MODULE 2 (of 30)

Sponsored by Breastfeedingmums.com Try to guess the meanings of the power verbs highlighted in the following twelve sentences. The definitions are given below.
1. The surgeon set the bones in position to coalesce. 2. He repudiated the revolutionary ideas he had held in his youth. 3. The Internet enables us to disseminate information throughout the world. 4. His provocative speech exacerbated an already difficult situation. 5. The disease has been completely eradicated. 6. The detective was searching for a clue that would elucidate the mystery. 7. The losing candidate spent many hours ruminating on the causes of his defeat. 8. He had no hesitation in acceding to our request for extra funding. 9. By equivocating, hesitating, and giving ambiguous answers, she succeeded in confusing her audience. 10. The detective scrutinized the photograph for clues. 11. The increase in profits validated the committee's recommendations. 12. He did penance to expiate his sins. coalesce - come together and form one; combine in coalition. repudiate - divorce (wife); cast off, disown (person, thing); refuse to accept or entertain, or have dealings with. disseminate - scatter abroad, sow in various places; spread widely (especially ideas, information etc.) exacerbate - aggravate (pain, anger, etc.); irritate. eradicate - tear up by the roots; extirpate, get rid of. elucidate - throw light upon, clear up, explain. ruminate - chew the cud; meditate, ponder. accede - consent, agree (to). equivocate - use ambiguous words to conceal the truth, prevaricate. scrutinize - look closely at, examine in detail. validate - make valid, ratify, confirm. expiate - pay the penalty for (wrongdoing); make amends for (sin). Google's photo software. It's what should've come with your camera. Referring to the list above only where necessary, write the appropriate verb beside its definition. 1. She examined all the competition entries in detail. She ......... them. 2. He spread his ideas widely. He .................... them 3. She gave a clear explanation of the poem's meaning. She .......... it. 4. I agree to your request. I ........ to it. 5. He is using ambiguity to conceal the truth. He is ........................ 6. His thoughtless actions have made the situation worse. They have .................... it. 7. She spent several hours considering the problem. She ................. for several hours. 8. He is doing penance to atone for his sins. He is doing penance to ........... his sins. 9. The selective weedkiller was so powerful that it wiped out the nettles forever. It ............. them. 10. The increase in sales confirmed the soundness of his policy. It .................... the policy. 11. He disowned his former associates. He .................. them. 12. The two political parties have joined together to form one new party. They have ...........................

ANSWERS

1 - scrutinized; 2 - disseminated; 3 - elucidated; 4 - accede; 5 - equivocating; 6 - exacerbated; 7 - ruminated; 8 - expiate; 9 - eradicated; 10 - validated; 11 - repudiated; 12 - coalesced.

If you are still unsure of the meanings of today's twelve verbs, read over the following definitions before completing the final exercise below.
'15 HOURS TO A POWERFUL ENGLISH VOCABULARY' wwww.assignmentplus.com coalesce - blend, unite. repudiate - disown. disseminate - broadcast. exacerbate - provoke, intensify. eradicate - destroy, exterminate. elucidate - explain, clarify. ruminate - ponder, cogitate. accede - agree. equivocate - evade. scrutinize - study. validate - verify, authenticate. expiate - atone. In the column on the right are twelve dictionary definitions of the words dealt with today. Try to match each word with its definition. 1. ......................................... agree. 2. ......................................... disown. 3. ......................................... examine carefully. 4. ......................................... extirpate. 5. ......................................... evade, dissemble. 6. ......................................... provoke, intensify. 7. ......................................... unite. 8. ......................................... ratify, confirm. 9. ......................................... make amends for. 10. ......................................... ponder, cogitate. 11. ......................................... clarify, explain. 12. ......................................... scatter about.

ANSWERS
1 - accede; 2 - repudiate; 3- scrutinize; 4 - eradicate 5 - equivocate; 6 - exacerbate; 7 - coalesce; 8 - validate; 9 - expiate; 10 - ruminate; 11 - elucidate; 12 - disseminate. Copyright 2002-2006 Assignments Plus Publications Ltd