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

2. Unit Four: Chapter 21 • decorum • facilitate • espouse • orthodox
• exhilaration • rejuvenate
• exorbitant • synchronize
• extricate • tenuous
Page 118 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 decorum – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 decorum
– noun
• Decorum demands that you send a thank-you note for all birthday gifts, even those you don’t like or will never use.
• In her newspaper columns, Miss Manners gives advice on decorum in all kinds of situations. For example, she says that at a dinner party, you must be polite even if you find a bug crawling in your salad.
Decorum means
A. a difficult situation.
B. beauty.
C. proper conduct.
Page 118 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 decorum – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 decorum
– noun
• Decorum demands that you send a thank-you note for all birthday gifts, even those you don’t like or will never use.
• In her newspaper columns, Miss Manners gives advice on decorum in all kinds of situations. For example, she says that at a dinner party, you must be polite even if you find a bug crawling in your salad.
Decorum means
A. a difficult situation.
B. beauty.
C. proper conduct.
Page 118 in textbook.
Sending a thank-you note for all birthday gifts is being socially proper (showing proper conduct). Miss Manners would give advice on proper conduct—such as ignoring a bug in your salad.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 espouse – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 espouse
– verb
• Some politicians espouse whatever ideas they think will win them votes.
• People who espouse animals’ rights often find themselves in conflict with scientists who argue for the use of animals in medical experiments.
Espouse means
A. to speak for.
B. to argue against.
C. to study.
Page 118 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 espouse – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 espouse
– verb
• Some politicians espouse whatever ideas they think will win them votes.
• People who espouse animals’ rights often find themselves in conflict with scientists who argue for the use of animals in medical experiments.
Espouse means
A. to speak for.
B. to argue against.
C. to study.
Page 118 in textbook.
Politicians would speak for ideas that would win them votes. In contrast with scientists who argue for the use of animals in experiments, some people speak for animals’ rights.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 exhilaration – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 exhilaration
– noun
• After the last exam of the year, Olivia and I were so filled with exhilaration that we skipped all the way to the car.
• A marching band gives most people a feeling of exhilaration. The lively music makes them feel excited.
Exhilaration means
A. appropriateness.
B. happiness.
C. commitment.
Page 118 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 exhilaration – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 exhilaration
– noun
• After the last exam of the year, Olivia and I were so filled with exhilaration that we skipped all the way to the car.
• A marching band gives most people a feeling of exhilaration. The lively music makes them feel excited.
Exhilaration means
A. appropriateness.
B. happiness.
C. commitment.
Page 118 in textbook.
If they skipped to the car, they must have been filled with happiness. The lively music would give people a feeling of happiness.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 exorbitant – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 exorbitant
– adjective
• Even if I were rich, I wouldn’t pay three hundred dollars for those shoes. That’s an exorbitant price.
• The armed forces often spend exorbitant amounts on minor items, including an eight-hundred-dollar ashtray and a toilet seat that cost thousands of dollars.
Exorbitant means
A. estimated.
B. inconvenient.
C. extremely high.
Page 118 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 exorbitant – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 exorbitant
– adjective
• Even if I were rich, I wouldn’t pay three hundred dollars for those shoes. That’s an exorbitant price.
• The armed forces often spend exorbitant amounts on minor items, including an eight-hundred-dollar ashtray and a toilet seat that cost thousands of dollars.
Exorbitant means
A. estimated.
B. inconvenient.
C. extremely high.
Page 118 in textbook.
Most people would consider three hundred dollars is an extremely high price for a pair of shoes. Eight hundred dollars for an ash tray and thousands of dollars for a toilet seat are extremely high amounts of money for those items.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 extricate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 extricate
– verb
• The fly struggled and struggled but was unable to extricate itself from the spider’s web.
• The young couple ran up so many debts that they finally needed a counselor to help them extricate themselves from their financial mess.
Extricate means
A. to untangle.
B. to distinguish.
C. to excuse.
Page 118 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 extricate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 extricate
– verb
• The fly struggled and struggled but was unable to extricate itself from the spider’s web.
• The young couple ran up so many debts that they finally needed a counselor to help them extricate themselves from their financial mess.
Extricate means
A. to untangle.
B. to distinguish.
C. to excuse.
Page 118 in textbook.
The fly was not able to untangle itself from the spider’s web. A counselor could help the couple untangle themselves from their financial mess.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 facilitate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 facilitate
– verb
• Automatic doors in supermarkets facilitate the entry and exit of customers with bags or shopping carts.
