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

2. Unit Four: Chapter 23 • consequence • simultaneous
• destiny • strategy
• detain • tedious
• diminish • transaction
• procrastinate • vital
Page 126 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 consequence – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 consequence
– noun
• As a consequence of her heavy spending at the mall, Lily was short of cash until her next paycheck.
• Small children reach for hot things and sharp objects because they don’t know the consequences of such actions.
Consequence means
A. an effect.
B. a cause.
C. a rule.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 consequence – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 consequence
– noun
• As a consequence of her heavy spending at the mall, Lily was short of cash until her next paycheck.
• Small children reach for hot things and sharp objects because they don’t know the consequences of such actions.
Consequence means
A. an effect.
B. a cause.
C. a rule.
Page 126 in textbook.
Heavy spending would have the effect of making Lily short of cash. Children don’t know the effects of touching hot things and sharp objects.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 destiny – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 destiny
– noun
• Believing in fate, the soldier wondered if his destiny was to die in the coming battle.
• Omar believes that he and Nadia were born for each other and that it was their destiny to meet.
Destiny means
A. a habit.
B. fate.
C. a hope.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
“Destiny has brought us together by
putting us in the same fish bowl!”

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 destiny – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 destiny
– noun
• Believing in fate, the soldier wondered if his destiny was to die in the coming battle.
• Omar believes that he and Nadia were born for each other and that it was their destiny to meet.
Destiny means
A. a habit.
B. fate.
C. a hope.
Page 126 in textbook.
In the first item, the word fate tells you the meaning of destiny. If Omar and Nadia were born for each other, it must have been their fate to meet.
“Destiny has brought us together by
putting us in the same fish bowl!”

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 detain – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 detain
– verb
• Paul’s history teacher detained him after class to speak privately about his surprisingly low grade on the test.
• Detained at home by a friend in urgent need of advice, Gloria was late for work.
Detain means
A. to delay.
B. to leave.
C. to avoid.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 detain – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 detain
– verb
• Paul’s history teacher detained him after class to speak privately about his surprisingly low grade on the test.
• Detained at home by a friend in urgent need of advice, Gloria was late for work.
Detain means
A. to delay.
B. to leave.
C. to avoid.
Page 126 in textbook.
If the teacher wanted to speak privately with Paul, he would delay Paul after class. If Gloria was late for work, she must have been delayed at home.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 diminish – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 diminish
– verb
• After Mother yelled, “Turn that thing down!” the sound from the stereo diminished from a roar to a soft hum.
• I waited for my anger to diminish before discussing the problem with my boss.
Diminish means
A. to grow.
B. to remain.
C. to become less.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 diminish – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 diminish
– verb
• After Mother yelled, “Turn that thing down!” the sound from the stereo diminished from a roar to a soft hum.
• I waited for my anger to diminish before discussing the problem with my boss.
Diminish means
A. to grow.
B. to remain.
C. to become less.
Page 126 in textbook.
If the sound went from a roar to a dull hum, it became less. It would be wise to wait for one’s anger to become less before talking with the boss.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 procrastinate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 procrastinate
– verb
• Morgan procrastinated so long that when she finally returned the dress to the store, it was too late for a refund.
• I can’t procrastinate any longer. I must study tonight because the final exam is tomorrow morning.
Procrastinate means
A. to do something efficiently.
B. to remember something.
C. to put off doing something.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 procrastinate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 procrastinate
– verb
• Morgan procrastinated so long that when she finally returned the dress to the store, it was too late for a refund.
• I can’t procrastinate any longer. I must study tonight because the final exam is tomorrow morning.
Procrastinate means
A. to do something efficiently.
B. to remember something.
C. to put off doing something.
Page 126 in textbook.
If Morgan returned the dress too late for a refund, she must have put off taking it back to the store. If the exam is tomorrow morning, one cannot put off studying any longer.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 simultaneous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 simultaneous
– adjective
• In a fair race, all starts must be simultaneous.
• Lightning and thunder don’t seem to be simultaneous—we see the lightning before we hear the thunder.
Simultaneous means
A. similar.
B. happening at the same time.
C. delayed.
Page 126 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 simultaneous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 simultaneous
– adjective
• In a fair race, all starts must be simultaneous.
• Lightning and thunder don’t seem to be simultaneous—we see the lightning before we hear the thunder.
Simultaneous means
A. similar.
B. happening at the same time.
C. delayed.
Page 126 in textbook.
For a race to be fair, everyone would have to start at the same time. If we see the lightning before we hear the thunder, the two do not seem to be happening at the same time.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 strategy – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 strategy
– noun
• The best strategy for teaching children manners is for adults to use good manners themselves.
• The general’s strategy was to surround the enemy troops during the night.
Strategy means
A. a reason.
B. a place.
C. a plan.
Page 127 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 strategy – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 strategy
– noun
• The best strategy for teaching children manners is for adults to use good manners themselves.
• The general’s strategy was to surround the enemy troops during the night.
Strategy means
A. a reason.
B. a place.
C. a plan.
Page 127 in textbook.
The first item describes a plan for teaching children good manners. In the second item, surrounding the enemy troops at night is a plan.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 tedious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 tedious
– adjective
• Tedious chores, like washing dishes, are less boring if you do them while listening to music or talking with a friend.
• John found the homework assignment very tedious; the questions were dull and repetitious.
Tedious means
A. uninteresting.
B. serious.
C. unnecessary.
Page 127 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 tedious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 tedious
– adjective
• Tedious chores, like washing dishes, are less boring if you do them while listening to music or talking with a friend.
• John found the homework assignment very tedious; the questions were dull and repetitious.
Tedious means
A. uninteresting.
B. serious.
C. unnecessary.
Page 127 in textbook.
In the first item, the word boring suggests that tedious means “uninteresting.” In the second item, the words dull and repetitious also suggest that tedious means “uninteresting.”

