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

2. Unit Five: Chapter 26 • ascend • initiate • finite • literally
• infinite • lure
• inflict • mania
• ingenious • nostalgia
Page 148 in textbook.

3. Ascending musical notes
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 ascend
– verb
• The express elevator ascends directly from the hotel lobby to the restaurant on the twentieth floor.
• Edgar is the boss’s son, so he expects to ascend to the presidency of the company after his father retires.
Ascend means
A. to go slowly.
B. to go down.
C. to move upward.
Page 148 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.
Ascending musical notes

4. Ascending musical notes
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 ascend
– verb
• The express elevator ascends directly from the hotel lobby to the restaurant on the twentieth floor.
• Edgar is the boss’s son, so he expects to ascend to the presidency of the company after his father retires.
Ascend means
A. to go slowly.
B. to go down.
C. to move upward.
Page 148 in textbook.
If the elevator goes from the lobby to the twentieth floor, it must move upward. Edgar would expect to move upward to the presidency (the highest position) of the company.
Ascending musical notes

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 finite – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 finite
– adjective
• The earth’s supply of natural resources is finite. If we are not careful, we will use it up.
• Judging by their endless requests for money, most children don’t seem to realize that their parents’ income is finite.
Finite means
A. limited.
B. endless.
C. fine.
Page 148 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 finite – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 finite
– adjective
• The earth’s supply of natural resources is finite. If we are not careful, we will use it up.
• Judging by their endless requests for money, most children don’t seem to realize that their parents’ income is finite.
Finite means
A. limited.
B. endless.
C. fine.
Page 148 in textbook.
If the earth’s supply of natural resources can be used up, it must be limited. If the children make endless requests for money, they must not realize that their parents’ income is limited.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 infinite – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 infinite
– adjective
• Some scientists do not believe the universe is infinite; they think it actually has limits.
• Dealing with my baby brother, who cries a lot, requires an infinite amount of patience.
Infinite means
A. endless.
B. known.
C. small.
Page 148 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 infinite – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 infinite
– adjective
• Some scientists do not believe the universe is infinite; they think it actually has limits.
• Dealing with my baby brother, who cries a lot, requires an infinite amount of patience.
Infinite means
A. endless.
B. known.
C. small.
Page 148 in textbook.
The scientists who think the universe has limits must not believe that it is endless. If the baby brother cries a lot, it would require an endless amount of patience to deal with him.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 inflict – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 inflict
– verb
• When Marge is angry, she tries to inflict pain with a cutting remark—a habit that does not make her popular with her classmates.
• Loud music can eventually inflict permanent damage on your hearing.
Inflict means
A. to prevent.
B. to cause.
C. to recognize.
Page 148 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 inflict – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 inflict
– verb
• When Marge is angry, she tries to inflict pain with a cutting remark—a habit that does not make her popular with her classmates.
• Loud music can eventually inflict permanent damage on your hearing.
Inflict means
A. to prevent.
B. to cause.
C. to recognize.
Page 148 in textbook.
A cutting remark would cause pain. Loud music can cause permanent damage to one’s hearing.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 ingenious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 ingenious
– adjective
• Fran thought she had an ingenious plan to sneak out of the house, but it wasn’t clever enough to fool her grandmother.
• Few people have been as ingenious as Thomas Edison, inventor of the electric light, the phonograph, and the movie camera.
Ingenious means
A. average.
B. unimaginative.
C. clever.
Page 148 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 ingenious – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 ingenious
– adjective
• Fran thought she had an ingenious plan to sneak out of the house, but it wasn’t clever enough to fool her grandmother.
• Few people have been as ingenious as Thomas Edison, inventor of the electric light, the phonograph, and the movie camera.
Ingenious means
