Expand your vocabulary 2

1. Match the following words to the definitions:
            latent, catalyst, accomplice, stagnant, morose, arbitrary, rebut, paramount, servitude, facilitate

• n. a person who takes part in a crime - ..............................
• adj. unreasonable; based on one's own wishes or whims without regard for reason or fairness - .............................
• n. a substance that causes or hastens a chemical reaction; any agent that causes change - ................................
• v. to make easier, assist - .............................
• adj. hidden, present but not realized - ...............................
• adj. having a gloomy or sullen manner; not friendly or sociable - ..............................
• adj. chief in importance, above all others - ...........................
• v. to offer arguments or evidence that contradict an assertion, to refute - ...........................
• n. slavery, forced labour - ........................
• adj. not running or flowing, foul from standing still, inactive, sluggish, dull - ...........................

 2. From the words in the previous exercise, choose the one that best completes the following sentences.

• When he was suddenly deprived of everything he valued in life, the poor man became extremely gloomy and _________ . 
• After the opposing speakers had both presented their cases, they were allowed time to _________ each other's arguments.
• Though they had been there all along, Grandma Moses did not discover her ___________ artistic talents until well into her seventies. 
• In large areas of the huge swamp, there were ________ pools of water covered with unmoving masses of green slime.
• Even though the youngster did not actually steal he vehicle, he acted as one of the thief's ____________.
• The helpful librarian did much to __________ the research for my term paper.
• In certain industrial processes, __________ speed up the desired reaction by lessening the amount of energy needed to produce it.
• No matter what make of automobile you have, it is of ___________ importance that you learn to drive safely before you use it.
• Many people came to the New World after they had been sentenced to terms of penal ____________ for crimes they had committed. 
• In guaranteeing the right to "due process of law", the Constitution protects Americans against ___________ arrest and imprisonment. 

3. From the words in the previous exercises, choose the one that is opposite in meaning to the following words and expressions. 

• cheerful, jaunty, buoyant - ...................
• freedom, liberty - .................
• secondary, subordinate - ......................
• to confirm, corroborate, substantiate - .................
• to hamper, hinder, obstruct, impede - .....................
• reasoned, rational, objective - ......................
• flowing, running, fresh - ....................
• exposed, evident - .................... 

You will find the Key in the first comment.

Expand your vocabulary 1

1. Match the following words to the definitions:
        succumb, slapdash, reprimand, prattle, opaque, militant, incorrigible, exodus, brazen, annihilate

• adj. given to fighting; active and aggressive in support of a cause - ...............................
• v. to give way to superior cause, yield - ...........................
• adj. not letting light through; not clear or lucid; stupid - ............................
• v. to destroy completely - ......................................
• v. to talk in an aimless, foolish, or simple way; n. baby talk - ..............................
• adj made of brass; shameless, impudent - ..............................
• adj. careless and hasty - ...........................
• n a large-scale departure or flight - .............................
• adj. not able to be corrected, beyond control - ...........................
• v. to scold, find fault with; n. a rebuke - ............................

2. From the words in the previous exercise, choose the one that best completes the following sentences.

•  If we are going to use this space as a darkroom for photography, we must have a completely __________ covering over the window.
• The doctor warned the relatives that if the patient's condition deteriorated any further, he would __________ to pneumonia.
• The fact that you cannot control these small children does not mean that they are ____________ 
• "If you spent more time and effort on your essays, they would cease to be such ___________ affairs," my older sister wisely observed.
• Her friends call her "Motormouth" because she has a remarkable capacity to ___________ on endlessly about the most trivial matters. 
• Fighting is considered such a(n) ____________ violation of the rules of a game that the offending players are usually severely penalized.
• It is an unfortunate fact that the ____________ attitudes of the kaiser and his cronies helped make World War I inevitable.
•  Mom and Dad said nothing when I failed the examination, but the disappointed looks on their faces hurt more than the most severe __________.
• The second book of he Old Testament is named for the story it recounts of the _________ of the Israelites from the land of Egypt
• It is a frightening fact of modern life that we now possess the weaponry to ____________ not only our enemies, but all humankind. 

