1. Second Edition BETH JOHNSON JANET M. GOLDSTEIN
ADVANCED WORD POWER
Second Edition
BETH JOHNSON
JANET M. GOLDSTEIN
© Townsend Press

2. Unit One: Chapter 5 • copious • meander • dearth • peripheral
• eloquent • substantiate
• jargon • unobtrusive
• levity • vacillate
Page 24 in textbook.

3. A copious crop of cranberries
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 copious
– adjective
• The food at the party was too copious; the guests stuffed themselves, but there were still platters and bowls of food left over.
• Weeds are copious in Charlene’s garden, but flowers are few.
Copious means
A. of poor quality.
B. plentiful.
C. persuasive.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
A copious crop of cranberries
Photo: Keith Weller-USDA

4. A copious crop of cranberries
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 copious
– adjective
• The food at the party was too copious; the guests stuffed themselves, but there were still platters and bowls of food left over.
• Weeds are copious in Charlene’s garden, but flowers are few.
Copious means
A. of poor quality.
B. plentiful.
C. persuasive.
Page 24 in textbook.
The food must have been plentiful if there was so much left over. The few flowers are contrasted with the plentiful weeds.
A copious crop of cranberries
Photo: Keith Weller-USDA

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 dearth – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 dearth
– noun
• The director of the Class Night show said gloomily, “We have a dearth of talent this year. Not one of these acts is worth putting on stage.”
• The dearth of snow this winter disappointed the children. They had received new sleds for Christmas but never got a chance to use them.
Dearth means
A. a surplus.
B. a sufficient amount.
C. a shortage.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 dearth – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 dearth
– noun
• The director of the Class Night show said gloomily, “We have a dearth of talent this year. Not one of these acts is worth putting on stage.”
• The dearth of snow this winter disappointed the children. They had received new sleds for Christmas but never got a chance to use them.
Dearth means
A. a surplus.
B. a sufficient amount.
C. a shortage.
Page 24 in textbook.
If there wasn’t a single act worth performing, then there was a shortage of talent. If the children never had a chance to use their new sleds, there must have been a shortage of snow.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 eloquent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 eloquent
– adjective
• Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is considered one of the most eloquent speeches of all time, but on the day he gave it, many in the audience were insulted. They thought it was too short.
• The director of the shelter for battered women wrote an eloquent letter to the newspapers, movingly describing the victims’ plight and pleading for donations.
Eloquent means
A. stirring.
B. confusing.
C. simple.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 eloquent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 eloquent
– adjective
• Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is considered one of the most eloquent speeches of all time, but on the day he gave it, many in the audience were insulted. They thought it was too short.
• The director of the shelter for battered women wrote an eloquent letter to the newspapers, movingly describing the victims’ plight and pleading for donations.
Eloquent means
A. stirring.
B. confusing.
C. simple.
Page 24 in textbook.
In contrast to its shortness, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was a stirring speech. The word movingly suggests that the letter was stirring.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 jargon – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 jargon
– noun
• “It’s essential that you learn the vocabulary of this subject,” the teacher warned us, “or the jargon, if you prefer. Whatever you call it, it will be on the test.”
• Bernice wanted to make a home-cooked meal for her friends but was puzzled by all the jargon in the cookbook. What did braise mean? Or sauté? Or mince?
Jargon means
A. grammatical errors.
B. technical language.
C. humor.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 jargon – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 jargon
– noun
• “It’s essential that you learn the vocabulary of this subject,” the teacher warned us, “or the jargon, if you prefer. Whatever you call it, it will be on the test.”
• Bernice wanted to make a home-cooked meal for her friends but was puzzled by all the jargon in the cookbook. What did braise mean? Or sauté? Or mince?
Jargon means
A. grammatical errors.
B. technical language.
C. humor.
Page 24 in textbook.
The teacher’s phrase vocabulary of this subject suggests that the students will be tested on technical language specific to that subject. The second item lists three examples of technical language used in cooking: braise, sauté, and mince.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 levity – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 levity
– noun
• The playwright George Bernard Shaw once remarked that his method was to say very serious things, but with “the utmost levity.” He wanted to convey weighty ideas through wit and humor.
• The guidance counselor thought Kirk’s attitude showed too much levity. “You should laugh less and spend more time thinking about serious things,” she said.
Levity means
A. seriousness.
B. surprise.
C. lightheartedness.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 levity – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 levity
– noun
• The playwright George Bernard Shaw once remarked that his method was to say very serious things, but with “the utmost levity.” He wanted to convey weighty ideas through wit and humor.
• The guidance counselor thought Kirk’s attitude showed too much levity. “You should laugh less and spend more time thinking about serious things,” she said.
Levity means
A. seriousness.
B. surprise.
C. lightheartedness.
Page 24 in textbook.
The words wit and humor suggest that levity means “lightheartedness.” If Kirk laughs too much, then he is showing lightheartedness instead of a more serious attitude.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 meander – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 meander
– verb
• “Come straight home from school,” Mom always said to us. “Don’t meander.”
• The brook meandered through the valley, disappearing into the underbrush, then coming into view again, and here and there even turning back on itself.
Meander means
A. to wander.
B. to hurry.
C. to fall.
Page 24 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.
A meandering river
Photo: Bill Raften-USFWS

