to strongly dislike or hate something
Many people abhor cruelty toward animals.
Tim's Teachers Vocabulary Mastery
High-Utility Vocabulary for ISEE & SSAT
Chapter
12
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.
abhor
verb 憎恶；厌恶
banal
adjective 平庸的；陈腐的
so ordinary or overused that it is boring and unoriginal
The speech was filled with banal phrases that the audience had heard many times before.
coerce
verb 强迫；胁迫
to force someone to do something through pressure or threats
The manager tried to coerce employees into working unpaid overtime.
corrosive
adjective 腐蚀性的；逐渐破坏的
gradually damaging or weakening something, physically or figuratively
Constant suspicion can have a corrosive effect on trust within a team.
deleterious
adjective 有害的；造成损害的
causing harm or damage
Lack of sleep can have deleterious effects on memory and concentration.
deride
verb 嘲笑；嘲弄
to mock or speak about someone or something with contempt
It is unfair to deride someone simply because their idea is unconventional.
dispel
verb 消除；驱散
to cause a doubt, fear, or false belief to disappear
The scientist used clear evidence to dispel rumors about the experiment.
elated
adjective 兴高采烈的；非常高兴的
extremely happy and excited
The students were elated when they learned that their project had won first prize.
exasperate
verb 使恼怒；使极度烦恼
to irritate or frustrate someone greatly
Repeated delays began to exasperate the passengers.
exonerate
verb 免罪；证明无责
to officially clear someone from blame or responsibility
New evidence helped exonerate the employee who had been wrongly accused.
feign
verb 假装；佯装
to pretend to have a feeling, condition, or quality that is not genuine
He tried to feign confidence even though he was nervous.
flagrant
adjective 公然的；恶劣的
obviously wrong or offensive in a shocking way
The referee penalized the player for a flagrant violation of the rules.
improvise
verb 即兴创作；临时应变
to create or perform something without preparing it beforehand
When the projector failed, the teacher had to improvise a new way to present the lesson.
incessant
adjective 不断的；连续不停的
continuing without stopping or pausing
The incessant noise from construction made it difficult to concentrate.
inept
adjective 无能的；笨拙的
lacking skill or ability in a particular situation
His inept handling of the equipment caused several avoidable problems.
intuitive
adjective 直觉的；凭直觉理解的
understood or known through instinct rather than deliberate reasoning
The new software was so intuitive that most users learned it without instructions.
lament
verb 哀叹；惋惜
to express sadness or regret about something
Residents continued to lament the loss of the old neighborhood park.
malleable
adjective 可塑的；易受影响的
able to be shaped, changed, or influenced fairly easily
Young opinions can be quite malleable when students encounter new evidence.
obstinate
adjective 固执的；顽固的
stubbornly refusing to change an opinion or course of action
He remained obstinate even after everyone showed him that his plan would fail.
parochial
adjective 眼界狭窄的；地方性的
having a narrow outlook limited to local or familiar concerns
The committee's parochial outlook prevented it from considering solutions used successfully elsewhere.
perceptive
adjective 有洞察力的；敏锐的
quick to notice and understand things accurately
Her perceptive comment revealed a problem that everyone else had overlooked.
provoke
verb 激起；引发
to cause a reaction, feeling, or response
The article was designed to provoke discussion about school policy.
quell
verb 平息；镇压
to put an end to a disturbance, feeling, or opposition
The principal met with students to quell fears about the schedule change.
rancor
noun 怨恨；深仇
deep and lasting bitterness or resentment
Years of rivalry had created deep rancor between the two families.
redundant
adjective 多余的；重复的
unnecessary because it repeats something or is no longer needed
The editor removed several redundant sentences that repeated the same idea.
rescind
verb 撤销；废除
to officially cancel a rule, decision, or agreement
The board voted to rescind the policy after receiving new information.
restrain
verb 抑制；限制
to hold back, control, or prevent someone or something from acting freely
She had to restrain herself from interrupting the speaker.
subversive
adjective 颠覆性的；破坏性的
intended to weaken or undermine an established system or authority
Officials considered the secret campaign subversive because it aimed to weaken the government from within.
tenuous
adjective 薄弱的；牵强的
weak, slight, or not strongly supported by evidence
The lawyer's argument was tenuous because it relied on a single unreliable witness.
tractable
adjective 易处理的；易驾驭的
easy to control, influence, or deal with
The problem became more tractable once the team divided it into smaller parts.
Section 2 Immediate Retrieval
Write the word that matches each meaning. Do not look back at the word cards.
1.
What verb means to mock someone or something with contempt?
2.
What adjective describes someone who stubbornly refuses to change an opinion or course of action?
3.
What adjective describes someone who is extremely happy and excited?
4.
What adjective describes wrongdoing that is obvious and shockingly offensive?
