Words Matter - Chapter 9
Exercise 1

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



Directions: Below are the ten words from Chapter 9. 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 Matter.

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


Speaking of Appearances

1.

corpulent

The corpulent dinner consisted of five courses, each a work of art in itself.

As people grow older, they tend to become more corpulent unless they exercise and control their diet.

Despite criticism from all directions, the corpulence of rap music continues to grow.

2.

cadaverous

When I visited my uncle in the hospital, I was shocked by his cadaverous face.

Our dog is cadaverous enough to eat even the packages his treats come in.

I'm strictly cadaverous and will not give up eating meat.

3.

svelte

I cannot resist the svelteness of cheese.

Walk into any drugstore and you are confronted with racks of magazines with svelte models or actresses on their covers.

If you heat any metal long enough, it will become svelte and hot.

4.

lithe

Cheerleaders must be lithe and good-looking.

When Lenny heard the bad news, his face grew lithe and he fell silent.

No degree of litheness can make up for obesity.

5.

slovenly

I can't stand beds that look slovenly and make mine every morning no matter how little time I have.

Cameramen love to light up the screen with close-ups of the actress's slovenly face.

Even in old age, he dressed slovenly every day and never left the house without wearing a jacket and tie.

6.

robust

Tulip trees not only have pretty blossoms, but are also very robust and able to withstand all kinds of mishaps.

The show was too robust for most people and was cancelled three weeks into the season.

Because of his robustness, he could not survive three nights in bitter cold.

7.

pallid

Pam is my most pallid friend—we've known each other since high school.

The pallidness of the Caribbean Islands has made them favorite spots for winter vacations.

Compared to the original, the remake was a rather pallid affair.

8.

swarthy

The "Swedish swim team" known from beer commercials consists of swarthy blondes with fair skin and blue eyes.

Dr. Svenson has a swarthy personality that puts her patients immediately at ease.

People living in hot climates tend to have a swarthier complexion than people living in more moderate zones.

9.

statuesque

The town unveiled the statuesque of the late mayor in a public ceremony that was attended by a large crowd.

The statuesque tennis star is known more for her commercials than for her success on court.

The spokesperson statuesquely declared that from a legal point of view, the company had done nothing wrong.

10.

diminutive

Being diminutive often implies not only being short, but also having small features that photograph well, as demonstrated by actress Winona Ryder.

The meeting ended on a diminutive note when it became clear that no agreement could be reached.

Because of my diminutiveness, we bought a cheap refrigerator that broke down after only a year.


Last change made to this page: February 24, 2004

Words Matter: Additional Exercises