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

2. Unit Four: Chapter 23 • bizarre • gist • conducive • hamper
• falter • paradox
• flaunt • repertoire
• frenzy • viable
Page 126 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 bizarre – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 bizarre
– adjective
• Some mentally ill people have bizarre ideas. For example, they may think that the TV is talking to them or that others can steal their thoughts.
• Wally’s outfits may seem bizarre, but when you see him with his even stranger-looking friends, his clothing looks quite ordinary.
Bizarre means
A. limited.
B. ordinary.
C. odd.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
“What some people fail to grasp, Larry, is the
difference between ‘thinking outside
the box’ and just being bizarre.”

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 bizarre – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 bizarre
– adjective
• Some mentally ill people have bizarre ideas. For example, they may think that the TV is talking to them or that others can steal their thoughts.
• Wally’s outfits may seem bizarre, but when you see him with his even stranger-looking friends, his clothing looks quite ordinary.
Bizarre means
A. limited.
B. ordinary.
C. odd.
Page 126 in textbook.
The first item gives two examples of odd ideas. In the second item, the words stranger-looking suggest that bizarre means “odd.”
“What some people fail to grasp, Larry, is the
difference between ‘thinking outside
the box’ and just being bizarre.”

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 conducive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 conducive
– adjective
• A deliciously warm and sunny April day is conducive to a bad case of spring fever.
• Learning to budget an allowance at a young age is conducive to good spending habits later in life.
Conducive means
A. favorable.
B. similar.
C. damaging.
Scenery and
weather
conducive to
an afternoon walk
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 conducive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 conducive
– adjective
• A deliciously warm and sunny April day is conducive to a bad case of spring fever.
• Learning to budget an allowance at a young age is conducive to good spending habits later in life.
Conducive means
A. favorable.
B. similar.
C. damaging.
Scenery and
weather
conducive to
an afternoon walk
Page 126 in textbook.
An April day that is deliciously warm and sunny would be favorable to a bad case of spring fever. Learning to budget one’s money at a young age would be favorable to good spending habits later in life.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 falter – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 falter
– verb
• Vince faltered on the first few notes of his piano piece but then played the rest without pausing.
• Even public speakers who now sound smooth and confident must have faltered when giving their first speeches.
Falter means
A. to show off.
B. to hesitate.
C. to succeed.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 falter – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 falter
– verb
• Vince faltered on the first few notes of his piano piece but then played the rest without pausing.
• Even public speakers who now sound smooth and confident must have faltered when giving their first speeches.
Falter means
A. to show off.
B. to hesitate.
C. to succeed.
Page 126 in textbook.
If Vince played the rest of the piece without pausing, he must have hesitated on the first few notes. The words smooth and confident suggest that, in contrast, falter must mean “hesitate.”

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 flaunt – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 flaunt
– verb
• Instead of enjoying their wealth quietly, the Stewarts flaunt every new thing they buy in front of their poor relatives.
• Tamika never flaunted her high grades. In fact, I didn’t know that she was first in her class until she received the highest academic award at graduation.
Flaunt means
A. to interfere with.
B. to approve of.
C. to exhibit.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 flaunt – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 flaunt
– verb
• Instead of enjoying their wealth quietly, the Stewarts flaunt every new thing they buy in front of their poor relatives.
• Tamika never flaunted her high grades. In fact, I didn’t know that she was first in her class until she received the highest academic award at graduation.
Flaunt means
A. to interfere with.
B. to approve of.
C. to exhibit.
Page 126 in textbook.
The Stewarts do the opposite of enjoying their wealth quietly—they exhibit it. If people didn’t know Tamika was first in her class until she received the award, she must not have exhibited her high grades.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 frenzy – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 frenzy
– noun
• When Grace couldn’t find her little son in the department store, she went into a frenzy and didn’t calm down until she knew he was safe.
• The holiday season always includes a frenzy of last-minute shopping.
Frenzy means
A. a calm condition.
B. an angry condition.
C. an excited condition.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 frenzy – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 frenzy
– noun
• When Grace couldn’t find her little son in the department store, she went into a frenzy and didn’t calm down until she knew he was safe.
• The holiday season always includes a frenzy of last-minute shopping.
Frenzy means
A. a calm condition.
B. an angry condition.
C. an excited condition.
Page 126 in textbook.
The words calm down suggest that Grace was in an excited condition over the disappearance of her son. Shopping that is done at the last minute is likely to be done in a state of excitement (an excited condition).

