2
To the Instructor:
Pronunciations are provided for the words in this chapter and for vocabulary
questions that follow the readings in Parts I and II. You may want to review with
students the material about pronunciation symbols and accent marks on page 40.
Vocabulary
in Context
THIS CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL
• You don’t always have to use a dictionary to learn the meanings of
new words in your reading. You can often use context to figure out the
meaning of a word:
— Examples may provide clues to what a word means.
— Synonyms—words that mean the same as an unknown word—may
provide clues to meaning.
— Antonyms—words that mean the opposite of an unknown word—
may help you figure out a meaning.
— The entire sentence may provide clues to meaning.
• Textbook authors often tell you a word’s meaning; they italicize or
boldface terms you may not know and give definitions and examples
of those terms.
If you were asked to define the words vital, appropriate, and passive, you might
have some difficulty. On the other hand, if you saw these words in sentences,
chances are you could come up with fairly accurate definitions. For example, see
if you can define the words in italics in the three sentences that follow. In the
space provided, write the letter of the meaning you think is correct in each case.
Do not use a dictionary for this work. Instead, in each sentence, try the
word you think is the answer. For example, put unimportant or necessary or
surprising into the sentence in place of vital to see which one makes the best
sense.
69
70
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
B All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and shelter.
____
Vital (v∆t' l) means
A. unimportant.
B.
necessary.
C.
surprising.
A In the United States, shaking hands is the appropriate way to greet
____
someone; in China, bowing is the right way.
Appropriate (®-pr˚' pr∂-µt) means
A. proper.
B. artificial.
C.
insulting.
B Winners in life take an active role in making things happen, instead of
____
being passive and waiting for good luck.
Passive (p√s' µv) means
insincere.
A.
B.
inactive.
C.
flexible.
In each sentence above, the context—the words surrounding the unfamiliar
word—provides clues to the word’s meaning. You may have guessed from the
context that vital means “necessary,” that appropriate means “proper,” and that
passive means “inactive.”
Using context clues to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words will
help you in several ways:
• It will save you time when reading. You will not have to stop to look up
words in the dictionary. (Of course, you won’t always be able to understand
a word from its context, so you should have a dictionary nearby as you
read.)
• After you figure out the meaning of the same word more than once through
its context, it may become a part of your working vocabulary. You will
therefore add to your vocabulary simply by reading thoughtfully.
• You will get a good sense of how a word is actually used, including any
shades of meaning it might have.
TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
There are four common types of context clues:
1 Examples
2 Synonyms
3 Antonyms
4 General sense of the sentence or passage
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
71
In the following sections, you will read about and practice each type. The
practices will sharpen your skills in recognizing and using context clues. They
will also help you add new words to your vocabulary.
Remember not to use a dictionary for these practices. Their purpose is to
help you develop the skill of figuring out what words mean without using a
dictionary. Pronunciations are provided in parentheses for the words, and a
guide to pronunciation is on page 40.
1 Examples
If you are given examples that relate to an unknown word, you can often figure
out its meaning. For instance, note the examples in this sentence from the
previous page: “All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and
shelter.” The examples—food, water, and shelter—helped you figure out that the
word vital means “necessary.”
Look also at the Frank and Ernest cartoon below.
Notice that examples of alternative energy sources—wind power and solar
power—help you understand that alternative (ôl-tûr' n®-tµv) means “other.”
Check Your Understanding
Now read the items that follow. An italicized word in each sentence is followed
by examples that serve as context clues for that word. These examples, which
are boldfaced, will help you figure out the meaning of each word. On each line,
write the letter of the answer you think is correct. Then read the explanation that
follows.
Note that examples are often introduced with signal words and phrases like
for example, for instance, including, and such as.
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TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
C
_____
1. In our house, clothes hangers have various odd functions. For instance,
we use them to scratch backs and hold up plants in the garden.
Functions (f∫ngk' sh®nz) means
shapes.
B. problems.
A.
C.
uses.
Hint: Remember that in the exercises in this chapter, you can
insert into each sentence the word you think is the answer. For
example, substitute shapes, problems, or uses into sentence 1 in
place of functions to see which one fits.
B
_____
2. Our baseball team’s pitcher has a few eccentric habits, such as
throwing exactly thirteen pitches when warming up and never
wearing socks.
Eccentric (µk-sƒn' trµk) means
A. normal.
B. strange.
C.
messy.
A
_____
3. Throughout history, humans have built a wide variety of dwellings,
including simple mud huts, stone castles, and marble mansions.
Dwellings (dwƒl' µngs) means
B. stores.
A. homes.
C.
churches.
Explanation:
In each sentence, the examples probably helped you to figure out the meanings
of the words in italics:
• In sentence 1, the examples of the odd functions of hangers—scratching
backs and holding up plants—may have helped you to guess that functions
are “uses.” So the correct answer is C.
• In sentence 2, the examples of strange habits show that eccentric means
“strange.” So the correct answer is B.
• Finally, the examples in sentence 3 indicate that dwellings are homes. So
the correct answer is A.
Note that the examples in the sentences are introduced by the signal words for
instance, such as, and including.
➣ Practice 1: Examples
In each sentence that follows, underline the examples of the italicized word.
Then write the letter of the word’s meaning on the answer line.
Note that the last five sentences have been taken from college textbooks.
