Question

definitions
note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and meaning of each of the following words. then write the appropriate form of the word in the blank spaces in the illustrative sentences. finally, study the lists of synonyms and antonyms.

1. animated (an’ a mat id)

(adj.) full of life, lively, alive; (part.) moved to action
after the game the sportscaster found the winning team to be in an ______ mood.
synonyms: (adj.) energetic, vigorous
antonyms: (adj.) lifeless, dead, flat

1. brood (brud)

(n.) a family of young animals, especially birds; any group having the same nature and origin; (v.) to think over in a sad, unhappy way
the mother bird fed her ______.
the pioneers did not ______ over the hardships they suffered on the long journey.
synonyms: (v.) ponder, meditate, worry, agonize

1. constituent (kun stich’ a wunt)

(n.) an essential part, a voter who elects a representative
in our district, almost every ______ is dedicated to participating in the voting process.
synonyms: element, component

1. culminate (kul’ ma nāt)

(v.) to reach a high point of development; to end, climax
the president’s military advisors hoped the overseas action would not ______ in disaster.
synonyms: conclude, terminate; antonyms: begin, initiate, kick off

1. downright (daun’ rīt)

(adv.) thoroughly; (adj.) absolute, complete; frank, blunt
our neighbor, who chopped down our tree and destroyed our fence, is just ______ mean.
the actor felt like a ______ fool when he forgot his lines.
synonyms: (adj.) total, out-and-out

1. drone (drōn)

(n.) a loafer, idler; a buzzing or humming sound; a remote-control device; a male bee; (v.) to make a buzzing sound; to speak in a dull tone of voice
the steady ______ of the engine put us all to sleep.
the speaker ______ on and on, ignoring the fact that much of the audience had left.
synonyms: (n.) bum, do-nothing; (v.) hum, buzz, purr
antonym: (n.) hard worker

Explanation:

To solve these vocabulary fill - in - the - blank problems, we use the given definitions, parts of speech, and context of each sentence:

1. Animated

• Step 1: Analyze the sentence context and definition

The sentence is "After the game the sportscaster found the winning team to be in an ______ mood." The definition of "animated" is "(adj.) full of life, lively, alive; (part.) moved to action". The context here is about the mood of a winning team, which should be lively. So we fill in "animated".

2. Brood

• Step 1: First blank (noun form)

The sentence "The mother bird fed her ______" and the definition of "brood" as "(n.) a family of young animals, especially birds" match. So we fill in "brood".

• Step 2: Second blank (verb form)

The sentence "The pioneers did not ______ over the hardships they suffered on the long journey." The definition of "brood" as "(v.) to think over in a sad, unhappy way" fits. So we fill in "brood".

3. Constituent

• Step 1: Analyze the sentence and definition

The sentence "In our district, almost every ______ is dedicated to participating in the voting process." The definition of "constituent" as "(n.) a voter who elects a representative" is appropriate for the context of voting. So we fill in "constituent".

4. Culminate

• Step 1: Analyze the sentence and definition

The sentence "The president’s military advisors hoped the overseas action would not ______ in disaster." The definition of "culminate" as "(v.) to reach a high point of development; to end, climax" (in this case, end in disaster) matches. So we fill in "culminate".

5. Downright

• Step 1: First blank (adverb form)

The sentence "Our neighbor, who chopped down our tree and destroyed our fence, is just ______ mean." The definition of "downright" as "(adv.) thoroughly" fits the context of describing how mean the neighbor is. So we fill in "downright".

• Step 2: Second blank (adjective form)

The sentence "The actor felt like a ______ fool when he forgot his lines." The definition of "downright" as "(adj.) absolute, complete" matches the context of being a complete fool. So we fill in "downright".

6. Drone

• Step 1: First blank (noun form)

The sentence "The steady ______ of the engine put us all to sleep." The definition of "drone" as "(n.) a buzzing or humming sound" is suitable for the sound of an engine. So we fill in "drone".

• Step 2: Second blank (verb form)

The sentence "The speaker ______ on and on, ignoring the fact that much of the audience had left." The definition of "drone" as "(v.) to speak in a dull tone of voice" (and also to go on and on) fits. So we fill in "drone".

Answer:

s:

1. animated
2. brood; brood
3. constituent
4. culminate
5. downright; downright
6. drone; drone