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Simmons.

Appropriate Words or Appropriate Words or Expressions in ContextExpressions in Context

Astonished? Astounded? Bewildered? Confounded?

Dazed? Dazzled?

What’s the right word?

This presentation will help you distinguish

between appropriate and inappropriate

words or expressions for the given

context.

On an objective test,On an objective test, an item an item evaluating the skill might look evaluating the skill might look like this like this .. .. ..

Sample ItemSample Item

When Lawrence stuck French fries up his nose, When Lawrence stuck French fries up his nose, we shouted, “Yuck!” We were __________ by his we shouted, “Yuck!” We were __________ by his behavior.behavior.

A.A.unfazedunfazedB.B.dazzleddazzledC.C.repulsedrepulsed

When Lawrence stuck French fries up his nose, When Lawrence stuck French fries up his nose, we shouted, “Yuck!” We were __________ by his we shouted, “Yuck!” We were __________ by his behavior.behavior.

A.A.unfazedunfazedB.B.dazzleddazzledC.C.repulsedrepulsed

Is unfazed, dazzled, or

repulsed the best word to fill the

blank?

Repulsed, which means disgusted or sickened, is the

right choice.

What if I don’t know any of

words that are options?

Don’t panic! Try to

determine the right word by

looking for clues about meaning!

Clue 1: Look for a definition.Clue 1: Look for a definition.

Sharilyn suffers from cynophobia, or the fear of dogs, so she won’t be interested in adopting a puppy.

Cynophobia! That’s such a big word! How am I

supposed to know what it

means?

Look at the sentence! The

author has defined it for

you! It means the fear of dogs.

Look for commas,

parentheses, or dashes that

encapsulate (or set off) the definition.

Sharilyn suffers from cynophobia, or the fear of dogs, so she won’t be interested in adopting a puppy.

Clue 2: Look for examples.Clue 2: Look for examples.

My dog Jack is obdurate; for example, he won’t get off the couch when I ask or come when he’s called.

Obdurate! That’s another

big word! I don’t know what it

means!

Look at the sentence! The author gives

examples! You can conclude that

Jack is stubborn, a synonym for obdurate.

Look for phrases like to illustrate, for instance, or

such as that provide

examples that define the word you don’t know.

My dog Jack is obdurate; for example, he won’t get off the couch when I ask or come when he’s called.

Clue 3: Look for contrast.Clue 3: Look for contrast.

Jill was sick with the flu, so when we explained the salubrious properties of chocolate-broccoli muffins, she ate one.

Salubrious! I’ve never heard of

it! How am I supposed to know if it’s the right word or

not?

Look at the sentence! If she’s sick, she wants to

get well, so salubrious must

mean health-giving!

Look for an antonym—a

word that means the opposite—to help figure out the

meaning of the word you don’t

know.

Jill was sick with the flu, so when we explained the salubrious properties of chocolate-broccoli muffins, she ate one.

Clue 4: Infer the meaning.Clue 4: Infer the meaning.

Everyone calls that boy Sparky. Only his mother refuses to use the sobriquet, shouting, “Cornelius!” when dinner is ready.

Sobriquet! Who uses that word! I don’t know what

it means!

Guess, or infer, the meaning!

Mothers like to call their children

by their real names.

Sparky must be a nickname,

which is what a sobriquet is!

Everyone calls that boy Sparky. Only his mother refuses to use the sobriquet, shouting, “Cornelius!” when dinner is ready.

At many objective exams, you canAt many objective exams, you cannotnot use a dictionary!use a dictionary!

XX

When in doubt, rely on “gut” When in doubt, rely on “gut” feelings.feelings.

Your eyes have Your eyes have seenseen in printin print —— and your and your brain has brain has registeredregistered —— all of the possible all of the possible

words that you will encounter for this skill. If words that you will encounter for this skill. If you don’t you don’t knowknow the meaning of any of the the meaning of any of the

words, go with the one that words, go with the one that feelsfeels right.right.