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
73
C
_____
1. The debris in the stadium stands included numerous paper cups,
ticket stubs, sandwich wrappings, and cigarette butts.
Signal word:
included. The examples given are of trash.
Debris (d®-br∂' ) means
A. products.
B. papers.
C. trash.
C
_____
2. For his weak stomach, Mario ate a bland diet of white bread, rice, and
mashed potatoes.
The examples given are of mild foods.
Bland (bl√nd) means
A. spicy.
B.
C.
varied.
mild.
B
_____
3. New York, Boston, and Philadelphia are three of the oldest urban
areas in the United States.
The examples given are of cities.
Urban (ûr' b®n) means
A. empty.
B.
city.
C.
country.
A
_____
4. Many people take dietary supplements—for example, extra calcium
or large doses of vitamin C—in the belief that they will cure or
prevent disease.
Signal words: for example. The examples given are of
additions to people’s diets.
Supplements (s∫p' l®-m®nts) means
A. additions.
B. losses.
C. suggestions.
B
_____
5. My uncle often has had some embarrassing mishaps, such as backing
his car into the side of his boss’s Cadillac and trying to walk through
a glass door.
Signal words: such as.
The examples given are of accidents.
Mishaps (mµs' h√ps' ) means
B. accidents.
C. projects.
A. clever moves.
B
_____
6. The death of a child and the death of a spouse are two of life’s most
traumatic experiences.
The examples given are of painful experiences.
Traumatic (trou-m√t' µk) means
B. painful.
A. rare.
C.
interesting.
C
_____
7. A transaction, such as buying or selling a product, is the most basic
part of an economy.
Transaction (tr√n-s√k' sh®n) means
A. profit.
B. loss.
Signal words: such as. The examples
given are of business deals.
C.
business deal.
B
_____
8. Religious rituals like baptisms, church weddings, and funeral services
give many people a sense of peace and comfort.
Signal word: like.
The examples given are of ceremonies.
Rituals (rµch' -®l) means
A. lessons.
B. ceremonies.
C.
prayers.
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TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
A
_____
9. When discussing computers, professionals often use such jargon as
“RAM,” “download,” and “bytes,” which others may not understand.
Jargon (jär' g®n) means
A. special language.
B.
Signal words: such . . . as. The examples given
are of words that belong to a special language.
clear instructions.
C.
mean insults.
B
_____10.
There are hundreds of different kinds of retailers, ranging from car
dealerships and department stores to frozen-yogurt stands and online
drugstores.
The examples given are of businesses that sell
Retailers (r∂' tΩl' ®rs) means
A. customers.
B. businesses that sell
directly to users.
directly to users.
C.
businesses that
make products.
2 Synonyms
Context clues are often found in the form of synonyms: one or more words that
mean the same or almost the same as the unknown word. Consider the sentence
on page 70, “In the United States, shaking hands is the appropriate way to greet
someone; in China, bowing is the right way.” Here the synonym “right” tells you
the meaning of appropriate. A synonym may appear anywhere in a sentence as a
restatement of the meaning of the unknown word.
Look also at the cartoon below about a pollster speaking to a citizen.
Notice that the synonym for apathy—expressed in the words of the citizen who
says “I don’t care”—helps you understand that apathy (√p' ®-th∂) means “a lack
of interest or care.”
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
75
Check Your Understanding
Each item below includes a word or phrase that is a synonym of the italicized
word. Underline that synonym in each sentence. Then read the explanation that
follows.
1. The cat soon found it useless to smack her paws against the front of
the fish tank; her effort to catch a fish was a futile (fyt' l) one.
2. My best friend squandered (skw≤n' d®rd) all his money; his drinking
and gambling wasted his earnings.
3. Because my boss runs the toy store like a tyrant (t∆' r®nt), all of the
employees call her “the little dictator.”
Explanation:
In each sentence, the synonym given probably helped you understand the
meaning of the word in italics:
• In the first sentence, the synonym of futile is “useless.”
• In sentence 2, the synonym of squandered is “wasted.”
• In sentence 3, the synonym of tyrant is “dictator.”
➣ Practice 2: Synonyms
Each item below includes a synonym of the italicized word. Write each
synonym in the space provided.
Note that the last five items have been taken from college textbooks.
self-important
__________________
1. Everyone turned to look at the arrogant (√r' ®-g®nt)
customer who spoke to the manager in a selfimportant voice.
Hint: What does the voice reveal about the customer?
powerful
__________________
2. The medicine that Nina is taking is very potent
(p˚t' nt). It is so powerful that she must not take it for
more than a week.
cloudy
__________________
3. After the heavy rains, the stream became murky
(mûr' k∂); in fact, the water was so cloudy you
couldn’t see the bottom.
What kind of water
would you be unable to see through?
76
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
secret
__________________
4. Some overweight people are called furtive (fûr' tµv)
eaters because they eat large quantities of food in
secret.
believable
__________________
5. A con artist was apparently very believable as he
went door to door telling a plausible (plô' z®-b®l)
story about having his wallet stolen and needing
twenty dollars to get home.
discussion
__________________
6. The first step in reaching a peace agreement was to
set up a dialogue (d∆' ®-l≤g' ) between the two sides.
