Saturday, January 25, 2014

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

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

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