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

2. Unit Two: Chapter 7 • calamity • persevere • comprehensive • ponder
• conventional • rehabilitate
• flagrant • turmoil
• fluctuate • venture
Page 42 in textbook.

3. The calamity of a California wildfire
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 calamity
– noun
• The survivors of the earthquake slowly rebuilt their homes and lives after the calamity.
• Our neighbor’s house burned down one night in May. Ever since that calamity, some of the children on our street have been afraid to go to bed at night.
Calamity means
A. an activity.
B. a tragedy.
C. a risk.
Page 42 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
The calamity of a California wildfire
Photo: Andrea Booher/FEMA

4. The calamity of a California wildfire
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 calamity
– noun
• The survivors of the earthquake slowly rebuilt their homes and lives after the calamity.
• Our neighbor’s house burned down one night in May. Ever since that calamity, some of the children on our street have been afraid to go to bed at night.
Calamity means
A. an activity.
B. a tragedy.
C. a risk.
Page 42 in textbook.
An earthquake that destroys people’s homes is a tragedy. A neighbor’s house burning down is also a tragedy.
The calamity of a California wildfire
Photo: Andrea Booher/FEMA

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 comprehensive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 comprehensive
– adjective
• That article on sightseeing in Charleston was not comprehensive. It failed to mention many points of interest in that wonderful city.
• The company’s comprehensive insurance plan covers most health services, including hospitals, doctors, and dentists.
Comprehensive means
A. complete.
B. familiar.
C. continuous.
Page 42 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 comprehensive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 comprehensive
– adjective
• That article on sightseeing in Charleston was not comprehensive. It failed to mention many points of interest in that wonderful city.
• The company’s comprehensive insurance plan covers most health services, including hospitals, doctors, and dentists.
Comprehensive means
A. complete.
B. familiar.
C. continuous.
Page 42 in textbook.
If the article failed to mention many points of interest, it was not complete. If the insurance plan covers most health services, it is complete.

7. A conventional sign of friendship
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 conventional
– adjective
• Two conventional Valentine’s Day gifts are roses and chocolates.
• Jorge wanted to propose to Ramona in the conventional manner, so in the middle of a restaurant, he got down on one knee and asked, “Will you marry me?”
Conventional means
A. out-of-the-way.
B. useful.
C. usual.
Page 42 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
A conventional sign of friendship

8. A conventional sign of friendship
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 conventional
– adjective
• Two conventional Valentine’s Day gifts are roses and chocolates.
• Jorge wanted to propose to Ramona in the conventional manner, so in the middle of a restaurant, he got down on one knee and asked, “Will you marry me?”
Conventional means
A. out-of-the-way.
B. useful.
C. usual.
Page 42 in textbook.
Roses and chocolates are usual Valentine’s Day gifts. Getting down on one knee and ask, “Will you marry me?” is the usual way for a man to propose to a woman.
A conventional sign of friendship