Without discussion, peace was impossible.
force
__________________
7. You cannot coerce (k˚-ûrs' ) people into learning. If
they are not interested, it is impossible to force them.
rich
__________________
8. While Ved may not be affluent (√f' l-®nt) by
American standards, he is rich compared with most
people in his homeland of India.
prove
__________________
9. Several tests are necessary to verify (vƒr' ®-f∆' ) that a
virus is present. One is never enough to prove a virus
exists.
variety
__________________10.
The diversity (dµ-vûr' sµ-t∂) of the population of the
United States is the result of accepting immigrants
from a wide variety of cultures and nations.
A diversity is a wide variety.
3 Antonyms
Antonyms—words and phrases that mean the opposite of a word—are also
useful as context clues. Antonyms are sometimes signaled by words and phrases
such as however, but, yet, on the other hand, instead of, and in contrast. Look
again at the sentence on page 70: “Winners in life take an active role in making
things happen, instead of being passive and waiting for good luck.” Here the
word instead indicates that active and passive are antonyms and thus have
opposite meanings.
Look also at the cartoon on the next page about the fighting couple who are
visiting a marriage counselor.
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
77
© Kevin Smith from www.CartoonStock.com.
Notice that the antonym “combatible” helps you figure out that compatible
(k®m-p√t' ®-b®l) must mean “in agreement.”
Check Your Understanding
In each of the following sentences, underline the word or phrase that means the
opposite of the italicized word. Then, on the answer line, write the letter of the
meaning of the italicized word. Finally, read the explanation that follows.
B
_____
1. The coach takes every opportunity to reprimand his players, yet he
ignores every chance to praise them.
Reprimand (rƒp' r®-m√nd) means
A. approve of.
B. criticize.
C.
choose.
A
_____
2. “I am having acute pains in my chest now,” said the patient, “but an
hour ago all I felt was a dull ache.”
Acute (®-kyt' ) means
sharp.
B. weak.
A.
C.
no.
B
_____
3. Some teachers are too lenient. I’d rather have strict teachers who take
class seriously.
Lenient (l∂' n∂-®nt) means
A. hard.
B. easygoing.
C.
busy.
78
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
Explanation:
In each sentence, the antonym given probably helped you understand the
meaning of the word in italics:
• Reprimand is the opposite of “praise,” so the answer to sentence 1 is
“criticize.”
• In sentence 2, the opposite of acute is “dull,” so acute means “sharp.”
• In sentence 3, lenient teachers are the opposite of “strict” teachers, so
lenient means “easygoing.”
Note that reprimand and acute are indicated by signal words: yet and but.
➣ Practice 3: Antonyms
Each item below includes a word or phrase that is an antonym of the italicized
word. Underline each of those antonyms. Then, on the line, write the letter of the
meaning of the italicized word.
Note that the last five items have been taken from college textbooks.
A
_____
1. After his accident, Brad expected an in-depth examination at the
hospital. Instead, a doctor gave him a quick, superficial checkup and
said, “You’re fine.”
Hint: What would be the opposite of an in-depth examination?
Superficial (s' p®r-fµsh' ®l) means
A. lacking depth.
B. complicated.
C.
satisfactory.
A
_____
2. A temporary cough is nothing to worry about, but a chronic one can
What would be the opposite
be a sign of a serious illness.
Chronic (kr≤n' µk) means
A. continuing.
B. brief.
of a temporary cough?
C.
mild.
C
_____
3. When drinking was prohibited by the Nineteenth Amendment,
alcohol became more popular with some people than it had been
when it was allowed.
What would be the opposite
Prohibited (pr˚-hµb' µt-µd) means
A. permitted.
B. defined.
of allowing alcohol?
C.
forbidden.
A
_____
4. “What we need is an innovative idea!” cried the chairman. “All I’ve
heard so far are the same old ones.”
What would be the
Innovative (µn' ®-vΩ' tµv) means
A. new.
B. traditional.
opposite of old ideas?
C.
loud.
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
79
B
_____
5. The class was in turmoil when only the substitute teacher was there,
but it quickly came to order once the principal entered the room.
Turmoil (tûr' moil' ) means In a classroom, what would be the opposite of
order?
A. peace.
B. confusion.
C. attendance.
B
_____
6. In ordinary life, people’s facial expressions are spontaneous.
However, actors must learn to use planned ways of showing emotion.
Spontaneous (sp≤n-tΩ' n∂-®s) means
B. unplanned.
A. varied.
What would be the opposite of
planned?
C.
hidden.
C
_____
7. A computer novice is lucky if he or she knows someone who is an
expert and is willing to offer advice.
What kind of person would need
Novice (n≤v' µs) means
B. a friend.
A. a child.
an expert’s help?
C.
a beginner.
C
_____
8. Some patients drop out of drug therapy before it is completed. Instead
of making progress, they may then revert to previous bad habits.
Revert (rµ-vûrt' ) means What would be the opposite of making progress?
A. say no.
B. improve.
C. go back.
C
_____
9. Our Constitution would be in danger if all Americans were indifferent
to it. However, history has shown that concerned citizens will always
come forward to defend it.
What kind of person would be the opposite
Indifferent to (µn-dµf' ®r-®nt t) means
B. aware of.
A. insulted by.
of a concerned citizen?
C.
uninterested in.
B
_____10.
In warfare, as in chess, impulsive actions will fail. To win in either
case, carefully thought-out moves are needed.
What kind of action is
Impulsive (µm-p∫l' sµv) means
B. unplanned.
A. fearful.
not carefully thought out?
C.
strong.
