Self-Test 1: Vocabulary in Context
Directions: Print out this self-test. Write your answers on this page. Click below when finished
to check your answers.
Read the following sentences. Underline the examples used to define the word in bold and then
write a definition for the word. Use a dictionary to check your definitions.
1.
Amphibians, such as frogs, toads and salamanders, live close to water.
2.
Tom bartered by trading his vegetables for fruit.
3.
There are many objects made out of chrome, like chairs, tables, and bumpers on cars.
4.
The delicate kitten required gentle handling, a special diet, and regular visits to the
veterinarian.
5.
Joe was ecstatic about his grade, yelling and jumping, as he called his parents.
Read the following sentences. Underline the synonym that appears in the sentence/s that defines
the word in bold. Use a dictionary to check your answers.
6.
The police were confused by the girl’s disappearance. Her parents were also baffled.
7.
She had a bungalow on the corner. The small one-story house needed a new coat of
paint.
8.
It is not so unusual to see people with blue, green or purple hair; however, ten years ago,
those hair colors were worn by people who were considered eccentric.
9.
I failed completely in high school. My grades, my social life, even my job all fizzled!
10.
Sometimes hospitals hold fundraisers to help benefit their patients. The money raised is
used on behalf of these patients to research cures for different diseases.
Read the following sentences. Underline the antonym that appears in the sentence/s that helps
define the word in bold. Then write a definition for the word. Use a dictionary to check your
definitions.
11.
Rather than amnesty, the man was punished and sent to prison.
12.
After the dolphin population was decimated by the hurricane, Sea World rebuilt their
numbers through its breeding program.
13.
Commercials for laundry detergent always compare dingy clothes to clean, white clothes.
14.
The young couple was simply not compatible. When they were first together, they
thought they were suitable for each other but soon found out otherwise.
15.
It seemed that the march would continue forever. After four hours, the march ceased,
and the soldiers were allowed to rest.
Read the following sentences. Use the general sense of the sentence/s to help define the word in
bold. Then write a definition for the word. Use a dictionary to check your definitions.
16.
Arizona has suffered a drought for seven years. As a result, the forests have turned
brown and many acres of trees have burned.
17.
Some people believe that they cannot change what happens in their lives. I, however,
believe that I am responsible for my own destiny.
18.
Magician Roy Horn was critically injured when a white Siberian tiger lunged at him and
bit him in the neck.
19.
My commute to work was so long that I decided to move.
20.
It’s fun to have fresh croissants for breakfast. They smell just like fresh bread from the
bakery.
Answers to Self-Test 1: Vocabulary in Context
In the following sentences, the examples are underlined. Compare your definition to the correct
definition listed under each sentence.
1.
Amphibians, such as frogs, toads and salamanders, live close to water.
Definition: Amphibians are cold-blooded animals with backbones that have moist skin
with no scales. Amphibians are born in water but as adults breathe air.
2.
Tom bartered by trading his vegetables for fruit.
Definition: To barter is to trade good or services without using money.
3.
There are many objects made out of chrome, like chairs, tables, and bumpers on cars.
Definition: Chrome is a metal that is shiny and hard.
4.
The delicate kitten required gentle handling, a special diet, and regular visits to the
veterinarian.
Definition: This definition of the word delicate means weak or in poor health.
5.
Joe was ecstatic about his grade. He shook hands with the members of his study group
and couldn’t wait to tell his parents.
Definition: Ecstatic means very happy and joyful.
In the following sentences, the synonyms are underlined. Compare your definition to the correct
definition listed under each sentence.
6.
The police were confused by the girl’s disappearance. Her parents were also baffled.
7.
She had a bungalow on the corner. The small one-story house needed a new coat of
paint.
8.
It is not so unusual to see people with blue, green or purple hair; however, ten years ago,
those hair colors were worn by people who were considered eccentric.
9.
I failed completely in high school. My grades, my social life, even my job all fizzled!
10.
Sometimes hospitals hold fundraisers to help benefit their patients. The money raised is
used on behalf of these patients to research cures for different diseases.
In the following sentences, the antonyms are underlined. Compare your definition to the correct
definition listed under each sentence.
11.
Rather than amnesty, the man was punished and sent to prison.
Definition: Amnesty means to pardon or give sanctuary.
12.
After the dolphin population was decimated by the hurricane, Sea World rebuilt their
numbers through its breeding program.
Definition: Decimated means destroyed.
13.
Commercials for laundry detergent always compare dingy clothes to clean, white clothes.
Definition: Dingy means darkened with dirt.
14.
The young couple was simply not compatible. When they were first together, they
thought they were suitable for each other but soon found out otherwise.
Definition: Suitable means to get along in a relationship.
15.
It seemed that the march would continue forever. After four hours, the march ceased,
and the soldiers were allowed to rest.
Definition: Ceased means stopped.
Compare your definition to the correct definition listed under each sentence.
16.
Arizona has suffered a drought for seven years. As a result, the forests have turned
brown and many acres of trees have burned.
Definition: Drought means a long period of time without enough rain or snowfall.
17.
Some people believe that they cannot change what happens in their lives. I, however,
believe that I am responsible for my own destiny.
Definition: Destiny means that the future is pre-determined or pre-planned.
18.
Magician Roy Horn was critically injured when a white Siberian tiger lunged at him and
bit him in the neck.
Definition: Lunged means to quickly jump out or at something.
19.
My commute to work was so long that I decided to move.
Definition: Commute means drive.
20.
It’s fun to have fresh croissants for breakfast. They smell just like fresh bread from the
bakery.
Definition: Croissants are buttery, crescent-shaped rolls.