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

2. Unit One: Chapter 3 • acclaim • exploit • adjacent • methodical
• elicit • obsolete
• engross • tangible
• escalate • terminate
Page 16 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 acclaim – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 acclaim
– noun
• Any subway system that is clean, quiet, and safe deserves acclaim.
• Although Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings are now worth millions of dollars, the artist received little acclaim in his lifetime and died in poverty.
Acclaim means
A. criticism.
B. praise.
C. change.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 acclaim – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 acclaim
– noun
• Any subway system that is clean, quiet, and safe deserves acclaim.
• Although Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings are now worth millions of dollars, the artist received little acclaim in his lifetime and died in poverty.
Acclaim means
A. criticism.
B. praise.
C. change.
Page 16 in textbook.
A clean, quiet, safe subway system would deserve praise. If Van Gogh died in poverty, he must have received little praise as an artist during his lifetime.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 adjacent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 adjacent
– adjective
• Because their desks are adjacent, Jeff and Kellie often exchange looks and comments.
• If you keep your dishes in a cupboard that’s adjacent to the dishwasher, you won’t have to walk too far when putting away the clean dishes.
Adjacent means
A. close.
B. similar.
C. separated.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 adjacent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 adjacent
– adjective
• Because their desks are adjacent, Jeff and Kellie often exchange looks and comments.
• If you keep your dishes in a cupboard that’s adjacent to the dishwasher, you won’t have to walk too far when putting away the clean dishes.
Adjacent means
A. close.
B. similar.
C. separated.
Page 16 in textbook.
Jeff and Kellie would be able to exchange looks and comments if their desks were close to one another. If the cupboard were close to the dishwasher, you wouldn’t have to walk too far to put away the dishes.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 elicit – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 elicit
– verb
• The movie star’s violet eyes always elicit admiration and wonder.
• The basketball player’s three-point shot to win the game in its final seconds elicited a roar of delight from the excited fans.
Elicit means
A. to stop.
B. to follow.
C. to bring out.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 elicit – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 elicit
– verb
• The movie star’s violet eyes always elicit admiration and wonder.
• The basketball player’s three-point shot to win the game in its final seconds elicited a roar of delight from the excited fans.
Elicit means
A. to stop.
B. to follow.
C. to bring out.
Page 16 in textbook.
Violet eyes would bring out admiration and wonder. A game-winning shot in the final seconds would bring out a roar of delight from the fans.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 engross – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 engross
– verb
• The suspenseful TV movie so engrossed Bryan that he didn’t even budge when he was called to dinner.
• The fascinating single-file march of black ants along the sidewalk engrossed me for several minutes.
Engross means
A. to hold the interest of.
B. to disgust.
C. to bore.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.
A chocolate maker
engrossed in his work

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 engross – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 engross
– verb
• The suspenseful TV movie so engrossed Bryan that he didn’t even budge when he was called to dinner.
• The fascinating single-file march of black ants along the sidewalk engrossed me for several minutes.
Engross means
A. to hold the interest of.
B. to disgust.
C. to bore.
Page 16 in textbook.
If Bryan didn’t budge when called for dinner, the suspenseful movie must have held his interest. If the ant march was fascinating, it would hold a person’s interest.
A chocolate maker
engrossed in his work

