Tim's Teachers Vocabulary Mastery - Chapter 12

Section 1 Learn the Words

Word	Part of speech	Definition	Chinese	Example
abhor	verb	to strongly dislike or hate something	憎恶；厌恶	Many people abhor cruelty toward animals.
banal	adjective	so ordinary or overused that it is boring and unoriginal	平庸的；陈腐的	The speech was filled with banal phrases that the audience had heard many times before.
coerce	verb	to force someone to do something through pressure or threats	强迫；胁迫	The manager tried to coerce employees into working unpaid overtime.
corrosive	adjective	gradually damaging or weakening something, physically or figuratively	腐蚀性的；逐渐破坏的	Constant suspicion can have a corrosive effect on trust within a team.
deleterious	adjective	causing harm or damage	有害的；造成损害的	Lack of sleep can have deleterious effects on memory and concentration.
deride	verb	to mock or speak about someone or something with contempt	嘲笑；嘲弄	It is unfair to deride someone simply because their idea is unconventional.
dispel	verb	to cause a doubt, fear, or false belief to disappear	消除；驱散	The scientist used clear evidence to dispel rumors about the experiment.
elated	adjective	extremely happy and excited	兴高采烈的；非常高兴的	The students were elated when they learned that their project had won first prize.
exasperate	verb	to irritate or frustrate someone greatly	使恼怒；使极度烦恼	Repeated delays began to exasperate the passengers.
exonerate	verb	to officially clear someone from blame or responsibility	免罪；证明无责	New evidence helped exonerate the employee who had been wrongly accused.
feign	verb	to pretend to have a feeling, condition, or quality that is not genuine	假装；佯装	He tried to feign confidence even though he was nervous.
flagrant	adjective	obviously wrong or offensive in a shocking way	公然的；恶劣的	The referee penalized the player for a flagrant violation of the rules.
improvise	verb	to create or perform something without preparing it beforehand	即兴创作；临时应变	When the projector failed, the teacher had to improvise a new way to present the lesson.
incessant	adjective	continuing without stopping or pausing	不断的；连续不停的	The incessant noise from construction made it difficult to concentrate.
inept	adjective	lacking skill or ability in a particular situation	无能的；笨拙的	His inept handling of the equipment caused several avoidable problems.
intuitive	adjective	understood or known through instinct rather than deliberate reasoning	直觉的；凭直觉理解的	The new software was so intuitive that most users learned it without instructions.
lament	verb	to express sadness or regret about something	哀叹；惋惜	Residents continued to lament the loss of the old neighborhood park.
malleable	adjective	able to be shaped, changed, or influenced fairly easily	可塑的；易受影响的	Young opinions can be quite malleable when students encounter new evidence.
obstinate	adjective	stubbornly refusing to change an opinion or course of action	固执的；顽固的	He remained obstinate even after everyone showed him that his plan would fail.
parochial	adjective	having a narrow outlook limited to local or familiar concerns	眼界狭窄的；地方性的	The committee's parochial outlook prevented it from considering solutions used successfully elsewhere.
perceptive	adjective	quick to notice and understand things accurately	有洞察力的；敏锐的	Her perceptive comment revealed a problem that everyone else had overlooked.
provoke	verb	to cause a reaction, feeling, or response	激起；引发	The article was designed to provoke discussion about school policy.
quell	verb	to put an end to a disturbance, feeling, or opposition	平息；镇压	The principal met with students to quell fears about the schedule change.
rancor	noun	deep and lasting bitterness or resentment	怨恨；深仇	Years of rivalry had created deep rancor between the two families.
redundant	adjective	unnecessary because it repeats something or is no longer needed	多余的；重复的	The editor removed several redundant sentences that repeated the same idea.
rescind	verb	to officially cancel a rule, decision, or agreement	撤销；废除	The board voted to rescind the policy after receiving new information.
restrain	verb	to hold back, control, or prevent someone or something from acting freely	抑制；限制	She had to restrain herself from interrupting the speaker.
subversive	adjective	intended to weaken or undermine an established system or authority	颠覆性的；破坏性的	Officials considered the secret campaign subversive because it aimed to weaken the government from within.
tenuous	adjective	weak, slight, or not strongly supported by evidence	薄弱的；牵强的	The lawyer's argument was tenuous because it relied on a single unreliable witness.
tractable	adjective	easy to control, influence, or deal with	易处理的；易驾驭的	The problem became more tractable once the team divided it into smaller parts.

