distractors
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17
[ "Rather", "However", "Instead" ]
[MASK] , she insisted that I read the definition of a world in a monolingual dictionary when I wanted to get a better understanding of its meaning.
Therefore
[ "while", "before", "until" ]
Therefore , she insisted that I read the definition of a world in a monolingual dictionary [MASK] I wanted to get a better understanding of its meaning.
when
[ "Generally", "Largely", "Probably" ]
[MASK] , I have come to see what she meant.
Gradually
[ "extra", "average", "total" ]
This dictionary uses a(n) [MASK] number of words, around 2, 000, in its definitions.
limited
[ "nearly", "immediately", "anxiously" ]
When I read these definitions, I am [MASK] exposed to the basic words and learn how they are used to explain objects and ideas.
repeatedly
[ "kindness", "patience", "experience" ]
in Atlanta, USA.In the following account, she recalls the job that challenged her [MASK] and skill but left her flying high.
imagination
[ "repair", "control", "development" ]
"When the Atlanta Airport was under [MASK] in 1979,we were a new company struggling to make it.National Car Rental wanted to have 2500 square meters of dirt paved so the cars could be on site when the airport opened,and the official opening was only ten days away!
construction
[ "after", "as", "for" ]
"When the Atlanta Airport was under construction in 1979,we were a new company struggling to make it.National Car Rental wanted to have 2500 square meters of dirt paved [MASK] the cars could be on site when the airport opened,and the official opening was only ten days away!
so
[ "while", "since", "where" ]
"When the Atlanta Airport was under construction in 1979,we were a new company struggling to make it.National Car Rental wanted to have 2500 square meters of dirt paved so the cars could be on site [MASK] the airport opened,and the official opening was only ten days away!
when
[ "Some", "Any", "Every" ]
[MASK] other local paving company wanted to do the job, stating it couldn't be done in such a short time."
No
[ "reporting", "telling", "warning" ]
No other local paving company wanted to do the job, [MASK] it couldn't be done in such a short time."
stating
[ "able", "nervous", "afraid" ]
"Because we were new and really needed the work,we were [MASK] to try harder.We gave National Car Rental our offer and promised our best effort to get the job finished within ten days.We also reminded them that if we failed,they would be no worse off, but they had plenty to gain if we succeeded."
willing
[ "supported", "continued", "improved" ]
"Because we were new and really needed the work,we were willing to try harder.We gave National Car Rental our offer and [MASK] our best effort to get the job finished within ten days.We also reminded them that if we failed,they would be no worse off, but they had plenty to gain if we succeeded."
promised
[ "asked", "surprised", "demanded" ]
"Because we were new and really needed the work,we were willing to try harder.We gave National Car Rental our offer and promised our best effort to get the job finished within ten days.We also [MASK] them that if we failed,they would be no worse off, but they had plenty to gain if we succeeded."
reminded
[ "though", "as", "unless" ]
"Because we were new and really needed the work,we were willing to try harder.We gave National Car Rental our offer and promised our best effort to get the job finished within ten days.We also reminded them that if we failed,they would be no worse off, [MASK] they had plenty to gain if we succeeded."
but
[ "discussion", "practice", "production" ]
"We got the job and immediately went into [MASK] .Working at night needed lights,so I rented a machine to produce electricity for the site.
action
[ "first", "past", "previous" ]
Our [MASK] challenge was to keep the rock mixture wet enough.
next
[ "cold", "loose", "clean" ]
Our next challenge was to keep the rock mixture [MASK] enough.
wet
[ "Naturally", "Obviously", "Meanwhile" ]
[MASK] ,I got a special permit to rent fire engine hoses and connect them to nearby hydrants ;then I personally held one of those hoses to water down the rock."
Instead
[ "excuse", "order", "reason" ]
Instead ,I got a special [MASK] to rent fire engine hoses and connect them to nearby hydrants ;then I personally held one of those hoses to water down the rock."
permit
[ "exactly", "angrily", "hardly" ]
Instead ,I got a special permit to rent fire engine hoses and connect them to nearby hydrants ;then I [MASK] held one of those hoses to water down the rock."
personally
[ "pull", "knock", "hit" ]
Instead ,I got a special permit to rent fire engine hoses and connect them to nearby hydrants ;then I personally held one of those hoses to [MASK] down the rock."
water
[ "mixed", "followed", "formed" ]
"Those ten days were filled with challenges that [MASK] one creative idea after another.Nine days later,the night before the airport opened,National Car Rental was the only company that had cars on the parking lot."
required
[ "best", "last", "second" ]
"Those ten days were filled with challenges that required one creative idea after another.Nine days later,the night before the airport opened,National Car Rental was the [MASK] company that had cars on the parking lot."
only
[ "interest", "hope", "chance" ]
"The key to our success was having the [MASK] to take on any job and then being creative in our approach to getting it done."
courage
[ "Strangely", "Badly", "Honestly" ]
[MASK] enough, soon after I arrived in London when I was 17, I was admitted to a sixth-form college.