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 flagrant – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 flagrant
– adjective
• The use of campaign funds for the congressman’s private business was a flagrant violation of the law.
• In flagrant disregard of his parents’ stated wishes, Art wore a T-shirt and jeans to their dinner party.
Flagrant means
A. obvious.
B. acceptable.
C. minor.
Page 42 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 flagrant – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 flagrant
– adjective
• The use of campaign funds for the congressman’s private business was a flagrant violation of the law.
• In flagrant disregard of his parents’ stated wishes, Art wore a T-shirt and jeans to their dinner party.
Flagrant means
A. obvious.
B. acceptable.
C. minor.
Page 42 in textbook.
It is an obvious violation of the law for a congressman to use campaign funds for his private business. Wearing a T-shirt and jeans to the dinner party would be an obvious disregard of Art’s parents’ wishes.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 fluctuate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 fluctuate
– verb
• My weight used to fluctuate between 150 and 190 pounds. Now it’s steady, at 170 pounds.
• Desert temperatures can fluctuate by as much as fifty degrees between daytime and nighttime.
Fluctuate means
A. to continue.
B. to vary.
C. to follow.
Page 42 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
The red line fluctuates.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 fluctuate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 fluctuate
– verb
• My weight used to fluctuate between 150 and 190 pounds. Now it’s steady, at 170 pounds.
• Desert temperatures can fluctuate by as much as fifty degrees between daytime and nighttime.
Fluctuate means
A. to continue.
B. to vary.
C. to follow.
Page 42 in textbook.
The red line fluctuates.
In contrast with the now steady weight of 170 pounds, the person’s weight used to vary between 150 and 190 pounds. Desert temperatures would vary from daytime to nighttime.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 persevere – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 persevere
– verb
• “I know you’re tired,” Jack said, “but we’ve got to persevere and get to the camp before the storm hits.”
• It was not easy to attend English classes while working at two jobs, but Nina persevered until she could speak English well.
Persevere means
A. to surrender.
B. to hold back.
C. to keep going.
Page 42 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 persevere – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 persevere
– verb
• “I know you’re tired,” Jack said, “but we’ve got to persevere and get to the camp before the storm hits.”
• It was not easy to attend English classes while working at two jobs, but Nina persevered until she could speak English well.
Persevere means
A. to surrender.
B. to hold back.
C. to keep going.
Page 42 in textbook.
If they have to get to camp before the storm hits, they will have to keep going. If Nina ended up speaking English well, she must have kept going to English classes despite the working two jobs.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 ponder – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 ponder
– verb
• Too often we don’t take time to ponder the possible consequences of our actions.
• Over the years, Mr. Madigan rarely took time to ponder the meaning of life. Since his heart attack, however, he’s thought a lot about what is important to him.
Ponder means
A. to wait for.
B. to ignore.
C. to think about.
Page 43 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 ponder – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 ponder
– verb
• Too often we don’t take time to ponder the possible consequences of our actions.
• Over the years, Mr. Madigan rarely took time to ponder the meaning of life. Since his heart attack, however, he’s thought a lot about what is important to him.
Ponder means
A. to wait for.
B. to ignore.
C. to think about.
Page 43 in textbook.
We don’t think about the consequences of our actions. In the second sentence, the words thought about tell you the meaning of ponder.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 rehabilitate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 rehabilitate
– verb
• Most prisons make little effort to rehabilitate inmates so that they can lead productive, wholesome lives after their release.
• My grandfather learned to walk, write, and speak again in a program that rehabilitates stroke victims.
Rehabilitate means
A. to pay back.
B. to return to normal life.
C. to depend upon.
Page 43 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 rehabilitate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 rehabilitate
– verb
• Most prisons make little effort to rehabilitate inmates so that they can lead productive, wholesome lives after their release.
• My grandfather learned to walk, write, and speak again in a program that rehabilitates stroke victims.
Rehabilitate means
A. to pay back.
B. to return to normal life.
C. to depend upon.
Page 43 in textbook.
If prisons helped return inmates to normal life, those prisoners would be able to lead productive, wholesome lives after their release. If the program helped the grandfather learn to walk, write, and speak, it returned him to normal life.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 turmoil – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 turmoil
– noun
• Without a teacher, the sixth-grade class was in turmoil, until the principal entered the room and the students quickly came to order.
• After the turmoil of crying babies, active children, and trying to feed 120 people, I’m glad when our family reunions end.
Turmoil means
A. discussion.
B. disorder.
C. harmony.
Page 43 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 turmoil – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 turmoil
– noun
• Without a teacher, the sixth-grade class was in turmoil, until the principal entered the room and the students quickly came to order.
• After the turmoil of crying babies, active children, and trying to feed 120 people, I’m glad when our family reunions end.
Turmoil means
A. discussion.
B. disorder.
C. harmony.
Page 43 in textbook.
In the first item, the words came to order tell you that the class must have been in disorder. In the second item, crying babies, active children, and feeding 120 people suggest disorder.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 venture – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 venture
