GROUNDWORK FOR A BETTER VOCABULARY Fourth Edition B ETH J OHNSON J ANET M. G OLDSTEIN © 2011 Townsend Press.

GROUNDWORK

FOR A

BETTER VOCABULARYFourth Edition

BETH JOHNSON

JANET M. GOLDSTEIN

© 2011 Townsend Press

Chapter 3

• accompany • improper

• desperate • preserve

• determine • pursue

• dispose • rejection

• evident • restore

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

Accompany means

A. to go before.

B. to go after.

C. to go with.

Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

1 accompany• The Myers asked my sister to accompany them to the seashore

to help take care of their young children.

• In popular music, words usually accompany the tune. In much classical music, there are no words to go with the notes.

– verb

A man accompanying a woman across the street

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

If the sister is going to help with the children, she will have to go with them to the seashore. In contrast to classical music, words go with the tune in popular music.

Accompany means

A. to go before.

B. to go after.

C. to go with.

• The Myers asked my sister to accompany them to the seashore to help take care of their young children.

• In popular music, words usually accompany the tune. In much classical music, there are no words to go with the notes.

A man accompanying a woman across the street

1 accompany – verb

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

2 desperate

Desperate means

A. harmed by.

B. in great need of.

C. surprised by.

• Extremely ill people may be so desperate for a cure that they will try anything.

• The earthquake victims are desperate for food and clothing.

– adjective

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

An extremely ill person who will try anything must be in great need of a cure. Earthquake victims would be in great need of food and clothing.

Desperate means

A. harmed by.

B. in great need of.

C. surprised by.

• Extremely ill people may be so desperate for a cure that they will try anything.

• The earthquake victims are desperate for food and clothing.

2 desperate – adjective

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

Determine means

A. to regret.

B. to remember.

C. to discover.

Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

3 determine• The doctor looked at the x-ray and determined that Chen’s

ankle was sprained, not broken.

• Using a calculator, I determined that the “super-giant” box of laundry soap was a better buy than the “family economy” box.

– verb

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

By looking at the x-ray, the doctor discovered the ankle was only sprained. By calculating, the speaker discovered which box was a better deal.

Determine means

A. to regret.

B. to remember.

C. to discover.

• The doctor looked at the x-ray and determined that Chen’s ankle was sprained, not broken.

• Using a calculator, I determined that the “super-giant” box of laundry soap was a better buy than the “family economy” box.

3 determine – verb

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

• The sign said, “Lungs at work. Please dispose of all cigarettes, cigars, and pipes before entering.”

• After losing forty pounds, Herb decided to dispose of all the clothes that reminded him of his old size. He never wanted to see them again.

4 dispose

Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

Dispose means

A. to get rid of.

B. to pay for.

C. to use up.

– verb

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

The sign asks people to get rid of their cigarettes before entering because others are breathing. If Herb never wanted to see his old clothes again, he would get rid of them.

• The sign said, “Lungs at work. Please dispose of all cigarettes, cigars, and pipes before entering.”

• After losing forty pounds, Herb decided to dispose of all the clothes that reminded him of his old size. He never wanted to see them again.

Dispose means

A. to get rid of.

B. to pay for.

C. to use up.

4 dispose – verb

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

Evident means

A. useful.

B. easy to see.

C. unlikely.

5 evident – adjective

• The fact that my aunt dyes her hair is evident—her gray roots show.

• To make it evident that she didn’t want to go out with James again, Crystal sent him back all his letters and gifts.

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

The gray roots would make it easy to see that the woman dyes her hair. By sending back the letters and gifts, Crystal is making it easy to see she does not want to go out with James.

Evident means

A. useful.

B. easy to see.

C. unlikely.

• The fact that my aunt dyes her hair is evident—her gray roots show.

• To make it evident that she didn’t want to go out with James again, Crystal sent him back all his letters and gifts.

5 evident – adjective

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

Improper means

A. common.

B. useful.

C. wrong.

• A bathing suit is fine for the beach, but it’s improper for church.

• Movies are rated PG-13 if they contain material that is considered improper for young children.

6 improper – adjective

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

A bathing suit is the wrong clothing to wear to church. If a movie is rated PG-13, it must contain material that is wrong for young children to see.

Improper means

A. common.

B. useful.

C. wrong.

• A bathing suit is fine for the beach, but it’s improper for church.

• Movies are rated PG-13 if they contain material that is considered improper for young children.

6 improper – adjective

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

Preserve means

A. to keep safe.

B. to sell off.

C. to seek.

• Steps are being taken to preserve the remaining giant redwood trees of California and Oregon for future generations.

• To preserve its valuable old fabrics, the museum keeps them away from bright lights and extreme temperatures.

7 preserve – verb

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

For the trees to be enjoyed by future generations, they need to be kept safe. Keeping the old fabrics away from light and extreme temperature would keep them safe.

Preserve means

A. to keep safe.

B. to sell off.

C. to seek.

• Steps are being taken to preserve the remaining giant redwood trees of California and Oregon for future generations.

• To preserve its valuable old fabrics, the museum keeps them away from bright lights and extreme temperatures.

