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

2. Unit Four: Chapter 19 • adapt • reciprocate • dismay • refute
• exile • retain
• gesture • revert
• recede • ritual
Page 110 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 adapt – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 adapt
– verb
• After many years of being a student, I found it hard to adapt to the schedule of a full-time job.
• Gina adapted well to California. She had no trouble adjusting to living so far from her family and friends.
Adapt means
A. to return.
B. to become accustomed.
C. to travel.
Page 110 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 adapt – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 adapt
– verb
• After many years of being a student, I found it hard to adapt to the schedule of a full-time job.
• Gina adapted well to California. She had no trouble adjusting to living so far from her family and friends.
Adapt means
A. to return.
B. to become accustomed.
C. to travel.
Page 110 in textbook.
Having been used to one type of life, it was hard to become accustomed to a different kind of life. Gina would have to become accustomed to living far away from family and friends. The word adjusting is a clue.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 dismay – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 dismay
– verb
• Aaron was dismayed when he realized that he wouldn’t have enough money to buy a special birthday present for his girlfriend.
• The doctor knew it would dismay Karl to learn that his injured leg would never regain its previous strength.
Dismay means
A. to discourage.
B. to relieve.
C. to delay.
Page 110 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 dismay – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 dismay
– verb
• Aaron was dismayed when he realized that he wouldn’t have enough money to buy a special birthday present for his girlfriend.
• The doctor knew it would dismay Karl to learn that his injured leg would never regain its previous strength.
Dismay means
A. to discourage.
B. to relieve.
C. to delay.
Page 110 in textbook.
It would be discouraging not to have enough money to buy a birthday present for your girlfriend. It would discourage a person to learn his injured leg will never again be as strong as it once was.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 exile – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 exile
– noun
• The political rebel decided to end his five-year exile and return to his native land to oppose the government.
• Fernando fled his native country thirty years ago and has lived in exile ever since.
Exile means
A. a long vacation.
B. a bad attitude.
C. a separation from one’s homeland.
Page 110 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 exile – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 exile
– noun
• The political rebel decided to end his five-year exile and return to his native land to oppose the government.
• Fernando fled his native country thirty years ago and has lived in exile ever since.
Exile means
A. a long vacation.
B. a bad attitude.
C. a separation from one’s homeland.
Page 110 in textbook.
If the rebel decided to return to his native land, he must be ending a five-year separation from his homeland. If Fernando fled his native country, he has separated himself from his homeland.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 gesture – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 gesture
– noun
• As a gesture of sympathy, the neighborhood association sent flowers to Milly when her husband died.
• The other workers’ gestures of friendship made Vic feel at home on the first day of his new job.
Gesture means
A. a signal.
B. a request.
C. a report.
Page 110 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.
A gesture of greeting

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 gesture – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 gesture
– noun
• As a gesture of sympathy, the neighborhood association sent flowers to Milly when her husband died.
• The other workers’ gestures of friendship made Vic feel at home on the first day of his new job.
Gesture means
A. a signal.
B. a request.
C. a report.
Page 110 in textbook.
Sending flowers to Milly would be a signal of the association’s sympathy. The workers’ signals of friendship would make a new employee feel at home.
A gesture of greeting

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 recede – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 recede
– verb
• The heavy blanket of clouds finally began to recede, allowing the sun to warm the crowd at the football game.
• Walter had to wait until the flood waters receded before he could get to his house to see the damage.
Recede means
A. to grow.
B. to go back.
C. to return.
Page 110 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.
A receding hairline

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 recede – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 recede
– verb
• The heavy blanket of clouds finally began to recede, allowing the sun to warm the crowd at the football game.
• Walter had to wait until the flood waters receded before he could get to his house to see the damage.
Recede means
A. to grow.
B. to go back.
C. to return.
Page 110 in textbook.
If the sun warmed the crowd, the heavy blanket of clouds must have moved back. Walter would have to wait until the flood waters went back before he could get to his house.
A receding hairline

