Brainscape Bot Deck 10

Question 1

verb

to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster:

Rising consumer sales have the effect of ____ring the economy to faster growth.
Spurred (on) by her early success, she went on to write four more novels in rapid succession.
He ____red his horse on and shouted “Faster! Faster!”
The manager said that the team’s win on Saturday would be a ____ to even greater effort this season.
The huge new factory ____red economic growth in the entire region.
The team’s win on Saturday will be a ____ to even greater effort this season.

Answer 1

spur

Question 2

noun

an argument or disagreement, especially an official one between, for example, workers and employers or two countries with a common border:

He was in _______ with his last company, which had terminated his contract.
Workers at the car plant are to stage a fresh strike in a _______ over pay.
_______ between/with sb/sth (and sb/sth) The _______ between Brazil and the United States over immigration checks continued.
a bitter/long-running _______
Sensitive documents related to personnel that ought to be protected for privacy reasons are the only documents that are in _______.
The facts in this matter are in _______.
Health insurers _______ the doctors’ statement that they don’t pay enough to make up for the cost of the vaccine.
Many in the television industry _______ research findings suggesting negative long-term effects of television violence.
An official involved in the _______ said that the attorney has indicated he is likely to agree to the revised terms.
Staff have been in a long-running pay _______ with the company.
The judge urged the feuding partners to settle their legal _______ .
[ + that clause ] I don’t _______ that his films are entertaining, but they don’t have much depth.
a bitter/long-running _______
a pay/legal/trade _______
They have been unable to settle/resolve the _______ over working conditions.
The unions are in _______ with management over pay.
He is beyond all _______ the finest actor in Hollywood today.
I don’t think her ability is in _______ - what I question is her attitude.
He says it’s the best musical equipment you can buy, but I think that’s open to _______.
Few would _______ his status as the finest artist of the period.
The circumstances of her death have been hotly _______d.
[ + (that) ] I don’t _______ (that) his movies are entertaining, but they don’t have much depth.
[ C ] Management and the union are trying to resolve the _______ over working conditions.
Her skill is not in _______ (= there is no disagreement about her skill), but she doesn’t produce enough work.
a border _______

argument: I don’t want to get into an argument with you about this.
disagreement: There was a disagreement over who should pay the bill.
quarrel: There were bitter quarrels between the two neighbours.
row: UK My parents had a row about money.
tiff: She had a tiff with her boyfriend last night.
argue: The kids are always arguing about something.
have an argument: I had an argument with my sister.
fight: The two sides continue to fight over control of the assembly.
quarrel: Stop quarrelling, you two!
row: UK My parents were always rowing about money.
squabble: They are still squabbling over who will get the big office.
squabble: I’m always dealing with squabbles between the children.

Answer 2

dispute

Question 3

adjective

a secret purpose or reason for doing something:

He claims he just wants to help Lisa but I suspect he has an ________ motive.
She had no ________ motive for helping them out – she just wanted to do it.

Answer 3

ulterior

Question 4

noun

a statement that says that something is not true:

She says she is preparing a point-by-point ________ that will address these issues.
She issued a point-by-point ________ of the company’s accusations.
She issued a ________ of the charges.

Answer 4

rebuttal

Question 5

adjective

extremely determined to act in a particular way and not to change despite what anyone else says:

The president remains ________ on immigration.
Union leaders remain ________ that working conditions and pay improve.
Several ________ facts/differences remain, preventing a compromise solution.

Answer 5

obdurate

Question 6

verb

to say something suddenly, and without thinking of the results:

At one point, Goetz _____ed out, “The subways down there are terrible.”

Answer 6

blurt

Question 7

verb

to embarrass someone or make them feel uncomfortable:

Her elder cousins _____ed her by commenting on her shyness.
They tried not to be _____ed by the unfamiliar luxury.

Answer 7

abash

Question 8

adjective

severe, or showing disapproval:

a _____ look/warning/voice
She is her own _____est critic.
Journalists received a _____ warning not to go anywhere near the battleship.
The country’s president is facing the _____est test of his authority since he came to power five years ago.
The Red Ensign, the flag of the British Merchant Navy, is rarely seen these days except on the _____s of a few cruise liners and cross-Channel ferries.
Sterner punishment may produce better behavior, but I doubt it.
He _____ly reminded his son to drive carefully.
A rope over the _____ towed the little boat.