7 preserve – verb

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

Pursue means

A. to avoid.

B. to work toward.

C. to replace.

• After raising her children, my sister returned to college to pursue a degree in art education. She then taught art in an elementary school.

• Victor plans to pursue an acting career in New York City. His goal is to become a great actor, not a great star.

8 pursue – verb

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

If the woman became an art teacher, she must have first worked toward a degree in art education. If Victor wants to become a great actor, he would work toward an acting career.

Pursue means

A. to avoid.

B. to work toward.

C. to replace.

• After raising her children, my sister returned to college to pursue a degree in art education. She then taught art in an elementary school.

• Victor plans to pursue an acting career in New York City. His goal is to become a great actor, not a great star.

8 pursue – verb

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

Rejection means

A. respect.

B. not being accepted.

C. bad taste.

• My brother was upset when he received a letter of rejection from a college he wanted to attend.

• Nita wasn’t too disturbed when she didn’t get the job she had interviewed for. “If you can’t handle rejection, you have some growing up to do,” she said.

9 rejection – noun

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

If the brother is upset, he must not have been accepted to the college. If Nita didn’t get the job, she was not accepted for it.

Rejection means

A. respect.

B. not being accepted.

C. bad taste.

• My brother was upset when he received a letter of rejection from a college he wanted to attend.

• Nita wasn’t too disturbed when she didn’t get the job she had interviewed for. “If you can’t handle rejection, you have some growing up to do,” she said.

9 rejection – noun

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

Restore means

A. to fix.

B. to harm.

C. to give away.

10 restore• During the 1980s, the Statue of Liberty was restored. The

damaged torch and the 1,600 iron bands that hold the copper skin to the frame were replaced.

• Surprisingly, there have been cases where a bump on the head has restored the sight of a blind person.

– verb

The chair on the right has been restored.

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXTChoose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

If the damaged parts were replaced, the statue was fixed. It is surprising that a person’s damaged sight can sometimes be fixed by a bump on the head.

Restore means

A. to fix.

B. to harm.

C. to give away.

• During the 1980s, the Statue of Liberty was restored. The damaged torch and the 1,600 iron bands that hold the copper skin to the frame were replaced.

• Surprisingly, there have been cases where a bump on the head has restored the sight of a blind person.

10 restore – verb

The chair on the right has been restored.

CHECK 1

2. There are several ways to __________ things you no longer want: put them in the garbage, recycle them, or give or sell them to someone who can use them.

1. When we say that something is __________, we mean that it can be clearly seen or clearly understood.

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

A. accompany B. desperate C. determine D. dispose of E. evident

F. improper G. preserve H. pursue I. rejection J. restore

CHECK 1

2. There are several ways to __________ things you no longer want: put them in the garbage, recycle them, or give or sell them to someone who can use them.

1. When we say that something is __________, we mean that it can be clearly seen or clearly understood.

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

dispose of

evident

The words clearly seen are a clue.

The sentence lists three ways you can get rid of things you no longer want.

A. accompany B. desperate C. determine D. dispose of E. evident

F. improper G. preserve H. pursue I. rejection J. restore

4. Do you like ketchup to __________ your French fries, or do you prefer them plain?

CHECK 1

5. At some fancy restaurants, it’s considered __________ for a man to show up without a jacket and a tie.

3. If you are __________ for food, that means you are in great need of it.

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

A. accompany B. desperate C. determine D. dispose of E. evident

F. improper G. preserve H. pursue I. rejection J. restore

4. Do you like ketchup to __________ your French fries, or do you prefer them plain?

CHECK 1

5. At some fancy restaurants, it’s considered __________ for a man to show up without a jacket and a tie.

3. If you are __________ for food, that means you are in great need of it.

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

desperate

accompany

improper

The words in great need of are a clue.

Ketchup is something that goes with French fries.

Not wearing a jacket and tie is not right for the situation of being in certain fancy restaurants.

A. accompany B. desperate C. determine D. dispose of E. evident

F. improper G. preserve H. pursue I. rejection J. restore

CHECK 1

6. You can always __________ which twin is which because Beth wears glasses, but her sister Lisa doesn’t.

7. Many athletes __________ an Olympic medal by practicing hours a day for years, but only a few athletes can actually win one.

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

A. accompany B. desperate C. determine D. dispose of E. evident

F. improper G. preserve H. pursue I. rejection J. restore

CHECK 1

6. You can always __________ which twin is which because Beth wears glasses, but her sister Lisa doesn’t.

7. Many athletes __________ an Olympic medal by practicing hours a day for years, but only a few athletes can actually win one.

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

determine

pursue

Glasses help you figure out which twin is which.

Practicing for years is a way to work toward an Olympic medal.

A. accompany B. desperate C. determine D. dispose of E. evident

F. improper G. preserve H. pursue I. rejection J. restore

9. To __________ a piece of furniture, protect it from too much heat, sun, and moisture.

10.To __________ an old table, you must first remove all the old varnish and paint.

