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

2. Unit Three: Chapter 16 • adept • presumptuous • encompass • sordid
• entrepreneur • standardize
• eradicate • stint
• homogeneous • stringent
Page 88 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 adept – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 adept
– adjective
• People enjoy visiting my parents, who are adept at making guests feel welcome and at home.
• Justin is an adept liar. He always looks so innocent and sincere that everyone believes his lies.
Adept means
A. skillful.
B. profitable.
C. awkward.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.
An adept rock climber
Photo: Jabez

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 adept – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 adept
– adjective
• People enjoy visiting my parents, who are adept at making guests feel welcome and at home.
• Justin is an adept liar. He always looks so innocent and sincere that everyone believes his lies.
Adept means
A. skillful.
B. profitable.
C. awkward.
Page 88 in textbook.
If people enjoy visiting the parents, the parents must be skillful at making guests feel welcome. If everyone believes Justin’s lies, he must be a skillful liar.
An adept rock climber
Photo: Jabez

5. A valley that encompasses
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 encompass
– verb
• Our history teacher’s broad knowledge of the subject encompasses details of life in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
• Tomorrow’s test will be difficult because it encompasses all the material covered this semester.
Encompass means
A. to suggest.
B. to omit.
C. to include.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
A valley that encompasses
a small village

6. A valley that encompasses
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 encompass
– verb
• Our history teacher’s broad knowledge of the subject encompasses details of life in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
• Tomorrow’s test will be difficult because it encompasses all the material covered this semester.
Encompass means
A. to suggest.
B. to omit.
C. to include.
Page 88 in textbook.
A broad knowledge of history would include knowledge of the details of life in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The test will include all the material covered this semester.
A valley that encompasses
a small village

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 entrepreneur – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 entrepreneur
– noun
• Glenville has no shopping center, but the city is growing so quickly that smart entrepreneurs are sure to start up new businesses there soon.
• My ten-year-old neighbor is already an entrepreneur. He set up a lemonade stand last summer and sold homemade cookies at Halloween.
Entrepreneur means
A. a business investor.
B. an overconfident person.
C. a conformist.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 entrepreneur – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 entrepreneur
– noun
• Glenville has no shopping center, but the city is growing so quickly that smart entrepreneurs are sure to start up new businesses there soon.
• My ten-year-old neighbor is already an entrepreneur. He set up a lemonade stand last summer and sold homemade cookies at Halloween.
Entrepreneur means
A. a business investor.
B. an overconfident person.
C. a conformist.
Page 88 in textbook.
New businesses would be started by business investors. Someone who sets up a lemonade stand in the summer and sells homemade cookies at Halloween is a (small) business investor.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 eradicate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 eradicate
– verb
• In recent years, smallpox has been eradicated—the first time in history that humans have been able to wipe out a disease.
• What makes so many people feel they must eradicate all signs of aging? Why should we have to get rid of our wrinkles and gray hair?
Eradicate means
A. to reveal.
B. to regulate strictly.
C. to erase.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 eradicate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 eradicate
– verb
• In recent years, smallpox has been eradicated—the first time in history that humans have been able to wipe out a disease.
• What makes so many people feel they must eradicate all signs of aging? Why should we have to get rid of our wrinkles and gray hair?
Eradicate means
A. to reveal.
B. to regulate strictly.
C. to erase.
Page 88 in textbook.
The words wipe out suggest that eradicate means “to erase.” Similarly, in the second item, the words get rid of suggest that eradicate means “to erase.”

