Level G

SADDER

VOCABULARY
WORKSHOP ENRICHED EDITION

U i
JEROME SHOSTAK
SADLIER

VOCABULARY
WORKSHOP ENRICHED EDITION

Level G

Jerome Shostak

Senior Series Consultant

Vicki A. Jacobs, Ed.D.
Associate Director, Teacher Education Program
Lecturer on Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Series Consultants
Louis P. De Angelo, Ed.D. Sarah Ressler Wright, NBCT
Associate Superintendent English Department Chair
Diocese of Wilmington Rutherford B. Hayes High School
Wilmington, Delaware Delaware City Schools, Ohio

John Heath, Ph.D. Carolyn E. Waters, JD, Ed.S.

Professor of Classics ELA/Literacy 6-12 Supervisor
Santa Clara University Cobb County School District
Santa Clara, California Marietta, Georgia

■d®
jjJ Sadlier
 Reviewers
The publisher wishes to thank for their comments and suggestions the following teachers and
administrators, who read portions of the series prior to publication.

Rivkie Eisen Scott Leventhal Patricia Stack

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 ENRICHED EDITION: New Features
or more than five decades, Vocabulary Workshop has proven to be a highly
■ successful tool for guiding systematic vocabulary growth and developing
vocabulary skills. It has also been shown to help students prepare for standardized tests.

New in this edition are the Reading Passages, Writing, Vocabulary in Context,
and Word Study activities. Nonfiction, high-interest passages use 15 or more of
the Unit vocabulary words in context. Two writing prompts require a response to the
reading and provide practice in writing for standardized tests. New Vocabulary in
Context activities present words from the Unit as they are used in classic works of
literature. After every three units, Word Study activities, developed in conjunction with
Common Core State Standards requirements, provide practice with idioms, adages,
and proverbs, as well as denotation and connotation and classical roots.
Look for the new QR (Quick Response) codes on the Reading Passage and
Vocabulary in Context pages. The code can be read with a smartphone camera. To
read the QR code, download any free QR code application to a smartphone. Snap the
code with a smartphone camera to go directly to iWords*^ for the Unit or an interactive
quiz. With iWords*3 you can listen to one word at a time or download all of the words in
a Unit to listen to them at your convenience.
The new structure of Vocabulary Workshop is made up of 15 Units. Each
Unit consists of the following sections: a Reading Passage, Definitions, Choosing
the Right Word, Synonyms and Antonyms, Completing the Sentence, Writing,
and Vocabulary in Context. Together, these exercises provide multiple and varied
exposures to the taught words—an approach consistent with and supportive of
research-based findings in vocabulary instruction.
Five Reviews cover Vocabulary for Comprehension and Two-Word Completions.
Vocabulary for Comprehension is modeled on the reading sections of standardized
tests, and as in those tests, it presents reading comprehension questions, including
specific vocabulary-related ones, that are based on a reading passage.
A Final Mastery Test assesses a selection of words from the year with activities on
Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies, Two-Word Completions, Supplying Words in Context,
Word Associations, and Choosing the Right Meaning.
In each level of Vocabulary Workshop, 300 key words are taught. The words have
been selected according to the following criteria: currency and general usefulness;
frequency of appearance on recognized vocabulary lists; applicability to, and
appearance on, standardized tests; and current grade-level research.

ONLINE COMPONENTS
vocabularyworkshop.com
At vocabularyworkshop.com you will find iWords^J, an audio program that
provides pronunciations, definitions, and examples of usage for all of the key
words presented in this level of Vocabulary Workshop . You can listen to one
word at a time or, if you wish, download to an MP3 player all of the words of any
given Unit. You will then be able to listen to the audio program for that Unit at
your convenience.
At vocabularyworkshop.com you will also find interactive vocabulary
quizzes, flashcards, games and puzzles that will help reinforce and enrich
your understanding of the key words in this level of Vocabulary Workshop.

m
 CONTENTS F
ENRICHED EDITION: New Features Hi
VOCABULARY STRATEGY: Using Context.. .7
VOCABULARY STRATEGY: Word Structure .8
VOCABULARY AND READING .9
WORKING WITH ANALOGIES 11
UNIT 1 Vocabulary: acquisitive, arrogate, banal, belabor, carping, coherent, congeal,
emulate, encomium, eschew, germane, insatiable, intransigent, invidious,
largesse, reconnaissance, substantiate, taciturn, temporize, tenable
Passage: Across the Pond <l_etters>.................................................................... 12
Definitions and Exercises 14-20
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (Charlotte Bronte)......................................... 21
UNIT 2 Vocabulary: accost, animadversion, avid, brackish, celerity, devious, gambit,
halcyon, histrionic, incendiary, maelstrom, myopic, overt, pejorative, propriety,
sacrilege, summarily, suppliant, talisman, undulate
Passage: Constructing the New York City Subway <Historicai Nonfiction>........... 22
Definitions and Exercises 24-30
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (Theodore Dreiser)....................................... .....31
UNIT 3 Vocabulary: cavort, credence, decry, dissemble, distraught, eulogy, evince,
exhume, feckless, murky, nefarious, piquant, primordial, propinquity, substantive,
unwonted, utopian, verbiage, verdant, viscous
Passage: Third Parties in American Politics Encyclopedia Entry>..................... 32
Definitions and Exercises 34-40
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (Herman Melville)........................................ ......41
REVIEW UNITS 1-3
Vocabulary for Comprehension............................................................................ 42
Two-Word Completions 44
WORD STUDY
Idioms .45
Denotation and Connotation 47
Classical Roots .49
UNIT 4 Vocabulary: atrophy, bastion, concord, consummate, disarray, exigency,
flotsam, frenetic, glean, grouse, incarcerate, incumbent, jocular, ludicrous,
mordant, nettle, pecuniary, pusillanimous, recumbent, stratagem
Passage: Reforming the Security Council <Newspaper Editorial......................... 50
Definitions and Exercises 52-58
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (Thomas Hardy)............................................ 59
UNIT 5 Vocabulary: acuity, delineate, depraved, enervate, esoteric, fecund, fiat,
figment, garner, hallow, idiosyncrasy, ignominy, mundane, nuance, overweening,
penchant, reputed, sophistry, sumptuous, ubiquitous
Passage: What Is Pop Art? < Essay>...................................................................... ......60
Definitions and Exercises 62-68
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (Charles Dickens)......................................... 69
UNIT 6 Vocabulary: abject, agnostic, complicity, derelict, diatribe, effigy, equity, inane,
indictment, indubitable, intermittent, moot, motif, neophyte, perspicacity, plenary,
surveillance, sylvan, testy, travesty
 Passage: Your Papers, Please <Debate>.................... 70
Definitions and Exercises 72-78
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (Joseph Conrad). 79
REVIEW UNITS 4-6
Vocabulary for Comprehension.......................... 80
Two-Word Completions 82
WORD STUDY
Adages 83
Denotation and Connotation 85
Classical Roots 87
UNIT 7 Vocabulary: allay, bestial, convivial, coterie, counterpart, demur, effrontery,
embellish, ephemeral, felicitous, furtive, garish, illusory, indigent, inordinate,
jettison, misanthrope, pertinacious, picayune, raiment
Passage: John Lennon’s Legacy <Biographical Sketch>.......................... 88
Definitions and Exercises 90-96
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (Henry James)......................................... 97
UNIT 8 Vocabulary: allege, arrant, badinage, conciliate, countermand, echelon,
exacerbate, fatuous, irrefutable, juggernaut, lackadaisical, litany, macabre, paucity,
portend, raze, recant, saturate, saturnine, slough
Passage: A Passage to Power <interview>.............................................. 98
Definitions and Exercises 100-106
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (William Makepeace Thackeray)............. 107
UNIT 9 Vocabulary: acclamation, bucolic, calumniate, chary, collusion, dilettante,
imperturbable, increment, mandate, paltry, paroxysm, pedantry, peregrination,
redolent, refulgent, shibboleth, tyro, unremitting, vacillate, vituperative
Passage: Security Status: It’s Complicated <Persuasive Essay>.............. 108
Definitions and Exercises 110-116
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (George Eliot).......................................... 117
REVIEW UNITS 7-9
Vocabulary for Comprehension........................................................................ 118
Two-Word Completions 120
WORD STUDY
Idioms 121
Denotation and Connotation 123
Classical Roots 125
UNIT 10 Vocabulary: askance, attenuate, benign, cavil, charlatan, decimate, foible,
forgo, fraught, inure, luminous, obsequious, obtuse, oscillate, penitent, peremptory,
rebuff, reconnoiter, shambles, sporadic
Passage: What Happened to the Franklin Expedition? <Magazine Articles-. 126
Definitions and Exercises 128-134
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (E M Forster)....................................... 135
UNIT 11 Vocabulary: abrogate, ambient, asperity, burnish, cabal, delectable,
deprecate, detritus, ebullient, eclectic, flaccid, impecunious, inexorable, moribund,
necromancer, onerous, rife, rudiments, sequester, winnow
Passage: Apollo 11 Poised for Take-Off <Press Releases. 136
Definitions and Exercises 138-144
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (Anthony Trollope).... 145
UNIT 12 Vocabulary: aesthetic, defunct, discomfit, espouse, fetish, gregarious,
hapless, impeccable, importune, interpolate, irreparable, laconic, languish,
mendacious, nadir, omnipresent, perfunctory, plaintive, requite, tantamount
Passage: Pyramids: Monuments to Gods and Men
146
cCompare and Contrast Essay>.......................................
Definitions and Exercises 148-154
Vocabulary in Context Literary Text (James Fenimore Cooper).................. 155
REVIEW UNITS 10-12
Vocabulary for Comprehension.................................................................... 156
Two-Word Completions 158
WORD STUDY
Proverbs 159
Denotation and Connotation 161
Classical Roots. 163
UNIT 13 Vocabulary: abstruse, affront, canard, captious, cognizant, contrite, cynosure,
decorous, deign, desiccated, efficacy, engender, ethereal, facade, ghoulish,
incongruous, machination, mesmerize, opprobrium, putative
Passage: More Than Just A Pretty Face < Profile>............................................ 164
Definitions and Exercises 166-172
Vocabulary in Context Literary Text (Jane Austen).......................................... 173
UNIT 14 Vocabulary: beatific, behemoth, blandishment, cacophonous, chicanery,
consign, coup, euphemism, febrile, gainsay, imminent, innate, loath, manifest,
minutiae, moratorium, nostrum, pariah, visionary, wizened
Passage: Artificial Intelligence and Social Robots technical Essay>............ 174
Definitions and Exercises 176-182
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (F. Scott Fitzgerald)................................. 183
UNIT 15 Vocabulary: amenity, aperture, dissidence, epicurean, improvident, iniquity,
inviolable, mutable, nascent, obeisance, panegyric, pillory, pittance, presage,
progeny, promulgate, rectitude, restive, seraphic, subsist
Passage: Private Life in the Public Eye cHumorous Essay>................................ 184
Definitionsand Exercises i186-192
Vocabulary in Context: Literary Text (Edith Wharton).......................................... 193
REVIEW UNITS 13-15
Vocabulary for Comprehension.......................................................................... 194
Two-Word Completions 196
WORD STUDY
Idioms .197
Denotation and Connotation 199
Classical Roots 201
FINAL MASTERY TEST 202
INDEX 207

iWords^ Audio Program available atvocabularyworkshop.com.

