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

2. WORDS IN CONTEXT 1. abrasive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1. abrasive
– adjective
• This actress has an abrasive personality—critical and negative. She always seems to rub people the wrong way.
Abrasive means
A. simple.
B. harsh.
C. common.
D. rare.

3. WORDS IN CONTEXT 2. admonish – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2. admonish
– verb
• When the guide found the hikers deep in the woods but unhurt, he admonished them for straying off the trail.
Admonish means
A. to lead.
B. to criticize.
C. to irritate.
D. To praise

4. WORDS IN CONTEXT 3. antithesis – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3. antithesis
– noun
• My taste in music is the antithesis of my brother’s. I like heavy metal, played loud; he likes soft classical music.
Antithesis means
A. the reverse.
B. something superior.
C. an imitation.
D. the same.

5. WORDS IN CONTEXT 4. culmination – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4. culmination
– noun
• For an actor or actress, receiving an Academy Award is often the culmination of many years of effort, progressing from drama school to bit parts to major roles.
Culmination means
A. a series.
B. The beginning
C. a final high point.
D. a cause.

6. WORDS IN CONTEXT 5. exhort
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5. exhort
– verb
• On the eve of the invasion, the general exhorted the troops to fight bravely for their homeland.
Exhort means
A. to accuse.
B. to praise.
C. to urge.
D. To command

7. WORDS IN CONTEXT 6. magnanimous
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6. magnanimous
– adjective
• Last year, someone put my high school picture all over the school. When the I saw it, I was magnanimous-laughed, said it was terrific, and even hung it up over my desk for a while.
Magnanimous means
A. forgiving.
B. consistent.
C. resentful.
D. Inconsistent

8. WORDS IN CONTEXT 7. masochist
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7. masochist
– noun
• “A masochist’s idea of a good time,” said the comedian, “is getting hit by a truck on the way home from having all his teeth pulled.
Masochist means
A. someone filled with hatred.
B. someone who enjoys being hurt.
C. someone who enjoys hurting others.
D. Someone who does not feel pain.

9. WORDS IN CONTEXT 8. meticulous
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8. meticulous
– adjective
• Lebron is meticulous about his appearance. He never has a wrinkle in his clothing or a hair out of place.
Meticulous means
A. very careful.
B. bold.
C. unconcerned.
D. very lazy
Photo: Daderot

10. WORDS IN CONTEXT 9. repugnant
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9. repugnant
– adjective
• My parents find some of my eating habits repugnant, but I see nothing offensive about pineapples on pizza or liver and onions.
• A snake is repugnant to many people—“Slimy!” they say, shivering with distaste. However, snakes are not at all slimy, and most are harmless.
Repugnant means
A. disgusting.
B. amusing.
C. remarkable.
D. tolerable.

11. WORDS IN CONTEXT 10. docile – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10. docile
– adjective
• After only a month of obedience training, our uncontrollable puppy calmed down, learned to pay attention to us, and became far more docile.
Docile means
A. obedient.
B. strong.
C. curable.
D. Disobedient
Photo: US Navy

12. WORDS IN CONTEXT 11. emulate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
11. emulate
– verb
• Youngsters often want to emulate famous athletes. They train almost as hard as the champions do, with dreams of someday being as skilled as their heroes.
Emulate means
A. to admire.
B. to imitate.
C. to submit to.
D. To despise. “

13. WORDS IN CONTEXT 12. hierarchy – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
12. hierarchy
– noun
• The armed forces are a clear example of a strict hierarchy. Everyone has a specific rank and must follow the orders of those whose rank is higher.
PVT
PV2
PFC
SPC
CPL
SGT
SSG
SFC
Hierarchy means
A. a ranked system.
B. a training system.
C. a large system.
D. caste system

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 13. incapacitate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
13. incapacitate
– verb
• My mother can’t tolerate alcohol. Even half a glass of wine incapacitates her; all she can do is giggle for a while and then go to sleep.
Incapacitate means
A. to irritate.
B. to be concerned with.
C. to disable.
D. to delay

15. WORDS IN CONTEXT 14. prognosis – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
14. prognosis
– noun
• Unless something can be done to improve effort and attendance, the prognosis for this student will remain poor and summer school is an option.
Attendance 35 days out
First Q: 50
Second Q: 50
Third Q: 50
Prognosis means
A. a forecast.
B. an illness.
C. an organization.
D. personal opinion

16. WORDS IN CONTEXT 15. tumult – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
15. tumult
– noun
• Spectators at a basketball game are often wild and noisy, and the tumult becomes even greater during a fight.
Tumult means
A. damage.
B. movement.
C. friction.
D. uproar.