1. ADVANCING VOCABULARY SKILLS
Fourth Edition
Sherrie L. Nist (Edited by Ms. B. Wulchak )
© Townsend Press

2. Unit Three: Chapter 15 • connoisseur • lucid • conspiracy • plight
• contrite • superficially
• distraught • symmetrical
• germane • verbose
Page 84 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 connoisseur – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 connoisseur
– noun
• My sister is a connoisseur of Southern novels. She’s read dozens of them, and she knows all about the authors and their different styles.
• Curtis has broad knowledge of French wines—where they are made, when they are at their best, and exactly how each one tastes. He’s a true connoisseur.
Connoisseur means
A. a doubter.
B. an authority.
C. a leader.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 connoisseur – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 connoisseur
– noun
• My sister is a connoisseur of Southern novels. She’s read dozens of them, and she knows all about the authors and their different styles.
• Curtis has broad knowledge of French wines—where they are made, when they are at their best, and exactly how each one tastes. He’s a true connoisseur.
Connoisseur means
A. a doubter.
B. an authority.
C. a leader.
Page 84 in textbook.
If the sister has read dozens of the novels and knows all about the authors and their different styles, she is an authority on Southern novels. Curtis’s broad knowledge of French wines shows that he is an authority on French wines.

5. 1 connoisseur
Syn.— an expert, one who can judge critically, aficionado
Ant.— amateur, groundling, novice

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 conspiracy – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 conspiracy
– noun
• The conspiracy to overthrow the government was started by two of the premier’s own advisors.
• Although only Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the assassination of President Kennedy, many believe there was a conspiracy to kill the president.
Conspiracy means
A. a plot.
B. an idea.
C. an announcement.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 conspiracy – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 conspiracy
– noun
• The conspiracy to overthrow the government was started by two of the premier’s own advisors.
• Although only Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the assassination of President Kennedy, many believe there was a conspiracy to kill the president.
Conspiracy means
A. a plot.
B. an idea.
C. an announcement.
Page 84 in textbook.
People who wanted to overthrow the government would develop a secret plot. Many believe that there were people who worked with Lee Harvey Oswald on a secret plot to kill President Kennedy.

8. 2 conspiracy Syn.— complicity, duplicity double-dealing, subterfuge,
collusion
Ant.— alliance, partnership; dissolution, separation

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 contrite – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 contrite
– adjective
• Dolores was especially contrite about tearing her sister’s dress because she’d borrowed it without permission.
• Judges are often more lenient with offenders who truly regret their crimes. A criminal who seems genuinely contrite may get a shorter sentence.
Contrite means
A. angry.
B. confused.
C. sorry.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 contrite – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 contrite
– adjective
• Dolores was especially contrite about tearing her sister’s dress because she’d borrowed it without permission.
• Judges are often more lenient with offenders who truly regret their crimes. A criminal who seems genuinely contrite may get a shorter sentence.
Contrite means
A. angry.
B. confused.
C. sorry.
Page 84 in textbook.
Not having her sister’s permission to borrow the dress would make Dolores especially sorry when she damaged it. In the second item, the word regret suggests that contrite means “sorry.”

11. 3 contrite Syn.— penitent, apologetic, regretful, plaintive
Ant.— unrepentant, unapologetic

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 distraught – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 distraught
– adjective
• The parents of the little girl who wandered off in the crowded mall were distraught until she was found.
• As the snowstorm got worse and worse and his wife still hadn’t arrived home from work, Jeff became increasingly distraught.
Distraught means
A. upset.
B. busy.
C. forgetful.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.
The distraught victim of a tsunami
being treated for injuries
Photo: US Navy

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 distraught 4 distraught – adjective – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 distraught
4 distraught
– adjective
– adjective
• The parents of the little girl who wandered off in the crowded mall were distraught until she was found.
• As the snowstorm got worse and worse and his wife still hadn’t arrived home from work, Jeff became increasingly distraught.
Distraught means
A. upset.
B. busy.
C. forgetful.
Page 84 in textbook.
If the little girl was missing in a crowded mall, her parents would be upset. If the storm is getting worse and Jeff’s wife has not gotten home, Jeff would be upset.
The distraught victim of a tsunami
being treated for injuries
Photo: US Navy

14. 4 distraught Syn.— frantic, frenzied, hysterical
Ant.— collected, composed, tranquil, placid

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 germane – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 germane
– adjective
• Stacy went to the law library to look up information that might be germane to her client’s case.
• It bothered Christine when her new boss asked if she had a boyfriend. That information certainly wasn’t germane to her work.
Germane means
A. damaging.
B. related.
C. foreign.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 germane – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 germane
– adjective
• Stacy went to the law library to look up information that might be germane to her client’s case.
• It bothered Christine when her new boss asked if she had a boyfriend. That information certainly wasn’t germane to her work.
Germane means
A. damaging.
B. related.
C. foreign.
Page 84 in textbook.
Stacy would want to look up information related to her client’s case. Whether or not Christine had a boyfriend was not related to her work—and was none of her new boss’s business.

