Question

choosing the right word
select the boldface word that better completes each sentence. you might refer to the passage on pages 50 - 51 to see how most of these words are used in context.

1. when his army seemed (virtually, soddenly) defeated by the british, george washington crossed the delaware and won a victory.
2. a cold spell in december (inflicted, bewildered) heavy losses on the florida citrus crop.
3. i still (scurry, wince) when i think of the two errors that cost us the championship.
4. i could see from the (inflicted, bewildered) expression on the childs face that he was lost.
5. because i no longer go to high school, my student bus pass has been (voided, disheartened).
6. the scrappy coachs (fruitless, spirited) pep talk lifted the team out of its “losing - season blues.”
7. “its hard not to be a little (procured, disheartened) when your favorite team is in the cellar two weeks before the playoffs,” i replied.
8. in high school, students should (procure, void) training in basic skills that they will need in order to get good jobs as adults.
9. we are going to form a broad (void, alliance) among all the groups that are working to improve life in our community.
10. (fruitless, controversial) political figures are likely to have as many outspoken critics as enthusiastic supporters.
11. being scolded for my shortcomings in front of the entire basketball squad was a (mortifying, wayward) experience for me.
12. instead of being (wayward, hostile), why dont you try to show some friendliness to those newcomers?
13. all our efforts to control pollution will be (fruitless, inflammable) unless we work out a careful, detailed plan in advance.
14. on the hottest night of the summer, the sheets on my bed became so (sodden, malignant) with perspiration that i had to change them.
15. our supervisor acts calm most of the time, but we have learned that he has a very (orthodox, inflammable) temper.

on the night of december 25, 1776, washington and his troops crossed the delaware river into new jersey to surprise the british forces.

Explanation:

1. "virtually" means almost or nearly, which makes sense as his army was almost defeated.
2. "inflicted" means to cause (damage, harm, etc.), which is appropriate for the cold spell causing losses.
3. "wince" means to shrink or draw back slightly due to pain or distress, fitting the context of thinking about errors.
4. "bewildered" means confused, which describes the child's lost - like expression.
5. "voided" means made invalid, which is correct for a student bus pass no longer in use.
6. "spirited" means full of energy and enthusiasm, fitting for a pep - talk that lifted the team.
7. "disheartened" means discouraged, which is how one feels when their team is in a bad position.
8. "procure" means to obtain, which is what students should do for training.
9. "alliance" means a union or association, which is what is formed among groups.
10. "Controversial" means causing public disagreement, which is true for political figures with many critics and supporters.
11. "mortifying" means extremely embarrassing, which is how being scolded in front of a squad feels.
12. "hostile" means unfriendly, which is the opposite of showing friendliness.
13. "fruitless" means unproductive, which is what efforts will be without a plan.
14. "sodden" means soaked, which is how sheets get with perspiration.
15. "inflammable" means easily angered, which is what an inflamable temper implies.

Answer:

1. virtually
2. inflicted
3. wince
4. bewildered
5. voided
6. spirited
7. disheartened
8. procure
9. alliance
10. Controversial
11. mortifying
12. hostile
13. fruitless
14. sodden
15. inflammable