Vocabulary Exercise #14: Synonyms of "To Frown"

Communicative Objective: Describing Frowning

Context: Human Behavior

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

1.   to droop: (verb) to frown due to disappointment or sadness  

            Example: My tomato plants drooped in the intense July heat.

2.   to glower: (verb) to frown angrily   

            Example: My wife glowers at me when students text me late at night.

3.   to grimace: (verb) to frown, usually in reaction to something unpleasant

            Example: I grimaced the first time I smelled nato.     

4.   to pout: (verb) to slightly frown due to disappointment       

            Example: Pouting normally does not get you what you want. 

5.   to scowl: (verb) to frown very angrily     

            Example: My wife says that I scowl when I am angry.

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

     Like smiling, frowning can express a variety of human emotions. As such, it is an important communicative tool.

     When disappointed, we _____. From our facial expressions and behavior it is obvious to everyone that we are feeling down.

     While arguing, we first _____ then _____ if physical confrontations begin. These changes in our demeanors serve to ward off and attack aggressors. 

     Upon encountering a foul odor or taste, _____ alerts others to avoid an area or food -a critical survival tool protecting us from dangers such as toxic substances.

     Finally, children often _____ in an attempt to persuade their parents to fulfill their desires. The classic American scenario is that of children whining for candy or trinkets at supermarket checkouts.  

© 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 #13: Synonyms of "To Smile"

Communicative Objective: Describing Smiling

Context: Human Behavior

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

1.   beam: (verb) to smile very happily  

            Example: She beamed as brightly as the sun at the compliment.

2.   glow: (verb) to innocently smile   

Example: My daughter glows when she is asleep.

3.   grin: (verb) to smile, usually slightly     

            Example: As the saying goes, “Just grin and bear it.”

4.   smirk: (verb) to smile in a condescending manner     

            Example: Wipe that smirk off your face!

5.   sneer: (verb) to smile in an angry manner     

            Example: He sneered at the fallen enemy.

Part 2, Reading:

     The human smiling reflex has evolved over time for different purposes in a variety of contexts. 

     Smiling, of course, usually indicates happiness.  Children positively _____ upon receiving the birthday presents they had long had their hearts set on, for example.

     It may be artificial, used as a polite gesture in business, especially service, contexts. A good example can be found in the wan _____ of flight attendants.

     Smiling is inviting, from the _____ of children which lends itself to developing caring relationships, to sexual signals in adults which initiate mating.

     Finally, smiling bares the teeth and, as such, can be used in a threatening manner. It is common, then, _____ while arguing or _____ while mocking.

© 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 #12: Synonyms of "To Hear and To Listen"

Communicative Objective: Describing Hearing And Listening

Context: Eavesdropping

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

1.   eavesdrop: (verb) to intentionally, secretly, listen to a private conversation  

Example: Children often eavesdrop on their parents.

2.   heed: (verb) to listen to advice and follow it

Example: Troubled students rarely heed my advice.

3.   overhear: (verb) to unintentionally listen to something, unnoticed by the speaker(s)

Example: I overheard a couple squabbling on the train.

4.   pick up: (verb) to unintentionally listen to a broadcast sound

Example: In the northern U.S., we can pick up Canadian channels.

5.   tune in: (verb in) to intentionally find and listen to a broadcast   

Example: Be sure to tune in next week!

Part 2, Reading Exercise:

     As they are largely a stepping stone technology from landlines to mobile telephones, cordless telephones are slowly being rendered obsolete. In addition to limited ranges and short battery lives, one of the major drawbacks of cordless, or “portable,” phones is that they can often cause, and receive, significant interference.

     Although usually limited to static, this interference can include crossed calls, whereby users _____ other calls already in progress. Callers can actually _____ their neighbors’ conversations, sometimes leading to great embarrassment!

    It was not long before criminals discovered this failure in the technology and began to exploit it, attempting to _____ to the calls of those whom they wished to _____ on. They hoped to dig up dirt on their targets in order to blackmail them or pick up on some insider trader information from business leaders. By _____ stock tips, for example, they could profit from better-informed investments.

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

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Exercise #11: Synonyms of "Smell"

Communicative Objective: Describing Smells

Context: New York

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

1. aroma: (noun) positive synonym of smell, normally used for food

Example: I love the aroma of freshly baked bread.

2. fragrance: (noun) positive synonym of smell, used for a variety of smells

Example: She is wearing a lovely fragrance today.

3. odor: (noun) negative synonym of smell, normally used for smells associated with humans

Example: Body odor can be pretty bad on public transportation in the summer.

4. scent: (noun) positive synonym of smell, normally used for colognes, perfumes, flowers and animals

Example: Some predators hunt by picking up scents.

5. stench: (noun) very negative synonym of smell, normally reserved for the worst possible smells

Example: That stench is really foul!

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

     A city is less known for its smells than it is for its sights or its sounds, but every city has its own “bouquet.” Cairo’s seems flavored with the mango commonly found throughout the city and La Paz’s is tinged with the sulphur dioxide present in most of its gasoline. It is not surprising, then, that New York City, with its enormous diversity, is home to an equally enormous assortment of smells.

