IMPROVING
VOCABULARY SKILLS
Fourth Edition
Sherrie L. Nist
© 2010 Townsend Press
Unit Two: Chapter 7
• calamity
• persevere
• comprehensive
• ponder
• conventional
• rehabilitate
• flagrant
• turmoil
• fluctuate
• venture
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 calamity
– noun
• The survivors of the earthquake slowly rebuilt their homes and
lives after the calamity.
• Our neighbor’s house burned down one night in May. Ever since
that calamity, some of the children on our street have been afraid
to go to bed at night.
Calamity means
A. an activity.
B. a tragedy.
C. a risk.
The calamity of a California wildfire
Photo: Andrea Booher/FEMA
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 calamity
– noun
• The survivors of the earthquake slowly rebuilt their homes and
lives after the calamity.
• Our neighbor’s house burned down one night in May. Ever since
that calamity, some of the children on our street have been afraid
to go to bed at night.
Calamity means
A. an activity.
B. a tragedy.
C. a risk.
The calamity of a California wildfire
Photo: Andrea Booher/FEMA
An earthquake that destroys
people’s homes is a tragedy. A
neighbor’s house burning down
is also a tragedy.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 comprehensive
– adjective
• That article on sightseeing in Charleston was not
comprehensive. It failed to mention many points of interest in
that wonderful city.
• The company’s comprehensive insurance plan covers most
health services, including hospitals, doctors, and dentists.
Comprehensive means
A. complete.
B. familiar.
C. continuous.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 comprehensive
– adjective
• That article on sightseeing in Charleston was not
comprehensive. It failed to mention many points of interest in
that wonderful city.
• The company’s comprehensive insurance plan covers most
health services, including hospitals, doctors, and dentists.
Comprehensive means
A. complete.
B. familiar.
C. continuous.
If the article failed to mention many points of interest, it was not
complete. If the insurance plan covers most health services, it is
complete.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 conventional
– adjective
•Two conventional Valentine’s Day gifts are roses and chocolates.
• Jorge wanted to propose to Ramona in the conventional manner,
so in the middle of a restaurant, he got down on one knee and
asked, “Will you marry me?”
Conventional means
A. out-of-the-way.
B. useful.
C. usual.
A conventional sign of friendship
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 conventional
– adjective
•Two conventional Valentine’s Day gifts are roses and chocolates.
• Jorge wanted to propose to Ramona in the conventional manner,
so in the middle of a restaurant, he got down on one knee and
asked, “Will you marry me?”
Conventional means
A. out-of-the-way.
B. useful.
C. usual.
A conventional sign of friendship
Roses and chocolates are usual
Valentine’s Day gifts. Getting down on
one knee and ask, “Will you marry
me?” is the usual way for a man to
propose to a woman.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 flagrant
– adjective
• The use of campaign funds for the congressman’s private business
was a flagrant violation of the law.
• In flagrant disregard of his parents’ stated wishes, Art wore a Tshirt and jeans to their dinner party.
Flagrant means
A. obvious.
B. acceptable.
C. minor.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 flagrant
– adjective
• The use of campaign funds for the congressman’s private business
was a flagrant violation of the law.
• In flagrant disregard of his parents’ stated wishes, Art wore a Tshirt and jeans to their dinner party.
Flagrant means
A. obvious.
B. acceptable.
C. minor.
It is an obvious violation of the law for a congressman to use
campaign funds for his private business. Wearing a T-shirt and
jeans to the dinner party would be an obvious disregard of Art’s
parents’ wishes.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 fluctuate
– verb
• My weight used to fluctuate between 150 and 190 pounds. Now
it’s steady, at 170 pounds.
• Desert temperatures can fluctuate by as much as fifty degrees
between daytime and nighttime.
Fluctuate means
A. to continue.
B. to vary.
C. to follow.
The red line fluctuates.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 fluctuate
– verb
• My weight used to fluctuate between 150 and 190 pounds. Now
it’s steady, at 170 pounds.
• Desert temperatures can fluctuate by as much as fifty degrees
between daytime and nighttime.