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 meander – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 meander
– verb
• “Come straight home from school,” Mom always said to us. “Don’t meander.”
• The brook meandered through the valley, disappearing into the underbrush, then coming into view again, and here and there even turning back on itself.
Meander means
A. to wander.
B. to hurry.
C. to fall.
Page 24 in textbook.
The children are told not to wander, but come straight home. The phrase turning back on itself suggests that the brook, instead of going straight, wandered through the valley.
A meandering river
Photo: Bill Raften-USFWS

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 peripheral – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 peripheral
– adjective
• The meeting to discuss the new road went slowly because the committee kept bringing up peripheral issues, such as the need for traffic lights on the old road.
• The speaker kept getting sidetracked because audience members repeatedly asked questions about peripheral matters that had little to do with her topic.
Peripheral means
A. essential.
B. of little importance.
C. doubtful.
Page 25 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 peripheral – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 peripheral
– adjective
• The meeting to discuss the new road went slowly because the committee kept bringing up peripheral issues, such as the need for traffic lights on the old road.
• The speaker kept getting sidetracked because audience members repeatedly asked questions about peripheral matters that had little to do with her topic.
Peripheral means
A. essential.
B. of little importance.
C. doubtful.
Page 25 in textbook.
The old road’s needs were of little importance to a discussion about the new road. Questions about matters that had little to do with the subject were of little importance to the speaker’s topic.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 substantiate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 substantiate
– verb
• “If you seek damages under a ‘lemon law,’” the lawyer explained, “be prepared to substantiate your claim that your car is a lemon. You’ll need to show all your repair bills and correspondence.”
• A man in our town claims to be 125 years old, but he’s unable to substantiate this. He has no birth certificate, baptismal certificate, court records, or witnesses.
Substantiate means
A. to report.
B. to repeat.
C. to prove.
Page 25 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 substantiate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 substantiate
– verb
• “If you seek damages under a ‘lemon law,’” the lawyer explained, “be prepared to substantiate your claim that your car is a lemon. You’ll need to show all your repair bills and correspondence.”
• A man in our town claims to be 125 years old, but he’s unable to substantiate this. He has no birth certificate, baptismal certificate, court records, or witnesses.
Substantiate means
A. to report.
B. to repeat.
C. to prove.
Page 25 in textbook.
Repair bills and correspondence are ways to prove that a car is a “lemon.” Birth certificates, baptismal certificates, court records, and witnesses are ways to prove someone’s age.

19. Which tie is unobtrusive?
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 unobtrusive
– adjective
• Jared arrived late for class. Hoping to remain unobtrusive, he quickly slid into a seat at the end of the last row.
• When his favorite author autographed books at the mall, Desmond expected to see a dazzling celebrity. Instead, she turned out to be a small, colorless, unobtrusive person with a timid smile.
Unobtrusive means
A. not noticeable.
B. not easily forgotten.
C. not important.
Page 25 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.
Which tie is unobtrusive?

20. This tie is unobtrusive.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 unobtrusive
– adjective
• Jared arrived late for class. Hoping to remain unobtrusive, he quickly slid into a seat at the end of the last row.
• When his favorite author autographed books at the mall, Desmond expected to see a dazzling celebrity. Instead, she turned out to be a small, colorless, unobtrusive person with a timid smile.
Unobtrusive means
A. not noticeable.
B. not easily forgotten.
C. not important.
Page 25 in textbook.
A late student would try to make himself not noticeable. In contrast to a dazzling celebrity, the small, colorless author was almost not noticeable.
This tie is unobtrusive.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 vacillate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 vacillate
– verb
• Ajay reaches decisions very slowly. For instance, when we went to get ice cream last night, he vacillated between vanilla fudge and chocolate chip for fifteen minutes.
• Should they see a movie or go bowling? Ali and Vanessa vacillated so long over the decision that when they finally decided, it was too late to do either one.
Vacillate means
A. to speak.
B. to hesitate.
C. to select.
Page 25 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 vacillate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 vacillate
– verb
• Ajay reaches decisions very slowly. For instance, when we went to get ice cream last night, he vacillated between vanilla fudge and chocolate chip for fifteen minutes.
• Should they see a movie or go bowling? Ali and Vanessa vacillated so long over the decision that when they finally decided, it was too late to do either one.
Vacillate means
A. to speak.
B. to hesitate.
C. to select.
Page 25 in textbook.
Ajay hesitated for fifteen minutes, trying to make a decision about ice cream. Ali and Vanessa hesitated so long trying to decide what to do that they didn’t have enough time to do anything.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. copious B. dearth C. eloquent
D. jargon
E. levity
F. meander G. peripheral H. substantiate
I. unobtrusive
J. vacillate
1. It took Andre all night to put together the wagon he had bought for his daughter. The instructions were written in a strange _________, such as “Attach flange B to sprocket C and secure with Permacaps.”
2. Isabel got an unfortunate case of the giggles during the boss’s speech. “This is no time for _________,” a colleague hissed at her.
Page 26 in textbook.
Answers: 1. jargon; 2. levity
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. copious B. dearth C. eloquent
D. jargon
E. levity
F. meander G. peripheral H. substantiate
I. unobtrusive
J. vacillate
1. It took Andre all night to put together the wagon he had bought for his daughter. The instructions were written in a strange _________, such as “Attach flange B to sprocket C and secure with Permacaps.”
jargon
Flange and sprocket are specialized words used primarily by mechanics.
2. Isabel got an unfortunate case of the giggles during the boss’s speech. “This is no time for _________,” a colleague hissed at her.
levity
Page 26 in textbook.
Giggling and silliness are not appropriate when one’s boss is giving a speech.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. copious B. dearth C. eloquent
D. jargon
E. levity
F. meander G. peripheral H. substantiate
I. unobtrusive
J. vacillate
3. “Can you ___________ your story that the dog ate your homework?” the teacher asked Kay. “Yes!” Kay said, and showed her the veterinarian’s x-rays.
4. The defense attorney’s closing argument seemed both _________ and convincing, but the jury convicted his client anyway.
Page 26 in textbook.
Answers: 3. substantiate; 4. eloquent; 5. peripheral
The next slide explains the answers.
5. “We’re supposed to be discussing the death penalty,” the moderator reminded the panel. “Let’s not get into _________ issues like conditions in prisons.”