 VOCABULARY Using Context
The context of a word is the printed text of which that word is part. By studying
the word’s context, we may find clues to its meaning. We might find a clue in
the immediate or adjoining sentence or phrase in which the word appears; in
the topic or subject matter of the passage; or in the physical features—such
as photographs, illustrations, charts, graphs, captions and headings—of a
page itself.

The Vocabulary in Context, Vocabulary for Comprehension, and Choosing

the Right Meaning exercises that appear in the Units, the Reviews, and Final
Mastery Test provide practice in using context to decode unfamiliar words.

Three types of context clues appear in the exercises in this book.

A restatement clue consists of a synonym for or a definition of the

missing word. For example:

I peered through the gloomy hall and made out an equally

room at the end of it.
a. fragrant b. murky c. aesthetic d. comfortable

In this sentence, gloomy is a synonym of the missing word, murky, and acts as a
restatement clue for it.

A contrast clue consists of an antonym for or a phrase that means the

opposite of the missing word. For example:

While Joanie populates her novels with cheerful people, Seamus’s stories
center on (saturnine, defunct) characters.

In this sentence, cheerfulls an antonym of the missing word, saturnine. This fact is
confirmed by the presence of the word While, which indicates that the answer
must be the opposite of cheerful.

An inference clue implies but does not directly state the meaning of the
missing word or words. For example:

Because Lucius's work was always and never had errors,

the teacher gave his essays only a glance before moving
onto more time-consuming papers handed in by his classmates.
a. impeccable . .. perfunctory c. pusillanimous ... sylvan
b. picayune ... lackadaisical d. vituperative . . . sumptuous

There are a few inference clues in this sentence. The phrase never had errors
indicates that Lucius’s work was flawless, or impeccable. The word glance
suggests that the attention the teacher gave the paper was perfunctory. These
words are inference clues because they suggest or imply, but do not directly state,
the missing words.

7
 VOCABULARY S Word Structure
Prefixes, suffixes, and roots, or bases, are word parts. One strategy for
determining an unknown word's meaning is to “take apart” the word and think
about the parts. Study the prefixes and suffixes below to help you find out the
meanings of words in which they appear

Prefix Meaning Sample Words

com-, con- together, with compatriot, contact
de-, dis- lower, opposite devalue, disloyal
II-, im-, in-, ir, non-, un­ not illegal, impossible, inactive,
irregular, nonsense, unable
super- above, greater than superimpose, superstar

Noun Suffix Meaning Sample Nouns

-acy, -ance, -ence, state, quality, or condition adequacy, attendance, persistence,
-hood, -ity, -ment, of, act or process of neighborhood, activity, judgment,
-ness, -ship brightness, friendship
-ant, -eer, -ent, -er, -ian, one who does or makes contestant, auctioneer, resident,
-ier, -ist, -or something banker, comedian, financier,
dentist, doctor
-ation, -ition, -ion act or result of organization, imposition, election

Verb Suffix Meaning Sample Verbs

-ate to become, produce, or treat validate, salivate, chlorinate
-fy, -ify, -ize to cause, make liquefy, glorify, legalize

Adjective Suffix Meaning Sample Adjectives

-al, -ic, relating to, characteristic of natural, romantic
-ful, -ive, -ous full of, given to, marked by beautiful, protective, poisonous

A base or root is the main part of a word to which prefixes and suffixes may be
added. On the Classical Roots page of the Word Study section, you will learn more
about Latin and Greek roots and the English words that derive from them. The
following lists may help you figure out the meaning of new or unfamiliar words.

Greek Root Meaning Sample Words

-cryph-, -crypt- hidden, secret apocryphal, cryptographer
-dem-, -demo- people epidemic, democracy
-gen- race, kind, origin, birth generation
-gnos- know diagnostic
-lys- break down analysis

Latin Root Meaning Sample Words

-cap-, -capt-, -cept-, -cip- take capitulate, captive, concept, recipient
-cede-, -ceed-, -ceas- happen, yield, go precede, proceed, decease,
-cess- cessation
-fac-, -fact-, -feet-, -fic-, make faculty, artifact, defect, beneficial,
-fy- clarify
-tac-, -tag-, -tang-, -teg- touch contact, contagious, tangible, integral
-taln-, -ten-, -tin- hold, keep contain, tenure, retinue

For more prefixes, suffixes, and roots, visit vocabuiaryworkshop.com.

8
 VOCABUL READING
Word knowledge is essential to reading comprehension. Your knowledge of word
meanings and ability to think carefully about what you read will help you succeed
in school and on standardized tests, including the SAT, the ACT, and the PSAT.

New Reading Passages provide extra practice with vocabulary words.

Vocabulary words are boldfaced to draw students’ attention to their uses and
contexts. Context clues embedded in the passages encourage students to figure
out the meanings of words before they read the definitions provided on the pages
directly following the passages.

Students read excerpts from classic literature in the Vocabulary in Context

exercises. Each excerpt includes one of the Unit vocabulary words as it is used in
the original work. Students can use what they learn about the word from its use in
context to answer questions on the definition.

The Vocabulary for Comprehension exercises in each review consist of a

nonfiction reading passage followed by comprehension questions. The passages
and questions are similar to those that you are likely to find on standardized tests.

Kinds of Questions
Main Idea Questions generally ask what the passage as a whole is about.
Often, but not always, the main idea is stated in the first paragraph of the passage.
You may also be asked the main idea of a specific paragraph. Questions about
the main idea may begin like this:
• The primary or main purpose of the passage is...
• The passage is best described as. . .
• The title that best describes the content of the passage is.. .

Detail Questions focus on important information that is explicitly stated in the

passage. Often, however, the correct answer choices do not use the exact
language of the passage. They are instead restatements, or paraphrases, of
the text.

Vocabulary-in-Context Questions check your ability to use context to identify a

word's meaning. Use line references to see how and in what context the word is
used. For example:
• Badinage (line 3) is best defined as. . .
• The meaning of luminous (line 15) is. . .

Use context to check your answer choices, particularly when the vocabulary word
has more than one meaning. Among the choices may be two (or more) correct
meanings of the word in question. Choose the meaning that best fits the context.

Inference Questions ask you to make inferences or draw conclusions from the
passage. These questions often begin like this:
• It can be inferred from the passage that. . .
• The author implies that. . .
• Evidently the author feels that. . .

9
 The inferences you make and the conclusions you draw must be based on the
information in the passage. Your own knowledge and reasoning come into play in
understanding what is implied and in reaching conclusions that are logical.

Questions About Tone show your understanding of the author’s attitude toward
the subject of the passage. Words that describe tone, or attitude, are "feeling"
words, such as indifferent, ambivalent, scornful, astonished, respectful. These are
typical questions:
• The author’s attitude toward ... is best described as.. .
• Which word best describes the author’s tone?

To determine the tone, pay attention to the author’s word choice. The author’s
attitude may be positive (respectful), negative (scornful), or neutral (ambivalent).

Questions About Author’s Technique focus on the way a text is organized and
the language the author uses. These questions ask you to think about structure
and function. For example:
• The final paragraph serves to. ..
• The author cites ... in order to ....

To answer the questions, you must demonstrate an understanding of the way the
author presents information and develops ideas.

Strategies
Here are some general strategies to help you as you read each passage and
answer the questions.

• Read the introduction first. The introduction will provide a focus for
the selection.

• Be an active reader. As you read, ask yourself questions about the

passage—for example: What is this paragraph about? What does the writer
mean here? Why does the writer include this information?

• Refer to the passage when you answer the questions. In general, the
order of the questions mirrors the organization of the passage, and many of
the questions include paragraph or line references. It is often helpful to go
back and reread before choosing an answer.

• Read carefully, and be sure to base your answer choices on the

passage. There are answer choices that make sense but are not based on
the information in the passage. These are true statements, but they are
incorrect answers. The correct answers are either restatements of ideas in
the text or inferences that can be drawn from the text.
• Consider each exercise a learning experience. Keep in mind that
your ability to answer the questions correctly shows as much about
your understanding of the questions as about your understanding of
the passage.

10
 WORKING WITH ANALOGIES
A verbal analogy expresses a relationship or comparison between sets of words.
Normally, an analogy contains two pairs of words linked by a word or symbol that
stands for an equal (=) sign. A complete analogy compares the two pairs of words
and makes a statement about them. It asserts that the relationship between the
first—or key—pair of words is the same as the relationship between the second pair.

In the Analogies exercises in the Final Mastery Test, you will be asked to complete
analogies—that is, to choose the pair of words that best matches or parallels the
relationship of the key, or given, pair of words. Here are two examples:
1. maple is to tree as 2. joyful is to gloomy as
a. acorn is to oak a. cheerful is to happy
b. hen is to rooster b. strong is to weak
c. rose is to flower c. quick is to famous
d. shrub is to lilac d. hungry is to starving

In order to find the correct answer to exercise 1, you must first determine the
relationship between the two key words, maple and tree. In this case, that
relationship might be expressed as “a maple is a kind (or type) of tree.” The next step
is to select from choices a, b, c, and d the pair of words that best reflects the same
relationship. The correct answer is (c); it is the only pair whose relationship parallels
the one in the key words: A rose is a kind (or type) of flower, just as a maple is a kind
(or type) of tree. The other choices do not express the same relationship.

In exercise 2, the relationship between the key words can be expressed as “joyful
means the opposite of gloomy.” Which of the choices best represents the same
relationship? The answer is (b): “strong means the opposite of weak."

