1. IMPROVING VOCABULARY SKILLS
Fourth Edition
Sherrie L. Nist
© Townsend Press

2. Unit One: Chapter 5 • allusion • banal • altruistic • euphemism
• appease • mercenary
• arbitrary • syndrome
• assail • taint
Page 24 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 allusion – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 allusion
– noun
• After I suggested that Monty have fruit for dessert instead of chocolate cake, he responded, “Is that an allusion to my weight?”
• Ramon didn’t have the courage to come right out and ask Lia to marry him. Instead, he made only an allusion to marriage by asking, “Wouldn’t it be easier if we had to fill out just one tax return?”
Allusion means
A. a contrast to.
B. a hint about.
C. an answer for.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 allusion 1 allusion – noun – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 allusion
1 allusion
– noun
– noun
• After I suggested that Monty have fruit for dessert instead of chocolate cake, he responded, “Is that an allusion to my weight?”
• Ramon didn’t have the courage to come right out and ask Lia to marry him. Instead, he made only an allusion to marriage by asking, “Wouldn’t it be easier if we had to fill out just one tax return?”
Allusion means
A. a contrast to.
B. a hint about.
C. an answer for.
Page 24 in textbook.
The suggestion that Monty have fruit for dessert makes Monty think the person dropping a hint about his weight. Ramon’s question about filling out one tax return is a hint about getting married.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 altruistic – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 altruistic
– adjective
• When an enemy approaches, ground squirrels show altruistic behavior. They risk their own lives to give alarm calls to nearby relatives.
• “I’m not often altruistic,” Brett admitted. “I usually put my own welfare first.”
Altruistic means
A. unselfish.
B. cheerful.
C. greedy.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 altruistic – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 altruistic
– adjective
• When an enemy approaches, ground squirrels show altruistic behavior. They risk their own lives to give alarm calls to nearby relatives.
• “I’m not often altruistic,” Brett admitted. “I usually put my own welfare first.”
Altruistic means
A. unselfish.
B. cheerful.
C. greedy.
Page 24 in textbook.
If the squirrels risk their own lives to protect relatives, they are being unselfish. If Brett puts her own welfare first, she is being selfish, not unselfish.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 appease – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 appease
– verb
• My sister was so outraged when I accidentally dropped and broke her cell phone that nothing I could say or do would appease her.
• Roger was furious when he saw me out with another guy, but I quickly appeased him by explaining that the “date” was my cousin.
Appease means
A. to annoy.
B. to heal.
C. to calm.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 appease – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 appease
– verb
• My sister was so outraged when I accidentally dropped and broke her cell phone that nothing I could say or do would appease her.
• Roger was furious when he saw me out with another guy, but I quickly appeased him by explaining that the “date” was my cousin.
Appease means
A. to annoy.
B. to heal.
C. to calm.
Page 24 in textbook.
If the sister was extremely outraged, no words or actions would be able to calm her. In the second item, the news that her “date” is her cousin would calm Roger’s fury.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 arbitrary – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 arbitrary
– adjective
• Professor Miller’s students were angry that he graded essays in an arbitrary way, rather than using clear-cut standards.
• Parents should not enforce rules according to their moods. Such arbitrary discipline only confuses children.
Arbitrary means
A. steady.
B. slow.
C. impulsive.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 arbitrary – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 arbitrary
– adjective
• Professor Miller’s students were angry that he graded essays in an arbitrary way, rather than using clear-cut standards.
• Parents should not enforce rules according to their moods. Such arbitrary discipline only confuses children.
Arbitrary means
A. steady.
B. slow.
C. impulsive.
Page 24 in textbook.
If Professor Miller doesn’t use clear-cut standards to grade the essays, he must grade them in an impulsive way. If parents enforce rules according to their moods, the discipline is impulsive rather than consistent.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 assail – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 assail
– verb
• The storm assailed us with hail and heavy rain.
• The two candidates continuously assailed each other with accusations of dishonesty.
Assail means
A. to attack.
B. to confuse.
C. to support.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 assail – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 assail
– verb
• The storm assailed us with hail and heavy rain.
• The two candidates continuously assailed each other with accusations of dishonesty.
Assail means
A. to attack.
B. to confuse.
C. to support.
Page 24 in textbook.
The hail and heavy rain of the storm attacked them. If the candidates are making accusations of dishonesty against one another, they are attacking each other.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 banal – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 banal
– adjective
• The film, with its overused expressions and unimaginative plot, was the most banal I had ever seen.
• “Nice to see you” may be a banal comment, but what it lacks in originality it makes up for in friendliness.
Banal means
A. greedy.
B. unoriginal.
C. clever.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
“If my paper seems banal, that’s
because my dad wrote it, and he
hasn’t had an original idea in years!”

