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

2. Unit Three: Chapter 16 • charisma • poignant
• contemporary • prevalent
• contend • proponent
• conversely • quest
• extrovert • traumatic
Page 88 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 charisma – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 charisma
– noun
• Kamal has such charisma that when he ran for class president, almost every person in the tenth grade voted for him. His classmates couldn’t resist Kamal’s magnetic personality.
• Great Britain’s Princess Diana obviously had great charisma. She continues to have numerous loyal fans—long after her death.
Charisma means
A. feelings.
B. personal appeal.
C. luck.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 charisma – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 charisma
– noun
• Kamal has such charisma that when he ran for class president, almost every person in the tenth grade voted for him. His classmates couldn’t resist Kamal’s magnetic personality.
• Great Britain’s Princess Diana obviously had great charisma. She continues to have numerous loyal fans—long after her death.
Charisma means
A. feelings.
B. personal appeal.
C. luck.
Page 88 in textbook.
In the first item, the words magnetic personality tell you that charisma means “personal appeal.” In the second item, if Princess Diana continues to have numerous loyal fans, she must have had great personal appeal.

5. A contemporary armchair
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 contemporary
– adjective
• Beth likes contemporary furniture, but her husband prefers antiques.
• My grandfather says that compared to kids in his day, contemporary youngsters are soft and lazy.
Contemporary means
A. common.
B. old-fashioned.
C. today’s.
Page 88 in textbook..
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
A contemporary armchair

6. A contemporary armchair
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 contemporary
– adjective
• Beth likes contemporary furniture, but her husband prefers antiques.
• My grandfather says that compared to kids in his day, contemporary youngsters are soft and lazy.
Contemporary means
A. common.
B. old-fashioned.
C. today’s.
Page 88 in textbook.
In contrast with her husband’s preference for antiques, Beth likes today’s furniture. In the second item, the words in his day is a clue that contemporary means “today’s.”
A contemporary armchair

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 contend – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 contend
– verb
• The defense attorney contended that his client was insane and therefore could not be held responsible for the murder.
• Scientists contend that no two snowflakes are identical, but how could they possibly prove it?
Contend means
A. to wish.
B. to deny.
C. to declare.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 contend – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 contend
– verb
• The defense attorney contended that his client was insane and therefore could not be held responsible for the murder.
• Scientists contend that no two snowflakes are identical, but how could they possibly prove it?
Contend means
A. to wish.
B. to deny.
C. to declare.
Page 88 in textbook.
A defense attorney would declare his client could not be held responsible. Scientists declare this unprovable “fact” about snowflakes.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 conversely – adverb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 conversely
– adverb
• Ron, who is basically bored by food, eats in order to live. Conversely, Nate loves food so much that he seems to live in order to eat.
• Mary drives her children to school whenever it rains. Conversely, Thea makes her kids walk because she thinks a little rain never hurt anyone.
Conversely means
A. in contrast.
B. in a modern way.
C. similarly.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 conversely – adverb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 conversely
– adverb
• Ron, who is basically bored by food, eats in order to live. Conversely, Nate loves food so much that he seems to live in order to eat.
• Mary drives her children to school whenever it rains. Conversely, Thea makes her kids walk because she thinks a little rain never hurt anyone.
Conversely means
A. in contrast.
B. in a modern way.
C. similarly.
Page 88 in textbook.
Nate’s love of food is in contrast to Ron’s being bored with food. Thea’s making her kids walk in the rain is in contrast to Mary’s driving her kids when it rains.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 extrovert – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 extrovert
– noun
• Surprisingly, not all performers are extroverts. Offstage, many are quiet and shy.
• Ms. Stein hired Roberto to greet and chat with her clients because he’s such an extrovert.
Extrovert means
A. a supporter of causes.
B. a timid person.
C. a sociable person.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 extrovert – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 extrovert
– noun
• Surprisingly, not all performers are extroverts. Offstage, many are quiet and shy.
• Ms. Stein hired Roberto to greet and chat with her clients because he’s such an extrovert.
Extrovert means
A. a supporter of causes.
B. a timid person.
C. a sociable person.
Page 88 in textbook.
In the first item, the words quiet and shy contrast with the meaning of extrovert—“a sociable person.” Ms. Stein would want a sociable person to greet and chat with her clients.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 poignant – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 poignant
– adjective
• The service honoring American soldiers missing in action was touching. A speech by a friend of one of the soldiers was particularly poignant.
• I cried when I read a poignant story about a dying girl who gave away all of her dolls to “poor children.”
Poignant means
A. affecting the emotions.
B. correct.
C. lively.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 poignant – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 poignant
– adjective
• The service honoring American soldiers missing in action was touching. A speech by a friend of one of the soldiers was particularly poignant.
• I cried when I read a poignant story about a dying girl who gave away all of her dolls to “poor children.”
Poignant means
A. affecting the emotions.
B. correct.
C. lively.
Page 88 in textbook.
In the first item, the word touching is a clue that poignant means “affecting the emotions.” In the second item, the word cried is a clue that poignant means “affecting the emotions.”