Here are examples of some other common analogy relationships:

Analogy Key Relationship
big is to large as Big means the same thing as large, just as little means
little is to small the same thing as small.

brave is to favorable as The tone of brave is favorable, just as the tone of

cowardly is to unfavorable cowardly is unfavorable.

busybody is to nosy as A busybody is by definition someone who is nosy, just

klutz is to clumsy as a klutz is by definition someone who is clumsy.

cowardly is to courage as Someone who is cowardly lacks courage, just as

awkward is to grace someone who is awkward lacks grace.

visible is to see as If something is visible, you can by definition see it, just
audible is to hear as if something is audible, you can by definition hear it.

liar is to truthful as . A liar is by definition not likely to be truthful, just as a

bigot is to fair-minded bigot is by definition not likely to be fair-minded.

eyes are to see as You use your eyes to see with, just as you use your
ears are to hear ears to hear with.

There are many different kinds of relationships represented in the analogy

questions you will find in the Final Mastery Test, but the key to solving any analogy
is to find and express the relationship between the two key words.

11
UNIT 1
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 1. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Across the Pond

< Letters >

January 27, 1891 imagine. I won’t trouble you with details of

his carping rhetoric, but note that he took
My Dear Cora, pains to demonstrate that women are
Accept my congratulations on the “unfit for the public duties of citizenship,”
establishment of the National American and greatly feared the prospect that
Women's Suffrage Association. Am I too women’s votes might “swamp the votes of
bold to presume this new unity in the men." Imagine my delight when, pressed
American suffrage movement marks the by objections from several present, the
end of the invidious divisions in your good Mr. Evans grew suddenly taciturn,
ranks? English appetite for American news and at a loss for any other means of
is insatiable of late, with much talk of temporizing, complimented his hostess
means by which we might emulate your and bid us good day!
recent achievements. Just yesterday, at a Charles and I often recall your kindness
small gathering of friends of our League, during our last visit, and look forward to
I heard Mrs. Pankhurst break off into a seeing you again this summer.
rousing encomium on the entry of the
state of Wyoming into your union. The Affectionately,
opinion here is that with one state now
granting universal suffrage, it’s only a
matter of time before the dam breaks.
In England we persuade ourselves
to eschew hope for such grand
achievements till the times make them
more tenable. There’s plenty of work to
be done to prepare for the event. The
Pankhursts have inspired many of us to
push for the women’s vote in local
elections. This would be no small thing
in itself, and should help our effort to
reform the conservative spirit of our
country. I fear the climate in America is
more favorable to the endeavor, while
opposition here remains intransigent. At
tea not long ago, I heard one Mr. Evans
produce the most banal argument
against the women's vote you could

12 ■ Unit 1
 March 20, 1891 Mansion were funded primarily through
her own largesse, and she has become
Dearest Millie, an advocate for local suffrage in Chicago
We have many like your Mr. Evans here, and for other progressive causes.
which puts our own work ahead of us. Our new Association might show the
I can, however, substantiate your optimism extent to which the old arguments that
where Wyoming is concerned. Other divided us have passed into history, but
Western states and territories will surely new excuses for dissent emerge as old
follow suit, with energy already in the ones fade. The new tendency to portray
project in Idaho, Colorado, and elsewhere. women as “domestic" spirits, superior in
Women’s suffrage has firmer roots in the moral virtue to men, strikes some of us as
West, and we expect more progress there. misguided. I’ll not belabor the point here,
Germane to the topic, I had the hoping instead to present a coherent
privilege of meeting Jane Addams in argument for you in person when you
Chicago, where she has founded the Hull arrive in New York.
House, devoted to the education of local
women of the working class. Miss Addams
Until then, I keep you in my thoughts.
Your friend always,
is a remarkable woman, and strikes me
as the very type to carry our movement
forward. Initial renovations of the Hull

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5 Wt 1 ■ 13
 vocatMilaryworkshop.com: iWords)^audio program 5 interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. acquisitive (.adj.) able to get and retain ideas or information; concerned with
(a kwiz' a tiv) acquiring wealth or property
In an society, there is a great deal
of emphasis on buying and selling.
synonyms: greedy, avaricious, retentive
antonym: altruistic

2. arrogate (v.) to claim or take without right

(a' ra gat) The ambitious noblemen will put the young king under
house arrest and royal privileges
to themselves.
synonyms: expropriate, commandeer
antonyms: renounce, abdicate, abandon

3. banal (adj.) hackneyed, trite, commonplace

(ba nal') The new play’s dialogue made it
seem more like a soap opera than a serious drama.
synonyms: stale, insipid
antonyms: fresh, original, new

4. belabor (v.) to work on excessively; to thrash soundly

(bi la' bar) His tendency to the small points
often made him miss the big picture.
synonym: overwork

5. carping (adj.) tending to find fault, especially in a petty, nasty, or

(kar' pin) hairsplitting way; (n.) petty, nagging criticism
The trainee resigned after a week rather than put up with the
complaints of the sales manager.
Most artists choose to ignore the of
critics and simply go on with their work.
synonyms: (adj.) nit-picking, caviling
antonyms: (adj.) approving, uncritical

6. coherent (adj.) holding or sticking together; making a logical whole;

(kb her' ant) comprehensible, meaningful
The physics teacher gave a surprisingly
description of quantum mechanics.
synonyms: connected, unified, consistent, cohesive
antonyms: muddled, chaotic, disjointed

14 ■ Unit 1
 7. congeal {v.) to change from liquid to solid, thicken; to make inflexible
(kan jel') or rigid
If you do not wash your dishes right away, the food on them
will
synonyms: harden, jell, solidify
antonym: liquefy

8. emulate (y.) to imitate with the intent of equaling or surpassing the model
(em' ya lat) Most beginning writers try to a
great writer and later develop their own individual styles.
synonyms: copy, mimic, rival, match, measure up to

9. encomium (n.) a formal expression of praise, a lavish tribute

(en kd' me am) On Veterans Day, the President delivered a heartfelt
to those who di
synonyms: panegyric, eulogy
antonyms: condemnation, castigation, criticism

10. eschew (v.) to avoid, shun, keep away from

(es chu') The young athletes promised the coach that they would train
vigorously and bad habits.
synonyms: abstain from, steer clear of, forgo
antonyms: embrace, adopt

11. germane {adj.) relevant, appropriate, apropos, fitting

(jar man') Bringing up examples from the past is not
to the present discussion.
synonym: pertinent
antonyms: irrelevant, extraneous, inappropriate

12. insatiable {adj.) so great or demanding as not to be satisfied

(in sa' sha bal) People with an appetite for gossip
often do not have compelling stories of their own.
synonyms: unquenchable, ravenous

13. intransigent {adj.) refusing to compromise, irreconcilable

(in tran' sa jant) Little will get accomplished if the legislators of both parties
maintain their attitudes.
synonyms: uncompromising, unyielding, obdurate
antonyms: lukewarm, halfhearted, yielding

Unit 1 ■ 15
14. invidious (adj.) offensive, hateful; tending to cause bitterness and
(in vid' e as) resentment
Bosses should avoid making
comparisons between their employees.
synonyms: malicious, spiteful, prejudicial, pejorative
antonyms: flattering, ameliorative

15. largesse (n.) generosity in giving; lavish or bountiful contributions

(lar jes') The university was the fortunate beneficiary of the
of many of its graduates.
synonyms: liberality, bounty
antonyms: stinginess, miserliness, niggardliness

16. reconnaissance (n.) a survey made for military purposes; any kind of preliminary
(ri kan' a sans) inspection or examination
The field officer required a thorough
before ordering any troop movements.
synonym: exploration

17. substantiate (v.) to establish by evidence, prove; to give concrete or

(sab stan' she at) substantial form to
The prospector was unable to his
claim to the land where the gold was found.
synonyms: confirm, validate, authenticate
antonyms: refute, disprove, invalidate

18. taciturn (adj.) habitually silent or quiet, inclined to talk very little
(tas' a tarn) Woodrow Wilson has the reputation of having a dour and
personality.
synonyms: tight-lipped, uncommunicative, laconic
antonyms: garrulous, loquacious, prolix, verbose

19. temporize (v.) to stall or act evasively in order to gain time, avoid a
(tem' pa riz) confrontation, or postpone a decision; to compromise
For most of Shakespeare’s great tragedy, the protagonist
Hamlet chooses to rather than act.
synonyms: dillydally, procrastinate

20. tenable (adj.) capable of being held or defended

(ten' a bal) The researchers put forth a theory,
but their conclusions would be reviewed carefully by others.
synonyms: defensible, justifiable, maintainable
antonyms: indefensible, unjustifiable

16 ■ Unit 1
 1

Che Eihe Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 12-13 to see how most
Ri >rd of these words are used in context.

1. Famous for his monosyllabic replies to questions

and a somber and (taciturn, germane) nature,
President Coolidge had the nickname “Silent Cal.” UNITED STATES POSTAGE <
M

2. In that moment of grief, the conventional * v

V
expressions of sympathy I had always considered
(tenable, banal) were surprisingly comforting.
V
V
V
V
i t

8V I
3. I am proud to have it said of me that I am stubborn
and (invidious, intransigent) when genuine moral
M
Ji
y. 8
J
issues are involved.

4. Ethelred the Unready was so reluctant to face the $5 CALVIN

.COOLIDGE A
S5
Vikings who invaded his kingdom that in effect he
(arrogated, temporized) himself off the throne. Stamp issued in 1938 to honor
Calvin Coolidge, the thirtieth
5. What evidence can you offer to (substantiate, President of the United States.
eschew) the assertion that capital punishment does
not deter potential murderers?

6. Suddenly a band of ruffians set upon us and began to (congeal, belabor) us with
blows and curses.

7. Even a very imperfect human being may sometimes have virtues of mind or
character that are worthy of (carping, emulation).

8. Aristotle had such a(n) (tenable, acquisitive) mind that his writings are a veritable
gold mine of odd and interesting information.

9. The mood of easy cordiality with which we began the meeting soon (congealed,
temporized) into icy politeness.

10. The poor woman was in such a state of shock after the accident that she couldn’t
give a (coherent, taciturn) account of what had happened.

11. The new batting champion in our softball league is a(n) (insatiable, taciturn)
young man who prefers to let his bat do his talking for him.

12. The speech was so filled with (encomiums, reconnaissance) that I found it hard to
believe that the subject of all this acclaim was plain old me.

13. “That word has such (invidious, germane) connotations in modern American
parlance," I said, “that I would hesitate to use it, even in jest.”

14. His figure bears witness to his (acquisitive, insatiable) appetite for the pleasures
of the table.

15. In our attempt to improve the quality of life in America, we should not be too quick
to (eschew, cohere) old ideas simply because they are old.

