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

2. Unit Two: Chapter 9 • elapse • infer • evasive • lethal
• fluent • obsession
• futile • ordeal
• harass • persistent
Page 84 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 elapse – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 elapse
– verb
• Although four years had elapsed since I last saw Marian, we talked as if we’d never parted.
• When I’m busy with work I enjoy, I never notice how much time is elapsing.
Elapse means
A. to develop.
B. to go back.
C. to go by.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 elapse – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 elapse
– verb
• Although four years had elapsed since I last saw Marian, we talked as if we’d never parted.
• When I’m busy with work I enjoy, I never notice how much time is elapsing.
Elapse means
A. to develop.
B. to go back.
C. to go by.
Page 84 in textbook.
Four years had gone by since they last saw one another. Doing something one enjoys makes one not notice how much time is going by.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 evasive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 evasive
– adjective
• The Rothmans worried that their son was hiding something when he became evasive about where he had been and what he’d been doing.
• We didn’t want anyone at school to know our father was in the hospital, so we were evasive about him, saying only, “He has to be away for a while.”
Evasive means
A. truthful.
B. indefinite.
C. detailed.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 evasive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 evasive
– adjective
• The Rothmans worried that their son was hiding something when he became evasive about where he had been and what he’d been doing.
• We didn’t want anyone at school to know our father was in the hospital, so we were evasive about him, saying only, “He has to be away for a while.”
Evasive means
A. truthful.
B. indefinite.
C. detailed.
Page 84 in textbook.
If the Rothmans think their son is hiding something, he must have been indefinite about his activities. In the second item, the statement “He has to be away for a while” is indefinite.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 fluent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 fluent
– adjective
• To work in a foreign country, it helps to be fluent in its language.
• Jamila wanted to hear what was wrong with her car in simple, everyday words. She was not fluent in the language of auto mechanics.
Fluent means
A. able to remember.
B. able to teach.
C. able to express oneself.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 fluent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 fluent
– adjective
• To work in a foreign country, it helps to be fluent in its language.
• Jamila wanted to hear what was wrong with her car in simple, everyday words. She was not fluent in the language of auto mechanics.
Fluent means
A. able to remember.
B. able to teach.
C. able to express oneself.
Page 84 in textbook.
It helps to be able to express oneself in the language of the country where one works. If Jamila wants to hear the explanation in simple, everyday words, she must not be able to express herself in the language of auto mechanics.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 futile – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 futile
– adjective
• My best friend is so stubborn that once he has made a decision, it is futile to try to change his mind.
• I’m convinced that washing machines eat socks, so it is futile to try to find matching pairs in a load of clean laundry.
Futile means
A. hopeless.
B. easy.
C. useful.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 futile – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 futile
– adjective
• My best friend is so stubborn that once he has made a decision, it is futile to try to change his mind.
• I’m convinced that washing machines eat socks, so it is futile to try to find matching pairs in a load of clean laundry.
Futile means
A. hopeless.
B. easy.
C. useful.
Page 84 in textbook.
If the friend is very stubborn, it would be hopeless to try to change the person’s mind. If washing machines ate socks, it would be hopeless to try to find matching pairs.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 harass – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 harass
– verb
• A few students in the cafeteria like to harass everyone else by frequently clinking their silverware and stamping their feet.
• Sometimes it doesn’t help to harass people about quitting smoking. Bothering them all the time may make them resist quitting.
Harass means
A. to injure.
B. to annoy.
C. to please.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 harass – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 harass
– verb
• A few students in the cafeteria like to harass everyone else by frequently clinking their silverware and stamping their feet.
• Sometimes it doesn’t help to harass people about quitting smoking. Bothering them all the time may make them resist quitting.
Harass means
A. to injure.
B. to annoy.
C. to please.
Page 84 in textbook.
Clinking their silverware and stamping their feet would be ways for a few students to annoy everyone else. In the second item, the words bothering them all the time suggest that harass means “to annoy.”

