to deliberately choose not to do or take part in something
Maya decided to abstain from voting because she had not studied the issue.
Tim's Teachers Vocabulary Mastery
High-Utility Vocabulary for ISEE & SSAT
Chapter
11
30 High-Utility Words
Name
Date
Section 1 Learn the Words
Read each word, its part of speech and its meaning. Say the word aloud, then read the example sentence. The Chinese is a quick support only.
abstain
verb 戒除；避免
adversary
noun 对手；敌手
a person or group that opposes or competes with another
The chess champion respected her adversary despite their intense rivalry.
aloof
adjective 冷漠的；疏远的
emotionally distant and not friendly or involved
His aloof manner made the new students think he did not want to know them.
anecdotal
adjective 轶事性的；基于个人经历的
based on personal stories rather than systematic evidence
The claim sounded convincing, but its support was merely anecdotal.
antiquated
adjective 陈旧的；过时的
old-fashioned or no longer useful because something newer exists
The library replaced its antiquated computer system with modern equipment.
assertive
adjective 自信坚定的；果断的
confident in expressing opinions or needs without being aggressive
Nina was assertive when she explained why the team needed a different plan.
begrudge
verb 嫉妒；不满
to resent someone for having or receiving something
I do not begrudge Marcus his award because he worked hard to earn it.
brevity
noun 简洁；短暂
the quality of using few words or lasting only a short time
The audience appreciated the brevity of the principal's speech.
calculated
adjective 精心策划的；蓄意的
planned carefully to achieve a particular result
Her apparently casual remark was actually a calculated attempt to change the discussion.
comprehensive
adjective 全面的；综合的
including nearly everything necessary or relevant
The report offered a comprehensive review of the city's transportation problems.
controversial
adjective 有争议的
causing strong disagreement or public debate
The proposal became controversial because residents disagreed about its costs and benefits.
cynical
adjective 愤世嫉俗的；怀疑人性动机的
believing that people are mainly motivated by selfish interests
Leo was cynical about the donation and assumed the company only wanted publicity.
debilitate
verb 使衰弱；削弱
to make someone or something physically or mentally weaker
A prolonged illness can debilitate even a normally energetic athlete.
deceptive
adjective 欺骗性的；误导的
giving a false impression or intended to mislead
The calm surface was deceptive because a powerful current flowed underneath.
deter
verb 阻止；威慑
to discourage someone from acting by making the consequences seem risky or unpleasant
Visible security cameras may deter people from stealing.
discrepancy
noun 差异；不一致
a difference between things that are expected to agree
The accountant noticed a discrepancy between the receipt and the amount recorded.
dispassionate
adjective 冷静客观的；不带感情的
not influenced by strong emotion and therefore able to judge fairly
The mediator remained dispassionate while listening to both sides of the dispute.
divulge
verb 泄露；透露
to reveal information that was previously secret or private
The scientist refused to divulge the confidential results before publication.
exemplify
verb 例证；体现
to be a clear example of a quality, idea, or type
Her patience and fairness exemplify the qualities of an effective leader.
impeccable
adjective 无可挑剔的；完美的
without mistakes or faults; extremely well done
His research was impeccable, with every claim supported by reliable evidence.
indifferent
adjective 漠不关心的；无所谓的
having little interest, concern, or preference
She was indifferent to which movie they watched and let her friends decide.
insular
adjective 思想狭隘的；孤立的
narrow in outlook because of limited experience with other people or ideas
Travel challenged his insular view of cultures different from his own.
malicious
adjective 恶意的；蓄意伤害的
intending to harm or cause suffering to someone
The malicious rumor was invented specifically to damage the candidate's reputation.
nuanced
adjective 细致微妙的；有层次的
showing subtle differences or careful distinctions
Her nuanced analysis acknowledged strengths and weaknesses on both sides.
precarious
adjective 不稳定的；危险的
unstable or dangerous because it could easily become worse
The climber found himself in a precarious position on the narrow ledge.
