Advancing Vocab Skills -- C. 4 -- Words in Context

Kids tend to be IMPETUOUS and often don't think about the consequences of their actions. For instance, they'll throw snowballs at passing cars without worrying about possibly causing an accident.

• impulsive

• considerate

• imaginative

After his divorce, Gavin didn't want to ESTRANGE his children, so he called and visited them often.

• to frighten

• to drive away

• to dislike

Vanessa can accept reasonable criticism, but she was upset when her boss BERATED her loudly in front of everyone else in the office.

• to disappoint

• to neglect

• to scold angrily

The verses in greeting cards are often far too sentimental. I prefer humor to such MAUDLIN messages.

• short

• comical

• overly emotional

No phones are allowed during the SAT test, so students must RELINQUISH them before they take their seats.

• to buy

• to give up

• to enjoy

Florence reached the ZENITH of her career when she became president of Ace Products.

• an end

• an earlier condition

• the highest point

We postponed our plan to drive home on Sunday becaue a dense fog was UBIQUITOUS. It covered the entire town.

• scarce

• newly discovered

• found everywhere

I was EUPHORIC when I received my grades. To my amazement and joy, they were all A's and B's.

• very happy

• boastful

• sentimental

When his baby sister was born, seven-year-old Jeremy REGRESSED for a while and began sucking his thumb again.

• to go backward

• to reach a high point

• to act hastily

Computers aren't INFALLIBLE. If you put the wrong data into a computer, you'll get wrong answers.

• everywhere

• perfect

• imperfect