Exploring Writing 2nd Edition by John Langan

Exercise 7

Certain words are italicized in the following sentences. In the space provided at the left, identify the words as slang (S), a cliché (C), or inflated words (IW). Then replace the words with more effective diction.
_____ 1. Losing weight is easier said than done for someone who loves sweets.
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_____ 2. After dinner, we washed the culinary utensils and wrapped the excess food.
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_____ 3. Bruce is so stubborn that talking to him is like talking to a brick wall.
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_____ 4. Michelle spent the summer watching the tube and catching rays.
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_____ 5. The fans, all fi red up after the game, peeled out of the parking lot and honked their horns.
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_____ 6. The stew I made contained everything but the kitchen sink.
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_____ 7. That guy isn't really a criminal; he's just gotten a bum rap.
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_____ 8. A company cannot implement changes and attain growth without input from its personnel.
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_____ 9. I failed the test, and to add insult to injury, I got a low grade on my paper.
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_____ 10. I perused several periodicals while I waited for the doctor.
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