Vocabulary Exercise #26: Synonyms of "Drunk"

Communicative Goal: Describing Drunkenness  

Context: College Campus Drinking

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the adjective “drunk.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   buzzed: (adjective) very slightly drunk (informal, positive –especially used by younger people)   

Example: I just want to get buzzed.

2.   intoxicated: (adjective) drunk (formal, medical, neutral)   

Example: This medication can not be taken while you are intoxicated.

3.   tipsy: (adjective) slightly drunk (informal, positive –especially used by older people, suggestive of "dizzy")   Example: Oh, I’m so tipsy!

4.   under the influence: (adjective / adverb) drunk / drunkenly (formal, legal, neutral)   

Example: Driving under the influence will put you behind bars.

5.   wasted: (adjective / adverb) extremely drunk / drunkenly (informal, amusing, negative)      

Example: Friends don’t let friends facebook wasted.

Part 2, Reading: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary.

      Alcohol abuse sadly plagues university campuses across the United States. It is sometimes commonplace to see _____ students stumbling out of bars on weekends at closing time. One can even occasionally come across others ______ and lying in the street the next morning.

     Although many of age students engage in “responsible” drinking, looking to only get _____, many others engage in dangerous binge drinking. This can lead to alcohol poisoning, accidents and, of course, fatalities -autopsies revealing that the deceased were _____ at the times of their deaths.     

     Law enforcement officials often ignore this problem, sadly. They do investigate, for example, raucous fraternity house parties when neighbors complain, however. If they find anyone _____, they are subject to arrest.

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Class: 
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Answers: 
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http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1 

Vocabulary Exercise #25: Synonyms of "Frustrated"

Communicative Goal: Describing Frustration

Context: Modern Life

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the adjective “frustrated.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   discontented: (adjective) frustrated (formal, neutral, delicate, general, usually “unhappy”)   

Example: Blue collar workers have become discontented over a lack of opportunities.

2.   disheartened: (adjective) frustrated (formal, negative, romantic, strong, especially in the sense of “giving up”) Example: Don’t be so disheartened! Things will turn out!

3.   foiled: (adjective) frustrated (formal, neutral, strong, especially in the sense of “defeated”)   

Example: Silver screen villains used to exclaim “Drats! Foiled again!”

4.   stonewalled: (adjective) frustrated (formal, negative, strong, especially in a legal, political and professional sense) Example: Generations have been stonewalled by the glass ceiling.

5.   stymied: (adjective) frustrated (informal, neutral, “cute,” especially in the sense of “confused”)

Example: Beats me! I’m stymied!

Part 2, Reading Exercise:

     Although modern life offers many opportunities denied to previous generations, it can also produce more stress and frustration which we need to put up with, leading many people to feel __________ with their lives.

     In order to take advantage of these opportunities, we need to further our educations as much as possible. Taking critical exams can sometimes leave us __________, despite our long hours of preparation.

    Once we have finished school and embarked upon our professional lives, frustrations again present themselves. Fed up employees who try to climb the ladder feel _________ if their superiors regularly shoot down their ideas. Those who have had it up to here with a toxic work environment such as this usually walk away.   

     Of course, frustrations appear in our personal lives, as well. Many lonely people can’t stand it when a crush gets away, often taken by someone else, making them feel __________ in their romantic attempts.

     In extreme cases, those frustrated in both their private and public lives feel __________. Being at the end of their ropes, they may even take their own lives. 

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Class: 
Are you interested in learning more vocabulary? Take this great class!

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!intermediate-reading-and-vocabulary/ccve

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1 

Vocabulary Exercise #24: Synonyms of "Sad"

Communicative Goal: Describing Sadness

Context: Modern Life

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the adjective “sad.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   bitter: (adjective) sad (formal/informal, negative, strong, especially in the sense of “angry”)   

Example: She is bitter because I broke up with her.

2.   dejected: (adjective) sad (formal, negative, very strong, especially in the sense of “disappointed”)

Example: Being consistently rejected makes you feel dejected!

