Question

in the space provided, write the letter of the answer that best matches each words meaning. use context of the sentences to help you figure out each words meaning.
1 concurrent (kon-kurənt) -adjective
● having mistakenly registered for two concurrent classes, joe had to drop one of them and choose a course that met at a different time.
● concurrent with the closing of the steel mill was the opening of a new toy factory in town. as a result, most of the workers laid off from the mill found jobs at the new factory.
concurrent means
a. occurring at the same time. b. resulting. c. noticeable.
2 confiscate (könfis-kāt) -verb
● \hand em over,\ my father said. just as we were really starting to have fun, he confiscated our entire supply of water balloons.
● chinese drug agents once confiscated $2 million worth of heroin that had been wrapped in plastic and inserted into goldfish. the agents seized the drugs as they were being sent out of the country.
confiscate means
a. to distribute widely. b. to take possession of. c. to overlook.
3 constitute (könstī-tōōt) -verb
● in my opinion, a good movie, a pizza, and animated conversation constitute a perfect night out.
● twelve business and professional people constitute the board of directors of the womens shelter. among other things, they help raise funds for the shelter.
constitute means
a. to repeat. b. to oppose. c. to form.
4 decipher (di-sīfər) -verb
● why do contracts have to use language thats so difficult to decipher?
● if your teacher cant decipher your handwriting, youll need to write your papers on a computer.
decipher means
a. to figure out. b. to find. c. to improve.
5 default (di-fôlt) -verb
● we won our case against the appliance repairman because he defaulted by failing to appear in court.
● elis mother said, \ill co-sign on your car loan, but you have to make every payment. if you default, it will hurt my credit rating.\
default means
a. to act as expected. b. not to do something required. c. to begin.
6 hypothetical (hīpə-thětĭ-kəl) -adjective
● imagine the hypothetical situation of going to live alone on an island. which books and cds would you take along?
● law schools hold pretend court sessions with hypothetical cases so that students can practice their skills.
hypothetical means
a. sure to happen. b. dangerous. c. imaginary.

Explanation:

1. In the first example, "concurrent classes" that "met at a different time" implies they were originally at the same time. Also, workers losing jobs at the mill and finding jobs at the new factory (which opened concurrently with the mill closing) shows the meaning of happening simultaneously.
2. In the first confiscate example, the father "confiscated" water balloons - took them away. In the second, agents "seized" (a synonym for confiscate in this context) drugs. So it means to take possession.
3. In the first constitute example, a movie, pizza, and conversation "constitute" (make up/form) a perfect night. In the second, twelve business people "constitute" (form) the board.
4. Contracts have hard - to - "decipher" language (figure out the meaning). Handwriting that's hard to "decipher" (figure out what is written).
5. The repairman "defaulted" by not appearing (not doing what was required - showing up in court). In the loan example, defaulting on payments (not doing the required payments).
6. A "hypothetical situation" of living on an island is imagined. Law school "hypothetical cases" are made - up for practice, so it means imaginary.

Answer:

1. A. at the same time.
2. B. to take possession of.
3. C. to form.
4. A. to figure out.
5. B. not to do something required.
6. C. imaginary.