Tim's Teachers Vocabulary Mastery - Chapter 3

Section 1 Learn the Words

Word	Part of speech	Definition	Chinese	Example
abate	verb	to become less intense or to make something less intense	减弱；缓和	The wind began to abate after sunset, so the hikers continued down the trail.
advocate	verb	to publicly support or recommend an idea or cause	提倡；支持	Several students advocate starting school later so teenagers can get more sleep.
bolster	verb	to support or strengthen something	支持；加强	The researcher used new evidence to bolster her argument.
candid	adjective	honest and direct, even when the truth may be uncomfortable	坦率的；直言不讳的	Jared gave a candid explanation of why the group project had failed.
coherent	adjective	clear, logical, and well organized	连贯的；条理清楚的	Her essay became much more coherent after she rearranged the paragraphs.
compel	verb	to force or strongly persuade someone to act	迫使；强烈促使	The emergency may compel the city to close the bridge.
concede	verb	to admit that something is true, often unwillingly	承认；让步	After seeing the data, Marcus had to concede that his first estimate was wrong.
corroborate	verb	to confirm a statement by providing additional evidence	证实；佐证	Two independent witnesses were able to corroborate the driver's account.
criterion	noun	a standard used to judge or decide something	标准；准则	Safety was the most important criterion when the class chose a site for the experiment.
deliberate	adjective	done intentionally and with careful thought	故意的；深思熟虑的	Her deliberate choice of evidence made the presentation more convincing.
discern	verb	to notice or understand something that is not obvious	辨别；察觉	From the faint tracks, the ranger could discern that an animal had crossed the path.
dismiss	verb	to reject an idea as unimportant or not worth considering	否定；不予考虑	The committee refused to dismiss the complaint before reviewing the evidence.
elaborate	verb	to explain something more fully by adding details	详细说明；阐述	When the teacher asked for more detail, Nina began to elaborate on her proposal.
endorse	verb	to publicly approve, support, or recommend something	赞同；支持	The science club decided to endorse the recycling plan after reviewing its costs.
futile	adjective	unlikely to succeed or produce a useful result	徒劳的；无效的	Trying to repair the soaked paper with more water would be futile.
impartial	adjective	fair and not favoring one side over another	公正的；不偏不倚的	The debate judge remained impartial and scored both teams by the same standards.
inhibit	verb	to prevent, slow, or limit an action or process	抑制；阻碍	Cold temperatures can inhibit the growth of certain plants.
innovative	adjective	introducing new ideas, methods, or designs	创新的；革新的	The team developed an innovative way to collect rainwater for the garden.
lucid	adjective	clear and easy to understand	清楚的；明晰的	The diagram provided a lucid explanation of how the machine worked.
meticulous	adjective	extremely careful and attentive to small details	一丝不苟的；细致的	Priya kept meticulous notes during every stage of the experiment.
mitigate	verb	to make something harmful or severe less serious	减轻；缓解	Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of extreme summer heat.
novice	noun	a person who is new to or inexperienced in an activity	新手；初学者	Although he was a novice at chess, he learned quickly from each match.
obscure	adjective	not well known, clear, or easy to understand	晦涩的；不清楚的；鲜为人知的	The article referred to an obscure law that few students had heard of.
plausible	adjective	seeming reasonable or likely to be true	似乎合理的；可信的	Her explanation sounded plausible until the timeline was checked.
pragmatic	adjective	focused on practical results rather than theories or ideals	务实的；讲求实际的	The class chose a pragmatic solution that could be finished with the materials they already had.
reinforce	verb	to strengthen an idea, structure, behavior, or feeling	加强；巩固	The coach used short drills to reinforce the skills taught earlier in practice.
resilient	adjective	able to recover quickly from difficulty or change	有韧性的；恢复力强的	The resilient plants survived both the heat wave and the heavy rain.
skeptical	adjective	not easily convinced and doubtful about a claim	怀疑的；持怀疑态度的	Maya remained skeptical until she saw the experiment repeated.
tentative	adjective	not certain or final and still subject to change	暂定的；不确定的	The club announced a tentative meeting date while it waited for the room reservation.
undermine	verb	to weaken something gradually or indirectly	削弱；逐渐破坏	Repeatedly ignoring the rules can undermine trust within a team.

