to become less intense or to make something less intense
The wind began to abate after sunset, so the hikers continued down the trail.
Tim's Teachers Vocabulary Mastery
High-Utility Vocabulary for ISEE & SSAT
Chapter
3
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.
abate
verb 减弱；缓和
advocate
verb 提倡；支持
to publicly support or recommend an idea or cause
Several students advocate starting school later so teenagers can get more sleep.
bolster
verb 支持；加强
to support or strengthen something
The researcher used new evidence to bolster her argument.
candid
adjective 坦率的；直言不讳的
honest and direct, even when the truth may be uncomfortable
Jared gave a candid explanation of why the group project had failed.
coherent
adjective 连贯的；条理清楚的
clear, logical, and well organized
Her essay became much more coherent after she rearranged the paragraphs.
compel
verb 迫使；强烈促使
to force or strongly persuade someone to act
The emergency may compel the city to close the bridge.
concede
verb 承认；让步
to admit that something is true, often unwillingly
After seeing the data, Marcus had to concede that his first estimate was wrong.
corroborate
verb 证实；佐证
to confirm a statement by providing additional evidence
Two independent witnesses were able to corroborate the driver's account.
criterion
noun 标准；准则
a standard used to judge or decide something
Safety was the most important criterion when the class chose a site for the experiment.
deliberate
adjective 故意的；深思熟虑的
done intentionally and with careful thought
Her deliberate choice of evidence made the presentation more convincing.
discern
verb 辨别；察觉
to notice or understand something that is not obvious
From the faint tracks, the ranger could discern that an animal had crossed the path.
dismiss
verb 否定；不予考虑
to reject an idea as unimportant or not worth considering
The committee refused to dismiss the complaint before reviewing the evidence.
elaborate
verb 详细说明；阐述
to explain something more fully by adding details
When the teacher asked for more detail, Nina began to elaborate on her proposal.
endorse
verb 赞同；支持
to publicly approve, support, or recommend something
The science club decided to endorse the recycling plan after reviewing its costs.
futile
adjective 徒劳的；无效的
unlikely to succeed or produce a useful result
Trying to repair the soaked paper with more water would be futile.
impartial
adjective 公正的；不偏不倚的
fair and not favoring one side over another
The debate judge remained impartial and scored both teams by the same standards.
inhibit
verb 抑制；阻碍
to prevent, slow, or limit an action or process
Cold temperatures can inhibit the growth of certain plants.
innovative
adjective 创新的；革新的
introducing new ideas, methods, or designs
The team developed an innovative way to collect rainwater for the garden.
lucid
adjective 清楚的；明晰的
clear and easy to understand
The diagram provided a lucid explanation of how the machine worked.
meticulous
adjective 一丝不苟的；细致的
extremely careful and attentive to small details
Priya kept meticulous notes during every stage of the experiment.
mitigate
verb 减轻；缓解
to make something harmful or severe less serious
Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of extreme summer heat.
novice
noun 新手；初学者
a person who is new to or inexperienced in an activity
Although he was a novice at chess, he learned quickly from each match.
obscure
adjective 晦涩的；不清楚的；鲜为人知的
not well known, clear, or easy to understand
The article referred to an obscure law that few students had heard of.
plausible
adjective 似乎合理的；可信的
seeming reasonable or likely to be true
Her explanation sounded plausible until the timeline was checked.
pragmatic
adjective 务实的；讲求实际的
focused on practical results rather than theories or ideals
The class chose a pragmatic solution that could be finished with the materials they already had.
reinforce
verb 加强；巩固
to strengthen an idea, structure, behavior, or feeling
The coach used short drills to reinforce the skills taught earlier in practice.
resilient
adjective 有韧性的；恢复力强的
able to recover quickly from difficulty or change
The resilient plants survived both the heat wave and the heavy rain.
skeptical
adjective 怀疑的；持怀疑态度的
not easily convinced and doubtful about a claim
Maya remained skeptical until she saw the experiment repeated.
tentative
adjective 暂定的；不确定的
not certain or final and still subject to change
The club announced a tentative meeting date while it waited for the room reservation.
undermine
verb 削弱；逐渐破坏
to weaken something gradually or indirectly
Repeatedly ignoring the rules can undermine trust within a team.
Section 2 Immediate Retrieval
Write the word that matches each meaning. Do not look back at the word cards.
1.
What word describes an explanation that is clear and easy to understand?
2.
What word describes an approach focused on practical results?
3.
What word means to force or strongly persuade someone to act?
4.
What word means to make a harmful or severe situation less serious?
5.
What word describes someone who is doubtful and not easily convinced?
6.
What word means a person who is new to an activity?
7.
