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

2. Unit Two: Chapter 8 • attest • enigma • attribute • exemplify
• discern • mobile
• dispatch • nocturnal
• enhance • orient
Page 46 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 attest – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 attest
– verb
• Anyone who has seen the Golden Gate Bridge in the rose-gold light of sunset can attest to its beauty.
• Witnesses attest to the fact that rainfall makes the ground of Death Valley so slippery that boulders slide across it.
Attest means
A. to declare to be true.
B. to wish for.
C. to forget easily.
Page 46 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 attest – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 attest
– verb
• Anyone who has seen the Golden Gate Bridge in the rose-gold light of sunset can attest to its beauty.
• Witnesses attest to the fact that rainfall makes the ground of Death Valley so slippery that boulders slide across it.
Attest means
A. to declare to be true.
B. to wish for.
C. to forget easily.
Page 46 in textbook.
Seeing such a sight would enable one to declare the truth of the beauty. People who are witnesses would be able to declare the event to be true.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 attribute – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 attribute
– noun
• A three-hundred-page novel written in 1939 has the odd attribute of containing no e, the most common letter in English.
• Some cars have computerized attributes such as windshield wipers that automatically turn on when it rains.
Attribute means
A. a tendency.
B. a defect.
C. a characteristic.
Page 46 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 attribute – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 attribute
– noun
• A three-hundred-page novel written in 1939 has the odd attribute of containing no e, the most common letter in English.
• Some cars have computerized attributes such as windshield wipers that automatically turn on when it rains.
Attribute means
A. a tendency.
B. a defect.
C. a characteristic.
Page 46 in textbook.
Not containing a single e is a characteristic of the novel. The second item gives an example of a computerized characteristic of some cars.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 discern – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 discern
– verb
• An experienced jeweler can easily discern whether a diamond is genuine or fake.
• People who are red-green colorblind can discern the colors of traffic lights by recognizing shades of gray.
Discern means
A. to see clearly.
B. to disregard.
C. to change.
Page 46 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 discern – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 discern
– verb
• An experienced jeweler can easily discern whether a diamond is genuine or fake.
• People who are red-green colorblind can discern the colors of traffic lights by recognizing shades of gray.
Discern means
A. to see clearly.
B. to disregard.
C. to change.
Page 46 in textbook.
If a jeweler is experienced, he or she would be able to see clearly whether a diamond is genuine or fake. If red-green colorblind people can recognize shades of gray, they would be able to see clearly the colors of a traffic light.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 dispatch – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 dispatch
– verb
• I wanted to dispatch the letter as quickly as possible, so I took it to the post office instead of dropping it into a mailbox.
• At work Harold is treated like an errand boy. His boss often dispatches him to the deli for sandwiches or donuts.
Dispatch means
A. to represent.
B. to send.
C. to drive.
Page 46 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 dispatch – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 dispatch
– verb
• I wanted to dispatch the letter as quickly as possible, so I took it to the post office instead of dropping it into a mailbox.
• At work Harold is treated like an errand boy. His boss often dispatches him to the deli for sandwiches or donuts.
Dispatch means
A. to represent.
B. to send.
C. to drive.
Page 46 in textbook.
A person would take the letter to the post office in order to send it as quickly as possible. The boss would send Harold to the deli for sandwiches or donuts.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 enhance – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 enhance
– verb
• Our gym teacher enhanced her appearance with a more attractive hairstyle.
• The college catalogue stated that the writing course would “enhance all students’ writing skills” by improving their grammar and style.
Enhance means
A. to make better.
B. to recognize.
C. to reduce.
Page 46 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 enhance – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 enhance
– verb
• Our gym teacher enhanced her appearance with a more attractive hairstyle.
• The college catalogue stated that the writing course would “enhance all students’ writing skills” by improving their grammar and style.
Enhance means
A. to make better.
B. to recognize.
C. to reduce.
Page 46 in textbook.
A more attractive hairstyle would make the teacher’s appearance better. In the second item, the word improving suggests that enhance means “to make better.”