Section 2 Immediate Retrieval

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	What word describes an explanation that is clear and easy to understand?	lucid	lucid	-
2	What word describes an approach focused on practical results?	pragmatic	pragmatic	-
3	What word means to force or strongly persuade someone to act?	compel	compel	-
4	What word means to make a harmful or severe situation less serious?	mitigate	mitigate	-
5	What word describes someone who is doubtful and not easily convinced?	skeptical	skeptical	-
6	What word means a person who is new to an activity?	novice	novice	-
7	What word means to strengthen an idea, structure, behavior, or feeling?	reinforce	reinforce	-
8	What word means to strengthen or support something?	bolster	bolster	-
9	What word describes something that is clear, logical, and well organized?	coherent	coherent	-
10	What word describes someone who is fair and does not favor either side?	impartial	impartial	-
11	What word describes an explanation that seems reasonable or likely to be true?	plausible	plausible	-
12	What word means to publicly support or recommend a cause or idea?	advocate	advocate	-
13	What word describes something that introduces a new idea, method, or design?	innovative	innovative	-
14	What word describes someone who is extremely careful about small details?	meticulous	meticulous	-
15	What word describes something not well known or difficult to understand?	obscure	obscure	-
16	What word describes a plan that is not yet final and may change?	tentative	tentative	-
17	What word means to explain something more fully by adding detail?	elaborate	elaborate	-
18	What word means to notice or understand something that is not obvious?	discern	discern	-
19	What word describes someone or something able to recover quickly from difficulty?	resilient	resilient	-
20	What word means to slow, prevent, or limit an action or process?	inhibit	inhibit	-
21	What word means to weaken something gradually or indirectly?	undermine	undermine	-
22	What word means to reject an idea as unimportant or not worth considering?	dismiss	dismiss	-
23	What word describes an action done intentionally and with careful thought?	deliberate	deliberate	-
24	What word means a standard used to judge or decide something?	criterion	criterion	-
25	What word means to admit a point, often unwillingly?	concede	concede	-
26	What word means to become less intense or severe?	abate	abate	-
27	What word describes an effort that is unlikely to succeed?	futile	futile	-
28	What word means to publicly approve, support, or recommend something?	endorse	endorse	-
29	What word means to confirm a statement with additional evidence?	corroborate	corroborate	-
30	What word describes speech that is honest and direct, even when uncomfortable?	candid	candid	-

Section 3 Review from Earlier Chapters

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	Before accepting the conclusion, the class decided to ______ the graph and compare each category carefully.	analyze	analyze	-
2	Which earlier word best completes the sentence about directions with more than one possible meaning? TL coherent TR ambiguous BL relevant BR explicit	ambiguous	ambiguous	TR
3	One group's behavior made the other group more hostile. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?	antagonize	antagonize	-
4	The engineering team tried a different ______ after its first design failed the safety test.	approach	approach	-
5	Which earlier word best completes the sentence about making the delays less severe? TL alleviate TR exacerbate BL measure BR predict	alleviate	alleviate	TL
6	The teams showed strong hostility toward each other. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?	animosity	animosity	-
7	Because the weather forecast changed, the organizers had to ______ the outdoor schedule.	alter	alter	-
8	Which earlier word best completes the sentence about removing responsibility from Mia? TL accuse TR question BL penalize BR absolve	absolve	absolve	BR
9	A student feels both positive and negative about the same decision. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?	ambivalent	ambivalent	-
10	Because the final measurements were not available, the students had to ______ the total cost.	approximate	approximate	-
11	Which earlier word best completes the sentence about a rule that appears to lack a clear reason? TL valid TR deliberate BL arbitrary BR consistent	arbitrary	arbitrary	BL
12	A neutral teacher is asked to settle a disagreement. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?	arbitrate	arbitrate	-