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 infer – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 infer
– verb
• The fact that the old man left his fortune to strangers led us to infer he was not fond of his children.
• Since you went hiking on Super Bowl Sunday, I inferred that you were not a football fan.
Infer means
A. to conclude.
B. to forget.
C. to conceal.
Page 84 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 infer – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 infer
– verb
• The fact that the old man left his fortune to strangers led us to infer he was not fond of his children.
• Since you went hiking on Super Bowl Sunday, I inferred that you were not a football fan.
Infer means
A. to conclude.
B. to forget.
C. to conceal.
Page 84 in textbook.
Based on the fact stated, one can conclude the man was not fond of his children. It is reasonable to conclude that someone who goes hiking on Super Bowl Sunday is not a football fan.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 lethal – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 lethal
– adjective
• My father is not alive today because of a lethal combination of driving and drinking.
• Jake is so good at karate that his hands are lethal weapons. Because he realizes he could kill somebody, he is very careful with his karate skills.
Lethal means
A. rare.
B. deadly.
C. hopeful.
Page 85 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 lethal – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 lethal
– adjective
• My father is not alive today because of a lethal combination of driving and drinking.
• Jake is so good at karate that his hands are lethal weapons. Because he realizes he could kill somebody, he is very careful with his karate skills.
Lethal means
A. rare.
B. deadly.
C. hopeful.
Page 85 in textbook.
Driving and drinking are a deadly combination. If Jake is so skilled at karate that he can kill somebody, his hands are deadly weapons.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 obsession – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 obsession
– noun
• Psychologists help people troubled by obsessions to gain control over their thinking, so they are not bothered by the same thoughts over and over.
• Going to garage sales was at first just a hobby. But bargain-hunting has become such an obsession that I can’t seem to stop going to them.
Obsession means
A. a helpful habit.
B. a possession.
C. a constant concern.
Page 85 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
“You really ought to get help for that
obsession with licking your paws.”

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 obsession – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 obsession
– noun
• Psychologists help people troubled by obsessions to gain control over their thinking, so they are not bothered by the same thoughts over and over.
• Going to garage sales was at first just a hobby. But bargain-hunting has become such an obsession that I can’t seem to stop going to them.
Obsession means
A. a helpful habit.
B. a possession.
C. a constant concern.
Page 85 in textbook.
For people who are bothered by the same thoughts over and over, those thoughts are a constant concern. If the person can’t stop going to garage sales, bargain-hunting must have become a constant concern.
“You really ought to get help for that
obsession with licking your paws.”

19. Ice climbing is an ordeal.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 ordeal
– noun
• Even if you are in good physical condition, running cross-country is an ordeal.
• Hannah came out of the difficult three-hour test, sighed, and said, “What an ordeal. I’m worn out.”
Ordeal means
A. a welcome event.
B. a sure success.
C. a difficult challenge.
Page 85 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
Ice climbing is an ordeal.
Photo: Bernhard

20. Ice climbing is an ordeal.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 ordeal
9 ordeal
– noun
– noun
• Even if you are in good physical condition, running cross-country is an ordeal.
• Hannah came out of the difficult three-hour test, sighed, and said, “What an ordeal. I’m worn out.”
Ordeal means
A. a welcome event.
B. a sure success.
C. a difficult challenge.
Page 85 in textbook.
Running cross-country is a difficult challenge. A difficult three-hour test is a difficult challenge.
Ice climbing is an ordeal.
Photo: Bernhard