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 escalate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 escalate
– verb
• The fight between the two hockey players escalated into an all-out battle among members of both teams.
• “We need to escalate our fund-raising efforts,” the theater manager said. “Otherwise, the company won’t survive.”
Escalate means
A. to expand.
B. to delay.
C. to weaken.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 escalate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 escalate
– verb
• The fight between the two hockey players escalated into an all-out battle among members of both teams.
• “We need to escalate our fund-raising efforts,” the theater manager said. “Otherwise, the company won’t survive.”
Escalate means
A. to expand.
B. to delay.
C. to weaken.
Page 16 in textbook.
If the fight began between two players and ended as an all-out battle among the members of both teams, it expanded. If the company’s survival is in danger (for lack of funds), the company would need to expand its fund-raising efforts.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 exploit – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 exploit
– verb
• At the turn of the century, factory owners exploited children by making them work in terrible conditions for as many as eighteen hours a day.
• Although Ricky is the English teacher’s son, he refuses to exploit his status. He works as hard as anyone else in the class.
Exploit means
A. to forget.
B. to take advantage of.
C. to be sad about.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 exploit – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 exploit
– verb
• At the turn of the century, factory owners exploited children by making them work in terrible conditions for as many as eighteen hours a day.
• Although Ricky is the English teacher’s son, he refuses to exploit his status. He works as hard as anyone else in the class.
Exploit means
A. to forget.
B. to take advantage of.
C. to be sad about.
Page 16 in textbook. .
To make children work in terrible conditions for eighteen hours a day is to take advantage of children. If Ricky works as hard as anyone else, he is refusing to take advantage of his status.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 methodical – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 methodical
– adjective
• A methodical way to store spices is to shelve them in alphabetical order.
• Juanita is so methodical about her diet that she classifies the foods in each meal into different nutritional categories.
Methodical means
A. accidental.
B. out-of-date.
C. orderly.
Page 17 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 methodical – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 methodical
– adjective
• A methodical way to store spices is to shelve them in alphabetical order.
• Juanita is so methodical about her diet that she classifies the foods in each meal into different nutritional categories.
Methodical means
A. accidental.
B. out-of-date.
C. orderly.
Page 17 in textbook.
Putting spices in alphabetical order is an orderly way to store them. If Juanita classifies the foods in nutritional categories, she is being orderly.

17. Obsolete farm equipment
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 obsolete
– adjective
• Cell phones are so common now that they have made pagers almost obsolete.
• In the United States, the automobile quickly made travel by horse and carriage obsolete.
Obsolete means
A. popular.
B. useful.
C. extinct.
Page 17 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
Obsolete farm equipment

18. Obsolete farm equipment
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 obsolete
– adjective
• Cell phones are so common now that they have made pagers almost obsolete.
• In the United States, the automobile quickly made travel by horse and carriage obsolete.
Obsolete means
A. popular.
B. useful.
C. extinct.
Page 17 in textbook.
Because of cell phones, pagers are almost extinct. Travel by horse and carriage became extinct when automobiles took over.
Obsolete farm equipment