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 prevalent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 prevalent
– adjective
• Television sets are more prevalent in the United States than bathtubs. Over half of American homes have three or more TVs. Far fewer homes have more than one bathtub.
• Unemployment was prevalent during America’s Great Depression. By 1932, over twelve million people were out of work.
Prevalent means
A. favorable.
B. found frequently.
C. unlikely.
Page 89 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 prevalent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 prevalent
– adjective
• Television sets are more prevalent in the United States than bathtubs. Over half of American homes have three or more TVs. Far fewer homes have more than one bathtub.
• Unemployment was prevalent during America’s Great Depression. By 1932, over twelve million people were out of work.
Prevalent means
A. favorable.
B. found frequently.
C. unlikely.
Page 89 in textbook.
The statistics given in the first item demonstrate that television sets are more frequently found in U.S. homes than are bathtubs. If over twelve million people were out of work, unemployment was widespread (found frequently) in 1932.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 proponent – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 proponent
– noun
• I voted for Senator Williams, a proponent of improved services for the elderly, because I feel that many older people need greater assistance.
• Although Elaine quit work to take care of her children, she is a proponent of employer-supported day care.
Proponent means
A. a recipient.
B. an opponent.
C. a supporter.
Page 89 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
Proponents of women’s
right to vote (early 1900s)

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 proponent – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 proponent
– noun
• I voted for Senator Williams, a proponent of improved services for the elderly, because I feel that many older people need greater assistance.
• Although Elaine quit work to take care of her children, she is a proponent of employer-supported day care.
Proponent means
A. a recipient.
B. an opponent.
C. a supporter.
Page 89 in textbook.
Someone who feels older people need assistance would vote for a supporter of improved services for the elderly. In spite of the fact that Elaine quit to care for her children, she is a supporter of employer-supported day care.
Proponents of women’s
right to vote (early 1900s)

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 quest – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 quest
– noun
• During Carlo’s quest for the perfect pizza, he sampled the cheese pizza at twenty-seven different restaurants.
• Ponce de Leon’s quest was for the Fountain of Youth; what he found instead was Florida.
Quest means
A. a hunt.
B. a question.
C. a design.
Page 89 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 quest – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 quest
– noun
• During Carlo’s quest for the perfect pizza, he sampled the cheese pizza at twenty-seven different restaurants.
• Ponce de Leon’s quest was for the Fountain of Youth; what he found instead was Florida.
Quest means
A. a hunt.
B. a question.
C. a design.
Page 89 in textbook.
If Carlo tried pizza at twenty-seven restaurants, he must have been on a hunt for the perfect pizza. In the second item, the word found is a clue that quest means “a hunt.”

21. of a California wildfire
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 traumatic
– adjective
• Divorce can be less traumatic for children if their fears and feelings are taken into account as the divorce takes place.
• My cousin has had nightmares ever since his traumatic experience of being trapped in a coal mine.
Traumatic means
A. familiar.
B. reasonable.
C. extremely upsetting.
Page 89 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
The traumatic results
of a California wildfire
Photo: Andrea Booher/FEMA

22. of a California wildfire
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 traumatic
– adjective
• Divorce can be less traumatic for children if their fears and feelings are taken into account as the divorce takes place.
• My cousin has had nightmares ever since his traumatic experience of being trapped in a coal mine.
Traumatic means
A. familiar.
B. reasonable.
C. extremely upsetting.
Page 89 in textbook.
A divorce can be an extremely upsetting event in the life of a child. Being trapped in a coal mine would be an extremely upsetting experience—upsetting enough to cause nightmares.
The traumatic results
of a California wildfire
Photo: Andrea Booher/FEMA