4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
Sometimes it takes a bit more detective work to puzzle out the meaning of an
unfamiliar word. In such cases, you must draw conclusions based on the
information surrounding the word. Asking yourself questions about the passage
may help you make a fairly accurate guess about the meaning of the unfamiliar
word.
Look at the cartoon on the next page about the cavemen covering over
drawings in their cave and notice the caption, “First Graffiti Eradication
Program.”
80
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
The image of drawings being painted over suggests that eradication
(µ-r√d' µ-kΩ' sh®n) means “elimination.”
Check Your Understanding
Each sentence below is followed by a question. Think about each question; then
write the letter of the answer you feel is the meaning of the italicized word.
A
_____
1. The newlyweds agreed to be very frugal in their shopping because
they wanted to save enough money to buy a home.
(How would people shop if they wanted to save money?)
Frugal (fr' g®l) means
A. thrifty.
B. wasteful.
C.
interested.
B
_____
2. So many customers have complained about the noise in the restaurant
that the owners are trying to find ways to mute the noise.
(What would the restaurant owners probably want to do about
noise?)
Mute (myt) means
A. increase.
B.
soften.
C.
create.
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
81
C
_____
3. Friends tried to dissuade ninety-year-old Mrs. Kellen from attending
her son’s trial, but she went anyway, to show her support.
(What would the elderly woman’s friends have tried to do if they
didn’t want her to go to her son’s trial?)
Dissuade (dµ-swΩd' ) means
B. describe.
A. question.
C.
discourage.
Explanation:
In each sentence, your answer to the question should have helped you figure out
the meaning of the word in italics:
• The first sentence provides enough evidence for you to guess that frugal
means “thrifty.” The newlyweds had to be thrifty if they wanted to save
money.
• Mute in the second sentence means “soften”; a restaurant owner would
probably want to reduce the noise.
• And dissuade means “discourage”—Mrs. Kellen went to the trial despite
her friends’ attempts to discourage her.
If you use context clues, you may not get the exact dictionary definition of
a word, but you will often be accurate enough to make good sense of what you
are reading.
➣ Practice 4: General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
Try to answer the question in parentheses that follows each item below. Then,
using the logic of each answer, write the letter of the meaning you think is
correct.
Note that the last five items have been taken from college textbooks.
C
_____
1. To reach a sound conclusion about an issue, you must carefully
consider all the facts involved.
(What kind of conclusion would you reach by carefully considering
all the facts?)
Sound (sound) means
A. early.
B.
obvious.
C.
reasonable.
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TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
A
_____
2. My mother refuses to divulge the secret ingredients she uses in her
fried chicken recipe.
(What would someone refuse to do with ingredients that are
secret?)
Divulge (dµ-v∫lj' ) means
B. hide.
A. reveal.
C.
invent.
A
_____
3. Because the nicotine in cigarettes is harmful, many people favor
stringent laws against their sale.
(What type of laws would be favored by people concerned about
the harm of nicotine?)
Stringent (strµn' j®nt) means
A. strict.
B. weak.
C.
confusing.
C
_____
4. Taking the expression “raining cats and dogs” literally, the child
looked for little animals on the ground after the storm.
(In what way did the child interpret the phrase “raining cats and
dogs”?)
Literally (lµt' ®r-®-l∂) means
A. symbolically.
B. musically.
C.
as the real facts.
A
_____
5. It’s too late to alter the plans for the party. Reservations have been
made for the restaurant and the band, and all the invitations have been
sent out.
(If plans have all been made, what is it too late to do?)
Alter (ôl' t®r) means
A. change.
B.
surprise.
C.
repeat.
B
_____
6. Organ transplants will not succeed unless the donor has the same
blood type as the person receiving the organ.
(Who would need to have the same kind of blood as the person
receiving the transplant?)
Donor (d˚' n®r) means
A. one who receives.
B.
one who gives.
C.
one who doubts.
C
_____
7. Few American officials in Iraq were fluent in the Iraqi language, so
all communication had to be in English.
(What would an American have to be in order to communicate in
the Iraqi language?)
Fluent (fl' ®nt) means
A. able to remember.
B.
able to teach.
C.
able to speak well.
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
83
B
_____
8. The placing of a huge cable on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean in
1866 made it possible to transmit telegraph signals from Europe to
North America.
(What did the cable allow us to do with signals between Europe
and North America?)
Transmit (tr√ns-mµt' ) means
B. send.
A. check.
C.
lose.
A
_____
9. Over years, the movement of water in a stream will erode the
surrounding soil and rock. As a result, the stream will be wider and
deeper.
(What does water do to soil and rock to enlarge a stream?)
Erode (µ-r˚d' ) means
A. wear away.
B.
escape.
C.
build up.
C
_____10.
In the 1950s, Americans felt that the Soviet Union was a menace
threatening their national security. As a result, Senator Joseph
McCarthy was able to persuade millions of people that the Soviets
had secret agents in the United States government.
(What would a country that threatened our national security be
regarded as?)
Menace (mƒn' µs) means
B. friend.
A. puzzle.
C.
danger.
An Important Point about Textbook Definitions
You don’t always have to use context clues or the dictionary to find definitions.
Very often, textbook authors provide definitions of important terms. They
usually follow a definition with one or more examples to make sure that you
understand the word being defined.
Here is a short textbook passage that includes a definition and an example.
Note that the term to be defined is set off in boldface type, and the definition
then follows.