3.   heartbroken: (adjective) sad (formal, neutral, general, strong, romantic)

Example: The divorce left them heartbroken.

4.   somber: (adjective) sad (formal, neutral, strong, especially in the sense of “serious”)   

Example: Judges usually appear somber.

5.   sorrowful: (adjective) sad (formal, neutral, romantic, especially in the sense of “regretful”)

Example: He feels sorrowful for his crimes.

Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary. 

     Life presents many ups and downs and many occasions to share happiness and sadness. Whereas weddings are usually joyous celebrations, for example, funerals are much more __________ affairs. 

    Although romance inspires great happiness, it can also lead to feeling __________. Ultimately, many appreciate Tennyson's observation that “tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Still, we can all feel __________ over old flames.  

    In the modern world, finances can also contribute to great sadness. In a struggling economy, laid off employees often feel __________ towards their ex-employers. If prospective employers consistently turn them down, they can become __________  and may require professional help.

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Class: 
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Answers: 
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http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1   

Vocabulary Exercise #23: Synonyms of "Happy"

Communicative Goal: Describing Happiness

Context: Varieties of Happiness

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the adjective “happy.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   cheerful: (adjective) happy (formal, neutral, especially used for one’s general personality)   

Example: American news anchors are usually cheerful on camera.

2.   ecstatic: (adjective) happy (formal, positive, very strong, especially used in relation to major developments) 

Example: She is ecstatic over the news!

3.   glad: (adjective) happy (informal, neutral, weak, especially used in relation to minor developments)

Example: Oh, I’m so glad for you.

4.   pleased: (adjective) happy (formal, neutral, weak, especially used in relation to expectations)   

Example: I am pleased that she followed my advice.

5.   upbeat: (adjective) happy (informal, positive, weak, especially used in relation to problems)

Example: She was upbeat despite her chemotherapy.

Part 2, Reading Exercise:

    Most people experience happiness in a variety of forms over the course of their lives. As young children, of course, we are generally __________ by nature. This changes as we grow older and take on more responsibilities and disappointments, but seeing the fruits of our labor in our academic and professional careers makes us __________.

     Major milestones in our personal and professional lives, such as marriage and significant promotions, obviously lead us to feel __________. It is the “little things,” in daily life, however, like e-mails from old friends, that help us feel __________.

     Finally, it is important to try to remain __________ despite challenges and setbacks, as researchers have determined that maintaining a positive outlook can actually lend itself towards overcoming these difficulties.   

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Class: 
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Answers: 
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http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1    

Vocabulary Exercise #22: Synonyms of "Mobster"

Communicative Objective: Describing the Mafia

Context: The Mafia in the American Experience

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the noun “mobster.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   enforcer: (count noun) a formal, neutral synonym of “mid-level mobster”      

Example: The don needs to get a new enforcer.    

2.   mafioso: (count noun) a formal, general, neutral synonym of “Italian mobster”                

Example: The mafiosos ran some New York neighborhoods for decades.    

3.   racketeer: (count noun) a formal, negative synonym of “high-level mobster”      

Example: The cops got some racketeers at a poker game last night.

4.   soldier: (count noun) a formal / informal, urban synonym of “low-level mobster”      

Example: Where my soldier at?  

5.   wise guy: (count noun) an informal, general, positive synonym of “Italian mobster”                

Example: Wise Guys was a 1986 box office hit about Jersey mobsters. 

Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary.

     Organized crime came to the New World from the Old, accompanying a variety of immigrant communities and taking root in urban ethnic enclaves, such as the Italian neighborhoods of New York and the Irish areas of Boston, in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

     These mafias have tended to victimize their own communities, first and foremost. It was common for small business owners to be shaken down by __________ for “protection” if they failed to pay off the __________. The actual __________ were rarely seen in public, out of concern for their safety and to avoid getting their hands dirty.

     Other immigrant groups and their associated mafias have followed since, most notably the Russians, Ukrainians and Chinese. Despite this, it is the __________ who are still most often glorified in American media.

