Chapter 23 Vocabulary

Consequence means __________. - As a consequence of her heavy spending at the mall, Lily was short of cash until her next paycheck.

- Small children reach for hot things and sharp objects because they don’t know the consequences of such actions.

• A. an effect.

• B. a cause.

• C. a rule.

Answer explanation

Consequence means an effect, as it refers to the result or outcome of a particular action or event.

Destiny means __________. - Believing in fate, the soldier wondered if his destiny was to die in the coming battle.

- Omar believes that he and Nadia were born for each other and that it was their destiny to meet.

• A. a habit.

• B. fate.

• C. a hope.

Answer explanation

Destiny means fate, as it refers to the predetermined course of events. Both examples in the question illustrate the concept of fate, making 'fate' the correct choice.

Detain means __________. - Paul’s history teacher detained him after class to speak privately about his surprisingly low grade on the test.

- Detained at home by a friend in urgent need of advice, Gloria was late for work.

• A. to delay.

• B. to leave.

• C. to avoid.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A. Detain means to delay, as seen in both examples where Paul's teacher detained him after class and Gloria was detained at home.

Diminish means __________. - After Mother yelled, “Turn that thing down!” the sound from the stereo diminished from a roar to a soft hum.

- I waited for my anger to diminish before discussing the problem with my boss.

• A. to grow.

• B. to remain.

• C. to become less.

Answer explanation

Diminish means to become less, as seen in the examples where the sound from the stereo decreased and the anger lessened.

Procrastinate means __________. - Morgan procrastinated so long that when she finally returned the dress to the store, it was too late for a refund.

- I can’t procrastinate any longer. I must study tonight because the final exam is tomorrow morning.

• A. to do something efficiently.

• B. to remember something.

• C. to put off doing something.

Answer explanation

Procrastinate means to put off doing something, as seen in the examples where Morgan delayed returning the dress and the urgency to study for the final exam.

Simultaneous means __________. - In a fair race, all starts must be simultaneous.

- Lightning and thunder don’t seem to be simultaneous—we see the lightning before we hear the thunder.

• A. similar.

• B. happening at the same time.

• C. delayed.

Answer explanation

Simultaneous means happening at the same time, as in all starts must be simultaneous in a fair race.

The best strategy for teaching children manners is for adults to use good manners themselves.

The general's strategy was to surround the enemy troops during the night.

Strategy means:

• a reason

• a place

• a plan

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'a plan' because a strategy refers to a plan or method for achieving a specific goal or result.

Drew found the assigned novel incredibly tedious, with page after page describing an endless desert.

Tedious chores, like washing dishes, are less boring if you do them while listening to music or talking with a friend.

Tedious means:

• uninteresting

• serious

• unnecessary

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'serious' because tedious means something that is boring, dull, or tiresome, which is the opposite of interesting.

Transactions at flea markets often involve bargaining.

Among some business people, a transaction is concluded with a handshake, not in writing.

Transaction means:

• a mood

• a business interaction

• an instruction

Answer explanation

Transaction means a business interaction, which often involves bargaining at flea markets.

Water is vital to the survival of all living things. For example, people who stop drinking liquids will die in just a few days.

For Teresa to pass her math course, it is vital that she pass the final exam.

Vital means:

• unimportant

• essential

• not harmful

Answer explanation

The word 'vital' means essential, so in the given context, it refers to something that is extremely important for survival.