Answer 8

stern

Question 9

verb

to answer someone quickly in an angry or funny way:

[ + speech ] “That doesn’t concern you!” she ______ed.
“I’m going to tell him,” said Max. “Just you try!” came the ______.
When the telephone operator called him boy, he ______ed, “That’s Mr. Boy to you!”

answer: “Thank you”, she answered.
reply: The man replied that something was missing.
respond: We aim to respond to all enquiries within five working days.
react: He reacted positively to the proposal.
get back to: I’ll look into it and get back to you.
explain: “What happened?” she asked. - “There’s no time to explain!” he said.
answer: We’re still waiting for an answer.
reply: “How far?” asked Nigel. “Not far,” was the mumbled reply.
answer: 105 is the correct answer.
response: Thank you for your swift response.
reaction: What was her reaction when she was asked for her resignation?
______: Alan snapped back with a witty ______.

Answer 9

retort

Question 10

verb

to get or produce something, especially information or a reaction:

Have you managed to ______ a response from them yet?
The questionnaire was intended to ______ information on eating habits.
They were able to ______ the support of the public.
The teacher ______s definitions from the students.
In this teaching practice, teachers ______ and build on their students’ mathematical insights.
The program has also ______ed both positive and negative responses.

Answer 10

elicit

Question 11

verb

to prevent something or make it impossible, or prevent someone from doing something:

His contract ________s him from discussing his work with anyone outside the company.
The fact that your application was not successful this time does not ________ the possibility of you applying again next time.
Although your application was not accepted, it doesn’t ________ the possibility of your applying again later.

Answer 11

preclude

Question 12

verb

to change the words of a text, especially a law or a legal document:

MPs were urged to _____ the law to prevent another oil tanker disaster.
In line 20, “men” should be _____ed (= changed) to “people”.
Until the constitution is _____ed, the power to appoint ministers will remain with the president.
The terms of the contract were _____ed in later years.
They were too hasty to _____ or drop initiatives that did not work immediately.
_____ sth to sth In line 20, ‘men’ should be _____ed to ‘people’.
_____ a bill/law He will try to _____ the bill to shift more of the money to conservation.
The proposals would _____ the Insolvency Act of 1986 to prevent potentially viable small businesses from being forced into receivership.
Until the constitution is _____ed, the power to appoint ministers will remain with the president.

Answer 12

amend

Question 13

noun

the quality of being often in a bad mood, unfriendly, and not polite:

teenage _________

Answer 13

surliness

Question 14

verb

to put yourself or something between two things, people, or groups, especially in order to stop them doing something:

[ + speech ] “I can’t agree with you, Mr Heath,” he _________d.
The teacher _________d herself between the two snarling boys.

Answer 14

interpose

Question 15

verb

to shine by reflecting light from a wet or smooth surface:

The grass _______ed in the early-morning dew.
His eyes _______ed with tears.
His eyes _______ed with tears.

Answer 15

glisten

Question 16

verb

to speak in an uncontrolled way, usually because you are upset or angry, or because you are ill:

He’s always raving (on) about the government.
She was ranting and raving about some imagined insult.
She ____d about/over the clothes she had seen at the Paris fashion shows.
The show has received ____ reviews/notices in all the papers.
an all-night/open-air ____
____ music
The show has received ____ reviews.
Her speech drew ____s from everyone.
She was wild and raving, tearing up her books.
Everyone is raving about that new Vietnamese restaurant.

praise: Lawmakers praised the bipartisan deal.
congratulate: I congratulated him on passing his driving test.
commend: The judge commended her for her b____ry.
pay tribute to: He paid tribute to the firefighters who had saved his daughter’s life.
flatter: I knew he was only flattering me because he wanted to borrow some money.
compliment: I was just complimenting Robert on the wonderful meal he has cooked.

