Question

ten words in context
in the space provided, write the letter of the meaning closest to that of each boldfaced word. use the context of the sentences to help you figure out each words meaning.
1 degenerate
(di - jēnər - āt)

• verb

● mr. freedmans family was called to the nursing home when the old mans condition began to degenerate. it was feared he didnt have long to live.
● mels relationship with his parents degenerated when he dropped out of school against their wishes and became a bartender.
_ degenerate means
a. to improve. b. to remain the same. c. to get worse.
2 implausible
(im - plōzə - bəl)

• adjective

● as implausible as it may sound, southern florida sometimes does get snow.
● insurance companies hear such implausible excuses for auto accidents as \i hit the telephone pole when i was blinded by the lights of a flying saucer.\
_ implausible means
a. unbelievable. b. acceptable. c. valuable.
3 incoherent
(in - kō - hirənt)

• adjective

● if mitch doesnt get some sleep soon, hell become completely incoherent.
● hes so tired that hes already having trouble expressing his thoughts clearly.
● my sister talks a lot in her sleep, but shes so incoherent then that we can never figure out what shes saying.
_ incoherent means
a. calm. b. unclear. c. inconvenient.
4 intercede
(intər - sēd)

• verb

● when the principal said harry couldnt play in fridays football game, the coach interceded, hoping to change the principals mind.
● inezs parents refused to come to her wedding until her brother interceded and persuaded them to come after all.
_ intercede means
a. to give in to someone. b. to plead for someone. c. to examine closely.
5 intricate
(intrī - kit)

• adjective

● war and peace is a long, intricate novel that weaves together the detailed life stories of many individuals.
● its amazing to see the intricate gold and silver jewelry that ancient indians made with only simple tools. it obviously required great patience and skill to create such complex ornaments.
_ intricate means
a. simple. b. uninteresting. c. complicated.
6 sanctuary
(sängkchōō - ĕrē)

• noun

● old, unused trains in grand central station serve as a nighttime sanctuary for some of new york citys homeless.
● when the houseful of children becomes too noisy, ned finds the laundry room to be a sanctuary, a place where he can read in quiet.
_ sanctuary means
a. a reminder. b. a shelter. c. a challenge.

Explanation:

1. In the first example, the old man's condition was getting worse (he didn't have long to live), and Mel's relationship with his parents deteriorated (got worse) when he dropped out. So "degenerate" means "to get worse".
2. The examples of "Florida sometimes gets snow" (uncommon) and the "flying saucer" excuse show that these are not believable. So "implausible" means "unbelievable".
3. The person will become completely (a more extreme state) of not being able to express thoughts clearly (unclear), and the sister's speech in sleep is not understandable (unclear). So "incoherent" means "unclear".
4. The coach tried to change the principal's mind (plead for Harry to play) and the brother persuaded the parents (pleaded for Inez's wedding). So "intercede" means "to plead for someone".
5. War and Peace weaves together many details (complicated), and the jewelry with complex ornaments (complicated) shows skill. So "intricate" means "complicated".
6. The unused trains are a place for the homeless (a shelter), and the laundry room is a quiet place (a shelter from noise). So "sanctuary" means "a shelter".

Answer:

1. C. to get worse
2. A. unbelievable
3. B. unclear
4. B. to plead for someone
5. C. complicated
6. B. a shelter