departing from what is normal, expected, or accepted
The scientist repeated the test to determine whether the aberrant result was an error.
Tim's Teachers Vocabulary Mastery
High-Utility Vocabulary for ISEE & SSAT
Chapter
8
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.
aberrant
adjective 异常的；偏离常规的
arduous
adjective 艰巨的；费力的
requiring great effort, endurance, or difficulty
Climbing the steep trail in heavy rain was an arduous task.
assiduous
adjective 勤勉的；刻苦的
showing constant, careful, and persistent effort
Her assiduous study habits helped her master the difficult material.
conciliatory
adjective 安抚性的；和解的
intended to reduce conflict and restore friendly relations
His conciliatory message helped calm both sides of the dispute.
constrain
verb 限制；约束
to limit or restrict someone's choices, actions, or development
A small budget can constrain the number of options available to a project team.
converge
verb 汇聚；趋同
to move toward the same point or become more similar
The two paths converge near the top of the hill.
deplete
verb 耗尽；大量减少
to use up or greatly reduce a supply or resource
Repeated droughts began to deplete the region's water reserves.
discrete
adjective 分离的；独立的
separate and distinct from other things
The report divides the problem into three discrete categories.
diverge
verb 分叉；分歧
to move apart, develop differently, or disagree
The two researchers began to diverge in their interpretations of the evidence.
doctrine
noun 信条；主义
a set of beliefs or principles taught or accepted by a group
The organization based its decisions on a long-standing doctrine of nonviolence.
elusive
adjective 难以捉摸的；难以达到的
difficult to find, catch, achieve, or understand
A clear explanation for the strange pattern remained elusive.
ephemeral
adjective 短暂的；转瞬即逝的
lasting for only a very short time
The rainbow was beautiful but ephemeral, fading within minutes.
equitable
adjective 公平的；公正的
fair and reasonable, especially in the way people are treated
The committee tried to create an equitable system for distributing limited funds.
facilitate
verb 促进；使便利
to make an action or process easier
Clear instructions can facilitate cooperation among team members.
finite
adjective 有限的
having a limit or end; not infinite
Because the supply is finite, the community must use it carefully.
immutable
adjective 不可改变的；不变的
unable to be changed
The rule was treated as immutable until new evidence forced officials to reconsider it.
impetuous
adjective 冲动的；鲁莽的
acting quickly and without enough thought about the consequences
His impetuous decision to quit without a plan created unnecessary problems.
incisive
adjective 尖锐的；深刻的
clear, sharp, and showing strong understanding or judgment
Her incisive questions exposed a weakness in the proposal.
induce
verb 引起；诱导
to cause something to happen or persuade someone to do something
The treatment can induce sleep in some patients.
integral
adjective 不可缺少的；构成整体的
essential and necessary as part of a whole
Regular feedback is integral to the program's success.
mediate
verb 调解；斡旋
to help opposing people or groups reach an agreement
A neutral counselor was asked to mediate the disagreement.
onerous
adjective 繁重的；艰巨的
involving a heavy burden, great difficulty, or excessive responsibility
The new reporting requirement placed an onerous burden on small organizations.
prevalent
adjective 普遍的；盛行的
common or widespread in a particular place or time
The illness was most prevalent during the winter months.
profound
adjective 深刻的；重大的
very deep, important, or strongly felt
The discovery had a profound effect on how scientists understood the disease.
reconcile
verb 调和；和解
to restore agreement or make two conflicting ideas consistent
The researchers tried to reconcile the two apparently conflicting results.
refute
verb 反驳；驳斥
to prove that a statement or argument is false
The new evidence helped refute the rumor.
suppress
verb 抑制；压制
to prevent, restrain, or stop something from being expressed or developing
The medication can suppress the symptoms without curing the underlying illness.
tangible
adjective 有形的；明确的
real, definite, or able to be clearly recognized or measured
The tutoring program produced tangible improvements in attendance and grades.
vacillate
verb 犹豫不决；摇摆
to repeatedly change between different opinions or choices
The committee continued to vacillate between renovating the building and replacing it.
vulnerable
adjective 脆弱的；易受伤害的
open to harm, attack, damage, or criticism
Young plants are especially vulnerable to sudden frost.
Section 2 Immediate Retrieval
Write the word that matches each meaning. Do not look back at the word cards.
1.
What word means to restore agreement or make conflicting ideas consistent?
2.
What word describes an effect, idea, or feeling that is very deep or important?
3.
What word means to prove that a statement or argument is false?
4.
What word describes a task that requires great effort and endurance?
5.
What word describes acting quickly without enough thought about consequences?
6.
What word describes something that cannot be changed?
7.