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 reciprocate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 reciprocate
– verb
• I’ve done many favors for Anne, but she never reciprocates by doing a favor in return.
• Hakeem treated me to dinner, so I’m going to reciprocate by taking him to a movie.
Reciprocate means
A. to celebrate.
B. to pay back.
C. to disappoint.
Page 110 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 reciprocate – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 reciprocate
– verb
• I’ve done many favors for Anne, but she never reciprocates by doing a favor in return.
• Hakeem treated me to dinner, so I’m going to reciprocate by taking him to a movie.
Reciprocate means
A. to celebrate.
B. to pay back.
C. to disappoint.
Page 110 in textbook.
Anne could pay back the favors done for her by doing favors in return—but she doesn’t. One could pay back Hakeem by taking him to a movie.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 refute – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 refute
– verb
• The lawyer was able to refute the defendant’s claim that she was home the night of the murder. He had found a witness who saw her in a mall store that night.
• Some science-fiction fans were disappointed when photos of Mars refuted the idea that intelligent life exists there.
Refute means
A. to support.
B. to repeat.
C. to show to be wrong.
Page 111 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 refute – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 refute
– verb
• The lawyer was able to refute the defendant’s claim that she was home the night of the murder. He had found a witness who saw her in a mall store that night.
• Some science-fiction fans were disappointed when photos of Mars refuted the idea that intelligent life exists there.
Refute means
A. to support.
B. to repeat.
C. to show to be wrong.
Page 111 in textbook.
Finding a witness who saw the defendant at the mall would show her claim that she was at home to be wrong. People who believed there is intelligent life on Mars would be disappointed when photos showed the belief to be wrong.