The changing work force has changed lifestyles and needs. 2No
wonder many workers have found flextime a desirable choice. 3Instead of
working the standard nine-to-five day, five days a week, they choose their
own hours. 4For instance, they may decide to work four days at ten hours a
day rather than five days at eight hours.
1
84
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
Textbook authors, then, often do more than provide context clues: they set
off the terms they are defining in italic or boldface type, as above. When they
take the time to define and illustrate a word, you should assume that the material
is important enough to learn.
More about textbook definitions and examples appears on pages 260–261
in the “Relationships II” chapter.
CHAPTER REVIEW
In this chapter, you learned the following:
• To save time when reading, you should try to figure out the meanings
of unfamiliar words. You can do so by looking at their context—the
words surrounding them.
• There are four kinds of context clues: examples (marked by words
like for example, for instance, including, and such as); synonyms
(words that mean the same as unknown words); antonyms (words
that mean the opposite of unknown words); and general sense of the
sentence (clues in the sentence or surrounding sentences about what
words might mean).
• Textbook authors typically set off important words in italic or
boldface and define those words for you, often providing examples as
well.
The next chapter—Chapter 3—will introduce you to the most important of
all comprehension skills, finding the main idea.
On the Web: If you are using this book in class, you can visit our
website for additional practice in understanding vocabulary in
context. Go to www.townsendpress.com and click on “Online
Exercises.”
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
85
➤ Review Test 1
To review what you’ve learned in this chapter, answer the following questions
by writing the letter of each correct answer.
C
_____
1. The context of a word is
B. its opposite.
A. its meaning.
See page 70.
C.
the words around it.
A
_____
2. Which type of context clue often follows signal words like including,
such as, and for instance?
A. Example
See page 71.
B. Synonym
C. Antonym
B
_____
3. In the sentence below, which type of context clue is provided for the
italicized word?
A. Example
Synonym clue: unusual.
B. Synonym
C. Antonym
I’m looking for a unique (y-n∂k' ) gift for my boyfriend; he
appreciates unusual things.
C
_____
4. In the sentence below, which type of context clue is provided for the
italicized word?
A. Example
Instead signals that there is
B. Synonym
an antonym: renewed.
C. Antonym
Expecting that his license would be renewed, the pilot was
surprised when it was revoked (rµ-v˚kt' ) instead.
A
_____
5. Often, when textbook authors introduce a new word, they provide a
definition and help make the meaning of the word clear by including
one or more
A. examples.
See page 83.
B. synonyms.
C. antonyms.
86
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
➤ Review Test 2
A. Look at the cartoon below, and then answer the question which follows.
© The New Yorker Collection 1995 Arnie Levin from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved.
B
_____
1. Using the context clues in the cartoon, write the letter of the best
meaning of lethal (l∂' th®l) in the space provided.
B. deadly
C. hopeful
A. rare
“Last meal,” “hanging,” and “electrocution” all suggest that lethal means “deadly.”
B. Using context clues for help, write the letter of the best meaning for each
italicized word. Use the space provided.
C
_____
2. Though people who work nonstop can accomplish a great deal, they
may also forfeit (fôr' fµt) their health.
A. strengthen
C. give up
B. remember
D. talk about
C
_____
3. The principal was known to intimidate (µn-tµm' µ-dΩt' ) students by
walking through the halls with a baseball bat and shouting through a
bullhorn.
A. encourage
C. frighten
B. entertain
D. fail
What would the principal’s behavior do to kids?
87
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
D
_____
4. My aunt has no empathy (ƒm' p®-th∂) when it comes to other people’s
problems. She thinks only one person really has troubles, and that’s
herself.
A. pleasure
C. pride
What does
the aunt lack?
B. fear
D. understanding
B
_____
5. The crowd of protesters dispersed (dµ-spûrst' ) quickly when the
police arrived with growling German shepherds.
What would police
A. cheered
C. questioned
and growling dogs
B. scattered
D. paid
cause a crowd to do?
C. Using context clues for help, write the definition for each italicized word. Then
write the letter of the definition in the space provided. Choose from the
definitions in the box below. Each definition will be used once.
A.
D.
messy
violations
B.
E.
clear and brief
warning
C.
lazy
D
_____
6. Paula was suspended from school because of several infractions of
the rules, including smoking in the washroom and dressing
improperly.
Examples of infractions are given.
violations
Infractions (µn-fr√k' sh®ns) means ____________________________.
E
_____
7. We began the picnic in spite of such ominous signs as dark clouds and
a falling temperature.
Examples are given of weather
warning signs.
warning
Ominous (≤m' ®-n®s) means ________________________________.
C
_____
8. While Luis is hardworking, his indolent brother spends most of his
time watching TV or sitting around with friends. Antonym clue: Luis is
hardworking; his brother is the opposite.
lazy
Indolent (µn' d®-l®nt) means ________________________________
A
_____
9. Although Alex usually looks unkempt, he had a very neat appearance
at his job interview. Antonym clue: At the interview, Alex looked neat; he
usually looks the opposite.
messy
Unkempt (∫n-kƒmpt' ) means ________________________________
B
_____10.
When you write a report, your statement of purpose should be
concise. State your point clearly in as few words as possible.
clear and brief
Concise (k®n-s∆s' ) means __________________________________
Synonym clues: clearly and few words.
