Context & meaning 2
1 Read these sentences carefully, and decide if the definitions in italics of
the words in bold are correct or incorrect. If they are incorrect, try to give
a correct definition. The first one has been done as an example.
1. I’m worried that a lack of suitable qualifications will hinder my search
for a job.
Help someone or something, or make something easier. Correct / Incorrect
Hinder means to stop someone or something from making progress or
developing.
2. Research was going well, but there was a risk that cuts in funding would
jeopardise the entire project.
Risk damaging or destroying something important. Correct / Incorrect
3. When you address a meeting, it is important to speak clearly, confidently
and at a good pace.
Write a letter to someone. Correct / Incorrect
4. The villas were basically flimsy wooden huts that shook every time there
was a bit of wind.
Strong and well built or made. Correct / Incorrect
5. Although several species of turtle can be found in relatively cool seas,
warm water provides the optimal conditions for breeding.
The best or most suitable within a range of possibilities. Correct /
Incorrect
6. It can be very difficult for immigrants to integrate into local society,
especially if there are marked cultural differences.
Meet people or make useful contacts. Correct / Incorrect
7. From the outset of the expedition they knew they were going to have
problems, so it was no surprise when only two days later things started to
go very wrong.
The end of something. Correct / Incorrect
8. He was a talented young film director whose unique and innovative style
inspired generations of film students.
Difficult to understand. Correct / Incorrect
9. The building is 200 metres tall and tapers gently to a point, giving it the
appearance of a thin, glass pyramid.
Gradually becomes wider towards one end. Correct / Incorrect
10. There are one or two similarities between my country and the UK, but on
the whole they are so disparate that it is difficult to find any common
ground.
Having many differences. Correct / Incorrect
11. Most modern furniture is functional but not especially aesthetic,
especially when compared with some of the beautiful and elegant designs
of the past.
Cheap but comfortable. Correct / Incorrect
12. Shops know that they can attract more customers if they have a large array
of colourful products on display by or near the main entrance.
A large group of people or things. Correct / Incorrect
Context & meaning 2
2 Now do the same with these.
1. The track has a coarse surface, providing better grip for bicycle tyres and
making them less likely to skid on tight corners.
Soft and smooth. Correct / Incorrect
2. The idea of a tunnel under the sea was first propagated by engineers in
the nineteenth century, but it was almost 200 years before it became a
reality.
Designed and built. Correct / Incorrect
3. Everyone was in favour of making the city centre traffic free, but public
opinion shifted when locals realised that vehicles would need to be
diverted through residential areas.
Changed or moved. Correct / Incorrect
4. People like the new system, but because of the costs involved we do not
believe it is viable, and we need to look for other options.
Popular with people. Correct / Incorrect
5. Some of Shakespeare’s plays are often attributed to other writers,
although more recent research suggests that they were all his own work.
Given to someone else as a gift, donation, etc. Correct / Incorrect
6. Although the inventor had a patent for his new product, other companies
rapidly began copying and selling it, and he was forced to take legal action
against them.
An award or prize. Correct / Incorrect
7. Spiders usually trap their prey in webs, but others actively hunt for it.
An animal that is caught and eaten by another animal. Correct / Incorrect
8. Some illnesses are serious enough to require medical treatment, but for
minor health problems, a visit to the doctor is usually not warranted.
To be unable to do something. Correct / Incorrect
9. We need to come up with a radical solution to the problem of crime in our
towns and cities, since everything else seems to have failed.
New and very different from the usual way. Correct / Incorrect
10. During the meeting, we made progress on peripheral issues, but
unfortunately we failed to deal with the issues that had been causing us the
most problems.
The main or most important part of something. Correct / Incorrect
11. I hate flying, and nothing could induce me to get on an aeroplane.
Stop or prevent something. Correct / Incorrect
12. There were several small problems with the original device, and it needed
to be refined slightly before it could go on sale.
Turned off and then on again. Correct / Incorrect