relentless
adjective 坚持不懈的；持续强烈的
continuing with great determination and not becoming weaker or less intense
The relentless rain continued for three days without a meaningful break.
resolute
adjective 坚定的；坚决的
firmly determined and unwilling to give up
Despite repeated setbacks, the researchers remained resolute in their search for an answer.
steadfast
adjective 坚定的；忠贞的
firm, loyal, and unwilling to change despite difficulty
She remained steadfast in her support of her friend throughout the crisis.
venerate
verb 尊敬；崇敬
to regard someone or something with deep respect
Many citizens venerate the physician for decades of service to the community.
wary
adjective 谨慎的；警惕的
careful and watchful because something may be dangerous or unreliable
Consumers should be wary of offers that promise enormous rewards with no risk.
Section 2 Immediate Retrieval
Write the word that matches each meaning. Do not look back at the word cards.
1.
What adjective describes confidently expressing your needs or opinions without being aggressive?
2.
What adjective describes judgment that is calm and not controlled by emotion?
3.
What verb means to discourage an action by making its risks or consequences unattractive?
4.
What adjective describes someone firmly determined not to give up?
5.
What adjective describes someone who assumes people usually act from selfish motives?
6.
What adjective describes behavior deliberately intended to harm someone?
7.
What noun names a person or group that competes against or opposes another?
8.
What adjective describes something that creates a misleading impression?
9.
What noun describes the quality of being brief in words or duration?
10.
What adjective describes something so old-fashioned that newer methods have made it outdated?
11.
What adjective describes someone who remains firmly loyal despite difficulty?
12.
What verb means to resent another person's success or possessions?
13.
What adjective describes an action deliberately planned to produce a particular result?
14.
What noun means an unexpected difference between things that should agree?
15.
What verb means to deliberately choose not to participate in or use something?
16.
What adjective describes an explanation that recognizes subtle distinctions?
17.
What adjective describes a situation that is dangerously unstable?
18.
What adjective describes evidence based mainly on personal stories rather than systematic research?
19.
What verb means to seriously weaken a person or thing?
20.
What adjective describes someone who has little interest or preference?
21.
What adjective describes work that is virtually without fault or error?
22.
What adjective describes someone who seems emotionally distant and uninvolved?
23.
What adjective describes an issue that produces strong public disagreement?
24.
What adjective describes something that covers nearly all relevant parts of a subject?
25.
What verb means to serve as a clear example of a quality or idea?
26.
What adjective describes something that continues intensely without easing?
27.
What verb means to reveal information that had been secret or private?
28.
What adjective describes being watchful because something may be unsafe or unreliable?
29.
What adjective describes a narrow outlook caused by limited contact with other ideas or people?
30.
What verb means to regard someone or something with profound respect?
Section 3 Review from Earlier Chapters
These words come from earlier lessons. Use what you remember - the meanings are not repeated here.
1.
The coach had to ______ the players for ignoring the safety instructions during practice.
2.
Which word best completes the sentence?
□consistent
□ordinary
□typical
□aberrant
3.
Recall the earlier verb for reluctantly accepting another person's request or decision.
4.
The debate became so ______ that both candidates began making bitter personal attacks.
5.
Which word best completes the sentence?
□adamant
□indifferent
□uncertain
□flexible
6.
Recall the earlier verb for calming an angry or dissatisfied person.
7.
Voter turnout remained low because many residents were ______ and showed little interest in the election.
8.
Which word best completes the sentence?
□acrimonious
□resentful
□amicable
□hostile
9.
Recall the earlier adjective for handling a difficult situation skillfully and cleverly.
10.
Before walking onto the stage for her first solo performance, Lena felt understandably ______.
11.
Which word best completes the sentence?
□brief
□arduous
□simple
□effortless
12.
Recall the earlier adjective for someone pleasantly friendly and easy to approach.
Section 4 Context Practice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence. Fill in one box for each question.
1.
Although Priya wanted to win the final, she shook hands with her ______ after the match.
□colleague
□adversary
□mentor
□spectator
2.
