Mastering the Art of Writing Concisely

Introduction:

Clear and concise writing is a valuable skill that allows ideas to be communicated effectively. By eliminating redundant pairs, unnecessary qualifiers, excessive prepositional phrases, and unnecessary modifiers, writers can streamline their prose, making it more precise and impactful. Additionally, replacing phrases with single words and transforming negatives into affirmatives further enhances the conciseness of the writing. In this article, we will delve into each of these techniques, providing practical tips on how to wield them to improve your writing and engage your readers.

Eliminating Redundancy

1. One key aspect of concise writing is to eliminate redundant pairs, which are word combinations that express the same idea twice. Examples of such pairs include “each and every,” “first and foremost,” and “null and void.” These combinations not only occupy unnecessary space but also weaken the impact of the message.

To rectify this, carefully examine your writing and remove redundant words. Instead of saying “each and every day,” simply use “every day.” Replace “first and foremost” with “firstly” or “foremost.” By eliminating these redundant pairs, your writing becomes tighter and more efficient.

Reducing Prepositional Phrases

2. Prepositional phrases can sometimes lead to wordy and convoluted sentences. To enhance conciseness, it’s crucial to reduce the use of excessive prepositional phrases. Start by identifying prepositional phrases that can be replaced with single words or concise alternatives.

For instance, instead of saying “in order to,” use “to.” Replace “with the exception of” with “except for,” or “in the event that” with “if.” These substitutions simplify your sentences without sacrificing meaning. By minimizing the use of prepositional phrases, your writing becomes more direct and impactful, capturing the reader’s attention.

Eliminating Unnecessary Modifiers

3. Unnecessary modifiers often clutter sentences and weaken their impact. It is essential to assess each modifier and determine whether it adds value or redundancy to the sentence. Trim down excessive adjectives and adverbs to create more concise and powerful prose.

For example, consider the sentence, “The extremely large, towering skyscraper dominated the city skyline.” By eliminating the unnecessary modifiers, we can revise it to read, “The towering skyscraper dominated the city skyline.” This revised version conveys the same message with greater precision and brevity.

Replacing Phrases with Words

4. Another way to enhance conciseness is by replacing phrases with single words whenever possible. Look for opportunities to condense your writing without sacrificing clarity. For instance, instead of saying “at this point in time,” simply use “now.” Rather than stating “due to the fact that,” opt for “because.” These substitutions maintain the meaning while reducing unnecessary wordiness.

By replacing phrases with words, you create a more streamlined and efficient piece of writing, allowing readers to grasp your message quickly and effortlessly.

Transforming Negatives into Affirmatives

5. Identifying negatives in your writing and transforming them into affirmatives can significantly improve conciseness and clarity. Negative constructions often require more words to express a particular idea. By rephrasing them positively, you can convey the same meaning in a more concise manner.

For instance, instead of saying “not honest,” use “dishonest.” Rather than “not successful,” employ “unsuccessful.” By replacing negatives with affirmatives, your writing becomes more direct and assertive, enhancing its impact on the reader.

The Power of Active Voice

In the realm of concise essay writing, the use of active voice plays a pivotal role. Active voice not only adds vigor and clarity to your prose but also helps eliminate wordiness and excessive phrasing. By understanding the benefits of active voice and actively employing it in your writing, you can create more concise and impactful essays. In this article, we will explore the concept of active voice and its significance in streamlining your essays, providing practical tips to help you wield this powerful tool effectively.

Understanding Passive Voice: Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence is acted upon rather than performing the action itself. It often results in wordy and less engaging sentences, as the focus is shifted away from the doer of the action. In essays, the use of passive voice can lead to verbosity and weakened arguments.

Identifying passive voice is relatively straightforward. Look for forms of the verb “to be” (e.g., is, are, was, were) combined with a past participle. For example, “The paper was written by the student” is in passive voice, while “The student wrote the paper” is in active voice.

2. The Power of Active Voice: Active voice, on the other hand, places the subject as the doer of the action, resulting in more direct and concise sentences. It adds clarity, dynamism, and authority to your writing, engaging your readers and conveying your ideas more effectively.

Active voice allows you to clearly state who or what is performing the action, making your writing more focused and engaging. For example, compare “The decision was made by the committee” (passive voice) to “The committee made the decision” (active voice). The latter is more concise, precise, and impactful.

