Lesson 15

Question 1

adhere

Answer 1

v. to stick to or follow precisely
syn. comply
n. adherence

Travelers must adhere to the laws of the country they are visiting.
The referee’s excessively strict adherence to the rules upset the players.

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Question 2

durable

Answer 2

adj. something that lasts a long time; *time during which something lasts
syn. sturdy
n. durability
n. duration

It was a durable refrigerator, but it fmally broke.
The durability of tires is a key factor in determining their quality.

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Question 3

foster

Answer 3

v. to promote growth or development
syn. stimulate

The industrial revolution fostered the rise of the middle class.
Parents usually foster the development of good habits in their children.

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Question 4

gain

Answer 4

v. to obtain something needed or useful; to increase to the amount of something
syn. attain
adj. gainful
n. gain

He gained a lot of experience working as a volunteer.
His gain in knowledge was impressive.

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Question 5

halt

Answer 5

v. to stop or discontinue
syn. stop
adv. haltingly
adj. halting
n. halt

Bus service to the city was halted due to poor road conditions.
The supervisor put a halt to the tardiness of the employees.

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Question 6

handle

Answer 6

v. to deal with or control
syn. manage
n. handling

They handled themselves very well given the circumstances. The president’s handling of the crisis was widely applauded.

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Question 7

harbor

Answer 7

v. to give protection; to not express a desire or opinion, usually bad
syn. shelter

He harbors ill feelings for her.
They harbored the political refugee in their home.

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Question 8

harmful

Answer 8

adj. something that causes pain or damage
syn. unhealthy
adv. harmfully
v. harm
n. harm

Excessive radiation is harmful to the body.
Bleach hanns certain fabrics.

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Question 9

insignificant

Answer 9

adj. not important; of little value
syn. meaningless
adv. insignificantly
n. insignificance

The amount of rainfall this summer has been insignificant.
The insignificance of his comment became apparent with the passing
of time.

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Question 10

mysterious

Answer 10

adj. not easily understood or figured out
syn. baffling
adv. mysteriously
n. mystery
n. mysteriousness

He had a mysterious effect on everyone who heard him speak. The man’s disappearance was a mystery.

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Question 11

perilous

Answer 11

adj. threatening or risky; harmful
syn. dangerous
adv. perilously
n. peril

It is perilous to exceed the speed limit.
There are ample perils in the sport of mountain climbing.

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Question 12

promote

Answer 12

v. to encourage or advertise; to elevate in rank or grade
syn. boost
n. promoter
n. promotion

Many nations promote tourism to lure foreign currency.
The customers responded favorably to the half-price promotion.

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Question 13

redundant

Answer 13

adj. being excessive; showing unnecessary repetition
syn. repetitious
n. redundancy
adv. redundantly

Students who ask teachers to “repeat that again” are being redundant because “repeat” means “again.”
Lush, redundant vegetation is common in tropical climates.

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Question 14

reject

Answer 14

v. to refuse
syn. refuse
n. rejection

The insurance company rejected the claim.
The rejection of his work was difficult for him to understand.

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Question 15

substantial

Answer 15

adj. important; strongly made; of value
syn. significant
adv. substantially
adj. substantive

The discovery of a vaccine for smallpox was a substantial medical achievement.
This substantive article will change your opinion of rock music.

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Question 16

trait

Answer 16

n. specific qualities that distinguish one from another syn. characteristic

Her sense of humor and cheerful personality are some of her most impressive traits.
Alma’s blonde hair is a trait inherited from her father.

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Question 17

underscore

Answer 17

v. to make evident or emphasize
syn. highlight
The high quality of the student’s science fair project underscored her talent in biology.
The conclusion of the report should underscore its main ideas.

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