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

2. Unit Three: Chapter 14 • dubious • fictitious • ecstatic • gullible
• encounter • liable
• evolve • miserly
• fallacy • pessimist
Page 80 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 dubious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 dubious
– adjective
• Aretha lacked confidence in her math ability. Even after a long tutoring session, she was dubious about her ability to pass the geometry exam.
• Matt was dubious about graduate school as preparation for a career in clothing design. He felt work experience might be better.
Dubious means
A. certain.
B. unsure.
C. happy.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
A dubious expression

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 dubious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 dubious
– adjective
• Aretha lacked confidence in her math ability. Even after a long tutoring session, she was dubious about her ability to pass the geometry exam.
• Matt was dubious about graduate school as preparation for a career in clothing design. He felt work experience might be better.
Dubious means
A. certain.
B. unsure.
C. happy.
Page 80 in textbook.
If Aretha lacked confidence in her math ability, she would be unsure of her ability to pass the exam. If Matt felt work experience would be better preparation, he would be unsure about the value of graduate school.
A dubious expression

5. An ecstatic expression
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 ecstatic
– adjective
• I wouldn’t be just glad if I won the five-million-dollar lottery; I’d be absolutely ecstatic.
• The smallest thing, like an ice cream cone on a hot day, a train ride, or a ladybug in the grass, can make a child ecstatic.
Ecstatic means
A. active.
B. patient.
C. full of joy.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
An ecstatic expression

6. An ecstatic expression
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 ecstatic
– adjective
• I wouldn’t be just glad if I won the five-million-dollar lottery; I’d be absolutely ecstatic.
• The smallest thing, like an ice cream cone on a hot day, a train ride, or a ladybug in the grass, can make a child ecstatic.
Ecstatic means
A. active.
B. patient.
C. full of joy.
Page 80 in textbook.
Winning the five-million-dollar lottery would probably make one feel filled with joy. An ice cream cone, a train ride, and a ladybug are all things that can make a child full of joy.
An ecstatic expression