CHECK 1

8. The opposite of “acceptance” is “__________.”

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

A. accompany B. desperate C. determine D. dispose of E. evident

F. improper G. preserve H. pursue I. rejection J. restore

9. To __________ a piece of furniture, protect it from too much heat, sun, and moisture.

10.To __________ an old table, you must first remove all the old varnish and paint.

CHECK 1

8. The opposite of “acceptance” is “__________.”

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

rejection

preserve

restore

Not being accepted is the opposite of acceptance.

The word protect is a clue.

Removing old varnish and paint is a step in the process of repairing an old table.

A. accompany B. desperate C. determine D. dispose of E. evident

F. improper G. preserve H. pursue I. rejection J. restore

WORD PARTS

1. Eva in a deliberate° way stuck her foot out as her little brother came by. As he fell, he yelled, “Hey, you did that on purpose!”

Choose the word from the box that means the same as the italicized words.

A. angrily B. deliberately° C. desperatelyD. excessively° E. skillfullyA. angrily B. deliberately° C. desperatelyD. excessively° E. skillfully

2. If the wound is sewed up in a skillful way, it won’t even leave a scar.

One meaning of the suffix -ly is “in a certain way.”Examples: desperate — in great need grateful — thankful

desperately — in a way that shows gratefully — in a thankful waygreat need

WORD PARTS

1. Eva deliberately° stuck her foot out as her little brother came by. As he fell, he yelled, “Hey, you did that on purpose!”

A. angrily B. deliberately° C. desperatelyD. excessively° E. skillfullyA. angrily B. deliberately° C. desperatelyD. excessively° E. skillfully

2. If the wound is sewed up skillfully, it won’t even leave a scar.

Choose the word from the box that means the same as the italicized words.

One meaning of the suffix -ly is “in a certain way.”Examples: desperate — in great need grateful — thankful

desperately — in a way that shows gratefully — in a thankful waygreat need

WORD PARTS

4. Many neighbors stayed up all night, searching in a desperate way for the missing child.

5. The principal said the the class in an angry way, “There’s no good reason for such rude behavior toward a substitute teacher.”

3. I guess I have been watching TV in an excessive° way recently. I know the characters on my favorite programs better than I know my family members.

Choose the word from the box that means the same as the italicized words.

A. angrily B. deliberately° C. desperatelyD. excessively° E. skillfullyA. angrily B. deliberately° C. desperatelyD. excessively° E. skillfully

One meaning of the suffix -ly is “in a certain way.”

WORD PARTS

4. Many neighbors stayed up all night, searching desperately for the missing child.

5. The principal said the the class angrily, “There’s no good reason for such rude behavior toward a substitute teacher.”

3. I guess I have been watching TV excessively° recently. I know the characters on my favorite programs better than I know my family members.

A. angrily B. deliberately° C. desperatelyD. excessively° E. skillfullyA. angrily B. deliberately° C. desperatelyD. excessively° E. skillfully

Choose the word from the box that means the same as the italicized words.

One meaning of the suffix -ly is “in a certain way.”

WORD PARTS

6. To _______ this old lamp, you’ll need to put in new electrical wiring.

Choose the word from the box that best completes each item.

A. recall B. reflect C. removeD. repay E. restoreA. recall B. reflect C. removeD. repay E. restore

7. My brother is constantly asking me for loans, promising he will _______ me when he gets his allowance.

One meaning of the prefix re- is “back.”Examples: reflect — to bend light back repay — to pay back

recall — to call back to mind; restore — to bring back to aremember former condition

WORD PARTS

6. To restore this old lamp, you’ll need to put in new electrical wiring.

A. recall B. reflect C. removeD. repay E. restoreA. recall B. reflect C. removeD. repay E. restore

7. My brother is constantly asking me for loans, promising he will repay me when he gets his allowance.

Putting in new wiring will bring the lamp back to its former condition.

The brother promises he will pay the money back.

Choose the word from the box that best completes each item.

One meaning of the prefix re- is “back.”Examples: reflect — to bend light back repay — to pay back

recall — to call back to mind; restore — to bring back to aremember former condition

WORD PARTS

Choose the word from the box that best completes each item.

9. According to legend, when a vampire looks in the mirror, he sees nothing. The mirror doesn’t _______ his image.

10.Before you hold the baby, you’d better _______ your long earrings. He might grab them.

8. I remember the man’s face, but I cannot _______ his name.

A. recall B. reflect C. removeD. repay E. restoreA. recall B. reflect C. removeD. repay E. restore

One meaning of the prefix re- is “back.”

WORD PARTS

9. According to legend, when a vampire looks in the mirror, he sees nothing. The mirror doesn’t reflect his image.

10.Before you hold the baby, you’d better remove your long earrings. He might grab them.

8. I remember the man’s face, but I cannot recall his name.

A. recall B. reflect C. removeD. repay E. restoreA. recall B. reflect C. removeD. repay E. restore

The mirror does not send back the vampire’s image.

You need to take off (“move back”) your long earrings so the baby won’t grab them.

The speaker cannot call the man’s name back to mind.

Choose the word from the box that best completes each item.

One meaning of the prefix re- is “back.”