– verb
• “I’ll venture going on any ride in this amusement park except the Twister,” said Nick. “I’ll risk getting sick to my stomach, but I won’t risk my life.”
• “At tomorrow’s staff meeting,” my older sister said, “I will venture to say what I really think—and cross my fingers that I don’t get fired.”
Venture means
A. to dare.
B. to remember.
C. to imagine.
Page 43 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 venture – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 venture
– verb
• “I’ll venture going on any ride in this amusement park except the Twister,” said Nick. “I’ll risk getting sick to my stomach, but I won’t risk my life.”
• “At tomorrow’s staff meeting,” my older sister said, “I will venture to say what I really think—and cross my fingers that I don’t get fired.”
Drastic means
A. to dare.
B. to remember.
C. to imagine.
Page 43 in textbook.
Nick will dare to go on any ride except the Twister. The word risk is a clue. If the sister may get fired for speaking her mind, she would have to dare to say what she really thinks.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity B. comprehensive C. conventional
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
F. persevere G. ponder H. rehabilitate
I. turmoil
J. venture
1. Tracy is so vain that she considers it a __________ if a pimple appears anywhere on her face.
2. Too many people have a child without taking time to __________ parenthood. They give less thought to having a baby than to buying a sofa.
Page 44 in textbook.
Answers: 1. calamity; 2. ponder
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity B. comprehensive C. conventional
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
F. persevere G. ponder H. rehabilitate
I. turmoil
J. venture
1. Tracy is so vain that she considers it a __________ if a pimple appears anywhere on her face.
calamity
If Tracy is very vain, she would consider it a tragedy if a pimple appeared.
2. Too many people have a child without taking time to __________ parenthood. They give less thought to having a baby than to buying a sofa.
ponder
Page 44 in textbook.
If people give less thought to having a baby than to buying a sofa, they must not take time to think about parenthood.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity B. comprehensive C. conventional
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
F. persevere G. ponder H. rehabilitate
I. turmoil
J. venture
3. When Charlene lost her job because she spoke up for a fellow employee, it was a _____________ violation of her rights.
4. Our history exam will be _____________; it will cover everything we’ve studied since September.
Page 44 in textbook.
Answers: 3. flagrant; 4. comprehensive; 5. conventional
The next slide explains the answers.
5. Nobody in Doug’s family has a _____________ job. His mother is a drummer, his father is a magician, and his uncle is a wine taster.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity B. comprehensive C. conventional
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
F. persevere G. ponder H. rehabilitate
I. turmoil
J. venture
3. When Charlene lost her job because she spoke up for a fellow employee, it was a _________ violation of her rights.
flagrant
It would be an outrageous violation of Charlene’s rights if she were fired for speaking up for another employee.
4. Our history exam will be _____________; it will cover everything we’ve studied since September.
comprehensive
Page 44 in textbook.
If the exam will cover everything they have studied, it will include all.
5. Nobody in Doug’s family has a _____________ job. His mother is a drummer, his father is a magician, and his uncle is a wine taster.
conventional
A drummer, a magician, and a wine taster are not ordinary jobs.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity B. comprehensive C. conventional
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
F. persevere G. ponder H. rehabilitate
I. turmoil
J. venture
6. Learning the new software program was difficult, but when Maria saw how useful it would be in her work, she was glad she had ________(e)d.
7. It took many months of therapy to __________ my aunt after she lost her sight, but now she can get around her home and neighborhood on her own.
Page 44 in textbook.
Answers: 6. persevere; 7. rehabilitate
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity B. comprehensive C. conventional
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
F. persevere G. ponder H. rehabilitate
I. turmoil
J. venture
6. Learning the new software program was difficult, but when Maria saw how useful it would be in her work, she was glad she had ___________.
persevered
If the program was difficult, Maria must have kept working at it.
7. It took many months of therapy to __________ my aunt after she lost her sight, but now she can get around her home and neighborhood on her own.
rehabilitate
Page 44 in textbook.
If the aunt lost her sight, it would take many months of therapy to restore her to a normal life.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity B. comprehensive C. conventional
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
F. persevere G. ponder H. rehabilitate
I. turmoil
J. venture
8. The day we moved, the apartment was in __________. Boxes and people were everywhere, and the baby wouldn’t stop crying.
9. The way my dog’s appetite ________(e)d this week worries me. One day she hardly ate anything, and the next day she gulped down everything I gave her.
Page 44 in textbook.
Answers: 8. turmoil; 9. fluctuate; 10. venture
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Instead of hiring a lawyer, the defendant will __________ to plead her own case in court.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity B. comprehensive C. conventional
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
F. persevere G. ponder H. rehabilitate
I. turmoil
J. venture
8. The day we moved, the apartment was in __________. Boxes and people were everywhere, and the baby wouldn’t stop crying.
turmoil
Boxes, people, and a crying baby suggest things were in an uproar.
9. The way my dog’s appetite ___________ this week worries me. One day she hardly ate anything, and the next day she gulped down everything I gave her.
fluctuated
Page 44 in textbook.
The second sentence describes how the appetite varied irregularly.
10. Instead of hiring a lawyer, the defendant will __________ to plead her own case in court.
venture
To plead her own case is to take a risk.