Extensive Reading-Book C Unit 36 (E)

achieve

to reach, gain
She didn't realize that she would be able to achieve everything that she had.

aptly

suitable or right for a particular situation
We had saved over two years for our vacation, and we stayed at a resort aptly named "Pamper Yourself."

arise

to occur
A revolt will arise if the government does not find ways to feed its people.

bit

a small amount of something
There was a bit of crumb on the pastor's tie.

carve

to make or create for oneself
He was very diligent and was able to carve out a career in real estate.

cornerstone

the chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed
The cornerstone of the Christian religion is that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for people's sins.

disappear

to go out of sight
The father often disappears for several hours a day; he needs to be alone.

ecosystem

all the living things in an area and the way they affect each other and the environment
The major oil spill will have a great impact on the surrounding ecosystems.

equilibrium

one's sense of balance
The senior citizen lost her equilibrium and fell down the stairs.

evolution

the development of living things
The evolution of the computer happened very rapidly.

evolve

change over time
A small argument evolved into a big war between the two families.

halt

an end
The parade came to a halt when it started raining hard.

meteorologist

someone who studies the processes that cause particular weather conditions
The meteorologist forecasted five days of severe thunderstorms.

murky

unclear and dark
Due to the oil spill, the river had turned very murky.

pattern

an example or model to be followed
All scientific research must follow certain patterns.

perpetual

continuing forever
During the time of Hitler, the Jews lived in perpetual fear of being captured.

posit

to suggest something as a basic fact or principle from which a further idea is formed or developed
If we posit that increasing homework will increase students' grades, it follows that students should spend more time studying than playing.

practically

nearly, almost
When her husband ran off with their savings, she had practically lost all the money that she had saved.

shift

to change from one position to another
The truck driver shifted his gears.

wield

to use, exercise
He wields great power as the principal of the school.