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 encounter – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 encounter
– verb
• I never expected to encounter anyone I knew at the crowded concert, but my friend Jeff sat just two rows in front of me.
• I had a strange dream in which I encountered my old boyfriend while I was on my honeymoon.
Encounter means
A. to avoid.
B. to run into.
C. to go with.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 encounter – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 encounter
– verb
• I never expected to encounter anyone I knew at the crowded concert, but my friend Jeff sat just two rows in front of me.
• I had a strange dream in which I encountered my old boyfriend while I was on my honeymoon.
Encounter means
A. to avoid.
B. to run into.
C. to go with.
Page 80 in textbook.
If Jeff sat just two rows away, the speaker did in fact run into someone he knew. Running into an old boyfriend on one’s honeymoon would be strange.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 evolve – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 evolve
– verb
• The women’s club began as an informal get-together and then evolved into an educational and support group.
• How did the plan for a block party evolve into a citywide celebration?
Evolve means
A. to grow gradually.
B. to fall apart.
C. to shrink.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 evolve – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 evolve
– verb
• The women’s club began as an informal get-together and then evolved into an educational and support group.
• How did the plan for a block party evolve into a citywide celebration?
Evolve means
A. to grow gradually.
B. to fall apart.
C. to shrink.
Page 80 in textbook.
If the women’s club began as one thing and became something else, it grew and changed gradually. If the block party turned into a citywide celebration, it grew gradually.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 fallacy – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 fallacy
– noun
• It is a fallacy for people to think that they can drink and still manage to drive safely.
• To opponents of nuclear energy, the idea that nuclear power plants are safe for humans is a fallacy.
Fallacy means
A. a useful idea.
B. an error.
C. a goal.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 fallacy – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 fallacy
– noun
• It is a fallacy for people to think that they can drink and still manage to drive safely.
• To opponents of nuclear energy, the idea that nuclear power plants are safe for humans is a fallacy.
Fallacy means
A. a useful idea.
B. an error.
C. a goal.
Page 80 in textbook.
It is an error to think one can drink and still drive safely. If a person opposes nuclear energy, the idea that nuclear plants are safe would seem an error.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 fictitious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 fictitious
– adjective
• The characters in novels are usually totally fictitious, but some are based on real people.
• Violence in TV movies may frighten very young children, who have not learned the difference between true and fictitious events.
Fictitious means
A. unreal.
B. future.
C. active.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 fictitious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 fictitious
– adjective
• The characters in novels are usually totally fictitious, but some are based on real people.
• Violence in TV movies may frighten very young children, who have not learned the difference between true and fictitious events.
Fictitious means
A. unreal.
B. future.
C. active.
Page 80 in textbook.
As opposed to characters based on real people, the characters in novels are usually unreal or imaginary. In the second item, the opposite of events that are true is events that are unreal or made-up.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 gullible – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 gullible
– adjective
• Candace is so gullible that she believed me when I told her the White House is really yellow.
• You might think I’m gullible enough to fall for that old line, but you can’t fool me that easily.
Gullible means
A. suspicious.
B. mean.
C. easily fooled.
Page 81 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 gullible – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 gullible
– adjective
• Candace is so gullible that she believed me when I told her the White House is really yellow.
• You might think I’m gullible enough to fall for that old line, but you can’t fool me that easily.
Gullible means
A. suspicious.
B. mean.
C. easily fooled.
Page 81 in textbook.
If Candace believed the White House is yellow, she must be easily fooled. In the second item, the words fool easily tell you the meaning of gullible.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 liable – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 liable
– adjective
• If you lie to me once, I will think you’re liable to lie to me again.
• I’m liable to start overeating again if I let myself have even one candy bar, cupcake, or cookie, so I’m careful not to give in, even for a moment.
Liable means
A. likely.
B. unable.
C. unlikely.
Page 81 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 liable – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 liable
– adjective
• If you lie to me once, I will think you’re liable to lie to me again.
• I’m liable to start overeating again if I let myself have even one candy bar, cupcake, or cookie, so I’m careful not to give in, even for a moment.
Liable means
A. likely.
B. unable.
C. unlikely.
Page 81 in textbook.
Lying to a person once would make that person think you’re likely to lie again. One candy bar, cupcake, or cookie is likely to make one start overeating again.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 miserly – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 miserly
– adjective
• In Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Scrooge at first hated to spend money, but he later regretted his miserly ways.
• My rich uncle was so miserly that he never gave money to charity.
Miserly means
A. lazy.
B. stingy.
C. bossy.
