English Quiz (Part 112)

'archaic' Meaning

• (in perpetuity)forever

• (a part of) the profit of a company that is paid to the people who own shares in it; a part of the profits of a life insurance company that is paid to people who have insurance with the company

• of or belonging to an ancient period in history; extremely old-fashioned; of or belonging to the past; from an ancient period in history

Answer explanation

Example:

1. an archaic system of government

2. an archaic law/rule/language

3. Planned in the 1990s, the system was archaic by the time it was implemented.

4. He has archaic ideas about women.

5. Some people like to show off by using archaic words.

'dividend' Meaning

• (a part of) the profit of a company that is paid to the people who own shares in it; a part of the profits of a life insurance company that is paid to people who have insurance with the company

• of or belonging to an ancient period in history; extremely old-fashioned; of or belonging to the past; from an ancient period in history

• to hit someone or something with the hand or with a heavy object; power and influence over other people or events

Answer explanation

Example:

1. Dividends will be sent to shareholders.

2. share/stock dividend You may have investment income that is paid yearly, such as share dividends.

3. an annual/a quarterly dividend

4. a gross/net dividend

5. announce/declare/propose a dividend In connection with this sale, the Board proposed a special dividend of 25.0 pence per share.

6. pay/produce/yield a dividend Shares paying high dividends are known as 'income stocks'.

7. receive/expect a dividend We anticipate receiving a substantial dividend on our holding.

8. omit/pass/suspend a dividend The company announced that it would be suspending its quarterly dividend in order to reduce debt.

9. This is an official document showing the amount of dividend that has been earned both before and after official deductions have been made (for example for tax).

'basis' Meaning

• a small decorative object, or a piece of jewellery that is cheap or of low quality; a small, decorative object or item of jewelry of little value

• The most important facts, ideas, etc., from which something is developed; a way or method of doing something; the most important facts or principles or ideas that support something; a fact or situation that makes it possible for something to exist, happen, or develop in a particular way; the reason why someone does something or why something happens

• an American or Canadian coin that has the value of ten cents; used in expressions to refer to a very small amount of money;  (be a dime a dozen)to be very common or of very little value

Answer explanation

Example:

1. This document will form the basis for our discussion.

2. Their proposals have no proven scientific basis.

3. Decisions were often made on the basis of (= using) incorrect information.

4. Most of our staff work for us on a voluntary basis (= they work without being paid).

5. There is no basis for their statements.

6. Mostly people work on a part-time basis.

7. basis for sth Should the TV licence fee continue to be the basis for the BBC's funding?

8. Ministers claimed the figures were bogus and had no basis in reality.

9. be/form/provide the basis for sth Sustainable development should form the basis for a corporate vision of the future.

10. as a basis for sth It is hoped that the WTO agreements will serve as a basis for strengthening relationships with developing countries.

11. There appears to be no logical basis for these proposals.

12. on the basis of sth Discrimination on the basis of gender, age, race, or sexual orientation is against the law.

13. on the basis that Some bidders were rejected on the basis that they lacked an understanding of the needs of the organization.

'dime' Meaning

• a small, coloured, often round piece of plastic, wood, glass, etc., with a hole through it. It is usually put on a string with a lot of others to make jewellery; a very small amount of liquid

• A small decorative object or a piece of jewellery that is cheap or of low quality; a small, decorative object or item of jewellery of little value

• an American or Canadian coin that has the value of ten cents; used in expressions to refer to a very small amount of money;  (be a dime a dozen)to be very common or of very little value

Answer explanation

Example:

1. All these suggestions will help boost your employees' morale and won't cost a dime.

2. He has always paid his own way and never asked me for a single dime.

3. Good ideas are a dime a dozen. It's putting them into practice that's the difficult part.

'trinket' Meaning

• A small decorative object or a piece of jewellery that is cheap or of low quality; a small, decorative object or item of jewellery of little value

• a small, coloured, often round piece of plastic, wood, glass, etc. with a hole through it. It is usually put on a string with a lot of others to make jewellery; a very small amount of liquid

• a small, coloured, often round piece of plastic, wood, glass, etc. with a hole through it. It is usually put on a string with a lot of others to make jewellery; a very small amount of liquid

Answer explanation

Example:

1. She always returns from vacation with a few souvenirs, mostly just cheap trinkets.

'beads' Meaning

• to stop something or someone from moving; to prevent a company, country, or economy from using money or other assets; to prevent someone or something from being able to move or operate

• a small, coloured, often round piece of plastic, wood, glass, etc., with a hole through it. It is usually put on a string with a lot of others to make jewellery; a very small amount of liquid

• a sudden period of uncontrolled anger like a young child’s; a sudden period of extreme anger

Answer explanation

Example:

1. She wore a necklace of brightly coloured wooden beads.

2. Beads of sweat stood out on his forehead.