Lesson 8

Question 1

accelerate

Answer 1

n. acceleration
n. accelerator
v. to go faster
syn. hasten

The action of molecules accelerates when they are heated.
The poor condition of the motor made acceleration difficult.

Question 2

creep

Answer 2

adj. creeping
v. to move slowly and quietly close to the
ground; to begin to happen
syn. crawl

Some mistakes are beginning to creep into his work.
Ivy is a creeping variety of plant.

Question 3

crush

Answer 3

adj. crushing
n. crush
v. to press together so as to completely
distort the shape or nature of the object
syn. grind

The machine crushes corn to produce cornmeal.
Passage of the legislation was a crushing blow to the president’s program.

Question 4

cultivate

Answer 4

adj. cultivated
n. cultivation
v. to plant and raise a crop; to encourage
growth of a relationship or friendship
syn. grow

The professionals had common interests that allowed them to cultivate
a working relationship with each other.
The cultivation of diverse crops in pre-Columbian America is well
documented.

Question 5

dictate

Answer 5

adj. dictatorial
n. dictator
v. to state demands with the power to enforce
syn. impose

The workers were not in a position to dictate demands to management.
His boss resembled a dictator.

Question 6

distinguish

Answer 6

adj. distinguishable
adj. distinguished
adj. distinguishing
v. to hear, see, or recognize differences
syn. discriminate

Some people cannot distinguish colors well.
Anteaters are distinguished by their long noses.

Question 7

docile

Answer 7

adv. docilely
n. docility
adj. easy to control or train
syn. manageable

The moose is typically a very docile animal.
Many rebellious young people see docility as a weakness.

Question 8

engender

Answer 8

v. to cause something new to exist; to create
syn. produce

The politician’s charisma engendered enthusiasm.
Economic conditions in the 1950s engendered an era of industrial growth.

Question 9

engross

Answer 9

n. engrossment
adj. engrossing
v. to become completely occupied or involved
in an activity
syn. engage

The teacher’s lecture engrossed the entire class.
0. Henry’s short stories engross readers all the way to their surprise endings.

Question 10

flaw

Answer 10

adj. flawed
n. a small sign of damage that makes an item imperfect
syn. defect

There is a flaw in his theory.
They noticed that the contract was flawed.

Question 11

harvest

Answer 11

adj. harvested
v. harvest
n. the act of collecting a crop; the crops
gathered
syn. gather

The United States had a comparatively good grain harvest this year.
They were able to harvest the crop before the rain.

Question 12

mammoth

Answer 12

n. mammoth
adj. very large
syn. enormous

The successful entrepreneur is now known as a mammoth in the
computer world.
The physics teacher required the students to purchase a mammoth
textbook.

Question 13

mirror

Answer 13

n. mirror
v. to show, as in a mirror
syn. reflect

The results of the study mirror public opinion.
The strength of the economy is mirrored in the standard of living of the
people.

Question 14

obtain

Answer 14

adj. obtainable
v. to gain or secure something
syn. gain

The university obtained a new particle accelerator.
The painting by Whistler was not obtainable.

Question 15

particle

Answer 15

n. a very small piece of something
syn. fragment

Particles of dust can destroy electronic instruments.
Small particles of matter hold the keys to understanding the origin of life.

Question 16

settle

Answer 16

adj. settled
n. settlement
v. to establish a home; to resolve a disagreement
syn. colonize

People arriving from the South settled in California.
The lawyers settled their differences and came to an agreement.

Question 17

transport

Answer 17

adj. transportable
adj. transported
n. transportation
v. to move from one place to another
syn. carry

Flying is not always the fastest way to transport passengers to their
destination.
The transportation expenses of products increase the final cost of the item.