Distinguish certainty, intensity, and interest
Read for meaning first. Select a highlighted word if you want a closer look.
The building owner categorically denies having authorized anyone to paint over the mural, leaving no qualification or exception in the statement. A resident vehemently argues that the children should be consulted before any replacement image is chosen, expressing the position with intense feeling. An unenthusiastic volunteer accepts a routine sweeping task with little eagerness, although she agrees to complete it at the assigned time. The chair notes the difference between an absolute statement, a forceful expression, and a modest level of interest, then checks what each person has actually committed to do.
The owner repeats the denial categorically when asked whether informal permission might have been given, again stating an unqualified no. The resident continues to speak vehemently about consulting the children but lowers her voice enough for another participant to answer. The unenthusiastic volunteer still arrives to sweep, showing that little excitement does not necessarily mean refusal or failure to perform a task. The repair group can now proceed with clearer information about authority, a stated concern about participation, and a practical contribution that does not depend on visible excitement.
Before you move on
Look away from the passage. Can you explain each focus word in your own words?
Original fictional passages for vocabulary practice.