Section 2 Immediate Retrieval

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	What verb means to mock someone or something with contempt?	deride	deride	-
2	What adjective describes someone who stubbornly refuses to change an opinion or course of action?	obstinate	obstinate	-
3	What adjective describes someone who is extremely happy and excited?	elated	elated	-
4	What adjective describes wrongdoing that is obvious and shockingly offensive?	flagrant	flagrant	-
5	What adjective describes someone who lacks skill or ability in a situation?	inept	inept	-
6	What verb means to put an end to a disturbance, fear, or opposition?	quell	quell	-
7	What verb means to create or perform something without preparing it in advance?	improvise	improvise	-
8	What adjective describes something that is relatively easy to manage, influence, or solve?	tractable	tractable	-
9	What noun means deep and lasting bitterness or resentment?	rancor	rancor	-
10	What adjective describes an argument or connection that is weak and poorly supported?	tenuous	tenuous	-
11	What adjective describes something that can be shaped, changed, or influenced easily?	malleable	malleable	-
12	What verb means to irritate or frustrate someone greatly?	exasperate	exasperate	-
13	What verb means to officially clear someone from blame?	exonerate	exonerate	-
14	What verb means to make a doubt, fear, or false belief disappear?	dispel	dispel	-
15	What adjective means causing harm or damage?	deleterious	deleterious	-
16	What adjective describes someone who quickly notices and understands important details?	perceptive	perceptive	-
17	What adjective describes something unnecessary because it repeats what is already present?	redundant	redundant	-
18	What adjective describes an effort intended to weaken an established system or authority?	subversive	subversive	-
19	What adjective describes something that gradually damages or weakens another thing?	corrosive	corrosive	-
20	What adjective describes something that continues without stopping?	incessant	incessant	-
21	What verb means to officially cancel a rule, decision, or agreement?	rescind	rescind	-
22	What verb means to cause a reaction, feeling, or response?	provoke	provoke	-
23	What verb means to express sadness or regret about something?	lament	lament	-
24	What verb means to hold back, control, or limit an action?	restrain	restrain	-
25	What verb means to force someone to act through pressure or threats?	coerce	coerce	-
26	What adjective describes something so ordinary or overused that it has become boring?	banal	banal	-
27	What verb means to strongly hate or deeply dislike something?	abhor	abhor	-
28	What adjective describes a narrow outlook limited mainly to local or familiar concerns?	parochial	parochial	-
29	What verb means to pretend to have a feeling or condition that is not genuine?	feign	feign	-
30	What adjective describes something understood naturally without deliberate reasoning?	intuitive	intuitive	-

Section 3 Review from Earlier Chapters

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	Even after defeating his ______ in the final round, Marcus praised her skill and preparation.	adversary	adversary	-
2	Which word best completes the sentence? TL worsen TR ameliorate BL intensify BR exacerbate	ameliorate	ameliorate	TR
3	Recall the earlier adjective for something outdated because newer alternatives now exist.	antiquated	antiquated	-
4	The engineer had to ______ the design after discovering that the original plan was too expensive.	alter	alter	-
5	Which word best completes the sentence? TL advocate TR participate BL abstain BR compete	abstain	abstain	BL
6	Recall the earlier adjective for seeming emotionally distant and uninvolved.	aloof	aloof	-
7	The research team adopted a different ______ after its first method failed to produce reliable results.	approach	approach	-
8	Which word best completes the sentence? TL anecdotal TR empirical BL experimental BR statistical	anecdotal	anecdotal	TL
9	Recall the earlier academic verb for examining something carefully by studying its parts.	analyze	analyze	-
10	The instruction was so ______ that students could reasonably interpret it in two different ways.	ambiguous	ambiguous	-
11	Which word best completes the sentence? TL precise TR verified BL exact BR approximate	approximate	approximate	BR
12	Recall the earlier adjective that best describes a harsh and irritating manner.	abrasive	abrasive	-