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 gist – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 gist
– noun
• We asked Alex to skip the details and get right to the gist of the argument.
• The gist of Joan Didion’s book The Year of Magical Thinking is that life as you know it can change in a second.
Gist means
A. the small parts.
B. the main idea.
C. the benefit.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 gist – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 gist
– noun
• We asked Alex to skip the details and get right to the gist of the argument.
• The gist of Joan Didion’s book The Year of Magical Thinking is that life as you know it can change in a second.
Gist means
A. the small parts.
B. the main idea.
C. the benefit.
Page 126 in textbook.
If Alex skips the details, he will get right to the main idea of the argument. In the second item, the sentence states the main idea of Didion’s book.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 hamper – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 hamper
– verb
• “We never meant to hamper your struggle for independence,” Tom’s parents said. “From now on, we’ll let you handle your own life, including your laundry and meals.”
• A series of major computer crashes hampered business all along the West Coast today.
Hamper means
A. to restrict.
B. to show off.
C. to promote.
Page 127 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 hamper – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 hamper
– verb
• “We never meant to hamper your struggle for independence,” Tom’s parents said. “From now on, we’ll let you handle your own life, including your laundry and meals.”
• A series of major computer crashes hampered business all along the West Coast today.
Hamper means
A. to restrict.
B. to show off.
C. to promote.
Page 127 in textbook.
If Tom’s parents are now going to let Tom handle his own life, they must have restricted his life in the past (or, at least, so Tom thinks). A series of major computer crashes would restrict business.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 paradox – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 paradox
– noun
• When Della kept postponing her decision about whether or not to go back to school, I reminded her of the paradox: “No decision is also a decision.”
• The story of King Midas illustrates a famous paradox: “When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.” The king gets what he thinks will be the best thing in the world—the golden touch—and then discovers that it is the worst thing when he accidentally turns his daughter into a golden statue.
Paradox means
A. an outburst.
B. a simple statement.
C. a seeming contradiction.
Page 127 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 paradox – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 paradox
– noun
• When Della kept postponing her decision about whether or not to go back to school, I reminded her of the paradox: “No decision is also a decision.”
• The story of King Midas illustrates a famous paradox: “When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.” The king gets what he thinks will be the best thing in the world—the golden touch—and then discovers that it is the worst thing when he accidentally turns his daughter into a golden statue.
Paradox means
A. an outburst.
B. a simple statement.
C. a seeming contradiction.
Page 127 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
Each item gives an example of a seeming contradiction.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 repertoire – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 repertoire
– noun
• The actor’s repertoire includes drama, storytelling, song, and dance.
• In order to be successful in school, it’s important to have a repertoire of study strategies from which to choose.
Repertoire means
A. a variety of skills.
B. a reason to do something.
C. a statement of intent.
Page 127 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 repertoire – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 repertoire
– noun
• The actor’s repertoire includes drama, storytelling, song, and dance.
• In order to be successful in school, it’s important to have a repertoire of study strategies from which to choose.
Repertoire means
A. a variety of skills.
B. a reason to do something.
C. a statement of intent.
Page 127 in textbook.
Drama, storytelling, song, and dance are a variety of skills that an actor has. In the second item, one cannot choose unless there is a variety of strategies to choose from.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 viable – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 viable
– adjective
• The parties in the labor dispute can reach a viable agreement only if both sides benefit equally.
• The little boy quickly learned that using plastic tape is not a viable solution to mending a broken vase.
Viable means
A. practical.
B. attractive.
C. expensive.
Page 127 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 viable – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 viable
– adjective
• The parties in the labor dispute can reach a viable agreement only if both sides benefit equally.