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. charisma B. contemporary C. contend
D. conversely
E. extrovert
F. poignant G. prevalent H. proponent
I. quest
J. traumatic
1. I study best in the morning. __________, my sister concentrates better at night.
2. Nancy is a(n) _______ by nature, but since she’s become depressed, she has avoided other people.
Page 90 in textbook.
Answers: 1. conversely; 2. extrovert
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. charisma B. contemporary C. contend
D. conversely
E. extrovert
F. poignant G. prevalent H. proponent
I. quest
J. traumatic
1. I study best in the morning. __________, my sister concentrates better at night.
Conversely
The time of day the one person studies best is in contrast to the time of day the other person concentrates best.
2. Nancy is an _________ by nature, but since she’s become depressed, she has avoided other people.
extrovert
Page 90 in textbook.
Nancy’s current avoidance of other people is contrasted with her outgoing, sociable nature.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. charisma B. contemporary C. contend
D. conversely
E. extrovert
F. poignant G. prevalent H. proponent
I. quest
J. traumatic
3. At the airport, I was very moved by the __________ reunion of family members who had been separated for years.
4. Underage drinking was so _________ in the fraternity house that college officials ordered the house closed for a year.
Page 90 in textbook.
Answers: 3. poignant; 4. prevalent; 5. contend
The next slide explains the answers.
5. “This woman ________s that she was here before you,” said the supermarket checkout clerk. “Is it her turn now?”

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. charisma B. contemporary C. contend
D. conversely
E. extrovert
F. poignant G. prevalent H. proponent
I. quest
J. traumatic
3. At the airport, I was very moved by the __________ reunion of family members who had been separated for years.
poignant
The word moved tells you that poignant means “touching.”
4. Underage drinking was so _________ in the fraternity house that college officials ordered the house closed for a year.
prevalent
Page 90 in textbook.
If the fraternity house was closed for a year, the underage drinking must have been widespread.
5. “This woman _________ that she was here before you,” said the supermarket checkout clerk. “Is it her turn now?”
contends
The woman claims that she was there first.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. charisma B. contemporary C. contend
D. conversely
E. extrovert
F. poignant G. prevalent H. proponent
I. quest
J. traumatic
6. Felipe is a(n) _______ of exercising for good health. He even encourages his young children to swim or cycle every day.
7. Certain movie stars may not be great actors, but they have a(n) _______ that makes people want to see their films.
Page 90 in textbook.
Answers: 6. proponent; 7. charisma
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. charisma B. contemporary C. contend
D. conversely
E. extrovert
F. poignant G. prevalent H. proponent
I. quest
J. traumatic
6. Felipe is a _________ of exercising for good health. He even encourages his young children to swim or cycle every day.
proponent
Felipe’s actions show he is someone who supports exercising.
7. Certain movie stars may not be great actors, but they have a _________ that makes people want to see their films.
charisma
Page 90 in textbook.
If the stars make people want to see their films, they must have a personal magnetism.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. charisma B. contemporary C. contend
D. conversely
E. extrovert
F. poignant G. prevalent H. proponent
I. quest
J. traumatic
8. Repeating third grade was __________ for my brother. It still pains him to think about it, even though he’s a successful businessman now.
9. Abby didn’t like the apartment with the old-fashioned bath-tub and radiators. She preferred a more ___________ place.
Page 90 in textbook.
Answers: 8. traumatic; 9. contemporary; 10. quest
The next slide explains the answers.
10. During the past three hundred years, several people have gone on a __________ for Noah’s ark. Some have looked for it in northeastern Turkey, on Mount Ararat, sixteen thousand feet above sea level.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. charisma B. contemporary C. contend
D. conversely
E. extrovert
F. poignant G. prevalent H. proponent
I. quest
J. traumatic
8. Repeating third grade was __________ for my brother. It still pains him to think about it, even though he’s a successful businessman now.
traumatic
If it still pains him years later, it must have been extremely upsetting.
9. Abby didn’t like the apartment with the old-fashioned bath-tub and radiators. She preferred a more ___________ place.
contemporary
Page 90 in textbook.
Old-fashioned is a clue that Abby preferred a more modern place.
10. During the past three hundred years, several people have gone on a __________ for Noah’s ark. Some have looked for it in northeastern Turkey, on Mount Ararat, sixteen thousand feet above sea level.
quest
People would go on a search for Noah’s ark. The word looked is a clue.