88
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
➤ Review Test 3
A. Look at the cartoon below, and then answer the question which follows.
© The New Yorker Collection 1995 Arnie Levin from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved.
A
_____
1. Using the context clues in the cartoon, write the letter of the best
meaning of abducted (√b-d∫kt' µd) in the space provided.
B. helped
C. damaged
A. kidnapped
The aliens must feed the man because they’ve taken him into their spaceship—kidnapped him.
B. Four words are boldfaced in the textbook passage below. Write the definition
for each boldfaced word, choosing from the definitions in the box. Then write
the letter of the definition in the space provided.
Be sure to read the entire passage before making your choices. Note that
six definitions will be left over.
A.
E.
I.
reward
punishment
explanation
B.
F.
J.
warning
well-known
expensive
C.
G.
disliked
encourage
D.
H.
small
fearful
Suppose someone asked you to sit on top of a flagpole for twelve
hours and promised you a prize. 2After you returned to earth, you learned
the prize was a stick of gum. 3Would you be likely to repeat the flagpolesitting behavior? 4Chances are you would not unless there was a severe gum
1
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
89
shortage and you were dying for gum. 5Although the gum was a prize, it
Items 2–4:
General sense
was a paltry one. 6It would not serve as a positive reinforcement that
of the sentence.
would lead to more of the same behavior. 7What would it take to induce you
Item 2: A stick
to climb up and sit on top of the flagpole again? 8Perhaps a good positive
of gum is
reinforcement for you would be a more lavish prize, such as a new car, a
a small prize.
screen test from a movie studio, or a free vacation to Hawaii. 9For such a
Item 3: What
might make
reinforcement to be effective enough to shape behavior, it must be suitable.
you want
to repeat a _____
small
D
2. Paltry (pôl' tr∂) means ______________________________________.
task?
A
Item 4:
_____
3. Positive reinforcement (p≤z' µ-tµv r∂' µn-fôrs' m®nt) means ________
Someone who
reward
wants you
________________________________________________________.
to climb
encourage
G
_____
4. Induce (µn-ds' ) means __________________________________.
would
encourage
expensive
J
_____
5. Lavish (l√v' µsh) means ____________________________________.
you.
Item 5: Example
clues: C. Five words are boldfaced in the textbook passage below. Write the definition for
new car, each boldfaced word, choosing from the definitions in the box. Then write the
screen
test, free letter of the definition in the space provided.
vacation.
Be sure to read the entire passage before making your choices. Note that
five definitions will be left over.
Items 6–10:
General sense
B. play with
C. closes
D. empties
A. attracts
of the sentence.
E. loosens
F. catch and eat
G. danger
H. benefit
Item 6: While
I
.
explore
J
.
rush
away
from
signals an
antonym-like
clue: some plants
1While plants often provide food for animals, some plants turn the
provide food;
others do what?
tables and prey on smaller members of the animal kingdom. 2One, the
Item 7: What
Venus’s-fly-trap, uses its leaves like a steel trap. 3It lures small insects with
would “sweet
perfume” do to its sweet perfume and then clamps its “jaws” so it can digest the insects at
small insects?
its leisure. 4Another leafy hunter is the pitcher plant, whose sweet juices
Item 8: What
tempt insects to probe the plant. 5Once deep within the plant, the insect
must the jaws
meets a watery death. 6Plants are essential for animal life, but for inhabitants
do to hold
the insect?
of the insect community, they can also be a hazard that may end life.
Item 9:
catch and eat
F
6. Prey on (prΩ ≤n) means ____________________________________.
What must _____
an insect do
attracts
A
7. Lures (l¯rs) means ______________________________________.
to find the _____
“sweet
C
closes
_____
8. Clamps (kl√mps) means ____________________________________.
juices”?
Item 10:
explore
I
9. Probe (pr˚b) means ______________________________________.
To insects, _____
what are
danger
G
_____10.
Hazard (h√z' ®rd) means____________________________________.
these
hungry plants?
90
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
➤ Review Test 4
Here is a chance to apply the skill of understanding vocabulary in context to a
full-length selection. This story describes a moment in a teacher’s life when she
learned how important a single act of hers had been. Its author, Sister Helen
Mrosla, is a Franciscan nun from Little Falls, Minnesota. Since 1991, when she
wrote this account of a true incident in her life, the story has been reprinted
many times and even circulated on the Internet. Read the selection, and then
answer the questions on vocabulary that follow.
Words to Watch
Below are some words in the reading that do not have strong context support.
Each word is followed by the number of the paragraph in which it appears and its
meaning there. These words are indicated in the selection by a small circle (°).
mischievousness (1): minor misbehavior
novice (3): new
deliberately (5): slowly and on purpose
concept (8): idea
crankiness (8): grouchy mood
lull (13): brief silence
taps (16): a bugle call sounded at night and at a military funeral
sheepishly (20): with embarrassment
frazzled (20): worn-out; ragged
ALL THE GOOD THINGS
Sister Helen P. Mrosla
1
2
He was in the first third-grade
class I taught at Saint Mary’s School in
Morris, Minnesota. All thirty-four of
my students were dear to me, but Mark
Eklund was one in a million. He was
very neat in appearance, but had that
happy-to-be-alive attitude that made
even his occasional mischievousness°
delightful.
