A. Words in Context

1. Tick the word closest in meaning to that of the each boldfaced word. Use the context of the sentences to help you figure out each word’s meaning.

auspicious (adj)Common wisdom says that auspicious

start is a sign of successful progress.

Auspicious means a. deceptive b. indirect c. favourable

complement (v)White wine is said to complement some

meals and red wine to add the finishing touch to others, but many people can’t tell the difference.

Complement means a. go perfectly with b. reach out for c. to overpower

discreet (adj)The mayor’s affair with one of her aides

was discreet – they were very quiet and careful about it – but the truth eventually came our anyway.

Discreet means a. honest b. cautious c. obvious

expedite (v)To expedite payment on an insurance

claim, be sure to include all the necessary information on the form before mailing it in.

Expedite means a. to hasten b. to reduce the cost of c. to delay

extenuating (adj)“Yes, my client robbed the bank,” the

lawyer said, “but there were extenuatingcircumstances. She didn’t have the time to wait in line to make a withdrawal.”

Extenuating means a. providing a good excuse

b. assigning blame c. encouraging

fastidious (adj)Tilly was a fastidious housekeeper who

vacuumed every day, dusted twice a day, and never allowed so much as a pencil or safety pin to be out of place.

Fastidious means a. working quickly b. having insight c. very particular

flout (v)The men in the warehouse floutedthe

company’s new regulations about sexual harassment: they covered the walls with pinups.

Flout means a. to mock and defy b. to put into effect c. to show off

fraudulent (adj)Leroy was jailed for filing fraudulent

income tax returns. He had been cheating the government for years.

Fraudulent means a. inferior b. deceitful c. careless

heinous (adj)Millions of people were shocked

recently by the news reports of a heinousact: a woman had starved her little daughter to death.

Heinous means a. unplanned b. detailed c. wicked

implicit (adj)In our society, a wedding invitation is

also an implicit request for a gift.

Implicit means a. unusual b. unstated c. unintended

obtrusive (adj)My brother’s stutter is often hardly

noticeable, but when he is nervous or in a hurry, it can become obtrusive.

Obtrusive means a. overly obvious b. greatly improved c. unplanned

rebuke (v)Although my boss scolded me many

times in private, I’m grateful that he never rebukedme in public.

Rebuke means a. to criticize b. to make excuses for c. to hit

redeem (v)Ricardo’s parents were angry with him

for neglecting his chores, but he redeemed himself by washing and waxing their car.

Redeem means a. to reveal b. to punish c. to make up for the past errors

transgress (v)Adam transgressed by eating an apple

Eve had given him; God punished them both.

Transgress means a. benefit b. tell a lie c. commit offense

vehement (adj)Edna was vehement in her opposition to

the proposed budget cuts. She let everyone in the department know just how strongly she felt.

Vehement means a. strong b. secret c. unjustified

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 953