Advanced Vocabulary Exercise #11

Both "main" and "principal" mean important.

Both "similarity" and "parallel" refer to the fact that things or people look very alike.

Both "aspect" and "dimension" mean a part of something.

Both "preceding" and "prior" mean before.

Both "account" and "version" mean description from one's point of view.

Both "force" and "impose" mean to do something to someone against his or her will.

Before a company hosts meetings, the secretary usually provides a set of documents to members so they will come prepared. Prior to, or before you attend a meeting, make sure you familiarise yourself well with the documents. With some prior knowledge of the subject matter, you can understand what is discussed in the meetings more quickly.

When police officers cross-examine suspects, they often provide different stories, or different versions of the same event. Then the police need to question more people involved to know who is responsible.

When there are protests, it probably means that people are angry at what the government has done. Imposing a ban on sales of alcoholic drinks means forcing vendors to stop selling beer, wine and etc..

If two cases share similar characteristics, it is likely that they were committed by the same person. Then we can say the two cases have parallels, for example, the same weapon of choice, the same victim profile, and the same location.

For someone who has been in the same position for almost two decades, nothing is more important than getting promoted to a higher rank. Then the employee's main, or principal concern is getting a promotion.

Having children is one of the most significant stages in our lives. It makes our lives full and vibrant. It may even seem like it adds a new part, or dimension, to who we are.