5.
What adjective describes someone who lacks skill or ability in a situation?
6.
What verb means to put an end to a disturbance, fear, or opposition?
7.
What verb means to create or perform something without preparing it in advance?
8.
What adjective describes something that is relatively easy to manage, influence, or solve?
9.
What noun means deep and lasting bitterness or resentment?
10.
What adjective describes an argument or connection that is weak and poorly supported?
11.
What adjective describes something that can be shaped, changed, or influenced easily?
12.
What verb means to irritate or frustrate someone greatly?
13.
What verb means to officially clear someone from blame?
14.
What verb means to make a doubt, fear, or false belief disappear?
15.
What adjective means causing harm or damage?
16.
What adjective describes someone who quickly notices and understands important details?
17.
What adjective describes something unnecessary because it repeats what is already present?
18.
What adjective describes an effort intended to weaken an established system or authority?
19.
What adjective describes something that gradually damages or weakens another thing?
20.
What adjective describes something that continues without stopping?
21.
What verb means to officially cancel a rule, decision, or agreement?
22.
What verb means to cause a reaction, feeling, or response?
23.
What verb means to express sadness or regret about something?
24.
What verb means to hold back, control, or limit an action?
25.
What verb means to force someone to act through pressure or threats?
26.
What adjective describes something so ordinary or overused that it has become boring?
27.
What verb means to strongly hate or deeply dislike something?
28.
What adjective describes a narrow outlook limited mainly to local or familiar concerns?
29.
What verb means to pretend to have a feeling or condition that is not genuine?
30.
What adjective describes something understood naturally without deliberate reasoning?
Section 3 Review from Earlier Chapters
These words come from earlier lessons. Use what you remember - the meanings are not repeated here.
1.
Even after defeating his ______ in the final round, Marcus praised her skill and preparation.
2.
Which word best completes the sentence?
□worsen
□ameliorate
□intensify
□exacerbate
3.
Recall the earlier adjective for something outdated because newer alternatives now exist.
4.
The engineer had to ______ the design after discovering that the original plan was too expensive.
5.
Which word best completes the sentence?
□advocate
□participate
□abstain
□compete
6.
Recall the earlier adjective for seeming emotionally distant and uninvolved.
7.
The research team adopted a different ______ after its first method failed to produce reliable results.
8.
Which word best completes the sentence?
□anecdotal
□empirical
□experimental
□statistical
9.
Recall the earlier academic verb for examining something carefully by studying its parts.
10.
The instruction was so ______ that students could reasonably interpret it in two different ways.
11.
Which word best completes the sentence?
□precise
□verified
□exact
□approximate
12.
Recall the earlier adjective that best describes a harsh and irritating manner.
Section 4 Context Practice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence. Fill in one box for each question.
1.
The doctor presented test results to ______ the patient's fear that the condition was dangerous.
□conceal
□intensify
□abrasive
□dispel
2.
The team was ______ after learning that it had qualified for the national competition.
□alter
□elated
□dejected
□indifferent
3.
After widespread complaints, the agency agreed to ______ the unpopular regulation.
□rescind
□abstain
□expand
□enforce
4.
The control panel was so ______ that first-time users could operate it immediately.
□ambiguous
□confusing
□intuitive
□technical
5.
The endless technical errors began to ______ even the most patient members of the staff.
□amuse
□comfort
□approach
□exasperate
6.
Authorities claimed the secret organization was ______ because it sought to weaken the government from within.
□loyal
□subversive
□conventional
□supportive
7.
The editor removed several ______ sentences that simply repeated information already stated.
□concise
□original
□redundant
□essential
8.
His ______ attempt to repair the computer caused even more damage.
□competent
□inept
□meticulous
□skillful
9.
The prosecutor's case was ______ because it depended on a single unreliable witness.
□credible
□substantial
□conclusive
□tenuous
10.
Years of public insults had a(n) ______ effect on the friendship between the two leaders.
□corrosive
□beneficial
□restorative
□stabilizing
11.
The historian came to ______ the cruelty described in the prison records.
□endorse
□admire
□tolerate
□abhor
12.
Security footage helped ______ the suspect by proving he was somewhere else when the theft occurred.
□condemn
□accuse
□exonerate
□implicate
13.
Rather than seriously consider the proposal, several critics chose to ______ it as ridiculous.
□deride
□endorse
□praise
□analyze
14.
The guard had to ______ the dog until the visitors were safely inside.
□encourage
□restrain
□release
□provoke
15.
The child tried to ______ illness so that he could avoid going to school.
□admit
□feign
□recover
□ameliorate
16.
Her ______ observation revealed a contradiction that everyone else had missed.
□perceptive
□superficial
□careless
□confused
17.
