Reading Tutorial: Vocabulary Building 211 The new play was so successful that the demand for tickets was (A) odd (B) overwhelming (C) negligible idea of what the book 10 A book's table of contents provides readers with an is about (A) outgoing (B) overt 11 Snails go out to feed only on rainy or (A) obscure (C) overall days (B) overcast (C) overt amount of damage was 12 Although the accident appeared serious, only a actually done (A) novel (B) notable 13 The Austrian writer Franz Kafka wrote a which a man turns into a gigantic insect (A) nightmarish (C) negligible story called “Metamorphosis” in (B) nimble (C) outgoing 14 I made a few errors on my essay exam, but fortunately, my teacher decided to them (A) oversee (B) overwhelm (C) overlook VOCABULARY EXERCISE 11 pace n rate, speed painstaking adj careful, conscientious, thorough pale adj white, colorless, faded paltry adj unimportant, minor, trivial paramount adj chief, top, vital, supreme particle n piece, bit, fragment path n trail, track, way, route peculiar adj (1) strange, odd, puzzling; (2) distinctive, characteristic, unique, special penetrate v enter, go through, go into, pierce, puncture perceive v observe, sense, notice peril n danger, hazard, risk, threat perilous adj dangerous, risky, ominous, hazardous perpetual adj constant, endless, eternal perplexing adj puzzling, mystifying, confusing pierce v penetrate, puncture, stab, go into pivotal adj important, key, crucial plague n epidemic; v trouble, bother, harass, vex plausible adj likely, credible, believable 212 Section Guide to Reading plead v appeal, beg plush adj luxurious, opulent, rich, elegant ponder v consider, think about, reflect on portion share, part, section, segment postpone v delay, put off, defer potent adj strong, powerful, effective pounce v jump, leap, spring precious adj expensive, costly, rare, desirable precise adj accurate, exact, definite premier adj (1) first, opening, earliest, initial; (2) chief, leading, foremost prescribed adj arranged, set, agreed on pressing adj urgent, crucial, compelling pretext excuse, pretense, justification prevail v succeed, win, triumph prevalent adj common, widespread, popular prior adj earlier, preceding, former probe v investigate, inquire into procure v obtain, acquire, secure profound adj important, significant, deep profuse adj plentiful, abundant, copious prompt adj punctual, timely prosper v flourish, thrive, succeed provoke v (1) irritate, anger, annoy; (2) cause, trigger prudent adj careful, sensible, cautious pulverize v crush, grind, powder pungent adj bitter, harsh, biting, sharp pursue v chase, follow, seek puzzling adj mystifying, confusing, baffling DIRECTIONS: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary items (A), (B), or (C), according to the context of the sentences Turquoise is not valuable enough to be classified as a (A) perpetual (B) pale The invention of the lever was of (A) potent (B) profound stone (C) precious importance (C) profuse Hospitals define urgent care as medical care given to somewhat less ical problems than emergency care (A) perplexing (B) pressing (C) prudent med- Reading Tutorial: Vocabulary Building Tool makers must have the ability to work very specifications (A) precisely (B) profoundly 213 in order to meet exact (C) plausibly of dust in the air may trigger allergies in some people (A) Portions (B) Pretexts (C) Particles When a tiger spots its prey, it crouches down and then (A) pleads X-rays cannot (B) ponders (C) pounces (B) penetrate (C) pursue lead (A) provoke Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective, solved many (A) puzzling (B) prevalent Mallows are plants that grow (A) profusely 10 i (C) prompt in prairies, woods, and marshes (B) profoundly Certain spices give foods a (A) painstaking crimes (C) preciously taste (B) pungent (C) pale 11 Trade with Britain and the West Indies allowed colonial seaports such as Boston and Norfolk to (A) postpone (B) provoke (C) prosper 12 Alicia doesn’t like to go camping when she travels She’d rather stay at a five-star