Lesson 21

Question 1

decline

Answer 1

v. to move from good to bad, or from much to little; to refuse
syn. decrease
n. decline

The old man’s health has declined since he retired.
Serious communicable diseases are on the decline in most parts of the world.

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Question 2

gather

Answer 2

v. to collect
syn. collect
n. gathering

He carefully gathered his thoughts just before the interview.
A gathering of citizens developed outside the courthouse.

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Question 3

motion

Answer 3

n. the state of changing one’s position *to direct by moving
syn. movement
v. motion•

The motion of the flame was hypnotic.
They motioned her to leave the area.

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Question 4

outburst

Answer 4

n. a sudden and intense release of something
syn. eruption

The joke caused an outburst of laughter from the audience.
There was an outburst of complaints from the students when the teacher moved the test to Monday.

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Question 5

partisan

Answer 5

adj. strongly supporting a group or point of view
syn. biased

Partisan political infighting caused Congress’s influence to decline.
His views reflected his partisan bias.

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Question 6

pattern

Answer 6

n. a regular, repeated arrangement or action
syn. habit
adj. patterned
v. pattern

The bright pattern of the monarch butterfly distracts its predators.
The new stadium was patterned after the old traditional ballparks.

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Question 7

phenomena

Answer 7

n. natural events or facts; strange or notable happenings
syn. events
adv. phenomenally
adj. phenomenal
n. phenomenon

Rain showers are almost unknown phenomena in the Atacama Desert of Chile.
The musician’s phenomenal performance was applauded by the critics.

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Question 8

philanthropic

Answer 8

adj. a feeling of love for people, usually resulting in financial aid to worthy causes
syn. humanitarian
n. philanthropist
n. philanthropy

The philanthropic work of the foundation benefits all sectors of society.
His philanthropy is recognized around the world.

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Question 9

placid

Answer 9

adj. quiet; not easily upset
syn. calm
adv. placidly

The placid nature of her personality made her easy to work with.
The waves moved placidly toward shore.

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Question 10

plentiful

Answer 10

adj. more than sufficient
syn. abundant
adv. plentifully
n. plenty

Examples of Mira’s art are plentiful.
A balanced diet normally provides plenty of the necessary vitamins.

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Question 11

reaction

Answer 11

n. a reply; a change that occurs when substances are mixed
syn. response
adv. reactively
adj. reactive
v. react
adj. reactionary

When chlorine and ammonia are mixed, the chemical reaction causes chlorine gas.
They reacted to the report by making some swift changes in management.

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Question 12

rhythm

Answer 12

n. a regular pattern, usually in music
syn. pulse
adv. rhythmically
adj. rhythmic

The rhythm of the rain hitting the roof put him to sleep.
She noticed the rhythmic beating of her heart as the moment of truth arrived.

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Question 13

scenic

Answer 13

adj. concerning pleasant natural surroundings
syn. picturesque
adv. scenically
n. scenery
n. scene

The scenic route to the summit is much more interesting than the fastest route.
The scenery in rural Japan is impressive.

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Question 14

shallow

Answer 14

adj. not far from top to bottom
syn. superficial
adv. shallowly
n. shallowness

Estuaries are typically shallow bodies of water.
The results of their research demonstrated the shallowness of the hypothesis.

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Question 15

sheltered

Answer 15

adj. protected from harmful elements; isolated from reality
syn. protected
v. shelter
n. shelter

She has led a sheltered life, her parents having done everything for her.
Everyone looked for shelter from the blazing sun.

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Question 16

vanishing

Answer 16

adj. going out of sight
syn. disappearing
v. vanish

No one knows with certainty what caused the dinosaurs to vanish from the face of the earth.
The red squirrel is a vanishing species that needs a protected habitat to survive.

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