Correct-answer positions: TL 1 / TR 1 / BL 1 / BR 1

Section 4 Context Practice

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	The doctor presented test results to ______ the patient's fear that the condition was dangerous. TL conceal TR intensify BL abrasive BR dispel	dispel	dispel	BR
2	The team was ______ after learning that it had qualified for the national competition. TL alter TR elated BL dejected BR indifferent	elated	elated	TR
3	After widespread complaints, the agency agreed to ______ the unpopular regulation. TL rescind TR abstain BL expand BR enforce	rescind	rescind	TL
4	The control panel was so ______ that first-time users could operate it immediately. TL ambiguous TR confusing BL intuitive BR technical	intuitive	intuitive	BL
5	The endless technical errors began to ______ even the most patient members of the staff. TL amuse TR comfort BL approach BR exasperate	exasperate	exasperate	BR
6	Authorities claimed the secret organization was ______ because it sought to weaken the government from within. TL loyal TR subversive BL conventional BR supportive	subversive	subversive	TR
7	The editor removed several ______ sentences that simply repeated information already stated. TL concise TR original BL redundant BR essential	redundant	redundant	BL
8	His ______ attempt to repair the computer caused even more damage. TL competent TR inept BL meticulous BR skillful	inept	inept	TR
9	The prosecutor's case was ______ because it depended on a single unreliable witness. TL credible TR substantial BL conclusive BR tenuous	tenuous	tenuous	BR
10	Years of public insults had a(n) ______ effect on the friendship between the two leaders. TL corrosive TR beneficial BL restorative BR stabilizing	corrosive	corrosive	TL
11	The historian came to ______ the cruelty described in the prison records. TL endorse TR admire BL tolerate BR abhor	abhor	abhor	BR
12	Security footage helped ______ the suspect by proving he was somewhere else when the theft occurred. TL condemn TR accuse BL exonerate BR implicate	exonerate	exonerate	BL
13	Rather than seriously consider the proposal, several critics chose to ______ it as ridiculous. TL deride TR endorse BL praise BR analyze	deride	deride	TL
14	The guard had to ______ the dog until the visitors were safely inside. TL encourage TR restrain BL release BR provoke	restrain	restrain	TR
15	The child tried to ______ illness so that he could avoid going to school. TL admit TR feign BL recover BR ameliorate	feign	feign	TR
16	Her ______ observation revealed a contradiction that everyone else had missed. TL perceptive TR superficial BL careless BR confused	perceptive	perceptive	TL
17	Because the material was highly ______, the artist could shape it into intricate forms. TL brittle TR rigid BL fixed BR malleable	malleable	malleable	BR
18	The committee's ______ thinking focused only on local customs and ignored successful ideas from other regions. TL inclusive TR approximate BL parochial BR global	parochial	parochial	BL

Correct-answer positions: TL 4 / TR 5 / BL 4 / BR 5

Section 5 Semantic Discrimination

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	A substance causes measurable long-term damage to memory and concentration. Which adjective is most precise? TL adverse TR unpleasant BL deleterious BR dangerous	deleterious	deleterious	BL
2	Two former partners still feel deep bitterness toward each other years after their dispute. Which noun best describes that feeling? TL hostility TR resentment BL adversary BR rancor	rancor	rancor	BR
3	Residents repeatedly express sadness about the destruction of a beloved historic theater. Which verb best describes what they do? TL lament TR complain BL mourn BR regret	lament	lament	TL
4	A machine produces noise continuously for twelve hours without a meaningful pause. Which adjective fits best? TL analyze TR incessant BL frequent BR persistent	incessant	incessant	TR
5	A competitor openly breaks an important rule in a way that is obvious to everyone watching. Which adjective is most precise? TL flagrant TR improper BL deliberate BR serious	flagrant	flagrant	TL
6	A deliberately challenging question causes an intense public debate. Which verb best describes what the question does? TL initiate TR provoke BL encourage BR alter	provoke	provoke	TR
7	A difficult problem becomes manageable after it is divided into smaller steps. Which adjective best describes it now? TL antiquated TR solvable BL manageable BR tractable	tractable	tractable	BR
8	A boss threatens to fire an employee unless she signs a document she does not agree with. Which verb best describes the boss's action? TL convince TR pressure BL coerce BR persuade	coerce	coerce	BL
9	A musician's sheet music disappears, so she creates a performance on the spot. Which verb fits best? TL improvise TR compose BL adapt BR approach	improvise	improvise	TL
10	A writer keeps using familiar phrases that have been repeated so often they sound dull and unoriginal. Which adjective fits best? TL ordinary TR predictable BL banal BR simple	banal	banal	BL
11	Even after receiving strong evidence that his plan is flawed, a manager stubbornly refuses to alter it. Which adjective fits best? TL adamant TR obstinate BL persistent BR resolute	obstinate	obstinate	TR
12	A leader's calm explanation brings an angry crowd under control and ends the disturbance. Which verb best fits? TL calm TR contain BL reduce BR quell	quell	quell	BR