Hey, I’ve seen that word before!

Quick TestQuick Test

Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, choose In the items that follow, choose the most effective word or phrase within the the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence(s).context suggested by the sentence(s).

Your turn!

Let’s see what you can do!

Item 1Item 1

After an exhausting all-nighter to finish Professor After an exhausting all-nighter to finish Professor Clark’s research paper, we found his dull lecture Clark’s research paper, we found his dull lecture the next morning __________.the next morning __________.

A.A.upliftingupliftingB.B.excruciatingexcruciatingC.C.inspiringinspiring

After an exhausting all-nighter to finish Professor After an exhausting all-nighter to finish Professor Clark’s research paper, we found his dull lecture Clark’s research paper, we found his dull lecture the next morning __________.the next morning __________.

A.A.upliftingupliftingB.B.excruciatingexcruciatingC.C.inspiringinspiring

Item 2Item 2

After Betsy’s last purchase of a lemon—and the After Betsy’s last purchase of a lemon—and the dealership’s unwillingness to repair problems that dealership’s unwillingness to repair problems that she thought the warranty covered—Betsy she thought the warranty covered—Betsy __________ the contract for her new car before __________ the contract for her new car before she signed it.she signed it.

A.A.scrutinizedscrutinizedB.B.skimmedskimmedC.C.glanced atglanced at

After Betsy’s last purchase of a lemon—and the After Betsy’s last purchase of a lemon—and the dealership’s unwillingness to repair problems that dealership’s unwillingness to repair problems that she thought the warranty covered—Betsy she thought the warranty covered—Betsy __________ the contract for her new car before __________ the contract for her new car before she signed it.she signed it.

A.A.scrutinizedscrutinizedB.B.skimmedskimmedC.C.glanced atglanced at

Item 3Item 3

Walter winced as he tasted the sauce, shook his Walter winced as he tasted the sauce, shook his head, and sighed. His __________ for Loretta’s head, and sighed. His __________ for Loretta’s cooking was obvious.cooking was obvious.

A.A.horrorhorrorB.B.excitementexcitementC.C.disdaindisdain

Walter winced as he tasted the sauce, shook his Walter winced as he tasted the sauce, shook his head, and sighed. His __________ for Loretta’s head, and sighed. His __________ for Loretta’s cooking was obvious.cooking was obvious.

A.A.horrorhorrorB.B.excitementexcitementC.C.disdaindisdain

Item 4Item 4

The students wished Professor Davis gave The students wished Professor Davis gave __________ directions for essays. Instead, the __________ directions for essays. Instead, the assignment sheets are pages long and chocked assignment sheets are pages long and chocked full of requirements.full of requirements.

A.A.complicatedcomplicatedB.B.widewideC.C.succinctsuccinct

The students wished Professor Davis gave The students wished Professor Davis gave __________ directions for essays. Instead, the __________ directions for essays. Instead, the assignment sheets are pages long and chocked assignment sheets are pages long and chocked full of requirements.full of requirements.

A.A.complicatedcomplicatedB.B.widewideC.C.succinctsuccinct

Item 5Item 5

Sara was filled with __________, for she had Sara was filled with __________, for she had emailed Professor Carson to explain that she was emailed Professor Carson to explain that she was too ill to attend class but then ran into him at the too ill to attend class but then ran into him at the Student Center, a tennis racquet in her hand.Student Center, a tennis racquet in her hand.

A.A.trepidationtrepidationB.B.mirthmirthC.C.brevitybrevity

Sara was filled with __________, for she had Sara was filled with __________, for she had emailed Professor Carson to explain that she was emailed Professor Carson to explain that she was too ill to attend class but then ran into him at the too ill to attend class but then ran into him at the Student Center, a tennis racquet in her hand.Student Center, a tennis racquet in her hand.

