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

2. Unit Three: Chapter 17 • defer • inevitable • endeavor • malicious
• equate • option
• impose • passive
• indignant • patron
Page 92 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 defer – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 defer
– verb
• The children showed great respect for their grandmother and deferred to her every wish.
• When it comes to fixing cars, I defer to my brother’s judgment. He knows much more about auto mechanics than I do.
Defer means
A. to object.
B. to give in.
C. to want.
Page 92 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 defer – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 defer
– verb
• The children showed great respect for their grandmother and deferred to her every wish.
• When it comes to fixing cars, I defer to my brother’s judgment. He knows much more about auto mechanics than I do.
Defer means
A. to object.
B. to give in.
C. to want.
Page 92 in textbook.
One way for the children to show their respect is to give in to their grandmother’s every wish. If the brother knows more about auto mechanics, it makes sense to give in to his judgment on fixing cars.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 endeavor – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 endeavor
– verb
• Becky endeavored to raise money for Christmas presents by selling candy and cookies door to door.
• Your company would be wise to hire Jesse. He will endeavor to do his best at whatever jobs you give him.
Endeavor means
A. to try.
B. to pretend.
C. to step aside.
Page 92 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 endeavor – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 endeavor
– verb
• Becky endeavored to raise money for Christmas presents by selling candy and cookies door to door.
• Your company would be wise to hire Jesse. He will endeavor to do his best at whatever jobs you give him.
Endeavor means
A. to try.
B. to pretend.
C. to step aside.
Page 92 in textbook.
Selling candy and cookies is a way to try to raise money. If the company would be wise to hire Jesse, it must be because he will try to do his best.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 equate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 equate
– verb
• It would be a mistake to equate the two teams just because they both have perfect records. One team has played much stronger opponents.
• Don’t equate all homework assignments with busywork. Homework can increase one’s understanding of a subject.
Equate means
A. to exchange.
B. to consider to be the same.
C. to enjoy.
Page 92 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 equate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 equate
– verb
• It would be a mistake to equate the two teams just because they both have perfect records. One team has played much stronger opponents.
• Don’t equate all homework assignments with busywork. Homework can increase one’s understanding of a subject.
Equate means
A. to exchange.
B. to consider to be the same.
C. to enjoy.
Page 92 in textbook.
If one team has played much stronger opponents, it would be a mistake to say the two teams are equal (the same). A homework assignment that increases one’s understanding cannot be considered the same as busywork.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 impose – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 impose
– verb
• Our neighbor pounded on our door as we were sitting down to eat. “I’m sorry to impose on you during dinner,” he said, “but I need to borrow a fire extinguisher.”
• Roy is always asking favors, yet people never seem to notice how much he imposes on them.
Impose means
A. to selfishly bother.
B. to improve.
C. to spy.
Page 92 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 impose – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 impose
– verb
• Our neighbor pounded on our door as we were sitting down to eat. “I’m sorry to impose on you during dinner,” he said, “but I need to borrow a fire extinguisher.”
• Roy is always asking favors, yet people never seem to notice how much he imposes on them.
Impose means
A. to selfishly bother.
B. to improve.
C. to spy.
Page 92 in textbook.
The neighbor apologizes for bothering the family during dinner. If Roy is always asking favors, he is selfishly bothering people.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 indignant – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 indignant
– adjective
• My mother becomes indignant when she sees parents treat their children with disrespect.
• When she was falsely accused of stealing a classmate’s gold chain, the student became very indignant.
Indignant means
A. angry.
B. patient.
C. amused.
Page 92 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 indignant – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 indignant
– adjective
• My mother becomes indignant when she sees parents treat their children with disrespect.
• When she was falsely accused of stealing a classmate’s gold chain, the student became very indignant.
Indignant means
A. angry.
B. patient.
C. amused.
Page 92 in textbook.
Seeing parents treat their children with disrespect would make the mother angry. Being falsely accused of theft would make the student angry.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 inevitable – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 inevitable
– adjective
• I am such a chocoholic that if you put a brownie in front of me, it is inevitable that I will eat it.
• We try so hard to look and stay young, but aging is inevitable.
Inevitable means
A. unlikely.
B. surprising.
C. unavoidable.
Page 92 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 inevitable – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 inevitable
– adjective
• I am such a chocoholic that if you put a brownie in front of me, it is inevitable that I will eat it.
• We try so hard to look and stay young, but aging is inevitable.
Inevitable means
A. unlikely.
B. surprising.
C. unavoidable.
Page 92 in textbook.
Being a chocoholic would make eating the brownie unavoidable. Aging is unavoidable.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 malicious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 malicious
– adjective
• Bullies are malicious—they take pleasure in hurting others.
• Raquel loves malicious gossip. The more spiteful it is, the more she likes it, and the more likely she is to repeat it.
Malicious means
A. mean.
B. ambitious.
C. common.
Page 93 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 malicious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 malicious
– adjective
• Bullies are malicious—they take pleasure in hurting others.
• Raquel loves malicious gossip. The more spiteful it is, the more she likes it, and the more likely she is to repeat it.
Malicious means
A. mean.
B. ambitious.
C. common.
Page 93 in textbook.
Someone who takes pleasure in hurting others is mean. Rachel likes mean gossip. The word spiteful is a clue.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 option – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 option
– noun
• When my overweight uncle was told, “Stop eating so much or you’ll have a heart attack within five years,” he didn’t like either option.
• Noah thinks a multiple-choice test allows him to choose more than one option.
Option means
A. an opinion.
B. an advantage.
C. a choice.
Page 93 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 option – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 option
– noun
• When my overweight uncle was told, “Stop eating so much or you’ll have a heart attack within five years,” he didn’t like either option.
• Noah thinks a multiple-choice test allows him to choose more than one option.
Option means
A. an opinion.
B. an advantage.
C. a choice.
Page 93 in textbook.
The uncle was given the choice of stopping eating so much or having a heart attack. In the second item, the words choice and choose suggest the meaning of option.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 passive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 passive
– adjective
• Taylor is very passive. He waits for things to happen instead of making them happen.
• Students learn more when they take part in class discussions instead of simply being passive listeners.
Passive means
A. insincere.
B. inactive.
C. flexible.
Page 93 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
A passive dog