3. Streamlining with Active Voice: To make your essays more concise, actively strive to use active voice whenever possible. Here are some strategies to implement:

a) Identify passive voice: Review your sentences and identify instances of passive voice. Look for forms of “to be” and restructure the sentence to place the subject as the doer of the action.

b) Focus on the subject: Ensure that the subject of the sentence is clear, prominent, and actively engaged in the action. This helps streamline your writing by eliminating unnecessary words and shifting the focus to the main actor.

c) Keep sentences straightforward: Active voice naturally lends itself to shorter, more direct sentences. Aim for brevity by simplifying sentence structures and removing unnecessary clauses.

d) Use active verbs: Employ strong, active verbs that convey the action with precision and impact. This not only enhances conciseness but also adds strength and vitality to your writing.

4. Exceptions to Consider: While active voice is generally preferred in concise essay writing, there may be instances where passive voice is appropriate or necessary. For example, when the emphasis is on the object or when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant. It’s important to use passive voice judiciously and strategically, keeping in mind the overall purpose and clarity of your essay.

Conclusion: In the quest for concise essay writing, actively utilizing the power of active voice is paramount. By understanding the drawbacks of passive voice and embracing the strengths of active voice, you can streamline your essays, making them more direct, engaging, and impactful. Remember to identify passive voice, focus on the subject, keep sentences straightforward, and use active verbs to achieve conciseness. While there may be exceptions where passive voice is warranted, leveraging active voice as your primary tool will help you create essays that captivate readers with their clarity, brevity, and persuasive force.

How to strengthen weak adjectives with examples:

One effective way to enhance the impact of your writing is by strengthening weak adjectives. Weak adjectives often fail to provide a sufficient description, resulting in lackluster and vague writing. By replacing them with more precise and powerful alternatives, you can create a more vivid and engaging narrative. Let’s explore some examples to illustrate this concept:

1. Weak adjective: “Nice” Example: The food at the restaurant was nice.

Strengthened adjective: “Delectable” Revised sentence: The food at the restaurant was delectable.

By substituting the weak adjective “nice” with the stronger and more specific term “delectable,” the revised sentence conveys a more vivid image of the food, evoking a stronger sensory experience for the reader.

2. Weak adjective: “Good” Example: She had a good day at work.

Strengthened adjective: “Productive” Revised sentence: She had a productive day at work.

In this instance, replacing the weak adjective “good” with the more precise adjective “productive” provides the reader with a clearer understanding of the nature of her day, highlighting her accomplishments and emphasizing the value of her work.

3. Weak adjective: “Big” Example: The building was big.

Strengthened adjective: “Towering” Revised sentence: The building was towering.

By replacing the weak adjective “big” with the stronger and more evocative term “towering,” the revised sentence creates a more vivid and imposing image of the building, conveying a sense of grandeur and magnificence.

4. Weak adjective: “Pretty” Example: The flowers in the garden were pretty.

Strengthened adjective: “Exquisite” Revised sentence: The flowers in the garden were exquisite.

Here, replacing the weak adjective “pretty” with the more elegant and descriptive adjective “exquisite” elevates the imagery, allowing the reader to envision the exceptional beauty and delicate nature of the flowers.

By strengthening weak adjectives with more precise and powerful alternatives, you can bring your writing to life, providing readers with a richer and more engaging experience. Remember to choose adjectives that accurately capture the essence of the subject, using words that evoke specific emotions or images. This attention to detail will enhance the impact of your writing and captivate your audience.

Improving your writing by removing vague nouns:

1. Vague noun: “Thing” Example: She handed me the thing.

Improved noun: “Passport” Revised sentence: She handed me the passport.

In this example, replacing the vague noun “thing” with the specific noun “passport” provides a clearer understanding of the object being referred to. The reader can now visualize the specific item being handed over.

2. Vague noun: “Stuff” Example: I packed my stuff for the trip.

Improved noun: “Clothes” or “Toiletries” Revised sentence: I packed my clothes/toiletries for the trip.

By replacing the vague noun “stuff” with more specific nouns like “clothes” or “toiletries,” the revised sentence provides a clearer idea of what items are being packed. The reader can now visualize the specific things being prepared for the trip.

3. Vague noun: “Place” Example: We went to a nice place for dinner.

Improved noun: “Restaurant” or “Café” Revised sentence: We went to a nice restaurant/café for dinner.

