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

2. Unit Five: Chapter 25 • disparity • obsequious
• forestall • omnipotent
• insidious • opportune
• insinuate • permeate
• interrogate • retribution
Page 144 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 disparity – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 disparity
– noun
• There’s an enormous disparity between the multi-million-dollar incomes of top executives and the modest paychecks most people earn.
• Shirley and Jason don’t let the disparity in their ages weaken their marriage, but Jason’s mother isn’t happy with a daughter-in-law her own age.
Disparity means
A. a combination.
B. a gap.
C. a closeness.
Page 144 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
There is a
disparity
between the
height of the
man in the red
coat and that
of the girl in
the blue shirt.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 disparity – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 disparity
– noun
• There’s an enormous disparity between the multi-million-dollar incomes of top executives and the modest paychecks most people earn.
• Shirley and Jason don’t let the disparity in their ages weaken their marriage, but Jason’s mother isn’t happy with a daughter-in-law her own age.
Disparity means
A. a combination.
B. a gap.
C. a closeness.
Page 144 in textbook.
There is a
disparity
between the
height of the
man in the red
coat and that
of the girl in
the blue shirt.
There is a large gap between multi-million-dollar incomes and modest paychecks. If Shirley is the same age as Jason’s mother, there must be a gap between her age and Jason’s age.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 forestall – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 forestall
– verb
• The owners of the failing store hoped that the huge sale would bring in enough cash to forestall bankruptcy.
• When the environmentalists were unable to forestall the destruction of the forest by legal means, they lay down in front of the developer’s bulldozers.
Forestall means
A. to keep from happening.
B. to predict.
C. to pay for.
Page 144 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 forestall – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 forestall
– verb
• The owners of the failing store hoped that the huge sale would bring in enough cash to forestall bankruptcy.
• When the environmentalists were unable to forestall the destruction of the forest by legal means, they lay down in front of the developer’s bulldozers.
Forestall means
A. to keep from happening.
B. to predict.
C. to pay for.
Page 144 in textbook.
The owners would hope to bring in enough cash to keep bankruptcy from happening. If the environmentalists lay down in front of the bulldozers, they must have been trying to keep the destruction from happening.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 insidious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 insidious
– adjective
• Lyme disease is insidious because although it is very serious, it starts with a nearly invisible tick bite, and its early symptoms are mild.
• Many people fear that farm chemicals have insidious effects. The chemicals don’t seem harmful, but cancer rates have started to increase.
Insidious means
A. badly timed.
B. subtly harmful.
C. all-powerful.
Page 144 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 insidious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 insidious
– adjective
• Lyme disease is insidious because although it is very serious, it starts with a nearly invisible tick bite, and its early symptoms are mild.
• Many people fear that farm chemicals have insidious effects. The chemicals don’t seem harmful, but cancer rates have started to increase.
Insidious means
A. badly timed.
B. subtly harmful.
C. all-powerful.
Page 144 in textbook.
Since the cause of Lyme disease is nearly invisible and the early symptoms mild, the disease is subtly harmful. If the farm chemicals don’t seem harmful but eventually cause cancer, the chemicals are subtly harmful.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 insinuate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 insinuate
– verb
• He didn’t come right out and say it, but Mr. Shriber insinuated that someone in the class had gotten hold of the test ahead of time.
• “You always find time to help Sandy with her homework,” my sister said to me, as if to insinuate that I was flirting with Sandy.
Insinuate means
A. to hint.
B. to wish.
C. to state directly.
Page 144 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 insinuate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 insinuate
– verb
• He didn’t come right out and say it, but Mr. Shriber insinuated that someone in the class had gotten hold of the test ahead of time.
• “You always find time to help Sandy with her homework,” my sister said to me, as if to insinuate that I was flirting with Sandy.
Insinuate means
A. to hint.
B. to wish.
C. to state directly.
Page 144 in textbook.
If Mr. Shriber didn’t actually say it, he must have only hinted someone had gotten hold of the test. In the second item, the sister’s doesn’t say the speaker is flirting—she only hints at it.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 interrogate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 interrogate
– verb
• Before the police interrogated the suspect, they informed him of his right not to answer their questions.
• “You never just ask me if I had a nice time with my date,” Tyrell complained to his parents. “Instead, you sit me down at the kitchen table and interrogate me.”
Interrogate means
A. to ask questions.
B. to delay.
C. to abuse.
Page 144 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 interrogate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 interrogate
– verb
• Before the police interrogated the suspect, they informed him of his right not to answer their questions.
• “You never just ask me if I had a nice time with my date,” Tyrell complained to his parents. “Instead, you sit me down at the kitchen table and interrogate me.”
Interrogate means
A. to ask questions.
B. to delay.
C. to abuse.
Page 144 in textbook.
