Lesson 24

Question 1

affordable

Answer 1

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

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

Question 2

contaminated

Answer 2

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

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

Question 3

discernible

Answer 3

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

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.

Question 4

flourishing

Answer 4

v. flourish
adj. active and growing; healthy
syn. thriving

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

Question 5

maintain

Answer 5

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

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.

Question 6

mediocre

Answer 6

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

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

Question 7

negligible

Answer 7

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

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.

Question 8

parallel

Answer 8

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

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

Question 9

peculiar

Answer 9

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

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

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.

Question 11

remarkable

Answer 11

adv. remarkably
a4j. worthy of mention; uncommon
syn. exceptional

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

Question 12

scattered

Answer 12

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

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

Question 13

solid

Answer 13

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

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

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.

Question 15

stem from

Answer 15

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

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

Question 16

tedious

Answer 16

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

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