Correct-answer positions: TL 3 / TR 3 / BL 3 / BR 3

Section 6 Synonyms

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box	Notes
S1	OBSTINATE: TL stubborn TR flexible BL obvious BR agreeable	stubborn	obstinate	TL	Obvious looks similar in beginning but means easy to see, not stubborn.
S2	INTUITIVE: TL deliberate TR invasive BL instinctive BR analytical	instinctive	intuitive	BL	Analytical is related to reasoning, but intuitive understanding does not depend on conscious analysis.
S3	ELATED: TL jubilant TR dejected BL calm BR isolated	jubilant	elated	TL	Isolated resembles elated in sound but means separated from others.
S4	PERCEPTIVE: TL oblivious TR insightful BL careless BR deceptive	insightful	perceptive	TR	Deceptive sounds related but means misleading, not quick to understand.
S5	RANCOR: TL ransom TR harmony BL affection BR bitterness	bitterness	rancor	BR	Ransom sounds somewhat similar but refers to payment demanded for release.
S6	PROVOKE: TL calm TR prevent BL incite BR provide	incite	provoke	BL	Provide looks similar in sound but means supply, not trigger a reaction.
S7	MALLEABLE: TL pliable TR rigid BL brittle BR malicious	pliable	malleable	TL	Malicious begins similarly but means intending harm.
S8	DERIDE: TL derive TR mock BL respect BR praise	mock	deride	TR	Derive looks similar but means obtain from a source, not ridicule.
S9	BANAL: TL original TR baneful BL trite BR vivid	trite	banal	BL	Baneful looks somewhat similar but means harmful, not dull from overuse.
S10	SUBVERSIVE: TL loyal TR submissive BL supportive BR seditious	seditious	subversive	BR	Submissive looks similar but means yielding to authority, nearly the opposite.
S11	QUELL: TL query TR subdue BL intensify BR incite	subdue	quell	TR	Query looks similar in form but means ask a question.
S12	REDUNDANT: TL reliable TR concise BL essential BR superfluous	superfluous	redundant	BR	Reliable begins similarly but means dependable, not unnecessary through repetition.
S13	TRACTABLE: TL manageable TR unruly BL stubborn BR traceable	manageable	tractable	TL	Traceable looks similar but means capable of being followed to a source.
S14	TENUOUS: TL strong TR substantial BL flimsy BR tenacious	flimsy	tenuous	BL	Tenacious looks similar but means persistent and determined, not weakly supported.
S15	IMPROVISE: TL adlib TR rehearse BL prepare BR improve	adlib	improvise	TL	Improve looks similar but means make better, not create without preparation.
S16	CORROSIVE: TL correlative TR damaging BL restorative BR protective	damaging	corrosive	TR	Correlative looks similar but refers to a relationship, not gradual damage.
S17	INCESSANT: TL sporadic TR brief BL continuous BR instant	continuous	incessant	BL	Instant sounds similar but refers to a moment, not something continuing without pause.
S18	FEIGN: TL reveal TR reign BL feel BR pretend	pretend	feign	BR	Reign sounds similar but refers to ruling, not pretending.
S19	DELETERIOUS: TL useful TR harmful BL delicate BR beneficial	harmful	deleterious	TR	Delicate sounds similar but means fragile or finely made, not harmful.
S20	RESCIND: TL revoke TR rescue BL renew BR approve	revoke	rescind	TL	Rescue sounds similar but means save from danger.
S21	PAROCHIAL: TL cosmopolitan TR partial BL global BR provincial	provincial	parochial	BR	Partial looks somewhat similar but means incomplete or biased, not narrowly local in outlook.
S22	COERCE: TL invite TR release BL compel BR persuade	compel	coerce	BL	Persuade is tempting, but coercion involves force or threats rather than voluntary agreement.
S23	RESTRAIN: TL control TR release BL restore BR encourage	control	restrain	TL	Restore looks somewhat similar but means return to an earlier condition.
S24	ABHOR: TL admire TR detest BL ignore BR adore	detest	abhor	TR	Avoid is related to dislike, but it means stay away from rather than strongly hate.
S25	LAMENT: TL celebrate TR lamentable BL ignore BR mourn	mourn	lament	BR	Lamentable is related in form but means regrettable rather than expressing sorrow.
S26	EXASPERATE: TL comfort TR exonerate BL infuriate BR delight	infuriate	exasperate	BL	Exonerate looks similar but means clear from blame, not frustrate intensely.
S27	EXONERATE: TL exaggerate TR condemn BL accuse BR absolve	absolve	exonerate	BR	Exaggerate sounds similar but means overstate, not clear from blame.
S28	FLAGRANT: TL subtle TR minor BL blatant BR fragrant	blatant	flagrant	BL	Fragrant sounds similar but means pleasantly scented.
S29	DISPEL: TL display TR banish BL preserve BR gather	banish	dispel	TR	Display looks similar but means show, not make a fear or belief disappear.
S30	INEPT: TL incompetent TR skillful BL intact BR capable	incompetent	inept	TL	Intact looks somewhat similar but means whole or undamaged.