17. 5 germane Syn.— relevant, useful to the topic, pertinent
Ant.— immaterial, inconsequential, insignificant

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 lucid – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 lucid
– adjective
• I usually find computer manuals horribly unclear, but this one is lucid.
• The scientist’s explanation of global warming was so lucid that the entire audience was able to grasp it.
Lucid means
A. easy to understand.
B. repetitious.
C. fair to both sides.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 lucid 6 lucid – adjective – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 lucid
6 lucid
– adjective
– adjective
• I usually find computer manuals horribly unclear, but this one is lucid.
• The scientist’s explanation of global warming was so lucid that the entire audience was able to grasp it.
Lucid means
A. easy to understand.
B. repetitious.
C. fair to both sides.
Page 84 in textbook.
In contrast with computer manuals that are horribly unclear, this one is easy to understand. Since the entire audience was able to grasp the scientist’s explanation of global warming, it must have been easy to understand.

20. 6 lucid Syn.— clear to the understanding, intelligible, rational
Ant.— obscure, nebulous, irrational

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 plight – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 plight
– noun
• The plight of the homeless can be somewhat relieved by decent shelters.
• There were reports of a cave-in at the mine, but it was too soon to know much about the plight of the trapped miners.
Plight means
A. a delayed situation.
B. an unlikely situation.
C. an unfortunate situation.
Page 85 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 plight – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 plight
– noun
• The plight of the homeless can be somewhat relieved by decent shelters.
• There were reports of a cave-in at the mine, but it was too soon to know much about the plight of the trapped miners.
Plight means
A. a delayed situation.
B. an unlikely situation.
C. an unfortunate situation.
Page 85 in textbook.
The homeless are in an unfortunate situation. Miners trapped by a cave-in are in an unfortunate situation.

23. 7 plight Syn.— difficult situation, challenging circumstance
Inventions Ease the Plight of Trapped Miners
From Copper-Fiber Socks to Fiber-Optic Cable, Innovation and Improvisation Make Time More Bearable for 33 Chileans
Syn.— difficult situation, challenging circumstance
Ant.— a peaceful, unhurried situation

24. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 superficially – adverb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 superficially
– adverb
• Nina spent a full week studying for the exam. Joyce, however, reviewed superficially, flipping through the pages of her textbook an hour before the test.
• This morning, the mechanic was short of time and inspected my car only superficially. He said he’s check it thoroughly later and then give me an estimate.
Superficially means
A. thoroughly.
B. slightly.
C. daily.
Page 85 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

25. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 superficially – adverb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 superficially
– adverb
• Nina spent a full week studying for the exam. Joyce, however, reviewed superficially, flipping through the pages of her textbook an hour before the test.
• This morning, the mechanic was short of time and inspected my car only superficially. He said he’s check it thoroughly later and then give me an estimate.
Superficially means
A. thoroughly.
B. slightly.
C. daily.
Page 85 in textbook.
Flipping through the pages of the textbook an hour before the test is reviewing only slightly for the exam. In contrast with checking the car thoroughly when he had time, he checked it only slightly when he was short of time.

26. 8 superficially Syn.— shallowly, lackadaisically, in a surface manner
Ant.— profoundly, deeply, intensely

27. A symmetrical building
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 symmetrical
– adjective
• The children’s sandcastle was symmetrical, with a wall on each side and a tower and flag at each end.
• No one’s face is perfectly symmetrical. For example, one eye is usually slightly higher than the other, and the left and right sides of the mouth differ.
Symmetrical means
A. unique.
B. beautiful.
C. balanced.
Page 85 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
A symmetrical building

28. A symmetrical building
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 symmetrical
– adjective
• The children’s sandcastle was symmetrical, with a wall on each side and a tower and flag at each end.
• No one’s face is perfectly symmetrical. For example, one eye is usually slightly higher than the other, and the left and right sides of the mouth differ.
Symmetrical means
A. unique.
B. beautiful.
C. balanced.
Page 85 in textbook.
A wall on each side and a tower and flag on each end would make the sandcastle look balanced. If one eye is higher than the other and the left and right sides of the mouth differ, the face is not perfectly balanced.
A symmetrical building

29. 9 symmetrical Syn.— equally proportioned, even
Ant.— unbalanced, asymmetrical

30. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 verbose – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 verbose
– adjective
• The verbose senator said, “At this point in time, we have an urgent and important need for more monetary funds to declare unconditional war on drugs and combat this evil and harmful situation.” The reporter wrote, “The senator said we urgently need more money to fight drugs.”
• Gabe is the most verbose person I know. He always uses ten words when one would do.
Verbose means
A. loud.
B. wordy.
C. self-important.
Page 85 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

31. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 verbose – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 verbose
– adjective
• The verbose senator said, “At this point in time, we have an urgent and important need for more monetary funds to declare unconditional war on drugs and combat this evil and harmful situation.” The reporter wrote, “The senator said we urgently need more money to fight drugs.”
• Gabe is the most verbose person I know. He always uses ten words when one would do.
Verbose means
A. loud.
B. wordy.
C. self-important.
Page 85 in textbook.
The wordy senator takes twenty-nine words to say what the reporter covers in eleven words. If Gabe uses ten words when one would do, he is wordy.