Correct-answer positions: TL 1 / TR 1 / BL 1 / BR 1

Section 4 Context Practice

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	Frequent rule changes can ______ confidence in a school's policies. TL approximate TR strengthen BL restore BR undermine	undermine	undermine	BR
2	The scientist would not ______ an unusual result until the test had been repeated. TL examine TR dismiss BL consider BR record	dismiss	dismiss	TR
3	The coach was ______ about the team's mistakes and explained exactly what needed to improve. TL candid TR evasive BL vague BR guarded	candid	candid	TL
4	The second set of measurements helped ______ the first team's surprising result. TL absolve TR obscure BL corroborate BR contradict	corroborate	corroborate	BL
5	The students designed a(n) ______ filter that used inexpensive recycled materials. TL traditional TR ordinary BL outdated BR innovative	innovative	innovative	BR
6	The city planted more trees to ______ the effects of extreme heat in crowded neighborhoods. TL cause TR mitigate BL ignore BR increase	mitigate	mitigate	TR
7	Too little sunlight can ______ the growth of young seedlings. TL inhibit TR accelerate BL encourage BR improve	inhibit	inhibit	TL
8	When asked how the machine saved energy, the engineer began to ______ on each step of the process. TL shorten TR elaborate BL summarize BR conceal	elaborate	elaborate	TR
9	After revising the confusing transitions, Leo's argument became much more ______. TL inconsistent TR random BL fragmented BR coherent	coherent	coherent	BR
10	Without the missing key, repeated attempts to open the locked cabinet were ______. TL approximate TR effective BL futile BR promising	futile	futile	BL
11	As a(n) ______ in rock climbing, Tessa practiced basic techniques before attempting harder routes. TL novice TR veteran BL expert BR specialist	novice	novice	TL
12	Her pause before answering was ______; she wanted to consider every detail first. TL accidental TR analyze BL deliberate BR impulsive	deliberate	deliberate	BL
13	The ______ community rebuilt quickly after the storm damaged several homes. TL helpless TR resilient BL fragile BR unstable	resilient	resilient	TR
14	Rather than argue about the perfect design, the team chose a(n) ______ solution they could build that day. TL idealistic TR theoretical BL absolve BR pragmatic	pragmatic	pragmatic	BR
15	Because the lab required exact measurements, the group kept ______ records of every trial. TL hasty TR careless BL rough BR meticulous	meticulous	meticulous	BR
16	Many students ______ adding more shade trees to the campus because the playground becomes extremely hot. TL question TR advocate BL observe BR oppose	advocate	advocate	TR
17	The judges were ______ of the claim because no evidence had been provided. TL skeptical TR convinced BL animosity BR certain	skeptical	skeptical	TL
18	The explanation sounded ______ because it matched the evidence and the known timeline. TL absurd TR alter BL plausible BR impossible	plausible	plausible	BL

Correct-answer positions: TL 4 / TR 5 / BL 4 / BR 5

Section 5 Semantic Discrimination

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	A committee announces a date but warns that it may change after more information arrives. Which adjective best describes the date? TL flexible TR temporary BL tentative BR final	tentative	tentative	BL
2	A teacher gives another example specifically to make an earlier concept stronger in students' memories. Which verb best describes the purpose? TL challenge TR reinforce BL alleviate BR introduce	reinforce	reinforce	TR
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? TL discern TR assume BL invent BR announce	discern	discern	TL
4	A difficult scientific idea is explained in language that is unusually clear and easy to follow. Which adjective fits best? TL detailed TR formal BL concise BR lucid	lucid	lucid	BR
5	A judge applies the same rules to both teams and has no preference for either side. Which adjective best describes the judge? TL impartial TR neutral BL arbitrate BR objective	impartial	impartial	TL
6	During a debate, a speaker admits that one point made by the opposing side is correct. Which verb fits best? TL clarify TR concede BL repeat BR antagonize	concede	concede	TR
7	A scholarship committee decides that community service will be one standard used to judge applicants. Which noun best names that standard? TL consequence TR animosity BL procedure BR criterion	criterion	criterion	BR
8	A legal rule leaves a company no choice but to change its procedure. Which verb most precisely describes what the rule does? TL advise TR invite BL compel BR encourage	compel	compel	BL
9	A writer adds a reliable statistic because her argument needs stronger support. Which verb best describes the purpose of the statistic? TL qualify TR summarize BL bolster BR analyze	bolster	bolster	BL
10	A historian studies a little-known event that rarely appears in textbooks. Which adjective best describes the event? TL obscure TR controversial BL ancient BR complex	obscure	obscure	TL
11	A thunderstorm is still present, but the wind and rain are steadily becoming weaker. Which word best describes what the storm is doing? TL persist TR intensify BL spread BR abate	abate	abate	BR
12	After examining a proposal, an organization announces that it officially supports it. Which verb best fits? TL acknowledge TR endorse BL describe BR consider	endorse	endorse	TR