The possibility of a large fine may ______ companies from dumping waste illegally.
□encourage
□compel
□permit
□deter
3.
After discovering several hidden fees, customers became ______ of the company's unusually cheap offers.
□confident
□indifferent
□enthusiastic
□wary
4.
Theo was ______ about the restaurant choice and said either option was fine.
□indifferent
□adroit
□opposed
□enthusiastic
5.
Evan was ______ about the celebrity's donation, insisting it was merely a publicity stunt.
□optimistic
□grateful
□cynical
□indifferent
6.
Employees were forbidden to ______ confidential details about the new product.
□affable
□divulge
□conceal
□analyze
7.
The firefighters worked through the ______ heat, which did not ease even after sunset.
□sporadic
□fleeting
□relentless
□moderate
8.
Rather than joining the conversation, the new manager remained ______ and spoke to almost no one.
□aloof
□affable
□assertive
□arduous
9.
After one support beam cracked, the platform was in a(n) ______ condition and could collapse at any moment.
□durable
□secure
□stable
□precarious
10.
Rather than declaring one side completely right, her ______ argument considered several competing interpretations.
□rigid
□nuanced
□simplistic
□admonish
11.
The volunteers ______ the generosity and commitment that the award was created to honor.
□oppose
□question
□conceal
□exemplify
12.
Before making a recommendation, the committee conducted a(n) ______ review of costs, risks, and benefits.
□superficial
□comprehensive
□apathetic
□selective
13.
Months without adequate food can ______ a population and make recovery difficult.
□restore
□energize
□debilitate
□strengthen
14.
A few stories from neighbors provide ______ support, but researchers need broader data.
□anecdotal
□statistical
□appease
□experimental
15.
Because both teams trusted her, the referee tried to remain ______ while reviewing the disputed play.
□enthusiastic
□sympathetic
□dispassionate
□indignant
16.
I cannot ______ Mia her promotion when she clearly earned it through years of excellent work.
□grant
□commend
□praise
□begrudge
17.
Investigators concluded that the false message was ______ because its author deliberately intended to ruin her reputation.
□malicious
□humorous
□impulsive
□careless
18.
Because the meeting had already run late, everyone appreciated the ______ of his closing remarks.
□clarity
□brevity
□amicable
□intensity
Section 5 Semantic Discrimination
All four words are close in meaning. Choose the one that fits the situation most precisely.
1.
After repeated failures, an inventor firmly refuses to abandon the project. Which adjective best describes her attitude?
□amicable
□persistent
□confident
□resolute
2.
A student calmly states that teammates must divide the work fairly, without threatening or insulting anyone. Which adjective fits best?
□forceful
□aggressive
□assertive
□adamant
3.
A lake appears shallow because the water is exceptionally clear, but it is actually very deep. Which adjective best describes its appearance?
□ambiguous
□deceptive
□misleading
□uncertain
4.
A new rule causes intense public debate, with large groups strongly supporting and opposing it. Which adjective fits best?
□controversial
□partisan
□radical
□unpopular
5.
A friend continues giving loyal support throughout years of hardship and criticism. Which adjective is most precise?
□steadfast
□acquiesce
□dependable
□resolute
6.
At a meeting, Jonah deliberately chooses not to vote because he has a personal conflict of interest. Which verb best describes his choice?
□appease
□hesitate
□abstain
□withdraw
7.
Two official records should show the same total, but one says 742 and the other says 724. Which noun is most precise?
□error
□discrepancy
□contradiction
□variation
8.
An editor checks a manuscript repeatedly and finds no factual, grammatical, or formatting errors. Which adjective fits best?
□excellent
□accurate
□polished
□impeccable
9.
A politician times an announcement specifically to dominate the evening news. Which adjective best describes the decision?
□arduous
□calculated
□strategic
□deliberate
10.
A group dismisses outside ideas largely because its members rarely interact with anyone beyond their own community. Which adjective fits best?
□exclusive
□provincial
□insular
□isolated
11.
A community treats a historic leader with profound and enduring respect. Which verb best describes its attitude?
