Lesson 22

maintaining constant intensity over time

His unremitting efforts to improve his skills eventually led to his success.

to undo or separate the threads or strands of something woven, knitted, or intertwined

She began to unravel the sweater to reuse the yarn.

reliable and true to the point of being unquestionable

The historian's records were considered unimpeachable, providing a solid foundation for the research.

a condition in which individuals are forced to work or provide services against their will, without the ability to freely leave or negotiate their conditions

Many immigrants in the early 20th century faced servitude in sweatshops, enduring grueling hours for minimal pay.

very keen to please and obey others

His servile behavior toward the manager made his colleagues uncomfortable.

the ability to perform tasks effectively and efficiently, demonstrating both physical and intellectual readiness

His competence in handling financial matters ensured the company's stability during economic downturns.

possessing the needed skills or knowledge to do something well

As a competent programmer, he was able to troubleshoot and fix the software bug quickly.

someone who competes with others in a sport event

The marathon attracted thousands of competitors from around the world.

to call forth or elicit emotions, feelings, or responses, often in a powerful or vivid manner

The painting was carefully crafted to evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding viewers of their childhood.

the act of bringing an image, memory, or feeling to one’s mind

The painting’s rich colors were a perfect evocation of a peaceful summer afternoon.

an open building that is round or oval in shape and has a space in the middle surrounded by several seats, originated in ancient Roman and Greek architecture used for public entertainments such as sports or drama

Tourists marveled at the ruins of the ancient Greek amphitheater.

(of animals) capable of surviving both on land and in water

Amphibious frogs lay their eggs in water but can live on land once they mature.

to fail to make someone pleased

The manager’s failure to address the issue began to dissatisfy the employees.

(of two or more things) not having common qualities

Despite being siblings, their personalities are dissimilar, with one being outgoing and the other more reserved.

a structured academic discussion on a thesis

The student successfully defended his thesis during the disputation, earning high praise from the panel.

having a tendency to disagree and argue

His disputatious nature made meetings with him difficult, as he often disagreed with everyone.

to spread throughout and be present in every part of something

The aroma of freshly baked bread pervaded the entire bakery, enticing customers from afar.

spreading widely or throughout a particular area or group

The pervasive smell of smoke filled the air after the forest fire.

inclined to act stubbornly and to hang on to what is wrong

Despite all the evidence, he held a perverse belief that the earth was flat.

the act of corrupting the original state of something

The perversion of history in the textbook distorted the real events that occurred.