In this example, replacing the vague noun “place” with more specific nouns like “restaurant” or “café” adds clarity and precision to the sentence. The reader can now imagine the ambiance and setting of the dining establishment.

4. Vague noun: “Device” Example: He used the device to fix the problem.

Improved noun: “Multimeter” or “Screwdriver” Revised sentence: He used the multimeter/screwdriver to fix the problem.

By replacing the vague noun “device” with more specific nouns like “multimeter” or “screwdriver,” the revised sentence provides the reader with a clearer understanding of the tools being utilized. This specificity enhances the reader’s ability to visualize the action taking place.

By removing vague nouns and replacing them with more specific alternatives, your writing becomes clearer, more precise, and more engaging. It allows readers to form a clearer mental picture of the objects and concepts you’re referring to, improving their comprehension and overall reading experience.

Avoiding Repetition in Writing: Variety, Precision, and Clarity

Repetition in writing can hinder the flow and impact of your message. To maintain reader engagement and clarity, it is crucial to minimize unnecessary repetition. Here are some techniques to diversify your writing and eliminate repetition, ensuring your ideas are conveyed effectively:

1. Utilize Synonyms and Pronouns: Instead of using the same words repeatedly, employ synonyms to introduce variety and precision. For example, if you frequently use the word “avoid,” interchange it with “evade,” “sidestep,” or “circumvent.” Additionally, make use of pronouns like “it,” “this,” and “that” to refer back to previously mentioned subjects or concepts, reducing repetition and maintaining coherence.
2. Restructure Sentences: Repetition often occurs when the same information is presented in consecutive sentences or paragraphs. To avoid redundancy, rephrase sentences and vary sentence structures. Combine related ideas, use transitional phrases, and reposition key terms within the sentence. This approach not only breaks the monotony but also enhances the overall flow of your writing.

Example of Repetition: “The cat was black. The cat had green eyes. The cat roamed the neighborhood.”

Revised Example: “The black cat with piercing green eyes roamed the neighborhood.”

3. Employ Descriptive Language: When describing a particular noun or subject, employ descriptive language to provide more details. Instead of repeatedly using generic terms like “this,” “that,” or “those,” incorporate vivid adjectives or specific details that paint a clearer picture for the reader. This approach not only eliminates repetition but also enhances the reader’s understanding and engagement.

Example of Repetition: “This book is interesting. That book is interesting too.”

Revised Example: “The thought-provoking novel captured my attention. Similarly, the gripping thriller engrossed me.”

By incorporating synonyms, utilizing pronouns, restructuring sentences, and employing descriptive language, you can effectively avoid repetition in your writing. Remember to maintain precision, coherence, and clarity throughout your work, ensuring a more engaging and impactful reading experience for your audience.

Conclusion:

In the quest for concise essay writing, actively utilizing the power of active voice is paramount. By understanding the drawbacks of passive voice and embracing the strengths of active voice, you can streamline your essays, making them more direct, engaging, and impactful. Remember to identify passive voice, focus on the subject, keep sentences straightforward, and use active verbs to achieve conciseness. While there may be exceptions where passive voice is warranted, leveraging active voice as your primary tool will help you create essays that captivate readers with their clarity, brevity, and persuasive force.

Reference:

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT II (siu.edu)

Related Article: Crafting Powerful Thesis Statements for ESL Writers

Exercise:

Each exercise presents a sentence that is not concise. Your task is to rewrite the sentence to make it more concise while retaining its original meaning. Aim to eliminate wordiness, redundancy, and unnecessary phrases.