• For those with poor eyesight, large print facilitates reading.
Facilitate means
A. to decrease.
B. to cause.
C. to make possible.
Page 118 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 facilitate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 facilitate
– verb
• Automatic doors in supermarkets facilitate the entry and exit of customers with bags or shopping carts.
• For those with poor eyesight, large print facilitates reading.
Facilitate means
A. to decrease.
B. to cause.
C. to make possible.
Page 118 in textbook.
Automatic doors would make entry and exit with bags and shopping carts possible. Large print would make it possible for those with poor eyesight to read.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 orthodox – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 orthodox
– adjective
• When Father McKenzie brought drums and electric guitars into church, he shocked the more orthodox members of his congregation.
• The orthodox footwear for a sprint or distance race is some kind of running shoes, but a champion Ethiopian runner competed in the Olympics barefoot.
Orthodox means
A. revolutionary.
B. traditional.
C. important.
Page 119 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
“I know it’s not an orthodox way to start
a new company, but I figured I’d give it a try!”

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 orthodox – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 orthodox
– adjective
• When Father McKenzie brought drums and electric guitars into church, he shocked the more orthodox members of his congregation.
• The orthodox footwear for a sprint or distance race is some kind of running shoes, but a champion Ethiopian runner competed in the Olympics barefoot.
Orthodox means
A. revolutionary.
B. traditional.
C. important.
Page 119 in textbook.
Traditional members of the congregation would be shocked by drums and electric guitars in church. Running shoes are the traditional footwear for people running in races.
“I know it’s not an orthodox way to start
a new company, but I figured I’d give it a try!”

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 rejuvenate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 rejuvenate
– verb
• The Fountain of Youth was a legendary spring whose water could rejuvenate people.
• The grass had become brown and matted, but a warm spring rain rejuvenated it, perking it up and turning it green again.
Rejuvenate means
A. to set free.
B. to excite.
C. to give new life to.
Page 119 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 rejuvenate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 rejuvenate
– verb
• The Fountain of Youth was a legendary spring whose water could rejuvenate people.
• The grass had become brown and matted, but a warm spring rain rejuvenated it, perking it up and turning it green again.
Rejuvenate means
A. to set free.
B. to excite.
C. to give new life to.
Page 119 in textbook.
The Fountain of Youth would give new life to people. If the grass perked up and turned green, the rain must have given it new life.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 synchronize – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 synchronize
– verb
• The secret agents synchronized their watches so that they could cross the border at exactly the same minute.
• We need to synchronize the clocks in our house: the kitchen clock is ten minutes slower than the alarm clock in the bedroom.
Synchronize means
A. to coordinate.
B. to repair.
C. to find.
Page 119 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 synchronize – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 synchronize
– verb
• The secret agents synchronized their watches so that they could cross the border at exactly the same minute.
• We need to synchronize the clocks in our house: the kitchen clock is ten minutes slower than the alarm clock in the bedroom.
Synchronize means
A. to coordinate.
B. to repair.
C. to find.
Page 119 in textbook.
If the agents want to cross the border at the exact same minute, they would coordinate their watches. If there is a ten-minute difference between the two clocks, they should be coordinated.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 tenuous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 tenuous
– adjective
• It doesn’t take much to destroy an already tenuous relationship. Something as slight as forgetting to telephone can cause an unstable relationship to collapse.
• Del was opposed to the Equal Rights Amendment, but his position seemed tenuous. He couldn’t support it with any facts, and his logic was weak.
Tenuous means
A. shaky.
B. easy.
C. established.
Page 119 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 tenuous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 tenuous
– adjective
• It doesn’t take much to destroy an already tenuous relationship. Something as slight as forgetting to telephone can cause an unstable relationship to collapse.
• Del was opposed to the Equal Rights Amendment, but his position seemed tenuous. He couldn’t support it with any facts, and his logic was weak.
Tenuous means
A. shaky.
B. easy.
C. established.
Page 119 in textbook.
If a relationship is unstable, it is shaky. Since Del couldn’t support his position with any facts and his logic was weak, his position was shaky.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. decorum B. espouse C. exhilaration
D. exorbitant
E. extricate
F. facilitate G. orthodox H. rejuvenate
I. synchronize
J. tenuous
1. Ignoring all standards of cafeteria _________, students sat on the tables and threw French fries at each other.
2. Some premature babies are so tiny and weak that their hold on life is very __________.
Page 120 in textbook.