Mark talked incessantly. I had to
remind him again and again that
talking without permission was not
acceptable. What impressed me so
much, though, was his sincere response
every time I had to correct him for
misbehaving—“Thank
you
for
correcting me, Sister!” I didn’t know
what to make of it at first, but before
long I became accustomed to hearing it
many times a day.
One morning my patience was
growing thin when Mark talked once
3
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
4
5
6
7
8
too often, and then I made a novice°
teacher’s mistake. I looked at him and
said, “If you say one more word, I am
going to tape your mouth shut!”
It wasn’t ten seconds later when
Chuck blurted out, “Mark is talking
again.” I hadn’t asked any of the
students to help me watch Mark, but
since I had stated the punishment in
front of the class, I had to act on it.
I remember the scene as if it had
occurred this morning. I walked to my
desk, very deliberately° opened my
drawer, and took out a roll of masking
tape. Without saying a word, I proceeded to Mark’s desk, tore off two
pieces of tape and made a big X with
them over his mouth. I then returned to
the front of the room. As I glanced at
Mark to see how he was doing, he
winked at me.
That did it! I started laughing. The
class cheered as I walked back to Mark’s
desk, removed the tape, and shrugged
my shoulders. His first words were,
“Thank you for correcting me, Sister.”
At the end of the year I was asked
to teach junior-high math. The years
flew by, and before I knew it Mark was
in my classroom again. He was more
handsome than ever and just as polite.
Since he had to listen carefully to my
instruction in the “new math,” he did
not talk as much in ninth grade as he
had talked in the third.
One Friday, things just didn’t feel
right. We had worked hard on a new
concept° all week, and I sensed that the
students were frowning, frustrated with
themselves—and edgy with one another.
I had to stop this crankiness° before it
got out of hand. So I asked them to list
the names of the other students in the
room on two sheets of paper, leaving a
space after each name. Then I told them
to think of the nicest thing they could
say about each of their classmates and
write it down.
It took the remainder of the class
period to finish the assignment, and as
the students left the room, each one
handed me the papers. Charlie smiled.
Mark said, “Thank you for teaching
me, Sister. Have a good weekend.”
That Saturday, I wrote down the
name of each student on a separate sheet
of paper, and I listed what everyone else
had said about that individual.
On Monday I gave each student
his or her list. Before long, the entire
class was smiling. “Really?” I heard
whispered. “I never knew that meant
anything to anyone!” “I didn’t know
others liked me so much!”
No one ever mentioned those
papers in class again. I never knew if
the students discussed them after class
or with their parents, but it didn’t
matter. The exercise had accomplished
its purpose. The students were happy
with themselves and one another again.
That group of students moved on.
Several years later, after I returned
from a vacation, my parents met me at
the airport. As we were driving home,
Mother asked me the usual questions
about the trip—the weather, my
experiences in general. There was a
slight lull° in the conversation. Mother
gave Dad a sideways glance and simply
said, “Dad?” My father cleared his
throat as he usually did before
something important. “The Eklunds
called last night,” he began. “Really?” I
said. “I haven’t heard from them in
years. I wonder how Mark is.”
Dad responded quietly. “Mark was
killed in Vietnam,” he said. “The funeral
91
9
10
11
12
13
14
92
15
16
17
18
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
is tomorrow, and his parents would like
it if you could attend.” To this day I can
still point to the exact spot on I-494
where Dad told me about Mark.
I had never seen a serviceman in a
military coffin before. Mark looked so
handsome, so mature. All I could think
at that moment was, Mark, I would
give all the masking tape in the world if
only you would talk to me.
The church was packed with
Mark’s friends. Chuck’s sister sang “The
Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Why did
it have to rain on the day of the funeral?
It was difficult enough at the graveside.
The pastor said the usual prayers, and
the bugler played taps°. One by one those
who loved Mark took a last walk by the
coffin and sprinkled it with holy water.
I was the last one to bless the
coffin. As I stood there, one of the
soldiers who had acted as pallbearer
came up to me. “Were you Mark’s
math teacher?” he asked. I nodded as I
continued to stare at the coffin. “Mark
talked about you a lot,” he said.
After the funeral, most of Mark’s
former classmates headed to Chuck’s
farmhouse for lunch. Mark’s mother
and father were there, obviously
waiting for me. “We want to show you
something,” his father said, taking a
wallet out of his pocket. “They found
this on Mark when he was killed. We
thought you might recognize it.”
Opening the billfold, he carefully
removed two worn pieces of notebook
paper that had obviously been taped,
folded and refolded many times. I knew
without looking that the papers were the
ones on which I had listed all the good
things each of Mark’s classmates had
said about him. “Thank you so much for
doing that,” Mark’s mother said. “As
you can see, Mark treasured it.”
Mark’s classmates started to gather
around us. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly° and said, “I still have my list. It’s
in the top drawer of my desk at home.”
Chuck’s wife said, “Chuck asked me to
put his list in our wedding album.” “I
have mine too,” Marilyn said. “It’s in my
diary.” Then Vicki, another classmate,
reached into her pocketbook, took out
her wallet, and showed her worn and
frazzled° list to the group. “I carry this
with me at all times,” Vicki said without
batting an eyelash. “I think we all saved
our lists.”
That’s when I finally sat down and
cried. I cried for Mark and for all his
friends who would never see him again.
19
20
21
All the context clues in Review Test 4 are general sense of the sentence. To help students understand
the correct answers on the next page, you might ask or say the following:
Item 1: If Mark had to be reminded over and over again to stop talking, how did he talk?