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 enigma – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 enigma
– noun
• How the thief entered our house was an enigma until we remembered that the cellar door had been left unlocked.
• The “singing sands” of Scotland remained an enigma until scientists learned that footsteps caused the round grains of sand and the surrounding air pockets to make musical vibrations.
Enigma means
A. a comfort.
B. a puzzle.
C. an error.
Page 46 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 enigma – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 enigma
– noun
• How the thief entered our house was an enigma until we remembered that the cellar door had been left unlocked.
• The “singing sands” of Scotland remained an enigma until scientists learned that footsteps caused the round grains of sand and the surrounding air pockets to make musical vibrations.
Enigma means
A. a comfort.
B. a puzzle.
C. an error.
Page 46 in textbook.
How the thief entered the house would be a puzzle—until they remembered the unlocked cellar door. Until scientists came up with an explanation for the “singing sands,” the sands would have been a puzzle.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 exemplify – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 exemplify
– verb
• The many IRS employees who give citizens inaccurate information exemplify governmental incompetence.
• Mr. Ramirez, who emphasizes original thinking and freedom of expression, exemplifies the best in teaching.
Exemplify means
A. to illustrate.
B. to save.
C. to oppose.
Page 47 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 exemplify – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 exemplify
– verb
• The many IRS employees who give citizens inaccurate information exemplify governmental incompetence.
• Mr. Ramirez, who emphasizes original thinking and freedom of expression, exemplifies the best in teaching.
Exemplify means
A. to illustrate.
B. to save.
C. to oppose.
Page 47 in textbook.
Specific government employees who give inaccurate information would illustrate general governmental incompetence. A teacher who emphasizes original thinking and freedom of expression would illustrate the best in teaching.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 mobile – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 mobile
– adjective
• My parents own a mobile home, which can be moved from place to place.
• Every morning when I was in the hospital, a volunteer wheeled a mobile library into my room.
Mobile means
A. active.
B. expensive.
C. moveable.
Page 47 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
A mobile home
Photo: Amanda Bicknell/FEMA

18. A mobile home being towed
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 mobile
– adjective
• My parents own a mobile home, which can be moved from place to place.
• Every morning when I was in the hospital, a volunteer wheeled a mobile library into my room.
Mobile means
A. active.
B. expensive.
C. moveable.
Page 47 in textbook.
If the home can be moved from place to place, it must be moveable. If the library was wheeled into the patient’s hospital room, it must have been a moveable library.
A mobile home being towed
to its destination
Photo: Amanda Bicknell/FEMA

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 nocturnal – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 nocturnal
– adjective
• I know when my brother has enjoyed one of his nocturnal feasts because I find a stack of dishes in the sink in the morning.
• Since owls are nocturnal, they are rarely seen during the day.
Nocturnal means
A. noisy.
B. busy.
C. of the night.
Page 47 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
A nocturnal street scene

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 nocturnal – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 nocturnal
– adjective
• I know when my brother has enjoyed one of his nocturnal feasts because I find a stack of dishes in the sink in the morning.
• Since owls are nocturnal, they are rarely seen during the day.
Nocturnal means
A. noisy.
B. busy.
C. of the night.
Page 47 in textbook.
If the dishes are in the sink the next morning, the brother must have snacked during the night. If owls are rarely seen during the day, they must be creatures of the night.
A nocturnal street scene

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 orient – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 orient
– verb
• When coming up from the subway, I often need to look at a street sign to orient myself.
• Certain cars let drivers orient themselves in unfamiliar places with the help of an electronic map that shows the car’s location.
Orient means
A. to locate.
B. to welcome.
C. to question.
Page 47 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 orient – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 orient
– verb
• When coming up from the subway, I often need to look at a street sign to orient myself.
• Certain cars let drivers orient themselves in unfamiliar places with the help of an electronic map that shows the car’s location.
Orient means
A. to locate.
B. to welcome.
C. to question.
Page 47 in textbook.
One would look at a street sign in order to locate oneself. In the second item, the word location suggests that orient means “to locate.”