Fluctuate means
A. to continue.
B. to vary.
C. to follow.
The red line fluctuates.
In contrast with the now steady
weight of 170 pounds, the person’s
weight used to vary between 150 and
190 pounds. Desert temperatures
would vary from daytime to nighttime.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 persevere
– verb
• “I know you’re tired,” Jack said, “but we’ve got to persevere
and get to the camp before the storm hits.”
• It was not easy to attend English classes while working at two
jobs, but Nina persevered until she could speak English well.
Persevere means
A. to surrender.
B. to hold back.
C. to keep going.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 persevere
– verb
• “I know you’re tired,” Jack said, “but we’ve got to persevere
and get to the camp before the storm hits.”
• It was not easy to attend English classes while working at two
jobs, but Nina persevered until she could speak English well.
Persevere means
A. to surrender.
B. to hold back.
C. to keep going.
If they have to get to camp before the storm hits, they will have
to keep going. If Nina ended up speaking English well, she must
have kept going to English classes despite the working two jobs.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 ponder
– verb
• Too often we don’t take time to ponder the possible
consequences of our actions.
• Over the years, Mr. Madigan rarely took time to ponder the
meaning of life. Since his heart attack, however, he’s thought a
lot about what is important to him.
Ponder means
A. to wait for.
B. to ignore.
C. to think about.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 ponder
– verb
• Too often we don’t take time to ponder the possible
consequences of our actions.
• Over the years, Mr. Madigan rarely took time to ponder the
meaning of life. Since his heart attack, however, he’s thought a
lot about what is important to him.
Ponder means
A. to wait for.
B. to ignore.
C. to think about.
We don’t think about the consequences of our actions. In the
second sentence, the words thought . . . about tell you the
meaning of ponder.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 rehabilitate
– verb
• Most prisons make little effort to rehabilitate inmates so that
they can lead productive, wholesome lives after their release.
• My grandfather learned to walk, write, and speak again in a
program that rehabilitates stroke victims.
Rehabilitate means
A. to pay back.
B. to return to normal life.
C. to depend upon.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 rehabilitate
– verb
• Most prisons make little effort to rehabilitate inmates so that
they can lead productive, wholesome lives after their release.
• My grandfather learned to walk, write, and speak again in a
program that rehabilitates stroke victims.
Rehabilitate means
A. to pay back.
B. to return to normal life.
C. to depend upon.
If prisons helped return inmates to normal life, those prisoners
would be able to lead productive, wholesome lives after their
release. If the program helped the grandfather learn to walk,
write, and speak, it returned him to normal life.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 turmoil
– noun
• Without a teacher, the sixth-grade class was in turmoil, until the
principal entered the room and the students quickly came to
order.
• After the turmoil of crying babies, active children, and trying to
feed 120 people, I’m glad when our family reunions end.
Turmoil means
A. discussion.
B. disorder.
C. harmony.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 turmoil
– noun
• Without a teacher, the sixth-grade class was in turmoil, until the
principal entered the room and the students quickly came to
order.
• After the turmoil of crying babies, active children, and trying to
feed 120 people, I’m glad when our family reunions end.
Turmoil means
A. discussion.
B. disorder.
C. harmony.
In the first item, the words came to order tell you that the class
must have been in disorder. In the second item, crying babies,
active children, and feeding 120 people suggest disorder.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 venture
– verb
• “I’ll venture going on any ride in this amusement park except
the Twister,” said Nick. “I’ll risk getting sick to my stomach, but
I won’t risk my life.”
• “At tomorrow’s staff meeting,” my older sister said, “I will
venture to say what I really think—and cross my fingers that I
don’t get fired.”
Venture means
A. to dare.
B. to remember.
C. to imagine.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 venture
– verb
• “I’ll venture going on any ride in this amusement park except
the Twister,” said Nick. “I’ll risk getting sick to my stomach, but
I won’t risk my life.”
• “At tomorrow’s staff meeting,” my older sister said, “I will
venture to say what I really think—and cross my fingers that I
don’t get fired.”