    Most notably, delicious _____ from New York City’s restaurants, numbered at 23,499 as of 2010, waft from doors on most streets. After dinner, the _____ of heavily cologned and perfumed bar and club patrons mingle in the air. 

    The _____ of millions of plants from the outer boroughs’ four botanical gardens drift over the city, the Bronx celebrating one of the world’s finest, covering 250 acres. Home to 843-acre Central Park, Manhattan is also perfumed with countless trees and flowers. 

     Finally, there are offensive smells as well, of course. Unpleasant _____ permeate buses and subways, especially during the hot summer months. Some subway stations and elevators even reek with the _____ of urine.

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

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Exercise #10: Synonyms of "To Look and To See" (Part 2)

Communicative Objective: Describing Looking and Seeing

Context: Entering the United States

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the verbs “to look" and "to see." Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each.

1.   inspect: (verb) to look carefully and critically at something  

            Example: You should always carefully inspect something prior to purchase.

2.   notice: (verb) to visually become aware of something (usually abstract)

            Example: I noticed that she seemed tired.

3.   observe: (verb) to watch for a specific purpose    

            Example: The police are observing him because they are suspicious.

4.   scrutinize: (verb) to very carefully inspect (negative)   

            Example: Employers scrutinize prospective hires.

5.   spot: (verb) to detect or recognize (usually a physical object)

            Example: I spotted a quarter under the bed.

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

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or “ICE,” is the agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for, among other duties, enforcing U.S. customs laws. These customs laws govern what may, and what may not, enter the U.S.

     Most civilian interaction with ICE representatives occurs at U.S. ports of entry. Upon arrival in the United States, citizens, residents and visitors are _____ electronically and by ICE staff. They are also interviewed. Their luggage is _____.  

     ICE representatives look for unusual behavior in the people they interview. If they _____ something strange, such as a person acting nervously, the person’s luggage is flagged for review.

     The interviewer’s colleagues then _____ the person’s luggage, examining every inch. They sometimes _____ contraband, such as drugs or large amounts of cash. 

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

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Exercise #9: Synonyms of "To Look and To See"

Communicative Objective: Describing Looking and Seeing

Context: People Watching 

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

1.   glance: (verb & count noun) to briefly and intentionally look at something (neutral) 

            Example: I sometimes glance at fellow subway passengers’ books.

2.   glare: (verb & count noun) to look at with anger (negative)  

            Example: My daughter glares at me when she is angry.

3.   glimpse: (verb & count noun) to briefly and unintentionally see something (neutral)

            Example: It is possible to glimpse mice in subway tunnels.

4.   ogle: (verb) to look at passionately (negative)  

            Example: Immature teenage boys usually ogle attractive women.  

5.   stare: (verb & noun) to look at intently for a longer than usual period (negative)   

            Example: Don’t stare! It’s not polite!

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

     “People watching” is a common activity on public transportation systems worldwide. It is an instructive, and usually entertaining, way of killing time while sitting on a bus or train.

    During a recent commute, I observed a toddler having a tantrum. The child was screaming at her embarrassed father over a toy. Some train riders _____ momentarily as the spectacle unfolded. A few others _____ as they were disturbed from their reading.

     A provocatively-dressed young woman got on at the next stop. I happened to _____ her as I folded my newspaper. Some passengers _____ at her relatively discreetly whereas some were obviously _____ her. 

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

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

Vocabulary Exercise #8: Synonyms of "Dry"

Vocabulary Exercise #8

Communicative Objective: Describing Dryness

Context: The Atacama Desert

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

1.   arid: (adjective) dry, usually used scientifically      

Example: A popular brand of women’s deodorant is “Arid Extra Dry.”   

2.   baked: (adjective) dry, for soil           

Example: T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” evokes images of a baked, mountainous landscape.  

3.   dehydrated: (adjective) dry, for living tissue   

Example: It is dangerously easy for children to become dehydrated in the summer.      

4.   desiccated: (adjective) dry, for once-living tissue       

Example: I enjoy eating desiccated, chocolate-dipped apricots.   

5.   parched: (adjective) dry, for soil and animals, in the sense of “awaiting hydration”         

Example: Pass me the lemonade; I’m parched!    

Part 2, Reading: Complete the passage below with the most appropriate vocabulary from the list.   

     The Atacama Desert of Peru is extremely dry, receiving on average only .004 inches of rainfall per year. Indeed, according to NASA estimates, it is the most _____ area on the planet Earth.

    The earth and mountains encompassed in this 41,000 square-mile zone are _____ and cracked as there are no glaciers to feed rivers or even streams. Despite this, flowers bloom between September and November when the _____ land receives its slight rain.

     This environment lent itself to the few human civilizations in the region mummifying their dead. The Chinchorro mummies found in the Atacama are the oldest in the world -predating those of Egypt by approximately 2,000 years. Almost half of these were prepared through a natural mummification process as conditions were so dry that the deceased became _____ following burial.

     Today, fewer than 75,000 people live in the area. Although locals are accustomed to challenging desert conditions, it is not surprising that visitors to the region can quickly become _____.         

  

Vocabulary Class: 
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© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com