Question

If you are invited to an event and can't make it because you'll be out of town, is it accurate to describe your excuse for not going as a pretext? Explain why or why not.
Describe an outfit that a parent might want you to wear to a party that makes you recoil. (Bonus point opportunity: start your answer with a contrast word for 1 extra point)
What are two events or things that might divert a student's attention during class time?
Describe an activity that you might do in arts block or PE class that requires you to be agile. (Bonus point opportunity: create an appositive somewhere in your answer for 1 extra point)
Use word "infinitesimal" in a sentence about winning the lottery.


Pretext

A made-up excuse or reason for doing something given in order to hide the real reason

Recoil

To shrink back from something, usually in fear or horror.

Divert

to turn aside; to turn away from one course or move in another (like to divert the path of a stream or divert traffic when there’s construction).

To distract, usually with something more fun than the original area of focus

Agile

Able to move quickly, easily, and gracefully, either with your body or with your mind.

Infinitesimal

Too small to measure; miniscule

Answer 1

However, no — if you really will be out of town, saying that is not a pretext, because a pretext is a made-up excuse meant to hide the real reason. If your travel is the true reason you can’t attend, it’s honest. (If you say you’ll be out of town when you aren’t, then that would be a pretext.)

An outfit a parent might want you to wear to a party that makes you recoil: an over-shiny, scratchy polyester suit in clashing neon colors, complete with a sequined bow tie and an ill-fitting sash that rides up whenever you move — the whole look smells faintly of cheap perfume and makes you want to back away and hide.

Two things that might divert a student's attention during class time:
- A buzzing or vibrating phone receiving messages or social media alerts.
- A loud commotion outside the window, like construction noise or a passing fire truck.

An activity in arts block or PE that requires you to be agile: navigating an obstacle course, a timed circuit of hurdles, balance beams, and low tunnels, demands quick feet and nimble changes of direction. (The obstacle course, a series of physical challenges, tests balance and coordination.)

Sentence using infinitesimal:
The chance of winning the big jackpot is infinitesimal, but people still buy lottery tickets hoping for a miracle.