What word describes analysis or questioning that is sharp, clear, and perceptive?
8.
What word describes something that lasts for only a short time?
9.
What word describes someone or something open to harm or damage?
10.
What word means to repeatedly change between different choices or opinions?
11.
What word describes things that are separate and distinct from one another?
12.
What word describes something that departs from the normal or expected pattern?
13.
What word describes a responsibility that creates a heavy burden or great difficulty?
14.
What word means to move toward the same point or become more similar?
15.
What word means to greatly reduce or use up a supply?
16.
What word describes something that has a definite limit or end?
17.
What word means to make a process or action easier?
18.
What word describes something common or widespread in a place or time?
19.
What word means a set of beliefs or principles accepted by a group?
20.
What word means to move apart, develop differently, or disagree?
21.
What word describes words or actions intended to reduce conflict and restore friendly relations?
22.
What word describes steady, careful, and persistent effort over time?
23.
What word means to restrain or prevent something from being expressed or developing?
24.
What word describes something difficult to find, achieve, or understand?
25.
What word describes something essential as part of a larger whole?
26.
What word describes a result that is real, definite, and clearly recognizable?
27.
What word means to cause something to happen or persuade someone to act?
28.
What word means to help opposing sides reach an agreement?
29.
What word means to limit someone's choices, actions, or development?
30.
What word describes a system that is fair and reasonable to everyone involved?
Section 3 Review from Earlier Chapters
These words come from earlier lessons. Use what you remember - the meanings are not repeated here.
1.
The coach remained ______ that safety rules would not be relaxed.
2.
Which earlier word best completes the sentence?
□ambivalent
□certain
□indifferent
□hostile
3.
One result did not fit the normal pattern. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?
4.
The investigation found no evidence against Maya and helped ______ her of responsibility.
5.
Which earlier word best completes the sentence?
□compare
□estimate
□separate
□aggregate
6.
The change made the problem less severe. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?
7.
Mocking the audience would only ______ them and make cooperation less likely.
8.
Which earlier word best completes the sentence?
□reward
□consult
□admonish
□praise
9.
The group reluctantly accepted the decision. Which earlier vocabulary word fits?
10.
The new counselor's ______ manner made nervous students feel comfortable speaking openly.
11.
Which earlier word best completes the sentence?
□cooperation
□animosity
□affection
□respect
12.
The company tried to calm dissatisfied customers. 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.
His ______ decision to resign immediately left him without time to prepare for what came next.
□deliberate
□impetuous
□cautious
□anomaly
2.
For years, officials treated the policy as ______ and refused to consider any revision.
□flexible
□temporary
□anomaly
□immutable
3.
The committee wanted a system that was ______ so that resources were distributed fairly.
□equitable
□arbitrary
□biased
□unequal
4.
The new software will ______ communication between teachers and families.
□complicate
□hinder
□facilitate
□obstruct
5.
The scientists tried to ______ the two conflicting sets of results.
□separate
□reject
□appease
□reconcile
6.
After several months, the program produced ______ improvements that could be measured in the data.
□abstract
□tangible
□uncertain
□ambivalent
7.
The popularity of the online trend proved ______ and disappeared within a few weeks.
□ephemeral
□permanent
□adamant
□lasting
8.
The new evidence may ______ the claim that the event happened by accident.
□confirm
□reinforce
□refute
□support
9.
The teacher's advice influenced the student in a way that was ______ and lasting.
□superficial
□profound
□slight
□minor
10.
A permanent solution remained ______ despite years of research and debate.
□certain
□obvious
□accessible
□elusive
11.
The movement's central ______ emphasized nonviolence and peaceful resistance.
□habit
□preference
□doctrine
□rumor
12.
The board continued to ______ between the two plans and postponed the final vote.
□decide
□vacillate
□commit
□settle
13.
Her ______ analysis identified the central flaw that everyone else had overlooked.
□animosity
□vague
□superficial
□incisive
14.
The new paperwork requirement was ______ and consumed hours of staff time each week.
□onerous
□light
□minor
□simple
15.
The condition was especially ______ in crowded areas where it spread easily.
□rare
□prevalent
□uncommon
□isolated
16.
The mayor's tone became ______ as he invited both sides to discuss a compromise.
□conciliatory
□hostile
□accusatory
□defiant
17.
The two theories begin to ______ when they explain what happens after the initial event.
□antagonize
□converge
□diverge
□align
18.
A neutral counselor was asked to ______ the dispute between the two groups.
□intensify
□ignore
□prolong
□mediate
Section 5 Semantic Discrimination
All four words are close in meaning. Choose the one that fits the situation most precisely.
1.
