Toefl reading 1995-AUG-22-30

conventional

(adj)

traditional and ordinary

theo tục lệ

conventional behaviour/attitudes/clothes
conventional medicine/farming
a conventional wedding
DISAPPROVING I find his art rather dull and conventional.

advocate

(v)

to publicly support or suggest an idea, development or way of doing something

biện hộ

[+ ing form of verb] She advocates taking a more long-term view.
He advocates the return of capital punishment.

proclaim

(v)

to announce something publicly or officially, especially something positive

công bố

All the countries have proclaimed their loyalty to the alliance.
Republican party members were confidently proclaiming victory even as the first few votes came in.
[+ that] It was the famous speech in which he proclaimed that socialism was dead.
[+ two objects] She was proclaimed Queen at the age of thirteen after the sudden death of her father.

preponderence

(n)

the largest part or greatest amount

thế mạnh, thế trội

The preponderance of evidence suggests that he's guilty.

besiege

(v)

to surround a place, especially with an army, to prevent people or supplies getting in or out

vây quanh

The town had been besieged for two months but still resisted the aggressors.