Unit 1 ■ 17
16. When the evidence of his misconduct became irrefutable, he saw that his position
was not (banal, tenable) and resigned.

17. After the editor read the story, he returned it to the author with only a few
(carping, coherent) criticisms of minor faults penciled in the margin.

18. The Constitution is uniquely designed to provide protection against those who
might seek to (substantiate, arrogate) undue power to themselves.

19. Aerial (reconnaissance, encomium) of the enemy’s positions provided the general
with the information he needed to plan his attack.

20. After I mowed the lawn for an hour, he gave me a whole dollar with the air of a
feudal lord bestowing (largesse, intransigence) on a grateful serf.

21. Your critical comments about my “lack of social background” may be true, but they
are not (coherent, germane) to my qualifications for office.

22. Because this committee has (belabored, emulated) the issue of zoning laws for
months, we will not invite public comments on it again in tonight’s meeting.

23. The historian needed to scrutinize additional handwriting samples before he could
(eschew, substantiate) the signature on the document.

24. Instead of opening voters’ minds to new ideas, the debate actually (arrogated,
congealed) their previous objections to the proposed legislation.

25. The (carping, largesse) of grateful patients made the clinic’s expansion possible.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. harp on the same point again and again

2. the grasping real estate developer
3. tried to usurp control of the finances
4. tends to hedge when confronted by direct questions
5. the puppy’s voracious hunger
6. led the scouting expedition into the jungle
7. was thanked for her munificence
8. could not verify the alibi
9. received a well-deserved commendation
10. blood that does not coagulate

18 • Unit 1
 1
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. made a very magnanimous remark

2. an unretentive mind that cannot remember details
3. the inspired lyrics to that song
4. mayor who tries to relinquish power
5. butter that does not soften

9 From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. Some of the episodes in the series were wonderfully fresh and original; others
were just plain

2. I don’t object to the inclusion of anecdotes in a serious lecture, but they should at
the very least be to the subject.

3. There is nothing wrong with the great singers of the past

as long as you eventually develop a style that is all your own.

4. When the temperature outside dropped suddenly, the muddy water in the ditch
into a mass of icy sludge.

5. The purpose of military remains the same whether cavalry

or helicopters are used: to learn as much as possible about the enemy.

6. In any crisis, the longer a person , the greater the danger

is likely to become.

7. In spite of his size, he was so that we tended to forget that

he was even in the room.

8. The novel contains an interesting study of a miser’s lust for

gold and its evil effects on those around him.

9. By whose authority did you to yourself the right to decide

how the club’s money would be spent?

10. She received housing vouchers and food stamps as a result of the government's

Unit 1 ■ 19
11. Students who seek high grades must learn to the joys of
that one-eyed monster, the television.

12. "There is no need for you to the point," I replied, "when I

already understand clearly what your criticism is.”

13. As a result of recent research, earlier theories about the origin of the universe are
no longer

14. I doubt very much that he can his assertion that he won
two gold medals in the 1956 Olympics.

15. In my opinion, there is absolutely no justification for making such

distinctions between the two

16. Your essay would be a great deal tighter and more if you
removed all the extraneous information it now contains.

17. How can we “meet them halfway” when they are so in

their opposition to what we propose to do?

18. Even the most severe critics showered on the young

writer for the remarkable narrative power of her first novel.

19. Never having any money in one's pockets can be a real trial for someone born
with the instincts of a pack rat.

20. Despite the-------------------------------- and nit-picking of a few petty minds, I feel we

have substantially improved our local school system of late.

Writing:
1. Look back at “Across the Pond” (pages 12-13). Suppose you are Cora’s friend
and a fellow member of the National American Women’s Suffrage Association.
You want to persuade men in the Western states that women should have the
right to vote. Write a persuasive essay, using at least two details from the
passage and three unit words to support your argument.

2. "A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of
being right." —Thomas Paine
Do you agree with Paine’s statement? In a brief essay, explain your opinion
with specific examples from your studies, reading (refer to pages 12-13),
personal observations and experience, or current events. Write at least three
paragraphs, and use three or more words from this unit.

20 • Unit 1
VocnbMlary The following excerpts are from Charlotte Bronte's novels The
In Context Professor and Shirley. Some of the words you have studied in this
unit appear in boldface type. Complete each statement below the
Literary Text excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. I had the conviction that he could only regard me as a poor-spirited slave,

wherefore I now went about to shun his presence and eschew his conversation.
(The Professor)
To eschew is to
a. repudiate c. ridicule
b. clarify d. avoid

2. In the course of my next lesson, I made a report of the other devoirs, dealing out
praise and blame in very small retail parcels, according to my custom, for there
was no use in blaming severely, and high encomiums were rarely merited.
(The Professor)
Encomiums are
a. expectations c. successes
b. tributes d. condemnations

3. For a day or two Mr. Sympson continued as bland

as oil, but also he seemed to sit on pins, and his
gait, when he walked, emulated that of a hen
treading a hot girdle. (Shirley)
Something that is emulated is
a. foreshadowed c. spurned
b. fabricated d. imitated

4. “The faults of my manner are, I think, only negative.

I am not proud. What has a man in my position to
be proud of? I am only taciturn, phlegmatic, and
Charlotte Bronte published
joyless." (Shirley) several novels under the male
Someone who is taciturn is NOT pen name Currer Bell.
a. loquacious c. serious
b. quiet d. ironic

5. But what has been said in the last page or two is not
germane to Caroline Helstone’s feelings, or to the
state of things between her and Robert Moore.
(Shirley)
X
If something is germane, it is
a. sympathetic
b. relevant
c. worthwhile
d. reassuring □
Snap the code, or go to
vocabularyworkshop.com

Unit 1 ■ 21
UNIT 2
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 2. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Constructing the New York City Subway

< Historical Nonfiction>
K>v 1900, nearly four million people lived were all too common, as drivers of
Din New York City, about five times as horse-drawn omnibuses, in a rush to
many as had lived in the same area fifty pick up passengers and earn fares, saw
years earlier. The celerity of the fit to trample pedestrians along the way.
population’s increase was driven by a Street traffic was a constant target of
range of factors including economic animadversion in the press. But it was
growth, industrialization, and immigration. also a cause of innovation. As the
As an overt symptom of the prosperity of streams of pedestrians and horse-drawn
the city and the nation, rapid population carriages grew steadily through the
growth was welcomed by many of the nineteenth century, railroads were
city’s inhabitants. But the increase in elevated above street level to avoid
population posed serious challenges. interference with the maelstrom of traffic
Myopic disregard for the supply of on the streets. Steam-powered elevated
housing left many of the city's poorer railways were soon replaced by cleaner
inhabitants crammed into crowded electric-powered elevated lines.
tenements until construction began to Plans for building a subway had been
keep pace. And the growing mass of drawn as early as the 1860s, but the
people traveling throughout the city project was stalled for decades by
created unprecedented amounts of traffic devious local politics. Operators of
in the streets. surface railways and horse-drawn cars,
Traffic congestion swelled beyond the who feared competition from the subway,
bounds of propriety. Traffic accidents cast the plan in a pejorative light, claiming

| DIAMONDS

MM?®
 Left: Subway
construction,
1902; Below:
Vintage NYC
subway, 2004

it was impractical and bound to fail.

The suppliant protests of property
owners who worried that prolonged
subway construction would interfere
with business helped strengthen
opposition to the subway. Avid
supporters of the subway plan, on the
other hand, considered any opposition to
be sacrilege. But adversity will not last
forever. In the end, the clear benefits that
the subway would bring to the city by
increasing the speed of transit and by The subway opened to the public on
alleviating the traffic on the streets October 27, 1904. About 150,000 people
proved more compelling than the political stood in line to pay the five-cent fare for a
gambits employed by opponents. After rocky, undulating ride on what was then
decades of false starts, incendiary the fastest public transportation system in
rhetoric, and histrionic arguments on the world. Over the next few decades, the
both sides, a contract for construction was city’s subway system was expanded and
signed on February 21, 1900. Construction integrated with the elevated lines above
began summarily in the following months. ground. An impressive feat of engineering
Thousands of laborers worked on the for its time, the New York City subway
project. Most of the tunnels were built system remains one of the largest in the
using the "cut-and-cover” method: world to this day.
Workers dug trenches through the streets
and covered them with wooden planks
and bridges to allow traffic to pass
overhead while work continued. Down in
the trenches, workers laid the tracks, built
the subway stations, and surrounded the
subway with steel and concrete. Then they
rebuilt the street above. The construction
company that built the subway was also
□
responsible for building the coal-fueled Snap the code, or go to
generators that would produce the vocabularyworkshop.com
subway’s electricity.

* Unit 2 • 23 ■ •'
 vocabuiaryworkshop.com: iWords^ audio program $ interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
D spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. accost (v.) to approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging or

(a kast') aggressive way
The nobleman was by beggars on his
way to the castle.
synonyms: buttonhole, approach
antonyms: avoid, shun

2. animadversion (n.) a comment indicating strong criticism or disapproval

(an a mad var' The inexperienced filmmaker was disheartened by the
zhan)
of the film critic.
synonyms: rebuke, reproof
antonyms: praise, compliment

3. avid (adj.) desirous of something to the point of greed; intensely eager

(av' id) Most writers are also readers who
have loved books since childhood.
synonyms: keen, enthusiastic, grasping
antonyms: reluctant, indifferent, unenthusiastic

4. brackish (adj.) having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink

(brak' ish) The shipwrecked passengers adrift on the lifeboat became ill
after drinking water.
synonym:saline
antonyms: clear, sweet

5. celerity (n.) swiftness, rapidity of motion or action

(sa ler' a te) Although the heavy snowfall was not expected, the highway
department responded with surprising
synonyms: promptness, speed
antonyms: slowness, sluggishness, dilatoriness

6. devious (adj.) straying or wandering from a straight or direct course; done

(de've as) or acting in a shifty or underhanded way
The interrogator used methods to try
to get the suspect to incriminate himself.
synonyms: roundabout, indirect, tricky, sly, artful
antonyms: direct, straightforward, open, aboveboard

24 ■ Unit 2
 2
7. gambit (n.) in chess, an opening move that involves risk or sacrifice of a
(gam' bit) minor piece in order to gain a later advantage; any opening move
of this type
Asking an interesting stranger about his or her job is a popular
party
synonyms: ploy, ruse, maneuver

