assume
同义：suppose , presume , believe , think , adopt
反义：conclude
练习：He will____ the directorship of the project.
A. assume B. resume C. consume D. persume
派生：assumed adj. 假装的；假定的
an ~ cheerfulness 伪装的高兴
assuming adj. 自负的，傲慢的，过分自信的
He is too ~ in his attitude about the energy supply.他对待能源问题的态度实在显得过于自信。

assumption n. 假定，臆断；自负，傲慢；假装
You’re making an ~ which might not be true. 你所做的假定或许不正确。
talk with an ~ of ease 装出从容的样子说话
练习答案：
选A
译文：他将担任那个项目的负责人。
assume认为，承担，此处意为承担（任务），担任（职务）；
resume重新开始；consume消费；persume认定，推定，（指没有根据地）推测。

assure
同义：guarantee , convince , ensure , insure
反义：alarm
词组：~ oneself 弄清楚，查明：I ~d myself that the bridge was safe before crossing it. 我弄清楚那座桥确实安全才过。
assure ab. of sth. /that …向某人保证，担保
派生：assured adj. 确定的，有保证的；自信的，自满的：an ~ income有保证的收入

assurance n. 保证；把握，信心
练习：
We gave him our ____ that we would support him.
A. confidence B. guarantee C. insurance D. assurance
练习答案：
选D
译文：我们保证会支持他。assurance在此处为“保证”之意；confidence信心；guar antee指保证得到某结果或表示保证书；insurance保险，投保，在此意义上可与assur ance换用。

astonish
同义：surprise , amaze , shock
反义：ease , relieve
派生：astonishing adj. 令人惊讶的，惊人的
It’s ~ that so many people should be absent.竟有这么多的人缺席，这使人惊讶。
astonishment n. 惊讶，令人惊讶的事物
To my ~, the door opened of itself. 使我吃惊的是，门自动开了。