to change something
The editor asked Maya to alter the final paragraph so the conclusion matched the evidence.
Tim's Teachers Vocabulary Mastery
High-Utility Vocabulary for ISEE & SSAT
Chapter
1
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.
alter
verb 改变；修改
ambiguous
adjective 模棱两可的；含糊不清的
unclear because it can have more than one possible meaning
The directions were ambiguous, so two groups understood them differently.
analyze
verb 分析
to examine something carefully by looking at its parts
Scientists analyze the samples before drawing a conclusion.
approach
noun/verb 方法；途径；接近
a way of dealing with something; or to come closer
The team tried a new approach after the first plan failed.
approximate
adjective/verb 近似的；大约的；估算
close to the exact amount; or to estimate roughly
The map gives the approximate distance between the two towns.
arbitrary
adjective 任意的；武断的；无明确依据的
based on a choice or decision without a clear reason or rule
The judge rejected an arbitrary rule that treated similar cases differently.
consequence
noun 后果；结果
a result or effect, especially one caused by an action
One consequence of skipping practice was that the team was less prepared.
consistent
adjective 一致的；始终如一的
staying the same over time or agreeing with something else
The measurements were consistent across all three trials.
contrast
noun/verb 对比；差异
a clear difference; or to show how things are different
The essay asks students to contrast the two characters' decisions.
derive
verb 得到；源自
to get or develop something from a source
Many English words derive from Latin and Greek roots.
distinguish
verb 区分；辨别
to recognize or show the difference between things
The detective could distinguish the real signature from the imitation.
establish
verb 建立；确立；证实
to create, set up, or show something clearly
The researchers needed more data to establish a reliable pattern.
evaluate
verb 评估；评价
to judge the quality, value, or effectiveness of something
The committee will evaluate each proposal before choosing one.
evident
adjective 明显的；显而易见的
clear or easy to see or understand
It became evident that the first explanation did not fit all the facts.
factor
noun 因素；要素
something that helps cause or influence a result
Cost was one factor in the family's decision to move.
indicate
verb 表明；指出
to show, point out, or suggest something
The dark clouds indicate that rain may arrive soon.
inevitable
adjective 不可避免的；必然的
certain to happen or impossible to avoid
Some delays were inevitable once the storm closed the roads.
infer
verb 推断
to reach a conclusion from evidence or clues
From the muddy footprints, we can infer that someone entered through the garden.
interpret
verb 解释；理解
to explain or understand the meaning of something
Students interpreted the poem in different but reasonable ways.
justify
verb 证明……合理；为……辩护
to give good reasons or evidence to show that something is reasonable
The writer must justify the claim with relevant evidence.
maintain
verb 维持；保持
to keep something going, at the same level, or in good condition
Regular repairs help maintain the bridge in safe condition.
obtain
verb 获得
to get or acquire something
The researcher obtained permission before interviewing the students.
perspective
noun 观点；视角
a particular way of seeing or thinking about something
Reading both accounts gave us a broader perspective on the event.
relevant
adjective 相关的
directly connected to the topic or situation
Only evidence relevant to the question should appear in the report.
reluctant
adjective 不情愿的；勉强的
unwilling or hesitant to do something
Nina was reluctant to speak until she had checked the facts.
require
verb 需要；要求
to need something or to make something necessary
The experiment will require careful measurements and accurate records.
significant
adjective 重要的；显著的
important or large enough to matter
The new evidence caused a significant change in the investigation.
subsequent
adjective 随后的；后来的
coming after something else
Subsequent tests confirmed the result of the first experiment.
sufficient
adjective 足够的；充分的
enough for a particular purpose
The team did not yet have sufficient evidence to make a final decision.
valid
adjective 有效的；合理的；有根据的
reasonable, acceptable, or supported well enough to be trusted
The scientist repeated the procedure to make sure the conclusion was valid.
Section 2 Immediate Retrieval
Write the word that matches each meaning. Do not look back at the word cards.
1.
What word means a particular way of viewing or understanding an issue?
2.
What word describes a decision made without a clear principle or reason?
3.
What word describes results that agree closely across repeated trials?
4.
What word means to keep something at the same level or in good condition?
5.
What word means to get or acquire something?
6.
What word means to show how two things differ?
7.
What word describes something that cannot realistically be avoided?
8.
