Transcript Improving Vocabulary ch 8
IMPROVING VOCABULARY SKILLS
Fourth Edition
Sherrie L. Nist
© 2010 Townsend Press
Unit Two: Chapter 8
•
attest
•
attribute
•
discern
•
dispatch
•
enhance
•
enigma
•
exemplify
•
mobile
•
nocturnal
•
orient
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1
attest
–
verb
•
Anyone who has seen the Golden Gate Bridge in the rose-gold light of sunset can
attest
to its beauty.
•
Witnesses
attest
to the fact that rainfall makes the ground of Death Valley so slippery that boulders slide across it.
Attest
A.
means to declare to be true.
B.
C.
to wish for.
to forget easily.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1
attest
–
verb
•
Anyone who has seen the Golden Gate Bridge in the rose-gold light of sunset can
attest
to its beauty.
•
Witnesses
attest
to the fact that rainfall makes the ground of Death Valley so slippery that boulders slide across it.
Attest
A.
means to declare to be true.
B.
C.
to wish for.
to forget easily. Seeing such a sight would enable one to declare the truth of beauty. People who are witnesses would be able to declare event to be true . the the
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2
attribute
–
noun
•
A three-hundred-page novel written in 1939 has the odd
attribute
of containing no
e
, the most common letter in English.
•
Some cars have computerized
attributes
such as windshield wipers that automatically turn on when it rains.
Attribute
A.
means a tendency.
B.
C.
a defect.
a characteristic.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2
attribute
–
noun
•
A three-hundred-page novel written in 1939 has the odd
attribute
of containing no
e
, the most common letter in English.
•
Some cars have computerized
attributes
such as windshield wipers that automatically turn on when it rains.
Attribute
A.
means a tendency.
B.
a defect.
C. a characteristic.
Not containing a single e is a characteristic of the novel. The second item gives an example of a computerized characteristic of some cars.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3
discern
–
verb
•
An experienced jeweler can easily
discern
genuine or fake.
whether a diamond is
•
People who are red-green colorblind can
discern
traffic lights by recognizing shades of gray.
the colors of
Discern
A.
means to see clearly.
B.
C.
to disregard.
to change.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3
discern
–
verb
•
An experienced jeweler can easily
discern
genuine or fake.
whether a diamond is
•
People who are red-green colorblind can
discern
traffic lights by recognizing shades of gray.
the colors of
Discern
means A. to see clearly.
B.
C.
to disregard.
to change. If a jeweler is experienced, he or she would be able can recognize shades of gray, they would be able to see clearly whether a diamond is genuine or fake. If red-green colorblind people to see clearly the colors of a traffic light.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4
dispatch
–
verb
•
I wanted to
dispatch
the letter as quickly as possible, so I took it to the post office instead of dropping it into a mailbox.
•
At work Harold is treated like an errand boy. His boss often
dispatches
him to the deli for sandwiches or donuts.
Dispatch
A.
means to represent.
B.
C.
to send. to drive.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4
dispatch
–
verb
•
I wanted to
dispatch
the letter as quickly as possible, so I took it to the post office instead of dropping it into a mailbox.
•
At work Harold is treated like an errand boy. His boss often
dispatches
him to the deli for sandwiches or donuts.
Dispatch
A.
means to represent.
B. to send.
C.
to drive. A person would take the letter to the post office in order to send it as quickly as possible. The boss would send Harold to the deli for sandwiches or donuts.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5
enhance
–
verb
•
Our gym teacher
enhanced
hairstyle.
her appearance with a more attractive
•
The college catalogue stated that the writing course would “
enhance
all students ’ writing skills ” by improving their grammar and style.
Enhance
A.
means to make better.
B.
C.
to recognize. to reduce.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5
enhance
–
verb
•
Our gym teacher
enhanced
hairstyle.
her appearance with a more attractive
•
The college catalogue stated that the writing course would “
enhance
all students ’ writing skills ” by improving their grammar and style.
Enhance
means A. to make better.
B.
C.
to recognize. to reduce. A more attractive hairstyle would make In the second item, the word “ to make better .
