1. IMPROVING VOCABULARY SKILLS
Fourth Edition
Sherrie L. Nist
© Townsend Press

2. Unit Three: Chapter 14 • alleviate • infamous • benefactor • intrinsic
• covert • revulsion
• cynic • speculate
• demise • virile
Page 80 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 alleviate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 alleviate
– verb
• To alleviate his loneliness, the widower moved closer to his daughter and her family.
• After a long game in the August heat, the young baseball players alleviated their thirst with ice-cold lemonade.
Alleviate means
A. to consider.
B. to hide.
C. to ease.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
“I find a good workout is
the best way to alleviate stress.”

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 alleviate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 alleviate
– verb
• To alleviate his loneliness, the widower moved closer to his daughter and her family.
• After a long game in the August heat, the young baseball players alleviated their thirst with ice-cold lemonade.
Alleviate means
A. to consider.
B. to hide.
C. to ease.
Page 80 in textbook.
If the widower moved closer to his daughter, it must have been to ease his loneliness. Ice-cold lemonade would ease the baseball players’ thirst.
“I find a good workout is
the best way to alleviate stress.”

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 benefactor – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 benefactor
– noun
• The Second Street Bank is a long-time benefactor of the arts. This year it will sponsor a series of free jazz concerts in the parks.
• The wealthy benefactor who paid for the child’s operation prefers to remain anonymous.
Benefactor means
A. a financial supporter.
B. a social critic.
C. a cooperative person.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 benefactor – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 benefactor
– noun
• The Second Street Bank is a long-time benefactor of the arts. This year it will sponsor a series of free jazz concerts in the parks.
• The wealthy benefactor who paid for the child’s operation prefers to remain anonymous.
Benefactor means
A. a financial supporter.
B. a social critic.
C. a cooperative person.
Page 80 in textbook.
The word sponsor in the first item and the words paid for in the second item tell you that benefactor means “a financial supporter.”