hotel (A) plush 13 A (B) perilous (C) profuse investor never takes unnecessary financial risks (A) perplexing (B) prudent (C) premier 14 To make cement, limestone is first , and the resulting powder is then mixed with clay and water at high temperatures (A) probed 15 (C) pierced Outbreaks of cholera and other diseases were in mining camps during the California gold rush because of the crowded, unsanitary conditions (A) peculiar 16 (B) pulverized (B) plausible (C) prevalent Only a small of Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico has been lighted and opened to visitors (A) peril (B) portion 17 Acting teacher Stella Adler played a (C) pace role in the development of the Method school of acting (A) pivotal (B) precious (C) plush 214 Section Guide to Reading 18 Itis of importance that you finish this project by the deadline (A) prescribed (B) prevalent (C) paramount VOCABULARY EXERCISE 12 quaint adj charming in an old fashioned way, picturesque, curious quake v shiver, shake, tremble quandary problem, dilemma, predicament quarrel argument, dispute, disagreement quest n search, journey, venture radiant adj bright, shiny, glowing ragged adj torn, tattered, worn range v (1) extend, vary, fluctuate; (2) roam, wander; n scope, extent, spectrum rash adj thoughtless, careless, reckless raw adj (1) uncooked; (2) unprocessed, unrefined, crude; (3) sore, tender raze v demolish, level, knock down real estate n property such as buildings and land rebuke v scold, reprimand recede v retreat, go back, subside, withdraw reckless adj careless, rash recollect v recall, remember recount v narrate, tell refine v improve, process, purify refuge n shelter, haven, retreat refuse v reject, turn down, tell someone “no”; n waste, garbage, trash rehearse v practice, train, go over reliable adj dependable, trustworthy relish v enjoy, savor, like remarkable adj incredible, amazing, extraordinary, noteworthy remedy n treatment, cure remnant n remainder, balance, fragment remote adj isolated, distant renowned adj famous, celebrated, notable resent v dislike, take offense at retract v withdraw, pull back riddle n puzzle, mystery rigid adj (1) stiff, unbending; (2) harsh, severe, strict rip v tear, cut, slash Reading Tutorial: Vocabulary Building 215 ripe adj mature, developed risky adj dangerous, hazardous, treacherous roam v travel, wander, range rough adj (1) uneven, jagged, rugged; (2) difficult; (3) impolite route n way, course, path, road routine custom, habit, daily schedule; adj ordinary, typical, regular, normal rudimentary adj elementary, fundamental, primitive rugged adj (1) jagged, rough, uneven; (2) strong, sturdy rumor 71 gossip, story rural adj agricultural ruthless adj cruel, brutal, vicious Directions: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary items (A), (B), or (C), according to the context of the sentences Motorists can be fined for driving (A) recklessly (B) reliably Musicians have to (A) rehearse (C) rigidly before performing (B) resent (C) recollect At the end of the Ice Ages, most glaciers began to (A) quake (B) raze (C) recede Big Sur, a wild section of California’s coastline, is known for its (A) ragged (B) rash (C) rugged for many species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and Wetlands provide amphibians (A) riddles (B) refuge Wrecking balls are used to (A) recede beauty (C) rumors buildings (B) quake (C) raze The northernmost section of the Rocky Mountains, the Brooks Range, is located ina section of Alaska (A) remote (B) ruthless Dogs can hear a greater (A) remnant (C) routine of sounds than humans (B) quandary (C) range Visitors to Vermont delight in the beautiful scenery and picturesque villages and enjoy staying in some of the country inns there (A) rough (B) ragged (C) quaint materials have less economic value than processed materials 10 (A) Raw (B) Rash (C) Renowned 216 Section Guide to Reading 11 Many legends and myths are stories about , in which the hero must undertake a dangerous journey to find some significant or precious object (A) quarrel (B) quandaries (C) quests 12 As we were walking along the beach, we saw a (A) remarkably (B) recklessly beautiful sunset (C) relentlessly 13 The Tennessee Valley Authority helped bring cheap electricity to farmers in the South (A) reliable 14 Bobsledding is a fast, (A) risky 15 (B) rural (C) rugged sport (B) quaint (C) ripe Quite logically, early roads in North America tended to follow the rivers (A) remedies 16 Alex Haley's novel Roots the mid-1700’'s in Africa (A) recounts (B) routes (C) quandaries the history of an American family beginning in (B) refines (C) relishes VOCABULARY EXERCISE 13 salvage v save, rescue, recover, retrieve savage adj fierce, wild, aggressive, ferocious, belligerent scale v climb; n (1) range, spectrum; (2) proportion scarce adj rare, sparse scatter v disperse, spread scent aroma, fragrance, odor, smell scorn n mockery, derision, contempt, ridicule scrap v abandon, get rid of; n piece, fragment seasoned adj experienced, veteran secluded adj hidden, isolated, secret secrete v produce (a liquid), squirt sensational adj thrilling, exciting, shocking serene adj quiet, peaceful, calm, tranquil sever v cut, slice off severe adj (1) harsh, strict, austere; (2) undecorated, plain shatter v break, smash, fragment sheer adj (1) steep, sharp, abrupt; (2) transparent, thin, filmy shimmer v shine, glow, glisten, gleam shred v rip up, tear up of Reading Tutorial: Vocabulary Building 217 shrewd adj clever, sly shrill adj piercing, high-pitched shun v avoid, stay away from shy adj timid, reserved, easily frightened significant adj important, vital, major signify v symbolize, stand for, indicate, represent simulate v imitate, reproduce sketch v draw; n drawing, picture, diagram slender adj thin, slim, slight; (2) unlikely slim adj (1) slender, thin, slight, trim; (2) unlikely slice n thin piece; v cut, carve, divide sluggish adj slow, listless, lazy, lethargic sly adj cunning, clever, shrewd soak v wet, drench, saturate solace n comfort, consolation, relief solitary adj alone, single, solo, isolated somber adj serious, grave, solemn sort v classify, categorize; n type, kind, variety sound adj safe, solid, secure; n noise DIRECTIONS: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary items (A), (B), or (C), according to the context of the sentences One of the most popular peaks for mountain climbers to in Yosemite National Park (A) scale (B) soak is El Capitan (C) shun Gray foxes are not particularly rare animals, but they are seldom seen because they are so (A) sluggish (B) somber (C) shy workers are more valuable to employers than beginners (A) Shrill (B) Seasoned (C) Sluggish The Shakers were a strict religious group that (A) scrapped (B) shunned worldly pleasure (C) sketched The city of Denver's plan to build a subway system was (A) scattered (B) sorted in the 1970's (C) scrapped Even after a ship has sunk, its cargo can often be (A) severed (B) shattered (C) salvaged Some economists believe that the best way to get a again is to cut taxes (A) sensational (B) sluggish (C) shrewd economy moving 218 Section Guide to Reading Government bonds and blue-chip stocks are (A) sound (B) shy Ifa person’s spinal cord is (A) soaked 10 Silk is a investments (C) scarce , paralysis results (B) severed (C) salvaged (B) shrewd (C) shrill fabric (A) sheer 11 A green flag (A) scatters the beginning of an automobile race (B) simulates (C) signifies 12 The raw materials of paper—wood pulp, rags, or old paper—must be and cleaned before the paper-making process begins (A) severed (B) shredded (C) sketched 13 A home aquarium should (A) soak a fish’s natural habitat as closely as possible (B) simulate (C) salvage 14 Foxfire is an eerie, blue light, often seen in swamps, that is caused by the bioluminescence of a fungus that lives on some decaying plants (A) serene (B) somber (C) shimmering 15 He put ham, turkey, tomato, lettuce, mustard, and a thick sandwich (A) scent (B) slice of onion on his (C) scrap VOCABULARY EXERCISE 14 sow v plant span v extend, bridge, connect; n length, extent, range