3. From the words in the previous exercises, choose the one that is opposite in meaning to the following words and expressions. 

• an immigration, influx, arrival; an entrance - ..............................
• to praise, pat on the back - ............................
• painstaking, meticulous, thorough, in-depth - ................................
• docile, tractable, curable, reparable - ...............................
• deferential, respectful, self-effacing - .............................
• to foster, promote, encourage, nurture - ............................
• to overcome, master, conquer - ..............................
• transparent, clear, bright, perceptive - .................................
• unassertive, peaceable, passive - ..............................

 You will find the Key in the first comment.

The Rila Monastery in Bulgaria

Read the text and mark the sentences True, False or No information in the text        

          The Rila Monastery is an architectural work of enormous dimensions, an apogee of the work of the Renaissance craftsmen, icon-painters, wood-carvers, artisans in the artistic area where architecture and the decorative and monumental painting of stone, wood and metal are combined.
          The Rila Monastery was founded in the l0th century by the Bulgarian monk St. John of Rila and was rebuilt in the l3th -l4th century. From that time date the fortress tower, the bishop's throne, richly carved doors and some manuscripts, icon paintings and church plates.
         Situated high up in the Rila Mountains, the monastery is not easy to reach. From the town of Rila, the monastery is still some 25km away. Access is difficult but the experience is well worth the effort.
         The building has four levels of colorful balconies with some 300 cells, kitchens, guard rooms, a hospital, chapels and even a winery. From the top balcony you have splendid views of the surrounding Rila Mountains. In the center of the courtyard, there is a beautiful church with amazing frescos. The best time to visit the monastery is weekdays (far fewer tourists) and during the early morning or sunset.

1. The Rila Monastery is a modernistic building, designed by contemporary architects. ..............
2. The Rila Monastery was established about 11 centuries ago. ...........
3. It is not a good idea to visit the monastery as it is difficult to access. ...............
4. There are four chapels in the monastery. .............
5. The best time to visit the monastery is the summer. ..............

Find words in the text which mean the following:
1. painting on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling (n.) - ................................
2. the most successful, popular or powerful point(n.) - ............................
3. a large strong building which can be defended from attack (n.) - ............................
4. an old document or book written by hand in the times before printing was invented (n.) - .........................
5. the method or possibility of getting near to a place or person (n.) - ..........................

You will find the Key in the first comment.

Test your vocabulary skills

Choose the best adjective out of the two given in each question below:

1.    Sammi didn’t have time to finish the whole exam, so some of her answers were incomplete/deficient.

2.    My father’s new car is really rapid/fast.

3.    The weather forecast wasn’t very accurate/truthful, because they said it would rain and it’s been fine all day.

4.    The noticeable dearth of goal-scoring opportunities means that these are annoying/worrying times indeed for Danby United.

5.    My little brother is so greedy/eager. He’s just finished his fourth banana!

6.    We gave a donation to the charity, partly because the children on their poster looked     so precious/vulnerable.

7.    When we got married my husband promised that he would always be dependable/faithful to me.

8.    I like the new cushions on your sofa, they’re lovely/lovable.

9.    I believe if you want something in life badly enough you should be powerful/persistent and never give up until you’ve reached your goal.

10.  This isn’t the finished version of my essay. I always write a rough/clean draft first.

11.  Some critics haven’t enjoyed Spielberg’s later films, such as The Terminal and AI, finding them a little too sentimental/extreme.

12.  James proposed to Maria at Gina’s party on Saturday. He got down on one knee and everything! It certainly made for a spectacular/memorable evening.

13.  When I told my boss that I needed two weeks off to visit my sick grandmother in Mexico, she wasn’t very sympathetic/acceptable. Probably because she knows I don’t have any relatives in Mexico.

14.  Jenna doesn’t like her curly/floppy hair, but she’s too lazy to straighten it.

15.  “Jas, that skirt is horrendous! No one will ever find you remotely pleasant/attractive if you go outside wearing that!” counselled Jas’s best friend, Mandy.

You will find the answers in the first comment.

 For more activities on English check this site:

http://www.englishbanana.com/