Vocabulary in context

1. To cheer up the hallway, Rachel embellished her children’s bedroom doors.  She painted colorful circus pictures on her son’s door and pasted seashells on her daughter’s.  Embellished means

• replaced 

• decorated

• erased 

• recognized

2. People in sedentary occupations, such as driving a taxi or writing books, need to make a special effort to exercise.  Sedentary means

• low-stress  

• involving much sitting

• very well-paid  

• artistic

3. Our neighbor has an abrasive personality.  He can’t seem to get along with people without frequent outbursts and quarrels.  Abrasive means

• quiet and sweet   

• cool      

• analytical

• harsh and rough

4.Jo left her term paper till the last minute and was able to do only cursory research.  In contrast, Ian started his paper in plenty of time; his painstaking, thorough research earned him an A.   Cursory means

• hasty    

• rude     

• careful

• indirect

5. It isn't feasible for me to attend the 12:30 meeting because I’ve got another meeting that begins at noon.

• possible

• difficult

• noticeable

• correct

6.It is usually obvious when someone has an egocentric personality.  Ms. A, for instance, can talk of nothing but herself, and Mr. B has no interest in anything that doesn’t affect him directly.  Egocentric means

• careless  

• caring

• violent

• self-centered

7.Fortunately, the explosion diverted the asteroid from a course that would have sent it hurdling into our planet. To divert is to

• a. change the direction of

• look for really high waves

• jump into a dry river

• look through a telescope

8. A wonderful 98 year old woman is working day and night to knit scarves to send as gifts for the troops. What a selfless person she is! A selfless woman _______.

• is selfish

• . has no name

• likes to wear scarves

• . cares more about others than herself

9.Christmas is a time when Dad reverts to his childhood. I really think he looks forward to Santa’s visit more than any other member of the family. Mom says that he’ll always be a child during this season. What does “reverts” mean in the above passage?

• goes back to being what he was

• drinks too much egg nog

• peeks at presents

• stands up straight

As the summer sun sent scattered rays through the maple and oak leaves overhead, the young deer stood frozen, making it almost impossible for the hikers to see her. In the above passage, the word “frozen” means _______.

• visible

• not moving

• not melted

• very cold