Correct-answer positions: TL 3 / TR 3 / BL 3 / BR 3

Section 6 Synonyms

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box	Notes
S1	COMPEL: TL delay TR force BL permit BR invite	force	compel	TR	Invite is tempting because both can lead to action, but an invitation does not force action.
S2	SKEPTICAL: TL doubtful TR eager BL curious BR certain	doubtful	skeptical	TL	Curious is tempting because a skeptical person may ask questions, but curiosity does not necessarily involve doubt.
S3	COHERENT: TL random TR vivid BL logical BR lengthy	logical	coherent	BL	Lengthy may describe an explanation, but length does not make it coherent.
S4	NOVICE: TL spectator TR beginner BL teacher BR expert	beginner	novice	TR	Spectator is tempting because a spectator may lack experience, but a novice is specifically a beginner.
S5	CRITERION: TL standard TR result BL method BR obstacle	standard	criterion	TL	Method is tempting because it may be used in a decision process, but it is not a judging standard.
S6	DISMISS: TL accept TR examine BL discuss BR reject	reject	dismiss	BR	Delay is tempting because both can stop immediate action, but dismiss means reject rather than postpone.
S7	METICULOUS: TL flexible TR precise BL rapid BR careless	precise	meticulous	TR	Rapid is tempting because careful people may work efficiently, but meticulous emphasizes detail, not speed.
S8	BOLSTER: TL weaken TR shelter BL scatter BR strengthen	strengthen	bolster	BR	Shelter is tempting because it can mean protect, but it does not mean strengthen.
S9	ABATE: TL subside TR intensify BL abandon BR debate	subside	abate	TL	Persist is tempting because both can describe an ongoing condition, but persist means to continue rather than weaken.
S10	DELIBERATE: TL accidental TR hesitant BL intentional BR careless	intentional	deliberate	BL	Hesitant is tempting because deliberation can take time, but hesitant does not mean intentional.
S11	OBSCURE: TL famous TR unknown BL complex BR ancient	unknown	obscure	TR	Complex is tempting because obscure ideas can be hard to understand, but obscure here means little known.
S12	UNDERMINE: TL strengthen TR challenge BL weaken BR reveal	weaken	undermine	BL	Challenge is tempting because it can create difficulty, but undermine means gradually weaken.
S13	PRAGMATIC: TL practical TR idealistic BL careless BR theoretical	practical	pragmatic	TL	Traditional is tempting because practical choices may be familiar, but pragmatic means focused on workable results.
S14	FUTILE: TL effective TR delayed BL difficult BR useless	useless	futile	BR	Difficult is tempting because hard tasks may fail, but futile means unlikely to achieve a useful result.
S15	ADVOCATE: TL oppose TR announce BL observe BR support	support	advocate	BR	Announce is tempting because advocates often speak publicly, but announce does not mean support.
S16	RESILIENT: TL fragile TR tough BL rigid BR temporary	tough	resilient	TR	Rigid is tempting because both can suggest strength, but resilience depends on recovering from stress or change.
S17	ELABORATE: TL expand TR condense BL erase BR repeat	expand	elaborate	TL	Repeat is tempting because more words may be added, but elaborating adds detail rather than merely repeating.
S18	PLAUSIBLE: TL absurd TR certain BL credible BR proven	credible	plausible	BL	Proven is tempting because plausible ideas can seem convincing, but plausible does not mean established as true.
S19	MITIGATE: TL worsen TR lessen BL measure BR prevent	lessen	mitigate	TR	Prevent is tempting because both can reduce harm, but mitigate means reduce severity rather than stop entirely.
S20	TENTATIVE: TL final TR obvious BL provisional BR permanent	provisional	tentative	BL	Formal is tempting because tentative plans may be announced officially, but formal does not mean subject to change.
S21	REINFORCE: TL weaken TR introduce BL replace BR strengthen	strengthen	reinforce	BR	Introduce is tempting in teaching contexts, but reinforcement strengthens something already present.
S22	CANDID: TL frank TR careless BL formal BR guarded	frank	candid	TL	Guarded is tempting because it describes a style of speaking, but it is nearly the opposite of candid.
S23	CORROBORATE: TL estimate TR confirm BL decorate BR contradict	confirm	corroborate	TR	Question is tempting because it relates to evidence, but it does not mean confirm.
S24	CONCEDE: TL predict TR demand BL admit BR deny	admit	concede	BL	Deny is tempting because it belongs to the same argumentative context, but it is the opposite of concede.
S25	DISCERN: TL ignore TR invent BL conceal BR detect	detect	discern	BR	Conceal is tempting because it often describes something hard to discern, but it means hide.
S26	ENDORSE: TL approve TR question BL mention BR oppose	approve	endorse	TL	Mention is tempting because endorsements are often public, but mentioning something is not approving it.
S27	INHIBIT: TL measure TR restrain BL trigger BR encourage	restrain	inhibit	TR	Trigger is tempting because both affect a process, but trigger starts or increases action rather than limiting it.
S28	INNOVATIVE: TL ordinary TR ancient BL careful BR original	original	innovative	BR	Costly may describe a new invention, but it says nothing about whether the idea is innovative.
S29	LUCID: TL brief TR bright BL clear BR vague	clear	lucid	BL	Bright is tempting because lucid can suggest clarity, but here lucid means understandable, not luminous.
S30	IMPARTIAL: TL neutral TR biased BL strict BR involved	neutral	impartial	TL	Strict is tempting because fair judges may apply rules firmly, but strict does not mean impartial.

