Question

understanding contextual meanings
read the following sentences. if the word in bold is used correctly, write c on the line.
if the word is used incorrectly, write a new sentence using the word correctly.

1. the ball was expedited into the stands for a home run.

________________________
________________________

1. lees woeful countenance inspired pity in all of us.

________________________
________________________

1. the firefighters girded themselves to tackle the massive blaze.

________________________
________________________

1. tightrope walkers use a long pole to maintain their equilibrium.

________________________
________________________

1. in a spurious burst just seconds from the finish, kwame pulled ahead.

________________________
________________________

1. rather than write down the password, i mesmerized it.

________________________
________________________

1. seth disgruntled over the fence and kept running.

________________________
________________________

1. i have always wanted to be a precedent at a newspaper.

________________________
________________________

1. hopes of winning the white house proved illusory for the candidate.

________________________
________________________

1. as a biased participant, it is not up to you to adjudicate the matter.

________________________

Explanation:

1. "Expedited" means to speed up a process, not to throw a ball. A correct sentence could be: "The company expedited the delivery of the package."
2. "Woeful" means full of woe or sorrow, and "countenance" means face. This sentence is correct as a woeful face can inspire pity.
3. "Girded" means to prepare or equip oneself. Firefighters girding themselves to tackle a blaze is a correct usage.
4. "Equilibrium" means a state of balance. Tightrope walkers using a pole to maintain balance is correct.
5. "Spurious" means false or fake. A spurious burst (if it's a fake burst of speed) is incorrect. A correct sentence could be: "The spurious claim was quickly debunked."
6. "Mesmerized" means to be hypnotized or fascinated. Memorizing a password (not mesmerizing) is the correct action. A correct sentence could be: "The audience was mesmerized by the magician's tricks."
7. "Disgruntled" means annoyed or dissatisfied. It's not a verb meaning to jump over. A correct sentence could be: "The disgruntled employee complained to the manager."
8. "Precedent" means an earlier event or action. A "reporter" (not precedent) works at a newspaper. A correct sentence could be: "This case sets a new precedent in legal history."
9. "Illusory" means deceptive or false. Hopes being illusory (false hope) is correct.
10. "Biased" means having a prejudice. A biased participant shouldn't adjudicate (judge) as they can't be fair. This is correct.

Answer:

1. Incorrect. New sentence: The company expedited the delivery of the package.
2. C
3. C
4. C
5. Incorrect. New sentence: The spurious claim was quickly debunked.
6. Incorrect. New sentence: The audience was mesmerized by the magician's tricks.
7. Incorrect. New sentence: The disgruntled employee complained to the manager.
8. Incorrect. New sentence: This case sets a new precedent in legal history.
9. C
10. C