What word means to support a decision or claim with good reasons or evidence?
9.
What word names a result that follows from an action?
10.
What word describes something that comes later?
11.
What word means to explain the meaning of a text, event, or set of data?
12.
What word can mean a method for dealing with a problem?
13.
What word means to recognize the difference between two similar things?
14.
What word means to judge the quality or effectiveness of something?
15.
What word describes information directly connected to the question being discussed?
16.
What word describes something important enough to affect the result?
17.
What word describes something that has become clear from the available facts?
18.
What word describes wording that allows more than one reasonable meaning?
19.
What word means to reach a conclusion from clues rather than a direct statement?
20.
What word describes someone who is hesitant or unwilling to act?
21.
What word means to make something different from its original form?
22.
What word means close to an exact amount but not exact?
23.
What word names one influence that helps produce a result?
24.
What word describes a conclusion that is reasonable and well supported?
25.
What word means to make something necessary?
26.
What word means to show or suggest something?
27.
What word means to come from or be obtained from a source?
28.
What word describes an amount that is enough for a particular purpose?
29.
What word means to show something clearly enough that it can be accepted as true?
30.
What word means to examine something closely by looking at its parts?
Section 3 Context Practice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence. Fill in one box for each question.
1.
Once the bridge closed, some traffic delays were ______.
□inevitable
□ambiguous
□arbitrary
□relevant
2.
The ______ cost of the repairs is $2,000, although the final bill may differ.
□sufficient
□subsequent
□approximate
□significant
3.
The witness could not ______ the two nearly identical cars in the dark.
□distinguish
□maintain
□evaluate
□justify
4.
The researchers must ______ permission before collecting personal information.
□infer
□contrast
□obtain
□maintain
5.
The evidence was not ______ to support such a strong conclusion.
□subsequent
□sufficient
□approximate
□significant
6.
Regular maintenance helps ______ the machine in safe working condition.
□require
□alter
□derive
□maintain
7.
A serious ______ of ignoring the warning was damage to the equipment.
□approach
□perspective
□consequence
□factor
8.
Reading the diary gave us the soldier's ______ on the event.
□consequence
□factor
□approach
□perspective
9.
The experiment will ______ precise measurements and careful recordkeeping.
□derive
□require
□indicate
□obtain
10.
The team changed its ______ when the original method produced unreliable results.
□approach
□perspective
□factor
□consequence
11.
The essay asks students to ______ the two leaders' responses to the crisis.
□contrast
□interpret
□establish
□derive
12.
Many scientific terms ______ from Greek or Latin roots.
□obtain
□indicate
□require
□derive
13.
The judges will ______ each design for safety, cost, and usefulness.
□derive
□evaluate
□indicate
□infer
14.
The first trial failed, but ______ trials produced more reliable results.
□consistent
□sufficient
□subsequent
□relevant
15.
It became ______ that the first explanation could not account for all the data.
□evident
□reluctant
□arbitrary
□ambiguous
16.
Distance was one ______ the family considered when choosing a new school.
□consequence
□approach
□perspective
□factor
17.
Mia was ______ to make a claim until she had checked the source carefully.
□significant
□reluctant
□consistent
□evident
18.
The argument is ______ only if its evidence is accurate and relevant.
□arbitrary
□reluctant
□valid
□ambiguous
Section 4 Semantic Discrimination
All four words are close in meaning. Choose the one that fits the situation most precisely.
1.
A school changes one section of a schedule while leaving the rest intact. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□alter
□maintain
□replace
□obtain
2.
A small numerical change is important enough to alter the study's conclusion. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□ambiguous
□approximate
□subsequent
□significant
3.
A student explains what a poem's imagery means. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□analyze
□distinguish
□interpret
□infer
4.
Five measurements are nearly the same and agree with earlier results. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□approximate
□consistent
□relevant
□sufficient
5.
A reader reaches a conclusion from clues the author never states directly. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□infer
□interpret
□establish
□evaluate
6.
A rule applies to one student for no clear reason or principle. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□consistent
□valid
□arbitrary
□relevant
7.
A student gives reasons and evidence showing why a conclusion is reasonable. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□obtain
□contrast
□indicate
□justify
8.
Repeated records make a historical pattern clear enough to accept. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□maintain
□establish
□evaluate
□indicate
9.
A rising line on a graph suggests that sales are increasing. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□justify
□obtain
□indicate
□maintain
10.