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 banal – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 banal
– adjective
• The film, with its overused expressions and unimaginative plot, was the most banal I had ever seen.
• “Nice to see you” may be a banal comment, but what it lacks in originality it makes up for in friendliness.
Banal means
A. greedy.
B. unoriginal.
C. clever.
Page 24 in textbook.
If the film had overused expressions and an unimaginative plot, it must have been unoriginal. If the comment lacks originality, it is unoriginal.
“If my paper seems banal, that’s
because my dad wrote it, and he
hasn’t had an original idea in years!”

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 euphemism – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 euphemism
– noun
• Common euphemisms include “final resting place” (for grave), “Intoxicated” (for drunk), and “Powder room” (for toilet).
• The Central Intelligence Agency is on record as having referred to assassination with the euphemism “change of health.”
Euphemism means
A. a harsh term.
B. a term that doesn’t offend.
C. a foreign term.
Page 25 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
A euphemism for toilet

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 euphemism – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 euphemism
– noun
• Common euphemisms include “final resting place” (for grave), “Intoxicated” (for drunk), and “Powder room” (for toilet).
• The Central Intelligence Agency is on record as having referred to assassination with the euphemism “change of health.”
Euphemism means
A. a harsh term.
B. a term that doesn’t offend.
C. a foreign term.
Page 25 in textbook.
The first item gives three examples of terms that don’t offend. In the second item, “change of health” is a term that doesn’t offend, while the term assassination would be offensive to some.
A euphemism for toilet

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 mercenary – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 mercenary
– adjective
• Ed is totally mercenary. His philosophy is, “Pay me enough, and I’ll do anything.”
• The con man pretended to love the wealthy widow, but he actually married her for mercenary reasons.
Mercenary means
A. jealous.
B. angry.
C. greedy.
Page 25 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 mercenary – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 mercenary
– adjective
• Ed is totally mercenary. His philosophy is, “Pay me enough, and I’ll do anything.”
• The con man pretended to love the wealthy widow, but he actually married her for mercenary reasons.
Mercenary means
A. jealous.
B. angry.
C. greedy.
Page 25 in textbook.
If Ed’s philosophy is that he’ll do anything if he gets enough money, he must be greedy. If the con man only pretended to love the wealthy widow, he must have married her for greedy reasons rather than for love.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 syndrome – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 syndrome
– noun
• Headaches are usually harmless, but as part of a syndrome including fever and a stiff neck, they may be a sign of a serious illness.
• Jet lag is a syndrome resulting from flying long distances; it often includes exhaustion, headache, and loss of appetite.
Syndrome means
A. a group of symptoms.
B. a cause.
C. something required.
Page 25 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 syndrome – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 syndrome
– noun
• Headaches are usually harmless, but as part of a syndrome including fever and a stiff neck, they may be a sign of a serious illness.
• Jet lag is a syndrome resulting from flying long distances; it often includes exhaustion, headache, and loss of appetite.
Syndrome means
A. a group of symptoms.
B. a cause.
C. something required.
Page 25 in textbook.
Taken together, headache, fever, and stiff neck is a group of symptoms. In the second item, exhaustion, headache, and loss of appetite is another a group of symptoms.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 taint – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 taint
– verb
• The involvement of organized crime has tainted many sports, including boxing and horse racing.
• The government scandal tainted the reputations of everyone involved.
Taint means
A. to benefit.
B. to damage.
C. to start.
Page 25 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 taint – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 taint
– verb
• The involvement of organized crime has tainted many sports, including boxing and horse racing.
• The government scandal tainted the reputations of everyone involved.
Taint means
A. to benefit.
B. to damage.
C. to start.
Page 25 in textbook.
The involvement of organized crime has damaged boxing and horse racing. A scandal would damage the reputations of those involved.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. allusion B. altruistic C. appease
D. arbitrary
E. assail
F. banal G. euphemism H. mercenary
I. syndrome
J. taint
1. There have been people _____________ enough to sell their own children for the right price.
2. “Someone hasn’t shown me his report card.” my mother said, making a(n) ________ to my brother.
Page 26 in textbook.
Answers: 1. mercenary; 2. allusion
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. allusion B. altruistic C. appease
D. arbitrary
E. assail
F. banal G. euphemism H. mercenary
I. syndrome
J. taint
1. There have been people _____________ enough to sell their own children for the right price.
mercenary
People who would sell their own children must be greedy.
2. “Someone hasn’t shown me his report card.” my mother said, making an _________ to my brother.
allusion
Page 26 in textbook.
By using the word someone, the mother is making an indirect reference to her son.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. allusion B. altruistic C. appease
D. arbitrary
E. assail
F. banal G. euphemism H. mercenary
I. syndrome
J. taint
3. It takes a(n) _______ person to adopt a disabled child.
4. The mugger _______ed his victims with a baseball bat.
Page 26 in textbook.
Answers: 3. altruistic; 4. assail; 5. euphemism
The next slide explains the answers.
5. The local undertaker insists on using a(n) ________ for the chapel of his funeral parlor. He calls it the “slumber room.”

