Lesson 10

Question 1

dominant (adj) 
SYN major 
(adv) dominantly 
(v) dominate

Answer 1

(dominant gene)

• the dominant life forms of the Paleozoic era lived in the water.
• the skyscraper dominated the skyline.

Question 2

dormant (adj)
SYN inactive 
(n) dormitory

Answer 2

(dormant volcano)

• the volcano had been dormant for hundreds of years before the eruption month.
• the seniors live in the new dormitory.

Question 3

drab (adj)
SYN colorless
(n) drabness
(adv) drably

Answer 3

• their clothing was quite drab.

* the drabness of the desert made driving less interesting.

Question 4

dramatic (adj) 
SYN emotional 
(v) dramatize 
(adv) dramatically 
(n) drama

Answer 4

• the dramatic finish to the game left us speechless.

* the hurricane dramatically changed the coastline.

Question 5

elaborate (adj) (v)
SYN complex
(adv) elaborately
(n) elaboration

Answer 5

• an elaborate head dress
  indicated rank within Aztec community.
• his elaboration of the issue was quite through.

Question 6

exceptional (adj) 
SYN phenomenal 
(adv) exceptionally

Answer 6

• the orchestra’s performance was exceptional.

* the North Star is exceptionally bright.

Question 7

hazardous = precarious = perilous (adj)
SYN dangerous
(n) hazard
(adv) hazardously

Answer 7

• handling flammable liquids is hazardous.

* there are many hazards involved with starting a business.

Question 8

minuscule (adj)
SYN tiny
(adj) minute
(n) minutia

Answer 8

• the sale of the building had a minuscule effect on the profits of the corporation.
• some leaves are covered with minute hairs.

Question 9

prime,primed (adj)
SYN prepare
(n) prime

Answer 9

• the directors primed the actors before the performance.

* Mozart passed away in the prime of his life.

Question 10

rudimentary (adj)
SYN basic
(n) rudiment

Answer 10

• he has a rudimentary knowledge of computers.

* the rudiments of grammar are taught in all English classes.

Question 11

superficial (adj)
SYN shallow , relationship
(adv) superficially

Answer 11

(superficial relationship)

• the inspector determined that the crack in the bridge was only superficial.
• you should not try to answer the questions superficially.

Question 12

vigorous (adj)
SYN strong
(adv) vigorously
(n) vigor

Answer 12

• his vigorous defense of the issues impressed everyone.

* he approached his work with vigor.

Question 13

distinct (adj)
SYN define
(adv) distinctly
(n) distinction

Answer 13

• there was a distinct aroma of coffee in the restaurant.

* the two theories are distinctly different from each other.