Vocabulary Practice Questions
Tag:Vocabulary
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12 Comments
Temper is not Soft. Temperate*, however, is?
To moderate is to soften. Temperate is showing moderation or self-restraint, which could also mean soften.
Point taken though – perhaps the question could be clearer. thanks!
I thought tempering (heat treating) steel hardens it?
Hi – here are the 2 definitions of temper:
1. improve the hardness and elasticity of (steel or other metal) by reheating and then cooling it.
2. serve as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to (something).
thanks for the info
Question three would benefit from some changes.
The answer given, C, states “to soften” while the justification for this in the answer key is “to moderate or control”. These two answers do not carry the same connotation, nor are they good definitions of “temper”. If we are arguing the Merriam-Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temper) definitions of the word “temper”, they are as follows:
1. a: heat of mind or emotion : proneness to anger
b: calmness of mind : composure
c: state of feeling or frame of mind at a particular time usually dominated by a single strong emotion
d : a characteristic cast of mind or state of feeling
There are 3 other definitions of the word stated, but none that could arguably be “to soften” or “to moderate or control” with the exception of the archaic definition of the word: “a suitable proportion or balance of qualities : a middle state between extremes”.
thank you. Not sure about the Merriam-Webster, the definition is valid where temper is used as a verb:
serve as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to (something).
“their idealism is tempered with realism”
#3 Give the BEST definition of temper. I think you should clarify noun or verb as well as rule out synonyms. to Soften is nothing more than a “down the list” synonym that does not represent the definition of the word given properly. I would be more inclined to choose answer D. None of the above for the BEST answer. The answer should be (to harden) or (to improve hardness) since this definition is used in both the noun and verb form.
To “temper” something is to make it harder; not to “soften” it.
You temper a sword to make it harder. You temper steel to make it harder.
The answer to #3 should have been D – none of the above.
Certainly that is ONE of the definitions, here is another way the verb form can be used
act as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to (something).
“their idealism is tempered with realism”
Temper is subjective to the individual who uses it. Not all use it to soften…just because you feel that most should doesn’t define that the definition would lead to that.
Maybe some less vague answers. Because it doesn’t appear to have my Subjective view on there.
Objectively, to soften or moderate as in, temper your enthusiasm, is a valid definition that you will find in the dictionary and therefore the answer is correct.