A.A.trepidationtrepidationB.B.mirthmirthC.C.brevitybrevity

Item 6Item 6

Simon had to __________ his cell phone after it Simon had to __________ his cell phone after it rang for the third time in class.rang for the third time in class.

A.A.relinquishrelinquishB.B.amputateamputateC.C.postponepostpone

Simon had to __________ his cell phone after it Simon had to __________ his cell phone after it rang for the third time in class.rang for the third time in class.

A.A.relinquishrelinquishB.B.amputateamputateC.C.postponepostpone

Item 7Item 7

Roger’s car holds four people comfortably, but he Roger’s car holds four people comfortably, but he stuffed nine classmates into the little vehicle. stuffed nine classmates into the little vehicle. Larissa had difficulty __________ herself from the Larissa had difficulty __________ herself from the backseat when they arrived at her house.backseat when they arrived at her house.

A.A.modifyingmodifyingB.B.hoveringhoveringC.C.extricatingextricating

Roger’s car holds four people comfortably, but he Roger’s car holds four people comfortably, but he stuffed nine classmates into the little vehicle. stuffed nine classmates into the little vehicle. Larissa had difficulty __________ herself from the Larissa had difficulty __________ herself from the backseat when they arrived at her house.backseat when they arrived at her house.

A.A.modifyingmodifyingB.B.hoveringhoveringC.C.extricatingextricating

Item 8Item 8

Winston read his essay with a ruler, scrutinizing Winston read his essay with a ruler, scrutinizing each line for errors. When he finished, he read it each line for errors. When he finished, he read it again just as carefully. We found his behavior again just as carefully. We found his behavior __________, but teachers loved his control of __________, but teachers loved his control of grammar.grammar.

A.A.punitivepunitiveB.B.redundantredundantC.C.lackadaisicallackadaisical

Winston read his essay with a ruler, scrutinizing Winston read his essay with a ruler, scrutinizing each line for errors. When he finished, he read it each line for errors. When he finished, he read it again just as carefully. We found his behavior again just as carefully. We found his behavior __________, but teachers loved his control of __________, but teachers loved his control of grammar.grammar.

A.A.punitivepunitiveB.B.redundantredundantC.C.lackadaisicallackadaisical

Item 9Item 9

Larry dyed his hair blue and green and painted his Larry dyed his hair blue and green and painted his face and torso in the same school colors. In face and torso in the same school colors. In addition, he wore flippers on his feet and hands. addition, he wore flippers on his feet and hands. When his girlfriend Maria saw his game-day When his girlfriend Maria saw his game-day preparations, she gasped and declared them preparations, she gasped and declared them __________.__________.

A.A.subduedsubduedB.B.ostentatiousostentatiousC.C.pedestrianpedestrian

Larry dyed his hair blue and green and painted his Larry dyed his hair blue and green and painted his face and torso in the same school colors. In face and torso in the same school colors. In addition, he wore flippers on his feet and hands. addition, he wore flippers on his feet and hands. When his girlfriend Maria saw his game-day When his girlfriend Maria saw his game-day preparations, she gasped and declared them preparations, she gasped and declared them __________.__________.

A.A.subduedsubduedB.B.ostentatiousostentatiousC.C.pedestrianpedestrian

Item 10Item 10

We followed the guide down the stairs to the floor We followed the guide down the stairs to the floor below the lobby. Then we toured the __________ below the lobby. Then we toured the __________ storerooms where the museum kept priceless storerooms where the museum kept priceless treasures not on display.treasures not on display.

A.A.subterraneansubterraneanB.B.loftyloftyC.C.incapacitatedincapacitated

We followed the guide down the stairs to the floor We followed the guide down the stairs to the floor below the lobby. Then we toured the __________ below the lobby. Then we toured the __________ storerooms where the museum kept priceless storerooms where the museum kept priceless treasures not on display.treasures not on display.

A.A.subterraneansubterraneanB.B.loftyloftyC.C.incapacitatedincapacitated

Or the Or the EndEnd..

After the denouementAfter the denouement