Unit 1 Flashcards
Vocabulary, Grammar, and Idioms
What is the definition of this word?
achieve (v.)
achieve (v.)
successfully bring about or reach (a desired objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or courage. “he achieved his ambition to become a journalist”
Similar: attain, reach, arrive at, realize, carry off
What is the definition of this word?
affect (v.)
affect (v.)
have an effect on; make a difference to. “the dampness began to affect my health” Similar: influence, exert influence on, have an effect on touch the feelings of (someone); move emotionally. “the atrocities he witnessed have affected him most deeply”
Similar: upset, trouble, hit hard, overwhelm, devastate
What is the definition of this word?
affect vs. effect
What is the difference between affect and effect?
What is the difference between affect and effect?
Affect is usually a verb, and it means to impact or change. Effect is usually a noun, an effect is the result of a change. “The most common side effects of antibiotics affect the digestive system.”
What is the definition of this word?
amicable (adj.)
amicable (adj.)
(of relations between people) having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor. “there will be an amicable settlement of the dispute”
Similar: friendly, good-natured, cordial, civil, courteous
What is the definition of this word?
analyze (v.)
analyze (v.)
examine methodically and in detail the constitution or structure of (something, especially information), typically for purposes of explanation and interpretation. “we need to analyze our results more clearly”
Similar: examine, inspect, survey, scan, study, scrutinize, look over, peruse
discover or reveal (something) through detailed examination. “I intend to analyze the sexism in such texts”
What is the definition of this word?
antithesis (n.)
antithesis (n.)
a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else. “love is the antithesis of selfishness”
Similar: (direct) opposite, converse, reverse, reversal,
inverse a contrast or opposition between two things. “the antithesis between occult and rational mentalities” Similar: contrast, opposition
What is the definition of this word?
aptitude (n.)
aptitude (n.)
a natural ability to do something. “children with an aptitude for painting and drawing”
Similar: talent, gift, flair, bent, skill, knack, facility, finesse, genius. ability, proficiency, competence, capability, potential
What is the definition of this word?
astronomical (adj.)
astronomical (adj.)
- relating to astronomy.
Similar: celestial, planetary, stellar, astronomic, heavenly
- INFORMAL (of an amount) extremely large. “he wanted an astronomical fee”
Similar: huge, enormous, very large, very great, very big
What does this phrase mean?
bite the bullet (idiom)
bite the bullet (idiom)
to get something over with because it is inevitable. “You should bite the bullet and call her before it’s too late.”
What is the definition of this word?
challenging (adj.)
challenging (adj.)
testing one’s abilities; demanding. “challenging and rewarding employment”
Similar: demanding, testing, taxing, exacting, exigent inviting competition;
provocative. “there was a challenging glint in his eyes”
Similar: dare, summon, invite, bid
What is the definition of this word?
collateral (n.)
collateral (n.)
something pledged as security for repayment of a loan, to be forfeited in the event of a default.
Similar: security, surety, guarantee, guaranty, pledge
What is the definition of this word?
committed (adj.)
committed (adj.)
feeling dedication and loyalty to a cause, activity, or job; wholeheartedly dedicated. “a committed reformer”
What is the definition of this word?
condone (v.)
condone (v.)
accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue.
“the college cannot condone any behavior that involves illicit drugs”
Similar: deliberately ignore, not take into consideration, disregard, take no notice of, take no account of, accept, allow
approve or sanction (something), especially with reluctance.
“the practice is not officially condoned by any airline”
What is the definition of this word?
discern (v.)
discern (v.)
perceive or recognize (something). “I can discern no difference between the two policies”
distinguish (someone or something) with difficulty by sight or with the other senses. “she could faintly discern the shape of a skull”
Similar: perceive, make out, pick out, detect, recognize, notice, observe
What does this phrase mean?
double jeopardy (n.)
double jeopardy (n.)
the prosecution of a person twice for the same offense. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that no person shall “be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.” Most state constitutions similarly protect individuals from being tried twice for the same crime. For criminal defendants, this is a crucial constitutional right. For example, Joshua is tried for burglary and is acquitted. The prosecution is unhappy with the outcome but is constitutionally barred from re-trying him for the same offense.
What is the definition of this word?
effect (n.)
effect (n.)
a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. “the lethal effects of hard drugs”
Similar: result, consequence, upshot, outcome, outturn, sequel
What is the definition of this word?
effect (v.)
effect (v.)
cause (something) to happen; bring about. “nature always effected a cure”
Similar: achieve, accomplish, carry out, succeed in, realize, attain
What is the definition of this word?
existential (adj.)
existential (adj.)
relating to existence. PHILOSOPHY concerned with existence, especially human existence as viewed in the theories of existentialism. “A traumatic experience of losing a loved one or going to jail can create an existential crisis of where one questions why they’re on earth”
LOGIC (of a proposition) affirming or implying the existence of a thing.
What does this phrase mean?
get along with (v.)
get along with (v.)
- have a harmonious or friendly relationship. “they seem to get along pretty well”
- manage to live or survive. “don’t worry, we’ll get along without you”
What is the definition of this word?
impress (v.)
impress (v.)
- make (someone) feel admiration and respect. “they immediately impressed the judges”
Similar: make an impression on, have an impact on, influence, affect, leave a mark on, move, stir
- make a mark or design on (an object) using a stamp or seal; imprint. “she impressed the damp clay with her seal”
What is the definition of this word?
intuition (n.)
intuition (n.)
the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. “we shall allow our intuition to guide us”
Similar: instinct, intuitiveness, sixth sense, divination, clairvoyance
a thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning. “your insights and intuitions as a native speaker are positively sought”
Similar: hunch, feeling, feeling in one’s bones, gut feeling
Which word is correct?