A piece of evidence directly addresses the question being investigated. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□relevant
□arbitrary
□ambiguous
□reluctant
11.
A scientist breaks evidence into parts and studies how those parts relate. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□summarize
□evaluate
□interpret
□analyze
12.
A sentence can reasonably be understood in two different ways because its wording is unclear. Which lesson word fits most precisely?
□evident
□ambiguous
□consistent
□arbitrary
Section 5 Synonyms
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
S1.
SIGNIFICANT:
□trivial
□ordinary
□important
□minor
S2.
EVIDENT:
□arbitrary
□ambiguous
□hidden
□obvious
S3.
CONSEQUENCE:
□cause
□result
□method
□opinion
S4.
EVALUATE:
□assess
□avoid
□obtain
□copy
S5.
INEVITABLE:
□optional
□uncertain
□unavoidable
□preventable
S6.
FACTOR:
□opinion
□method
□result
□influence
S7.
INTERPRET:
□measure
□ignore
□explain
□copy
S8.
CONSISTENT:
□steady
□erratic
□random
□ambiguous
S9.
ARBITRARY:
□reasoned
□random
□valid
□consistent
S10.
PERSPECTIVE:
□fact
□method
□result
□viewpoint
S11.
AMBIGUOUS:
□certain
□obvious
□explicit
□unclear
S12.
INDICATE:
□prevent
□alter
□show
□hide
S13.
DISTINGUISH:
□differentiate
□confuse
□combine
□justify
S14.
REQUIRE:
□avoid
□necessitate
□reduce
□permit
S15.
CONTRAST:
□difference
□effect
□similarity
□source
S16.
OBTAIN:
□reject
□acquire
□release
□lose
S17.
INFER:
□observe
□repeat
□deduce
□state
S18.
MAINTAIN:
□damage
□alter
□abandon
□preserve
S19.
RELEVANT:
□pertinent
□random
□distant
□unrelated
S20.
ESTABLISH:
□erase
□confirm
□question
□weaken
S21.
DERIVE:
□refuse
□lose
□alter
□obtain
S22.
APPROACH:
□distance
□result
□method
□problem
S23.
APPROXIMATE:
□precise
□exact
□rough
□final
S24.
ALTER:
□obtain
□modify
□observe
□preserve
S25.
SUBSEQUENT:
□later
□earlier
□initial
□prior
S26.
SUFFICIENT:
□insufficient
□scarce
□partial
□adequate
S27.
RELUCTANT:
□hesitant
□certain
□eager
□willing
S28.
JUSTIFY:
□weaken
□oppose
□defend
□ignore
S29.
VALID:
□arbitrary
□sound
□invalid
□false
S30.
ANALYZE:
□announce
□ignore
□combine
□examine
Section 6 Cumulative Reading
Read the passage carefully. You may underline words you recognise from this lesson and earlier lessons.
Choosing the Best Courtyard Plan
At Jefferson Middle School, students were asked to evaluate three proposals for improving the school courtyard. One group wanted more trees, another preferred outdoor study tables, and a third wanted a small garden. Each approach had advantages, but each also carried a possible consequence. Rather than vote immediately, the student council decided to analyze the proposals and collect information that could lead to a valid decision.
The first survey created a problem. One question was ambiguous, and students understood it in different ways. The council chose to alter the wording and repeat that part of the survey. The new responses were more consistent. They showed that students cared most about shade, quiet places to work, and enough open space for activities. Cost was another factor. From the patterns in the responses, the council could infer that no single proposal would satisfy most students.
The council then tried to distinguish personal preference from relevant evidence. Several members were reluctant to give up the plan they had supported from the beginning, so the group created a chart showing price, expected use, upkeep needs, and the amount of space each plan would occupy. This comparison changed the discussion. Members who had argued strongly for one idea began to recognize strengths in the other proposals. They also noticed that a combined plan could address more needs without exceeding the available budget.
The final proposal included several shade trees, four study tables, and a smaller garden cared for by the science club. Not everyone received everything they wanted, but the council could justify the decision with information gathered from students and staff. The experience changed the students' perspective on decision-making. They learned that careful choices usually depend on more than enthusiasm for a favorite idea. A group must examine evidence, listen to competing views, and be willing to revise its thinking. When the courtyard reopened months later, students used all three features regularly, and the council's careful process became a model for future school projects. The principal later asked the council to explain its process to another student committee, which was planning improvements to the library. The members emphasized that listening carefully had been as important as collecting numbers.
