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

2. Unit Three: Chapter 13 • accessible • prevail • awe • propel
• cite • rational
• compatible • retort
• exempt • retrieve
Page 76 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 accessible – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 accessible
– adjective
• The department store was not accessible from her side of the road, so Kristin looked ahead for a U-turn.
• We always hung the candy canes on the Christmas tree’s highest branches, where they weren’t accessible to the younger children.
Accessible means
A. good to look at.
B. within reach.
C. desirable.
Page 76 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 accessible – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 accessible
– adjective
• The department store was not accessible from her side of the road, so Kristin looked ahead for a U-turn.
• We always hung the candy canes on the Christmas tree’s highest branches, where they weren’t accessible to the younger children.
Accessible means
A. good to look at.
B. within reach.
C. desirable.
Page 76 in textbook.
If the department store couldn’t be reached (wasn’t within reach) from her side of the road, Kristin would have to make a U-turn. If the candy canes were on the highest branches, they would not be within reach of little children.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 awe – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 awe
– noun
• Nelson and Donna have different types of heroes. Although Nelson greatly admires Tom Brady, Donna is in awe of Oprah Winfrey.
• Sid is in awe of his gymnastics coach, whom he considers the greatest man he knows.
Awe means
A. anger.
B. respect.
C. hope.
Page 76 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 awe – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 awe
– noun
• Nelson and Donna have different types of heroes. Although Nelson greatly admires Tom Brady, Donna is in awe of Oprah Winfrey.
• Sid is in awe of his gymnastics coach, whom he considers the greatest man he knows.
Awe means
A. anger.
B. respect.
C. hope.
Page 76 in textbook.
If Oprah Winfrey is a hero to Donna, Donna must respect her. If Sid considers the coach the greatest man he knows, Sid must respect the coach.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 cite – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 cite
– verb
• Jamal was embarrassed but pleased when the teacher cited his essay as an example of good writing.
• Tired of picking up after her sister, Kim cited examples of her sloppiness: “stacks of papers, piles of dirty clothes, and unwashed dishes.”
Cite means
A. to forget.
B. to mention.
C. to ignore.
Page 76 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 cite – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 cite
– verb
• Jamal was embarrassed but pleased when the teacher cited his essay as an example of good writing.
• Tired of picking up after her sister, Kim cited examples of her sloppiness: “stacks of papers, piles of dirty clothes, and unwashed dishes.”
Cite means
A. to forget.
B. to mention.
C. to ignore.
Page 76 in textbook.
It would please Jamal to have the teacher mention his essay as an example of good writing. Kim mentions three specific examples of her sister’s sloppiness.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 compatible – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 compatible
– adjective
• My former girlfriend and I weren’t very compatible; whenever she wasn’t angry with me, I was angry with her.
• Some sweet and salty foods are compatible: for example, chocolate-covered pretzels are delicious.
Compatible means
A. well-known.
B. healthy.
C. able to work together.
Page 76 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 compatible – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 compatible
– adjective
• My former girlfriend and I weren’t very compatible; whenever she wasn’t angry with me, I was angry with her.
• Some sweet and salty foods are compatible: for example, chocolate-covered pretzels are delicious.
Compatible means
A. well-known.
B. healthy.
C. able to work together.
Page 76 in textbook.
If he is angry with the former girlfriend whenever she is not angry with him, the two would not be able to work together very well. If chocolate covered pretzels are delicious, the flavors must work together.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 exempt – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 exempt
– adjective
• Since he had never been spanked, my little brother thought he was exempt from punishment—until he wrote on the walls in ink.
• Students with A averages were exempt from final exams, so the top three students began their vacation early while the rest of us sweated it out on exam day.
Exempt means
A. excused.
B. in fear.
C. hiding.
Page 76 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 exempt – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 exempt
– adjective
• Since he had never been spanked, my little brother thought he was exempt from punishment—until he wrote on the walls in ink.
• Students with A averages were exempt from final exams, so the top three students began their vacation early while the rest of us sweated it out on exam day.
Exempt means
A. excused.
B. in fear.
C. hiding.
Page 76 in textbook.