Correct-answer positions: TL 8 / TR 7 / BL 8 / BR 7

Section 7 Cumulative Reading

The Debate Over Harbor Point — target words used in the passage: incessant, lament, banal, tenuous, anecdotal, perceptive, dispel, flagrant, coerce, deride, abhor, corrosive, deleterious, restrain, rescind, tractable, obstinate, quell, rancor, deceptive, subversive

Section 8 Reading & Application

#	Prompt	Answer	Box	Notes
1	Why do city officials begin taking the opposition campaign more seriously? TL The redevelopment project suddenly becomes much more expensive. TR Anonymous messages accuse the planning board of corruption and make the campaign appear more serious. BL Most residents decide that the industrial district should remain unchanged. BR The mayor announces that all historic buildings will be demolished.	Anonymous messages accuse the planning board of corruption and make the campaign appear more serious.	TR	Passage: “That changed when several anonymous messages accused the planning board of corruption.”
2	What does the reporter discover about the apparent opposition to the redevelopment plan? TL Much of the apparent opposition came from one organization producing multiple similar messages. TR The planning board secretly wrote messages supporting its own proposal. BL Local business owners had independently organized the entire campaign. BR Most of the opposition came from residents worried only about traffic.	Much of the apparent opposition came from one organization producing multiple similar messages.	TL	Passage: “In fact, a single organization had produced most of the messages.”
3	Why does Mayor Chen invite critics to present specific objections instead of simply dismissing them? TL She intends to cancel the redevelopment plan immediately. TR She wants to identify which objections are legitimate and make the dispute easier to address. BL She believes every accusation against the planning board is accurate. BR She wants to separate legitimate concerns from unsupported attacks and make the conflict more manageable.	She wants to separate legitimate concerns from unsupported attacks and make the conflict more manageable.	BR	Passage: “This approach made the dispute more tractable.”
4	How does the revised plan help reduce conflict in the community?	It addresses several legitimate concerns by preserving historic buildings, requiring affordable housing, and adding independent review, which persuades some former opponents that the plan is more balanced.	-	Passage: “It preserved several historic buildings, added affordable housing requirements, and created an independent review committee.” Model response: It addresses several legitimate concerns by preserving historic buildings, requiring affordable housing, and adding independent review, which persuades some former opponents that the plan is more balanced.
5	Describe a situation in which someone might provoke a conflict, another person might need to restrain a reaction, and a leader might try to quell the dispute.	A student might provoke an argument by making an insulting comment, a classmate might restrain the urge to shout back, and a teacher could quell the dispute by separating the students and asking each one to explain what happened.	-	Model response: A student might provoke an argument by making an insulting comment, a classmate might restrain the urge to shout back, and a teacher could quell the dispute by separating the students and asking each one to explain what happened.
6	Write about a claim that seems weak at first and explain how a perceptive person could use evidence to dispel confusion.	A rumor that a school is closing might rest on tenuous evidence from one social media post. A perceptive student could check official announcements and use the facts to dispel the rumor.	-	Model response: A rumor that a school is closing might rest on tenuous evidence from one social media post. A perceptive student could check official announcements and use the facts to dispel the rumor.
7	Describe how a difficult problem or disagreement could become more tractable if one person's position became less obstinate and more malleable.	A scheduling dispute could become more tractable if one manager stopped being obstinate about a single plan and became more malleable after hearing other employees' needs.	-	Model response: A scheduling dispute could become more tractable if one manager stopped being obstinate about a single plan and became more malleable after hearing other employees' needs.