Section 7 Reading & Application
Answer the questions using the passage. For the written questions, reply in complete sentences on the lines provided.
1.
Why did the council alter one survey question?
□The wording could be understood in different ways and might produce unreliable responses.
□The question was too expensive to ask.
□The question focused only on teachers.
□The council had already chosen a final plan.
2.
What could the council infer from the survey patterns?
□Outdoor study tables were unnecessary.
□The budget was large enough for every idea.
□Every student preferred the garden.
□No single proposal would satisfy most students.
3.
Why did the council separate personal preference from relevant evidence?
□It wanted to ignore student opinions completely.
□It wanted the decision to be based on information that directly addressed the courtyard problem.
□It wanted each proposal to use the same amount of space.
□It planned to choose only the cheapest option.
4.
What allowed the council to justify its final recommendation?
□The council chose the first proposal it received.
□The council refused to revise any idea.
□The council had gathered information and compared the proposals before deciding.
□Every student supported the same plan.
5.
How did the project change the students' perspective on decision-making?
□They learned that good decisions depend on evidence, competing views, and willingness to revise ideas.
□They concluded that one person's preference should guide the group.
□They decided evidence matters less than enthusiasm.
□They learned that quick voting is always best.
6.
Describe a disagreement in which hearing another person's perspective could reveal relevant information you had missed.
7.
Choose a school rule and explain how you would analyze whether it works. Then justify whether you would keep or change it.
8.
Write about a decision that could have an important consequence. Explain whether that consequence is inevitable or could be avoided.
9.
Give an example of a situation where an approximate amount is sufficient and another where an exact amount is required.
Section 8 Final Retrieval
Close the workbook to the previous sections. Write the word for each meaning from memory.
1.
Repeated results agree closely with one another. Which vocabulary word describes them?
2.
An event cannot be avoided under the circumstances. Which vocabulary word describes it?
3.
A reader reaches a conclusion from clues that are not directly explained. Which vocabulary word fits?
4.
A graph points to a likely increase in sales. Which vocabulary word fits?
5.
A piece of evidence connects directly to the question under discussion. Which vocabulary word describes it?
6.
An argument is reasonable and supported well enough to be trusted. Which vocabulary word fits?
7.
A researcher breaks evidence into parts and studies the relationships among them. Which vocabulary word fits?
8.
A team adopts a new method for solving a problem. Which vocabulary word names the method?
9.
A value is close to the true number but not exact. Which vocabulary word describes it?
10.
The answer becomes clear from the available clues. Which vocabulary word describes it?
11.
A student can tell two similar concepts apart. Which vocabulary word fits?
12.
A student successfully gets permission to use a source. Which vocabulary word fits?
13.
Several sources make a historical fact clear enough to accept. Which vocabulary word fits?
14.
A word comes from an older language source. Which vocabulary word describes this relationship?
15.
A speaker gives reasons and evidence showing a decision is reasonable. Which vocabulary word fits?
16.
A change is important enough to affect the outcome. Which vocabulary word describes it?
17.
A choice produces a later result. Which vocabulary word names that result?
18.
A task cannot be completed unless one condition is met. Which vocabulary word fits?
19.
A statement supports two different reasonable interpretations. Which vocabulary word describes it?
20.
A judge considers quality, effectiveness, and value before deciding. Which vocabulary word fits?
21.
One influence contributes to a final outcome. Which vocabulary word names it?
22.
A witness describes an event from a particular point of view. Which vocabulary word names that point of view?
23.
Regular work keeps equipment in good condition. Which vocabulary word fits?
24.
A writer focuses on how two ideas differ. Which vocabulary word fits?
25.
A person hesitates to act because they do not really want to do it. Which vocabulary word fits?
26.
A student explains what a poem or graph means. Which vocabulary word fits?
27.
A rule is imposed with no clear principle explaining why it exists. Which vocabulary word fits?
28.
A draft changes after feedback but keeps the same main idea. Which vocabulary word names the act of changing it?
29.
A second test occurs after the first one. Which vocabulary word describes the later test?
30.
There is enough evidence for the limited conclusion being made. Which vocabulary word fits?