What word means to strengthen an idea, structure, behavior, or feeling?
8.
What word means to strengthen or support something?
9.
What word describes something that is clear, logical, and well organized?
10.
What word describes someone who is fair and does not favor either side?
11.
What word describes an explanation that seems reasonable or likely to be true?
12.
What word means to publicly support or recommend a cause or idea?
13.
What word describes something that introduces a new idea, method, or design?
14.
What word describes someone who is extremely careful about small details?
15.
What word describes something not well known or difficult to understand?
16.
What word describes a plan that is not yet final and may change?
17.
What word means to explain something more fully by adding detail?
18.
What word means to notice or understand something that is not obvious?
19.
What word describes someone or something able to recover quickly from difficulty?
20.
What word means to slow, prevent, or limit an action or process?
21.
What word means to weaken something gradually or indirectly?
22.
What word means to reject an idea as unimportant or not worth considering?
23.
What word describes an action done intentionally and with careful thought?
24.
What word means a standard used to judge or decide something?
25.
What word means to admit a point, often unwillingly?
26.
What word means to become less intense or severe?
27.
What word describes an effort that is unlikely to succeed?
28.
What word means to publicly approve, support, or recommend something?
29.
What word means to confirm a statement with additional evidence?
30.
What word describes speech that is honest and direct, even when uncomfortable?
Section 3 Review from Earlier Chapters
These words come from earlier lessons. Use what you remember - the meanings are not repeated here.
1.
Before accepting the conclusion, the class decided to ______ the graph and compare each category carefully.
2.
Which earlier word best completes the sentence about directions with more than one possible meaning?
□coherent
□ambiguous
□relevant
□explicit
3.
One group's behavior made the other group more hostile. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?
4.
The engineering team tried a different ______ after its first design failed the safety test.
5.
Which earlier word best completes the sentence about making the delays less severe?
□alleviate
□exacerbate
□measure
□predict
6.
The teams showed strong hostility toward each other. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?
7.
Because the weather forecast changed, the organizers had to ______ the outdoor schedule.
8.
Which earlier word best completes the sentence about removing responsibility from Mia?
□accuse
□question
□penalize
□absolve
9.
A student feels both positive and negative about the same decision. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?
10.
Because the final measurements were not available, the students had to ______ the total cost.
11.
Which earlier word best completes the sentence about a rule that appears to lack a clear reason?
□valid
□deliberate
□arbitrary
□consistent
12.
A neutral teacher is asked to settle a disagreement. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?
Section 4 Context Practice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence. Fill in one box for each question.
1.
Frequent rule changes can ______ confidence in a school's policies.
□approximate
□strengthen
□restore
□undermine
2.
The scientist would not ______ an unusual result until the test had been repeated.
□examine
□dismiss
□consider
□record
3.
The coach was ______ about the team's mistakes and explained exactly what needed to improve.
□candid
□evasive
□vague
□guarded
4.
The second set of measurements helped ______ the first team's surprising result.
□absolve
□obscure
□corroborate
□contradict
5.
The students designed a(n) ______ filter that used inexpensive recycled materials.
□traditional
□ordinary
□outdated
□innovative
6.
The city planted more trees to ______ the effects of extreme heat in crowded neighborhoods.
□cause
□mitigate
□ignore
□increase
7.
Too little sunlight can ______ the growth of young seedlings.
□inhibit
□accelerate
□encourage
□improve
8.
When asked how the machine saved energy, the engineer began to ______ on each step of the process.
□shorten
□elaborate
□summarize
□conceal
9.
After revising the confusing transitions, Leo's argument became much more ______.
□inconsistent
□random
□fragmented
□coherent
10.
Without the missing key, repeated attempts to open the locked cabinet were ______.
□approximate
□effective
□futile
□promising
11.
As a(n) ______ in rock climbing, Tessa practiced basic techniques before attempting harder routes.
□novice
□veteran
□expert
□specialist
12.
Her pause before answering was ______; she wanted to consider every detail first.
□accidental
□analyze
□deliberate
□impulsive
13.
The ______ community rebuilt quickly after the storm damaged several homes.
□helpless
□resilient
□fragile
□unstable
14.
Rather than argue about the perfect design, the team chose a(n) ______ solution they could build that day.
□idealistic
□theoretical
□absolve
□pragmatic
15.
Because the lab required exact measurements, the group kept ______ records of every trial.
□hasty
□careless
□rough
□meticulous
16.
Many students ______ adding more shade trees to the campus because the playground becomes extremely hot.
□question
□advocate
□observe
□oppose
17.
The judges were ______ of the claim because no evidence had been provided.
□skeptical
□convinced
□animosity
□certain
18.