Correct-answer positions: TL 1 / TR 1 / BL 0 / BR 1

Section 9 Final Retrieval

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	Which verb means to hold back or keep something under control?	restrain	restrain	-
2	What adjective describes someone who handles a task with very little skill?	inept	inept	-
3	What word means to feel intense dislike or hatred toward something?	abhor	abhor	-
4	What adjective describes someone who quickly recognizes subtle but important details?	perceptive	perceptive	-
5	Which adjective describes an idea that is dull because it has been repeated too often?	banal	banal	-
6	What verb describes forcing a person to act through threats or pressure?	coerce	coerce	-
7	What adjective means seriously harmful or damaging?	deleterious	deleterious	-
8	Which adjective describes a viewpoint that is narrowly limited to local or familiar concerns?	parochial	parochial	-
9	Which adjective describes something that can be easily reshaped or influenced?	malleable	malleable	-
10	What verb means to remove a fear, doubt, or mistaken belief?	dispel	dispel	-
11	Which verb means to ridicule someone with contempt?	deride	deride	-
12	What adjective describes activity intended to weaken an established authority or system from within?	subversive	subversive	-
13	What verb means to formally cancel a decision, rule, or agreement?	rescind	rescind	-
14	What verb means to make someone intensely irritated or frustrated?	exasperate	exasperate	-
15	What adjective describes a person who stubbornly refuses to change course?	obstinate	obstinate	-
16	What verb means to express sorrow or regret about a loss or situation?	lament	lament	-
17	What verb means to bring a disturbance, fear, or opposition to an end?	quell	quell	-
18	Which adjective describes something that continues with virtually no interruption?	incessant	incessant	-
19	What adjective describes a problem or situation that is manageable and relatively easy to deal with?	tractable	tractable	-
20	Which adjective describes an offense that is openly and shockingly wrong?	flagrant	flagrant	-
21	Which adjective describes material that is unnecessary because it repeats what is already there?	redundant	redundant	-
22	What noun describes deep bitterness that continues over time?	rancor	rancor	-
23	Which adjective describes something understood naturally without careful analysis?	intuitive	intuitive	-
24	Which adjective describes an influence that gradually weakens or damages something?	corrosive	corrosive	-
25	Which verb means to trigger a reaction or response?	provoke	provoke	-
26	Which adjective describes someone who feels extremely joyful?	elated	elated	-
27	Which adjective describes a connection or claim that is weak and poorly supported?	tenuous	tenuous	-
28	What verb means to create or perform something on the spot without prior preparation?	improvise	improvise	-
29	Which verb means to clear a person officially from blame?	exonerate	exonerate	-
30	What verb means to pretend that a feeling or condition is real?	feign	feign	-