15.04 Articles and quantifiers

Question 1

Using only a little of something; limited or restrained.
Neutral to slightly formal; common in both written and spoken English.

Adjective

Answer 1

Spare
Sparing

She added a sparing amount of salt to the dish.

He gave a sparing smile, barely lifting the corners of his mouth.

Question 2

Adjective / VerbNot well known or difficult to understand or notice.
Neutral to formal; used in both everyday and academic language. Still commonly used today.

Answer 2

Obscure

Adjective examples:

*The village is located in an obscure part of the countryside.

*He made an obscure reference that no one understood.

Verb examples:

*Clouds obscured the moon.

*Her explanation only obscured the main point.

Question 3

The act of going down, a decline or drop (literal or metaphorical); also refers to a person’s origin or ancestry.
Neutral to formal; used in everyday, academic, and official contexts. Still commonly used today.

Answer 3

Descent

*The hikers began their descent from the mountain.

*His sudden descent into depression was worrying.

*She is of French descent.

Question 5

The sound or mark made by a foot hitting the ground; can also refer to someone’s path or example to follow.
Neutral; commonly used both literally and metaphorically in modern English.

Answer 5

Footstep

*She heard footsteps behind her and quickened her pace.

*He’s following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a teacher.