If the little brother had never been spanked, he would have thought he was excused from punishment. If the top students were able to begin their vacation before exams, they must have been excused from the exams.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 prevail – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 prevail
– verb
• Most Hollywood movies have a happy ending: good prevails over evil.
• Although Kennedy prevailed over Nixon in 1960, eight years later Nixon won the presidency.
Prevail means
A. to win.
B. to watch.
C. to lose.
Page 76 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 prevail – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 prevail
– verb
• Most Hollywood movies have a happy ending: good prevails over evil.
• Although Kennedy prevailed over Nixon in 1960, eight years later Nixon won the presidency.
Prevail means
A. to win.
B. to watch.
C. to lose.
Page 76 in textbook.
If the movies have happy endings, good must win over evil. In the second sentence, the word won tells you the meaning of prevail.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 propel – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 propel
– verb
• My brother gave me a shove, which propelled me into the lake fully clothed.
• When the wind failed to propel the boat, we lowered the sails and turned on the motor.
Propel means
A. to support.
B. to move forward.
C. to raise.
Page 77 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
Airplane propellers

16. Airplane propellers move
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 propel
– verb
• My brother gave me a shove, which propelled me into the lake fully clothed.
• When the wind failed to propel the boat, we lowered the sails and turned on the motor.
Propel means
A. to support.
B. to move forward.
C. to raise.
Page 77 in textbook.
If one is shoved (from behind), one moves forward. If they had to turn on the motor, the wind must have failed to move the boat forward.
Airplane propellers move
a plane forward.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 rational – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 rational
– adjective
• The belief that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck isn’t rational. The only bad luck it could really bring is stepping on a sharp piece of broken glass.
• Mr. Tibbs isn’t rational; in addition to believing he came from another planet, he does crazy things like shoveling snow in his pajamas.
Rational means
A. helpful.
B. kind.
C. reasonable.
Page 77 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 rational – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 rational
– adjective
• The belief that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck isn’t rational. The only bad luck it could really bring is stepping on a sharp piece of broken glass.
• Mr. Tibbs isn’t rational; in addition to believing he came from another planet, he does crazy things like shoveling snow in his pajamas.
Rational means
A. helpful.
B. kind.
C. reasonable.
Page 77 in textbook.
Believing that breaking a mirror can bring seven years bad luck is not reasonable. Shoveling snow in pajamas and believing one is from another planet are not reasonable things. The word crazy is a clue.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 retort – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 retort
– noun
• Sue, who is slender, boasted, “Thin is in.” So Pat, who is heavy, gave this retort: “Well, fat is where it’s at.”
• When Shelley’s balding boyfriend made fun of her new perm, her retort was, “Jealous?”
Retort means
A. a wish.
B. an answer.
C. a fact.
Page 77 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 retort – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 retort
– noun
• Sue, who is slender, boasted, “Thin is in.” So Pat, who is heavy, gave this retort: “Well, fat is where it’s at.”
• When Shelley’s balding boyfriend made fun of her new perm, her retort was, “Jealous?”
Retort means
A. a wish.
B. an answer.
C. a fact.
Page 77 in textbook.
Heavy Pat gives a clever answer to slender Sue’s boast. Shelly gives a clever answer to her boyfriend’s teasing.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 retrieve – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 retrieve
– verb
• My dog Floyd refuses to retrieve a thrown Frisbee. Instead of running to bring it back, he only tilts his head and gives me a questioning look.
• I can’t retrieve my sweater from the library until tomorrow, since the library had closed by the time I realized the sweater was missing.
Retrieve means
A. to remember.
B. to touch.
C. to get back.
Page 77 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 retrieve 10 retrieve – verb – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 retrieve
10 retrieve
– verb
– verb
• My dog Floyd refuses to retrieve a thrown Frisbee. Instead of running to bring it back, he only tilts his head and gives me a questioning look.
• I can’t retrieve my sweater from the library until tomorrow, since the library had closed by the time I realized the sweater was missing.
Retrieve means
A. to remember.
B. to touch.
C. to get back.
Page 77 in textbook.