A coastal town has little protection from storms and can be easily damaged by flooding. Which adjective fits most precisely?
□exposed
□fragile
□vulnerable
□antagonize
2.
Removing one component would make the entire system unable to function properly. Which adjective fits most precisely?
□fundamental
□essential
□central
□integral
3.
A community uses groundwater faster than nature can replace it, causing reserves to shrink sharply. Which verb fits most precisely?
□drain
□deplete
□admonish
□consume
4.
A strict budget prevents a project team from considering several expensive options. Which verb fits most precisely?
□constrain
□limit
□restrict
□narrow
5.
A spacecraft has a fixed amount of fuel that cannot be replaced during the mission. Which adjective fits most precisely?
□restricted
□measured
□finite
□limited
6.
Several separate lines of evidence gradually point toward the same conclusion. Which verb fits most precisely?
□converge
□merge
□align
□coincide
7.
A student studies carefully every day for months, reviews mistakes, and never skips assigned practice. Which adjective fits most precisely?
□diligent
□assiduous
□aggregate
□persistent
8.
A researcher treats three categories as separate units rather than points on one continuous scale. Which adjective fits most precisely?
□separate
□individual
□distinct
□discrete
9.
A single data point is far outside the pattern shown by hundreds of other results. Which adjective fits most precisely?
□irregular
□atypical
□aberrant
□unusual
10.
An authority deliberately prevents information from being published or discussed publicly. Which verb fits most precisely?
□conceal
□suppress
□inhibit
□restrain
11.
A chemical causes a reaction to begin under controlled conditions. Which verb fits most precisely?
□adamant
□trigger
□prompt
□induce
12.
A team must carry equipment up a steep mountain for twelve hours in difficult weather. Which adjective fits most precisely?
□arduous
□strenuous
□demanding
□adamant
Section 6 Synonyms
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
S1.
IMMUTABLE:
□flexible
□temporary
□fixed
□changeable
S2.
VULNERABLE:
□exposed
□resilient
□protected
□secure
S3.
INCISIVE:
□superficial
□perceptive
□vague
□shallow
S4.
CONVERGE:
□scatter
□separate
□diverge
□unite
S5.
ASSIDUOUS:
□diligent
□sporadic
□careless
□lazy
S6.
INTEGRAL:
□minor
□optional
□essential
□secondary
S7.
ABERRANT:
□ordinary
□typical
□abnormal
□standard
S8.
EQUITABLE:
□unequal
□fair
□biased
□arbitrary
S9.
MEDIATE:
□provoke
□intensify
□escalate
□arbitrate
S10.
FACILITATE:
□enable
□obstruct
□hinder
□prevent
S11.
DOCTRINE:
□habit
□rumor
□creed
□preference
S12.
RECONCILE:
□separate
□divide
□conflict
□harmonize
S13.
TANGIBLE:
□concrete
□imaginary
□uncertain
□abstract
S14.
ELUSIVE:
□certain
□evasive
□obvious
□available
S15.
CONSTRAIN:
□restrict
□release
□expand
□permit
S16.
PROFOUND:
□trivial
□shallow
□deep
□minor
S17.
EPHEMERAL:
□enduring
□lasting
□permanent
□fleeting
S18.
FINITE:
□boundless
□limited
□endless
□infinite
S19.
IMPETUOUS:
□prudent
□rash
□cautious
□deliberate
S20.
SUPPRESS:
□promote
□encourage
□release
□restrain
S21.
PREVALENT:
□widespread
□uncommon
□rare
□isolated
S22.
INDUCE:
□block
□prevent
□cause
□stop
S23.
VACILLATE:
□waver
□commit
□decide
□settle
S24.
DIVERGE:
□merge
□converge
□separate
□unite
S25.
ONEROUS:
□simple
□burdensome
□easy
□light
S26.
CONCILIATORY:
□defiant
□aggressive
□hostile
□peaceful
S27.
ARDUOUS:
□simple
□easy
□strenuous
□effortless
S28.
DEPLETE:
□restore
□replenish
□increase
□drain
S29.
DISCRETE:
□blended
□distinct
□combined
□continuous
S30.
REFUTE:
□disprove
□support
□verify
□confirm
Section 7 Cumulative Reading
Read the passage carefully. You may underline words you recognise from this lesson and earlier lessons.
A Fair Plan for a Finite Resource
After years of drought, the town of Bellhaven faced an arduous decision about how to protect its finite water supply. Reservoir levels had begun to deplete, and officials feared that another dry year would leave several neighborhoods vulnerable. Some residents proposed strict limits on outdoor water use, while others argued that such rules would unfairly constrain families with large gardens or small farms. The disagreement became increasingly bitter.
