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: 
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 #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: 
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 #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: 
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