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. copious B. dearth C. eloquent
D. jargon
E. levity
F. meander G. peripheral H. substantiate
I. unobtrusive
J. vacillate
3. “Can you ___________ your story that the dog ate your homework?” the teacher asked Kay. “Yes!” Kay said, and showed her the veterinarian’s x-rays.
substantiate
X-rays showing Kay’s homework in the dog’s stomach would verify her story.
4. The defense attorney’s closing argument seemed both _________ and convincing, but the jury convicted his client anyway.
eloquent
Page 26 in textbook.
The word convincing suggests that eloquent means “persuasive.”
5. “We’re supposed to be discussing the death penalty,” the moderator reminded the panel. “Let’s not get into _________ issues like conditions in prisons.”
peripheral
The issue of prison conditions is connected only slightly to a discussion of the death penalty.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. copious B. dearth C. eloquent
D. jargon
E. levity
F. meander G. peripheral H. substantiate
I. unobtrusive
J. vacillate
6. As she thought about what to wear to her job interview, Amy _________(e)d between a conservative navy-blue suit and a more stylish floral dress.
7. During the final exam, the instructor ________(e)d through the room, up and down the aisles, left and then right, apparently with no particular purpose—but the students knew she was keeping a sharp eye on them.
Page 26 in textbook.
Answers: 6. vacillate; 7. meander
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. copious B. dearth C. eloquent
D. jargon
E. levity
F. meander G. peripheral H. substantiate
I. unobtrusive
J. vacillate
6. As she thought about what to wear to her job interview, Amy ____________ between a conservative navy-blue suit and a more stylish floral dress.
vacillated
She mentally went back and forth between two alternative outfits.
7. During the final exam, the instructor __________ through the room, up and down the aisles, left and then right, apparently with no particular purpose—but the students knew she was keeping a sharp eye on them.
meandered
Page 26 in textbook.
The phrase “without any particular purpose” suggests that the instructor appeared to move aimlessly.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. copious B. dearth C. eloquent
D. jargon
E. levity
F. meander G. peripheral H. substantiate
I. unobtrusive
J. vacillate
8. Remy’s vegetable garden yielded an uneven crop. There was a(n) _________ of tomatoes—three, to be exact—and about a ton of zucchini.
9. “The costumes must be __________,” the playwright urged. “I want the audience to focus on what the actors are saying, not what they’re wearing.”
Page 26 in textbook.
Answers: 8. dearth; 9. unobtrusive; 10. copious
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Ved took _________ notes—they filled three notebooks—but they were so badly organized that they didn’t do him much good.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. copious B. dearth C. eloquent
D. jargon
E. levity
F. meander G. peripheral H. substantiate
I. unobtrusive
J. vacillate
8. Remy’s vegetable garden yielded an uneven crop. There was a _________ of tomatoes—three, to be exact—and about a ton of zucchini.
dearth
In contrast to a ton of zucchini, there was a scarcity of tomatoes.
9. “The costumes must be __________,” the playwright urged. “I want the audience to focus on what the actors are saying, not what they’re wearing.”
unobtrusive
Page 26 in textbook.
He did not want eye-catching costumes to draw attention from his script.
10. Ved took _________ notes—they filled three notebooks—but they were so badly organized that they didn’t do him much good.
copious
Ved must have taken abundant notes to fill three entire notebooks.