Dec29

Question 1

acknowledge
n. Acknowledgment
adj. Acknowledged

Answer 1

v. to know, remember, and accept the existence of something
syn. Recognize

The foreman acknowledged the fact that there had been a mistake in the design of the house.
The promotion he received was an acknowledgment of his excellent work.

Question 2

acquire
adj. Acquisitive
n. Acquisition

Answer 2

v. to gain or come to possess
syn. Obtain

He acquired two beautiful paintings during his visit to Taipei.
The office’s most recent acquisition was a new photocopier.

Question 3

adage

Answer 3

n. a traditional saying
syn. proverb

There is an old adage that states, “slow and steady wins the race.”
Over the years, the author’s saying became popular adages in his town.

Question 4

assimilate
n. Assimilation

Answer 4

v. To become a part of
syn. incorporate

The United States of America has assimilated people from all parts of the world.
Assimilation of new cultural environment can be difficult.

Question 5

assortment
adj. Assorted

Answer 5

n. a variety
syn. selection

You have an assortment of elective courses from which to choose.
He bought a box of assorted books at the book fair.

Question 6

caliber

Answer 6

n. The standard of; the degree of goodness
syn. Quality

The high caliber of her work earned her a raise in pay.
Only parts of the highest caliber can be used to make repairs on the spacecraft.

Question 7

condensed
v. Condense

Answer 7

adj. made smaller; shortened; merge
syn. Summarize

This is a condensed version of the original research report.
Try to condense the two chapters into one.

Question 8

contradictory
v. Contradict
n. Contradiction

Answer 8

adj. Not agreeing with the facts or previous statements made on the subject; declared wrong
syn. inconsistent

It is contradictory to say that you know French after studying it for only three months.
The expert contradicted himself during his presentation.

Question 9

disregard
n. Disregard

Answer 9

v. to pay no attention
syn. Ignore

They disregarded the no parking signs and were ticketed by the police.
His disregard of the lab instructions caused him to make many errors.

Question 10

precious

Answer 10

adj. Having much monetary or sentimental value; beautiful
syn. Cherished

This golden ring is my most precious possession.
The precious stone was one of a kind.

Question 11

prominent
adv. Prominently
n. Prominence

Answer 11

adj. Famous; having a high position
syn. Renowned

Their talent for locating oil deposits made them prominent geologists in the cooperation.
He gained prominence through his television appearances.

Question 12

requisite
v. Require
n. Requirement
n. Requisition*
v. Requisition*

Answer 12

adj. Needed for a specific purpose;
* a formal request
syn. demanded

Here is the list of requisite courses for the master’s degree in biology.
The project team made a requisition for a new set of reference books.

Question 13

stable
adv. Stably
n. Stability

Answer 13

adj. experiencing few or no changes; not moving
syn. Steady

Be sure the ladder is stable before climbing it.
Most people believe that maintaining economic stability is an important goal of every government.

Question 14

unravel
n. Unraveling

Answer 14

v. To organize; make clear
syn. Separate

The detective was not able to unravel the mystery of the missing money.
The unraveling of Soviet union took place in the span of a few months.

Question 15

vague
adv. Vaguely
n. Vagueness

Answer 15

adj. Not clear; ambiguous
syn. Unclear

She has only vague memories of her childhood.
The vagueness of his directions caused us to get lost.

Question 16

vast
adv. vastly

Answer 16

adj. Very much; very large
syn. Huge

I have noticed a vast improvement in your English vocabulary.
Unfortunately, the water quality has deteriorated vastly since my last visit here.