Because the material was highly ______, the artist could shape it into intricate forms.
□brittle
□rigid
□fixed
□malleable
18.
The committee's ______ thinking focused only on local customs and ignored successful ideas from other regions.
□inclusive
□approximate
□parochial
□global
Section 5 Semantic Discrimination
All four words are close in meaning. Choose the one that fits the situation most precisely.
1.
A substance causes measurable long-term damage to memory and concentration. Which adjective is most precise?
□adverse
□unpleasant
□deleterious
□dangerous
2.
Two former partners still feel deep bitterness toward each other years after their dispute. Which noun best describes that feeling?
□hostility
□resentment
□adversary
□rancor
3.
Residents repeatedly express sadness about the destruction of a beloved historic theater. Which verb best describes what they do?
□lament
□complain
□mourn
□regret
4.
A machine produces noise continuously for twelve hours without a meaningful pause. Which adjective fits best?
□analyze
□incessant
□frequent
□persistent
5.
A competitor openly breaks an important rule in a way that is obvious to everyone watching. Which adjective is most precise?
□flagrant
□improper
□deliberate
□serious
6.
A deliberately challenging question causes an intense public debate. Which verb best describes what the question does?
□initiate
□provoke
□encourage
□alter
7.
A difficult problem becomes manageable after it is divided into smaller steps. Which adjective best describes it now?
□antiquated
□solvable
□manageable
□tractable
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?
□convince
□pressure
□coerce
□persuade
9.
A musician's sheet music disappears, so she creates a performance on the spot. Which verb fits best?
□improvise
□compose
□adapt
□approach
10.
A writer keeps using familiar phrases that have been repeated so often they sound dull and unoriginal. Which adjective fits best?
□ordinary
□predictable
□banal
□simple
11.
Even after receiving strong evidence that his plan is flawed, a manager stubbornly refuses to alter it. Which adjective fits best?
□adamant
□obstinate
□persistent
□resolute
12.
A leader's calm explanation brings an angry crowd under control and ends the disturbance. Which verb best fits?
□calm
□contain
□reduce
□quell
Section 6 Synonyms
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
S1.
OBSTINATE:
□stubborn
□flexible
□obvious
□agreeable
S2.
INTUITIVE:
□deliberate
□invasive
□instinctive
□analytical
S3.
ELATED:
□jubilant
□dejected
□calm
□isolated
S4.
PERCEPTIVE:
□oblivious
□insightful
□careless
□deceptive
S5.
RANCOR:
□ransom
□harmony
□affection
□bitterness
S6.
PROVOKE:
□calm
□prevent
□incite
□provide
S7.
MALLEABLE:
□pliable
□rigid
□brittle
□malicious
S8.
DERIDE:
□derive
□mock
□respect
□praise
S9.
BANAL:
□original
□baneful
□trite
□vivid
S10.
SUBVERSIVE:
□loyal
□submissive
□supportive
□seditious
S11.
QUELL:
□query
□subdue
□intensify
□incite
S12.
REDUNDANT:
□reliable
□concise
□essential
□superfluous
S13.
TRACTABLE:
□manageable
□unruly
□stubborn
□traceable
S14.
TENUOUS:
□strong
□substantial
□flimsy
□tenacious
S15.
IMPROVISE:
□adlib
□rehearse
□prepare
□improve
S16.
CORROSIVE:
□correlative
□damaging
□restorative
□protective
S17.
INCESSANT:
□sporadic
□brief
□continuous
□instant
S18.
FEIGN:
□reveal
□reign
□feel
□pretend
S19.
DELETERIOUS:
□useful
□harmful
□delicate
□beneficial
S20.
RESCIND:
□revoke
□rescue
□renew
□approve
S21.
PAROCHIAL:
□cosmopolitan
□partial
□global
□provincial
S22.
COERCE:
□invite
□release
□compel
□persuade
S23.
RESTRAIN:
□control
□release
□restore
□encourage
S24.
ABHOR:
□admire
□detest
□ignore
□adore
S25.
LAMENT:
□celebrate
□lamentable
□ignore
□mourn
S26.
EXASPERATE:
□comfort
□exonerate
□infuriate
□delight
S27.
EXONERATE:
□exaggerate
□condemn
□accuse
□absolve
S28.
FLAGRANT:
□subtle
□minor
□blatant
□fragrant
S29.
DISPEL:
□display
□banish
□preserve
□gather
S30.
INEPT:
□incompetent
□skillful
□intact
□capable
Section 7 Cumulative Reading
Read the passage carefully. You may underline words you recognise from this lesson and earlier lessons.
The Debate Over Harbor Point
Harbor Point had once been a busy industrial district, but decades of neglect left many buildings empty and unsafe. When the city proposed converting the area into housing and public parks, most residents welcomed the idea. A smaller group, however, began an incessant campaign against the plan. Some opponents merely lamented the loss of familiar landmarks, while others used more provocative tactics.