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 passive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 passive
– adjective
• Taylor is very passive. He waits for things to happen instead of making them happen.
• Students learn more when they take part in class discussions instead of simply being passive listeners.
Passive means
A. insincere.
B. inactive.
C. flexible.
Page 93 in textbook.
If Taylor simply waits for things to happen, he is inactive. In the second item, being an inactive listener is contrasted with taking part in discussions.
A passive dog

21. Patrons at an outdoor café
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 patron
– noun
• The punk-rock star was a good patron of the beauty shop. She came in at least once a week to change her hair color.
• Many of the diner’s patrons were stagehands who worked at the theater across the street.
Patron means
A. an advertiser.
B. an owner.
C. a customer.
Page 93 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
Patrons at an outdoor café

22. Patrons at an outdoor café
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 patron
– noun
• The punk-rock star was a good patron of the beauty shop. She came in at least once a week to change her hair color.
• Many of the diner’s patrons were stagehands who worked at the theater across the street.
Patron means
A. an advertiser.
B. an owner.
C. a customer.
Page 93 in textbook.
If the star came into the beauty shop to change her hair color, she was a customer of the shop. The stagehands were customers of the diner.
Patrons at an outdoor café

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. defer B. endeavor C. equate
D. impose
E. indignant
F. inevitable G. malicious H. option
I. passive
J. patron
1. When rats are crowded together, it’s __________ they will fight with each other.
2. I have only two _________s at work: I can do what my boss asks, or I can be fired.
Page 94 in textbook.
Answers: 1. inevitable; 2. option
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. defer B. endeavor C. equate
D. impose
E. indignant
F. inevitable G. malicious H. option
I. passive
J. patron
1. When rats are crowded together, it’s __________ they will fight with each other.
inevitable
If rats are crowded together, it is unavoidable that they will fight.
2. I have only two __________ at work: I can do what my boss asks, or I can be fired.
options
Page 94 in textbook.
The only choices at work are to do what the boss asks or be fired.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. defer B. endeavor C. equate
D. impose
E. indignant
F. inevitable G. malicious H. option
I. passive
J. patron
3. In our society, we too often __________ happiness with money.
4. Mort isn’t a(n) _________ football fan. He actively participates by jumping out of his seat and yelling until he’s hoarse.
Page 94 in textbook.
Answers: 3. equate; 4. passive; 5. patron
The next slide explains the answers.
5. I was the store’s most loyal __________ until new management raised the prices, and then I started shopping elsewhere.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. defer B. endeavor C. equate
D. impose
E. indignant
F. inevitable G. malicious H. option
I. passive
J. patron
3. In our society, we too often __________ happiness with money.
equate
We too often consider happiness and money to be the same.
4. Mort isn’t a ____________ football fan. He actively participates by jumping out of his seat and yelling until he’s hoarse.
passive
Page 94 in textbook.
A fan who jumps and yells is not inactive. The word actively is a clue.
5. I was the store’s most loyal __________ until new management raised the prices, and then I started shopping elsewhere.
patron
If the person used to shop at the store, he or she was a loyal customer.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. defer B. endeavor C. equate
D. impose
E. indignant
F. inevitable G. malicious H. option
I. passive
J. patron
6. Heidi is so __________ that she makes up lies to ruin other people’s reputations.
7. “I don’t want to __________ on you,” Scott said, “but if you’re going to the post office, would you get me some stamps?”
Page 94 in textbook.
Answers: 6. malicious; 7. impose
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. defer B. endeavor C. equate
D. impose
E. indignant
F. inevitable G. malicious H. option
I. passive
J. patron
6. Heidi is so __________ that she makes up lies to ruin other people’s reputations.
malicious
Someone who makes up lies to ruin the reputations of others is mean.
7. “I don’t want to __________ on you,” Scott said, “but if you’re going to the post office, would you get me some stamps?”
impose
Page 94 in textbook.
Scott does not want to take unfair advantage by asking the person to get stamps for him.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. defer B. endeavor C. equate
D. impose
E. indignant
F. inevitable G. malicious H. option
I. passive
J. patron
8. When his wife accused him of never helping around the house, Mac was __________. Hadn’t he just built a deck off the kitchen?
9. Our instructor doesn’t expect us to __________ to his opinions just because he’s the teacher; he wants us to think for ourselves.
Page 94 in textbook.
Answers: 8. indignant; 9. defer; 10. endeavor
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Many climbers who have _________(e)d to reach the top of Mount Everest have died on the way.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. defer B. endeavor C. equate
D. impose
E. indignant
F. inevitable G. malicious H. option
I. passive
J. patron
8. When his wife accused him of never helping around the house, Mac was __________. Hadn’t he just built a deck off the kitchen?
indignant
If Mac just built the deck, he’d be angry at his wife’s accusation.
9. Our instructor doesn’t expect us to __________ to his opinions just because he’s the teacher; he wants us to think for ourselves.
defer
Page 94 in textbook.
If the instructor wants them to think for themselves, he wouldn’t expect them to give in to his opinions.
10. Many climbers who have ____________ to reach the top of Mount Everest have died on the way.
endeavored
Mountain climbers would attempt to reach the top of Mount Everest.