Exercise 1: Read the following sentences and try to choose the best definition for the italicized word by searching for context clues in the sentence.

1. The designer window treatments in her house, installed 17 years ago, were outmoded. a. unnecessary
b. pointless
c. out-of-date
d. worthless

2. The spies conducted a covert operation.
a. dangerous
b. foreign
c. hidden
d. illegal

3. The baseball player’s malice toward the referee was revealed in his spiteful remarks to the media, which almost ruined the referee’s career.
a. vindictive
b. crazy
c. rude
d. unpleasant

4. Although Zachary is much too inexperienced for the managerial position, he is a willful young man and obdurately refuses to withdraw his application. a. foolishly
b. reluctantly
c. constantly
d. stubbornly

5. His neighbor’s superficial remarks trivialized the property line dispute and infuriated Malcolm.
a. enraged
b. petty
c. insulting
d. misleading

6. She showed a blatant disregard for the rules.
a. obvious
b. hidden
c. last-minute
d. rebellious

7. Her fashion sense was usually described as flamboyant, but on the night of the party, Tanya’s outfit was uncharacteristically modest. a. impeccable
b. showy
c. sloppy
d. unassuming

8. Mr. Powers was so gullible that he believed even the most outlandish excuses of his insincere employees.
a. intelligent
b. naïve
c. dishonest
d. critical

9. You cannot become a certified teacher without completing the prerequisite student-teaching assignment. a. required
b. optional
c. preferred
d. advisable

10. Charles, aware of his susceptibility to gum disease, is diligent about flossing.
a. uncomfortable
b. excited
c. thorough
d. ambivalent

11. Even though she’d read her supervisor’s memo four or five times, she still found his rambling message ambiguous. a. profound
b. inspiring
c. ridiculous
d. unclear

12. Excited about winning the award, Marcia walked up to the podium and delivered an animated acceptance speech. a. abbreviated
b. courteous
c. reserved
d. lively

13. The intermittent rain soaked the garden many different times during the day.
a. protracted
b. periodic
c. incredulous
d. light

14. I got a vicarious thrill watching you on the diving board.
a. shared
b. unpleasant
c. adventurous
d. evil

15. After several small brushfires at the campground, officials felt the need to augment the rules pertaining to campfires. a. criticize
b. retract
c. consider
d. expand

16. As soon as the details of the election were released to the media, the newspaper was inundated with calls—far too many to be handled effectively.
a. provided
b. bothered
c. rewarded
d. flooded

17. The doctor got to the crux of the issue.
a. outline
b. opposite
c. crucial point
d. unhealthy

18. When people heard that timid Bob had taken up skydiving, they were incredulous. a. fearful
b. outraged
c. convinced
d. disbelieving

19. The technical department enthusiastically hired Ms. Long because she was proficient in the use of computers. a. sincere
b. adequate
c. competent
d. skilled

20. Even under tremendous public pressure, the planning committee would not commit itself wholeheartedly to the proposal and gave only tentative approval to the waterfront development plan. a. provisional
b. ambiguous
c. unnecessary
d. total

21. The preacher used a euphemism for an unpleasant subject.
a. ugly picture
b. substituted word
c. homeless person
d. visual aid

22. Since the townspeople were so dissatisfied, various methods to alleviate the situation were debated.
a. ease
b. tolerate
c. clarify
d. intensify

23. That perfume always evokes pleasant memories.
a. angers
b. erases
c. calls up
d. confuses

24. The attorney wanted to expedite the process because her client was becoming impatient.
a. accelerate
b. evaluate
c. reverse
d. justify

25. The suspect gave a plausible explanation for his presence at the scene, so the police decided to look elsewhere for the perpetrator of the crime.
a. unbelievable
b. credible
c. insufficient
d. apologetic

26. He based his conclusion on what he inferred from the evidence, not on what he actually observed. a. predicted
b. imagined
c. surmised
d. implied

27. The neighborhood-watch group presented its ultimatum at the town board meeting: Repave the streets or prepare for protests. a. earnest plea
b. formal petition
c. solemn promise
d. non-negotiable demand

28. The editor of the newspaper needed to be sure the article presented the right information, so his review was meticulous. a. delicate
b. painstaking
c. superficial
d. objective

29. The general public didn’t care about the trial and was apathetic about the verdict. a. enraged
b. indifferent
c. suspicious
d. saddened

30. The doctors were pleased that their theory had been fortified by the new research. a. reinforced
b. altered
c. disputed
d. developed