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. allusion B. altruistic C. appease
D. arbitrary
E. assail
F. banal G. euphemism H. mercenary
I. syndrome
J. taint
3. It takes an ________ person to adopt a disabled child.
altruistic
Caring for a disabled child takes a lot of time and energy, so a person who adopts such a child would have to be unselfish.
4. The mugger _________ his victims with a baseball bat.
assailed
A mugger physically attacks people.
Page 26 in textbook.
5. The local undertaker insists on using a __________ for the chapel of his funeral parlor. He calls it the “slumber room.”
euphemism
By calling the chapel the “slumber room,” the undertaker is trying to use a less offensive term.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. allusion B. altruistic C. appease
D. arbitrary
E. assail
F. banal G. euphemism H. mercenary
I. syndrome
J. taint
6. The report that the halfback was addicted to drugs _______(e)d the team’s image.
7. The only thing that would __________ the dead boy’s parents was imprisonment of the drunk driver who had killed him.
Page 26 in textbook.
Answers: 6. taint; 7. appease
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. allusion B. altruistic C. appease
D. arbitrary
E. assail
F. banal G. euphemism H. mercenary
I. syndrome
J. taint
6. The report that the halfback was addicted to drugs ___________ the team’s image.
tainted
Having a team member who is addicted to drugs would damage the team’s image.
7. The only thing that would __________ the dead boy’s parents was imprisonment of the drunk driver who had killed him.
appease
Page 26 in textbook.
The parents would be calmed only if their son’s killer was sent to prison.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. allusion B. altruistic C. appease
D. arbitrary
E. assail
F. banal G. euphemism H. mercenary
I. syndrome
J. taint
8. Abraham Lincoln is thought to have had Marfan’s __________, a group of symptoms which includes unusually long bones and abnormal blood circulation.
9. The judge’s harsh sentence was _______. Rather than being based on past similar cases or on the seriousness of the crime, it was based on the judge’s opinion of the defendant.
Page 26 in textbook.
Answers: 8. syndrome; 9. arbitrary; 10. banal
The next slide explains the answers.
10. “You’re special” probably appears on thousands of greeting cards, but when someone says it to you and means it, it never seems _________.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. allusion B. altruistic C. appease
D. arbitrary
E. assail
F. banal G. euphemism H. mercenary
I. syndrome
J. taint
8. Abraham Lincoln is thought to have had Marfan’s __________, a group of symptoms which includes unusually long bones and abnormal blood circulation.
syndrome
The words a group of symptoms tell you the meaning of syndrome.
9. The judge’s harsh sentence was _______. Rather than being based on past similar cases or on the seriousness of the crime, it was based on the judge’s opinion of the defendant.
arbitrary
Page 26 in textbook.
A sentence based on the judge’s opinion is determined by personal judgment.
10. “You’re special” probably appears on thousands of greeting cards, but when someone says it to you and means it, it never seems _________.
banal
If it appears on thousands of greeting cards, it could seem overused.