Lesson 22: VOC / VOK

Practice 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the word that best completes each sentence.

1. The defense attorney decided to __________ the Fifth Amendment to protect her client from self-incrimination.

a) revoke
b) provoke
c) invoke
d) evoke

2. The university's annual __________ brought together students, faculty, and alumni for the opening ceremony.

a) vocation
b) convocation
c) avocation
d) advocate

3. His __________ criticism of the new policy made it impossible for anyone to ignore his objections.

a) vocal
b) irrevocable
c) equivocal
d) evocative

4. The painting's use of light and shadow __________ the melancholy atmosphere of a dying autumn.

a) provokes
b) revokes
c) invokes
d) evokes

5. After multiple violations, the state decided to __________ his driver's license permanently.

a) invoke
b) provoke
c) revoke
d) evoke

6. Teaching wasn't just a job for Ms. Rodriguez—it was her true __________.

a) avocation
b) vocation
c) convocation
d) advocate

7. When asked directly about tax increases, the candidate continued to __________, refusing to give a clear answer.

a) advocate
b) vociferate
c) equivocate
d) invoke

8. The __________ crowd outside city hall demanded action on climate change.

a) irrevocable
b) vociferous
c) equivocal
d) evocative

9. Once you sign this contract, your decision becomes __________—there's no going back.

a) vocal
b) provocative
c) irrevocable
d) equivocal

10. By day he's an accountant, but his true __________ is restoring vintage motorcycles.

a) vocation
b) convocation
c) invocation
d) avocation

11. She has been a tireless __________ for affordable housing in our community.

a) convocation
b) advocate
c) vocation
d) provocation

12. Don't __________ him unless you're ready for an argument—he has a short temper.

a) evoke
b) invoke
c) provoke
d) revoke

Practice 2: Fill in the Blank

Use each word from the word bank exactly once.

Word Bank: vocal, invoke, provoke, revoke, evoke, advocate, vocation, avocation, equivocate, irrevocable, convocation, vociferous

1. The old song never fails to __________ memories of summer camp.

2. Some decisions are __________—once made, they cannot be undone.

3. She found her __________ in medicine after volunteering at a hospital.

4. Stop trying to __________ me into an argument; I won't take the bait.

5. The __________ opposition to the bill came from small business owners.

6. As an __________ for animal rights, he has testified before Congress.

7. Photography started as an __________ but eventually became her career.

8. The graduating class gathered for the final __________ of the academic year.

9. Politicians often __________ when asked about controversial topics.

10. She's extremely __________ about her opinions on education reform.

11. Ancient poets would __________ the muses before beginning their work.

12. The committee voted to __________ his membership after the scandal.

Practice 3: Reading Passage

Dr. Elena Vasquez was a vociferous advocate for criminal justice reform. At every convocation, on every panel, she made her voice heard. Some critics accused her of being too vocal—of provoking conflict rather than building consensus. But Elena refused to equivocate. "When lives are at stake," she would say, "clarity is not optional."

Her vocation had chosen her early. Growing up in a neighborhood marked by mass incarceration, she witnessed how irrevocable decisions—a guilty verdict, a three-strikes sentence—destroyed families. Those memories evoked a determination that never left her.

Now, as a law professor, her avocation was training the next generation. In her seminars, she taught students to invoke constitutional principles, not merely recite them. She taught them that to advocate meant more than speaking—it meant strategic, relentless action.

When the state proposed to revoke parole eligibility for nonviolent offenders, Dr. Vasquez organized the opposition. "We cannot let fear provoke us into policies that make us less safe," she argued. Her testimony was direct, citing data, naming names, refusing the comfortable equivocation that politics often demands.

The bill failed. It was one victory—not the last, but proof that a single vocal voice, joined with others, could make change irrevocable in the other direction.

Questions

1. What does it mean that Dr. Vasquez was a "vociferous advocate"?

a) She quietly worked behind the scenes
b) She was loud and forceful in supporting her cause
c) She avoided controversy
d) She equivocated on difficult issues

2. The passage says Elena's vocation "chose her." This suggests that:

a) She randomly picked a career
b) She felt called to this work by her experiences
c) She had many avocations
d) She was forced into law by her family

3. What does "irrevocable decisions" mean in the context of criminal justice?

a) Decisions that can be easily changed
b) Decisions that cannot be undone
c) Decisions made by multiple people
d) Decisions that are unfair

4. According to the passage, what does it mean to "invoke" constitutional principles?

a) To ignore them
b) To memorize them
c) To call upon them as authority
d) To revoke them

5. Why did the author describe Dr. Vasquez as refusing to "equivocate"?

a) She was often unclear
b) She spoke with deliberate ambiguity
c) She took clear, direct positions without hedging
d) She avoided confrontation