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

2. Unit One: Chapter 1 • acknowledge • candid • alternative • compel
• anecdote • comply
• appropriate • concise
• avert • drastic
Page 8 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 acknowledge – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 acknowledge
– verb
• Stubborn people often find it difficult to acknowledge their errors. They hate to admit they were wrong.
• Even after most of the votes had been counted, Senator Rice refused to acknowledge that he had lost.
Acknowledge means
A. to deny.
B. to admit.
C. to remember.
Page 8 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 acknowledge – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 acknowledge
– verb
• Stubborn people often find it difficult to acknowledge their errors. They hate to admit they were wrong.
• Even after most of the votes had been counted, Senator Rice refused to acknowledge that he had lost.
Acknowledge means
A. to deny.
B. to admit.
C. to remember.
Page 8 in textbook.
In the first item, the words to admit tell you what the word acknowledge means. In the second item, Rice refused to admit that he had lost.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 alternative – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 alternative
– noun
• The teacher stated the alternatives to Tim—either retake the test or get a D for the course.
• When her dog began to suffer from cancer, Wanda felt she had no alternative. He would have to be put to sleep.
Alternative means
A. a choice.
B. a command.
C. an assignment.
Page 8 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 alternative – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 alternative
– noun
• The teacher stated the alternatives to Tim—either retake the test or get a D for the course.
• When her dog began to suffer from cancer, Wanda felt she had no alternative. He would have to be put to sleep.
Alternative means
A. a choice.
B. a command.
C. an assignment.
Page 8 in textbook.
Tim has the choice of retaking the test or getting a D. Because Wanda’s dog is suffering from cancer, the feels she has no choice other than putting him to sleep.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 anecdote – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 anecdote
– noun
• Dad told the children an anecdote about getting his tie caught in a file cabinet at work just as the boss walked in.
• I once heard an anecdote about a stagehand’s revenge on a bossy actor. The stagehand put wheels on a table used in the play, so when the actor leaped onto the table during the most dramatic scene, he rolled off the stage.
Anecdote means
A. an error.
B. a short, interesting story.
C. an article.
Page 8 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 anecdote – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 anecdote
– noun
• Dad told the children an anecdote about getting his tie caught in a file cabinet at work just as the boss walked in.
• I once heard an anecdote about a stagehand’s revenge on a bossy actor. The stagehand put wheels on a table used in the play, so when the actor leaped onto the table during the most dramatic scene, he rolled off the stage.
Anecdote means
A. an error.
B. a short, interesting story.
C. an article.
Page 8 in textbook.
Dad getting his tie caught and the stage hand getting revenge are examples of short, interesting stories.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 appropriate – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 appropriate
– adjective
• Chuck has little sense of what is socially appropriate. For example, he wore jeans and running shoes to his sister’s wedding.
• Although it is appropriate for a man to take off his hat in church, in a synagogue it is proper for a man to cover his head.
Appropriate means
A. illegal.
B. fun.
C. proper.
Page 8 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
“I don’t mean to be critical, Jones,
but that isn’t appropriate dress
for a sales call.”

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 appropriate – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 appropriate
– adjective
• Chuck has little sense of what is socially appropriate. For example, he wore jeans and running shoes to his sister’s wedding.
• Although it is appropriate for a man to take off his hat in church, in a synagogue it is proper for a man to cover his head.
Appropriate means
A. illegal.
B. fun.
C. proper.
Page 8 in textbook.
Someone who has little sense of what is socially proper would wear jeans and running shoes to his sister’s wedding. In the second sentence, the word proper is a clue.
“I don’t mean to be critical, Jones,
but that isn’t appropriate dress
for a sales call.”