8. halcyon (n.) a legendary bird identified with the kingfisher; {adj.) of or

(hal' se an) relating to the halcyon; calm, peaceful; happy, golden;
prosperous, affluent
The teacher read the legend of the a
mythic bird that nested in a calm sea.
The woman often spoke of the days
of her childhood.
synonyms: {adj.) tranquil, placid, palmy
antonyms: {adj.) turbulent, tumultuous

9. histrionic {adj.) pertaining to actors and their techniques; theatrical,

(his tre an' ik) artificial; melodramatic
Upon receiving his award, the young actor gave a
speech.
synonyms: affected, stagy
antonyms: muted, untheatrical, subdued

10. incendiary {adj.) deliberately setting or causing fires; designed to start fires;
(in sen' de er e) tending to stir up strife or rebellion; (n.) one who deliberately sets
fires, arsonist; one who causes strife
The arsonist planted an device in the
basement of the store.
The radical was sentenced to life
imprisonment.
synonyms: {adj.) inflammatory, provocative; (n.) firebrand
antonyms: {adj.) soothing, quieting; (n.) peacemaker

11. maelstrom {n.) a whirlpool of great size and violence; a situation resembling a
(mal' stram) whirlpool in violence and destruction
Many innocent people caught in the
of the revolution lost their lives and property.
synonyms: chaos, turbulence, tumult

12. myopic {adj.) nearsighted; lacking a broad, realistic view of a situation;

(mi ap' ik) lacking foresight or discernment
The foreign policy of the last
administration has led to serious problems with our allies.
synonym: shortsighted
antonym: farsighted

Unit 2 ■ 25
13. overt (adj.) open, not hidden, expressed or revealed in a way that is
(d vert') easily recognized
In order for Congress to declare war, the President must
demonstrate an threat.
synonyms: clear, obvious, manifest, patent
antonyms: clandestine, covert, concealed

14. pejorative (adj.) tending to make worse; expressing disapproval or

(pa jor' a tiv) disparagement, derogatory, deprecatory, belittling
The lawyer was accused of making a
remark when referring to the defendant's background.
antonyms: complimentary, ameliorative

15. propriety (n.) the state of being proper, appropriateness; (pl.) standards of
(pra pri' a te) what is proper or socially acceptable
The social worker questioned the of
the police’s request to see confidential records.
synonyms: fitness, correctness
antonyms: unseemliness, inappropriateness

16. sacrilege (n.) improper or disrespectful treatment of something held sacred

(sak' ra lij) The anthropologist was accused of committing a
when she disturbed
synonyms: desecration, profanation, defilement

17. summarily (adv.) without delay or formality; briefly, concisely

(sa mer' a le) As soon as there was evidence of criminal wrongdoing, the
official was ousted from his post.
synonyms: promptly, peremptorily

18. suppliant (adj.) asking humbly and earnestly; (n.) one who makes a request
(sap' le ant) humbly and earnestly, a petitioner, suitor
He made a address to the parole board.
Stranded in the deserted city of Moscow, Napoleon had to turn
to the Czar not as a conqueror but as a

19. talisman (n.) an object that serves as a charm or is believed to confer

(tai' iz man) magical powers, an amulet, fetish
Most people do not believe that rabbit’s feet and other
actually bring good luck.

20. undulate (v.) to move in waves or with a wavelike motion; to have a wavelike
(an' dya lat) appearance or form
The baseball fans began to as they
cheered, so that they appeared to move in a wave.
synonyms: fluctuate, rise and fall

26 ■ Unit 2
 2
Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
Ch< the You might refer to the selection on pages 22-23 to see how most
Rl rd of these words are used in context.

1. In ancient Egypt, (talismans, sacrileges) with the

image of a scarab beetle were considered sacred
and believed to have healing and protective powers.

2. The infatuated schoolboy, in one of his more ?

restrained expressions, described himself as “a lt»»* ; W MS

(sacrilege, suppliant) at the altar of love."
site
s
i
3. “I realize that this kind of financial (gambit, sacrilege)
has its risks,” she said, “but I expect it to pay off
1
handsomely in the end.”

4. “His acts of defiance have been so (myopic, overt)

and premeditated that I have no choice but to fire
him,” she said sadly.
The scarab beetle on this gold
5. John Masefield’s poem “Sea Fever” has an (avid, bracelet symbolized rebirth to
undulating) rhythm that actually gives one the ancient Egyptians.
feeling of being on a rolling ship.

6. Walt tends to react slowly, but when he feels that his own interests are at stake he
can move with striking (celerity, myopia).

7. Although all politicians must have some ability to dramatize themselves, it is very
easy to overdo the (proprieties, histrionics)

8. The adoring fan regarded my negative comments about his favorite singer as
tantamount to (maelstrom, sacrilege).

9. Without even considering the new evidence that I was prepared to present, they
(deviously, summarily) denied my appeal to reopen the case.

10. She was buffeted about in a veritable (gambit, maelstrom) of emotions, caused
mainly by her own dissatisfaction with herself.

11. He regarded his Phi Beta Kappa key as a(n) (talisman, animadversion) that would
open all doors and win him universal acceptance.

12. He is the kind of person who is concerned not with real moral values but simply
with appearances and (propriety, celerity).

13. Nary a ripple disturbed the (halcyon, brackish) calm of the sea on that glorious
summer’s afternoon.

14. Instead of imbibing the (brackish, suppliant) waters of superstition, let us refresh
ourselves with long drafts of pure, clean common sense.

15. Because the word appeasement is associated with disastrous concessions to

Adolf Hitler, it has acquired a(n) (pejorative, overt) connotation.

Unit 2 ■ 27
16. His reckless words had an (incendiary, overt) effect on the already excited crowd,
and large-scale rioting resulted.

17. As the defendant left the courtroom, he was (gambited, accosted) by a group of
reporters seeking his reaction to the verdict.

18. I certainly do not claim that my performance in office was beyond criticism, but I
deeply resent (animadversions, maelstroms) on my honesty.

19. After years of failure to sell a single story, the young writer described himself
bitterly as “a(n) (pejorative, avid) collector of rejection slips.”

20. In an age when the United States has truly global responsibilities, we can ill afford
leaders with (myopic, pejorative) points of view.

21. His methods were so complicated and his purposes so (avid, devious) that we
were not sure if he was spying on the enemy or on us.

22. As reported in several online news sites, the (incendiary, gambit) accused in the
destructive forest fires has admitted his guilt.

23. To the delight of the impatient graduates, the university president offered her
comments at the commencement ceremony (summarily, brackishly).

24. After the young actor’s audition, the casting directors delivered a harsh evaluation
of his overly (histrionic, undulating) monologue.

25. My (myopic, suppliant) request for a later curfew proved successful.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. a lucky amulet
2. the vortex of public opinion
3. ripple in the current
4. was taken in by her stratagem
5. swam in the briny water
6. abruptly resigned from the Cabinet
7. behaved with her usual decorum
8. memories of our serene beginnings
9. confronted the thief at the door
10. completed the job with alacrity

28 ■ Unit 2
 2
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. a pool of fresh water

2. made a very low-keyed plea for mercy
3. evade the nosy neighbor
4. described the chaotic surroundings
5. took secret action to avoid a crisis

9 From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.
th ce
1. Many a rich southern planter saw all his financial resources swallowed up in the
of the Civil War.

2. Saying that “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” is not an
effective response to their on your conduct.

3. My brother is such a(n)collector of toy soldiers that I

sometimes think our house has been invaded by a pint-sized army.

4. The with which he accepted our invitation to dinner

suggested that he was badly in need of a good meal.

5. We looked back on those years before the war broke out

as a kind of “golden age” in our history.

6. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a(n) act of war.

7. His pale face, hunched shoulders, and stare showed that

he had spent his life poring over old books and documents.

8. To our dismay, we discovered that the water we had worked so hard to bring to the
surface was too for human consumption.

9. I stand before you an abject hoping against hope for a

sign of your forgiveness.

10. In the eyes of most Americans, people who burn or spit on our flag are guilty of a
kind of

Unit 2 • 29
11. Down in the main square, a hard-working peasant was selling charms and
to ward off the evil eye.

12. After the prisoner had been found guilty of treason, he was led before a firing
squad and executed.

13. In Grandmother's day, standards of required that a young

lady wear a hat and gloves when she went out in public.

14. Any book on chess strategy usually discusses the standard opening moves, such
as the "knight’s”

15. To be really convincing on stage, an opera singer must possess both vocal and
abilities.

16. As an employee of the local polling service last summer, I had to

people on the street and ask their opinions.

17. The tons of material ignited and turned the waste

disposal plant into a roaring inferno.

18. The suffix -ling often has a(n) connotation, as in the word
princeling, derived from prince.

19. During the rainy season, the highway sank at so many points that its surface
began to like the track for a roller coaster.

20. On the return trip, we cut straight across the meadows rather than take the more
path along the river.

Writing:
1. Look back at “Constructing the New York City Subway” (pages 22-23). Think
about how the completion of the subway changed the lives of city residents.
Write an essay in which you analyze the impact—both positive and negative—
of this new mode of transportation on individuals and businesses in New York
City at the turn of the century. Use at least two details from the passage and
three unit words to support your view.

2. According to a 2005 Gallup Poll, most Americans consider electricity as the

greatest invention of all time, with the automobile and the printing press
ranking well behind. Do you agree? Write an essay of at least three
paragraphs in which you explain what your top choice is and why. Support
your answer with specific examples from your observations, studies, reading
(refer to pages 22-23), or personal experience. Use at least three words
from this unit in your essay.

