Lesson 24

Question 1

contaminated (adj)
SYN polluted
(v) contaminate
(n) contamination

Answer 1

• this contaminated water supply must be closed off to the public.
• bacteria and insects are frequently ragents of food contamination.

Question 2

discernible (adj) 
SYN detectable 
(v) discern 
(adv) discernibly 
(n) discernment

Answer 2

• a feeling of anxiety was discernible among the members of the team.
• the new student was unable to discern the humor of the teacher’s joke.

Question 3

flourishing (adj)
SYN thriving
(v) flourish

Answer 3

(small businesses are flourishing and the economy is booming)

• small flourishing companies would be harmed by an increase in the minimum wage.
• a young mind will flourish with the proper guidance.

Question 4

mediocre (adj)
SYN average
(n) mediocrity

Answer 4

• this is a mediocre research report.

* the mediocrity of his work was disappointing.

Question 5

negligible (adj) 
SYN insignificant 
(v) neglect 
(adj) neglected, negligent,neglectful 
(n) negligence, neglect 
(adv) negligibly

Answer 5

• the amount of bacteria in the culture was negligible.

* his negligence caused him to lose all of the work he had done on the computer.

Question 6

parallel (adj)
SYN similar
(v) parallel

Answer 6

• there were many parallels between his life and mine.

* her background parallels mine.

Question 7

peculiar (adj)
SYN strange
(adv) peculiarly
(n) peculiarity

Answer 7

• this plastic has a peculiar texture.

* the puffin has many peculiarities not shared by other birds.

Question 8

potent (adj)

SYN powerful

Answer 8

• he gave a potent speech at the convention.

* the venom of the coral snake is extremely potent.

Question 9

scattered (adj)
SYN dispersed
(v) scatter

Answer 9

• hurricane Andrew left debris scattered throughout Miami.

* the crowd scattered when it began to rain heavily.

Question 10

somewhat (adj)

SYN slight

Answer 10

• they feel somewhat tired after the mile run.

* buying food at a convenience store can be somewhat expensive.

Question 11

stem from (ph.v)
SYN originate

Answer 11

• the author’s talent in writing stem from his love of reading books.
• many opportunities have stemmed from his decision to attend the university.

Question 12

tedious (adj)
SYN monotonous
(adv) tediously
(n) tedium

Answer 12

• the tedious lecture bored most of the audience.

* some people become frustrated by the tedium of daily living.

Question 13

affordable (adj)
SYN economical
(adv) affordably
(v) afford

Answer 13

• the new dictionary is quite affordable.

* he could afford the house because of current low interest rates.