Answers: 1. decorum; 2. tenuous
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. decorum B. espouse C. exhilaration
D. exorbitant
E. extricate
F. facilitate G. orthodox H. rejuvenate
I. synchronize
J. tenuous
1. Ignoring all standards of cafeteria _________, students sat on the tables and threw French fries at each other.
decorum
Sitting on the tables and throwing fries is ignoring the standards of acceptable behavior.
2. Some premature babies are so tiny and weak that their hold on life is very __________.
tenuous
Page 120 in textbook.
A very tiny premature baby would have a very shaky hold on life.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. decorum B. espouse C. exhilaration
D. exorbitant
E. extricate
F. facilitate G. orthodox H. rejuvenate
I. synchronize
J. tenuous
3. The ads for the anti-wrinkle cream claim that it will ___________ aging skin.
4. The new restaurant went out of business because of its ___________ prices.
Page 120 in textbook.
Answers: 3. rejuvenate; 4. exorbitant; 5. exhilaration
The next slide explains the answers.
5. The children’s ___________ at the amusement park was contagious—their parents soon felt excited too.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. decorum B. espouse C. exhilaration
D. exorbitant
E. extricate
F. facilitate G. orthodox H. rejuvenate
I. synchronize
J. tenuous
3. The ads for the anti-wrinkle cream claim that it will ___________ aging skin.
rejuvenate
Anti-wrinkle cream would claim to make aging skin seem young again.
4. The new restaurant went out of business because of its ___________ prices.
exorbitant
Page 120 in textbook.
Excessive prices could put a new restaurant out of business.
5. The children’s ___________ at the amusement park was contagious—their parents soon felt excited too.
exhilaration
The children’s high spirits would make the parents excited too.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. decorum B. espouse C. exhilaration
D. exorbitant
E. extricate
F. facilitate G. orthodox H. rejuvenate
I. synchronize
J. tenuous
6. If you’re giving a dinner party, preparing some food platters ahead of time will __________ your work when the guests arrive.
7. At age two, Carlos got his head stuck between the bars of an iron railing. His parents had to call the fire department to come and __________ him.
Page 120 in textbook.
Answers: 6. facilitate; 7. extricate
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. decorum B. espouse C. exhilaration
D. exorbitant
E. extricate
F. facilitate G. orthodox H. rejuvenate
I. synchronize
J. tenuous
6. If you’re giving a dinner party, preparing some food platters ahead of time will __________ your work when the guests arrive.
facilitate
Preparing some platters ahead of time will make your work easier later on.
7. At age two, Carlos got his head stuck between the bars of an iron railing. His parents had to call the fire department to come and __________ him.
Page 120 in textbook.
extricate
If Carlos’s head was stuck, the fire department would have to free him from the iron railing.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. decorum B. espouse C. exhilaration
D. exorbitant
E. extricate
F. facilitate G. orthodox H. rejuvenate
I. synchronize
J. tenuous
8. During the 1960s and 1970s, there were bitter clashes between those who ______(e)d the United States’ involvement in Vietnam and those who were opposed to it.
9. New members of the water ballet club have trouble coordinating their swimming, but with practice, the group is able to __________ its movements.
Page 120 in textbook.
Answers: 8. espouse; 9. synchronize; 10. orthodox
The next slide explains the answers.
10. “The __________ treatment in this kind of case,” the doctor said, “is surgery followed by chemotherapy. But some specialists are exploring the possibility of using surgery alone.”

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. decorum B. espouse C. exhilaration
D. exorbitant
E. extricate
F. facilitate G. orthodox H. rejuvenate
I. synchronize
J. tenuous
8. During the 1960s and 1970s, there were bitter clashes between those who _________ the United States’ involvement in Vietnam and those who were opposed to it.
espoused
Those who supported the war clashed with those who opposed it.
9. New members of the water ballet club have trouble coordinating their swimming, but with practice, the group is able to __________ its movements.
Page 120 in textbook.
synchronize
For water ballet, the group needs to coordinate its movements.
10. “The __________ treatment in this kind of case,” the doctor said, “is surgery followed by chemotherapy. But some specialists are exploring the possibility of using surgery alone.”
orthodox
The doctor contrasts the traditional treatment with a new treatment some specialists are exploring