming duties.

B — 복귀 (復歸) means return or comeback. This accurately describes his action of returning to his post and restarting his work after an absence.

C — 이탈 (離脫) means departure or separation. This would imply he left, not returned.

D — 방해 (妨害) means obstruction or disturbance. This describes an action of interfering, not the act of returning.

정답: C. 건강 문제

How to solve: The context of Mitch McConnell's absence from the Senate, widely reported in the news, has been due to health reasons. Therefore, '건강 문제' (health issue) is the correct cause that would significantly impact his Senate activities.

A — 경제 성장 (經濟成長) means economic growth. This is a broad economic topic, unrelated to a specific individual's absence from duty.

B — 정치 개혁 (政治改革) means political reform. While a political concept, it is not the reason for a senator's personal absence.

C — 건강 문제 (健康問題) means health issue. This is the well-known and widely reported reason for Mitch McConnell's prolonged absence from the Senate, which naturally affects his activities.

D — 외교 정책 (外交政策) means foreign policy. This refers to governmental policies regarding international relations, not the personal reason for a leader's absence.

정답: C. 공백

How to solve: The sentence implies a negative consequence of a key leader's long absence in the Senate Republican leadership. '공백' (void/gap) accurately describes the situation where an important role is left unfilled due to someone's absence.

A — 기회 (機會) means opportunity. A leader's absence typically creates challenges, not opportunities, in terms of smooth functioning of leadership.

B — 성공 (成功) means success. This is contrary to the negative implication of a leadership absence.

C — 공백 (空白) means a void, gap, or blank space. It is the most appropriate term to describe the absence of leadership or a position not being filled due to a key person's prolonged absence.

D — 발전 (發展) means development or progress. This is the opposite of the negative impact suggested by the context of an important leader's absence.

정답: C. 지도자

How to solve: Mitch McConnell is widely known as a senior figure in the U.S. Senate, having served as both Majority and Minority Leader for the Republican party. Therefore, '지도자' (leader) accurately describes his significant role.

A — 일반인 (一般人) means a common person or ordinary citizen. This is incorrect, as he holds a highly prominent political position.

B — 시민 (市民) means citizen. While he is a citizen, this word does not describe his specific influential role within the Senate.

C — 지도자 (指導者) means leader. Mitch McConnell holds a very powerful position as the leader of the Republican Party in the Senate (currently Senate Minority Leader), making this the most fitting description.

D — 학생 (學生) means student. This is clearly incorrect and irrelevant to his position.