Unit 69

invertebrate / inveterate / reverberate

invertebrate adj. 软弱无力的 (having no backbone; spineless) /ɪnˈvəːtɪbrət/

• When faced with danger, Bae ran away and hid like a spineless, invertebrate animal.

inveterate adj. 一贯的 (always or often happening or existing) /inˈvedərət/

• Duck-Huan's inveterate desire to achieve good grades led him to prefer studying to sports.

reverberate v. 回响 (to continue in a series of echoes; to resound) /rɪˈvəːbəreɪt/

• The boy's cries reverberated through the mountains and returned to him as a lonely echo.

modicum / mediocre

modicum n. 少量 (a small amount) /ˈmädəkəm/

• Azumi would not wear such short skirts if she had even a modicum of modesty.

mediocre adj. 平庸的，平凡的 (of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance) /ˌmēdēˈōkər/

• Geet's mediocre violin performance put her at the middle of the pack, winning neither special praise nor special criticism.

contemptuous / compunction

contemptuous adj. 鄙视的 (feeling or showing deep hatred or disapproval ) /kənˈtempCHo͞oəs/

• Jill was quite contemptuous of Gary's poor hygiene and bad manners.

compunction n. 后悔感，犯罪感 (a feeling of guilt or regret) /kəmˈpəŋ(k)ʃ(ə)n/

• Dena regretted cheating so much that her compunction led her to admit her crime to her teacher.

excise / exercise

excise n. 货物税，消费税 (an internal tax levied on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity) / kikˈsīz /

• The government levied an excise of 25% on Hiromi's new handbag because it was a luxury item.

exercise n. 练习，运动 (physical activity that is done in order to become stronger and healthier) / ˈeksərˌsīz /

• Graham loved going to the gym and claimed that exercise made him both stronger and smarter.