Answer 16

rave

Question 17

verb

to confuse and very much surprise someone, so that they are unable to explain or deal with a situation:

An elderly man from Hull has ________ed doctors by recovering after he was officially declared dead.
The singer ________ed her critics with a remarkable follow-up album.
She likes to ________ others’ expectations about her.

Answer 17

confound

Question 18

adjective

unpleasant or of low quality:

a ________ childhood
The people live in ________ conditions, with no running water.
My ________ car’s broken down again.
He looked so ill and ________ as he spoke that he made me feel ________ myself.
Workers lived in ________, overcrowded shacks.
I think I must be coming down with flu - I’ve been feeling ________ all day.

Answer 18

wretched

Question 19

verb

to show something publicly:

He frequently _______s at the art gallery.
In the summer the academy will _______ several prints that are rarely seen.
He _______ed great self-control considering her rudeness.
The museum has a fascinating collection of _______s ranging from Iron Age pottery to Inuit clothing.
Let’s go see the new dinosaur _______.
Is _______ C the weapon that you say was used?
[ T ] The gallery is _______ing his paintings and watercolors.
He _______ed poor judgment.
The museum’s _______s range from Iron Age pottery to Eskimo clothing.
She has _______ed her art all over the world.
_______ at/in sth The £20,000 prize helped him to _______ at the Paris Fashion Show.
Did he _______ any leadership talents?
art _______s

Answer 19

exhibit

Question 20

noun

a sweet cold dish consisting of a layer of fruit and cake, a layer of custard (= thick, sweet, yellow sauce) and a top layer of cream:

a sherry ______
I brought a few ______s back from India - pieces of jewellery and fabric mainly.
I’m a ______ confused about the arrangements for tonight.
He admits to being a ______ nervous before every show.
It was such a _____ing sum of money to argue about.

Answer 20

trifle

Question 21

verb

to make someone feel that they must do something:

[ + to infinitive ] She was in such a mess I felt _____led to (= felt I had to) offer your services.
I wonder what it is that _____s him to exercise all the time.
[ + to infinitive ] When I see them eating, I feel _____led to eat, too.

Answer 21

impel

Question 22

adjective

never having happened or existed in the past:

This century has witnessed environmental destruction on an _____________ scale.
We’ve entered an age of _____________ prosperity.

Answer 22

unprecedented

Question 23

adjective

large in quantity and expensive or impressive:

______ gifts/promises/praise
______ spending
______ banquets
The evening was a ______ affair with glorious food and an endless supply of champagne.
The ______ production makes this musical truly memorable.
The critics were ______ in their praise for the paintings.
The team has the most ______ training facility in the league.
They live in a ______ly furnished apartment overlooking Central Park.

Answer 23

lavish

Question 24

adjective

very well known and important:

_________ly displayed pictures
Despite his ________ce, he was never able to make a living.
She has a _________ chin/nose.
a _________ Democrat
a _________ member of the Saudi royal family
The government should be playing a more _________ role in promoting human rights.
She has a _________ chin/nose.
New books are displayed in a _________ position on tables at the front of the store.
She plays a _________ role in the organization.

well known: She’s a well-known artist.
renowned: The area is renowned for its beauty.
world-famous: They stayed in a world-famous hotel.
celebrated: He’s a celebrated writer of children’s stories.
legendary: He once met the legendary singer, Eartha Kitt.
important: It was one of the most important legal cases of the century.
big: This is a big match tonight - if we lose, we won’t be in the playoffs.
major: This is a major decision so we’d better get it right.
significant: Did he make any significant changes to my suggestions?
famous: She went from poor and anonymous to rich and famous.

Answer 24

prominent

Question 25

adjective

complete or extreme, or completely or extremely:

He must be a ______ idiot/lunatic.
Her last book was a ______ best-seller/success.
She’s no ______ beauty.
He was ______ mad near the end of his life.
I think you’re (stark) ______ mad to agree to do all that extra work without being paid for it.

Answer 25

raving

Question 26

adjective

very simple, with only the things that are absolutely necessary, especially because of severe limits on money or goods:

an _______ childhood during the war
The courtroom was a large, dark chamber, an _______ place.
He was a tall, _______, forbidding figure.
She depicts the _______ beauty of the desert.
Despite their wealth, they lead an _______ life.