30 ■ Unit 2
 2
The following excerpts are from Theodore Dreiser's novels Sister
Carrie and Jennie Gerhardt. Some of the words you have studied in
this unit appear in boldface type. Complete each statement below
Literary Text the excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. For Carrie, as we well know, the stage had a great attraction. She had never
forgotten her one histrionic achievement in Chicago. (Sister Carrie)
Something histrionic involves
a. moneymaking c. acting and emotions
b. education d. ambitions and goals

2. Though often disillusioned, she was still waiting for that halcyon day when she
would be led forth among dreams become real. Ames had pointed out a farther
step, but on and on beyond that, if accomplished, would lie others for her.
(Sister Carrie)
Something that is halcyon is NOT
a. peaceful c. happy
b. turbulent d. calm

3. Hanson jumped out of bed with more celerity

than he usually displayed and looked at the note.
(Sister Carrie)
Celerity is
a. nervousness c. determination
b. irritability d. swiftness

4. Her support was assured, for her income was

paid to her through a trust company. She had no
desire for speculation or for the devious ways of
trade. The care of flowers, the nature of children,
the ordering of a home were more in her province. The 1952 film Carrie, based on
(Jennie Gerhardt) Dreiser’s novel Sister Carrie, stars
Laurence Olivier and Jennifer Jones.
If something is devious, it is
a. unhealthy c. respectable
b. shifty d. defiant

5. He had never really been healed of the wound that

his father had given him. He had never been
comfortable in his mind since Robert had deserted
him so summarily. (Jennie Gerhardt)
Something done summarily is done
a. abruptly c. gradually
b. predictably d. sarcastically
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Unit 2 . 31
UNIT 3
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 3. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Third Parties in American Politics

< Encyclopedia Entry >
The two-party system has been in effect Some third parties have clear-cut
I since the primordial days of American platforms and strong nominees, while
politics and the Founding Fathers. At that others have been criticized for murky
time, the two opposing parties were known views or feckless leadership or for
as the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. having more utopian than real-world
Democrats and Republicans dominate positions. Still others are essentially
United States politics now, but smaller single-issue parties—like the Prohibition
third parties have addressed substantive Party—known for its opposition to the
issues, challenged the two-party sale or consumption of alcohol.
orthodoxy, and evinced signs of success
Significant Third Parties in U.S. History
at local, state, and national levels.
The Know-Nothing Party This party rose
Background and Perspective with unwonted rapidity in the mid-1800s.
A modern-day third-party candidate Among other things, its leaders spread
has yet to wrest the presidency from the nefarious misinformation to increase
Republicans or Democrats. opposition to Catholic
However, many third-party immigration from countries
positions have been adopted such as Ireland and
by the major parties, whose Germany. The name came
propinquity has been about because members,
decried by voters who want
clearer divisions.
DONELSON when asked about the
party’s activities,
Sometimes, after dissembled and said they
Democrats or Republicans
" TXI x “knew nothing.” The
have embraced the ideas party shortly died out,
of a third party, that third but modern candidates
party has faded away. exhume parts of its
Other times—although not platform from time to time,
since the nineteenth for example, calling for
century—a third party has restrictions on liquor sales.
become so powerful that it Teddy Roosevelt and the
supplants one of the major A)1 IT ■oU“-S M
Bull Moose Party In 1912,
parties. This happened in former President Theodore
1856 when the Republican Roosevelt tried to win
Party, a third party at the back the presidency by
time, replaced the Whig challenging incumbent
Party. NATIONAL UNION.
“I know nothin# but my Country, my
whole Country, and nothing
but my Country " A campaign ribbon for the
Know-Nothing party from 1856

32 ■ Unit 3
I

Id
0
O Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party captured the imagination of
*4 H° the voting public in 1912.

William Howard Taft for the Republican more than any other third-party candidate
nomination. Roosevelt lost, but a rolling since Theodore Roosevelt in 1912.
stone gathers no moss, and he formed A trailblazing consumer
the Progressive Party, soon nicknamed advocate and four-time presidential
the Bull Moose Party. This development candidate, Nader ran for president in
split the Republican vote, and the 2000 on the Green Party ticket. Some
Democrat, Woodrow Wilson, was elected Democrats feared he would draw votes
President. Although Roosevelt, known for from their candidate, Al Gore. Nader won
his colorful verbiage in speeches and just under three percent of the vote.
piquant ideas, lost, much of his platform
later became public policy. Legacy
The United States has the longest-
Recent Third-Party Candidates surviving two-party system of any country.
Some contenders, like H. Ross Perot in However, roughly one-third of voters today
1992 and 1996 and Ralph Nader in two of are not affiliated with either of the two
his bids—in 2000 and 2004—won enough major parties, and that number is
votes to give credence to the idea of growing. Many people are
a third party in the United States. registering as Independents,
Some have viewed third-party which may signal an
candidates as “spoilers”: opportunity for the next
They cannot win, but they’ll third party.
siphon off enough votes to
impact the election.
This billionaire
businessman and folksy
populist threw his hat into the □
presidential ring in 1992 as a P7
Reform Party candidate. He
received almost 20 million votes, i-e
□
Snap the code, or go to
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Unit 3 ■ 33
 vocabularyworkshop.com: iWowB^ audio program 5 interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

D of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. cavort (v.) to romp or prance around exuberantly; to make merry

(ka vort')
The actors in the musical on stage.
synonym: gambol

2. credence (n.) belief, mental acceptance

(kred' ans) The government and the public failed to give
to the reports of an im
water shortage.
synonyms: credit, trust, confidence
antonyms: disbelief, skepticism, incredulity

3. decry (v.) to condemn, express strong disapproval; to officially

(di kri') depreciate
Every arm of government and every educational institution
should bigotry in all its forms.
synonyms: denounce, censure, devalue
antonyms: tout, commend, extol, laud, praise

4. dissemble (v.) to disguise or conceal, deliberately give a false impression

(di sem' bal) The young man was unable to his
feelings and admitted to having committed the crime.
synonyms: dissimulate, mask, feign

5. distraught (adj.) very much agitated or upset as a result of emotion or

(dis trot') mental conflict
The workforce became in the wake
of the 1929 stock market crash.
synonym: distracted
antonyms: calm, collected

6. eulogy (n.) a formal statement of commendation; high praise

(yu' la je) The best friend and longtime law partner of the deceased
delivered the at the funeral.
synonyms: panegyric, encomium, tribute
antonyms: philippic, invective

7. evince (v.) to display clearly, to make evident, to provoke

(i vins') The crowd did not any signs of
panic but moved in an orderly fashion to the nearest exits.
synonyms: exhibit, manifest, occasion

34 ■ Unit 3
 3
8. exhume (v.) to remove from a grave; to bring to light
(eks hyum') Suspecting foul play, the coroner issued an order to
the body immediately.
synonyms: disinter, unearth, uncover
antonyms: bury, inter

9. feckless (adj.) lacking in spirit and strength; ineffective, weak;

(fek' las) irresponsible, unreliable
Although a youth, he eventually
matured into a hard-working and responsible citizen.
synonyms: feeble, incompetent, ineffectual
antonyms: competent, capable, effective

10. murky (adj.) dark and gloomy, obscure; lacking in clarity and precision
(mar' ke) Many visitors have claimed to see a mysterious creature in
the waters of Loch Ness in Scotland.
synonyms: dim, cloudy
antonyms: clear, transparent, lucid, limpid

11. nefarious (adj.) wicked, depraved, devoid of moral standards

(na far' e as) Brutus and Cassius hatched a plot
to assassinate Julius Caesar on the steps of the Roman
Senate.
synonyms: iniquitous, reprehensible
antonyms: virtuous, honorable, praiseworthy, meritorious

12. piquant (adj.) stimulating to the taste or mind; spicy, pungent;

(pe' kant) appealingly provocative
The chef was an expert in making those
dishes that a
South Indian cooking.
synonyms: zestful, tangy
antonyms: bland, insipid, tasteless, mild

13. primordial (adj.) developed or created at the very beginning; going back
(ph mor' de al) to the most ancient times or earliest stage; fundamental, basic
The stages of most civilizations are
founded on common needs met by common goals.
synonyms: original, primal

14. propinquity (n.) nearness in place or time; kinship

(pro piq' kwa te) The of the two cities has created a
greater metropolitan area that in effect is one city.
synonym: similarity
antonyms: remoteness, distance

Unit 3 ■ 35
15. substantive (adj.) real, having a solid basis; considerable in number or
(sab' stan tiv) amount; meaningful and on topic
The candidate dismissed the silly questions but took the
time to answer the most ones.
synonyms: firm, substantial, meaty
antonyms: imaginary, unreal, meaningless

16. unwonted (adj.) not usual or expected; not in character

(un won' tid) The listless student answered with
spirit when the subject of military tactics was raised.
synonyms: unusual, uncommon, unexpected, atypical
antonyms: usual, customary, typical

17. utopian (adj.) founded upon or involving a visionary view of an ideal

(yu to' pe an) world; impractical
A number of American religious groups like the Shakers
have built separate communities based on
schemes.
synonym: idealistic
antonyms: realistic, pragmatic

18. verbiage (n.) language that is too wordy or inflated in proportion to the
(var' be ij) sense or content, wordiness; a manner of expression
The contract was full of meaningless
that seemed designed to confuse
the lay person.
synonyms: prolixity, diction, jargon

19. verdant (adj.) green in tint or color; immature in experience or judgment

(var' dant) The tourists on safari traveled over the
grasslands of
native wildlife.
synonyms: artless, naive
antonyms: scorched, sere, barren

20. viscous (adj.) having a gelatinous or gluey quality, lacking in easy

(vis' kas) movement or fluidity
The varnish left a residue on the
wood that was hard to remove.
synonyms: sticky, thick
antonyms: watery, aqueous

36 ■ Unit 3
 3

Ch( |tfie Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 32-33 to see how most
Pi >rd of these words are used in context.
'll
il '’Ijg
1. The extraordinary musical talents of Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart (evinced, dissembled) themselves at an
I
amazingly early age. ,

2. From the deck of our luxury liner, we occasionally

caught sight of schools of porpoises (cavorting,
evincing) playfully in the waves. I
3. Far from being unpleasant, her slight foreign accent j I,
-T*71
added an extra dash of spice to her already
(primordial, piquant) personality. V

4. The new mayor is a curious mixture of the hardheaded

pragmatist and the (utopian, murky) reformer.

5. Not surprisingly, the address was a notably Mozart composed his first minuet
evenhanded affair in which the speaker cleverly at the age of five.
mixed (eulogy, verbiage) with admonition.

6. When life was easy he was all dash and confidence, but in times of trouble his
essentially (piquant, feckless) character came to the fore.

7. Unfortunately, the (nefarious, verdant) hopes and aspirations of my youth have

been somewhat blighted by the icy blasts of reality.

8. Trying to read your (viscous, utopian) prose is just like trying to swim upstream
through custard.

9. Because the playwright had hurried through her first draft, she had to make
(substantive, nefarious) changes as she revised the dialogue.

10. His (viscous, unwonted) interest in the state of my finances strengthened my

suspicions that he was about to ask for a loan.

11. The book has an interesting plot, but the author has practically smothered it in
endless (verbiage, eulogy).

12. Despite all the reports of “miraculous” cures, you would be well advised to
withhold (verbiage, credence) until the drug has been fully tested.

13. (Exhumed, Distraught) with grief, they sat motionless for hours, staring blankly
into space.

14. An accomplished hypocrite usually finds it very easy to (dissemble, decry) his or
her true feelings as circumstances dictate.

15. The behavior of armies in wartime often evinces the (murky, primordial) blood
lust that civilized people have not yet fully overcome.