At first, city officials dismissed the criticism as banal and repetitive. That changed when several anonymous messages accused the planning board of corruption. The claims sounded serious, but the evidence was tenuous and largely anecdotal. One perceptive reporter noticed that several supposedly independent messages repeated the same unusual phrases. Her investigation helped dispel the impression that widespread opposition existed. In fact, a single organization had produced most of the messages.
The group's methods soon became more flagrant. Its leaders attempted to coerce local business owners into signing petitions and publicly derided anyone who supported the redevelopment. Some residents began to abhor the campaign's hostile tone. Others worried that its corrosive effect on public trust might be more deleterious than the disagreement itself.
Mayor Chen tried to restrain the conflict before it grew worse. She refused to rescind the redevelopment proposal, but she invited critics to present specific objections. This approach made the dispute more tractable. Several residents raised legitimate concerns about traffic and rent increases, while the most obstinate opponents continued to reject every compromise.
The council eventually adopted a revised plan. It preserved several historic buildings, added affordable housing requirements, and created an independent review committee. These changes did not quell all rancor, but they reduced it considerably. Even some former opponents admitted that the revised proposal was more balanced. The episode showed that communities can survive bitter disagreement when they distinguish valid criticism from deceptive claims and refuse to let anger become subversive to the process itself.
Section 8 Reading & Application
Answer the questions using the passage. For the written questions, reply in complete sentences on the lines provided.
1.
Why do city officials begin taking the opposition campaign more seriously?
□The redevelopment project suddenly becomes much more expensive.
□Anonymous messages accuse the planning board of corruption and make the campaign appear more serious.
□Most residents decide that the industrial district should remain unchanged.
□The mayor announces that all historic buildings will be demolished.
2.
What does the reporter discover about the apparent opposition to the redevelopment plan?
□Much of the apparent opposition came from one organization producing multiple similar messages.
□The planning board secretly wrote messages supporting its own proposal.
□Local business owners had independently organized the entire campaign.
□Most of the opposition came from residents worried only about traffic.
3.
Why does Mayor Chen invite critics to present specific objections instead of simply dismissing them?
□She intends to cancel the redevelopment plan immediately.
□She wants to identify which objections are legitimate and make the dispute easier to address.
□She believes every accusation against the planning board is accurate.
□She wants to separate legitimate concerns from unsupported attacks and make the conflict more manageable.
4.
How does the revised plan help reduce conflict in the community?
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.
6.
Write about a claim that seems weak at first and explain how a perceptive person could use evidence to dispel confusion.
7.
Describe how a difficult problem or disagreement could become more tractable if one person's position became less obstinate and more malleable.
Section 9 Final Retrieval
Close the workbook to the previous sections. Write the word for each meaning from memory.
1.
Which verb means to hold back or keep something under control?
2.
What adjective describes someone who handles a task with very little skill?
3.
What word means to feel intense dislike or hatred toward something?
4.
What adjective describes someone who quickly recognizes subtle but important details?
5.
Which adjective describes an idea that is dull because it has been repeated too often?
6.
What verb describes forcing a person to act through threats or pressure?
7.
What adjective means seriously harmful or damaging?
8.
Which adjective describes a viewpoint that is narrowly limited to local or familiar concerns?
9.
Which adjective describes something that can be easily reshaped or influenced?
10.
What verb means to remove a fear, doubt, or mistaken belief?
11.
Which verb means to ridicule someone with contempt?
12.
What adjective describes activity intended to weaken an established authority or system from within?
13.
What verb means to formally cancel a decision, rule, or agreement?
14.
What verb means to make someone intensely irritated or frustrated?
15.
What adjective describes a person who stubbornly refuses to change course?
16.
What verb means to express sorrow or regret about a loss or situation?
17.
What verb means to bring a disturbance, fear, or opposition to an end?
18.
Which adjective describes something that continues with virtually no interruption?
19.
What adjective describes a problem or situation that is manageable and relatively easy to deal with?
20.
Which adjective describes an offense that is openly and shockingly wrong?
21.
Which adjective describes material that is unnecessary because it repeats what is already there?
22.
What noun describes deep bitterness that continues over time?
23.
Which adjective describes something understood naturally without careful analysis?
24.
Which adjective describes an influence that gradually weakens or damages something?
25.
Which verb means to trigger a reaction or response?
26.
Which adjective describes someone who feels extremely joyful?
27.
Which adjective describes a connection or claim that is weak and poorly supported?
28.
What verb means to create or perform something on the spot without prior preparation?
29.
Which verb means to clear a person officially from blame?
30.
What verb means to pretend that a feeling or condition is real?