To mediate the dispute, the town formed a committee representing homeowners, farmers, scientists, and local businesses. Its first task was to gather empirical data rather than rely on conjecture. The committee discovered that water use was not uniform: several discrete industries consumed far more than the average household. An incisive analysis also showed that small leaks, when considered together, had a profound cumulative effect on total demand.
The committee's views initially diverged. One group wanted immutable restrictions that would apply equally to everyone. Another argued that an equitable policy should recognize different needs. After several tense meetings, the members adopted a more conciliatory approach. They agreed that conservation targets should converge around a common goal while allowing limited flexibility in how each group reached it. New meters would provide tangible data, and rebates would facilitate repairs that reduced waste.
The final plan was demanding but viable. It avoided impetuous cuts that might damage local agriculture, yet it also rejected the doctrine that water use could continue unchanged. The committee hoped the policy would induce long-term conservation rather than merely suppress consumption for one season. Although complete agreement remained elusive, the members managed to reconcile most of their differences. The plan's success would depend on assiduous monitoring, because any improvement could prove ephemeral if the town returned to old habits once the immediate crisis passed. Officials also planned public reports so residents could see whether each measure produced lasting improvements and whether adjustments were needed.
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 gather data before choosing a policy?
□It wanted to delay the decision until the drought ended.
□It believed every household used exactly the same amount of water.
□It planned to eliminate all water restrictions immediately.
□The committee wanted evidence about actual water use rather than relying on guesses.
2.
What important finding changed how the committee viewed the problem?
□Most household gardens used more water than every industry.
□Some industries used much more water than the average household, and many small leaks together also had a large effect.
□The reservoir had already returned to normal levels.
□Only one neighborhood was responsible for the town's water shortage.
3.
How did the committee move closer to agreement?
□The members agreed on a shared conservation goal while allowing some flexibility in how different groups met it.
□It adopted identical restrictions for every resident with no exceptions.
□It abandoned conservation goals in order to protect local businesses.
□It allowed each group to ignore the town's overall target.
4.
Why would assiduous monitoring be necessary after the plan began?
5.
Describe a situation in which a rule might constrain people but still be equitable.
6.
Describe an impetuous decision that could have profound consequences.
7.
Explain how a neutral person could mediate a disagreement and help two sides reconcile.
Section 9 Final Retrieval
Close the workbook to the previous sections. Write the word for each meaning from memory.
1.
A policy treats people fairly while considering their different needs. Which lesson word fits?
2.
A system is exposed to damage because it lacks adequate protection. Which lesson word fits?
3.
A person acts quickly without considering the consequences. Which lesson word fits?
4.
Two paths or viewpoints gradually move in different directions. Which lesson word fits?
5.
A project requires exhausting effort over a long period. Which lesson word fits?
6.
Two conflicting ideas are brought into agreement. Which lesson word fits?
7.
A solution remains difficult to find despite repeated efforts. Which lesson word fits?
8.
One result falls far outside the normal pattern shown by the rest of the data. Which lesson word fits?
9.
A group follows an established set of principles or beliefs. Which lesson word fits?
10.
A message is designed to calm a dispute and reopen friendly discussion. Which lesson word fits?
11.
A rule limits the choices available to a group. Which lesson word fits?
12.
A resource has a fixed limit and cannot last forever. Which lesson word fits?
13.
A program produces real, measurable results. Which lesson word fits?
14.
A person repeatedly switches between two choices and cannot decide. Which lesson word fits?
15.
A condition is common throughout a particular region. Which lesson word fits?
16.
A requirement creates an unusually heavy burden of time and effort. Which lesson word fits?
17.
A student works carefully and persistently every day for months. Which lesson word fits?
18.
An experience has a very deep and lasting effect. Which lesson word fits?
19.
A question sharply reveals the central weakness in an argument. Which lesson word fits?
20.
A rule cannot be changed under any circumstances. Which lesson word fits?
21.
One component is essential to the functioning of the whole system. Which lesson word fits?
22.
A researcher treats categories as separate and distinct units. Which lesson word fits?
23.
Repeated use greatly reduces a limited supply. Which lesson word fits?
24.
Several separate ideas gradually move toward the same conclusion. Which lesson word fits?
25.
An event is beautiful but lasts only a few moments. Which lesson word fits?
26.
A tool makes a complicated process easier to complete. Which lesson word fits?
27.
An authority prevents information from being expressed or spread. Which lesson word fits?
28.
A treatment causes a particular reaction to occur. Which lesson word fits?
29.
A neutral person helps two sides reach an agreement. Which lesson word fits?
30.
Evidence proves that a claim is false. Which lesson word fits?