In the first item, the words bring back tell you the meaning. If the library had closed, one wouldn’t be able to get back the sweater.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. accessible B. awe C. cite
D. compatible
E. exempt
F. prevail G. propel H. rational
I. retort
J. retrieve
1. When I go bowling with Joan, she usually wins, but I always __________ in Scrabble.
2. Jet engines __________ a plane forward.
Page 78 in textbook.
Answers: 1. prevail; 2. propel
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. accessible B. awe C. cite
D. compatible
E. exempt
F. prevail G. propel H. rational
I. retort
J. retrieve
1. When I go bowling with Joan, she usually wins, but I always __________ in Scrabble.
prevail
The word wins tells you that prevail means win.
2. Jet engines __________ a plane forward.
propel
The jet engines on an airplane move it forward.
Page 78 in textbook.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. accessible B. awe C. cite
D. compatible
E. exempt
F. prevail G. propel H. rational
I. retort
J. retrieve
3. I ran back to the ladies’ room to __________ my purse, but someone had already taken it.
4. In my family, a person is __________ from household chores on his or her birthday.
Page 78 in textbook.
Answers: 3. retrieve; 4. exempt; 5. accessible
The next slide explains the answers.
5. The cabinet above the refrigerator was __________ to Tanya but not to her roommate Mieko, who was much shorter.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. accessible B. awe C. cite
D. compatible
E. exempt
F. prevail G. propel H. rational
I. retort
J. retrieve
3. I ran back to the ladies’ room to __________ my purse, but someone had already taken it.
retrieve
She would run back to the ladies’ room to get back her purse.
4. In my family, a person is __________ from household chores on his or her birthday.
exempt
Page 78 in textbook.
One would be excused from doing household chores on his or her birthday.
5. The cabinet above the refrigerator was __________ to Tanya but not to her roommate Mieko, who was much shorter.
accessible
For Tanya, who is much taller, the cabinet is within reached.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. accessible B. awe C. cite
D. compatible
E. exempt
F. prevail G. propel H. rational
I. retort
J. retrieve
6. The general’s uniform and medals filled Scott with __________. However, Marla, who knew the general personally, felt only disrespect for him.
7. There are at least two versions of the joke in which a customer complains that a fly is in his soup. The waiter’s __________ is either “That’s okay—there’s no extra charge” or “Don’t worry—he won’t drink much.”
Page 78 in textbook.
Answers: 6. awe; 7. retort
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. accessible B. awe C. cite
D. compatible
E. exempt
F. prevail G. propel H. rational
I. retort
J. retrieve
6. The general’s uniform and medals filled Scott with __________. However, Marla, who knew the general personally, felt only disrespect for him.
awe
The word disrespect tells you that awe means respect.
7. There are at least two versions of the joke in which a customer complains that a fly is in his soup. The waiter’s __________ is either “That’s okay—there’s no extra charge” or “Don’t worry—he won’t drink much.”
Page 78 in textbook.
retort
Each statement by the waiter is an example of a clever reply to the customer’s complaint.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. accessible B. awe C. cite
D. compatible
E. exempt
F. prevail G. propel H. rational
I. retort
J. retrieve
8. When Bridget writes up her experiment, she will __________ similar studies by other researchers, to show that her results match theirs.
9. Some people don’t think in a(n) _________ way. Their thoughts are governed by emotion, not reason.
Page 78 in textbook.
Answers: 8. cite; 9. rational; 10. compatible
The next slide explains the answers.
10. My father thinks everything combines well with peanut butter. He even thinks peanut butter and onions are __________ in a sandwich.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. accessible B. awe C. cite
D. compatible
E. exempt
F. prevail G. propel H. rational
I. retort
J. retrieve
8. When Bridget writes up her experiment, she will __________ similar studies by other researchers, to show that her results match theirs.
cite
Bridget will mention the other studies to support her own results.
9. Some people don’t think in a ___________ way. Their thoughts are governed by emotion, not reason.
rational
Page 78 in textbook.
People whose thoughts are not governed by reason don’t think in a logical way.
10. My father thinks everything combines well with peanut butter. He even thinks peanut butter and onions are __________ in a sandwich.
compatible
The word combines tells you that the father thinks that peanut butter and onions combine well in a sandwich.