Jose is very ___________ about his trip to Portugal.
A excited
B exciting
C excitement
D thrilling
A Jose is very excited about his trip to Portugal.
Similar: thrilled, exhilirated, elevated, animated, enlivened, electrified
What is the definition of this word?
juxtaposition (n.)
juxtaposition (n.)
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. “the juxtaposition of these two images”
Similar: comparison, contrast, proximity, nearness, closeness
What does this phrase mean?
Keep up with the Joneses (idiom)
Keep up with the Joneses (idiom)
If you say that someone is keeping up with the Joneses, you mean that they are doing something in order to show that they have as much money as other people, rather than because they really want to do it. “Many people were holding down three jobs just to keep up with the Joneses.”
What is the definition of this word?
maturity (n.)
maturity (n.)
the state, fact, or period of being mature. “their experience, maturity, and strong work ethic” Similar: adulthood, full growth, majority, coming-of-age, matureness
the time when an insurance policy, security, etc. matures. an insurance policy, security, etc. having a fixed maturity date. plural noun: maturities
What is the definition of this word?
measure (v.)
measure (v.)
- ascertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units or by comparing it with an object of known size. “the amount of water collected is measured in pints”
Similar: take the measurements of, calculate, compute, estimate
- estimate or assess the extent, quality, value, or effect of (something). “it is hard to measure teaching ability”
Similar: choose carefully, select with care, consider,
What is the definition of this word?
obfuscate (v.)
obfuscate (v.)
render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. “the spelling changes will deform some familiar words and obfuscate their etymological origins”
Similar: obscure, confuse, make obscure/unclear, blur, muddle, jumble, complicate, garble
bewilder (someone). “it is more likely to obfuscate people than enlighten them”
Similar: bewilder, mystify, puzzle, perplex, baffle, confound
Which word is correct?
Other __________ of a warmer world, such as more pests, droughts, and flooding, will be less benign.
A affects
B effects
B Other effects of a warmer world, such as more pests, droughts, and flooding, will be less benign.
Affect is usually a verb, and it means to impact or change. Effect is usually a noun, an effect is the result of a change.
Which word is correct?
Penny has an __________ for painting landscapes.
A attitude
B eptitude
C aptitude
D application
C Penny has an aptitude for painting landscapes.
Similar: talent, gift, flair, bent, skill, knack, facility, finesse, genius. ability, proficiency, competence, capability, potential
What is the definition of this word?
pragmatic (adj.)
pragmatic (adj.)
dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations. “a pragmatic approach to politics”
Similar: practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, sensible, down-to-earth
relating to philosophical or political pragmatism.
LINGUISTICS relating to pragmatics.
What is the definition of this word?
progress (n.)
progress (n.)
forward or onward movement toward a destination. “the darkness did not stop my progress”
Similar: forward movement, onward movement, progression, advance
What is the definition of this word?
ratify (v.)
ratify (v.)
sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid. “both countries were due to ratify the treaty by the end of the year”
Similar: confirm, approve, sanction, endorse, agree to, accept
What is the definition of this word?
realistic (adj.)
realistic (adj.)
- having or showing a sensible and practical idea of what can be achieved or expected. “jobs are scarce at the moment, so you’ve got to be realistic”
Similar: practical, pragmatic, matter-of-fact, down-to-earth, sensible
- representing familiar things in a way that is accurate or true to life. “a realistic human drama”
Similar: true to life, lifelike, true, truthful, faithful
What is the definition of this word?
renege (v.)
renege (v.)
go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract. “the administration had reneged on its election promises”
Similar: default on, fail to honor, go back on, break, back out of, pull out of, withdraw from
another term for revoke (sense 2).
What is the definition of this word?
supercilious (adj.)
supercilious (adj.)
behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others. “a supercilious lady’s maid”
Similar: arrogant, haughty, conceited, disdainful, overbearing, pompous, condescending
Which word is correct?
The scientist will consider how sustainable development __________ the environment.
A affects
B effects
A The scientist will consider how sustainable development affects the environment.
Affect is usually a verb, and it means to impact or change. Effect is usually a noun, an effect is the result of a change.
What does this phrase mean?
the sky’s the limit (idiom)
the sky’s the limit (idiom)
INFORMAL there is practically no limit (to something such as a price that can be charged or the opportunities afforded to someone). “You can achieve anything if you really want to; the sky’s the limit.”
Which word is correct?
The tornado __________ citizens within forty miles of Topeka.
A effected
B affected
B The tornado affected citizens within forty miles of Topeka.
Affect is usually a verb, and it means to impact or change. Effect is usually a noun, an effect is the result of a change.
Which word is correct?
The __________ of the tornado was devastating.
A effect
B affect
A The effect of the tornado was devastating.
Affect is usually a verb, and it means to impact or change. Effect is usually a noun, an effect is the result of a change.
What is the definition of this word?
trust (n.)
trust (n.)
A trust is a fiduciary relationship in which a trustor gives another party, known as the trustee, the right to hold title to property or assets for the benefit of a third party.
What is the definition of this word?
value (v.)
value (v.)
- estimate the monetary worth of (something). “his estate was valued at $45,000”
Similar: evaluate, assess, estimate, appraise, assay, rate, price
- consider (someone or something) to be important or beneficial; have a high opinion of. “she had come to value her privacy and independence”
Similar: appreciate, rate (highly), esteem