Item 2: What happens if you hear something over and over again?
Item 3: How did Chuck tell Sister Helen about Mark?
Item 4: Sister Helen went to Mark’s desk with the tape.
Item 5: What describes frustrated and frowning students?
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
93
Vocabulary Questions
Use context clues to help you decide on the best definition for each italicized
word. Then, in the space provided, write the letter of each choice.
B
_____
1. In the excerpt below, the word incessantly (µn-sƒs' ®nt-l∂) means
C. quietly.
A. slowly.
D. pleasantly.
B. constantly.
“Mark talked incessantly. I had to remind him again and again that
talking without permission was not acceptable.” (Paragraph 2)
D
_____
2. In the excerpt below, the words accustomed to (®-k∫s' t®md t) mean
C. warned about.
A. afraid of.
D. used to.
B. confused by.
“What impressed me so much, though, was [Mark’s] sincere
response every time I had to correct him for misbehaving—‘Thank
you for correcting me, Sister!’ I didn’t know what to make of it at
first, but before long I became accustomed to hearing it many
times a day.” (Paragraph 2)
A
_____
3. In the sentence below, the words blurted out (blûrt' µd out) mean
A. said suddenly.
C. ran away.
B. watched for.
D. looked at.
“It wasn’t ten seconds later when Chuck blurted out, ‘Mark is
talking again.’” (Paragraph 4)
B
_____
4. In the excerpt below, the word proceeded (pr˚-s∂d' µd) means
A. stayed.
C. wrote.
B. went.
D. threw.
“I walked to my desk, very deliberately opened my drawer, and
took out a roll of masking tape. Without saying a word, I
proceeded to Mark’s desk, tore off two pieces of tape and made a
big X with them over his mouth.” (Paragraph 5)
C
_____
5. In the sentence below, the word edgy (ƒj' ∂) means
A. funny.
C. easily annoyed.
B. calm.
D. happy.
“We had worked hard on a new concept all week, and I sensed that
the students were frowning, frustrated with themselves—and edgy
with one another.” (Paragraph 8)
94
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
A
_____
6. In the sentence below, the word remainder (rµ-mΩn' d®r) means
A. what was left.
C. smallest part.
B. beginning.
D. memo.
“It took the remainder of the class period to finish the assignment,
and as the students left the room, each one handed me the papers.”
(Paragraph 9)
B
_____
7. In the sentence below, the word individual (µn' d®-vµj' -®l) means
A. day.
C. paper.
B. person.
D. teacher.
“That Saturday, I wrote down the name of each student on a
separate sheet of paper, and I listed what everyone else had said
about that individual.” (Paragraph 10)
C
_____
8. In the excerpt below, the word accomplished (®-k≤m' plµsht) means
A. forgotten.
C. been successful at.
B. liked.
D. missed.
“The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were
happy with themselves and one another again.” (Paragraph 12)
A
_____
9. In the excerpt below, the word responded (rµ-sp≤nd' µd) means
A. answered.
C. asked.
D. left.
B. interrupted.
“‘The Eklunds called last night,’ he began. ‘Really?’ I said. ‘I
haven’t heard from them in years. I wonder how Mark is.’
“Dad responded quietly. ‘Mark was killed in Vietnam,’ he
said.” (Paragraphs 13–14)
B
_____10.
In the sentence below, the word treasured (trƒzh' ®rd) means
A. hid.
C. sold.
B. valued.
D. lost.
“I knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which I
had listed all the good things each of Mark’s classmates had said
about him. ‘Thank you so much for doing that,’ Mark’s mother
said. ‘As you can see, Mark treasured it.’” (Paragraph 19)
Item 6:
Item 7:
Item 8:
Item 9:
Item 10:
How much of the class period was used to finish the assignment?
Synonym clue: each student.
Happy students suggest the assignment was successful.
What did Dad quietly do after he heard Sister Helen’s question?
How did Mark feel about the comments his classmates made?
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
95
Discussion Questions
1. In this story, we read of two classroom incidents involving Sister Helen and
her students. In one, she briefly taped a third-grader’s mouth closed. In
another, she encouraged junior-high students to think of things they liked
about one another. In your opinion, what do these two incidents tell about
Sister Helen? What kind of teacher was she? What kind of person?
2. Why do you think so many of Sister Helen’s students kept their lists for so
long? Why were the lists so important to them? What souvenir of the past
have you kept for a long time? What does it mean to you?
3. At the end of the story, Sister Helen tells us that she “cried for Mark and
for all his friends who would never see him again.” Do you think she might
have been crying for other reasons, too? Explain what they might be.
4. “All the Good Things” has literally traveled around the world. Not only has
it been reprinted in numerous publications, but many readers have sent it
out over the Internet for others to read. Why do you think so many people
love this story? Why do they want to share it with others?
Note: Writing assignments for this selection appear on page 571.
96
TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
Check Your Performance
VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
Activity
Number Right
Points
Score
Review Test 1 (5 items)
__________
×
2
=
__________
Review Test 2 (10 items)
__________
×
3
=
__________
Review Test 3 (10 items)
__________
×
3
=
__________
Review Test 4 (10 items)
__________
×
3
=
__________
TOTAL SCORE
=
__________%
Enter your total score into the Reading Performance Chart: Review Tests on the inside back cover.