□venerate
□honor
□admire
□praise
12.
An office still relies on equipment that modern technology made obsolete decades ago. Which adjective is most precise?
□historic
□traditional
□conventional
□antiquated
Section 6 Synonyms
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
S1.
BEGRUDGE:
□resent
□grant
□admire
□regret
S2.
PRECARIOUS:
□permanent
□unstable
□secure
□precise
S3.
INDIFFERENT:
□unconcerned
□devoted
□eager
□different
S4.
COMPREHENSIVE:
□comprehensible
□thorough
□partial
□brief
S5.
DETER:
□permit
□detour
□discourage
□encourage
S6.
RELENTLESS:
□sporadic
□merciful
□relenting
□unyielding
S7.
NUANCED:
□subtle
□simplistic
□obvious
□neutral
S8.
DEBILITATE:
□debate
□strengthen
□weaken
□restore
S9.
DISCREPANCY:
□accuracy
□inconsistency
□discretion
□agreement
S10.
EXEMPLIFY:
□complicate
□conceal
□simplify
□illustrate
S11.
ASSERTIVE:
□uncertain
□aggressive
□confident
□passive
S12.
INSULAR:
□narrow-minded
□cosmopolitan
□inclusive
□isolated
S13.
ANECDOTAL:
□systematic
□identical
□statistical
□personal
S14.
DECEPTIVE:
□truthful
□misleading
□perceptive
□obvious
S15.
ALOOF:
□lofty
□distant
□alert
□friendly
S16.
DISPASSIONATE:
□passionate
□enthusiastic
□emotional
□impartial
S17.
ABSTAIN:
□indulge
□retain
□refrain
□attain
S18.
RESOLUTE:
□determined
□wavering
□uncertain
□resolved
S19.
MALICIOUS:
□spiteful
□benevolent
□careless
□malodorous
S20.
IMPECCABLE:
□faulty
□flawless
□implacable
□acceptable
S21.
ANTIQUATED:
□modern
□ancient
□obsolete
□adequate
S22.
CYNICAL:
□trusting
□cheerful
□clinical
□distrustful
S23.
WARY:
□careless
□confident
□weary
□cautious
S24.
CALCULATED:
□accidental
□deliberate
□reckless
□numerical
S25.
VENERATE:
□despise
□tolerate
□revere
□generate
S26.
BREVITY:
□conciseness
□length
□gravity
□clarity
S27.
ADVERSARY:
□opponent
□ally
□advocate
□adviser
S28.
CONTROVERSIAL:
□contrary
□conventional
□accepted
□disputed
S29.
STEADFAST:
□fickle
□stationary
□loyal
□temporary
S30.
DIVULGE:
□protect
□reveal
□divert
□conceal
Section 7 Cumulative Reading
Read the passage carefully. You may underline words you recognise from this lesson and earlier lessons.
The Future of Bellweather Hall
For nearly a century, Bellweather Hall had served as the center of civic life in the small town of Marston. By the time the council proposed replacing it, however, its heating system was antiquated, its roof was in a precarious condition, and several rooms could no longer be used safely. The proposal quickly became controversial. Some residents argued that preserving the building exemplified respect for local history; others considered that view too insular and wanted a modern community center.
At the first public meeting, the debate was acrimonious. One speaker was openly cynical, claiming that the development company supported demolition only because its executives expected to profit. Another presented anecdotal evidence about similar projects in neighboring towns. Council member Elena Park remained dispassionate. She requested a comprehensive engineering report rather than relying on personal stories or emotional appeals. Her assertive approach irritated a few residents, but even her adversaries admitted that her questions were precise.
The report revealed a troubling discrepancy. Earlier estimates had placed repairs at two million dollars, but a detailed inspection raised the figure to nearly five million. The original estimate, the engineers explained, had been based on a deceptive visual inspection: the building's exterior appeared impeccable, while hidden structural damage was extensive. The finding did not deter preservation advocates. They remained resolute and steadfast, arguing that difficult repairs were preferable to destroying an irreplaceable landmark.
