Lesson 33: VERS / VERT

Practice 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the word that best completes each sentence.

1. The company decided to __________ attention from the scandal by announcing a new product.

a) invert
b) revert
c) divert
d) subvert

2. After years of practicing law, she decided to __________ to teaching.

a) revert
b) convert
c) avert
d) subvert

3. The rescue team worked to __________ a tragedy before it was too late.

a) invert
b) avert
c) convert
d) divert

4. Critics accused the group of trying to __________ democratic institutions.

a) advertise
b) convert
c) subvert
d) avert

5. Her __________ skills made her valuable in any department.

a) adverse
b) controversial
c) introversive
d) versatile

6. The __________ of the evidence changed the entire theory.

a) inversion
b) reversion
c) diversion
d) anniversary

7. The new policy proved __________, creating more problems than it solved.

a) versatile
b) adverse
c) controversial
d) convertible

8. The couple celebrated their tenth wedding __________ in Paris.

a) vertigo
b) anniversary
c) conversion
d) controversy

9. Looking down from the tall building gave her __________.

a) controversy
b) aversion
c) vertigo
d) conversion

10. The decision to close the school sparked __________ throughout the district.

a) conversion
b) anniversary
c) controversy
d) vertigo

11. As an __________, Marcus preferred small gatherings to large parties.

a) extrovert
b) introvert
c) controversy
d) advertiser

12. The company spent millions to __________ its new phone.

a) avert
b) subvert
c) invert
d) advertise

Practice 2: Fill in the Blank

Use each word from the word bank exactly once.

Word Bank: reverse, convert, divert, invert, revert, avert, subvert, introvert, extrovert, controversy, versatile, adverse

1. Quick thinking helped __________ a potential disaster.

2. She's an __________ who gains energy from being around people.

3. The spy's mission was to __________ the enemy's operations from within.

4. The decision sparked immediate __________ among community members.

5. Please __________ the car out of the driveway.

6. Without intervention, he'll __________ to his old, unhealthy habits.

7. To solve the equation, you need to __________ the fraction.

8. Construction crews will __________ traffic to an alternate route.

9. Her __________ nature made her prefer reading alone.

10. The tool is incredibly __________—it works for a dozen different jobs.

11. The medicine had __________ effects that required hospitalization.

12. They plan to __________ the garage into a home office.

Practice 3: Reading Passage

Jenna had always been an introvert. While her extrovert sister thrived at parties, Jenna preferred quiet evenings with books. But when she started her advertising career, she knew she'd have to adapt.

"You need to be versatile," her mentor said. "In this industry, you can't just avert from situations that make you uncomfortable. You have to convert your challenges into strengths."

At first, the industry felt adverse—too fast, too loud, too competitive. When a controversial campaign sparked online controversy, Jenna felt the vertigo of sudden public attention. Her instinct was to revert to silence, to divert attention elsewhere.

Instead, she did something unexpected. She spoke up—not to subvert her critics, but to address their concerns honestly. Her genuine response helped advertise the company in the best possible way: as one that listens.

On the anniversary of her first year, Jenna's boss praised her growth. "You didn't try to invert who you are," he said. "You found a way to turn your introversion into thoughtfulness—and that's exactly what we needed."

Jenna smiled. She had learned that turning wasn't about becoming someone else. It was about finding which way to face.

Questions

1. Jenna is described as an "introvert." This means:

a) She gains energy from social situations
b) She is turned inward; quiet and reflective
c) She loves controversy
d) She experiences vertigo

2. Her mentor said Jenna couldn't "avert from uncomfortable situations." This means:

a) She needed to turn toward challenges instead of away
b) She should advertise more
c) She should convert to a new career
d) She should subvert her bosses

3. The campaign "sparked controversy." This means:

a) It was boring
b) It caused disagreement and public dispute
c) It was inverted
d) It caused vertigo

4. Jenna didn't try to "subvert" her critics. This means:

a) She tried to undermine them secretly
b) She didn't try to attack them from within
c) She reverted to old habits
d) She diverted attention

5. On her work "anniversary," what was Jenna praised for?

a) Being an extrovert
b) Subverting the company
c) Converting her challenges into strengths
d) Advertising products