• The little boy quickly learned that using plastic tape is not a viable solution to mending a broken vase.
Viable means
A. practical.
B. attractive.
C. expensive.
Page 127 in textbook.
If both sides benefit equally, the agreement would be practical. Using plastic tape to mend a broken vase is not a practical solution.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bizarre B. conducive C. falter
D. flaunt
E. frenzy
F. gist G. hamper H. paradox
I. repertoire
J. viable
1. Halloween offers everyone the chance to look as __________ as possible.
2. Al Pacino’s __________ includes both modern dramas and Shakespearean plays.
Page 128 in textbook.
Answers: 1. bizarre; 2. repertoire
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bizarre B. conducive C. falter
D. flaunt
E. frenzy
F. gist G. hamper H. paradox
I. repertoire
J. viable
1. Halloween offers everyone the chance to look as __________ as possible.
bizarre
Halloween offers everyone the chance to look as strange as possible.
2. Al Pacino’s __________ includes both modern dramas and Shakespearean plays.
repertoire
Page 128 in textbook.
If Al Pacino has acted in both modern dramas and Shakespearean plays, he must have a range of acting skills.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bizarre B. conducive C. falter
D. flaunt
E. frenzy
F. gist G. hamper H. paradox
I. repertoire
J. viable
3. When a reporter asked Senator Drake a difficult question, the senator _______(e)d for a moment before answering.
4. For snails, heat is __________ to sleep. In fact, desert snails may sleep three or four years at a time.
Page 128 in textbook.
Answers: 3. falter; 4. conducive; 5. gist
The next slide explains the answers.
5. The __________ of Kelly’s essay was that school should be open only four days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bizarre B. conducive C. falter
D. flaunt
E. frenzy
F. gist G. hamper H. paradox
I. repertoire
J. viable
3. When a reporter asked Senator Drake a difficult question, the senator __________ for a moment before answering.
faltered
A difficult question would be likely to make the senator hesitate a moment before answering.
4. For snails, heat is __________ to sleep. In fact, desert snails may sleep three or four years at a time.
conducive
Page 128 in textbook.
If desert snails sleep three or four years at a time, heat must tend to promote sleep for snails.
5. The __________ of Kelly’s essay was that school should be open only four days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
gist
The sentence tells us the central idea of Kelly’s essay.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bizarre B. conducive C. falter
D. flaunt
E. frenzy
F. gist G. hamper H. paradox
I. repertoire
J. viable
6. Since ordinary clothes may __________ movement, sweatpants and loose T-shirts are recommended for the exercise class.
7. This morning, the staff could not come up with a __________ plan to improve business. Every suggestion had a drawback.
Page 128 in textbook.
Answers: 6. hamper; 7. viable
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bizarre B. conducive C. falter
D. flaunt
E. frenzy
F. gist G. hamper H. paradox
I. repertoire
J. viable
6. Since ordinary clothes may __________ movement, sweatpants and loose T-shirts are recommended for the exercise class.
hamper
For exercise class, one should wear clothes that don’t restrict movement.
7. This morning, the staff could not come up with a __________ plan to improve business. Every suggestion had a drawback.
viable
Page 128 in textbook.
If every suggestion had a drawback, the staff could not come up with a workable plan.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bizarre B. conducive C. falter
D. flaunt
E. frenzy
F. gist G. hamper H. paradox
I. repertoire
J. viable
8. When Chun’s parents said they worried when he didn’t call home, he said, “Remember that well-known __________— no news is good news.”
9. Delia was in a ________ because she had locked her keys in the car and she was already twenty minutes late for work.
Page 128 in textbook.
Answers: 8. paradox; 9. frenzy; 10. flaunt
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Lucas believed the only way he could get a date was to _________ his wealth by wearing a gold watch and driving an expensive sports car.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bizarre B. conducive C. falter
D. flaunt
E. frenzy
F. gist G. hamper H. paradox
I. repertoire
J. viable
8. When Chun’s parents said they worried when he didn’t call home, he said, “Remember that well-known __________— no news is good news.”
paradox
“No news is good news” is an example of a seeming contradiction.
9. Delia was in a ________ because she had locked her keys in the car and she was already twenty minutes late for work.
frenzy
Page 128 in textbook.
Locking her keys in the car when she is already late for work would cause Delia to exhibit a wild outburst of excited feelings.
10. Lucas believed the only way he could get a date was to _________ his wealth by wearing a gold watch and driving an expensive sports car.
flaunt
Wearing a gold watch and driving an expensive car are ways to show off one’s wealth.