1. The professor conducted a thorough analysis of the data in order to determine the causes of the phenomenon.
2. There are a large number of students who are interested in participating in the workshop on academic writing skills.
3. It is the opinion of many experts in the field that the new theory holds promise for explaining complex phenomena.
4. In spite of the fact that the study contained several limitations, the researcher was able to draw meaningful conclusions.
5. The literature review chapter of the dissertation contains a comprehensive overview of the existing scholarly research on the topic.
6. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential effects of social media usage on mental health outcomes.
7. There is a need for further research in order to fully understand the impact of climate change on biodiversity.
8. The seminar on effective communication skills will be held in the lecture hall located in the humanities building.
9. The introduction chapter provides a brief overview of the background information related to the research topic.
10. The results of the experiment were found to be consistent with previous studies conducted in this field.
11. In order to gain a better understanding of the topic, it is necessary to review the relevant literature.
12. The professor delivered a lecture on the topic of environmental sustainability to a group of undergraduate students.
13. The implications of the findings are significant in terms of their potential applications in real-world contexts.
14. The research team utilized a quantitative research methodology to collect and analyze the data.
15. The student submitted an application for the scholarship that was available to undergraduate students in their third year of study.
16. The article provides a comprehensive examination of the historical events leading up to the French Revolution.
17. The participants in the study were asked to complete a questionnaire that consisted of multiple-choice questions.
18. The professor provided guidance and assistance to the students during the process of conducting their research projects.
19. The committee members engaged in a discussion to deliberate and make decisions regarding the proposed policy changes.
20. The researcher utilized a stratified random sampling technique to ensure representation from different demographic groups.
21. The findings of the study suggest a positive correlation between physical exercise and cognitive performance.
22. The course syllabus contains detailed information about the course requirements, readings, and assessment methods.
23. The conference will be held on the university campus and will feature presentations by renowned scholars in the field.
24. The hypothesis was formulated based on a thorough review of the existing literature on the topic.
25. The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups.
26. The participants in the study were asked to provide written consent prior to their involvement in the research.
27. The professor’s teaching style was characterized by a combination of interactive lectures and group discussions.
28. The study’s limitations include a small sample size and potential biases in self-reported data.
29. The research findings have implications for policymakers seeking to address the issue of income inequality.
30. The study’s results provide support for the hypothesis that music therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Take your time to rewrite each sentence, focusing on clarity, precision, and brevity. These exercises will help you develop the skill of writing concisely, which is highly valued at the university level.

Answers:

1. The professor analyzed the data to determine the causes of the phenomenon.
2. Many students are interested in the workshop on academic writing skills.
3. Many experts believe the new theory shows promise for explaining complex phenomena.
4. Despite limitations, the researcher drew meaningful conclusions from the study.
5. The dissertation’s literature review chapter provides a comprehensive overview of existing research.
6. This study investigates the potential effects of social media on mental health.
7. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of climate change on biodiversity.
8. The seminar on effective communication skills will be held in the humanities building lecture hall.
9. The introduction chapter gives a brief overview of the research topic’s background information.
10. The experiment’s results are consistent with previous studies in this field.
11. To better understand the topic, reviewing relevant literature is necessary.
12. The professor lectured on environmental sustainability to undergraduate students.
13. The findings have significant implications for real-world applications.
14. The research team used quantitative methodology to collect and analyze data.
15. The student applied for the undergraduate scholarship available in their third year.
16. The article examines the historical events leading up to the French Revolution.
17. Participants completed a multiple-choice questionnaire in the study.
18. The professor guided and assisted students with their research projects.
19. The committee discussed and made decisions regarding proposed policy changes.
20. The researcher used stratified random sampling for demographic representation.
21. The study suggests a positive correlation between exercise and cognitive performance.
22. The syllabus contains detailed information on requirements, readings, and assessments.
23. The conference on campus features presentations by renowned scholars.
24. The hypothesis was based on a thorough review of existing literature.
25. The analysis found a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups.
26. Participants provided written consent before participating in the study.
27. The professor’s teaching style combined interactive lectures and group discussions.
28. Limitations include small sample size and potential biases in self-reported data.
29. The research findings have implications for addressing income inequality.
30. The study’s results support the hypothesis that music therapy reduces anxiety and depression symptoms.

These revised sentences maintain clarity while reducing wordiness and repetition. Remember, concise writing ensures that your message is communicated effectively and efficiently

Exercise

Instructions: Each item presents a sentence with a redundant word. Your task is to identify the redundant word and provide a lean alternative that conveys the same meaning in a more concise manner.