The explanation sounded ______ because it matched the evidence and the known timeline.
□absurd
□alter
□plausible
□impossible
Section 5 Semantic Discrimination
All four words are close in meaning. Choose the one that fits the situation most precisely.
1.
A committee announces a date but warns that it may change after more information arrives. Which adjective best describes the date?
□flexible
□temporary
□tentative
□final
2.
A teacher gives another example specifically to make an earlier concept stronger in students' memories. Which verb best describes the purpose?
□challenge
□reinforce
□alleviate
□introduce
3.
A reader notices a slight change in the narrator's attitude that is not stated directly. Which verb best describes the reader's action?
□discern
□assume
□invent
□announce
4.
A difficult scientific idea is explained in language that is unusually clear and easy to follow. Which adjective fits best?
□detailed
□formal
□concise
□lucid
5.
A judge applies the same rules to both teams and has no preference for either side. Which adjective best describes the judge?
□impartial
□neutral
□arbitrate
□objective
6.
During a debate, a speaker admits that one point made by the opposing side is correct. Which verb fits best?
□clarify
□concede
□repeat
□antagonize
7.
A scholarship committee decides that community service will be one standard used to judge applicants. Which noun best names that standard?
□consequence
□animosity
□procedure
□criterion
8.
A legal rule leaves a company no choice but to change its procedure. Which verb most precisely describes what the rule does?
□advise
□invite
□compel
□encourage
9.
A writer adds a reliable statistic because her argument needs stronger support. Which verb best describes the purpose of the statistic?
□qualify
□summarize
□bolster
□analyze
10.
A historian studies a little-known event that rarely appears in textbooks. Which adjective best describes the event?
□obscure
□controversial
□ancient
□complex
11.
A thunderstorm is still present, but the wind and rain are steadily becoming weaker. Which word best describes what the storm is doing?
□persist
□intensify
□spread
□abate
12.
After examining a proposal, an organization announces that it officially supports it. Which verb best fits?
□acknowledge
□endorse
□describe
□consider
Section 6 Synonyms
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
S1.
COMPEL:
□delay
□force
□permit
□invite
S2.
SKEPTICAL:
□doubtful
□eager
□curious
□certain
S3.
COHERENT:
□random
□vivid
□logical
□lengthy
S4.
NOVICE:
□spectator
□beginner
□teacher
□expert
S5.
CRITERION:
□standard
□result
□method
□obstacle
S6.
DISMISS:
□accept
□examine
□discuss
□reject
S7.
METICULOUS:
□flexible
□precise
□rapid
□careless
S8.
BOLSTER:
□weaken
□shelter
□scatter
□strengthen
S9.
ABATE:
□subside
□intensify
□abandon
□debate
S10.
DELIBERATE:
□accidental
□hesitant
□intentional
□careless
S11.
OBSCURE:
□famous
□unknown
□complex
□ancient
S12.
UNDERMINE:
□strengthen
□challenge
□weaken
□reveal
S13.
PRAGMATIC:
□practical
□idealistic
□careless
□theoretical
S14.
FUTILE:
□effective
□delayed
□difficult
□useless
S15.
ADVOCATE:
□oppose
□announce
□observe
□support
S16.
RESILIENT:
□fragile
□tough
□rigid
□temporary
S17.
ELABORATE:
□expand
□condense
□erase
□repeat
S18.
PLAUSIBLE:
□absurd
□certain
□credible
□proven
S19.
MITIGATE:
□worsen
□lessen
□measure
□prevent
S20.
TENTATIVE:
□final
□obvious
□provisional
□permanent
S21.
REINFORCE:
□weaken
□introduce
□replace
□strengthen
S22.
CANDID:
□frank
□careless
□formal
□guarded
S23.
CORROBORATE:
□estimate
□confirm
□decorate
□contradict
S24.
CONCEDE:
□predict
□demand
□admit
□deny
S25.
DISCERN:
□ignore
□invent
□conceal
□detect
S26.
ENDORSE:
□approve
□question
□mention
□oppose
S27.
INHIBIT:
□measure
□restrain
□trigger
□encourage
S28.
INNOVATIVE:
□ordinary
□ancient
□careful
□original
S29.
LUCID:
□brief
□bright
□clear
□vague
S30.
IMPARTIAL:
□neutral
□biased
□strict
□involved
Section 7 Cumulative Reading
Read the passage carefully. You may underline words you recognise from this lesson and earlier lessons.
The Courtyard Decision
When Brookside Middle School announced a competition to redesign an unused courtyard, the student council formed a committee to develop a proposal. At first, the members had very different ideas. Some wanted an elaborate outdoor classroom, while others advocated a simple garden. Maya, the committee chair, asked everyone to remain candid about costs and limitations. Her goal was to keep the discussion coherent rather than let personal preferences undermine the project.
