Self-Test 2: 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.
Several epidemics have found their way around the world like the West Nile virus and
SARS.
2.
Falling asleep in class and being drowsy at work were just two examples of her fatigue.
3.
We used a liquid fertilizer, regular dry fertilizer and worms to mulch our flower bed.
4.
Her neuroses include anxiety, depression, and compulsive behavior.
5.
The terrain was very difficult with mud, large rocks, and big holes.
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.
History books describe sailors who were marooned on an island leaving them alone and
helpless.
7.
Consumable books are those with perforated pages. The holes in these pages made
them easier to tear out.
8.
The young mother nurtured her child by protecting him as much as possible.
9.
There was no clear pattern to the random burglaries.
10.
It’s very easy to singe hair using a curling iron. Once, I even burned my skin by
dropping the iron on my head.
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.
Latent fingerprints can be seen when police use a special chemical spray.
12.
I have such high esteem for my father that I would never say anything rude to him.
13.
Plagiarism is a serious problem in college. It prevents students from doing their own
work and helping them expand their knowledge.
14.
Rather than a stimulating exercise, the students were totally bored.
15.
The flock of geese turned the clear, smooth surface of the lake into a lot of ripples.
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.
My son’s arm mended after being broken in two places.
17.
They jostled each other in the crowded auditorium.
18.
In many cultures, people take a snooze in the afternoon and then go back to work or
school in the later afternoon.
19.
One of the things employers dislike most is when their employees are tardy. If
employees are not in their positions on time, the business loses money.
20.
The woman was unconscious for three weeks before slowly opening her eyes and
moving her fingers.
Answers to Self-Test 2:
Vocabulary in Context
Directions: Print out this self-test. Write your answers on this page. Click below when finished
to check your answers.
In the following sentences the examples are underlined. Compare your definition to the correct
definition listed under each sentence.
1.
Several epidemics have found their way around the world like the West Nile virus and
SARS.
Definition: Epidemic (s) means sickness or disease that spreads quickly.
2.
Falling asleep in class and being drowsy at work were just two examples of her fatigue.
Definition: Fatigue means very tired; to need sleep and rest.
3.
We used a liquid fertilizer, regular dry fertilizer and worms to mulch our flower bed.
Definition: Mulch means to cover a garden with a protective coating in order to keep the
soil moist, protect the roots and to prevent weeds.
4.
Her neuroses include anxiety, depression, and compulsive behavior.
Definition: Neuroses are various disorders of the mind or emotions.
5.
The terrain was very difficult with mud, large rocks, and big holes.
Definition: Terrain is a geographic area.
In the following sentences, the synonyms are underlined.
6.
History books describe sailors who were marooned on an island leaving them alone and
helpless.
7.
Consumable books are those with perforated pages. The holes in these pages made
them easier to tear out.
8.
The young mother nurtured her child by protecting him as much as possible.
9.
There was no clear pattern to the random burglaries.
10.
It’s very easy to singe hair using a curling iron. Once, I even burned my skin by
dropping the iron on my head.
In the following sentences, the antonyms are underlined. Compare your definition to the correct
definition listed under each sentence.
11.
Latent fingerprints can be seen when police use a special chemical spray.
Definition: Latent means difficult to see.
12.
I have such high esteem for my father that I would never say anything rude to him.
Definition: Esteem means respect.
13.
Plagiarism is a serious problem in college. It prevents students from doing their own
work and helping them expand their knowledge.
Definition: Plagiarism means using someone else’s work as your own; cheating.
14.
Rather than a stimulating exercise, the students were totally bored.
Definition: Stimulating means interesting.
15.
The flock of geese turned the clear, smooth surface of the lake into a lot of ripples.
Definition: Ripples mean wavy or choppy surface, usually in water.
Compare your definition to the correct definition listed under each sentence.
16.
My son’s arm mended after being broken in two places.
Definition: Mended means healed, improved.
17.
They jostled each other in the crowded auditorium.
Definition: Jostled means to bump or push.
18.
In many cultures, people take a snooze in the afternoon and then go back to work or
school in the later afternoon.
Definition: Snooze means to nap or sleep.
19.
One of the things employers dislike most is when their employees are tardy. If
employees are not in their positions on time, the business loses money.
Definition: Tardy means to be late.
20.
The woman was unconscious for three weeks before slowly opening her eyes and
moving her fingers.
Definition: Unconscious means to not be aware of the surroundings.