1. Redundant: “Completely” Lean: “Fully”
2. Redundant: “Absolutely” Lean: “Certainly”
3. Redundant: “End result” Lean: “Result”
4. Redundant: “Final outcome” Lean: “Outcome”
5. Redundant: “Basic fundamentals” Lean: “Fundamentals”
6. Redundant: “Past history” Lean: “History”
7. Redundant: “Collaborate together” Lean: “Collaborate”
8. Redundant: “Join together” Lean: “Join”
9. Redundant: “Free gift” Lean: “Gift”
10. Redundant: “Close proximity” Lean: “Proximity”
11. Redundant: “New innovation” Lean: “Innovation”
12. Redundant: “First priority” Lean: “Priority”
13. Redundant: “Advance planning” Lean: “Planning”
14. Redundant: “Past experience” Lean: “Experience”
15. Redundant: “Foreign imports” Lean: “Imports”
16. Redundant: “True facts” Lean: “Facts”
17. Redundant: “Joint collaboration” Lean: “Collaboration”
18. Redundant: “Large in size” Lean: “Large”
19. Redundant: “Personal opinion” Lean: “Opinion”
20. Redundant: “Basic essentials” Lean: “Essentials”
21. Redundant: “True fact” Lean: “Fact”
22. Redundant: “Added bonus” Lean: “Bonus”
23. Redundant: “Final conclusion” Lean: “Conclusion”
24. Redundant: “Regular routine” Lean: “Routine”
25. Redundant: “Safe haven” Lean: “Haven”
26. Redundant: “Free gift” Lean: “Gift”
27. Redundant: “Future plans” Lean: “Plans”
28. Redundant: “Exact same” Lean: “Same”
29. Redundant: “Actual fact” Lean: “Fact”
30. Redundant: “First discovered” Lean: “Discovered”
31. Redundant: “New innovation” Lean: “Innovation”
32. Redundant: “Mutual cooperation” Lean: “Cooperation”
33. Redundant: “Final outcome” Lean: “Outcome”
34. Redundant: “Past history” Lean: “History”
35. Redundant: “Basic essentials” Lean: “Essentials”
36. Redundant: “Major breakthrough” Lean: “Breakthrough”
37. Redundant: “Added value” Lean: “Value”
38. Redundant: “Foreign imports” Lean: “Imports”
39. Redundant: “Personal opinion” Lean: “Opinion”
40. Redundant: “Initial beginning” Lean: “Beginning”
41. Redundant: “General consensus” Lean: “Consensus”
42. Redundant: “Future prospects” Lean: “Prospects”
43. Redundant: “Basic fundamentals” Lean: “Fundamentals”
44. Redundant: “Common practice” Lean: “Practice”
45. Redundant: “Complete overhaul” Lean: “Overhaul”
46. Redundant: “Regularly scheduled” Lean: “Scheduled”
47. Redundant: “Actual experience” Lean: “Experience”
48. Redundant: “Safe sanctuary” Lean: “Sanctuary”
49. Redundant: “New innovation” Lean: “Innovation”
50. Redundant: “Final outcome” Lean: “Outcome”

Remember concise writing involves eliminating unnecessary words while maintaining clarity and precision. These exercises will help you practice identifying and removing redundant words to improve the effectiveness of your writing.

Synonyms Exercise:

Synonyms, words that share similar meanings, are valuable tools for achieving concise writing. By leveraging synonyms effectively, writers can enhance the precision and clarity of their work while eliminating repetitive or redundant language. Synonyms enable us to convey nuanced shades of meaning, choose the most fitting word for a particular context, and maintain a reader’s interest. In this article, we will explore how synonyms can be used to create concise writing, examining the benefits of precision, avoiding redundancy, and capturing the essence of ideas with minimal words.

synonym for the given word. These questions are designed to test your knowledge of university-level vocabulary and synonyms. Choose the option that best matches the meaning of the word.

Instructions: Select the correct synonym for the given word from the options provided.