” improving the teacher ’ s appearance better . suggests that enhance means
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6
enigma
–
noun
•
How the thief entered our house was an
enigma
until we remembered that the cellar door had been left unlocked.
•
The “ singing sands ” of Scotland remained an
enigma
until scientists learned that footsteps caused the round grains of sand and the surrounding air pockets to make musical vibrations.
Enigma
A.
means a comfort.
B.
C.
a puzzle. an error.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6
enigma
–
noun
•
How the thief entered our house was an
enigma
until we remembered that the cellar door had been left unlocked.
•
The “ singing sands ” of Scotland remained an
enigma
until scientists learned that footsteps caused the round grains of sand and the surrounding air pockets to make musical vibrations.
Enigma
A.
means a comfort.
B. a puzzle.
C.
an error. How the thief entered the house would be with an explanation for the “ singing sands, a puzzle ” —until they remembered the unlocked cellar door. Until scientists came up the sands would have been a puzzle .
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7
exemplify
–
verb
•
The many IRS employees who give citizens inaccurate information
exemplify
governmental incompetence.
•
Mr. Ramirez, who emphasizes original thinking and freedom of expression,
exemplifies
the best in teaching.
Exemplify
A.
means to illustrate.
B.
C.
to save. to oppose.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7
exemplify
–
verb
•
The many IRS employees who give citizens inaccurate information
exemplify
governmental incompetence.
•
Mr. Ramirez, who emphasizes original thinking and freedom of expression,
exemplifies
the best in teaching.
Exemplify
A.
means to illustrate.
B.
C.
to save. to oppose. Specific government employees who give inaccurate information would would illustrate illustrate general governmental incompetence. A teacher who emphasizes original thinking and freedom of expression the best in teaching.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8
mobile
–
adjective
•
My parents own a
mobile
to place.
home, which can be moved from place
•
Every morning when I was in the hospital, a volunteer wheeled a
mobile
library into my room.
Mobile
A.
means active.
B.
C.
expensive. moveable. Photo: Amanda Bicknell/FEMA A
mobile
home
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8
mobile
–
adjective
•
My parents own a
mobile
to place.
home, which can be moved from place
•
Every morning when I was in the hospital, a volunteer wheeled a
mobile
library into my room.
A
mobile
home being towed to its destination Photo: Amanda Bicknell/FEMA
Mobile
A.
means active.
B.
expensive. C. moveable.
If the home can be moved from place to place, it must be moveable . If the library was wheeled into the patient ’ s hospital room, it must have been a moveable library.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9
nocturnal
–
adjective
•
I know when my brother has enjoyed one of his
nocturnal
because I find a stack of dishes in the sink in the morning.
feasts
•
Since owls are
nocturnal
, they are rarely seen during the day.
Nocturnal
A.
B.
C.
means noisy.
busy. of the night. A
nocturnal
street scene
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9
nocturnal
–
adjective
•
I know when my brother has enjoyed one of his
nocturnal
because I find a stack of dishes in the sink in the morning.
feasts
•
Since owls are
nocturnal
, they are rarely seen during the day.
A
nocturnal
street scene
Nocturnal
means
A.
B.
noisy.
busy. C. of the night.
If the dishes are in the sink the next morning, the brother must have snacked during the night be creatures of the night . If owls are rarely seen during the day, they must .
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10
orient
–
verb
•
When coming up from the subway, I often need to look at a street sign to
orient
myself.
•
Certain cars let drivers
orient
themselves in unfamiliar places with the help of an electronic map that shows the car ’ s location.
Orient
A.
means to locate.
B.
C.
to welcome. to question.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10
orient
–
verb
•
When coming up from the subway, I often need to look at a street sign to
orient
myself.
•
Certain cars let drivers
orient
themselves in unfamiliar places with the help of an electronic map that shows the car ’ s location.
Orient
means A. to locate.
B.
C.
to welcome. to question. One would look at a street sign in order to locate item, the word location suggests that orient oneself. In the second means “ to locate .
”
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A.
F.
attest enigma
B.
