Words Count - Chapter 22
Exercise 1

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

Directions: Below are the ten words from Chapter 22. 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.

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Talking of Love and Marriage

1.	ardor		His ardor against milk products is so great that even a spoonful of ice cream gives him indigestion.
			My brother's ardor for mountain climbing is so great that he will not give it up even after his recent accident.
			I cannot stand the ardor of strong perfume in the wake of someone passing by.
2.	amorous		An amorous person has loose morals, especially in relation to the opposite sex.
			In James Bond movies, the amorous pursuits of the hero are as important as his fights.
			Amorous glances are typically directed at one's rivals.
3.	erotic		Therapists typically treat the erotic and their symptoms.
			Erotic feelings are strictly spiritual or mental.
			Sexual attraction is such an important part of human life that one finds erotic literature in all cultures.
4.	platonic		Platonic feelings are most often not more than an infatuation.*
			Action movies filled with gore and violence are not for the platonic.
			Platonic feelings are strictly spiritual or mental.
5.	infatuation		Infatuation is another word for a sudden weight gain.
			He protested when his friend called his feelings for a classmate a "mere infatuation."
			If you are infatuated with someone, you feel a deep hatred for that person.
6.	lovelorn		Even a sunny day cannot cheer up the truly lovelorn.
			A lovelorn song or poem celebrates the joy of being in love.
			The lovelorn are filled with strong platonic* feelings for someone.
7.	betrothal		A betrothal is an affair between two people who are married, but not to each other.
			My brother is so betrothed with his girlfriend, he spends hours on the phone with her every day.
			A fiancé is a man betrothed to a woman.
8.	nubile		Nubile young women are a standard part of beer commercials shown during football games.
			People of nubile birth are sometimes called "blue bloods."
			My uncle is now so old and nubile, he cannot climb the stairs to the second floor anymore.
9.	nuptial		Nuptials are wakes after the death of a loved one.
			A nuptial contract is a betrothal in a more formal, written form.
			Nuptial customs vary widely across countries and cultures.
10.	conjugal		Hot, spicy dishes are conjugal to Cajun cooking.
			Marriage counselors try to help people deal with conjugal problems.
			My wife's conjugal judgment was instrumental in the success of our joint venture.

Last change made to this page: March 6, 2014

Words Count: Additional Exercises