The committee established three criteria for judging each plan: cost, usefulness, and maintenance. One student proposed an innovative rainwater system that could bolster the garden during dry months. Another suggested solar lights, but several members were skeptical because the school had only a small budget. Instead of dismissing the idea immediately, they asked for evidence. Two science teachers were able to corroborate the claim that the lights could reduce long-term electricity costs. That made the proposal more plausible, although the committee still considered the price carefully.
A week later, the group faced a setback when construction estimates rose. The students had to concede that their first design was too expensive. Their tentative plan changed again. Rather than abandon the project, they adopted a more pragmatic approach: fewer structures, more native plants, and shaded seating made from recycled wood. The revised design was not as dramatic, but it was feasible. Maya explained that a resilient plan should survive unexpected problems instead of depending on perfect conditions.
Before the final vote, the principal asked an impartial teacher to review the proposal. Her meticulous notes helped the students discern two safety issues they had overlooked. They altered the path and added a railing to mitigate the risk of falls. The committee then prepared a lucid presentation explaining every deliberate choice. By the end of the meeting, even the students who had been ambivalent about the project agreed that the revised plan was stronger. The courtyard proposal was approved, not because it was the most impressive idea, but because the students had analyzed evidence, adjusted their assumptions, and chosen a practical solution.
Section 8 Reading & Application
Answer the questions using the passage. For the written questions, reply in complete sentences on the lines provided.
1.
Why did the committee decide to reduce the size of its original courtyard design?
□The students decided that the courtyard should remain unused.
□The principal prohibited outdoor classrooms.
□Construction estimates increased, making the first design too expensive.
□The science teachers opposed the rainwater system.
2.
What does the committee's response to the solar-light proposal show about how it made decisions?
□It allowed the principal to make every important choice.
□It examined evidence before accepting or rejecting a questionable idea.
□It accepted new ideas immediately if they sounded innovative.
□It rejected any proposal that might cost money.
3.
Which statement best explains why Maya called the revised plan resilient?
□It was intended mainly to impress the judges.
□It used the most expensive materials available.
□It depended on the original design remaining unchanged.
□It could still work even when unexpected problems forced the group to adjust.
4.
How did the impartial teacher improve the committee's final proposal?
5.
Describe a time when giving a candid opinion could help a group reach a more pragmatic decision.
6.
Write about a claim you would be skeptical of until someone could corroborate it with evidence.
7.
Explain how a person, team, or community can be resilient while also taking steps to mitigate a problem.
Section 9 Final Retrieval
Close the workbook to the previous sections. Write the word for each meaning from memory.
1.
Which lesson word means to officially express support for a plan or candidate?
2.
Which lesson word names one standard used to judge several choices?
3.
Which lesson word describes an arrangement that may still change?
4.
Which lesson word would you use for adding evidence that makes an argument stronger?
5.
Which lesson word describes a fact that is little known or difficult to understand?
6.
Which lesson word describes writing whose ideas connect logically from beginning to end?
7.
Which lesson word means to gradually weaken confidence, authority, or strength?
8.
A storm is weakening after hours of heavy rain. Which lesson word describes this change?
9.
Which lesson word describes an explanation that makes a difficult idea easy to understand?
10.
Which lesson word means to reject an idea without accepting it for further consideration?
11.
Which lesson word names someone who has very little experience in an activity?
12.
Which lesson word means to speak publicly in favor of a proposal?
13.
Which lesson word means to support a report with independent evidence?
14.
Which lesson word describes someone who doubts a claim and wants stronger evidence?
15.
Which lesson word describes work done with extremely close attention to detail?
16.
Which lesson word means to notice a difference that is difficult to see?
17.
Which lesson word means to slow or limit a process without necessarily stopping it completely?
18.
Which lesson word describes a method that is new and creative?
19.
Which lesson word describes a judge who favors neither side?
20.
Which lesson word means to reduce the seriousness of a harmful situation?
21.
Which lesson word describes the ability to recover after difficulty or change?
22.
Which lesson word describes an answer that is truthful and direct rather than guarded?
23.
Which lesson word describes a decision based mainly on what will work in practice?
24.
Which lesson word describes an explanation that could reasonably be true?
25.
Which lesson word describes an effort that cannot realistically achieve its goal?
26.
Which lesson word means to leave someone little or no choice but to act?
27.
Which lesson word means to add explanation and supporting details?
28.
Which lesson word describes a choice made intentionally after careful thought?
29.
Which lesson word means to make an existing idea or skill stronger?
30.
Which lesson word means to acknowledge that an opposing point is correct?