Unit 39

causal / caustic / caution / causative

causal adj. 因果关系的 (making something happen : causing something) /ˈkɔzəl/

• Environmentalists attribute a great deal of causal power to the destructive chemicals released by greenhouse gases.

caustic adj. 刻薄的 (very harsh and critical) /ˈkôstik/

• Jane shuddered as her teacher heaped caustic criticism on her essay.

caution n. 小心谨慎 (care taken to avoid danger or risk; a careful attitude or way of behaving) /ˈkɔʃ(ə)n/

• Parents typically advocate for caution when their children are meeting strangers.

causative adj. 因果的 (making something happen or exist; causing something) /ˈkɔzədɪv/

• The causative agent in the nuclear meltdown at Russia's Chernobyl plant was a faulty reactor combined with human error.

slight / blight / plight / delight

slight adj. 轻微的，少量的 (very small in degree or amount) / slīt/

• Polly's full body cast made all but the slightest movements impossible.

blight v. 破坏 (to impair the quality or effect of) / blīt/

• In the mid 19th century, Ireland experienced a blight on the potato crops that was so severe, many people emigrated to escape starvation.

plight v. 保证，约定 (to put or give a pledge) / plaɪt/

• At the wedding ceremony, the girl plighted to obey and honor her husband.

delight v. 使高兴 (to make (someone) very happy; to give (someone) great pleasure or satisfaction) / dəˈlīt/

• The child was delighted when the waiters sang happy birthday and presented him with an ice cream sundae and a balloon.