Lesson 24

Question 1

affordable

Answer 1

adj. able to be done, usually referring to something you can do without damage or loss
syn. economical
adv. affordably
v. afford

The new dictionary is quite affordable.
He could afford the house because of current low interest rates.

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Question 2

contaminated

Answer 2

adj. to make something impure by adding something dirty or a poisonous substance
syn. pollute
v. contaminate
n. contamination

This contaminated water supply must be closed off to the public. Bacteria and insects are frequently agents of food contamination.

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Question 3

discernible

Answer 3

adj. noticeable; easily seen
syn. detectable
adv. discernibly
v. discern
n. discernment

A feeling of anxiety was discernible among the members of the team.
The new student was unable to discern the humor of the teacher’s
joke.

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Question 4

flourishing

Answer 4

adj; active and growing; healthy

syn. thriving
v. flourish

Small flourishing companies would be harmed by an increase in the minimum wage.
A young mind will flourish with the proper guidance.

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Question 5

maintain

Answer 5

v. to support; to keep in good condition
syn. preserve
n. maintenance

The building had to be renovated because it was not well maintained.
Proper maintenance of a car’s engine will preserve its performance and value.

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Question 6

mediocre

Answer 6

adj. of average quality; not good or bad
syn. average
n. mediocrity

This is a mediocre research report.
The mediocrity of his work was disappointing.

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Question 7

negligible

Answer 7

adj. hardly noticeable; scarcely detectable
v. to ignore; to give little attention
syn. insignificant
adv. negligibly
adj. neglected
adj. neglectful
adj. negligent
n. neglect
n. negligence
v. neglect

The amount of bacteria in the culture was negligible.
His negligence caused him to lose all of the work he had done on the computer.

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Question 8

parallel

Answer 8

adj. being almost of the same type or time; comparable
syn. similar
v. parallel

There were many parallels between his life and mine.
Her background parallels mine.

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Question 9

peculiar

Answer 9

adj. unusual; uncommon
syn. strange
adv. peculiarly
n. peculiarity

This plastic has a peculiar texture.
The puffin has many peculiarities not shared by other birds.

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Question 10

potent

Answer 10

adj. very strong
syn. powerful

He gave a potent speech at the convention.
The venom of the coral snake is extremely potent.

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Question 11

remarkable

Answer 11

adj. worthy of mention; uncommon
syn. exceptional
adv. remarkably

The invention of the radio was a remarkable achievement.
The actor was remarkably calm before his performance.

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Question 12

scattered

Answer 12

adj. spread out or separated widely
syn. dispersed
v. scatter

Hurricane Andrew left debris scattered throughout Miami. The crowd scattered when it began to rain heavily.

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Question 13

solid

Answer 13

adj. having good quality; being well made, firm; not a gas or liquid
syn. steady
adv. solidly
v. solidify
n. solidification

The lawyer for the defense portrayed his client as a man of solid integrity.
The union attempted to solidify its position in the workplace.

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Question 14

somewhat

Answer 14

adj. a little
syn. slight

They feel somewhat tired after the mile run.
Buying food at a convenience store can be somewhat expensive.

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Question 15

stem from

Answer 15

ph. v. to emerge or develop from something
syn. originate

The author’s talent in wrtting stems from his love of reading books.
Many opportunities have stemmed.from his decision to attend the university.

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Question 16

tedious

Answer 16

adj. long and tiring
syn. monotonous
adv. tediously
n. tedium

The tedious lecture bored most of the audience.
Some people become frustrated by the tedium of daily living.

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