Park eventually proposed a nuanced compromise. The town would preserve the historic exterior and main assembly room while replacing unsafe additions with efficient new facilities. She was wary of making promises before funding was secured and refused to divulge details of private negotiations with donors. Her brevity frustrated reporters, but it prevented speculation from being mistaken for fact.
The final vote did not satisfy everyone, yet the compromise passed by a wide margin. Even residents who had initially been aloof from the debate began volunteering for the restoration campaign. The outcome showed that relentless disagreement need not debilitate a community when people are willing to examine evidence, reconsider assumptions, and seek common ground.
Section 8 Reading & Application
Answer the questions using the passage. For the written questions, reply in complete sentences on the lines provided.
1.
Why does Elena Park request an engineering report before supporting either side?
□She already favors demolition and wants evidence to justify it.
□She hopes the engineers will negotiate privately with donors.
□She wants to delay the vote until public interest disappears.
□She wants the decision to rely on systematic evidence rather than stories and emotion.
2.
What most directly changes the council's understanding of the cost of preserving Bellweather Hall?
□Preservation advocates withdraw their original proposal.
□A development company offers to purchase the property.
□A detailed inspection uncovers hidden structural damage and a much higher repair cost.
□Reporters reveal details of private donor negotiations.
3.
What does Park's final proposal suggest about her approach to the conflict?
□She has become indifferent to the concerns of both groups.
□She tries to preserve important historical features while addressing practical safety needs.
□She believes historical concerns should always outweigh financial ones.
□She thinks the original building should be replaced completely.
4.
How does the outcome support the passage's final idea about disagreement?
5.
Describe a situation in which a person should be assertive while also remaining wary.
6.
Write about a difficult goal and explain how these words could describe someone's response to the challenge.
7.
Describe how someone could improve a weak argument by moving from anecdotal evidence to a more comprehensive and nuanced analysis.
Section 9 Final Retrieval
Close the workbook to the previous sections. Write the word for each meaning from memory.
1.
What word describes support drawn from individual stories instead of systematic evidence?
2.
Which verb means to provide a particularly clear example of a quality?
3.
What verb means to feel resentment because someone else has received something desirable?
4.
Which adjective describes someone who stays watchful because a situation may involve danger or deception?
5.
Which word describes a person who deliberately keeps an emotional distance from others?
6.
What verb means to make previously confidential information known?
7.
What adjective describes work so carefully done that no faults can be found?
8.
What verb means to treat a person or institution with profound respect?
9.
Which adjective describes a position that is insecure and could become dangerous quickly?
10.
What adjective describes a treatment of a subject that covers nearly all important aspects?
11.
Which adjective describes having no strong interest in or preference between choices?
12.
What noun describes effective shortness in speech or writing?
13.
What adjective describes thinking that recognizes fine distinctions rather than oversimplifying?
14.
Which word describes a proposal that generates serious disagreement among people?
15.
Name the verb for making someone substantially weaker or less capable.
16.
What noun describes a mismatch between two figures or accounts that should correspond?
17.
What adjective describes an appearance that causes people to believe something untrue?
18.
Which verb means to make someone less likely to act because of possible negative consequences?
19.
Name the word for deliberately declining to take part in an activity or choice.
20.
Which adjective describes loyalty or commitment that remains firm through hardship?
21.
Which adjective describes behavior carefully planned for a desired effect?
22.
What adjective describes a person whose determination remains firm despite opposition?
23.
What word identifies the person or side you are competing against?
24.
What adjective describes an outlook limited by little exposure to people or ideas outside one's own group?
25.
What adjective describes the belief that supposedly generous actions are probably motivated by self-interest?
26.
Which adjective describes an act performed with the intention of hurting someone?
27.
What adjective describes pressure or effort that continues intensely without easing?
28.
Which adjective describes an evaluation made without allowing emotion to control the judgment?
29.
Which word describes communicating your position confidently without becoming hostile?
30.
Name the word for a method or object that has become outdated as newer alternatives developed.