VCR PRESENTATION 7
Hannah Magraw
FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE WORD THAT BEST FITS.
The college student appeared to be just casually walking to class, but when he saw a fallen woman and her purse spilled across the sidewalk, he became an _________________, taking advantage of the situation, and snatched the wallet and ran.
THE WORD.
opportunist--noun
-a person or an animal taking advantage of any chance to achieve an end in a forceful or self-serving way
-a person who exploits circumstances to gain immediate advantage rather than being guided by consistent principles or plans
OTHER FORMS.
opportunistic--adjective
opportunistically--adverb
opportunism--noun
THE ROOTS.
portus
Latin
"harbor" or "gate"
THE HISTORY.
from opportunism
1881
a word in Italian politics, later used in French and even later in general English
SYNONYMS.
- carpetbaggers
- self-seeker
- go-getter
ANTONYMS.
- humanitarian
- philanthropist
- good samaritan
- benefactor
CHOOSE THE SENTENCE IN WHICH THE WORD IS USED INCORRECTLY.
- Jen held such a high ranking job by being an opportunist, always taking advantage of any situation that presented itself.
- Anthony's actions were opportunistic as he used the doctor's illness to suck up to another doctor and steal the spot on the surgery team.
- The Opportunist Club's goals are to "promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs" and "work for international accord and friendship among all people."
- I reject opportunism, disagreeing with the idea of someone profiting by taking every chance to help move themselves up in the world.