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. attest B. attribute C. discern
D. dispatch
E. enhance
F. enigma G. exemplify H. mobile
I. nocturnal
J. orient
1. Fresh garlic may not __________ the breath, but it certainly improves spaghetti sauce.
2. A witness _______(e)d to the truth of the defendant’s claim that she had loved the murdered man.
Page 48 in textbook.
Answers: 1. enhance; 2. attest
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. attest B. attribute C. discern
D. dispatch
E. enhance
F. enigma G. exemplify H. mobile
I. nocturnal
J. orient
1. Fresh garlic may not __________ the breath, but it certainly improves spaghetti sauce.
enhance
The word improves tells you the meaning of enhance.
2. A witness __________ to the truth of the defendant’s claim that she had loved the murdered man.
attested
Page 48 in textbook.
A witness would testify to the truth of the defendant’s statement.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. attest B. attribute C. discern
D. dispatch
E. enhance
F. enigma G. exemplify H. mobile
I. nocturnal
J. orient
3. When I was younger, my mother used to __________ me to the store for milk or some missing cooking ingredient as often as twice a day.
4. The lives of such reformers as Susan B. Anthony, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King __________ greatness.
Page 48 in textbook.
Answers: 3. dispatch; 4. exemplify; 5. enigma
The next slide explains the answers.
5. Science does not have enough evidence to solve the __________ of whether or not there is other intelligent life in the universe.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. attest B. attribute C. discern
D. dispatch
E. enhance
F. enigma G. exemplify H. mobile
I. nocturnal
J. orient
3. When I was younger, my mother used to __________ me to the store for milk or some missing cooking ingredient as often as twice a day.
dispatch
The mother would send the child to the store.
4. The lives of such reformers as Susan B. Anthony, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King __________ greatness.
exemplify
Page 48 in textbook.
The lives of such reformers are examples of greatness.
5. Science does not have enough evidence to solve the __________ of whether or not there is other intelligent life in the universe.
enigma
The question of other intelligent life is a mystery. The word solve is a clue.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. attest B. attribute C. discern
D. dispatch
E. enhance
F. enigma G. exemplify H. mobile
I. nocturnal
J. orient
6. The convicts decided on a(n) ________ escape. The darkness would hide them as they fled through the forest.
7. Sue’s hairpiece is so natural-looking that it’s impossible to __________ where the hairpiece ends and her own hair begins.
Page 48 in textbook.
Answers: 6. nocturnal; 7. discern
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. attest B. attribute C. discern
D. dispatch
E. enhance
F. enigma G. exemplify H. mobile
I. nocturnal
J. orient
6. The convicts decided on a __________ escape. The darkness would hide them as they fled through the forest.
nocturnal
If the darkness would hide them, the escape must have been at night.
7. Sue’s hairpiece is so natural-looking that it’s impossible to __________ where the hairpiece ends and her own hair begins.
discern
Page 48 in textbook.
If Sue’s hairpiece is natural-looking, it would be impossible to detect where it ends and her own hair begins.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. attest B. attribute C. discern
D. dispatch
E. enhance
F. enigma G. exemplify H. mobile
I. nocturnal
J. orient
8. The positions of the stars help sailors __________ themselves on the open seas.
9. My mother is unable to walk, but with her wheelchair she is __________ enough to get around her apartment, move along a sidewalk, and even shop at a mall.
Page 48 in textbook.
Answers: 8. orient; 9. mobile; 10. attribute
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Giant kelp, a form of seaweed, has some amazing __________s. Not only is it the world’s fastest-growing vegetable, but the more it is cut, the faster it grows.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. attest B. attribute C. discern
D. dispatch
E. enhance
F. enigma G. exemplify H. mobile
I. nocturnal
J. orient
8. The positions of the stars help sailors __________ themselves on the open seas.
orient
The stars help sailors determine their location on the open seas.
9. My mother is unable to walk, but with her wheelchair she is __________ enough to get around her apartment, move along a sidewalk, and even shop at a mall.
mobile
Page 48 in textbook.
If the mother moves along the sidewalk and shops at a mall, she must be able to move about.
10. Giant kelp, a form of seaweed, has some amazing ___________. Not only is it the world’s fastest-growing vegetable, but the more it is cut, the faster it grows.
attributes
The second sentence lists two amazing qualities of giant kelp.