Dec27

Question 1

aggravating
n. Aggravation
v. Aggravate

Answer 1

adj. making worse; annoying
syn. Irritating

The aggravating delay was caused by road repairs.
The shortage of work aggravated the crisis in the small town.

Question 2

amusement
adv. Amusingly
adj. Amusing
v. Amuse

Answer 2

n. Something that holds interest and is enjoyable
syn. Diversion

We listened in amusement as he tried to convince his friend to lend him $50.
His amusing comment made everyone laugh.

Question 3

conceivably
adj. Conceivable
v. Conceive

Answer 3

adv. Feasibly; believably
syn. Possibly

They could conceivably earn first place with their science project.
It is conceivable that humans will travel to distant planets one day.

Question 4

convert
adj. Convertible
n. Conversion

Answer 4

v. To change from one form or state to another
syn. Alter

When boiled liquids convert into gases.
The conversion from Fahrenheit to centigrade can be easily made.

Question 5

curative
n. Cure

Answer 5

adj. being able to restore to good condition
syn. Healing

The curative properties of certain plans have been well documented.
There is no simple cure for the ills of society.

Question 6

debilitating
v. Debilitate
n. Debility

Answer 6

adj. weakening
syn. Weakening

The lack of investment savings has a debilitating effect on the economy.
The patient’s debility limited his mobility.

Question 7

deplete
adj. Depleted
n. Depletion

Answer 7

v. to use up; reduce greatly
syn. consume

She depleted all of her savings to buy the new bicycle.
The depletion of the Earth’s oil reserves poses a threat to our current way of life.

Question 8

Finite

Answer 8

adj. of a certain amount; having an end; not infinite
syn. Limited

There are a finite number of explanations for the unusual results.
is there a finite number of stars in the universe?

Question 9

perceive
adv. perceptibly
adj. Perceivable
adj. Perceptive
adv. Perceptively
n. Perception

Answer 9

v. to sense; become aware of
syn. Observe

We perceive major differences between the two political parties.
Porpoises are very perceptive mammals.

Question 10

security
adv. Securely
adj. Secure
v. Secure

Answer 10

n. The feeling of freedom from danger, doubt, or worry
syn. Safety

Her sense of security increased as her grades improved.
We secured all of the doors of the lab before leaving.

Question 11

Singular

Answer 11

adj. The only one of which kind; extraordinary
syn. Unique

The platypus is a singular example of a mammal that lays eggs.
Her scientific experiment was a singular success!

Question 12

toxic
n. Toxicity

Answer 12

adj. Harmful; capable of being fatal
syn. Poisonous

Disposal of toxic waste is an ongoing environmental issue.
This product has the highest toxicity of any known to science.

Question 13

tranquility
adv. Tranquilly
adj. Tranquil
v. Tranquilize

Answer 13

n. calm; Quietness
syn. peacefulness

The tranquility of the lake at sunrise inspired profound sense of well-being.
His tranquil manner of expression made us all feel more secure.

Question 14

trite

Answer 14

adj. Overused or lacking originality; commonplace
syn. Cliché

He finds the expression “fit as a fiddle“ to be quite trite.
She tries to avoid using trite examples and vocabulary in her writing.

Question 15

undeniably
adj. undeniable

Answer 15

adv. clearly true
syn. Absolutely

Of all the planets in our solar system, the Earth is undeniably the most conductive to supporting life.
It is undeniable that he has skill, but he needs to show more initiative.

Question 16

underestimated
v. Underestimate

Answer 16

adj. guessed lower than the actual quantity
syn. Miscalculated

The underestimated demand for tickets made the theater manager plan better for the next performance.
The treasurer underestimated the cost of the new furniture.