Luckily
[ "excitedly", "unhappily", "hurriedly" ]
I found caring teachers there, who [MASK] taught me English.
patiently
[ "old", "new", "wise" ]
This, I think, was a(n) [MASK] factor that encouraged me to learn the language.
important
[ "introduced", "compared", "limited" ]
When I was in London, I [MASK] myself to English learning as I wanted to go to university very much.
devoted
[ "refused", "pretended", "entertained" ]
When I was in London, I devoted myself to English learning as I [MASK] to go to university very much.
wanted
[ "reason", "problem", "advice" ]
Mastering the language was the only [MASK] to achieve my goal.
way
[ "missed", "shown", "learned" ]
Now I have [MASK] my master's degree from Oxford University.
completed
[ "hope", "doubt", "lie" ]
Looking back, I [MASK] I was quite innocent ,for I never imagined learning English was going to be so much work .
realize
[ "fear", "fun", "money" ]
Looking back, I realize I was quite innocent ,for I never imagined learning English was going to be so much [MASK] .
work
[ "smaller", "stranger", "nicer" ]
The more fluent I become, the [MASK] the language became.
harder
[ "before", "beside", "without" ]
One can master it only [MASK] years of tireless efforts .
through
[ "aims", "things", "choices" ]
Some basic [MASK] which I would give to people who are interested in learning the language are: 1.
tips
[ "Careless", "Funny", "Busy" ]
[MASK] English learners use their dictionaries all the time.
Successful
[ "Remember", "Sell", "Create" ]
[MASK] English newspapers.
Read
[ "replace", "combine", "look" ]
Don't forget to [MASK] the new words in your dictionary.
check
[ "nobody", "something", "anything" ]
Talk, talk and talk to [MASK] at anytime and anywhere.
anyone
[ "troubles", "jokes", "friends" ]
And even though at times it may be embarrassing to make [MASK] ,you will finally correct them and remember them.
mistakes
[ "introducing", "announcing", "explaining" ]
Richard Rice, a fast-talking man paced up and down in front of freshmen debate class, [MASK] us about his high expectations.
telling
[ "means", "methods", "steps" ]
But there would be no [MASK] to success.
shortcuts
[ "rose", "shook", "turned" ]
Suddenly Mr. Rice [MASK] in mid-sentence and stared at me.
paused
[ "excellent", "special", "usual" ]
Mr. Rice was no [MASK] teacher.
average
[ "always", "still", "ever" ]
I entered high school not [MASK] quite sure what debate was.
even
[ "turned", "got", "became" ]
Even today, I'm not sure what [MASK] such a great teacher of him.
made
[ "however", "whenever", "whichever" ]
He always said [MASK] he was thinking.
whatever
[ "careful", "easygoing", "gentle" ]
And he was [MASK] .
demanding
[ "steal", "turn", "leave" ]
He'd [MASK] out of the classroom angrily if he thought a student was giving less than his effort.
march
[ "Anyhow", "Therefore", "Besides" ]
[MASK] , being torn apart by Mr. Rice in the middle of a practice debate meant you were one of his favourites.
Instead
[ "strict", "cruel", "impatient" ]
He wasn't always [MASK] on us.
hard
[ "speak", "talk", "recognize" ]
I could [MASK] I was doing terribly just by looking at him.
tell
[ "across", "out", "upon" ]
After it was over, he came [MASK] to me.
over
[ "manners", "argument", "behaviour" ]
"Not my best [MASK] ," I said.
performance
[ "shock", "regret", "disappointment" ]
He shook his head, "No," Then, to my [MASK] , he gave me a hug.
surprise
[ "got", "turned", "ran" ]
Many kids [MASK] out of the debate class after the first year.
dropped
[ "chance", "course", "period" ]
But for me four years with him was my unforgettable [MASK] of a lifetime.
experience
[ "almost", "always", "seldom" ]
He [MASK] missed a game!
never
[ "happened", "became", "existed" ]
All through high school the young man never missed practice or a game, but38 [MASK] a bench-warmer because of his small body.
remained
[ "large", "healthy", "unhealthy" ]
All through high school the young man never missed practice or a game, but38 remained a bench-warmer because of his [MASK] body.
small
[ "afraid", "happy", "doubt" ]
Everyone was [MASK] he could never make it, but he did.
sure
[ "worried", "disappointed", "frightened" ]
The news [MASK] him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father.
excited
[ "went", "walked", "wandered" ]
The news excited him so much that he [MASK] to the nearest phone and called his father.
rushed
[ "ignored", "thought", "took" ]
His father [MASK] his excitement and was given tickets for all the college games.
shared
[ "loved", "attended", "liked" ]
This young man never [MASK] practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game.
missed
[ "and", "so", "if" ]
This young man never missed practice during his four years at college, [MASK] he never got to play in the game.
but
[ "letter", "telephone", "word" ]
One day, the coach met him with a [MASK] .
telegram
[ "left", "came", "returned" ]
After reading the telegram he said to the coach, "My father [MASK] this morning.
died
[ "away", "back", "up" ]
The coach said, "Take the rest of the week [MASK] , son.
off
[ "Thursday", "Friday", "Sunday" ]
And don't even plan to come back to the game on [MASK] ."
