Academic Lang List #4

Her ten-year plan was to start as an assistant and climb up the company ________ until she was made a vice president of the organization.

• protocol

• predecessor

• successor

• hierarchy

Answer explanation

Hierarchy comes from the Greek word for "ruler." It's the ladder that people "climb" to become the ruler!

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

The debaters were unused to speaking before the cameras and had to ______ to the heat of the lights.

• adapt

• clarify

• confirm

• fluctuate

Answer explanation

Charles Darwin's "The Origin of Species" showed how animals adapt to different environments or needs.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

Enlistment in the armed forces is currently ________ , though in the past, there has been a military draft.

• confirmed

• diminished

• voluntary

• dynamic

Answer explanation

Men are still required to register for the draft when they turn 18. People with religious or moral beliefs that oppose violence sometimes register as conscientious objectors. In the event of a draft, conscientious objectors are assigned non-combatant roles, such as medical aid.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.2F

The ___________ of severe storms peaked and then fell off dramatically.

• incidence

• dynamic

• protocol

• adaptation

Answer explanation

Before 1900, the word "incidence" was almost unheard of. Then, in the 20th century, the word exploded in popularity in written works. In other words, the incidence of "incidence" in the English language is a recent change.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

For security reasons, the bank asked her to _________ her address and social security number.

• adapt

• contradict

• confirm

• protocol

Answer explanation

If a bank calls YOU and asks for your personal info, you should first ask if you can call THEM back at the number on your bank card to confirm that it's really a bank employee. Some people fall for this financial scam tactic.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

This is a ______ landscape, where the changes come by the day, by the hour.

• contradictory

• hierarchy

• voluntary

• dynamic

Answer explanation

Dynamic can also mean "full of boundless energy," as in "A successful activist must be dynamic and determined, as it will not be an easy job."

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

If what you say during a debate is unclear, find the opportunity to ________ your meaning.

• clarify

• contradict

• adapt

• volunteer

Answer explanation

Clarified butter is milk fat cooked out from butter to separate the milk solids and water from the butterfat. In Indian cooking, this common ingredient is called ghee.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

For the role of President of the United States, George W. Bush's ________ was Bill Clinton. President Bush's ________ was Barack Obama.

• hierarchy...successor

• predecessor...hierarchy

• predecessor...successor

• successor...predecessor

Answer explanation

Precede and succeed are also used to refer to the order of people. For example, Bill Clinton preceded (was before) George W. Bush as president, and Barack Obama succeeded (was after) Bush.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

The opposition are trying to ________ our achievements, but actually our successes have been spectacular and long-lasting.

• fluctuate

• diminish

• clarify

• confirm

Answer explanation

In this context, the opposite of "diminish" would be "aggrandize"--to make something seem better or more important than it is. From James Madison: "Are not the large States evidently seeking to aggrandize themselves at the expense of the small?"

Tags

CCSS.L.1.5D

CCSS.L.2.5B

CCSS.L.3.5C

CCSS.L.K.5D

Define protocol.

• a person who preceded or came before someone in order

• the relative frequency of occurrence of something

• the organization of people at different ranks in an administrative body

• code of correct conduct

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4