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 avert – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 avert
– verb
• Renata averted an unpleasant meeting with her ex-boyfriend by leaving the store before he saw her.
• To avert an accident, Larry turned the steering sharply to the right—and ran into a stop sign.
Avert means
A. to begin.
B. to prevent.
C. to report.
Page 8 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 avert – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 avert
– verb
• Renata averted an unpleasant meeting with her ex-boyfriend by leaving the store before he saw her.
• To avert an accident, Larry turned the steering sharply to the right—and ran into a stop sign.
Avert means
A. to begin.
B. to prevent.
C. to report.
Page 8 in textbook.
By leaving the store, Renata prevented an unpleasant meeting. By turning the steering wheel (and hitting a stop sign), Larry prevented an accident.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 candid – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 candid
– adjective
• I’ll give you my candid opinion, but you may not like what you hear.
• My heart always sinks when Robbie invites me to his house for dinner. He’s a wonderful person, but to be candid, he’s a terrible cook.
Candid means
A. honest.
B. friendly.
C. careful.
Page 8 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 candid – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 candid
– adjective
• I’ll give you my candid opinion, but you may not like what you hear.
• My heart always sinks when Robbie invites me to his house for dinner. He’s a wonderful person, but to be candid, he’s a terrible cook.
Candid means
A. honest.
B. friendly.
C. careful.
Page 8 in textbook.
A person may not like hearing someone’s honest opinion. Robbie’s friend is being honest in saying that Robbie is a terrible cook.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 compel – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 compel
– verb
• My history teacher would often compel us to do useless work, such as memorizing the date each state entered the union.
• If the law did not compel people to pay taxes, no one would pay them.
Compel means
A. to help.
B. to forbid.
C. to force.
Page 9 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 compel – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 compel
– verb
• My history teacher would often compel us to do useless work, such as memorizing the date each state entered the union.
• If the law did not compel people to pay taxes, no one would pay them.
Compel means
A. to help.
B. to forbid.
C. to force.
Page 9 in textbook.
A student would not do useless work unless he or she were forced to. The law forces people to pay taxes.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 comply – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 comply
– verb
• If someone with an iron pipe demands your wallet, it is safer to comply than to resist.
• “My wife is so used to being the boss at work,” Martin said, “that she is annoyed when I don’t comply with her every request at home.”
Comply means
A. to argue.
B. to do as asked.
C. to hear.
Page 9 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 comply – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 comply
– verb
• If someone with an iron pipe demands your wallet, it is safer to comply than to resist.
• “My wife is so used to being the boss at work,” Martin said, “that she is annoyed when I don’t comply with her every request at home.”
Comply means
A. to argue.
B. to do as asked.
C. to hear.
Page 9 in textbook.
It is safer to do as asked than to risk being hit with an iron pipe. If Martin’s wife is the boss, she would expect people to do what she asks.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 concise – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 concise
– adjective
• Because of limited space, most newspaper articles must be concise.
• Unlike many politicians, our mayor is concise—his speeches are short and to the point.
Concise means
A. wordy.
B. correct.
C. clear and brief.
Page 9 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 concise – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 concise
– adjective
• Because of limited space, most newspaper articles must be concise.
• Unlike many politicians, our mayor is concise—his speeches are short and to the point.
Concise means
A. wordy.
B. correct.
C. clear and brief.
Page 9 in textbook.
If space is limited, the articles need to be clear and brief. If the mayor’s speeches are short and to the point, he must speak clearly and briefly.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 drastic – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 drastic
– adjective
• The company’s new president took drastic steps, closing two factories and laying off three hundred employees.
• The most common punishment in schools is detention. If that does not work, then schools resort to something more drastic.
Drastic means
A. unimportant.
B. extreme.
C. easy.
Page 9 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
“I agree you are good at getting
people to work harder, but your
methods are a bit drastic.”

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 drastic – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 drastic
– adjective
• The company’s new president took drastic steps, closing two factories and laying off three hundred employees.
• The most common punishment in schools is detention. If that does not work, then schools resort to something more drastic.
Drastic means
A. unimportant.
B. extreme.
C. easy.
Page 9 in textbook.
Closing to factories and laying off three hundred employees are extreme steps. If detention is not enough, schools must resort to a more extreme punishment.
“I agree you are good at getting
people to work harder, but your
methods are a bit drastic.”

