Module 18 (Glossary)

Front

Explain the meaning of spin in each of the following sentences (1–6).
One sentence uses spin with an imaginary, incorrect meaning.
Identify which one is wrong and explain why.

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1. They tried to spin the negative data as evidence of long-term growth potential.

2. It spun so fast that it became a blur.

3. He spun a dramatic yarn the police didn’t believe for a moment.

4. The larva spins a cocoon from which the silk is harvested.

5. He spun along the coastal road on his motorcycle like the wind.

6. The committee decided to spin the proposal for next year to ensure better alignment with trends.

Back

1. They tried to spin the negative data as evidence of long-term growth potential.

Meaning: to present information in a favorable way - real

2. It spun so fast that it became a blur.

Meaning: to turn around quickly - real

3. He spun a dramatic yarn the police didn’t believe for a moment.

Meaning: to tell a long, untrue story - real

4. The larva spins a cocoon from which the silk is harvested.

Meaning: to make thread by twisting fibers - real

5. He spun along the coastal road on his motorcycle like the wind.

Meaning: to travel quickly - real

6. The committee decided to spin the proposal for next year to ensure better alignment with trends.

Meaning implied: “to postpone / delay a decision” -imaginary / incorrect usage

Front

Decide whether multifaceted is an appropriate choice in each sentence. If yes, explain why. If no, suggest a more suitable adjective.

1. The gemstone had a beautifully multifaceted surface that reflected the light.

2. Her explanation was so multifaceted that no one understood what she meant.

3. The political conflict is multifaceted, involving history, culture, economics, and ideology.

Back

1. The gemstone had a beautifully multifaceted surface that reflected the light.
Although “multifaceted” can literally describe something with many facets, in advanced academic usage it refers to problems, issues, ideas - not physical surfaces.

Better alternative: many-faceted, highly faceted, or simply cut with many facets.

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2. Her explanation was so multifaceted that no one understood what she meant.
“Multifaceted” means “having many aspects,” but that does not inherently imply confusion or poor clarity. The sentence suggests the explanation was hard to understand - complexity ≠ multifacetedness.

Better alternatives: confusing, overly complex, intricate, ambiguous.

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3. The political conflict is multifaceted, involving history, culture, economics, and ideology.
Here “multifaceted” supports its core academic meaning: a problem with many interrelated aspects across different domains.

Front

Two of the sentences below use port of call incorrectly. Identify them and explain why.

1. If the printer stops working again, IT support will be our next port of call.

2. Their love story made destiny the last port of call.

3. Barbados will be the ship’s second port of call on the southern route.

4. Jealousy was his port of call when relationships got difficult.

Back

Correct sentences:

“If the printer stops working again, IT support will be our next port of call.” Correct figurative use: a physical place/service visited next in a sequence.

“Barbados will be the ship’s second port of call on the southern route.” Correct literal maritime use.

Incorrect sentences:

“Their love story made destiny the last port of call.”

Overly metaphorical and not tied to any literal or figurative place.

“Jealousy was his port of call when relationships got difficult.”

Describing an emotion, not a physical stop or task-related destination.

Front

Paraphrase each sentence so that it uses parlance correctly and naturally.

1. People in the startup world often describe rapid growth as “hockey-stick growth.”

2. Lawyers usually refer to small legal violations as “misdemeanors.”

3. Doctors use the word “idiopathic” to mean that the cause is unknown.

Back

Paraphrase each sentence so that it uses parlance correctly and naturally.

1. People in the startup world often describe rapid growth as “hockey-stick growth.”

Answer: In startup parlance, rapid growth is described as “hockey-stick growth.”

2. Lawyers usually refer to small legal violations as “misdemeanors.”

Answer: In legal parlance, small violations are referred to as “misdemeanors.”

3. Doctors use the word “idiopathic” to mean that the cause is unknown.

Answer: In medical parlance, “idiopathic” describes a condition whose cause is unknown.

Front

For each sentence, indicate which meaning of infringe is being used:

1. Many people argued that the new surveillance measures infringe on citizens’ privacy.

2. The proposed building project was found to infringe environmental regulations.

Back

For each sentence, indicate which meaning of infringe is being used:

1. Many people argued that the new surveillance measures infringe on citizens’ privacy. (to limit somebody’s legal rights)

2. The proposed building project was found to infringe environmental regulations. (to break a law/rule)

Front

Complete the sentences with the same word.

1. 1. I have ______ the relevant sections in the contract.

2. 2. She had her hair _____ to complement her natural color.

3. 3. The teacher asked the students to ______ the main issues during the debate.

Back

1. 1. I have highlighted the relevant sections in the contract.

2. 2. She had her hair highlighted to complement her natural color.

3. 3. The teacher asked the students to highlight the main issues during the debate.

Front

Complete the sentences with the same word

1. The movie ______ the city skyline beautifully, capturing every detail.

2. The President likes to ______ himself as a friend of working people.

3. Religion was ______ in a negative way.

Back

Complete the sentences with the same word

1. The movie portrays the city skyline beautifully, capturing every detail.

2. The President likes to portray himself as a friend of working people.

3. Religion was portrayed in a negative way.

Front

Complete the sentences with the same word.

1. Banks act as _______ between savers and borrowers.

2. He served as an _______ in the international talks.

3. The software project reached an _______ stage before full deployment.

Back

Complete the sentences with the same word.

1. Banks act as intermediaries between savers and borrowers.

2. He served as an intermediary in the international talks.

4. 3. The software project reached an intermediary stage before full deployment.

Front

What does the phrase “pull rank” mean?

1. 1. During the meeting, he tried to pull rank on his junior colleagues to get his way.

2. 2. She refused to pull rank just because she was the team leader and let the discussion be democratic.

3. 3. The manager pulled rank when the deadline was at risk, overriding the usual procedure.

Back

What does the phrase “pull rank” mean?

To use your superior authority or position over someone to make them do what you want.

Front

What can this tortoise represent if you know that its average lifespan is approximately 175-190 years?

Back