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

2. Unit One: Chapter 3 • delete • menace • impartial • morale
• integrity • naive
• legitimate • overt
• lenient • undermine
Page 16 in textbook.

3. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 delete – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 delete
– verb
• When I accidentally deleted several paragraphs of my research paper from the computer, it took ten minutes to retype them.
• The invitation list is too long. Unless we delete a few names, the party will be too crowded.
Delete means
A. to type.
B. to add.
C. to get rid of.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

4. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 1 delete – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 delete
– verb
• When I accidentally deleted several paragraphs of my research paper from the computer, it took ten minutes to retype them.
• The invitation list is too long. Unless we delete a few names, the party will be too crowded.
Delete means
A. to type.
B. to add.
C. to get rid of.
Page 16 in textbook.
If the writer had to retype the paragraphs, he or she must have accidentally gotten rid of them. If the list is too long, it can be made shorter by getting rid of a few names.

5. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 impartial – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 impartial
– adjective
• Too much publicity before a trial makes it difficult for lawyers to find impartial jurors, people with no opinion about the case.
• “I’m an impartial judge of character,” Dolores joked. “I distrust all people equally, without prejudice.”
Impartial means
A. not whole.
B. fair.
C. friendly.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

6. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 2 impartial – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 impartial
– adjective
• Too much publicity before a trial makes it difficult for lawyers to find impartial jurors, people with no opinion about the case.
• “I’m an impartial judge of character,” Dolores joked. “I distrust all people equally, without prejudice.”
Impartial means
A. not whole.
B. fair.
C. friendly.
Page 16 in textbook.
People with no opinion about the case would be fair jurors. Someone who views all people without prejudice is fair when judging a person’s character.

7. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 integrity – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 integrity
– noun
• Our boss trusts Ramon with the key to the cash register because she knows that he has integrity.
• I thought our senator had integrity, so I was shocked to hear that she had taken a bribe.
Integrity means
A. honesty.
B. talent.
C. a good memory.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

8. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 3 integrity – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 integrity
– noun
• Our boss trusts Ramon with the key to the cash register because she knows that he has integrity.
• I thought our senator had integrity, so I was shocked to hear that she had taken a bribe.
Integrity means
A. honesty.
B. talent.
C. a good memory.
Page 16 in textbook.
If the boss trusts Ramon with the cash register key, she must know that he is honest. If one believes the senator is honest, he or she would be shocked that the senator took a bribe.

9. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 legitimate – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 legitimate
– adjective
• “A need to see the final episode in your favorite soap opera,” said the teacher, “is not a legitimate excuse for missing class.”
• Any company that guarantees to make all investors millionaires can’t possibly be legitimate.
Legitimate means
A. safe.
B. legal.
C. healthy.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

10. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 4 legitimate – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 legitimate
– adjective
• “A need to see the final episode in your favorite soap opera,” said the teacher, “is not a legitimate excuse for missing class.”
• Any company that guarantees to make all investors millionaires can’t possibly be legitimate.
Legitimate means
A. safe.
B. legal.
C. healthy.
Page 16 in textbook.
A need to see the final episode of a favorite soap opera is not a legal excuse for missing class. A company that guarantees to make all investors millionaires must be doing things that are not legal.

11. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 lenient – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 lenient
– adjective
• Ms. Hall is very lenient about late papers. If you hand one in even a week late, she doesn’t lower your grade.
• Mom wouldn’t let us feed our poodle during dinner. But Dad, who was more lenient, would look the other way when we slipped the dog something under the table.
Lenient means
A. heartless.
B. easygoing.
C. honest.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide explains the answer.

12. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 5 lenient – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 lenient
– adjective
• Ms. Hall is very lenient about late papers. If you hand one in even a week late, she doesn’t lower your grade.
• Mom wouldn’t let us feed our poodle during dinner. But Dad, who was more lenient, would look the other way when we slipped the dog something under the table.
Lenient means
A. heartless.
B. easygoing.
C. honest.
Page 16 in textbook.
A teacher who doesn’t lower your grade for handing a paper in a week late must be easygoing. If Dad looked the other way when the children fed the dog at the table, he was more easygoing than Mom.

13. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 menace – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 menace
– noun
• Acid rain is the biggest menace to the survival of freshwater fish.
• Ron’s impatient attitude and his fast, zigzag driving make him a menace on the road.
Menace means
A. a puzzle.
B. something noticeable.
C. a danger.
Page 16 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

14. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 6 menace – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 menace
– noun
• Acid rain is the biggest menace to the survival of freshwater fish.
• Ron’s impatient attitude and his fast, zigzag driving make him a menace on the road.
Menace means
A. a puzzle.
B. something noticeable.
C. a danger.
Page 16 in textbook.
Because acid rain threatens the survival of fresh water fish, it is a danger to them. If Ron is impatient and drives erratically, he is a danger on the road.

15. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 morale – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 morale
– noun
• Art class was good for Tyrone’s morale. Each time the teacher praised his drawings, his confidence and enthusiasm increased.
• The workers’ morale was so low that they constantly complained about the job. The only good part of the day was quitting time.
Morale means
A. spirit.
B. pay.
C. sense of right and wrong.
Page 17 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.
“Does that really help
boost your morale?”

16. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 7 morale – noun
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 morale
– noun
• Art class was good for Tyrone’s morale. Each time the teacher praised his drawings, his confidence and enthusiasm increased.
• The workers’ morale was so low that they constantly complained about the job. The only good part of the day was quitting time.
Morale means
A. spirit.
B. pay.
C. sense of right and wrong.
Page 17 in textbook.
Being praised would be good for Tyrone’s spirit. If the workers constantly complain, their spirit must be low.
“Does that really help
boost your morale?”

17. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 naive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 naive
– adjective
• Though young, Rhoda is not naive. Being on her own for so long has made her streetwise.
• Having had little experience with salespeople, my younger sister is so naive that she believes everything they tell her.
Naive means
A. lacking experience.
B. generous.
C. questioning.
Page 17 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

18. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 8 naive – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 naive
– adjective
• Though young, Rhoda is not naive. Being on her own for so long has made her streetwise.
• Having had little experience with salespeople, my younger sister is so naive that she believes everything they tell her.
Naive means
A. lacking experience.
B. generous.
C. questioning.
Page 17 in textbook.
If Rhoda has been on her own a long time and is streetwise, she is not lacking experience. Someone who believes everything salespeople say is lacking experience. The words little experience are a clue.

19. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 overt – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 overt
– adjective
• Sometimes overt racism is easier to deal with than the hidden kind. You can better fight what is out in the open.
• Maya’s love of reading was overt—books spilled over the shelves in every room of her apartment.
Overt means
A. obvious.
B. fair.
C. harmful.
Page 17 in textbook.
Answer: A
The next slide explains the answer.

20. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 9 overt – adjective
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 overt
– adjective
• Sometimes overt racism is easier to deal with than the hidden kind. You can better fight what is out in the open.
• Maya’s love of reading was overt—books spilled over the shelves in every room of her apartment.
Overt means
A. obvious.
B. fair.
C. harmful.
Page 17 in textbook.
Racism that is out in the open is obvious. If books spill over the shelves in every room, Maya’s love of reading is obvious.

21. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 undermine – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 undermine
– verb
• Leroy tried to undermine the coach’s authority by making jokes about him behind his back.
• Numerous floods had undermined the foundation so greatly that the house was no longer safe.
Undermine means
A. to reach.
B. to explore.
C. to weaken.
Page 17 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide explains the answer.

22. TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT 10 undermine – verb
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 undermine
– verb
• Leroy tried to undermine the coach’s authority by making jokes about him behind his back.
• Numerous floods had undermined the foundation so greatly that the house was no longer safe.
Undermine means
A. to reach.
B. to explore.
C. to weaken.
Page 17 in textbook.
Making jokes behind the coach’s back could weaken his authority. If the house is no longer safe, the floods must have weakened the foundation.

23. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. delete B. impartial C. integrity D. legitimate E. lenient
F. menace G. morale H. naive I. overt J. undermine
1. When my brother and I argued, my mother remained __________. She didn’t want to favor either of us.
2. Alison’s repeated criticisms __________ her sister’s self-confidence.
Page 18 in textbook.
Answers: 1. impartial; 2. undermine
The next slide explains the answers.

24. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. delete B. impartial C. integrity D. legitimate E. lenient
F. menace G. morale H. naive I. overt J. undermine
1. When my brother and I argued, my mother remained __________. She didn’t want to favor either of us.
impartial
If the mother did not favor either child, she was not biased.
2. Alison’s repeated criticisms __________ her sister’s self-confidence.
undermine
Page 18 in textbook.
Repeated criticisms would weaken a person’s self-confidence over time.

25. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. delete B. impartial C. integrity D. legitimate E. lenient
F. menace G. morale H. naive I. overt J. undermine
3. Drugs have become a terrible __________ to the well-being of America’s children.
4. The team’s __________ was high—the players were in good spirits and thought they would win the game.
Page 18 in textbook.
Answers: 3. menace; 4. morale; 5. legitimate
The next slide explains the answers.
5. Although advertising by doctors and lawyers was once considered improper, it is now __________.

26. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. delete B. impartial C. integrity D. legitimate E. lenient
F. menace G. morale H. naive I. overt J. undermine
3. Drugs have become a terrible __________ to the well-being of America’s children.
menace
Drugs are a threat to the well-being of the children.
4. The team’s __________ was high—the players were in good spirits and thought they would win the game.
morale
Page 18 in textbook.
If the players are in good spirits and think they will win, the team’s spirit is high.
5. Although advertising by doctors and lawyers was once considered improper, it is now __________.
legitimate
The advertising that was once considered improper is now in accordance with accepted standards for doctors and lawyers. The word improper is a clue.

27. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. delete B. impartial C. integrity D. legitimate E. lenient
F. menace G. morale H. naive I. overt J. undermine
6. Mrs. Dean’s dislike for the mayor was __________. She stood right up in front of the crowd and called him a two-faced liar.
7. Fast-food restaurants are being urged to __________ high-fat foods from their menus and replace them with healthier choices.
Page 18 in textbook.
Answers: 6. overt; 7. delete
The next slide explains the answers.

28. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. delete B. impartial C. integrity D. legitimate E. lenient
F. menace G. morale H. naive I. overt J. undermine
6. Mrs. Dean’s dislike for the mayor was __________. She stood right up in front of the crowd and called him a two-faced liar.
overt
If she calls the mayor a liar in front of a crowd, her dislike is not hidden.
7. Fast-food restaurants are being urged to __________ high-fat foods from their menus and replace them with healthier choices.
delete
Page 18 in textbook.
In order to replace the high-fat foods, the restaurants would have to remove them from their menus.

29. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. delete B. impartial C. integrity D. legitimate E. lenient
F. menace G. morale H. naive I. overt J. undermine
8. My father is so __________ about business deals that he has been tricked by cheaters more than once.
9. “The boss is __________ the first time an employee makes a mistake,” Sherry’s coworker warned, “but he’s very strict the second time.”
Page 18 in textbook.
Answers: 8. naive; 9. lenient; 10. integrity
The next slide explains the answers.
10. Mark Twain once joked that he had even more __________ than George Washington. “Washington could not lie,” he said. “I can, but I won’t.”

30. SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. delete B. impartial C. integrity D. legitimate E. lenient
F. menace G. morale H. naive I. overt J. undermine
8. My father is so __________ about business deals that he has been tricked by cheaters more than once.
naive
Someone who has been tricked more than once must be unsophisticated about business deals.
9. “The boss is __________ the first time an employee makes a mistake,” Sherry’s coworker warned, “but he’s very strict the second time.”
lenient
Page 18 in textbook.
In contrast with being strict the second time, he is not strict the first time.
10. Mark Twain once joked that he had even more __________ than George Washington. “Washington could not lie,” he said. “I can, but I won’t.”
integrity
Someone who cannot (or will not) tell a lie has a strong moral sense.