    Hollywood has begun in recent years to more accurately portray these mobsters for the cruel thugs that they are. Historically, however, they have usually been glorified as the neighborhood __________.

© James Doyle, 2013

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Vocabulary Class: 
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Answers: 
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http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1    

Vocabulary Exercise #21: Synonyms of "Honest"

Communicative Objective: Describing Honesty

Context: The Edward Snowden Whistleblowing Case

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the adjective “honest.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   forthright: (adjective) a general, positive synonym of “honest” in the sense of “admirable”                

Example: Thank you for being forthright with me.    

2.   frank: (count noun) a negative synonym of “honest” in the sense of “direct”      

Example: Let me be frank. Your work is simply unacceptable and is grounds for your termination.

3.   legit: (adjective) a positive synonym of “honest” in the sense of “no longer dishonest”                  

Example: I swear, officer! I’ve gone legit!    

4.   on the level: (adjective) a positive synonym of “honest” in the sense of “trustworthy”            

Example: Are you sure he is on the level?  

5.   unreserved: (adjective) a positive synonym of “honest” in the sense of “shares all information”      

Example: I would appreciate your unreserved remarks on this paper.

Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary.

     American computer scientist Edward Snowden astounded the world in 2013 by revealing that the U.S. government had been engaging in massive telecommunications surveillance worldwide.      

     Snowden had worked as an analyst for Booz Allen Hamilton, a subcontractor of the National Security Agency (NSA). Over the course of his employment, he came to the conclusion that such widespread and indiscriminate surveillance was wrong. Hoping to spark an international debate on the topic that would eventually force the U.S. government to abandon this practice and become __________, he reached out to the British newspaper The Guardian.   

     Following a series of conversations, Guardian columnist Glenn Greenwald found Snowden to be __________ and decided to pursue the story and later publish it on June 5^th, 2013.   

     In announcements and interviews since the story first broke, Snowden has continued to be __________ with his comments, sparing no details on the technology and policies the U.S. employs to intercept and analyze our communications.  

     Supporters credit him with defending civil liberties and a respect for privacy, applauding him for being so __________.

     Not surprisingly, his detractors have been quite __________ in their criticism of him, labeling him a traitor. Indeed, the U.S. government has filed criminal charges against Snowden and is attempting to apprehend him.

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Class: 
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Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1    

Vocabulary Exercise #20: Synonyms of "Thin" (Negative)

Communicative Objective: Describing Thinness (Negative)

Context: World Hunger

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the adjective “thin.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   emaciated: (adjective) negative, formal synonym of  “extremely thin”

Example: Facebook posts of emaciated children are very difficult to swallow.

2.   gaunt: (adjective) negative, formal synonym of “very thin”

Example: Cancer has left her looking gaunt.

3.   scrawny: (adjective) negative, informal synonym of thin      

Example: He is scrawny, but he is tough!

4.   shriveled: (adjective) negative synonym of “thin,” usually related to dehydration      

Example: My cucumber plants are shriveled because they were in the scorching sun all day!

5.   underweight: (adjective) negative, formal, medical synonym of “thin”

Example: Her pediatrician said that she is underweight for her age.

Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary.

      Hunger remains a major problem confronting the world, for both developing and developed countries.

      Famine is the most saddening example of this in the developing world. Although sometimes related to displaced agricultural populations due to war, it is most often caused by adverse growing conditions. Too little rain or irrigation, for example, results in _____ crops and, in turn, _____ livestock. Human starvation and death follows, as documented by the tragic and shocking images of _____ children which have spread across the world.

     The developed world normally experiences hunger differently, and less severely, as a consequence of poverty. As unemployment has grown and incomes have fallen, especially since the economic crises beginning in 2007, pediatricians have observed more _____ children in their offices and the general public has noted that there are more _____ kids in their neighborhoods.

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Class: 
Are you interested in learning more vocabulary? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!intermediate-reading-and-vocabulary/ccve

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1