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 homogeneous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 homogeneous
– adjective
• The student body at the local college appears quite homogeneous, but there are significant social and economic differences among the students.
• “Homogenized” milk has been made homogeneous. This means that it’s treated so it will be of uniform consistency, rather than having the cream rise to the top.
Homogeneous means
A. strictly controlled.
B. the same throughout.
C. of high quality.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 homogeneous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 homogeneous
– adjective
• The student body at the local college appears quite homogeneous, but there are significant social and economic differences among the students.
• “Homogenized” milk has been made homogeneous. This means that it’s treated so it will be of uniform consistency, rather than having the cream rise to the top.
Homogeneous means
A. strictly controlled.
B. the same throughout.
C. of high quality.
Page 88 in textbook.
In spite of the significant differences among the students, the student body appears to be the same throughout. If homogenized milk has a uniform consistency, it is the same throughout.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 presumptuous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 presumptuous
– adjective
• It was presumptuous of Eric to announce his engagement to Phyllis before she had actually agreed to marry him.
• If you ask personal questions at a job interview, you’ll be considered presumptuous. So, for example, don’t ask the interviewer, “What are they paying you?”
Presumptuous means
A. too forward.
B. skilled.
C. cautious.
Page 88 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 presumptuous – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 presumptuous
– adjective
• It was presumptuous of Eric to announce his engagement to Phyllis before she had actually agreed to marry him.
• If you ask personal questions at a job interview, you’ll be considered presumptuous. So, for example, don’t ask the interviewer, “What are they paying you?”
Presumptuous means
A. too forward.
B. skilled.
C. cautious.
Page 88 in textbook.
Since Phyllis had not actually agreed to marry Eric, Eric was being too forward by announcing their engagement. The second item gives an example of a question that will make you seem too forward if you ask it at a job interview.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 sordid – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 sordid
– adjective
• Supermarket tabloids sell well because many people want to know the sordid details of celebrities’ addictions and messy divorces.
• The reformed criminal now lectures at high schools on how to avoid the mistakes that led him into a sordid life as a drug dealer.
Sordid means
A. proud.
B. ugly.
C. natural.
Page 89 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 sordid – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 sordid
– adjective
• Supermarket tabloids sell well because many people want to know the sordid details of celebrities’ addictions and messy divorces.
• The reformed criminal now lectures at high schools on how to avoid the mistakes that led him into a sordid life as a drug dealer.
Sordid means
A. proud.
B. ugly.
C. natural.
Page 89 in textbook.
The details of celebrities’ addictions and messy divorces are ugly. A drug dealer’s life is corrupt and ugly.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 standardize – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 standardize
– verb
• When the company standardized its pay scale, the salary for each type of job became identical throughout all the departments.
• If Jamila begins selling her homemade soup, she’ll have to standardize the ingredients. Now she just puts in whatever she has on hand, so the soup is never the same from one day to the next.
Standardize means
A. to do away with.
B. to make the same.
C. to vary.
Page 89 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 standardize – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 standardize
– verb
• When the company standardized its pay scale, the salary for each type of job became identical throughout all the departments.
• If Jamila begins selling her homemade soup, she’ll have to standardize the ingredients. Now she just puts in whatever she has on hand, so the soup is never the same from one day to the next.
Standardize means
A. to do away with.
B. to make the same.
C. to vary.
Page 89 in textbook.
If the salary for each type of job became identical, the company must have made its pay scale the same throughout all departments. In contrast with the soup never being the same from day to day, Jamila will have to make the ingredients the same every day.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 stint – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 stint
– noun
• My stint serving hamburgers and fries at a fast-food restaurant convinced me that I needed to get a college degree.
• After traveling during her stint in the Navy, Alise wanted a job that would let her continue to see the world.
Stint means
A. a length of time.
B. a risky undertaking.
C. future work.
Page 89 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 stint – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 stint
– noun
• My stint serving hamburgers and fries at a fast-food restaurant convinced me that I needed to get a college degree.
• After traveling during her stint in the Navy, Alise wanted a job that would let her continue to see the world.
Stint means
A. a length of time.
B. a risky undertaking.
C. future work.
Page 89 in textbook.
Spending a length of time serving hamburgers would convince one to get a college degree. Alise spent a length of time in the Navy.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 stringent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 stringent
– adjective
• Ms. Jasper has the most stringent standards in the English department. Passing her course is difficult; getting an A is next to impossible.