spawn v generate, create, produce; n offspring, descendants specific adj definite, particular, exact specimen n example, sample spectacular adj dramatic, sensational, impressive spell n interval, period, time spirited adj lively, energetic, vigorous splendid adj excellent, superb, wonderful spoil v, (1) ruin, mar; (2) decay, deteriorate, decompose, rot spot v locate, find, see, identify; n (1) location, site; (2) mark, stain, speck spur v stimulate, impel, encourage, provoke; n inducement, stimulus stable adj steady, secure, stationary, fixed stage v present, put on; n grade, step, level, phase stain v color, tint, discolor, dye; n spot, mark, blemish Reading Tutorial: Vocabulary Building 219 stale adj (1) old, dry; (2) dull, trite, uninteresting stall v halt, delay, put off standard n pattern, ideal, norm; adj normal, typical, ordinary, regular, stock stately adj dignified, grand, magnificent, elegant steep adj sheer, perpendicular stern adj firm, severe, strict, harsh stock n (1) supply, collection; (2) goods, merchandise; v have a supply of, carry; adj standard, routine, ordinary, typical stray adj wandering, undirected, lost, uncontrolled strenuous adj difficult, arduous strident adj loud, insistent strife n conflict, dispute, struggle striking adj prominent, remarkable, unusual, conspicuous, noteworthy, dramatic strive v attempt, try struggle v fight, argue, dispute; n conflict, strife, battle, effort stubborn adj rigid, uncompromising, obstinate stunning adj (1) surprising, shocking; (2) attractive, beautiful sturdy adj strong, rugged, well built subsequent adj later, succeeding, following, ensuing subtle adj indirect, suggestive, implied suitable adj appropriate, correct, apt summit n peak, apex, zenith sundry adj miscellaneous, diverse, various superb adj excellent, splendid supplant v replace, substitute for supple adj pliable, flexible, bendable sway v (1) wave, rock, swing, bend; (2) persuade, influence sweeping adj complete, exhaustive, general, comprehensive swift adj fast, quick, rapid swivel v rotate, spin, turn symbolize v represent, stand for DIRECTIONS: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary items (A), (B), or (C), according to the context of the sentences High-pressure cells may bring brief warm (A) struggles (B) spells even in the middle of winter (C) spans The cliffs of the Na Pali coast on the Hawaiian island of Kauai rise over 4,000 feet from the sea (A) swift (B) steep (C) subtle ” ep > = = a 220 Section Guide to Reading The process of refining oil involves a number of (A) specimens (B) spots In high winds, skyscrapers will (A) swivel (C) stages slightly (B) sway (C) stall tornadoes Severe thunderstorms may (A) spoil (B) strive The snow-covered Oregon (A) spur of Mount Hood is the highest point in the state of (B) summit D.W Griffith was the first director of colossal scale (A) stately Cheetahs are the per hour (A) stalest (C) spawn (C) span films These were movies made ona (B) suitable (C) spectacular of all land mammals, with top speeds of up to 70 miles (B) subtlest (C) swiftest Salt can be used to keep meat from (A) struggling (B) spoiling (C) stalling 10 Because they must be able to break a path through icebound waters, icebreak- ers have to be very boats (A) stately (B) sturdy 11 According to studies, most people who divorce (A) specifically 12 A roadbed supplies a (A) stable (B) subsequently (C) supple remarry (C) stubbornly base for a highway (B) stock (C) sweeping 13 Every year, the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., of plays (A) stalls (B) stages a number (C) spans 14 Farmers sometimes crops such as timothy or clover and then plow them under the soil to increase its fertility (A) supplant (B) spur (C) sow 15 The geographical center of the North American continent is a Drake, North Dakota (A) spot (B) stage (C) summit 16 Many medical tests require a blood (A) spell (B) specimen (C) stain near Reading Tutorial: Vocabulary Building 17 Because of their pale color, ghost crabs blend in with the sand and are hard to (A) spur (B) spawn 18 The Virginia reel is a (A) stale 19 A (C) spot dance mainly performed by children (B) spirited (C) supple piano has eighty-eight keys (A) standard 20 I found the (B) spectacular (C) sundry tone of his remarks particularly annoying (A) stunning (B) striking (C) strident 21 A general store is a small store, often in a rural area, that sells food, clothing, supplies, and other goods (A) stale (B) sundry (C) sturdy VOCABULARY EXERCISE 15 tact n diplomacy, discretion, poise tale n story, legend tame v domesticate, master; adj docile, domesticated, gentle tamper (with) v interfere (with) tangled adj knotted, twisted tart adj sour, tangy, piquant taunt v insult, mock, torment tedious adj boring, dull, tiresome telling adj effective, convincing, forceful temperate adj mild, moderate tempting adj alluring, attractive, enticing tender adj (1) delicate, soft; (2) gentle, loving; (3) sore, painful, raw terminate v end, finish, cease thaw v melt, warm up thorough adj complete, comprehensive thoroughfare n avenue, street thrifty adj economical, inexpensive thrilling adj exciting, stimulating, stirring, electrifying thrive v prosper, flourish thwart v prevent, impede, obstruct tidings n news, message tilt v incline, slope timid adj fearful, shy, retiring 221 222 Section Guide to Reading tint n color, hue, shade, tone; v color, stain, dye tiresome adj tedious, dull, boring toil v labor, work; n exertion, labor, work tolerant adj patient, impartial, open-minded topple v knock over, knock down, bring down, uproot torment v taunt, abuse, bully torrent n flood, deluge tough adj durable, strong tow v haul, draw, pull, drag toxic adj poisonous, noxious trait n characteristic, feature, quality tranquil adj quiet, peaceful, relaxing transient adj temporary, momentary, passing transparent adj clear, see-through treacherous adj dangerous, hazardous trickle n drip, leak triumph victory, success, achievement; v win, succeed, prevail trivial adj unimportant, minor trying adj demanding, difficult, troublesome tug v pull, draw; n pull twilight n evening, dusk DirEcTIONs: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary items (A), (B), or (C), according to the context of the sentences Citric acid gives lemons and limes their (A) temperate (B) toxic The use of robots has eliminated certain (A) tedious (B) thrilling taste (C) tart factory jobs (C) transient One should never buy food or medicine if the packaging has obviously been (A) tangled (B) thwarted (C) tampered with Alfred Hitchcock directed a number of psychological dramas; among the most exciting were Psycho and North by Northwest (A) transparent (B) trivial (C) thrilling Tides are caused by the (A) tangle of the moon's gravity (B) torrent Many people find chocolate (A) tempting (B) tender (C) tug (C) telling Reading Tutorial: Vocabulary Building Peachtree Street is the main (A) triumph 223 in Atlanta (B) thoroughfare (©) tale In her book Silent Spring, Rachel Carson wrote about insecticides and their effects on animal life (A) tiresome (B) tender (C) toxic In the desert, dry creek beds may turn into raging (A) trickles 10 Colonial coral (A) thrives 11 (B) torrents after heavy rainstorms (C) toils mainly in warm, tropical waters (B) terminates (C) tows such as hair color and eye color are inherited genetically from one’s parents (A) Traits (B) Tangles (C) Tints 12 Washington Irving collected and interpreted many famous old the legends of Rip Van Winkle and the Headless Horseman (A) tales (B) tidings , including (C) traits 13 Wild rabbits are creatures that mainly rely on their keen senses of hearing and smell to evade danger (A) thrilling (B) timid 14 The dura mater is a , protective fibrous membrane that covers the spinal cord and brain (A) tender (C) treacherous (B) tough (C) temperate 15 Behind my desk is a mass of electrical cords from my computer, monitor, printer, scanner, radio, and desk lamp (A) tangled 16 The tropical storm (A) toppled (B) transparent (C) treacherous many palm trees in the coastal towns (B) tugged (C) triumphed 17 Most