contradict

 contradict

= to go against or conflict with something

Mark’s sales figures contradict the claim that his business is struggling.

Mark’s IT report contradicts the assumption that the software is working perfectly.

Susan’s growing list of friends contradicts the claim that she avoids meeting people.

Susan’s empty plate contradicts her promise to eat only a little.

Susan’s invitation to the new students contradicts the idea that she is shy about making friends.

 

Some synonyms and antonyms for “contradict”:

Synonyms:

oppose

conflict

deny

dispute  

Antonyms:

agree

support

confirm

affirm  

Question: Which sentence uses contradict to mean “go against or conflict with something”?

A) Mark’s report contradicts the rumor.

B) Mark reads a book.

C) Susan enjoys lunch.

D) Susan meets a friend.  

The True Cost of Love (and Sports Cars)

Mark was sipping his third espresso when he received the bad news from the Quality Control department. He frowned at his computer screen. The report contradicted the assumption that the software was working perfectly.

"Oh, really?" Mark whispered to himself, rolling his eyes. As a successful businessman in the IT industry, he hated bugs almost as much as he hated slow traffic.

After two hours of typing furiously, Mark finally fixed all the glitches. He leaned back in his comfortable office chair and sighed in relief. It was time to relax and figure out what to eat for dinner. He put on his headphones, opened YouTube, and clicked on a classic music video: Jennifer Lopez's Love Don’t Cost a Thing.

He chuckled at the lyrics. "Love don't cost a thing? Hmm... credit cards aren't exactly romance," he pondered.

Later that evening, Mark left work to meet his practical and lovely girlfriend, Chloe. They had booked a table at the most expensive luxury restaurant in the city. Over plates of fancy lobster and sparkling cocktails, Mark decided to ask her a random question.

"Have you ever heard that song? Love Don't Cost a Thing?"

Chloe wiped her mouth with a silk napkin. "Yes, it’s a very old song. Why?"

"Do you agree with it? The love doesn't cost a thing?" Mark asked, raising an eyebrow.

Chloe smiled warmly. "Oh, I believe it doesn't cost too much, I bet."

They had a wonderful dinner, laughing and enjoying the romantic atmosphere. After paying the massive bill, Mark walked Chloe to his absolute pride and joy: his shiny red sports car.

Before Mark could open the driver's door, Chloe suddenly held out her hand. "Can I drive your car? You drank a bit of a cocktail, honey. It's not good to drive!"

Mark hesitated. He loved that car more than his weekend fishing trips. "Alright," he replied nervously. "But please be careful!"

Then, the bad thing happened. When Chloe got behind the wheel, she stepped on the gas pedal a little too hard. She drove too fast, panicked, and BAM! She bumped straight into a traffic light!

Luckily, they didn’t get hurt at all. However, Mark’s pocket definitely got hurt! Looking at the crushed front bumper of his beautiful vehicle, Mark suddenly shouted at the sky, "Love don't cost a thing?!"

This time, love cost exactly ten thousand dollars to repair his shiny red baby!

Questions

1. Why did Mark shout "Love don't cost a thing?!" at the end of the story?

A) Because he was happily singing along to the Jennifer Lopez song on the radio.

B) Because Chloe crashed his sports car, meaning his "love" would actually cost a lot of money to fix.

C) Because the luxury dinner was completely free.

D) Because Robot Mark broke his car on a Friday.

2. Read this sentence from the story: 

"The report contradicted the assumption that the software was working perfectly." 

Based on the definition of the word, what does "contradicted" mean in this sentence?

A) To completely agree with and support an idea.

B) To fix a broken computer program very quickly.

C) To go against or conflict with what people originally thought.

D) To make a loud noise when crashing a car.