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 persistent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 persistent
– adjective
• At first Tony wouldn’t go out with Lola, but she was persistent in asking him. Now they’re engaged.
• I am a very persistent salesman. I work with customers for as long as it takes for them to buy something.
Persistent means
A. stubborn.
B. useless.
C. late.
Page 85 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 persistent – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 persistent
– adjective
• At first Tony wouldn’t go out with Lola, but she was persistent in asking him. Now they’re engaged.
• I am a very persistent salesman. I work with customers for as long as it takes for them to buy something.
Persistent means
A. stubborn.
B. useless.
C. late.
Page 85 in textbook.
If Tony and Lola are now engaged, Lola must have been stubborn about asking him out. Someone who works with customers as long as it takes must be a stubborn salesman.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. elapse B. evasive C. fluent
D. futile
E. harass
F. infer G. lethal H. obsession
I. ordeal
J. persistent
1. Roger knew a few Chinese phrases, but he was not _________ enough in Chinese to carry on a conversation.
2. Photographers _________(e)d the movie star, photographing her even on a private beach.
Page 86 in textbook.
Answers: 1. fluent; 2. harass
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. elapse B. evasive C. fluent
D. futile
E. harass
F. infer G. lethal H. obsession
I. ordeal
J. persistent
1. Roger knew a few Chinese phrases, but he was not _________ enough in Chinese to carry on a conversation.
fluent
To carry on a conversation, one must be able to express oneself with ease.
2. Photographers ____________ the movie star, photographing her even on a private beach.
harassed
Page 86 in textbook.
If photographers photographed the star even on a private beach, they constantly disturbed her.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. elapse B. evasive C. fluent
D. futile
E. harass
F. infer G. lethal H. obsession
I. ordeal
J. persistent
3. When I’m on a diet, the thought of eating pizza becomes an __________ for me.
4. Reporters tried to pin the President down on his plan to rescue the hostages, but he always gave a(n) __________ answer.
Page 86 in textbook.
Answers: 3. obsession; 4. evasive; 5. elapse
The next slide explains the answers.
5. After ten seconds __________, a bell rings, and the game-show host reads the next question.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. elapse B. evasive C. fluent
D. futile
E. harass
F. infer G. lethal H. obsession
I. ordeal
J. persistent
3. When I’m on a diet, the thought of eating pizza becomes an __________ for me.
obsession
When on a diet, the idea of eating pizza can completely fill one’s mind.
4. Reporters tried to pin the President down on his plan to rescue the hostages, but he always gave an ___________ answer.
evasive
Page 86 in textbook.
In spite of the efforts to pin the President down, he gave a deliberately unclear answer.
5. After ten seconds __________, a bell rings, and the game-show host reads the next question.
elapse
After ten seconds pass, a bell rings.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. elapse B. evasive C. fluent
D. futile
E. harass
F. infer G. lethal H. obsession
I. ordeal
J. persistent
6. Selling drugs can be a(n) _________ occupation—there is almost one drug-related murder a day in Philadelphia alone.
7. Going to the veterinarian is a real _________ for our dog, who begins to shiver in fear at the sight of the vet’s office.
Page 86 in textbook.
Answers: 6. lethal; 7. ordeal
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. elapse B. evasive C. fluent
D. futile
E. harass
F. infer G. lethal H. obsession
I. ordeal
J. persistent
6. Selling drugs can be a ___________ occupation—there is almost one drug-related murder a day in Philadelphia alone.
lethal
One murder a day suggests that selling drugs is a deadly occupation.
7. Going to the veterinarian is a real _________ for our dog, who begins to shiver in fear at the sight of the vet’s office.
ordeal
Page 86 in textbook.
The dog’s reaction shows that going to the vet is a very difficult experience for the dog.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. elapse B. evasive C. fluent
D. futile
E. harass
F. infer G. lethal H. obsession
I. ordeal
J. persistent
8. It is __________ to try to have a conversation with Manny when a football game is on television because his eyes are glued to the set.
9. Eduardo had to work full-time to support his family, but he still earned his college degree by being __________ in his studies even when he was busy or tired.
Page 86 in textbook.
Answers: 8. futile; 9. persistent; 10. infer
The next slide explains the answers.
10. It was easy for the teacher to __________ that one of the students had copied the other’s paper—both had the same wording in several paragraphs.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. elapse B. evasive C. fluent
D. futile
E. harass
F. infer G. lethal H. obsession
I. ordeal
J. persistent
8. It is __________ to try to have a conversation with Manny when a football game is on television because his eyes are glued to the set.
futile
If his eyes are glued to the TV, it’s useless to try to have a conversation.
9. Eduardo had to work full-time to support his family, but he still earned his college degree by being __________ in his studies even when he was busy or tired.
persistent
Page 86 in textbook.
If Eduardo earned his degree, he must have refused to quit.
10. It was easy for the teacher to __________ that one of the students had copied the other’s paper—both had the same wording in several paragraphs.
infer
Based on the evidence, it was easy to draw the conclusion that one student copied the other’s paper.