Appropriate Words or Expressions in Context

1. Appropriate Words or Expressions in Context Astonished? Astounded? Bewildered? Confounded? Dazed? Dazzled? What’s theright word?

2. This presentation will help you distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate words or expressions for the given context.

3. On an objective test,an item evaluating the skill might look like this ...

4. Sample Item • When Lawrence stuck French fries up his nose, we shouted, “Yuck!” We were __________ by his behavior. • unfazed • dazzled • repulsed • When Lawrence stuck French fries up his nose, we shouted, “Yuck!” We were __________ by his behavior. • unfazed • dazzled • repulsed Is unfazed, dazzled, or repulsed the best word to fill the blank? Repulsed, which means disgusted or sickened, is the right choice.

5. Don’t panic! Try to determine the right word by looking for clues aboutmeaning! What if I don’t knowany of words that are options?

6. Clue 1: Look for a definition. Sharilyn suffers from cynophobia, or the fear of dogs, so she won’t be interested in adopting a puppy. Sharilyn suffers from cynophobia, or the fear of dogs, so she won’t be interested in adopting a puppy. Cynophobia! That’s such a big word! How am I supposed to know what it means? Look at the sentence! The author has defined it for you! It means the fear of dogs. Look for commas, parentheses, or dashes that encapsulate (or set off) the definition.

7. Clue 2: Look for examples. My dog Jack is obdurate; for example, he won’t get off the couch when I ask or come when he’s called. My dog Jack is obdurate; for example, he won’t get off the couch when I ask or come when he’s called. Look at the sentence! The author gives examples! You can conclude that Jack is stubborn, a synonym for obdurate. Look for phrases like to illustrate, for instance, or such as that provide examples that define the word you don’t know. Obdurate! That’s another big word! I don’t know what it means!

8. Clue 3: Look for contrast. Jill was sick with the flu, so when we explained the salubrious properties of chocolate-broccoli muffins, she ate one. Jill was sick with the flu, so when we explained the salubrious properties of chocolate-broccoli muffins, she ate one. Salubrious! I’ve never heard of it! How am I supposed to know if it’s the right word or not? Look at the sentence! If she’s sick, she wants to get well, so salubrious must mean health-giving! Look for an antonym—a word that means the opposite—to help figure out the meaning of the word you don’t know.

9. Clue 4: Infer the meaning. Everyone calls that boy Sparky. Only his mother refuses to use the sobriquet, shouting, “Cornelius!” when dinner is ready. Everyone calls that boy Sparky. Only his mother refuses to use the sobriquet, shouting, “Cornelius!” when dinner is ready. Sobriquet! Who uses that word! I don’t know what it means! Guess, or infer, the meaning! Mothers like to call their children by their real names. Sparky must be a nickname, which is what a sobriquet is!

10. At many objective exams, you cannot use a dictionary! X

11. When in doubt, rely on “gut” feelings. Your eyes have seenin print—and your brain has registered—all of the possible words that you will encounter for this skill. If you don’t knowthe meaning of any of the words, go with the one that feelsright. Hey, I’ve seen that word before!

12. Quick Test Directions: In the items that follow, choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence(s). Let’s see what you can do! Your turn!

13. Item 1 • After an exhausting all-nighter to finish Professor Clark’s research paper, we found his dull lecture the next morning __________. • uplifting • excruciating • inspiring • After an exhausting all-nighter to finish Professor Clark’s research paper, we found his dull lecture the next morning __________. • uplifting • excruciating • inspiring

14. Item 2 • After Betsy’s last purchase of a lemon—and the dealership’s unwillingness to repair problems that she thought the warranty covered—Betsy __________ the contract for her new car before she signed it. • scrutinized • skimmed • glanced at • After Betsy’s last purchase of a lemon—and the dealership’s unwillingness to repair problems that she thought the warranty covered—Betsy __________ the contract for her new car before she signed it. • scrutinized • skimmed • glanced at

15. Item 3 • Walter winced as he tasted the sauce, shook his head, and sighed. His __________ for Loretta’s cooking was obvious. • horror • excitement • disdain • Walter winced as he tasted the sauce, shook his head, and sighed. His __________ for Loretta’s cooking was obvious. • horror • excitement • disdain

16. Item 4 • The students wished Professor Davis gave __________ directions for essays. Instead, the assignment sheets are pages long and chocked full of requirements. • complicated • wide • succinct • The students wished Professor Davis gave __________ directions for essays. Instead, the assignment sheets are pages long and chocked full of requirements. • complicated • wide • succinct

17. Item 5 • Sara was filled with __________, for she had emailed Professor Carson to explain that she was too ill to attend class but then ran into him at the Student Center, a tennis racquet in her hand. • trepidation • mirth • brevity • Sara was filled with __________, for she had emailed Professor Carson to explain that she was too ill to attend class but then ran into him at the Student Center, a tennis racquet in her hand. • trepidation • mirth • brevity

18. Item 6 • Simon had to __________ his cell phone after it rang for the third time in class. • relinquish • amputate • postpone • Simon had to __________ his cell phone after it rang for the third time in class. • relinquish • amputate • postpone

19. Item 7 • Roger’s car holds four people comfortably, but he stuffed nine classmates into the little vehicle. Larissa had difficulty __________ herself from the backseat when they arrived at her house. • modifying • hovering • extricating • Roger’s car holds four people comfortably, but he stuffed nine classmates into the little vehicle. Larissa had difficulty __________ herself from the backseat when they arrived at her house. • modifying • hovering • extricating

20. Item 8 • Winston read his essay with a ruler, scrutinizing each line for errors. When he finished, he read it again just as carefully. We found his behavior __________, but teachers loved his control of grammar. • punitive • redundant • lackadaisical • Winston read his essay with a ruler, scrutinizing each line for errors. When he finished, he read it again just as carefully. We found his behavior __________, but teachers loved his control of grammar. • punitive • redundant • lackadaisical

21. Item 9 • Larry dyed his hair blue and green and painted his face and torso in the same school colors. In addition, he wore flippers on his feet and hands. When his girlfriend Maria saw his game-day preparations, she gasped and declared them __________. • subdued • ostentatious • pedestrian • Larry dyed his hair blue and green and painted his face and torso in the same school colors. In addition, he wore flippers on his feet and hands. When his girlfriend Maria saw his game-day preparations, she gasped and declared them __________. • subdued • ostentatious • pedestrian

22. Item 10 • We followed the guide down the stairs to the floor below the lobby. Then we toured the __________ storerooms where the museum kept priceless treasures not on display. • subterranean • lofty • incapacitated • We followed the guide down the stairs to the floor below the lobby. Then we toured the __________ storerooms where the museum kept priceless treasures not on display. • subterranean • lofty • incapacitated

23. After the denouement Or the End.