LESSON 27 ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL WORDS

 

ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL WORDS LESSON 27

 

1 despite (dəˈspīt) in spite of a The player continued in the game despite his injuries b Despite his size, Ted put up a good fight. c We won the game by a shutout despite the fact that our team got only three hits. 2 disrupt (dis rupt') upset; cause to break down a Pam’s clowning disrupted the class every day. b The storm disrupted the telephone lines throughout the area. c The collapse* of the government disrupted the services we took for granted, such as mail delivery. 3 rash (rash) a breaking out with many small red spots on the skin; outbreak of many instances within a short time: too hasty or careless a The report of a rash of burglaries in the neighborhood was exaggerated.* b Poison ivy causes a rash. c It is rash to threaten an action you cannot carry out.     Words in Use Read the following passage to see how the new words are used in it. Problems We Face Despite wars, disease, and natural disasters,* our world is experiencing a population explosion (boom) that threatens* to change or disrupt life as we have known it. Vast* numbers of people must be fed and housed, and in the process a whole rash of problems has descended* upon the human race. First has been the pollution* of the air and the contamination* of the water supply. Second has been the rapid exhaustion of fuels, minerals, and other natural resources. The response* to this situation has ranged from utter* disbelief to exaggerated* concern. Since scientists themselves disagree on the severity of the problem, our feeble knowledge is surely unable to suggest the correct course of action. But we cannot stand still because there is too much at stake. We are, therefore, compelled* to unite in our efforts to insure that human life on this planet does not cease. We must learn to be thrifty, even miserly, with the gifts of nature that we have formerly taken for granted. If our past reveals* a reckless* squandering* of our natural possessions, we must now find an intelligent guide* to their use so that we may remain monarchs of a world that has peace and plenty.     Picture It Which of the words studied in this lesson is suggested by the picture?   Fill in the Blanks Place one of the new words in each of the blanks below. 1 The dying soldier made a last ________ effort to rise. 2 Though the victim’s breathing had ________, the fireman continued giving oxygen. 3 We often regret a ________ statement made in the heat of an argument. 4 Now that you have ________ all your excuses, tell us the truth. 5 The bout was fought to determine who would be the ________ of the ring. 6 An increase in pollution* will ________ our normal ways of life. 7 Macy’s Department Store always says, “It pays to be ________ .” 8 I have learned to read Spanish ________, but I cannot speak it so well. 9 The ________ of the pain compelled* Frank to call the doctor in the middle of the night. 10 Under certain conditions, oxygen will ________ with hydrogen to form water. 11 ________ a warning glance from the teacher, Harold continued to annoy the girl next to him. 12 It is best to be neither too ________ nor too careless about one’s money.   Creativity Exercise Now make up your own sentences, one for each of the new words you have just been taught. 1 ____________________________________________________________________ 2 ____________________________________________________________________ 3 ____________________________________________________________________ 4 ____________________________________________________________________ 5 ____________________________________________________________________ 6 ____________________________________________________________________ 7 ____________________________________________________________________ 8 ____________________________________________________________________ 9 ____________________________________________________________________ 10 ____________________________________________________________________ 11 ____________________________________________________________________ 12 ____________________________________________________________________   Spotlight On thrifty—If a person is very thrifty with money, would you describe him or her as economical or stingy, careful or miserly, frugal or greedy? Though the trait is the same in each case, the word describing it has a different value judgment. The word you choose really depends upon what you think of the person.

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ANSWER KEY