• Elected officials should be held to a stringent code of ethics, requiring them to avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing.
Stringent means
A. different.
B. flexible.
C. demanding.
Page 89 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 stringent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 stringent
– adjective
• Ms. Jasper has the most stringent standards in the English department. Passing her course is difficult; getting an A is next to impossible.
• Elected officials should be held to a stringent code of ethics, requiring them to avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing.
Stringent means
A. different.
B. flexible.
C. demanding.
Page 89 in textbook.
If passing Ms. Japser’s course is difficult, she must have demanding standards. A requirement to avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing would be part of a demanding code of ethics.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adept B. encompass C. entrepreneur
D. eradicate
E. homogeneous
F. presumptuous G. sordid H. standardize
I. stint
J. stringent
1. It’s ____________ of Amy to assume she’s got the job when others are still being interviewed.
2. It takes years of study and practice to become __________ at acupuncture.
Page 90 in textbook.
Answers: 1. presumptuous; 2. adept
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adept B. encompass C. entrepreneur
D. eradicate
E. homogeneous
F. presumptuous G. sordid H. standardize
I. stint
J. stringent
1. It’s ____________ of Amy to assume she’s got the job when others are still being interviewed.
presumptuous
Amy is being overly confident if she assumes she has the job while candidates are still being interviewed.
2. It takes years of study and practice to become __________ at acupuncture.
adept
Page 90 in textbook.
To become highly skilled at acupuncture takes years of study and practice.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adept B. encompass C. entrepreneur
D. eradicate
E. homogeneous
F. presumptuous G. sordid H. standardize
I. stint
J. stringent
3. In the novel Oliver Twist, innocent young Oliver falls into the hands of a gang of pickpockets, who teach him their __________ trade.
4. My grandfather held many jobs during his life. He even did a(n) ________ as a circus performer.
Page 90 in textbook.
Answers: 3. sordid; 4. stint; 5. eradicate
The next slide explains the answers.
5. Joyce and Steven’s adopted son was abused in an earlier home. They’re working hard to __________ the lingering effects on him of that experience.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adept B. encompass C. entrepreneur
D. eradicate
E. homogeneous
F. presumptuous G. sordid H. standardize
I. stint
J. stringent
3. In the novel Oliver Twist, innocent young Oliver falls into the hands of a gang of pickpockets, who teach him their __________ trade.
sordid
Picking pockets is a morally low trade.
4. My grandfather held many jobs during his life. He even did a __________ as a circus performer.
stint
Page 90 in textbook.
The grandfather did a specific period of work as a circus performer.
5. Joyce and Steven’s adopted son was abused in an earlier home. They’re working hard to __________ the lingering effects on him of that experience.
eradicate
Joyce and Steven would want to wipe out the effects of abuse on him.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adept B. encompass C. entrepreneur
D. eradicate
E. homogeneous
F. presumptuous G. sordid H. standardize
I. stint
J. stringent
6. The town is so close-knit and __________ that newcomers feel out of place. Many of the residents are even related to each other.
7. The articles in our small newspaper __________ local and statewide news, but not national or international events.
Page 90 in textbook.
Answers: 6. homogeneous; 7. encompass
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adept B. encompass C. entrepreneur
D. eradicate
E. homogeneous
F. presumptuous G. sordid H. standardize
I. stint
J. stringent
6. The town is so close-knit and ____________ that newcomers feel out of place. Many of the residents are even related to each other.
homogeneous
If newcomers feel out of place, the residents must be similar throughout.
7. The articles in our small newspaper __________ local and statewide news, but not national or international events.
encompass
Page 90 in textbook.
The newspaper articles include local and statewide news, but not national or international events.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adept B. encompass C. entrepreneur
D. eradicate
E. homogeneous
F. presumptuous G. sordid H. standardize
I. stint
J. stringent
8. My sister applied to several colleges, some with very high admission standards for their students and others with less __________ requirements.
9. Ramon has just opened an auto repair shop. Now that he’s a(n) __________, he can join the National Association for the Self-Employed.
Page 90 in textbook.
Answers: 8. stringent; 9. entrepreneur; 10. standardize
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Should the high-school curriculum be _______(e)d throughout the state? Or should each school district be free to design its own courses?

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adept B. encompass C. entrepreneur
D. eradicate
E. homogeneous
F. presumptuous G. sordid H. standardize
I. stint
J. stringent
8. My sister applied to several colleges, some with very high admission standards for their students and others with less __________ requirements.
stringent
The words very high…standards suggest strictly controlled requirements.
9. Ramon has just opened an auto repair shop. Now that he’s an ____________, he can join the National Association for the Self-Employed.
entrepreneur
Page 90 in textbook.
Ramon organizes and takes the risk of the auto repair shop.
10. Should the high-school curriculum be __________ throughout the state? Or should each school district be free to design its own courses?
standardized
If each district designs its own courses, the curriculum would not be consistent throughout the state.