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 retain – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 retain
– verb
• Plastic storage containers often retain the odors of foods. I have one that still smells like spaghetti sauce after ten washings.
• “I can usually retain my sense of humor,” Janice said. “But I lose it totally when I’m laid off and break up with my boyfriend in the same week.”
Retain means
A. to hold onto.
B. to adjust to.
C. to lose.
Page 111 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 retain – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 retain
– verb
• Plastic storage containers often retain the odors of foods. I have one that still smells like spaghetti sauce after ten washings.
• “I can usually retain my sense of humor,” Janice said. “But I lose it totally when I’m laid off and break up with my boyfriend in the same week.”
Retain means
A. to hold onto.
B. to adjust to.
C. to lose.
Page 111 in textbook.
If ten washings don’t get rid of the spaghetti sauce smell, the container must hold onto the odors of foods. Janice’s loss of her sense of humor is contrasted with the fact that she usually holds onto her sense of humor.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 revert – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 revert
– verb
• After his release from jail, Sam reverted to his old habit of stealing and ended up in jail again.
• Helene gave up smoking while she was pregnant, but she reverted to a pack a day after her daughter was born.
Revert means
A. to go back.
B. to refer.
C. to say no.
Page 111 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 revert – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 revert
– verb
• After his release from jail, Sam reverted to his old habit of stealing and ended up in jail again.
• Helene gave up smoking while she was pregnant, but she reverted to a pack a day after her daughter was born.
Revert means
A. to go back.
B. to refer.
C. to say no.
Page 111 in textbook.
If Sam ended up in jail again, he must have gone back to his old habit of stealing. If Helene stopped smoking while she was pregnant but later was smoking a pack a day, she must have gone back to smoking.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 ritual – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 ritual
– noun
• Rituals—set practices that are repeated regularly—are important in most religious traditions.
• Each time Mary Ann must fly, she writes a check to a charity, brings it with her on the plane, and mails it at her destination. She believes this ritual guarantees a safe flight.
Ritual means
A. a lesson.
B. a ceremony.
C. a prayer.
Page 111 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 ritual – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 ritual
– noun
• Rituals—set practices that are repeated regularly—are important in most religious traditions.
• Each time Mary Ann must fly, she writes a check to a charity, brings it with her on the plane, and mails it at her destination. She believes this ritual guarantees a safe flight.
Ritual means
A. a lesson.
B. a ceremony.
C. a prayer.
Page 111 in textbook.
A set practice that is repeated regularly is a ceremony. Mary Ann goes through the ceremony that she believes will guarantee her a safe flight.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adapt B. dismay C. exile
D. gesture
E. recede
F. reciprocate G. refute H. retain
I. revert
J. ritual
1. Getting a D on the first math test of the semester _________(e)d Sean. He was sure he’d done well.
2. If the shoreline continues to __________, there soon won’t be any sandy beach at all.
Page 112 in textbook.
Answers: 1. dismay; 2. recede
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adapt B. dismay C. exile
D. gesture
E. recede
F. reciprocate G. refute H. retain
I. revert
J. ritual
1. Getting a D on the first math test of the semester ____________ Sean. He was sure he’d done well.
dismayed
If Sean was sure he’d done well but got a D, he would be discouraged.
2. If the shoreline continues to __________, there soon won’t be any sandy beach at all.
recede
Page 112 in textbook.
If there soon will not be any sandy beach at all, the shoreline must be moving back.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adapt B. dismay C. exile
D. gesture
E. recede
F. reciprocate G. refute H. retain
I. revert
J. ritual
3. Antonio tried to __________ my argument, but I was able to prove I was right.
4. In a(n) ________ of cooperation, the manager and the head of the union shook hands.
Page 112 in textbook.
Answers: 3. refute; 4. gesture; 5. retain
The next slide explains the answers.
5. To __________ her strength and energy, Mrs. Green does push-ups, sit-ups, and leg-lifts three times a week.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adapt B. dismay C. exile
D. gesture
E. recede
F. reciprocate G. refute H. retain
I. revert
J. ritual
3. Antonio tried to __________ my argument, but I was able to prove I was right.
refute
If the person was able to prove his or her argument was right, Antonio must have been trying to prove the argument false.
4. In a __________ of cooperation, the manager and the head of the union shook hands.
gesture
Page 112 in textbook.
Shaking hands would be a signal of cooperation.
5. To __________ her strength and energy, Mrs. Green does push-ups, sit-ups, and leg-lifts three times a week.
retain
Doing push-ups, sit-ups, and leg-lifts would help Mrs. Green keep her strength and energy.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adapt B. dismay C. exile
D. gesture
E. recede
F. reciprocate G. refute H. retain
I. revert
J. ritual
6. My brother vowed to eat only one Oreo a day, but I’m afraid he’ll __________ to his old habit of eating the entire bag of cookies at a sitting.
7. As the Ice Age ended, some animals were able to __________ to the new climate. Those who could not adjust failed to survive.
Page 112 in textbook.
Answers: 6. revert; 7. adapt
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adapt B. dismay C. exile
D. gesture
E. recede
F. reciprocate G. refute H. retain
I. revert
J. ritual
6. My brother vowed to eat only one Oreo a day, but I’m afraid he’ll __________ to his old habit of eating the entire bag of cookies at a sitting.
revert
The brother may go back to his old habit of eating the entire bag.
7. As the Ice Age ended, some animals were able to __________ to the new climate. Those who could not adjust failed to survive.
adapt
Page 112 in textbook.
The word adjust tells you the meaning of adapt.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adapt B. dismay C. exile
D. gesture
E. recede
F. reciprocate G. refute H. retain
I. revert
J. ritual
8. The country’s new dictator feared having certain political enemies in the country, so he sent them into __________.
9. I always send Kiran a birthday card, but he doesn’t bother to __________ with a card or phone call on my birthday.
Page 112 in textbook.
Answers: 8. exile; 9. reciprocate; 10. ritual
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Homer always goes through the same baseball _________ before he bats: he twirls his bat three times, stretches his arms, and says, “Okay, okay, this one will be good.”

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. adapt B. dismay C. exile
D. gesture
E. recede
F. reciprocate G. refute H. retain
I. revert
J. ritual
8. The country’s new dictator feared having certain political enemies in the country, so he sent them into __________.
exile
If the dictator feared the political enemies, he would send them into forced separation from the country.
9. I always send Kiran a birthday card, but he doesn’t bother to __________ with a card or phone call on my birthday.
reciprocate
Page 112 in textbook.
Kiran does not bother to pay back the kindness of receiving a birthday card.
10. Homer always goes through the same baseball _________ before he bats: he twirls his bat three times, stretches his arms, and says, “Okay, okay, this one will be good.”
ritual
Homer regularly does these actions in the same way before he bats.