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 tangible – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 tangible
– adjective
• The sculptor loved making her ideas tangible by giving them form in metal and stone.
• Corn-chip crumbs, empty soda bottles, and dirty napkins were tangible evidence that a party had taken place the night before.
Tangible means
A. clever.
B. solid.
C. hidden.
Page 17 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 tangible – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 tangible
– adjective
• The sculptor loved making her ideas tangible by giving them form in metal and stone.
• Corn-chip crumbs, empty soda bottles, and dirty napkins were tangible evidence that a party had taken place the night before.
Tangible means
A. clever.
B. solid.
C. hidden.
Page 17 in textbook.
Transforming ideas into metal and stone sculptures would make those ideas solid. Corn-chip crumbs, empty soda bottles, and dirty napkins are solid evidence of the party.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 terminate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 terminate
– verb
• As the clock’s hands inched toward 3:00, the students waited impatiently for the bell to terminate the last class before spring vacation.
• The referee should have terminated the boxing match when he first saw the weaker fighter losing the ability to defend himself.
Terminate means
A. to end.
B. to revive.
C. to begin.
Page 17 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 terminate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 terminate
– verb
• As the clock’s hands inched toward 3:00, the students waited impatiently for the bell to terminate the last class before spring vacation.
• The referee should have terminated the boxing match when he first saw the weaker fighter losing the ability to defend himself.
Terminate means
A. to end.
B. to revive.
C. to begin.
Page 17 in textbook.
The 3:00 bell would end the last class before vacation. If the boxer was losing the ability to defend himself, the fight should have been ended.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acclaim B. adjacent C. elicit
D. engross
E. escalate
F. exploit G. methodical H. obsolete
I. tangible
J. terminate
1. A wedding ring is a(n) _________ expression of a couple’s commitment to each other.
2. If solar energy becomes as cheap and plentiful as sunshine, nuclear energy, which is expensive, may become __________.
Page 18 in textbook.
Answers: 1. tangible; 2. obsolete
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acclaim B. adjacent C. elicit
D. engross
E. escalate
F. exploit G. methodical H. obsolete
I. tangible
J. terminate
1. A wedding ring is a ____________ expression of a couple’s commitment to each other.
tangible
A wedding ring (an object that symbolizes a couple’s commitment) is something that can be touched.
2. If solar energy becomes as cheap and plentiful as sunshine, nuclear energy, which is expensive, may become __________.
Page 18 in textbook.
obsolete
A plentiful and cheap energy source would make an expensive energy source become extinct.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acclaim B. adjacent C. elicit
D. engross
E. escalate
F. exploit G. methodical H. obsolete
I. tangible
J. terminate
3. With movies like Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and Charlie Wilson’s War to his credit, actor Tom Hanks has won Oscars and the ________ of admiring critics.
4. Our house is __________ to one with a high wooden fence, so our view on that side is completely blocked.
Page 18 in textbook.
Answers: 3. acclaim; 4. adjacent; 5. escalate
The next slide explains the answers.
5. The shouting match between Rose and her brother ______(e)d until it was so loud that the neighbors complained.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acclaim B. adjacent C. elicit
D. engross
E. escalate
F. exploit G. methodical H. obsolete
I. tangible
J. terminate
3. With movies like Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and Charlie Wilson’s War to his credit, actor Tom Hanks has won Oscars and the ________ of admiring critics.
acclaim
Tom Hanks has won praise for his roles in movies such as these.
4. Our house is __________ to one with a high wooden fence, so our view on that side is completely blocked.
adjacent
Page 18 in textbook.
If the high fence blocks their view, their house must be close to it.
5. The shouting match between Rose and her brother _________ until it was so loud that the neighbors complained.
escalated
The shouting match must have intensified if it became so loud that the neighbors complained.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acclaim B. adjacent C. elicit
D. engross
E. escalate
F. exploit G. methodical H. obsolete
I. tangible
J. terminate
6. Sometimes an article I’m reading on the bus will __________me so much that I’ll pass my stop.
7. When workers feel _______(e)d by their employers, they often go on strike for larger salaries and better working conditions.
Page 18 in textbook.
Answers: 6. engross; 7. exploit
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acclaim B. adjacent C. elicit
D. engross
E. escalate
F. exploit G. methodical H. obsolete
I. tangible
J. terminate
6. Sometimes an article I’m reading on the bus will __________me so much that I’ll pass my stop.
engross
One would have to be absorbed in the article to miss one’s bus stop.
7. When workers feel __________ by their employers, they often go on strike for larger salaries and better working conditions.
exploited
Page 18 in textbook.
If employees go on strike, they must feel they are being taken unfair advantage of by their employers.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acclaim B. adjacent C. elicit
D. engross
E. escalate
F. exploit G. methodical H. obsolete
I. tangible
J. terminate
8. Diana is very __________ when it comes to cooking. She reads the recipe carefully, gathers all the ingredients, and gets out the utensils before beginning.
9. When Luke was caught stealing money on the job, the company _______(e)d his employment and brought him up on criminal charges.
Page 18 in textbook.
Answers: 8. methodical; 9. terminate; 10. elicit
The next slide explains the answers.
10. In one disturbing survey, the question “Which do you like better, TV or Daddy?” _______(e)d this response from a number of children: “TV.”

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. acclaim B. adjacent C. elicit
D. engross
E. escalate
F. exploit G. methodical H. obsolete
I. tangible
J. terminate
8. Diana is very __________ when it comes to cooking. She reads the recipe carefully, gathers all the ingredients, and gets out the utensils before beginning.
methodical
The second sentence describes three ways that Diana is systematic.
9. When Luke was caught stealing money on the job, the company __________ his employment and brought him up on criminal charges.
terminated
Page 18 in textbook.
One would expect the company to stop Luke’s employment if he was caught stealing money on the job.
10. In one disturbing survey, the question “Which do you like better, TV or Daddy?” __________ this response from a number of children: “TV.”
elicited
Asking the question brought forth the response from the children.