A. average.
B. unimaginative.
C. clever.
Page 148 in textbook.
In the first item, the word clever tells you the meaning of ingenious. In the second item, the person who invented the electric light, the phonograph, and the movie camera must have been clever.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 initiate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 initiate
– verb
• Eric initiated a change in his company’s hiring policy by suggesting that all job openings be advertised.
• True leaders initiate new practices, rather than simply following other people’s programs.
Initiate means
A. to remember.
B. to begin.
C. to oppose.
Page 148 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 initiate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 initiate
– verb
• Eric initiated a change in his company’s hiring policy by suggesting that all job openings be advertised.
• True leaders initiate new practices, rather than simply following other people’s programs.
Initiate means
A. to remember.
B. to begin.
C. to oppose.
Page 148 in textbook.
If Eric suggested the change in policy, he began the change in policy. In the second item, if a practice is new, it has to be begun by someone.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 literally – adverb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 literally
– adverb
• As a child, Jan took the term “Man in the moon” literally. She was sure she saw his eyes, nose, and mouth up there.
• When I told my nephew to “go fly a kite,” I was speaking literally—I gave him a kite for his birthday.
Literally means
A. exactly.
B. angrily.
C. fearfully.
Page 149 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 literally – adverb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 literally
– adverb
• As a child, Jan took the term “Man in the moon” literally. She was sure she saw his eyes, nose, and mouth up there.
• When I told my nephew to “go fly a kite,” I was speaking literally—I gave him a kite for his birthday.
Literally means
A. exactly.
B. angrily.
C. fearfully.
Page 149 in textbook.
If Jan was sure she saw the eyes, nose, and mouth, she must have thought the term “Man in the moon” means exactly what it says. If you give someone a kite and tell him to “go fly a kite,” you mean exactly what you say.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 lure – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 lure
– verb
• The bakery lured customers by displaying richly decorated cakes and cookies in its windows.
• The loud music and flashing lights lured many teens to the carnival.
Lure means
A. to force.
B. to discourage.
C. to tempt.
Page 149 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 lure – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 lure
– verb
• The bakery lured customers by displaying richly decorated cakes and cookies in its windows.
• The loud music and flashing lights lured many teens to the carnival.
Lure means
A. to force.
B. to discourage.
C. to tempt.
Page 149 in textbook.
By displaying richly decorated cakes and cookies, the bakery would be tempting customers. The music and lights would tempt teens to the carnival.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 mania – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 mania
– noun
• My sister has such a mania for birdwatching that she once climbed a tree to get a better view of a woodpecker.
• Because he’s so thin, you’d never guess Ken has a mania for chocolate, which he eats daily.
Mania means
A. a memory.
B. an intense enthusiasm.
C. respect.
Page 149 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 mania – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 mania
– noun
• My sister has such a mania for birdwatching that she once climbed a tree to get a better view of a woodpecker.
• Because he’s so thin, you’d never guess Ken has a mania for chocolate, which he eats daily.
Mania means
A. a memory.
B. an intense enthusiasm.
C. respect.
Page 149 in textbook.
Anyone who would climb a tree to get a better view of a woodpecker must have an intense enthusiasm for birdwatching. If Ken eats chocolate daily, he must have an intense enthusiasm for it.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 nostalgia – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 nostalgia
– noun
• Music from the 1940s fills my grandparents with nostalgia because it reminds them of their carefree youth.
• When he came across an old photo of his Little League team, Jerry was overcome with nostalgia. He wished he could be ten years old again.
Nostalgia means
A. a sense of freedom.
B. thoughts of the future.
C. a longing for the past.
Page 149 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 nostalgia – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 nostalgia
– noun
• Music from the 1940s fills my grandparents with nostalgia because it reminds them of their carefree youth.