Answer 26

austere

Question 27

verb

to talk about or look at someone or something in an unkind way that shows you do not respect or approve of him, her, or it:

You may _____, but a lot of people like this kind of music.
She’ll probably _____ at my new shoes because they’re not expensive.
[ + speech ] “Is that the best you can do?” he _____ed.
“How much did you say you earned last year?” she said with a _____.
[ I ] You may _____ (at it), but a lot of people like this kind of music.
“Is that the best you can do?” he asked with a _____.

Answer 27

sneer

Question 28

verb

to search for something by moving things around carelessly and looking into, under, and behind them:

She _______d in/through all the drawers, looking for a pen.
I had a _______ around/about (the house), but I couldn’t find my certificate anywhere.
Her mother was away, and he was bored, so he had a nosy _______ in her desk.
She _______d through the drawer, looking for a pen.

search: I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find my passport.
look: She was looking in her handbag for a pen.
hunt: I’ve hunted all over the place but I can’t find that book.
_______: He _______d through his pockets, looking for his keys.
ferret out: The inspector general has broad powers to ferret out fraud on the state and local level.
comb: Police combed the area for evidence.

Answer 28

rummage

Question 29

verb

to go into a place or situation in which you are not wanted or not expected to be:

I didn’t realize your husband was here, Dr Jones - I hope I’m not ______ing.
Newspaper editors are being urged not to _______ on/into the grief of the families of missing servicemen.
Sorry to _______, but I wanted to insure that this got to your attention.
Students who live in a dorm regard any curfew as ______ing on their rights.

Answer 29

intrude

Question 30

adjective

annoyed, especially because you can do nothing to solve a problem:

He’s becoming increasingly ___________ with the situation.

Answer 30

exasperated

Question 31

verb

to make a sudden, small movement because of pain or fear:

He didn’t even ______ when the nurse cleaned the wound.
Now I’m going to move the eyepiece right up against your eye for a second – try not to ______.

Answer 31

flinch

Question 32

noun

official agreement to or approval of an idea, plan, or request:

Once the directors have given their ______ to the proposal we can begin.
She nodded her ______ to the proposal.
UK Before an Act of Parliament can become law, it needs to receive Royal Assent (= an official signature) from the monarch.
Have they ______ed to the terms of the contract?
He gave a nod of ______, and we knew we had a deal at last.
At long last, the general ______ed to a halt in the bombing.
with the ______ of sb The government, with the ______ of the two smaller opposition parties, pushed through the bill this week.
give your ______ to sth Once the directors have given their ______ to the proposal, work can start almost immediately.
The transfer of a property to the beneficiary after someone has died is done by means of an ______.
______ to sth Have they ______ed to the terms of the contract?

acquiesce: The police acquiesced to the rebels’ demands.
______: By signing, you ______ to the terms of the contract.
consent: I consent to a search of my vehicle.
accept: I have no choice but to accept the ruling of the court.
agree: I suggested they seek legal counsel and they agreed.
sanction: She gave official state sanction to the drilling company for their proposed pipeline.
consent: I give my consent to the marriage.
agreement: There’s widespread agreement that something must be done.
acceptance: His views never gained acceptance among the broader community.
concordance: The study shows strong concordance between patient health and patient happiness.
______: The bill received royal ______.

Answer 32

assent

Question 33

adjective

expecting to be obeyed immediately and without any questions:

He started issuing __________ instructions.
She was highly critical of the insensitive and __________ way in which the cases had been handled.
In his usual __________ manner, he ordered us all into the conference room.

Answer 33

peremptory

Question 34

adjective

showing that you are sorry for something you have done because you feel it was wrong:

“I’m sorry,” she said with a ________ smile.
It was hard to be angry with him when he looked so ________.

Answer 34

penitent

Question 35

verb

to make something more beautiful by adding something to it:

The ceiling was _________ed with flowers and leaves.
He couldn’t resist _________ing the story of his accident a little.
I don’t blame him for _________ing.
Many early building entrances were richly _________ed.
He couldn’t resist _________ing his account of the African safari.

Answer 35

embellish