In the first item, the word questions indicates that interrogate means “to ask questions.” In the second item, in contrast with just asking Tyrell if he had a nice time, he says they ask him many questions.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 obsequious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 obsequious
– adjective
• Each of the queen’s advisers tried to be more obsequious than the others, bowing as low as possible and uttering flowery compliments.
• Marge constantly flatters the boss, calls him “sir,” and agrees loudly with everything he says. However, her obsequious behavior only annoys him.
Obsequious means
A. unequal in rank.
B. overly eager to please.
C. methodical.
Page 144 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
“Being obsequious will get you
nowhere with me, Wilson!”

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 obsequious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 obsequious
– adjective
• Each of the queen’s advisers tried to be more obsequious than the others, bowing as low as possible and uttering flowery compliments.
• Marge constantly flatters the boss, calls him “sir,” and agrees loudly with everything he says. However, her obsequious behavior only annoys him.
Obsequious means
A. unequal in rank.
B. overly eager to please.
C. methodical.
Page 144 in textbook.
If the queen’s advisors bow as low as possible and utter flowery compliments, they seem overly eager to please. The description of Marge’s actions suggests that she is overly eager to please the boss.
“Being obsequious will get you
nowhere with me, Wilson!”

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 omnipotent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 omnipotent
– adjective
• The American government is designed so that no one branch can be omnipotent. Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court share power and hold each other in check.
• Small children think of their parents as omnipotent—able to do anything, control everything, and grant whatever a child might wish for.
Omnipotent means
A. totally good.
B. willing to serve.
C. all-powerful.
Page 145 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 omnipotent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 omnipotent
– adjective
• The American government is designed so that no one branch can be omnipotent. Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court share power and hold each other in check.
• Small children think of their parents as omnipotent—able to do anything, control everything, and grant whatever a child might wish for.
Omnipotent means
A. totally good.
B. willing to serve.
C. all-powerful.
Page 145 in textbook.
If the three branches of the government share power, no one branch is all-powerful. People who can do anything, control everything, and grant all wishes are all-powerful.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 opportune – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 opportune
– adjective
• Althea thought that her parents’ anniversary would be an opportune time to announce her own engagement. They could have a double celebration.
• The job offer came at an especially opportune time. I had just decided that I might like to work for a year or so before returning to school.
Opportune means
A. appropriate.
B. difficult.
C. early.
Page 145 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 opportune – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 opportune
– adjective
• Althea thought that her parents’ anniversary would be an opportune time to announce her own engagement. They could have a double celebration.
• The job offer came at an especially opportune time. I had just decided that I might like to work for a year or so before returning to school.
Opportune means
A. appropriate.
B. difficult.
C. early.
Page 145 in textbook.
Althea’s parents’ anniversary would be an appropriate time for her to announce her own impending marriage. If the speaker has just decided that he or she wants to work, the job offer came at an appropriate time.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 permeate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 permeate
– verb
• The strong scent of Kate’s perfume soon permeated the entire room.
• The weather was so rainy and damp that moisture seemed to permeate everything: curtains hung limply, towels wouldn’t dry, and windows were fogged over.
Permeate means
A. to harm.
B. to penetrate.
C. to make unclear.
Page 145 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 permeate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 permeate
– verb
• The strong scent of Kate’s perfume soon permeated the entire room.
• The weather was so rainy and damp that moisture seemed to permeate everything: curtains hung limply, towels wouldn’t dry, and windows were fogged over.
Permeate means
A. to harm.
B. to penetrate.
C. to make unclear.
Page 145 in textbook.
If the scent of the perfume was strong, it would penetrate the whole room. In the second item, if the curtains hung limp, the towels wouldn’t dry, and the windows were fogged over, the moisture seems to have penetrated everything.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 retribution – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 retribution
– noun
• Some “sins” in life have their own built-in retribution. For example, if you get drunk, you’ll have a hangover; if you overeat, you’ll gain weight.
• For much of human history, before science could explain diseases, many people believed that any illness was a retribution for immoral behavior.
Retribution means
A. an inequality.
B. an obstacle.
C. a penalty.
Page 145 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 retribution – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 retribution
– noun
• Some “sins” in life have their own built-in retribution. For example, if you get drunk, you’ll have a hangover; if you overeat, you’ll gain weight.
• For much of human history, before science could explain diseases, many people believed that any illness was a retribution for immoral behavior.
Retribution means
A. an inequality.
B. an obstacle.
C. a penalty.
Page 145 in textbook.