Saturday
[ "sadness", "anger", "fear" ]
To the [MASK] of the coach and his players, their faithful teammate came back!
surprise
[ "poor", "cruel", "lucky" ]
To the surprise of the coach and his players, their [MASK] teammate came back!
faithful
[ "nothing", "something", "anything" ]
Before long, this little unknown was doing [MASK] right.
everything
[ "Ask", "Show", "Teach" ]
[MASK] me how you did it."
Tell
[ "generosity", "elegance", "strength" ]
After all, not everybody is gifted with great [MASK] .
patience
[ "ignored", "stressed", "rejected" ]
The good news is that it is something that can be [MASK] and eventually perfected.
learned
[ "assistant", "friend", "patient" ]
When the customer before you takes ages to pay for his or her groceries, you tap your foot impatiently and cough every now and then to remind the [MASK] to move quickly; but no, he is still not hurrying .
customer
[ "standing", "running", "moving" ]
When the customer before you takes ages to pay for his or her groceries, you tap your foot impatiently and cough every now and then to remind the customer to move quickly; but no, he is still not [MASK] .
hurrying
[ "allow", "believe", "refer" ]
However, if you [MASK] that customer to be someone you like, then you will find yourself not getting too annoyed , right?
imagine
[ "puzzled", "shocked", "amused" ]
However, if you imagine that customer to be someone you like, then you will find yourself not getting too [MASK] , right?
annoyed
[ "hate", "recognize", "know" ]
So the next time you find yourself losing patience with somebody, simply think of that person to be someone you really [MASK] and your patience will last longer.
adore
[ "swift", "loud", "sad" ]
When you whistle a [MASK] tune, you are instantly in good spirits .
happy
[ "circumstances", "preparations", "places" ]
When you whistle a happy tune, you are instantly in good [MASK] .
spirits
[ "mistake", "effort", "scene" ]
You can hum your favorite song if you can't whistle---it really doesn't make a(n) [MASK] .
difference
[ "friendly", "lovely", "lonely" ]
And when you feel good, you are more [MASK] to be patient with the people around you.
likely
[ "escape", "reward", "whistle" ]
You've got to find a way to [MASK] first.
relax
[ "later", "slower", "better" ]
Remember : the more stressed you are, the [MASK] you'll lose your temper.
faster
[ "possibility", "ability", "choice" ]
Learning how to be patient with people is not a [MASK] in life.
must
[ "like", "clean", "keep" ]
They were sitting silently when the landlady came in and asked, "You don't [MASK] the house any more?"
rent
[ "barely", "coldly", "proudly" ]
He kept silent and she [MASK] shook her head.
simply
[ "observing", "watching", "spotting" ]
The landlady began [MASK] the house.
examining
[ "shared", "kept", "decorated" ]
After looking around, the landlady screamed, "See how you have [MASK] my house?
ruined
[ "dirty", "empty", "bright" ]
She began looking around her [MASK] room.
familiar
[ "devoted", "attached", "optimistic" ]
Four years ago on the wedding night, he felt deeply [MASK] to her, saying, "I feel so sorry to you for having you live in this small room.
guilty
[ "leaving", "asking", "getting" ]
Four years ago on the wedding night, he felt deeply guilty to her, saying, "I feel so sorry to you for [MASK] you live in this small room.
having
[ "clothes", "pictures", "hats" ]
This tiny room has two nails on the wall next to the door, one for her bag and the other [MASK] At that time, she threw all her stuff such as her bag and umbrella on the floor once she entered the room, staring at the whole mess and feeling terribly upset.
umbrellas
[ "wall", "ceiling", "door" ]
This tiny room has two nails on the wall next to the door, one for her bag and the other umbrellas At that time, she threw all her stuff such as her bag and umbrella on the [MASK] once she entered the room, staring at the whole mess and feeling terribly upset.
floor
[ "trouble", "confusion", "order" ]
This tiny room has two nails on the wall next to the door, one for her bag and the other umbrellas At that time, she threw all her stuff such as her bag and umbrella on the floor once she entered the room, staring at the whole [MASK] and feeling terribly upset.
mess