Page 81 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 miserly – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 miserly
– adjective
• In Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Scrooge at first hated to spend money, but he later regretted his miserly ways.
• My rich uncle was so miserly that he never gave money to charity.
Miserly means
A. lazy.
B. stingy.
C. bossy.
Page 81 in textbook.
If Scrooge hated to spend money, he was stingy. If the rich uncle never gave money to charity, he must have been stingy.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 pessimist – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 pessimist
– noun
• A pessimist can see a bad side to even the best situation.
• My family is very balanced: my father sees the best in everything, but my mother is usually a pessimist.
Pessimist means
A. a pest.
B. one who expects the worst.
C. one who is wise.
Page 81 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 pessimist – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 pessimist
– noun
• A pessimist can see a bad side to even the best situation.
• My family is very balanced: my father sees the best in everything, but my mother is usually a pessimist.
Pessimist means
A. a pest.
B. one who expects the worst.
C. one who is wise.
Page 81 in textbook.
A person who can see the bad side to the best situation must be a person who expects the worst. In contrast with the father, who sees the best in everything, the mother usually expects the worst.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. dubious B. ecstatic C. encounter
D. evolve
E. fallacy
F. fictitious G. gullible H. liable
I. miserly
J. pessimist
1. Our grandmother is so ___________ that all she ever gives us for our birthdays is a card.
2. If you tease the dog too much, he’s __________ to bite you.
Page 82 in textbook.
Answers: 1. miserly; 2. liable
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. dubious B. ecstatic C. encounter
D. evolve
E. fallacy
F. fictitious G. gullible H. liable
I. miserly
J. pessimist
1. Our grandmother is so ___________ that all she ever gives us for our birthdays is a card.
miserly
A grandmother who gives only a birthday card is stingy.
2. If you tease the dog too much, he’s __________ to bite you.
liable
Page 82 in textbook.
Teasing a dog too much makes it likely that the dog will bite you.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. dubious B. ecstatic C. encounter
D. evolve
E. fallacy
F. fictitious G. gullible H. liable
I. miserly
J. pessimist
3. Many children have __________ friends—people or animals who exist only in their imaginations.
4. I am __________ about Emmet’s ability to do the job alone, but I am willing to give him a try.
Page 82 in textbook.
Answers: 3. fictitious; 4. dubious; 5. encounter
The next slide explains the answers.
5. As I stepped into the garage, I __________(e)d an unexpected visitor—a raccoon.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. dubious B. ecstatic C. encounter
D. evolve
E. fallacy
F. fictitious G. gullible H. liable
I. miserly
J. pessimist
3. Many children have __________ friends—people or animals who exist only in their imaginations.
fictitious
Friends who exist only in the imagination would be imaginary friends.
4. I am __________ about Emmet’s ability to do the job alone, but I am willing to give him a try.
dubious
Page 82 in textbook.
In spite of being doubtful about Emmet’s ability, the person is willing to give Emmet a try.
5. As I stepped into the garage, I _____________ an unexpected visitor—a raccoon.
encountered
One would not expect to meet a raccoon in the garage. The word unexpected is a clue.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. dubious B. ecstatic C. encounter
D. evolve
E. fallacy
F. fictitious G. gullible H. liable
I. miserly
J. pessimist
6. “I’m __________,” said Christine on the day of her college graduation. “I wasn’t this happy even on my wedding day.”
7. Don’t be such a(n) __________. Just because you did poorly on the midterm doesn’t mean you won’t pass the course.
Page 82 in textbook.
Answers: 6. ecstatic; 7. pessimist
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. dubious B. ecstatic C. encounter
D. evolve
E. fallacy
F. fictitious G. gullible H. liable
I. miserly
J. pessimist
6. “I’m __________,” said Christine on the day of her college graduation. “I wasn’t this happy even on my wedding day.”
ecstatic
If Christine is happier than on her wedding day, she must be overjoyed.
7. Don’t be such a ____________. Just because you did poorly on the midterm doesn’t mean you won’t pass the course.
pessimist
Page 82 in textbook.
If one assumes that doing poorly on the midterm means he or she will fail the course, the person is seeing only the bad side of the situation.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. dubious B. ecstatic C. encounter
D. evolve
E. fallacy
F. fictitious G. gullible H. liable
I. miserly
J. pessimist
8. It is a(n) __________ that reading without good light ruins your eyesight. Actually, reading in dim light does not harm your vision at all.
9. Interest in the environment has __________(e)d from a simple love of nature into a troubled awareness that we might be destroying our planet.
Page 82 in textbook.
Answers: 8. fallacy; 9. evolve; 10. gullible
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Surprising Miguel on his birthday was easy. He’s so ________ that we knew he’d believe whatever story we told him.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. dubious B. ecstatic C. encounter
D. evolve
E. fallacy
F. fictitious G. gullible H. liable
I. miserly
J. pessimist
8. It is a _____________ that reading without good light ruins your eyesight. Actually, reading in dim light does not harm your vision at all.
fallacy
If reading in dim light does not harm vision, it is a mistaken idea.
9. Interest in the environment has _____________ from a simple love of nature into a troubled awareness that we might be destroying our planet.
evolved
Page 82 in textbook.
Interest in the environment has changed gradually from a simple love to a troubled awareness.
10. Surprising Miguel on his birthday was easy. He’s so ________ that we knew he’d believe whatever story we told him.
gullible
If Miguel believes any story they tell him, his is easily fooled.