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 transaction – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 transaction
– noun
• Transactions at flea markets often involve bargaining.
• Among some business people, a transaction is concluded with a handshake. These business deals are never put in writing.
Transaction means
A. a mood.
B. a business interaction.
C. an instruction.
Page 127 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 transaction – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 transaction
– noun
• Transactions at flea markets often involve bargaining.
• Among some business people, a transaction is concluded with a handshake. These business deals are never put in writing.
Transaction means
A. a mood.
B. a business interaction.
C. an instruction.
Page 127 in textbook.
Bargaining is a form of business interaction. In the second item, the words business deals suggests that transaction means “a business interaction.”

21. Fuel is vital to make a car run.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 vital
– adjective
• Water is vital to the survival of all living things. For example, people who stop drinking liquids will die in just a few days.
• For Teresa to pass her math course, it is vital that she pass the final exam.
Vital means
A. unimportant.
B. essential.
C. not harmful.
Page 127 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
Fuel is vital to make a car run.

22. Fuel is vital to make a car run.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 vital
– adjective
• Water is vital to the survival of all living things. For example, people who stop drinking liquids will die in just a few days.
• For Teresa to pass her math course, it is vital that she pass the final exam.
Vital means
A. unimportant.
B. essential.
C. not harmful.
Page 127 in textbook.
If people die without liquids, water must be essential to survival. If Teresa is wants to pass math, it is essential she pass the final exam.
Fuel is vital to make a car run.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. consequence B. destiny C. detain
D. diminish
E. procrastinate
F. simultaneous G. strategy H. tedious
I. transaction
J. vital
1. The ___________ at the checkout counter was delayed by an incorrect price label.
2. The afternoon sunshine caused the snowman’s height to __________ from six feet to three.
Page 128 in textbook.
Answers: 1. transaction; 2. diminish
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. consequence B. destiny C. detain
D. diminish
E. procrastinate
F. simultaneous G. strategy H. tedious
I. transaction
J. vital
1. The ___________ at the checkout counter was delayed by an incorrect price label.
transaction
A checkout counter is a place where exchanges of money for goods takes place.
2. The afternoon sunshine caused the snowman’s height to __________ from six feet to three.
diminish
Page 128 in textbook.
If the snowman’s height went from six feet to three, the height decreased.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. consequence B. destiny C. detain
D. diminish
E. procrastinate
F. simultaneous G. strategy H. tedious
I. transaction
J. vital
3. To ___________ is to follow the old saying “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.”
4. As a ___________ of his staying out too late, Wilson wasn’t allowed out for a week.
Page 128 in textbook.
Answers: 3. procrastinate; 4. consequence; 5. simultaneous
The next slide explains the answers.
5. The dancers’ movements were meant to be ___________. But when the ballerina leaped, her partner failed to move in time to catch her.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. consequence B. destiny C. detain
D. diminish
E. procrastinate
F. simultaneous G. strategy H. tedious
I. transaction
J. vital
3. To ___________ is to follow the old saying “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.”
procrastinate
The old saying tells you that procrastinate means “to put off doing something.”
4. As a ___________ of his staying out too late, Wilson wasn’t allowed out for a week.
consequence
Page 128 in textbook.
Not being allowed out for a week is the result of Wilson’s staying out too late.
5. The dancers’ movements were meant to be ___________. But when the ballerina leaped, her partner failed to move in time to catch her.
simultaneous
In order for the partner to catch the ballerina, he would have to move at the same time she did.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. consequence B. destiny C. detain
D. diminish
E. procrastinate
F. simultaneous G. strategy H. tedious
I. transaction
J. vital
6. Nikki’s chess __________ is to make her moves so quickly that her opponent believes she’s an expert.
7. Ryan felt it was his wife’s __________ to die in the fire. He refused to believe her death was meaningless.
Page 128 in textbook.
Answers: 6. strategy; 7. destiny
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. consequence B. destiny C. detain
D. diminish
E. procrastinate
F. simultaneous G. strategy H. tedious
I. transaction
J. vital
6. Nikki’s chess __________ is to make her moves so quickly that her opponent believes she’s an expert.
strategy
Making her chess moves quickly is her plan for fooling her opponent.
7. Ryan felt it was his wife’s __________ to die in the fire. He refused to believe her death was meaningless.
destiny
Page 128 in textbook.
If Ryan believed that his wife’s death had meaning, he must have felt that the death was bound to happen. It was her fate.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. consequence B. destiny C. detain
D. diminish
E. procrastinate
F. simultaneous G. strategy H. tedious
I. transaction
J. vital
8. To make raking autumn leaves less __________, my sister and I took turns jumping into the newly created piles.
9. “If my science teacher didn’t __________ us every day, I wouldn’t be late for my next class,” explained George.
Page 128 in textbook.
Answers: 8. tedious; 9. detain; 10. vital
The next slide explains the answers.
10. The secret agent paid for information he thought was __________ to our national safety, but he had been tricked into buying useless knowledge.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. consequence B. destiny C. detain
D. diminish
E. procrastinate
F. simultaneous G. strategy H. tedious
I. transaction
J. vital
8. To make raking autumn leaves less __________, my sister and I took turns jumping into the newly created piles.
tedious
Jumping into the piles would make raking leaves less boring.
9. “If my science teacher didn’t __________ us every day, I wouldn’t be late for my next class,” explained George.
detain
Page 128 in textbook.
If George is late for his next class, the science teacher must delay him.
10. The secret agent paid for information he thought was __________ to our national safety, but he had been tricked into buying useless knowledge.
vital
The useless knowledge is contrasted with information necessary to national security.