Unit 3 • 37
16. The United States is cooperating with the other nations of the world in an effort to
check the (feckless, nefarious) trade in narcotics.

17. The (credence, propinquity) of our ideas on handling the problem made it very
easy for my colleague and me to produce the report in record time.

18. The investigating committee (decried, dissembled) the use of substandard

materials and slovenly workmanship in the housing project.

19. From the bridge, the rescue team could just make out the blurred image of a car
beneath the (murky, unwonted) waters of the river.

20. Though the work hadn’t seen the light of day for over a century, a daring impresario
(cavorted, exhumed) and staged it to great public acclaim.

21. In my opinion, the columnist's observations about contemporary media and popular
culture are humorous and wonderfully (piquant, viscous).

22. Members of Congress were relieved to learn that the current peace negotiations
involve (murky, substantive) discussion of key issues.

23. Given my birthday’s (eulogy, propinquity) to July 4th, my mother customarily

decorates my wrapped gifts with red, white, and blue ribbons.

24. Plato’s (utopian, verdant) description of the ideal society and its politics in The
Republic exerted great influence on later philosophers like Aristotle.

25. The (feckless, piquant) efforts of our new quarterback caused the team to lose.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. some actual doubt

2. primeval history
3. a blossoming garden
4. delivered an emotional testimonial
5. a slightly gummy coating of wax
6. played in the wading pool
7. feared for the helpless child
8. an unwelcome proximity
9. tried to calm the frantic parents
10. could not make out the unclear image

38 ■ Unit 3
 3
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. watered the arid lawn

2. spent the summer being serious
3. feeling composed after the accident
4. make minor repairs
5. published her lengthy diatribe

c 9 From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.
th ce
1. An educated citizenry will not give to wild charges of
extremists seeking to undermine our political and economic system.

2. Although Aimee is usually quiet in class, her contribution to our political discussion
yesterday was
3. The NCAA has in recent years cracked down hard on such
practices as “shaving points.”

4. I have always regarded the man as something of a daredevil, but on this occasion
he approached the problem with caution.

5. In the hands of our hopelessly producer, what should have

been a surefire hit turned into a resounding fiasco.
6. Even at an early age, my sister a strong interest in
studying medicine.

7. Such spices as red pepper make many of the sauces used in Cajun cooking
delightfully
8. Since my apartment is in such close to my office, I usually
walk to work.
9. For as far as the eye could see, fields of unripe corn
swayed gently in the morning breeze.

10. How could we draw any clear ideas from a talk that was so disorganized, confused
in language, and generally-------------------------- ?

Unit 3 ■ 39
11. Sadly, the-------------------------------- schemes of high-minded idealists usually
founder on the rocks of practical realities.
12. I believe there is an overall design to the universe that has been visible ever since
the first thing crawled out of the ooze.

13. When new evidence turned up in the case, the court ordered the coroner to
-------------------------------- the victim’s body and reexamine it.

14. Every Memorial Day, the mayor delivers a(n) extolling the
selfless devotion of those who have died in defense of this country.

15. When news of the fire ran through town, residents rushed
to the scene of the blaze.

16. Though diesel fuels are not as thick as motor oil, they are a good deal more
than regular gasoline.

17. The new chairman what she called the “deplorable

tendency of so many Americans to try to get something for nothing.”

18. Though I prefer to be as open and aboveboard as possible, I have learned that it
is sometimes wiser or more tactful to

19. He clothes his puny ideas in such highfalutin that they

resemble gnats in top hats and tails.

20. When Bill was told that he had made the varsity wrestling team, he began to
around the gym like a young colt.

Writing:
1. Look back at “Third Parties in American Politics” (pages 32-33), and think
about the idea of a third party that focuses on a single issue. Suppose you are
a third-party candidate running for president in the next election. What one
issue would you want to focus on? Write a brief essay that explains your view
of the issue and its importance to you and to the country in general. Use at
least two details from the passage and three unit words to support your view.

2. Being the U.S. President is, arguably, one of the most challenging and
powerful jobs in the world. Think of the range of particular qualities and skills
someone needs to be an effective President. If you had to narrow those
characteristics down to two, what would they be? Write at least three
paragraphs explaining your answer. Support your ideas with specific details
from your own experience and observations, as well as information you have
gained from your reading, studies, or media viewing. Use three or more words
from this unit in your answer.
J

40 • Unit 3
 3
Vo ary The following excerpts are from Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick.
lit het Some of the words you have studied in this unit appear in boldface
type. Complete each statement below the excerpt by circling the
Literary Text letter of the correct answer.

1. Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama
one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in
the skeleton.
When something is exhumed, it is
a. displayed in a museum c. examined by scientists
b. removed from a grave d. documented by records

2. But even stripped of these supernatural surmisings, there was enough in the earthly
make and incontestable character of the monster to strike the imagination with
unwonted power.
If something is unwonted, it is
a. unusual c. expected
b. frightening d. undesirable

3. It needs scarcely to be told, with what

feelings, on the eve of a Nantucket voyage,
I regarded those marble tablets, and by the
* .—44'/— ...
murky light of that darkened, doleful day
read the fate of the whalemen who had Igill
gone before me.
Something that is murky is NOT
Large sections of Moby-Dick focus on
a. dim c. gloomy the American whaling industry in the
b. cloudy d. clear nineteenth century.

4. Yet without power to kill, or change, or shun the fact; he likewise knew that to
mankind he did now long dissemble; in some sort, did still. But that thing of his
dissembling was only subject to his perceptibility, not to his will determinate.
To dissemble is to
a. disappoint c. conceal
b. inspire d. deride

5. For as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant

I
land, so in the soul of man there lies one insular
Tahiti, full of peace and joy, but encompassed by
all the horrors of the half known life.
Something verdant is
a. barren c. inhabited
b. green d. enduring
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Unit 3 ■ 41
REVIEW vocabularyworkshop.com: SAT and ACT practice worksheets

Voo 'for Read the following selection in which some of the words
you have studied in Units 1-3 appear in boldface type.
Com slon Then answer the questions on page 43.

Although the Chicago fire caused enormous destruction, the city recovered quickly,
as this passage shows.

(Line)
On the evening of October 8, (30) Driven by a strong wind out of the
1871, at around 9 o'clock, the city of southwest, the October 8 fire was
Chicago went up in flames. The already out of control by the time the
exact incendiary agent remains exhausted Chicago firefighters (who
(5) unknown, but historians have had been working the day before on
substantiated the Chicago Fire (35) another large fire) arrived. The wind
Department’s discovery that the carried the flames to the center of
blaze began in or near the barn of the city, where they consumed nearly
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick O’Leary, on the every structure in their path. In a
(10) southwest side of the city. Official panic, the distraught population fled
credence, however, has not been (40) northward toward Lincoln Park and
extended to the popular belief that it Lake Michigan. The fire raged for
all started when the O’Learys’ cow more than twenty-four hours until it
knocked over a lighted lantern. rained on the morning of October 10.
(15) Whatever the initial spark, the city In the days that followed,
was a tinderbox. That summer had (45) reconnaissance missions were
been unusually dry, and almost all conducted over the rubble that
the buildings, bridges, and even the remained of homes, businesses, and
sidewalks were made of wood. tunnels. Three hundred were dead,
(20) Construction over the previous years nearly 100,000 were homeless, and
had proceeded rapidly and with little (50) property damage amounted to $200
attention to fire safety. The feckless million. Yet, four years later, Chicago
city council ignored all pleas to was almost completely rebuilt. And
improve the level of fire protection, today, the Chicago Fire Academy
(25) either by bolstering the fire stands on the site of the O’Leary
department or by passing zoning (55) cowshed.
laws. As a result of this inaction, the
city of Chicago averaged about two
fires a day.

42 ■ Review Units 1-3

 REVIEW
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to 7. The meaning of feckless (line 22) is
a. tell the story of the Chicago fire a. corrupt
of 1871 b. effective
b. compare the Chicago fire with the c. popular
San Francisco earthquake of 1906 d. conservative
c. highlight the geography of Chicago e. incompetent
d. focus on the heroism of the
firefighters 8. From the passage, you can
e. expose the incompetence of the reasonably infer that all of the
city council following played a role in the spread
of the fire EXCEPT
2. The meaning of incendiary (line 4) is a. the fleeing population
a. criminal b. the minimal attention to safety in
b. causative construction
c. subversive c. the exhaustion of the firefighters
d. inflammatory d. a strong wind
e. foreign e. the unusually dry summer
3. Substantiated (line 6) most nearly 9. Distraught (line 39) is best defined as
means a. disheveled
a. disputed b. angry
b. analyzed c. frantic
c. ignored d. bemused
d. verified e. frightened
e. dismissed
10. Reconnaissance (line 45) is best
4. From the passage, it is clear that defined as
a. the fire started when the O’Learys’ a. detailed analysis
cow knocked over a lighted lantern b. calm evacuation
b. no one really knows how or where c. scouting expedition
the fire started d. slow deliberation
c. the fire started in or near the e. court decision
O’Learys’ barn
d. the fire spread slowly but steadily 11. The effect of the last sentence in the
e. Mr. and Mrs. O'Leary were passage (lines 52-55) might best be
responsible for setting the fire described as
a. fanciful
5. Credence (line 11) is best defined as b. melancholy
a. pardon c. ironic
b. acceptance d. tragic
c. condemnation e. farcical
d. mourning
e. enthusiasm 12. Which of the following best describes
the author’s attitude toward the
6. Which of the following best describes subject of the passage?
the organizational structure of a. disillusioned
paragraph 2 (lines 15-28)? b. factual
a. comparison and contrast c. satiric
b. spatial order d. skeptical
c. cause and effect e. enthusiastic
d. chronological order
e. order of importance

Review Units 1-3 ■ 43

REVIEW

d Select the pair of words that best complete the meaning of each
of the following passages.
Co ms
1. Someone with a nature is generally very good at
., while mor
they are not telling the truth.
a. distraught... emulating c. ubiquitous ... strategizing
b. devious . . . dissembling d. acquisitive . . . decrying

2. Despite the somewhat strident of some professional

critics and the inane of a few literary pedants, the work
enjoyed a notable popular success.
a. encomiums .. . largesse c. animadversions ... carping
b. verbiage . .. eulogies d. gambits . . . sacrilege

3. For what must have been the first and only time in his life, the overly cautious
general did not or vacillate but committed his troops to
battle with celerity.
a. arrogate . . . overt c. carp . . . myopic
b. temporize . . . unwonted d. dissemble ... feckless

4. From the top of the mountain that summer afternoon, I looked out on a(n)

countless streams and rivulets like so many serpents

slithering lazily across a carpet.
a. substantive . . . exhumed c. verdant. . . undulated
b. avid ... congealed d. primordial. . . cavorted

5. Someone who is by nature as skeptical as I am usually refuses to give any

until they have been __ by solid evidence.

a. credence ... substantiated c. largesse , . . exhumed
b. celerity . . . decried d. propriety . . . eschewed

6. Little did we realize, as we blithely on the beach during

those-------------------------------- and cloudless days of spring 1914, that the world
was moving inexorably into the maelstrom of total war.
a. evinced .. . piquant c. emulated . . . insatiable
b. belabored .. . utopian d. cavorted . , . halcyon

7. The senator hoped his colleagues would find his argument

about the deficit to be
a. histrionic .. . invidious c. coherent.. . tenable
b. germane ... murky d. viscous .. . nefarious

44 ■ Review Units 1-3

 WORD STUDY

In one of the letters about women’s suffrage (see pages 12-13), the
writer predicts that after Wyoming's decision to allow women to vote,
other Western states and territories will “follow suit."