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 covert – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 covert
– adjective
• Miriam and David’s relationship is so covert that they never eat out. Even their best friends don’t know they are seeing each other.
• If you enjoy covert activities, you should become a secret agent.
Covert means
A. obvious.
B. concealed.
C. easy to bear.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 covert 3 covert – adjective – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 covert
3 covert
– adjective
– adjective
• Miriam and David’s relationship is so covert that they never eat out. Even their best friends don’t know they are seeing each other.
• If you enjoy covert activities, you should become a secret agent.
Covert means
A. obvious.
B. concealed.
C. easy to bear.
Page 80 in textbook.
If Miriam and David’s best friends don’t know they are seeing each other, their relationship must be concealed. Secret agents are known for carrying out concealed or secret activities.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 cynic – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 cynic
– noun
• Her parents’ nasty divorce has made Libby a cynic about marriage.
• Mr. Bryant was a cynic about people until he fell down on a street corner and several strangers rushed to his aid.
Cynic means
A. someone who believes the worst.
B. someone who gives help.
C. someone with a bad reputation
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 cynic – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 cynic
– noun
• Her parents’ nasty divorce has made Libby a cynic about marriage.
• Mr. Bryant was a cynic about people until he fell down on a street corner and several strangers rushed to his aid.
Cynic means
A. someone who believes the worst.
B. someone who gives help.
C. someone with a bad reputation
Page 80 in textbook.
Witnessing a nasty divorce could make one believe the worst about marriage. Mr. Bryant stopped believing the worst about people after strangers rushed to help him when he was in trouble.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 demise – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 demise
– noun
• In 1567, a beard caused a man’s demise. Hans Steininger’s beard was so long that he stepped on it while climbing stairs, lost his balance, fell down the steps, and died.
• During my years in grade school and high school, the untimely demise of several of my classmates made me very aware of my mortality.
Demise means
A. popularity.
B. a secret.
C. dying.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 demise 5 demise – noun – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 demise
5 demise
– noun
– noun
• In 1567, a beard caused a man’s demise. Hans Steininger’s beard was so long that he stepped on it while climbing stairs, lost his balance, fell down the steps, and died.
• During my years in grade school and high school, the untimely demise of several of my classmates made me very aware of my mortality.
Demise means
A. popularity.
B. a secret.
C. dying.
Page 80 in textbook.
In the first item, the word died tells you that demise means “dying.” In the second item, the word mortality suggests that the person is talking about classmates who died.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 infamous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 infamous
– adjective
• King Henry VIII of England was infamous throughout Europe for executing two of his six wives.
• Visitors to the dungeons of ancient castles always want to see the instruments of torture, including the infamous Iron Maiden— body-shaped box with spikes inside.
Infamous means
A. known unfavorably.
B. thought to be annoying.
C. giving hope.
Page 80 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 infamous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 infamous
– adjective
• King Henry VIII of England was infamous throughout Europe for executing two of his six wives.
• Visitors to the dungeons of ancient castles always want to see the instruments of torture, including the infamous Iron Maiden— body-shaped box with spikes inside.
Infamous means
A. known unfavorably.
B. thought to be annoying.
C. giving hope.
Page 80 in textbook.
Executing one’s wives would make one known unfavorably. A body-shaped box with spikes inside would be known unfavorably.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 intrinsic – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 intrinsic
– adjective
• Trust is intrinsic to any good friendship.
• Because Lian has an intrinsic desire to learn, she doesn’t need the reward of good grades to motivate her studies.
Intrinsic means
A. secret.
B. fundamental.
C. unnecessary.
Page 81 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 intrinsic – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 intrinsic
– adjective
• Trust is intrinsic to any good friendship.
• Because Lian has an intrinsic desire to learn, she doesn’t need the reward of good grades to motivate her studies.
Intrinsic means
A. secret.
B. fundamental.
C. unnecessary.
Page 81 in textbook.
Trust is fundamental to a good friendship. If Lian doesn’t need any reward to motivate her to study, she must have a fundamental desire to learn.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 revulsion – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 revulsion
– noun
• Whenever I read about child abuse in the newspaper, I am filled with such revulsion that I often cannot finish the article.
• When Sharon met the man who had cheated her father, she was overcome with revulsion.
Revulsion means
A. interest.
B. hatred.
C. understanding.
Page 81 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 revulsion – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 revulsion
– noun
• Whenever I read about child abuse in the newspaper, I am filled with such revulsion that I often cannot finish the article.
• When Sharon met the man who had cheated her father, she was overcome with revulsion.
Revulsion means
A. interest.
B. hatred.
C. understanding.
Page 81 in textbook.
Reading about child abuse can fill one with hatred. It would be natural for Sharon to feel hatred toward the man who cheated her father.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 speculate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 speculate
– verb
• It’s interesting to speculate how history might have been different if Abraham Lincoln had lived a few years longer.
• The therapist asked Cassie to speculate about what might happen if she told Leon her true feelings.
Speculate means
A. to remember.
B. to announce.
C. to guess.
Page 81 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 speculate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 speculate
– verb
• It’s interesting to speculate how history might have been different if Abraham Lincoln had lived a few years longer.
• The therapist asked Cassie to speculate about what might happen if she told Leon her true feelings.
Speculate means
A. to remember.
B. to announce.
C. to guess.
Page 81 in textbook.
We can only guess how things might have been different if Lincoln had lived longer. Cassie can only guess what might happen if she tells Leon her true feelings.

21. Virile football players
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 virile
– adjective
• Men who are unsure about their masculinity sometimes try to “prove” they are virile by being overly aggressive.
• When a male heron stamps his feet and sticks his neck out, and then drops his head and says “plop-buzz,” the female finds him very virile. In fact, that behavior is how the male attracts a mate.
Virile means
A. having attractive male qualities.
B. lacking in confidence.
C. unselfish.
Page 81 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.
Virile football players

22. Virile football players
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 virile
– adjective
• Men who are unsure about their masculinity sometimes try to “prove” they are virile by being overly aggressive.
• When a male heron stamps his feet and sticks his neck out, and then drops his head and says “plop-buzz,” the female finds him very virile. In fact, that behavior is how the male attracts a mate.
Virile means
A. having attractive male qualities.
B. lacking in confidence.
C. unselfish.
Page 81 in textbook.
A man who is unsure about his masculinity would try to prove he had manly qualities. In the second item, if the male heron’s behavior attracts a mate, the female must feel it shows he has attractive male qualities.
Virile football players