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acknowledge B. alternative C. anecdote
D. appropriate
E. avert
F. candid G. compel H. comply
I. concise
J. drastic
1. Because Frank seems so __________, everyone believes him even when he tells a lie.
2. The drummer told interesting __________s about famous rock singers he had played with.
Page 10 in textbook.
Answers: 1. candid; 2. anecdotes
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acknowledge B. alternative C. anecdote
D. appropriate
E. avert
F. candid G. compel H. comply
I. concise
J. drastic
1. Because Frank seems so __________, everyone believes him even when he tells a lie.
candid
If he seems very honest, everyone would believe him even when he lies.
2. The drummer told interesting ___________ about famous rock singers he had played with.
anecdotes
Page 10 in textbook.
A person who played drums for famous rock stars would have interesting stories to tell about the stars.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acknowledge B. alternative C. anecdote
D. appropriate
E. avert
F. candid G. compel H. comply
I. concise
J. drastic
3. People often take __________ steps in anger and later regret their extreme actions.
4. When he saw no way to __________ the plane crash, the pilot parachuted to safety.
Page 10 in textbook.
Answers: 3. drastic; 4. avert; 5. concise
The next slide explains the answers.
5. In a traditional wedding, the person performing the ceremony is often wordy, while the bride and groom are very __________, saying just “I do.”

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acknowledge B. alternative C. anecdote
D. appropriate
E. avert
F. candid G. compel H. comply
I. concise
J. drastic
3. People often take __________ steps in anger and later regret their extreme actions.
drastic
The word extreme is a clue.
4. When he saw no way to __________ the plane crash, the pilot parachuted to safety.
avert
Page 10 in textbook.
If the pilot had to parachute to safety, he must have been unable to prevent the plane crash.
5. In a traditional wedding, the person performing the ceremony is often wordy, while the bride and groom are very __________, saying just “I do.”
concise
In contrast with someone who is wordy, the bride and groom are very clear and brief, saying only two words each.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acknowledge B. alternative C. anecdote
D. appropriate
E. avert
F. candid G. compel H. comply
I. concise
J. drastic
6. Any player who does not __________ with the rules will be dropped from the team.
7. A couple of older boys tried to __________ some first-graders to hand over their lunch money.
Page 10 in textbook.
Answers: 6. comply; 7. compel
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acknowledge B. alternative C. anecdote
D. appropriate
E. avert
F. candid G. compel H. comply
I. concise
J. drastic
6. Any player who does not __________ with the rules will be dropped from the team.
comply
A player who does not obey the rules (do as the rules ask) will be dropped from the team.
7. A couple of older boys tried to __________ some first-graders to hand over their lunch money.
compel
Page 10 in textbook.
First-graders would not willingly hand over their lunch money. The older boys would have to force them to do so.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acknowledge B. alternative C. anecdote
D. appropriate
E. avert
F. candid G. compel H. comply
I. concise
J. drastic
8. To earn money for college, Lonnie felt he had to either join the army or get a job. He didn’t like either __________.
9. When the real murderer confessed, the police had to ___________ that the wrong man had been jailed.
Page 10 in textbook.
Answers: 8. alternative; 9. acknowledge; 10. appropriate
The next slide explains the answers.
10. In most American schools, it is not __________ for students to call their teachers by their first names.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acknowledge B. alternative C. anecdote
D. appropriate
E. avert
F. candid G. compel H. comply
I. concise
J. drastic
8. To earn money for college, Lonnie felt he had to either join the army or get a job. He didn’t like either __________.
alternative
Joining the army or getting a job are choices Lonnie does not like.
9. When the real murderer confessed, the police had to ___________ that the wrong man had been jailed.
acknowledge
Page 10 in textbook.
If the real murderer confessed, the police would have to admit they put the wrong man in jail.
10. In most American schools, it is not __________ for students to call their teachers by their first names.
appropriate
It is not usually considered proper for students to call their teachers by their first names.