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 calamity
(kə-lämī-tē)
-noun
● the survivors of the earthquake slowly rebuilt their homes and lives after the calamity.
● our neighbors house burned down one night in may. ever since that calamity, some of the children on our street have been afraid to go to bed at night.
_ calamity means
a. an activity. b. a tragedy. c. a risk.
2 comprehensive
(kŏmprē-hěnsĭv)
-adjective
● that article on sightseeing in charleston was not comprehensive. it failed to mention many points of interest in that wonderful city.
● the companys comprehensive insurance plan covers most health services, including hospitals, doctors, and dentists.
_ comprehensive means
a. complete. b. familiar. c. continuous.
3 conventional
(kən-věnshə-nəl)
-adjective
● two conventional valentines day gifts are roses and chocolates.
● jorge wanted to propose to ramona in the conventional manner, so in the middle of a restaurant, he got down on one knee and asked, \will you marry me?\
_ conventional means
a. out-of-the-way. b. useful. c. usual.
4 flagrant
(flāgrənt)
-adjective
● the use of campaign funds for the congressmans private business was a flagrant violation of the law.
● in flagrant disregard of his parents stated wishes, art wore a t-shirt and jeans to their dinner party.
_ flagrant means
a. obvious. b. acceptable. c. minor.
5 fluctuate
(flŭkchōō-āt)
-verb
● my weight used to fluctuate between 150 and 190 pounds. now its steady, at 170 pounds.
● desert temperatures can fluctuate by as much as fifty degrees between daytime and nighttime.
_ fluctuate means
a. to continue. b. to vary. c. to follow.
6 persevere
(pûrsə-vîr)
-verb
● \i know youre tired,\ jack said, \but weve got to persevere and get to the camp before the storm hits.\
● it was not easy to attend english classes while working at two jobs, but nina persevered until she could speak english well.
_ persevere means
a. to surrender. b. to hold back. c. to keep going.

Explanation:

1. In the first sentence, "calamity" is used in the context of an earthquake (a tragic event), and in the second sentence, a house burning down (also a tragic event). So it means a tragedy.
2. For "comprehensive", the first sentence says the article wasn't comprehensive as it failed to mention many points (so it should be complete), and the second sentence about insurance covering most services (implying completeness).
3. "Conventional" is used with Valentine's Day gifts (roses and chocolates are usual gifts) and a proposal in a common way (restaurant, knee - down), so it means usual.
4. "Flagrant" is used with a violation of the law (obvious violation) and disregarding parents' wishes (obvious disregard), so it means obvious.
5. "Fluctuate" is used with weight changing between values and desert temperatures changing, so it means to vary.
6. "Persevere" is used in the context of continuing to the camp despite tiredness and continuing with English classes despite working two jobs, so it means to keep going.

Answer:

1. B. a tragedy
2. A. complete
3. C. usual
4. A. obvious
5. B. to vary
6. C. to keep going