Deck 38: Effective Word Choice

Question 1

Underline the cliché in each of the following sentences. Then substitute specific, fresh words for the trite expression.
EXAMPLE
I passed the test by the skin of my teeth.
I barely passed the test.
Hal decided not to eat anything because he was feeling under the weather.
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Answer 1

feeling under the weather  =  feeling ill

Question 2

Underline the cliché in each of the following sentences. Then substitute specific, fresh words for the trite expression.
EXAMPLE
I passed the test by the skin of my teeth.
I barely passed the test.
Sara arrived at the train station in the nick of time.
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Answer 2

in the nick of time = just in time

Question 3

Underline the cliché in each of the following sentences. Then substitute specific, fresh words for the trite expression.
EXAMPLE
I passed the test by the skin of my teeth.
I barely passed the test.
Clarence was asked to make his speech short but sweet
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Answer 3

short but sweet = brief

Question 4

Cross out the pretentious words in each sentence. Then substitute clear, simple language for the artificial words.
EXAMPLE
The manager reproached me for my tardiness.
The manager criticized me for being late.
One of Colleen's objectives in life is to accomplish a large family.
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Question 5

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ The awesome flick we saw last night was totally worth the twelve bucks we paid to get in.
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Question 6

Cross out the pretentious words in each sentence. Then substitute clear, simple language for the artificial words.
EXAMPLE
The manager reproached me for my tardiness.
The manager criticized me for being late.
Upon entering our residence, we detected smoke in the atmosphere.
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Question 7

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ Sad but true , the only way to climb the ladder of success in college is to put one ' s nose to the grindstone.
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Question 8

Cross out the pretentious words in each sentence. Then substitute clear, simple language for the artificial words.
EXAMPLE
The manager reproached me for my tardiness.
The manager criticized me for being late.
The chemistry educator asked each of the budding scholars before him not to prevaricate when explaining how everyone in the assemblage had gotten an A on the exam.
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Question 9

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ I ruminated over all the possibilities and envisioned that I would be more felicitous in academia than in the labor force.
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Question 10

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ The victims of the car accident were shaken but none the worse for wear.
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Question 11

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ After pulling an all-nighter, my roommate crashed on the couch.
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Question 12

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ Be sure to deposit your trash in the appropriate receptacle.
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Question 13

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ Fred has to work like a dog in his advanced math class.
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Question 14

Work with a partner to rewrite the following sentences, replacing the italicized slang words with more formal ones.
EXAMPLE
The movie was a real bomb , so we cut out early.
The movie Was terrible, so We left early.
My roommate told me he was going to quit school and hit the road, but later he admitted he was just messing with me.
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Question 15

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ I work like a dog at a restaurant where one customer's constant complaining is driving me up the wall.
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Question 16

Work with a partner to rewrite the following sentences, replacing the italicized slang words with more formal ones.
EXAMPLE
The movie was a real bomb , so we cut out early.
The movie Was terrible, so We left early.
Jason thought he would be cool and flash the cops who stopped him his Patrolmen's Benevolent Association card, but that didn't stop them from nailing him for speeding.
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Question 17

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ Everyone in our family congregates at Miriam's house for the annual Thanksgiving repast.
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Question 18

Work with a partner to rewrite the following sentences, replacing the italicized slang words with more formal ones.
EXAMPLE
The movie was a real bomb , so we cut out early.
The movie Was terrible, so We left early.
If the instructor stops hassling me, I am going to get my act together in the course.
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Question 19

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided, identify the words as slang ( S ), clichés ( C ), or pretentious words ( PW ). Then rewrite the sentences, replacing the words with more effective diction.
______ Carlos totally lost it when the clerk told him that she didn't have any blue shirts in his size.
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