Drastic means
A. to dare.
B. to remember.
C. to imagine.
Nick will dare to go on any ride except the Twister. The word risk
is a clue. If the sister may get fired for speaking her mind, she
would have to dare to say what she really thinks.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity
B. comprehensive C. conventional
F. persevere G. ponder
H. rehabilitate
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
I. turmoil
J. venture
1. Tracy is so vain that she considers it a __________ if a
pimple appears anywhere on her face.
2. Too many people have a child without taking time to
__________ parenthood. They give less thought to
having a baby than to buying a sofa.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity
B. comprehensive C. conventional
F. persevere G. ponder
H. rehabilitate
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
I. turmoil
J. venture
1. Tracy is so vain that she considers it a __________
calamity if a
pimple appears anywhere on her face.
If Tracy is very vain, she would consider it a tragedy if a pimple
appeared.
2. Too many people have a child without taking time to
__________
ponder parenthood. They give less thought to
having a baby than to buying a sofa.
If people give less thought to having a baby than to buying a sofa,
they must not take time to think about parenthood.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity
B. comprehensive C. conventional
F. persevere G. ponder
H. rehabilitate
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
I. turmoil
J. venture
3. When Charlene lost her job because she spoke up for a
fellow employee, it was a _____________ violation of
her rights.
4. Our history exam will be _____________; it will cover
everything we’ve studied since September.
5. Nobody in Doug’s family has a _____________ job. His
mother is a drummer, his father is a magician, and his uncle is
a wine taster.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity
B. comprehensive C. conventional
F. persevere G. ponder
H. rehabilitate
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
I. turmoil
J. venture
3. When Charlene lost her job because she spoke up for a
fellow employee, it was a _________
flagrant violation of her rights.
It would be an outrageous violation of Charlene’s rights if she were
fired for speaking up for another employee.
4. Our history exam will be _____________;
comprehensive it will cover
everything we’ve studied since September.
If the exam will cover everything they have studied, it will include all.
5. Nobody in Doug’s family has a _____________
conventional job. His
mother is a drummer, his father is a magician, and his uncle is
a wine taster.
A drummer, a magician, and a wine taster are not ordinary jobs.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity
B. comprehensive C. conventional
F. persevere G. ponder
H. rehabilitate
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
I. turmoil
J. venture
6. Learning the new software program was difficult, but
when Maria saw how useful it would be in her work, she
was glad she had ________(e)d.
7. It took many months of therapy to __________ my aunt
after she lost her sight, but now she can get around her
home and neighborhood on her own.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity
B. comprehensive C. conventional
F. persevere G. ponder
H. rehabilitate
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
I. turmoil
J. venture
6. Learning the new software program was difficult, but
when Maria saw how useful it would be in her work, she
was glad she had ___________.
persevered
If the program was difficult, Maria must have kept working at it.
7. It took many months of therapy to __________
rehabilitate my aunt
after she lost her sight, but now she can get around her
home and neighborhood on her own.
If the aunt lost her sight, it would take many months of therapy to
restore her to a normal life.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity
B. comprehensive C. conventional
F. persevere G. ponder
H. rehabilitate
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
I. turmoil
J. venture
8. The day we moved, the apartment was in __________.
Boxes and people were everywhere, and the baby wouldn’t
stop crying.
9. The way my dog’s appetite ________(e)d this week
worries me. One day she hardly ate anything, and the next
day she gulped down everything I gave her.
10. Instead of hiring a lawyer, the defendant will __________
to plead her own case in court.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. calamity
B. comprehensive C. conventional
F. persevere G. ponder
H. rehabilitate
D. flagrant
E. fluctuate
I. turmoil
J. venture
8. The day we moved, the apartment was in __________.
turmoil
Boxes and people were everywhere, and the baby wouldn’t
stop crying.
Boxes, people, and a crying baby suggest things were in an uproar.
9. The way my dog’s appetite ___________
fluctuated this week worries
me. One day she hardly ate anything, and the next day she
gulped down everything I gave her.
The second sentence describes how the appetite varied irregularly.
10. Instead of hiring a lawyer, the defendant will __________
venture
to plead her own case in court.
To plead her own case is to take a risk.