B Adjectives and their opposites Look at this abstract from a dissertation on drug abuse. In most cases you can work out the meanings of the opposites (which follow each numbered adjective), based on the definitions.
We cannot discuss drug abuse as an abstract1problem without considering concrete examples of abuse and their social consequences. Abuse is rarely a simple2issue; it usually results from a complex set of circumstances. Both quantitative3and qualitative research is necessary to gain a full picture of the situation. By combining research methods, we may obtain an accurate picture of the causes and results of abuse, in contrast with the inaccurate assessments which often result from purely quantitative studies. A significant4amount of fear and prejudice surrounds the notion of abuse, and the media have a role which is also not insignificant in promoting such fears. The dissertation concludes that rough5estimates of the number of drug addicts need to be made more precise by properly defining addiction.
1 existing as an idea, not as a material object; opposite: existing in a form that can be seen or felt 2 having or made of only one or a few parts 3 based on numbers and statistics; opposite: usually research using non-number-based methods such as interviews, focus groups, etc. 4 important or noticeable 5 fairly correct but not exact or detailed; opposite: exact and accurate
C Other important, frequent adjectives and typical combinations with nouns There was an apparent1 discrepancy between the two sets of results.
We noted a potential2 problem with the experimental design which we had to deal with first.
The principal3 cause of the failure was a sudden temperature change.
The research used a rigorous4 methodology which had been tested on many occasions.
1 seeming to exist or be true 2 possible when the necessary conditions exist 3 first in order of importance careful to look at or consider every part of something to make certain it is correct
