ADVANCING
VOCABULARY SKILLS
Fourth Edition
Sherrie L. Nist
© 2010 Townsend Press
Unit Two: Chapter 9
• bolster
• relegate
• depreciate
• replete
• indiscriminate
• sedentary
• inquisitive
• tenet
• nebulous
• terse
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 bolster
– verb
• The front porch was sagging, so we had to bolster it with cinder
blocks until it could be repaired.
• When Yoko was in the hospital, visits from friends bolstered her
spirits.
Bolster means
A. to reach.
B. to replace.
C. to support.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 bolster
– verb
• The front porch was sagging, so we had to bolster it with cinder
blocks until it could be repaired.
• When Yoko was in the hospital, visits from friends bolstered her
spirits.
Bolster means
A. to reach.
B. to replace.
C. to support.
Cinder blocks would support the sagging porch. Visits from friends
would support Yoko’s spirits while she was in the hospital.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 depreciate
– verb
• As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it depreciates; it’s
immediately worth less than you paid for it.
• The property depreciated when the city built a sewage plant
nearby.
Depreciate means
A. to become better.
B. to become less valuable.
C. to become definite.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 depreciate
– verb
• As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it depreciates; it’s
immediately worth less than you paid for it.
• The property depreciated when the city built a sewage plant
nearby.
Depreciate means
A. to become better.
B. to become less valuable.
C. to become definite.
If the car is worth less than you paid for it, it has become less valuable.
Having a sewage plant built next door would make a property become
less valuable.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 indiscriminate
– adjective
• Some people end up hopelessly in debt because of indiscriminate
spending, so be selective about what and how much you buy.
• I confess to an indiscriminate love of chocolate. I don’t distinguish
between plain old Hershey bars and fancy imported chocolates—I
adore them all.
Indiscriminate means
A. healthy.
B. unenthusiastic.
C. not selective.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 indiscriminate
– adjective
• Some people end up hopelessly in debt because of indiscriminate
spending, so be selective about what and how much you buy.
• I confess to an indiscriminate love of chocolate. I don’t distinguish
between plain old Hershey bars and fancy imported chocolates—I
adore them all.
Indiscriminate means
A. healthy.
B. unenthusiastic.
C. not selective.
The word selective suggests that indiscriminate means “not selective.”
A person who doesn’t distinguish between plain old Hershey bars and
fancy imported chocolates is not selective in his or her love of
chocolate.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 inquisitive
– adjective
• Inquisitive students usually do better than those who are less
curious and less eager to learn.
• Small children are naturally inquisitive. They wonder about the
world around them, and they are constantly asking “Why?”
Inquisitive means
A. hard-working.
B. particular.
C. questioning.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 inquisitive
– adjective
• Inquisitive students usually do better than those who are less
curious and less eager to learn.
• Small children are naturally inquisitive. They wonder about the
world around them, and they are constantly asking “Why?”
Inquisitive means
A. hard-working.
B. particular.
C. questioning.
Students who are less curious are contrasted with students who are
questioning. Children who are constantly asking “Why?” are children
who are questioning.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 nebulous
– adjective
• When I ask Leonard what he wants for his birthday, he never
gives me any specific ideas. He just gives a nebulous answer like
“Oh, something I can use.”
• “A good essay cannot be nebulous,” the English instructor
explained. “It must contain sharp, precise details.”
Nebulous means
A. indefinite.
B. long.
C. specific.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 nebulous
– adjective
• When I ask Leonard what he wants for his birthday, he never
gives me any specific ideas. He just gives a nebulous answer like
“Oh, something I can use.”
• “A good essay cannot be nebulous,” the English instructor
explained. “It must contain sharp, precise details.”
Nebulous means
A. indefinite.
B. long.
C. specific.
Saying “Oh, something I can use” shows that Leonard is indefinite
about what he wants. An essay that does not contain sharp, precise
details is indefinite.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 relegate
– verb
• At family gatherings, we kids were always relegated to the
kitchen table, while the adults ate in the dining room.
• When we have overnight guests, my parents give them my room
and relegate me to a cot in the attic.
Relegate means
A. to send.
B. to punish.
C. to reward.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 relegate
– verb
• At family gatherings, we kids were always relegated to the
kitchen table, while the adults ate in the dining room.
• When we have overnight guests, my parents give them my room
and relegate me to a cot in the attic.
Relegate means
A. to send.
B. to punish.
C. to reward.
In the first item, the kids were sent to the kitchen table. In the
second item, the speaker would be sent to a cot in the attic.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 replete
– adjective
• The show was replete with dazzling effects, including gorgeous
scenery, glittering costumes, dramatic lighting, and thrilling music.
• The book of household hints got an excellent review. “It’s replete
with good advice,” the critic wrote. “Every homeowner should
purchase a copy.”
Replete means
A. replaced.
B. filled.
C. followed.
A table replete with food
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 replete
– adjective
• The show was replete with dazzling effects, including gorgeous
scenery, glittering costumes, dramatic lighting, and thrilling music.
• The book of household hints got an excellent review. “It’s replete
with good advice,” the critic wrote. “Every homeowner should
purchase a copy.”
Replete means
A. replaced.
B. filled.
C. followed.
A table replete with food
A show that includes gorgeous scenery,
glittering costumes, dramatic lighting, and
thrilling music is filled with dazzling effects.
To get an excellent review, the book would
have to be filled with good advice.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 sedentary
– adjective
• People in sedentary occupations, such as bus drivers and writers,
need to make a special effort to exercise.
• My older sister’s lifestyle is so sedentary that the longest walk
she ever takes is from her living-room couch to the front seat of
her car.
