Lesson 26

Question 1

controversial (adj)
SYN divisive
(adv) controversially
(n) controversy

Answer 1

• the governor made a controversial decision to raise taxes.
• the controversy was caused by the proposal to build an airport in the area.

Question 2

exemplify (v)
SYN symbolize
(adj) exemplary

Answer 2

• the recent downturn in the housing industry exemplifies the poor economic conditions.
• her exemplary academic achievement is representative of most students at this institution.

Question 3

factor in (ph.verb)
SYN consider

Answer 3

• the family had to factor in the price of gasoline as they planned their road trip.
• the architect did not factor in the required distance from the sidewalk in his design.

Question 4

gratifying (adj) 
SYN satisfying 
(v) gratify 
(n) gratefulness 
(n) gratification

Answer 4

(gratifying experience)

• studying abroad can be a very gratifying experience.
• she was grateful for all the work he had done for her.

Question 5

interpret (v) 
SYN clarify 
(n) interpreter, interpretation, interpreting

Answer 5

• the ambiguous speech was very difficult to interpret.

* the interpretation of the story generated some interesting discussion.

Question 6

launch (v)
SYN initiate
(n) launch, launching

Answer 6

• the company launched a new program to attract more clients.
• the launching of the first Soviet Sputnik created concern among the American public.

Question 7

legitimate (adj)
SYN authentic
(adv) legitimately
(n) legitimacy

Answer 7

• the engineer had a legitimate reason for changing the design of the building.
• the legitimacy of the theory has yet to be determined.

Question 8

lethargy (n)
SYN sluggishness
(adj) lethargic
(adv) lethargically

Answer 8

• the hippopotamus basking in the sun displayed almost total lethargy.
• when it is time to do homework assignments, many students become lethargic.

Question 9

ridge (n)

SYN crest

Answer 9

• a bald eagle stood on the ridge of the tall office building.
• the mountain ridge was heavily forested.

Question 10

span (v)
SYN cover
(n) span

Answer 10

• the old man’s life spanned two centuries.

* the span of the bridge is three miles.

Question 11

spontaneous (adj)
SYN instinctive
(adv) spontaneously
(n) spontaneity

Answer 11

• the spontaneous combustion inside the cylinder creates the power of the motor.
• the crowd reacted spontaneously to the danger.

Question 12

stream (n)
SYN river
(v) stream

Answer 12

• there was a constant stream of information coming from the White House.
• water streamed from the dam as workers attempted to make the repairs.

Question 13

striking (adj)
SYN remarkable
(adv) strikingly

Answer 13

• His striking proposal saved the company from bankruptcy.

* That was a strikingly convincing argument that the speaker delivered.

Question 14

Chaotic (adj)
SYN disorganized
(n) chaos

Answer 14

(economic chaos,cause chaos,create chaos, end in chaos)

• The traffic in Seoul is often chaotic.
• there was complete chaos when the world championships arrived at the airport.