Words Count - Chapter 17
Exercise 1

Copyright © 2003 Laraine Flemming.
General distribution outside the classroom and redistribution are strictly prohibited.


Directions: Below are the ten words from Chapter 17. Each of the ten words is accompanied by three sentences that use a form of the word. Only one of these sentences uses the word correctly, the other two use it incorrectly. Read all three sentences. Then click the button to the left of the sentence that uses the word correctly.

You may change your answers as you see fit. When you are satisfied that all answers are correct, click the "Submit" button at the end of the exercise. You cannot resubmit the exercise after that point.

If a word in a sentence is marked by *, the word is introduced in Words Count.

Note: If you are using the Internet Explorer as browser, the exercise will only work for version 6 or higher.

Words on Words

1.

synopsis

A synopsis is a powerful counterargument.

A synopsis is a paraphrase—there's no need to read the work being synopsized.

A synopsis summarizes a more lengthy work, be it a written text or a movie.
2.

abstract

Abstract is a synonym for "complicated."

If it's abstract, it cannot be valid.

World is a concept that is more abstract than "earth."
3.

concrete

If your statement seems too abstract,* use concrete examples to illustrate what you mean.

Everything she said was too concrete for me—I couldn't picture anything.

Concrete is a synonym for simple.
4.

glib

When reporters asked tough questions, the answers were much too glib for my taste.

A glib response is a swift response.

In a very glib response, the attorneys went through the accusations point by point and countered them with a wealth of data.
5.

succinct

Succinct is a synonym for glib.

The reviewer managed to summarize the author's lengthy argument in a succinct synopsis.*

The witness was useless because her answers were too succinct.
6.

verbose

People who love to hear themselves talk tend towards verbosity.

Verbose people love to gossip.

Verbose explanations are always succinct.*
7.

verbatim

The student's plagiarism was so obvious because she had included verbatim passages in her paper without proper reference.

Verbatim records typically leave out unimportant details.

When asked about his whereabouts at the time of the accident, the witness gave a verbatim answer.
8.

simile

"Sharp as a tack" is a simile, as is "dull as dishwater."

"He's not playing with a full deck" is a simile.

A simile is a comparison that has been overused.
9.

metaphor

A metaphor is basically a fancy simile.

"It's as American as apple pie" is a metaphor.

"She is right now the brightest star on Broadway" is a metaphor.
10.

cliché

The Gettysburg Address starts with the famous cliché "Four score and seven years ago..."

A cliché is always an overused simile.

Clichéd similes* are the hallmark of writers who lack imagination.

Last change made to this page: November 22, 2004

Words Count: Additional Exercises