1. Verbose: a) Concise b) Garrulous c) Pithy d) Taciturn
2. Incessant: a) Irregular b) Continuous c) Intermittent d) Cyclic
3. Efficacious: a) Ineffective b) Potent c) Fruitful d) Feeble
4. Esoteric: a) Obscure b) Common c) Transparent d) Familiar
5. Ubiquitous: a) Scarce b) Pervasive c) Rare d) Limited
6. Venerate: a) Despise b) Reverence c) Admire d) Scorn
7. Pristine: a) Contaminated b) Immaculate c) Soiled d) Sullied
8. Capricious: a) Fickle b) Steadfast c) Consistent d) Reliable
9. Assuage: a) Aggravate b) Alleviate c) Worsen d) Intensify
10. Magnanimous: a) Petty b) Generous c) Selfish d) Mean
11. Repudiate: a) Accept b) Embrace c) Reject d) Concur
12. Fortuitous: a) Deliberate b) Accidental c) Predestined d) Intentional
13. Prolific: a) Unproductive b) Fruitful c) Barren d) Infertile
14. Disseminate: a) Conceal b) Transmit c) Suppress d) Abandon
15. Eschew: a) Embrace b) Avoid c) Seek d) Engage
16. Pragmatic: a) Idealistic b) Practical c) Theoretical d) Impractical
17. Enigmatic: a) Clear b) Cryptic c) Transparent d) Obvious
18. Obfuscate: a) Clarify b) Confuse c) Elucidate d) Illuminate
19. Gregarious: a) Introverted b) Sociable c) Aloof d) Reserved
20. Incongruous: a) Compatible b) Consistent c) Harmonious d) Discrepant
21. Assimilate: a) Disintegrate b) Absorb c) Scatter d) Disperse
22. Laconic: a) Garrulous b) Succinct c) Talkative d) Verbose
23. Meticulous: a) Careless b) Thorough c) Negligent d) Hasty
24. Prodigy: a) Genius b) Idiot c) Mediocre d) Incompetent
25. Quell: a) Suppress b) Incite c) Stimulate d) Instigate
26. Tenacious: a) Weak b) Persistent c) Fragile d) Feeble
27. Ubiquitous: a) Scarce b) Pervasive c) Rare d) Limited
28. Vehement: a) Mild b) Passionate c) Indifferent d) Apathetic
29. Zeal: a) Apathy b) Enthusiasm c) Indifference d) Complacency
30. Erudite: a) Ignorant b) Knowledgeable c) Naive d) Uninformed
31. Augment: a) Decrease b) Expand c) Diminish d) Shrink
32. Concur: a) Disagree b) Agree c) Debate d) Compromise
33. Ineffable: a) Unspeakable b) Articulate c) Expressive d) Vocal
34. Inquisitive: a) Curious b) Indifferent c) Apathetic d) Nonchalant
35. Nebulous: a) Clear b) Ambiguous c) Definite d) Explicit
36. Acumen: a) Ignorance b) Insight c) Stupidity d) Dullness
37. Reproach: a) Praise b) Blame c) Compliment d) Admiration
38. Malleable: a) Rigid b) Flexible c) Unyielding d) Inflexible
39. Prudent: a) Reckless b) Cautious c) Impulsive d) Rash
40. Vex: a) Annoy b) Please c) Soothe d) Delight
41. Peruse: a) Skim b) Examine c) Ignore d) Neglect
42. Elucidate: a) Confuse b) Clarify c) Obscure d) Befuddle
43. Substantiate: a) Refute b) Support c) Deny d) Contradict
44. Alacrity: a) Sluggishness b) Eagerness c) Hesitation d) Reluctance
45. Deride: a) Mock b) Praise c) Honor d) Applaud
46. Exacerbate: a) Improve b) Aggravate c) Alleviate d) Ameliorate
47. Inundate: a) Flood b) Drain c) Drench d) Dehydrate
48. Nebulous: a) Clear b) Ambiguous c) Definite d) Explicit
49. Persevere: a) Quit b) Endure c) Abandon d) Surrender
50. Supplant: a) Remove b) Replace c) Maintain d) Reinforce

Remember to select the option that best matches the meaning of the word. Good luck with the quiz!

1. b) Garrulous
2. b) Continuous
3. b) Potent
4. a) Obscure
5. b) Pervasive
6. b) Reverence
7. b) Immaculate
8. a) Fickle
9. b) Alleviate
10. b) Generous
11. c) Reject
12. b) Accidental
13. b) Fruitful
14. b) Transmit
15. b) Avoid
16. b) Practical
17. b) Cryptic
18. b) Confuse
19. a) Introverted
20. d) Discrepant
21. b) Absorb
22. b) Succinct
23. b) Thorough
24. a) Genius
25. a) Suppress
26. b) Persistent
27. b) Pervasive
28. b) Passionate
29. b) Enthusiasm
30. b) Knowledgeable
31. b) Expand
32. b) Agree
33. a) Unspeakable
34. a) Curious
35. b) Ambiguous
36. b) Insight
37. b) Blame
38. b) Flexible
39. b) Cautious
40. a) Annoy
41. b) Examine
42. b) Clarify
43. b) Support
44. b) Eagerness
45. a) Mock
46. b) Aggravate
47. a) Flood
48. b) Ambiguous
49. b) Endure
50. b) Replace

Well done! Calculate your score and see how many correct answers you got.