A hangover is a built-in penalty for getting drunk and gaining weight a built-in penalty for overeating. Many people used to believe that illness was a penalty for immoral behavior.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. disparity B. forestall C. insidious
D. insinuate
E. interrogate
F. obsequious G. omnipotent H. opportune
I. permeate
J. retribution
1. When our dog was sprayed by a skunk, the smell soon _______(e)d the house.
2. To __________ complaints about unrepaired potholes, the township set up a “pothole hotline” and promised to fill in any reported hole within two days.
Page 146 in textbook.
Answers: 1. permeate; 2. forestall
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. disparity B. forestall C. insidious
D. insinuate
E. interrogate
F. obsequious G. omnipotent H. opportune
I. permeate
J. retribution
1. When our dog was sprayed by a skunk, the smell soon __________ the house.
permeate
The smell of the skunk would spread throughout the house.
2. To __________ complaints about unrepaired potholes, the township set up a “pothole hotline” and promised to fill in any reported hole within two days.
forestall
Page 146 in textbook.
By quickly filling potholes the township is trying to prevent complaints.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. disparity B. forestall C. insidious
D. insinuate
E. interrogate
F. obsequious G. omnipotent H. opportune
I. permeate
J. retribution
3. Because no one else’s hand was raised, I considered it a(n) _______ moment to ask a question.
4. In many countries, political prisoners who are being _______(e)d by the secret police are likely to be tortured in an attempt to force answers from them.
Page 146 in textbook.
Answers: 3. opportune; 4. interrogate; 5. retribution
The next slide explains the answers.
5. When the Earl of Essex plotted against his queen, Elizabeth I of England, __________ was swift and harsh: she had him beheaded for treason.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. disparity B. forestall C. insidious
D. insinuate
E. interrogate
F. obsequious G. omnipotent H. opportune
I. permeate
J. retribution
3. Because no one else’s hand was raised, I considered it an __________ moment to ask a question.
opportune
If no one else had a question, it was a suitable moment to ask one.
4. In many countries, political prisoners who are being __________ by the secret police are likely to be tortured in an attempt to force answers from them.
interrogated
Page 146 in textbook.
If the police want answers, they must be questioning the prisoners.
5. When the Earl of Essex plotted against his queen, Elizabeth I of England, __________ was swift and harsh: she had him beheaded for treason.
retribution
Being beheaded was the punishment the queen gave Essex for his treason.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. disparity B. forestall C. insidious
D. insinuate
E. interrogate
F. obsequious G. omnipotent H. opportune
I. permeate
J. retribution
6. “There seems to be quite a _________,” Shannon objected to the car dealer “between your cost and the sticker price.”
7. The effects of certain prescription drugs, such as Valium, can be __________. People who take them may slip into addiction without being aware of it.
Page 146 in textbook.
Answers: 6. disparity; 7. insidious
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. disparity B. forestall C. insidious
D. insinuate
E. interrogate
F. obsequious G. omnipotent H. opportune
I. permeate
J. retribution
6. “There seems to be quite a _________,” Shannon objected to the car dealer “between your cost and the sticker price.”
disparity
There is a difference between the dealer’s cost and the sticker price.
7. The effects of certain prescription drugs, such as Valium, can be __________. People who take them may slip into addiction without being aware of it.
insidious
Page 146 in textbook.
A drug that addicts people without their being aware of it is subtly harmful.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. disparity B. forestall C. insidious
D. insinuate
E. interrogate
F. obsequious G. omnipotent H. opportune
I. permeate
J. retribution
8. According to legend, King Canute—an ancient ruler of England, Denmark, and Norway—thought he was __________. He actually ordered the tide to stop rising.
9. Instead of directly saying “Buy our product,” many ads use slick images to __________ that the product will give the buyer sex appeal, power, or prestige.
Page 146 in textbook.
Answers: 8. omnipotent; 9. insinuate; 10. obsequious
The next slide explains the answers.
10. The headwaiter’s manner toward customers who looked rich was __________. Ignoring the rest of us, he gave them the restaurant’s best tables and hovered over them, all smiles.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. disparity B. forestall C. insidious
D. insinuate
E. interrogate
F. obsequious G. omnipotent H. opportune
I. permeate
J. retribution
8. According to legend, King Canute—an ancient ruler of England, Denmark, and Norway—thought he was __________. He actually ordered the tide to stop rising.
omnipotent
Ordering the tide to stop rising shows he thought he was all-powerful.
9. Instead of directly saying “Buy our product,” many ads use slick images to __________ that the product will give the buyer sex appeal, power, or prestige.
insinuate
Page 146 in textbook.
The slick ads try to suggest slyly that the product will offer these things.
10. The headwaiter’s manner toward customers who looked rich was __________. Ignoring the rest of us, he gave them the restaurant’s best tables and hovered over them, all smiles.
obsequious
The headwaiter’s actions show he is overly eager to please the rich customers.