• When he came across an old photo of his Little League team, Jerry was overcome with nostalgia. He wished he could be ten years old again.
Nostalgia means
A. a sense of freedom.
B. thoughts of the future.
C. a longing for the past.
Page 149 in textbook.
If the music reminds the grandparents of their carefree youth, it would fill them with a longing for the past. If Jerry wished he could be ten years old again, he had a longing for the past.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. ascend B. finite C. infinite
D. inflict
E. ingenious
F. initiate G. literally H. lure
I. mania
J. nostalgia
1. We often _________ conversations with routine questions or comments, such as “How are you today?” or “Hello there.”
2. Although the English alphabet is __________, the possible combinations of its letters are almost endless.
Page 150 in textbook.
Answers: 1. initiate; 2. finite
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. ascend B. finite C. infinite
D. inflict
E. ingenious
F. initiate G. literally H. lure
I. mania
J. nostalgia
1. We often _________ conversations with routine questions or comments, such as “How are you today?” or “Hello there.”
initiate
“How are you today” and “Hello there” are ways to start a conversation.
2. Although the English alphabet is __________, the possible combinations of its letters are almost endless.
finite
Page 150 in textbook.
The English alphabet is limited. It has only twenty-six letters.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. ascend B. finite C. infinite
D. inflict
E. ingenious
F. initiate G. literally H. lure
I. mania
J. nostalgia
3. Many people think of dentists as people who actually like to __________ pain.
4. Sue feels a wave of __________ when she thinks about the happy days of her childhood on the farm.
Page 150 in textbook.
Answers: 3. inflict; 4. nostalgia; 5. lure
The next slide explains the answers.
5. The opportunity to be helpful _________s people to such fields as nursing and teaching.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. ascend B. finite C. infinite
D. inflict
E. ingenious
F. initiate G. literally H. lure
I. mania
J. nostalgia
3. Many people think of dentists as people who actually like to __________ pain.
inflict
Many people think dentists like to cause pain.
4. Sue feels a wave of __________ when she thinks about the happy days of her childhood on the farm.
nostalgia
Page 150 in textbook.
Thinking about the happy days of her childhood would make Sue feel a wave of sadness and longing for that past.
5. The opportunity to be helpful __________ people to such fields as nursing and teaching.
lures
People are tempted to go into nursing and teaching by the opportunities those fields offer to be helpful.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. ascend B. finite C. infinite
D. inflict
E. ingenious
F. initiate G. literally H. lure
I. mania
J. nostalgia
6. Because of a(n) _______ for the latest computer game, stores couldn’t keep enough in stock.
7. By working hard, Layla quickly _______(e)d the ladder of success, from secretary to office manager.
Page 150 in textbook.
Answers: 6. mania; 7. ascend
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. ascend B. finite C. infinite
D. inflict
E. ingenious
F. initiate G. literally H. lure
I. mania
J. nostalgia
6. Because of a _________ for the latest computer game, stores couldn’t keep enough in stock.
mania
If the stores couldn’t keep the game in stock, there must have been extreme enthusiasm for it.
7. By working hard, Layla quickly __________ the ladder of success, from secretary to office manager.
ascended
Page 150 in textbook.
If Layla went from secretary to office manager, she must have climbed the ladder of success.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. ascend B. finite C. infinite
D. inflict
E. ingenious
F. initiate G. literally H. lure
I. mania
J. nostalgia
8. There are so many stars in the sky that their number seems __________.
9. When temperatures are in the nineties, I’m grateful to the __________ person who invented the air conditioner.
Page 150 in textbook.
Answers: 8. infinite; 9. ingenious; 10. literally
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Felipe kicked the bucket—__________. In other words, he only stubbed his toe; he didn’t die.

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. ascend B. finite C. infinite
D. inflict
E. ingenious
F. initiate G. literally H. lure
I. mania
J. nostalgia
8. There are so many stars in the sky that their number seems __________.
infinite
There are so many stars that their number seems without limit.
9. When temperatures are in the nineties, I’m grateful to the __________ person who invented the air conditioner.
ingenious
Page 150 in textbook.
The person who invented the air conditioner must have been clever.
10. Felipe kicked the bucket—__________. In other words, he only stubbed his toe; he didn’t die.
literally
Stubbing one’s toe on a bucket is “kicking the bucket” according to the exact meaning of the words.