Sedentary means
A. involving much walking.
B. involving stress.
C. involving much sitting.
A sedentary group of women
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 sedentary
– adjective
• People in sedentary occupations, such as bus drivers and writers,
need to make a special effort to exercise.
• My older sister’s lifestyle is so sedentary that the longest walk
she ever takes is from her living-room couch to the front seat of
her car.
Sedentary means
A. involving much walking.
B. involving stress.
C. involving much sitting.
A sedentary group of women
Driving a bus and writing are occupations
that involve much sitting. If the longest
walk the sister ever takes is from her livingroom couch to the front seat of the car, her
lifestyle must involve much sitting.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 tenet
– noun
• One of the basic tenets of democracy is freedom of speech.
• This world might be a paradise if everyone lived by such tenets
as “Never cause suffering.”
Tenet means
A. a principle.
B. a ritual.
C. a prediction.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 tenet
– noun
• One of the basic tenets of democracy is freedom of speech.
• This world might be a paradise if everyone lived by such tenets
as “Never cause suffering.”
Tenet means
A. a principle.
B. a ritual.
C. a prediction.
Freedom of speech is one of the basic principles of democracy.
“Never cause suffering” is a principle that could help make the
world a paradise.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 terse
– adjective
• I was hurt by Roberto’s terse response to my invitation. All he
said was “No thanks.”
• A British humor magazine once gave this terse advice to people
about to marry: “Don’t.”
Terse means
A. dishonest.
B. unclear.
C. short.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 terse
– adjective
• I was hurt by Roberto’s terse response to my invitation. All he
said was “No thanks.”
• A British humor magazine once gave this terse advice to people
about to marry: “Don’t.”
Terse means
A. dishonest.
B. unclear.
C. short.
The first item gives an example of a short response. The second
item gives an example of a short bit of advice.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bolster
B. depreciate
C. indiscriminate D. inquisitive
E. nebulous
F. relegate
G. replete
H. sedentary
J. terse
I. tenet
1. John considers Arlene rude because her comments are
usually __________, but I prefer her brief, clear answers to
his long-winded ones.
2. Phan’s TV viewing is ___________. He just watches
whatever happens to be on.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bolster
B. depreciate
C. indiscriminate D. inquisitive
E. nebulous
F. relegate
G. replete
H. sedentary
J. terse
I. tenet
1. John considers Arlene rude because her comments are
usually __________,
but I prefer her brief, clear answers to
terse
his long-winded ones.
The words brief and clear define the word terse.
2. Phan’s TV viewing is indiscriminate
___________. He just watches
whatever happens to be on.
Since Phan watches whatever happens to be on, his TV viewing is
not based on careful selection.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bolster
B. depreciate
C. indiscriminate D. inquisitive
E. nebulous
F. relegate
G. replete
H. sedentary
J. terse
I. tenet
3. When a sofa leg broke, we _______(e)d that end of the
sofa with a pile of books.
4. Houses and antiques often increase in value as they get
older, but most other things, like cars, computers, and
appliances, tend to __________.
5. A large sign in the boys’ treehouse stated their club’s main
__________: “No Girls or Snakes Allowed!!!”
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bolster
B. depreciate
C. indiscriminate D. inquisitive
E. nebulous
F. relegate
G. replete
H. sedentary
J. terse
I. tenet
3. When a sofa leg broke, we __________
bolstered that end of the
sofa with a pile of books.
A pile of books would support the end of the sofa.
4. Houses and antiques often increase in value as they get
older, but most other things, like cars, computers, and
appliances, tend to __________.
depreciate
In contrast with things that increase in value, most things decrease.
5. A large sign in the boys’ treehouse stated their club’s main
__________:
“No Girls or Snakes Allowed!!!”
tenet
The sign states the club’s main principle.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bolster
B. depreciate
C. indiscriminate D. inquisitive
E. nebulous
F. relegate
G. replete
H. sedentary
J. terse
I. tenet
6. The refrigerator was __________ with all kinds of marvelous
foods for the party.
7. The catcher worried that unless he started playing better,
he’d be _______(e)d to the minor leagues.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bolster
B. depreciate
C. indiscriminate D. inquisitive
E. nebulous
F. relegate
G. replete
H. sedentary
J. terse
I. tenet
6. The refrigerator was __________
replete with all kinds of marvelous
foods for the party.
In preparation for a party, the refrigerator would be well-filled with
marvelous foods.
7. The catcher worried that unless he started playing better,
he’d be __________
relegated to the minor leagues.
Being sent to the minor leagues is being assigned to a less important
place.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bolster
B. depreciate
C. indiscriminate D. inquisitive
E. nebulous
F. relegate
G. replete
H. sedentary
J. terse
I. tenet
8. Before this semester, my thoughts about a career were
__________, but now I have a much clearer idea of
what work I want to do.
9. When we were children, my active sister was always playing
tag or jumping rope. I was more __________, preferring to
spend hour after hour just sitting and reading.
10. The book Answers to 1,001 Interesting Questions sounds
like the perfect gift for a(n) _______ person.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. bolster
B. depreciate
C. indiscriminate D. inquisitive
E. nebulous
F. relegate
G. replete
H. sedentary
J. terse
I. tenet
8. Before this semester, my thoughts about a career were
__________,
nebulous but now I have a much clearer idea of
what work I want to do.
In contrast with the clearer idea, the person’s thoughts were vague.
9. When we were children, my active sister was always playing
tag or jumping rope. I was more __________,
sedentary preferring to
spend hour after hour just sitting and reading.
The words just sitting suggest the meaning of sedentary.
10. The book Answers to 1,001 Interesting Questions sounds
like the perfect gift for an _________
inquisitive person.
A book that answers 1001 questions would be appropriate for a
curious person.