comprehension and vocabulary

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I have two questions to ask. One is comprehension the other is vocabulary.

I find shudder, tremble, shake and shiver are extremely confusing because their definitions overlap. So please read the following sentences. Could you please tell me which of the following words can be put in each blank?


A. Comprehension
Could you please kindly explain the sentence?
Simple survival needs like hunger, thirst, and sexual desire are relatively clear-cut, and we quickly learn what particular discomfort is attached to the denial of these basic needs.


B. Vocabulary
No.1
The night in the desert was cold. We were all __________.
'trembling', 'shivering' and 'shuddering' can be put here. Is that right?

No.2
He __________ with anger when he heard that news.
Only 'shook' can be used here. Is that right?

No.3
To tell you the truth, I was so frightened that I was ________ like a leaf.
'trembling', 'shaking' and 'shivering' can be used. Is that right?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[BobK]

A. Comprehension
Could you please kindly explain the sentence?
Simple survival needs like hunger, thirst, and sexual desire are relatively clear-cut, and we quickly learn what particular discomfort is attached to the denial of these basic needs.

You could probably work this out, jiang, but for a tricky noun cluster: 'survival needs' are things necessary for survival. Why not try guessing the rest? I'll help out if necessary.


B. Vocabulary
No.1
The night in the desert was cold. We were all __________.
'trembling', 'shivering' and 'shuddering' can be put here. Is that right? - use 'shivering' here.

No.2
He __________ with anger when he heard that news.
Only 'shook' can be used here. Is that right? (or I suppose you could make it a bit more graphic and say 'He boiled over with anger...' or even 'He was livid when he heard that news'. But 'shook' is the obvious choice.)

No.3
To tell you the truth, I was so frightened that I was ________ like a leaf.
'trembling', 'shaking' and 'shivering' can be used. Is that right?
The first two are more often used to show fear (which is why 'shivering' works best in (1) - because that is about cold rather than fear).

Of course, if a situation was both cold and frightening, you could say something like this:

'I was so cold and frightened when I was locked in the cold-store that I was trembling, shaking and shivering all at the same time.'

b

[jiang]

&
Dear BobK,
Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I understand the vocabulary.
I am afraid I didn't show clearly which part I don't understand. I put the part that I don't understand in quotation marks and in red. Could you please explain the meaning of it?

Simple survival needs like hunger, thirst, and sexual desire are relatively clear-cut, and we quickly learn what particular discomfort is attached to the "denial of these basic needs".

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.
Jiang

Originally Posted by BobK

Of course, if a situation was both cold and frightening, you could say something like this:

'I was so cold and frightened when I was locked in the cold-store that I was trembling, shaking and shivering all at the same time.'

b

[BobK]

Originally Posted by jiang

...
Simple survival needs like hunger, thirst, and sexual desire are relatively clear-cut, and we quickly learn what particular discomfort is attached to the "denial of these basic needs".

...

The verb deny, apart from its more common meaning ('say that ... not') can also mean 'withdraw/deprive of'; and attached to means linked to or associated with. What that clause is saying is: 'We quickly learn the particular [sort of] discomfort that withdrawing basic things like food and drink can cause.'

b
ps - I'm not being prudish by not mentioning sex in my example; I just don't agree that the withdrawal of 'sexual desire' (or indeed plain sex) causes 'particular discomfort'. I can think of other needs the denial of which can cause physical pain.

[jiang]

Dear BobK,

Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see the problem. I thought 'deny' means 'say that....not'.

Jiang

Originally Posted by BobK

The verb deny, apart from its more common meaning ('say that ... not') can also mean 'withdraw/deprive of'; and attached to means linked to or associated with. What that clause is saying is: 'We quickly learn the particular [sort of] discomfort that withdrawing basic things like food and drink can cause.'

b
ps - I'm not being prudish by not mentioning sex in my example; I just don't agree that the withdrawal of 'sexual desire' (or indeed plain sex) causes 'particular discomfort'. I can think of other needs the denial of which can cause physical pain.