Correct-answer positions: TL 8 / TR 8 / BL 7 / BR 7

Section 7 Cumulative Reading

The Courtyard Decision — target words used in the passage: advocate, candid, coherent, undermine, innovative, bolster, skeptical, dismiss, corroborate, plausible, concede, tentative, pragmatic, resilient, impartial, meticulous, discern, mitigate, lucid, deliberate

Section 8 Reading & Application

#	Prompt	Answer	Box	Notes
1	Why did the committee decide to reduce the size of its original courtyard design? TL The students decided that the courtyard should remain unused. TR The principal prohibited outdoor classrooms. BL Construction estimates increased, making the first design too expensive. BR The science teachers opposed the rainwater system.	Construction estimates increased, making the first design too expensive.	BL	Passage: “A week later, the group faced a setback when construction estimates rose.”
2	What does the committee's response to the solar-light proposal show about how it made decisions? TL It allowed the principal to make every important choice. TR It examined evidence before accepting or rejecting a questionable idea. BL It accepted new ideas immediately if they sounded innovative. BR It rejected any proposal that might cost money.	It examined evidence before accepting or rejecting a questionable idea.	TR	Passage: “Instead of dismissing the idea immediately, they asked for evidence.”
3	Which statement best explains why Maya called the revised plan resilient? TL It was intended mainly to impress the judges. TR It used the most expensive materials available. BL It depended on the original design remaining unchanged. BR It could still work even when unexpected problems forced the group to adjust.	It could still work even when unexpected problems forced the group to adjust.	BR	Passage: “Maya explained that a resilient plan should survive unexpected problems instead of depending on perfect conditions.”
4	How did the impartial teacher improve the committee's final proposal?	Her careful review identified two overlooked safety problems, which led the students to change the path and add a railing.	-	Passage: “Her meticulous notes helped the students discern two safety issues they had overlooked.” Model response: Her careful review identified two overlooked safety problems, which led the students to change the path and add a railing.
5	Describe a time when giving a candid opinion could help a group reach a more pragmatic decision.	If my group planned a project that was too expensive, I could be candid about the budget so we could choose a more pragmatic design that we could actually complete.	-	Model response: If my group planned a project that was too expensive, I could be candid about the budget so we could choose a more pragmatic design that we could actually complete.
6	Write about a claim you would be skeptical of until someone could corroborate it with evidence.	I would be skeptical if someone claimed that our school used half as much electricity this year unless records could corroborate the claim.	-	Model response: I would be skeptical if someone claimed that our school used half as much electricity this year unless records could corroborate the claim.
7	Explain how a person, team, or community can be resilient while also taking steps to mitigate a problem.	A resilient team keeps working after a setback, but it can also mitigate future problems by changing its plan and preparing better.	-	Model response: A resilient team keeps working after a setback, but it can also mitigate future problems by changing its plan and preparing better.

