context clues

Use the context to help you choose the best meaning or synonym for each highlighted word.

Athletes learn to conceal their disappointment when they lose.

• accept

• pretend

• disguise

• hide

Consumers are reluctant to borrow money when future income prospects are uncertain.

• investments

• clients

• possibilities

• bargains

Free and open debate is necessary in a democracy in order to reach sound decisions and to protect minority groups.

• vote

• achieve

• elect

• grasp

One disproved theory of how infants learn language was that they learned to speak by mimicking their parents.

• invalidated

• early

• distinguished

• unpopular

The permanently frozen ground negatively affects the character of the Alaskan wilderness, seriously impeding the opportunity of good drainage.

• upholding

• obstructing

• assisting

• speeding

Criticism is a fine art which must be used with great care and skill when you want to encourage a particular individual’s actions.

• deserve

• stimulate

• address

• exhaust

Of all the fossil fuels available, coal is the most abundant and it is found over much of the world.

• temperate

• hazardous

• considerable

• plentiful

People with kleptomania are unable to overcome the urge to steal something, and even though they can usually afford to buy the item, it is the excitement of theft they look for.

• measure

• desire

• bravery

• expense

The Siberian language Nenets is seriously endangered to the point that there are only 1500 speakers left, and the number of schoolchildren learning the language is diminishing.

• rushing

• settling

• falling

• fascinating

It seems that manufacturers of modern electrical appliances are not interested in producing durable products. Instead, they prefer goods that break down in a very short time so that they can sell more.

• fragile

• long-lasting

• indirect

• competitive