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 alleviate
(ə-lēvē-āt)
-verb
● to alleviate his loneliness, the widower moved closer to his daughter and her family.
● after a long game in the august heat, the young baseball players alleviated their thirst with ice-cold lemonade.
_ alleviate means
a. to consider. b. to hide. c. to ease.
2 benefactor
(běnə-făktər)
-noun
● the second street bank is a long-time benefactor of the arts. this year it will sponsor a series of free jazz concerts in the parks.
● the wealthy benefactor who paid for the childs operation prefers to remain anonymous.
_ benefactor means
a. a financial supporter. b. a social critic. c. a cooperative person.
3 covert
(küvart)
-adjective
● miriam and davids relationship is so covert that they never eat out. even their best friends dont know they are seeing each other.
● if you enjoy covert activities, you should become a secret agent.
_ covert means
a. obvious. b. concealed. c. easy to bear.
4 cynic
(sīnik)
-noun
● her parents nasty divorce has made libby a cynic about marriage.
● mr. bryant was a cynic about people until he fell down on a street corner and several strangers rushed to his aid.
_ cynic means
a. someone who
believes the worst. b. someone who
gives help. c. someone with a
bad reputation.
5 demise
(dī-mīz)
-noun
● during my years in grade school and high school, the untimely demise of several of my classmates made me very aware of my mortality.
● in 1567, a beard caused a mans demise. hans steiningers beard was so long that he stepped on it while climbing stairs, lost his balance, fell down the steps, and died.
_ demise means
a. popularity. b. a secret. c. dying.
6 infamous
(ĭnfə-məs)
-adjective
● king henry viii of england was infamous throughout europe for executing two of his six wives.
● visitors to the dungeons of ancient castles always want to see the instruments of torture, including the infamous iron maiden—a body-shaped box with spikes inside.
_ infamous means
a. known unfavorably. b. thought to be annoying. c. giving hope.

Explanation:

1. In the first sentence, moving closer to family to deal with loneliness and in the second, using lemonade to deal with thirst both imply reducing or easing a feeling. So "alleviate" means to ease.
2. The bank sponsoring concerts and a wealthy person paying for an operation both show financial support. So "benefactor" means a financial supporter.
3. The relationship being hidden (never eat out, friends don't know) and the mention of secret agent (related to hidden activities) imply "covert" means concealed.
4. A nasty divorce making someone have a negative view (cynic about marriage) and a person being negative (cynic about people until helped) imply a cynic is someone who believes the worst.
5. Classmates' untimely end (death - made aware of mortality) and a man dying (beard caused demise) imply "demise" means dying.
6. Henry VIII being known for a bad act (executing wives) and the Iron Maiden (torture instrument) being known unfavorably imply "infamous" means known unfavorably.

Answer:

1. C. to ease.
2. A. a financial supporter.
3. B. concealed.
4. A. someone who believes the worst.
5. C. dying.
6. A. known unfavorably.