Words Count - Chapter 7
Exercise 1

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



Directions: Below are the ten words from Chapter 7. 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.


Timely Words

1.

retrospect

In retrospect, we should not have tried the shortcut because we got hopelessly lost.

In retrospect, I would guess that we will arrive ahead of time.

A thorough retrospection of the building revealed several problems, starting with water damage in the basement.

2.

precedent

The precedent of the student council got reelected by a large margin.

When it comes to start-up software companies, Microsoft set a precedent that has never been matched as of now.

The precedence of the principal at the meeting forced everyone to behave properly.

3.

imminent

Alan Dershowitz is an imminent lawyer known to take on controversial cases.

If it cannot happen for years, it must be imminent.

Because of my imminent departure, I cannot sit down and write a lengthy report now.

4.

synchronize

People who have to do something at the same time, but cannot communicate with each other, must synchronize their watches.

After the accident, his walk became so synchronized that he had to use crutches.

The dancer's movements were so perfectly matched that they showed a complete lack of synchronization.

5.

perennial

Perennials are plants that last for only a year.

Cop shows are a perennial favorite on TV.

The French always celebrate the perennial of the start of their revolution with fireworks.

6.

interim

The new interim was so inexperienced that she needed instructions from everybody.

After the newlyweds had left, the remaining guests used the interim to polish off the wedding cake.

The Great Depression happened in the interim between the first and second World War.

7.

subsequent

An event that is subsequent to another event is called an interim.

After being chastised by the judge, the witness's subsequent answers were less flippant.

Ronald Reagan's presidency was subsequent to that of George Bush.

8.

procrastinate

Procrastinators always jump the gun and often get in trouble because of it.

I do not know how many deadlines I have missed because I tend to procrastinate.

Procrastination is the hallmark of a successful entrepreneur.

9.

sporadic

Gas lines have to be checked sporadically on a regular basis.

I hadn't seen my high school pal for twenty years, and our sporadic encounter yesterday delighted both of us.

After the troops had entered the town, they encountered only sporadic gunfire.

10.

concurrent

The evidence was clearly concurrent with the verdict reached by the jury.

Concurrent sentences are served one after the other.

A thunderstorm is directly overhead when lightning and thunder are almost concurrent.


Last change made to this page: March 5, 2014

Words Count: Additional Exercises