32. 10 verbose
Syn.— pedantic (using big words pretentiously); garrulous, loquacious
Ant.— succinct (brief & to the point)
uncommunicative, reserved, taciturn

33. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. connoisseur B. conspiracy C. contrite
D. distraught
E. germane
F. lucid G. plight H. superficially
I. symmetrical l
J. verbose
1. Claire was truly sorry for having started the argument with Sal. To show how _________ she felt, she ed him an apology.
2. Everyone is greatly concerned about the __________ of the hostages. We’re not even certain they’re still alive.
Page 86 in textbook.
Answers: 1. contrite; 2. plight
The next slide explains the answers.

34. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. connoisseur B. conspiracy C. contrite
D. distraught
E. germane
F. lucid G. plight H. superficially
I. symmetrical
J. verbose
1. Claire was truly sorry for having started the argument with Sal. To show how _________ she felt, she ed him an apology.
contrite
The meaning of contrite appears in the first sentence: “truly sorry.”
2. Everyone is greatly concerned about the __________ of the hostages. We’re not even certain they’re still alive.
plight
Page 86 in textbook.
If the hostages may not even be alive, they must be in a situation marked by difficulty.

35. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. connoisseur B. conspiracy C. contrite
D. distraught
E. germane
F. lucid G. plight H. superficially
I. symmetrical
J. verbose
3. The garden is __________, with the same flowers and shrubs, arranged in the same pattern, on each side of a central path.
4. A __________ of Asian art told me that my Chinese vase is very old, quite rare, and valuable.
Page 86 in textbook.
Answers: 3. symmetrical; 4. connoisseur; 5. verbose
The next slide explains the answers.
5. In writing, it is actually easier to be __________ than to make the effort to cut out the unnecessary words.

36. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. connoisseur B. conspiracy C. contrite
D. distraught
E. germane
F. lucid G. plight H. superficially
I. symmetrical
J. verbose
3. The garden is __________, with the same flowers and shrubs, arranged in the same pattern, on each side of a central path.
symmetrical
The garden is the same on both sides of the path.
4. A __________ of Asian art told me that my Chinese vase is very old, quite rare, and valuable.
connoisseur
Page 86 in textbook.
A person would need to be an expert in fine art to know these things about the Chinese vase.
5. In writing, it is actually easier to be __________ than to make the effort to cut out the unnecessary words.
verbose
A piece of writing that has unnecessary words would be one containing too many words.

37. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. connoisseur B. conspiracy C. contrite
D. distraught
E. germane
F. lucid G. plight H. superficially
I. symmetrical
J. verbose
6. During the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold, an American officer, was involved in a __________ to help the British win.
7. The teacher and the other students became irritated when Susan kept asking questions that weren’t __________ to the class discussion.
Page 86 in textbook.
Answers: 6. conspiracy; 7. germane
The next slide explains the answers.

38. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. connoisseur B. conspiracy C. contrite
D. distraught
E. germane
F. lucid G. plight H. superficially
I. symmetrical
J. verbose
6. During the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold, an American officer, was involved in a __________ to help the British win.
conspiracy
An American officer who was trying to help the British win must have been involved in a secret plot.
7. The teacher and the other students became irritated when Susan kept asking questions that weren’t __________ to the class discussion.
germane
Page 86 in textbook.
If the teacher and other students became irritated, Susan’s questions must not have been relevant to the discussion.

39. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. connoisseur B. conspiracy C. contrite
D. distraught
E. germane
F. lucid G. plight H. superficially
I. symmetrical
J. verbose
8. My parents had expected my sister home by ten o’clock. By the time she finally walked in at two in the morning, they were very __________.
9. Ved’s teacher was so pleased with his clear explanation of a difficult theory that she wrote on his paper, “Wonderfully __________!”
Page 86 in textbook.
Answers: 8. distraught; 9. lucid; 10. superficially
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Whenever Miki tries to buy a new dress, her husband is only __________ interested. If she shows him one and asks his opinion, all he says is, “It’s fine. Let’s buy it and get out of here.”

40. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. connoisseur B. conspiracy C. contrite
D. distraught
E. germane
F. lucid G. plight H. superficially
I. symmetrical
J. verbose
8. My parents had expected my sister home by ten o’clock. By the time she finally walked in at two in the morning, they were very __________.
distraught
Since the sister was four hours late, her parents were distressed.
9. Ved’s teacher was so pleased with his clear explanation of a difficult theory that she wrote on his paper, “Wonderfully __________!”
Page 86 in textbook.
lucid
If Ved’s explanation was clear, it was easily understood by the teacher.
10. Whenever Miki tries to buy a new dress, her husband is only __________ interested. If she shows him one and asks his opinion, all he says is, “It’s fine. Let’s buy it and get out of here.”
superficially
Miki’s husband’s reaction shows that he is not thoroughly interested.