Correct-answer positions: TL 0 / TR 1 / BL 1 / BR 1

Section 9 Final Retrieval

#	Prompt	Answer	Scores as	Box
1	Which lesson word means to officially express support for a plan or candidate?	endorse	endorse	-
2	Which lesson word names one standard used to judge several choices?	criterion	criterion	-
3	Which lesson word describes an arrangement that may still change?	tentative	tentative	-
4	Which lesson word would you use for adding evidence that makes an argument stronger?	bolster	bolster	-
5	Which lesson word describes a fact that is little known or difficult to understand?	obscure	obscure	-
6	Which lesson word describes writing whose ideas connect logically from beginning to end?	coherent	coherent	-
7	Which lesson word means to gradually weaken confidence, authority, or strength?	undermine	undermine	-
8	A storm is weakening after hours of heavy rain. Which lesson word describes this change?	abate	abate	-
9	Which lesson word describes an explanation that makes a difficult idea easy to understand?	lucid	lucid	-
10	Which lesson word means to reject an idea without accepting it for further consideration?	dismiss	dismiss	-
11	Which lesson word names someone who has very little experience in an activity?	novice	novice	-
12	Which lesson word means to speak publicly in favor of a proposal?	advocate	advocate	-
13	Which lesson word means to support a report with independent evidence?	corroborate	corroborate	-
14	Which lesson word describes someone who doubts a claim and wants stronger evidence?	skeptical	skeptical	-
15	Which lesson word describes work done with extremely close attention to detail?	meticulous	meticulous	-
16	Which lesson word means to notice a difference that is difficult to see?	discern	discern	-
17	Which lesson word means to slow or limit a process without necessarily stopping it completely?	inhibit	inhibit	-
18	Which lesson word describes a method that is new and creative?	innovative	innovative	-
19	Which lesson word describes a judge who favors neither side?	impartial	impartial	-
20	Which lesson word means to reduce the seriousness of a harmful situation?	mitigate	mitigate	-
21	Which lesson word describes the ability to recover after difficulty or change?	resilient	resilient	-
22	Which lesson word describes an answer that is truthful and direct rather than guarded?	candid	candid	-
23	Which lesson word describes a decision based mainly on what will work in practice?	pragmatic	pragmatic	-
24	Which lesson word describes an explanation that could reasonably be true?	plausible	plausible	-
25	Which lesson word describes an effort that cannot realistically achieve its goal?	futile	futile	-
26	Which lesson word means to leave someone little or no choice but to act?	compel	compel	-
27	Which lesson word means to add explanation and supporting details?	elaborate	elaborate	-
28	Which lesson word describes a choice made intentionally after careful thought?	deliberate	deliberate	-
29	Which lesson word means to make an existing idea or skill stronger?	reinforce	reinforce	-
30	Which lesson word means to acknowledge that an opposing point is correct?	concede	concede	-