scientists believe that global warming is beginning to glaciers (A) thwart (B) tint the world’s (C) thaw 18 In 1880, Los Angeles was a little town with a population of only 11,000, but it would not remain quiet for long (A) thrilling (B) tranquil (C) transient VOCABULARY EXERCISE 16 ultimate adj (1) conclusive, definite, final; (2) maximum, highest, best unbearable adj intolerable, agonizing 224 Section Guide to Reading uncouth adj impolite, rude, vulgar underlying adj fundamental, basic undertake v try, attempt ungainly adj awkward, unskillful uniform adj consistent, regular unique adj singular, one of a kind, special unravel v solve, explain unruly adj unmanageable, disorganized, disorderly unsound adj defective, faulty, unsafe upheaval n disturbance, disorder uphold v support, sustain upkeep n maintenance uproar n disorder, disturbance, commotion urbane adj sophisticated, cultured, elegant urge v encourage, advise, implore urgent adj pressing, compelling utensil tool, implement, device utter v say, speak; adj total, absolute, complete vacant adj empty, unoccupied vague adj unclear, uncertain, ambiguous vain adj (1) useless, pointless, unsuccessful, futile; (2) conceited, arrogant valid adj genuine, authentic, legitimate vanish v disappear, go away variable adj changeable, shifting vast adj huge, enormous, extensive, immense venomous adj poisonous verbose adj talkative, wordy verge n brink, edge, threshold verve n enthusiasm, energy vessel n (1) container, bottle; (2) ship, craft vex v irritate, anger, annoy viable adj (1) alive, living; (2) feasible, practical, possible vicinity n area, proximity, zone vie (with) v compete (with), rival vigorous adj dynamic, energetic, spirited virtual adj almost, nearly, not quite vital adj critical, crucial, key, essential vivacious adj lively, cheerful vivid adj clear, distinct, graphic vow v promise, pledge, swear; n oath, promise, pledge Reading Tutorial: Vocabulary Building 225 DrrEcTIONs: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary items (A), (B), or (C), according to the context of the sentences To be fair, laws must be applied to all persons (B) vaguely (C) uniformly Rattlesnakes are the most common (A) ungainly snakes in the United States (B) venomous The League of Women Voters (A) urges (C) variable (C) upholds Inhis novel The Red Badge of Courage, Steven Crane battle (B) uniformly An Erlenmeyer flask is a glass (A) vessel Aerobics is S = œ all citizens to vote (B) vexes (A) vividly dy (A) urgently describes a Civil War (C) vitally used in chemistry labs (B) vow (C) verge form of exercise (A) a viable (B) an uncouth (C) a vigorous Ametropolitan area consists of a central city and any suburban areas in its (A) vicinity (B) vessel (C) upkeep Medical scientists still not fully understand the headaches (A) unruly (B) underlying The kidneys play a causes of migraine (C) viable role in maintaining health by removing impurities from the bloodstream (A) valid (B) viable (C) vital 10 The myth of Narcissus tells the story of a handsome but young man who stares at his reflection in a pool of water for so long that he turns into a flower (A) vain (B) unbearable 11 The fork has been used as an eating (A) vessel 12 Siberia covers (A) a vast (C) verbose at least since the twelfth century (B) utensil (C) urge area in northeastern Asia (B) a viable (C) an ultimate 13 A city’s park and recreation budget must include funds for the ings and grounds (A) uproar (B) verge (C) upkeep on build- ... (C) spans The cliffs of the Na Pali coast on the Hawaiian island of Kauai rise over 4,000 feet from the sea (A) swift (B) steep (C) subtle ” ep > = = a 220 Section Guide to Reading The process... pledge Reading Tutorial: Vocabulary Building 225 DrrEcTIONs: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary items (A), (B), or (C), according to the context of the sentences... secure; n noise DIRECTIONS: Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with vocabulary items (A), (B), or (C), according to the context of the sentences One of the most popular peaks