Lesson 30: CED / CESS

Practice 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the word that best completes each sentence.

1. The introduction should __________ the main content of the book.

a) exceed
b) precede
c) succeed
d) recede

2. Flood warnings were issued as waters began to __________ to dangerous levels.

a) recede
b) succeed
c) exceed
d) concede

3. After losing the primary, the senator __________ the race to her opponent.

a) succeeded
b) proceeded
c) conceded
d) exceeded

4. This scholarship grants __________ to resources that would otherwise be unavailable.

a) recess
b) excess
c) process
d) access

5. The new director hopes to __________ where her __________ failed.

a) precede / successor
b) succeed / predecessor
c) exceed / recess
d) proceed / process

6. The diplomats tried to __________ before war broke out.

a) secede
b) intercede
c) proceed
d) exceed

7. After the __________ of fighting, peace talks began.

a) process
b) access
c) excess
d) cessation

8. The global pandemic created __________ challenges for governments.

a) unprecedented
b) predecessor
c) excessive
d) recessional

9. Opponents feared the region would __________ from the nation entirely.

a) recede
b) exceed
c) secede
d) intercede

10. Please __________ to the main hall for the ceremony.

a) succeed
b) precede
c) recede
d) proceed

11. Too much __________ can be just as harmful as too little.

a) recess
b) access
c) excess
d) process

12. The application __________ takes about six to eight weeks.

a) access
b) recess
c) process
d) cessation

Practice 2: Fill in the Blank

Use each word from the word bank exactly once.

Word Bank: proceed, precede, exceed, succeed, recede, concede, access, process, recess, excess, secede, intercede

1. The court took a short __________ before continuing.

2. I need __________ to the database to complete my research.

3. The waters began to __________ after the storm passed.

4. She worked hard and managed to __________ in her exams.

5. Opening remarks __________ the keynote speaker's address.

6. The region voted to __________ from the federation.

7. Don't __________ the recommended dosage.

8. He refused to __________ the argument even when proved wrong.

9. A friend had to __________ to prevent the fight.

10. The documents are still being __________—please be patient.

11. Please __________ with caution in this area.

12. __________ inventory will be sold at a discount.

Practice 3: Reading Passage

When Dr. Alonso became university president, she knew she was inheriting problems. Her predecessor had exceeded expectations in fundraising but had failed to address access issues. Students with disabilities struggled to navigate the campus, and online learning infrastructure was years behind peer institutions.

"We need to proceed differently," she told her cabinet during the first meeting. "The era of putting facilities before people has ceased. This is an unprecedented opportunity to redefine what access means."

The process was slow. Some board members refused to concede that changes were necessary. They pointed to the excess of donations as proof everything was fine. Others threatened that major donors might secede from their commitments if the university changed direction.

Dr. Alonso chose to intercede personally, meeting with donors one by one. Most came around. A few didn't, and their withdrawal preceded a difficult budget recess. But applications increased—students with disabilities heard that this university wanted them.

Within five years, accessibility rankings had exceeded national averages. Critics who once decried change now praised Dr. Alonso's vision. She had succeeded not by ignoring her predecessor's legacy but by building on it—proving that progress isn't just about moving forward but about making sure everyone can come along.

Questions

1. What did Dr. Alonso's predecessor fail to address?

a) Fundraising
b) Access issues for students with disabilities
c) Too much change
d) Secession threats

2. "Proceed differently" means:

a) Stop all action
b) Move forward in a new way
c) Go backwards
d) Exceed limits

3. Some board members refused to "concede." This means:

a) They wouldn't admit change was needed
b) They proceeded too quickly
c) They gave too much access
d) They exceeded expectations

4. Dr. Alonso chose to "intercede personally." This means:

a) She hid from donors
b) She stepped in directly to help resolve the conflict
c) She let others handle the problem
d) She seceded from discussions

5. The phrase "accessibility rankings exceeded national averages" means:

a) Rankings went down
b) Rankings went beyond the typical level
c) National averages preceded accessibility
d) There was too much excess