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. alleviate B. benefactor C. covert
D. cynic
E. demise
F. infamous G. intrinsic H. revulsion
I. speculate
J. virile
1. Problems are __________ to life; they’re unavoidable.
2. My hunger isn’t fully satisfied, but the apple _______(e)d it somewhat.
Page 82 in textbook.
Answers: 1. intrinsic; 2. alleviate
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. alleviate B. benefactor C. covert
D. cynic
E. demise
F. infamous G. intrinsic H. revulsion
I. speculate
J. virile
1. Problems are __________ to life; they’re unavoidable.
intrinsic
If problems are unavoidable, they must be part of the very nature of life.
2. My hunger isn’t fully satisfied, but the apple __________ it somewhat.
alleviated
Page 82 in textbook.
An apple would relieve hunger.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. alleviate B. benefactor C. covert
D. cynic
E. demise
F. infamous G. intrinsic H. revulsion
I. speculate
J. virile
3. Teenage guys usually welcome a deepening voice and a thickening beard as signs that they are becoming more __________.
4. The selfless work of the nuns in the slums of India is enough to touch the hearts of most hardened _________s.
Page 82 in textbook.
Answers: 3. virile; 4. cynic; 5. infamous
The next slide explains the answers.
5. Though she was tried and found not guilty, Lizzie Borden is still __________ for killing her parents with a hatchet.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. alleviate B. benefactor C. covert
D. cynic
E. demise
F. infamous G. intrinsic H. revulsion
I. speculate
J. virile
3. Teenage guys usually welcome a deepening voice and a thickening beard as signs that they are becoming more __________.
virile
These changes would make them seem more manly.
4. The selfless work of the nuns in the slums of India is enough to touch the hearts of most hardened _________.
cynics
Page 82 in textbook.
Seeing such work would touch the hearts of even those who believe the worst about people.
5. Though she was tried and found not guilty, Lizzie Borden is still __________ for killing her parents with a hatchet.
infamous
A woman accused of killing her parents with a hatchet would be widely known for being vicious.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. alleviate B. benefactor C. covert
D. cynic
E. demise
F. infamous G. intrinsic H. revulsion
I. speculate
J. virile
6. The children loved the __________ activities involved in preparing their mother’s surprise party.
7. The mass murderer’s neighbors were overcome with __________ when they learned what their “friend” had been doing in his basement.
Page 82 in textbook.
Answers: 6. covert; 7. revulsion
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. alleviate B. benefactor C. covert
D. cynic
E. demise
F. infamous G. intrinsic H. revulsion
I. speculate
J. virile
6. The children loved the __________ activities involved in preparing their mother’s surprise party.
covert
If the party was to be a surprise, the preparations would have to be secret.
7. The mass murderer’s neighbors were overcome with __________ when they learned what their “friend” had been doing in his basement.
revulsion
Page 82 in textbook.
If the man has been killing people in his basement, the neighbors would be overcome with disgust.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. alleviate B. benefactor C. covert
D. cynic
E. demise
F. infamous G. intrinsic H. revulsion
I. speculate
J. virile
8. “As no group has claimed responsibility, we can only __________ on the motives for the bombing,” said the newscaster.
9. Roger Novak had been a well-known __________ of AIDS research, so it was no surprise that he left a lot of money for the research in his will.
Page 82 in textbook.
Answers: 8. speculate; 9. benefactor; 10. demise
The next slide explains the answers.
10. It’s a good idea for married couples to discuss their funeral plans in case of each other’s __________. For example, do they wish to be buried or cremated?

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. alleviate B. benefactor C. covert
D. cynic
E. demise
F. infamous G. intrinsic H. revulsion
I. speculate
J. virile
8. “As no group has claimed responsibility, we can only __________ on the motives for the bombing,” said the newscaster.
speculate
People can only guess at the motives for the bombing.
9. Roger Novak had been a well-known __________ of AIDS research, so it was no surprise that he left a lot of money for the research in his will.
benefactor
Page 82 in textbook.
The fact that Novak “left a lot of money for research” tells you that a benefactor is a person who gives financial aid.
10. It’s a good idea for married couples to discuss their funeral plans in case of each other’s __________. For example, do they wish to be buried or cremated?
demise
Burial and cremation are two ways to handle the body after death.