G.
attribute exemplify
C.
discern
H.
mobile
D.
dispatch
I.
nocturnal
E.
enhance
J.
orient
1.
Fresh garlic may not __________ the breath, but it certainly improves spaghetti sauce.
2.
A witness _______(e)d to the truth of the defendant ’ s claim that she had loved the murdered man.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A.
F.
attest enigma
B.
G.
attribute exemplify
C.
discern
H.
mobile
D.
dispatch
I.
nocturnal
E.
enhance
J.
orient
1.
Fresh garlic may not __________ the breath, but it certainly improves spaghetti sauce.
The word improves tells you the meaning of enhance .
2.
attested claim that she had loved the murdered man.
’ s A witness would testify to the truth of the defendant ’ s statement.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A.
F.
attest enigma
B.
G.
attribute exemplify
C.
discern
H.
mobile
D.
dispatch
I.
nocturnal
E.
enhance
J.
orient
3.
When I was younger, my mother used to __________ me to the store for milk or some missing cooking ingredient as often as twice a day.
4.
The lives of such reformers as Susan B. Anthony, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King __________ greatness.
5.
Science does not have enough evidence to solve the __________ of whether or not there is other intelligent life in the universe.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A.
F.
attest enigma
B.
G.
attribute exemplify
C.
discern
H.
mobile
D.
dispatch
I.
nocturnal
E.
enhance
J.
orient
3.
When I was younger, my mother used to __________ me to the store for milk or some missing cooking ingredient as often as twice a day.
The mother would send the child to the store.
4.
The lives of such reformers as Susan B. Anthony, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King __________ greatness.
The lives of such reformers are examples of greatness.
5.
Science does not have enough evidence to solve the __________ of whether or not there is other intelligent life in the universe.
The question of other intelligent life is a mystery . The word a clue. solve is
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A.
F.
attest enigma
B.
G.
attribute exemplify
C.
discern
H.
mobile
D.
dispatch
I.
nocturnal
E.
enhance
J.
orient
6.
The convicts decided on a(n) ________ escape. The darkness would hide them as they fled through the forest.
7.
Sue ’ s hairpiece is so natural-looking that it hair begins.
’ s impossible to __________ where the hairpiece ends and her own
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A.
F.
attest enigma
B.
G.
attribute exemplify
C.
discern
H.
mobile
D.
dispatch
I.
nocturnal
E.
enhance
J.
orient
6.
The convicts decided on a __________ escape. The darkness would hide them as they fled through the forest.
If the darkness would hide them, the escape must have been at night .
7.
Sue ’ s hairpiece is so natural-looking that it to __________ where the hairpiece ends and her own hair begins.
’ s impossible If Sue ’ s hairpiece is natural-looking, it would be impossible to detect where it ends and her own hair begins.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A.
F.
attest enigma
B.
G.
attribute exemplify
C.
discern
H.
mobile
D.
dispatch
I.
nocturnal
E.
enhance
J.
orient
8.
The positions of the stars help sailors __________ themselves on the open seas.
9.
My mother is unable to walk, but with her wheelchair she is __________ enough to get around her apartment, move along a sidewalk, and even shop at a mall.
10.
Giant kelp, a form of seaweed, has some amazing __________s. Not only is it the world ’ s fastest-growing vegetable, but the more it is cut, the faster it grows.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A.
F.
attest enigma
B.
G.
attribute exemplify
C.
discern
H.
mobile
D.
dispatch
I.
nocturnal
E.
enhance
J.
orient
8.
The positions of the stars help sailors __________ themselves on the open seas.
orient The stars help sailors determine their location on the open seas.
9.
My mother is unable to walk, but with her wheelchair she is __________ enough to get around her apartment, move along a sidewalk, and even shop at a mall.
If the mother moves along the sidewalk and shops at a mall, she must be able to move about .
10.
Giant kelp, a form of seaweed, has some amazing ___________. Not only is it the world ’ s fastest-growing vegetable, but the more it is cut, the faster it grows.
The second sentence lists two amazing qualities of giant kelp.