Definition Clues
The error was a simple mistake, the intent was not malicious, or meaning to cause harm.
"Malicious" means
a) old
b) harmful
c) peaceful
d) kind
harmful
My opponent's argument is fallacious, misleading – plain wrong.
"Fallacious" means something that is correct.
A. True
B. False
false
When they saw they had a substitute teacher, Lisa was elated; however, Jonah was unhappy.
"Elated" means
a) unhappy
b) sad
c) angry
d) happy
happy (opposite of unhappy)
Her duplicity involved stealing my earrings, selling them online, and then lying to me about it!
What does "duplicity" mean?
a) deceitfulness
b) honesty
c) kindness
d) usefulness
deceitfulness
We could not stay in the hotel that night because all of the rooms were full. The sign said "No vacancy."
"Vacancy" most likely meansa) old cars
b) new friends
c) empty rooms
d) filled stadiums
Empty rooms
His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see
"Emaciation" means
a) thinness
b) thickness
c) healthiness
d) restlessness
thinness
He felt despondent, or extremely sad, after he received the bad news.
"Despondent" means
a) extremely happy
b) terribly angry
c) extremely sad
d) mildly annoyed
extremely sad
Although the new law may seem beneficial, it will actually cause a lot of harm.
"Beneficial" means
a) bad or negative
b) good or positive
c) bendable
d) destructive
good; positive (opposite of "cause a lot of harm")
Venues like churches, ball rooms, barns, and historic mansions are popular places to hold weddings.
A "venue" is
a) a strip of land surrounded by water
b) a place where an event is held
c) an old, dilapidated building
d) a museum
A place where an event, such as a wedding, is held
The detective, with his taciturn nature, rarely spoke, preferring to observe and gather information.
"Taciturn" most likely means
a. quiet
b. friendly
c. unkind
d. unhappy
quiet
Abigail knew that to get a catfish, she would have to try bottom fishing, a technique of dropping the lure to the bottom of the lake to catch the fish that dwell there.
Read aloud the part of the sentence that explains what "bottom fishing" is.
a technique of dropping the lure to the bottom of the lake to catch the fish that dwell there
The jubilant crowd was extremely happy!
"Jubilant" means
a) extremely happy
b) terribly angry
c) extremely sad
d) mildly annoyed
extremely happy
Even though he was prejudiced as a teenager, his life experiences as an adult led him to be more accepting and open-minded.
"Prejudiced" means
a) accepting and open-minded
b) not accepting or open minded
c) unhappy and disappointed
d) kind and friendly
not accepting; not open-minded (opposite of "accepting and open minded")
I love to cook with legumes, like soybeans, chickpeas, and lentils.
"Legumes" are
a) a type of lettuce
b) a type of fruit
c) a type of cheese
d) a type of bean
a type of bean
She wanted to dress her best for the prom, so she asked to borrow her mother’s finest adornments.
Adornments" most likely means
a) decorations; accessories
b) ribbons
c) shoes
d) earrings
decorations; accessories (the other possible definitions are too specific)
The mechanic needs to replace the entire exhaust manifold, which is a series of pipes that combines exhaust from different places into one pipe.
Read aloud the part of the sentence that explains what an "exhaust manifold" is.
a series of pipes that combines exhaust from different places into one pipe.
The coach doesn’t allow taunting, so don’t let her hear you making fun of the other team.
What does "taunting" mean in this sentence?
making fun
Louise seemed genial at first, but when we started discussing her coworkers, she became hostile and rude.
Which two words in the sentence are antonyms of "genial?"
a) seemed and started
b) hostile and rude
c) discussing and rude
d) coworkers and hostile
Hostile and rude
Therefore, "genial" means kind and polite (opposite of hostile and rude)!
Arthropods like millipedes, dragonflies, and scorpions grew to enormous sizes during the Carboniferous period, about 350 million years ago.
"Arthropods" are
a) a type of plant
b) a type of mushroom
c) a type of animal
d) a type of technology
a type of animal
Because the workers are are tired, unmotivated, and falling into despair; we desperately need to raise morale.
"Morale" most likely means
a) enthusiasm or good mood
b) goodness and kindness
c) pain and deprivation
d) old age and deterioration
enthusiasm; good mood
The quixotic, meaning someone who has unrealistic dreams, knight set off on his quest.
What does "quixotic" mean, based on this sentence?
someone who has unrealistic dreams
We’ll use the food court as our rendezvous, unless you can suggest a better meeting place.
What word or phrase in the sentence is a synonym for "rendezvous"?
meeting place
Although some students are loquacious, others hardly talk at all.
What does "loquacious" mean according to this sentence?
a) very talkative
b) very shy
c) very unkind
d) very unusual
very talkative (the opposite of "hardly talk at all")
The patient is so somnolent that she requires medication to help her stay awake for more than a short time.
What does "somnolent" mean?
a) hyper
b) sleepy
c) annoyed
d) painful
sleepy
She was known for her cavalier attitude towards rules, always pushing the boundaries and laughing at the consequences.
Based on this sentence, which word is an ANTONYM of "cavalier"?
a) indifferent
b) uninterested
c) respectful
d) uncaring
respectful
Someone who is "cavalier" about something does not care about it. Indifferent, uninterested, uncaring, and disrespectful are all SYNONYMS of "cavalier."