“Follow suit" is an idiom. An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the
literal meanings of each word considered individually. For example, “follow suit" means
“do the same as has been done previously." Speakers and writers often use idioms to add
interest and an air of informality to their style and tone. While it is sometimes possible to
determine the meaning of an idiom from its context, you should memorize the meanings of
common idioms. For others, you may need to consult a dictionary.

Choosing the Right Idiom

Read each sentence. Use context clues to figure out the meaning of each idiom in
boldface print. Then write the letter of the definition for the idiom in the sentence.

1. To her older colleagues, the new personal trainer a. furious

seemed wet behind the ears on her first day.

2. After tiring in the first half of the race, Bryan and Phil c. likely to happen
got a second wind in the last few laps
d. a better situation
3. I was fit to be tied when the airline lost my suitcases.
e. renewed energy

f. in disagreement
4. Any library worth its salt has a variety of both print
and digital encyclopedias g. understand
5. Because the Smiths suspected that the rental h. inexperienced and
contract was not on the up and up, they refused to young
sign it
i. legal
6. One recently hired employee left the engineering
department last week for greener pastures-- j. deserving of respect

7. Although we read the directions twice, we couldn’t

make heads or tails of them

8. The homeowners and the real estate agent tried to

remain polite, but they were clearly at odds-----

9. The bride hoped that down the line the groom would
begin helping her address the wedding invitations.

10. Although I once doubted I would make the varsity

team, now I believe it is in the cards

Word Study ■ 45
 WORD STUDY

Writing with Idioms

Find the meaning of each idiom. (Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.) Then write a
sentence for each idiom.

1. done in

2. gain ground

3. by the book

4. a full plate

5. set up shop

i 6. in a nutshell
11
7. sound bite

8. ax to grind

9. bite the bullet

10. par for the course

I

11. get wind of

12. with bated breath

46 ■ Word Study
 WORD STUDY
The literal meaning of a word is its denotation, or the
D >n definition of the word found in a dictionary. In contrast,
and tion a word’s connotation is its implied meaning. Many words
have connotations that are either positive or negative.

For example, a writer could describe one character looking at another as watching,
staring, gazing, leering, scrutinizing, ogling, and so on. Each of these different words
conveys a different set of associations or images in a reader’s mind. Writers choose the
particular word that will help them best communicate a precise mood or message.

Consider these synonyms for the word utopian:

idealistic sublime quixotic illusory
Idealistic and sublime have positive connotations, suggesting noble-minded or lofty
ideas, values, and behaviors. Quixotic and illusory have negative connotations,
suggesting foolish impracticality or deception.
A
Think: Residents would welcome an idealistic or sublime
vision of community reform but would criticize or reject calls
for quixotic or illusory changes.

Look at these examples of words that are similar in denotation but have
different connotations.
NEUTRAL POSITIVE NEGATIVE
dwell on emphasize belabor

avid enthusiastic coveting

unwonted extraordinary aberrant

Skilled writers and readers need to understand the emotional power that certain words
have and pay attention to the differing nuances of words with similar denotations.

Shades off Meaning

Write a plus sign (+) in the box if the word has a positive connotation.
Write a minus sign (-) if the word has a negative connotation. Put a zero (0)
if the word is neutral.

1. decry 2. congeal 3. propinquity 4. distraught

5. murky 6. germane 7. brackish 8. animadversion

9. accost 10. devious 11. eulogy 12. coherent

13. overt 14. sacrilege 15. undulate 16. pejorative

Word Study ■ 47
WORD STUDY

Expressing the Connotation

Read each sentence. Select the word in parentheses that expresses the connotation
(positive, negative, or neutral) given at the beginning of the sentence.

negative 1. I have enjoyed several of the author’s previous novels, but the
(diction, verbiage) used throughout this one made reading it tedious.
negative 2. With one rap of his gavel, the judge (rudely, summarily) ordered the
defense attorneys to leave his chambers.
positive 3. Featuring a variety of (piquant, suitable) seafood salads, the buffet
was well worth the cost.
negative 4. The ineffective advertisement relied on (common, banal) descriptive
phrases and images.
positive 5. We had tears in our eyes after hearing the (encomium, sermon) to
the injured firefighters.
neutral 6. During the play’s final act, the tearful heroine questions her sister’s
(dubious, nefarious) behavior.
neutral 7. Predictably, the newspaper’s (unfortunate, invidious) headline stirred
up controversy in the community.
positive 8. With a stunning view of the castle and elegant decor, the hotel room
offered a(n) (halcyon, agreeable) atmosphere.

Challenge: Using Connotation

Choose vocabulary words from Units 1-3 to replace the highlighted words in the
sentences below. Then explain how the connotation of the replacement word changes
the tone of the sentence.

largesse histrionic acquisitive

talisman carping suppliant

1. Hearing his unexpectedly critical comments changed the

team's opinion of their new coach.

2. The film review emphasized the dramatic manner in which

the lead actor delivered his lines in the final scene.

3. The minister remarked on the surprising gift. to the church

building fund given by an anonymous donor.

48 ■ Word Study
 WORD STUDY

The root cred appears in credence (page 34). The literal

Cla ots meaning is “belief," but the word now suggests a belief that
is accepted. Some other words based on the same root are
cred—to believe listed below.

accreditation credibility creditor credulity

credentials creditable credo credulous

From the list of words above, choose the one that corresponds to each of the brief
definitions below. Write the word in the blank space in the illustrative sentence below
the definition. Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.

1. a person or an organization to which money is owed

The bank denied her request for a loan when they saw that she had made late
payments to a past--------------------------------

2. an undue readiness to believe; a lack of critical judgment

The wily con artists exploited their victim’s----------------

3. a statement or summary of faith or fundamental belief; an authoritative statement of

religious belief ("I believe")
The of our hiking club is “Take only pictures; leave
only footprints.”

4. inclined to believe very readily, gullible

The naive young man seemed as as a child.

5. official authorization or approval (often used in regard to academic affairs)

The college received as an institution of higher learning.

6. bringing or deserving credit or honor

Despite limited rehearsal time, the cast did a(n) job on
that play.

7. references, testimonials, or other (usually written) evidence of identity or status

(“that which provides a basis for belief”)
The security guard demanded to see their before they
could enter the building.

8. worthiness of belief
At the hearing, a panel of experts questioned the of the
advertisement.

Word Study ■ 49
UNIT 4
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 4. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Reforming the Security Council

< Newspaper Editorial>
or more than a decade, diplomats and Its members include representatives from
■ politicians the world over have sought fifteen nations, five of which hold permanent
to reform the United Nations Security seats. A minimum of nine votes is required
Council. While everyone seems to agree for the Council to pass a resolution, but the
that reform could increase the Council’s five permanent members have the lion’s
effectiveness, there is less concord as to share of influence over important decisions.
how to bring it about. Many nations favor If any permanent member votes against
changes that suit their own interests and a proposed measure, the resolution does
grouse about their rivals’ points of view. not pass.
As the debate drags on, proposals for This veto power held by the permanent
reform pile up like flotsam on the shore,
members is the chief source of the Council's
each idea thwarted by a barrage of inefficacy. When there is disagreement
mordant objections. So the process of
among permanent members, a single “no”
reform has proven less efficient than the vote is enough to prevent the Council from
Security Council itself, and hope for
taking action. Just the threat of a veto
change threatens to atrophy.
can throw negotiations into disarray,
The Security Council was created to holding the Council hostage to the slow
serve as a bastion of peace and security workings of diplomacy. This cumbersome
in the world. It has the power to mediate process prevents the Council from
disputes and to authorize peacekeeping reacting quickly to the exigencies of
operations, sanctions, and military action. political crises. Accordingly, many critics

The UN building in New

York City, as seen from
the East River

A meeting of the UN Security Council

claim it is incumbent upon reformers to pecuniary and military support to the
amend the Council’s voting procedures. U.N. and that have the greatest power to
Others demand that the number of influence world affairs by diplomatic,
non-permanent members be increased economic, or other means.
to limit the permanent members’ power. That is not necessarily the case today.
While there is wisdom in both of these The list of permanent members was drawn
suggestions, debate as to how the U.N. up just after World War II and no longer
can implement such measures remains reflects the balance of global power. The
frenetic, with no end to the stratagems fortunes of many nations have changed,
by which each nation hopes to gain for better or worse, in the past six
advantage. decades. To better reflect today’s world,
An increasing number of critics have influential nations such as Germany and
suggested doing away with permanent Japan should be made permanent
membership entirely and making all members, along with emerging regional
members of the Council temporary powers like India, South Africa, and Brazil.
officials. While proponents of this reform And the Council’s voting process must
may glean support from some corners, be improved. Achieving these aims will
there is little chance of its coming to require an unusual degree of compromise
pass. The permanent members will not and consummate diplomatic tact, and
willingly give up their privileged there is no doubt that some nations will
positions: Since they have the power to be nettled by the result. But the only
veto the proposal, it is ludicrous to alternative is to allow the Council to remain
expect that such a resolution could ever an ineffective institution—and this is an
be enacted. Moreover, permanent outcome that benefits no one.
membership is designed to reflect the
realities of global politics. In theory,
permanent members consist of the
nations that contribute the most

Snap the code, or go to

vocabularyworkshop.com

A UN peacekeeper monitors the border between Israel and Lebanon,

ff ■* ■ ■
 vocabularyworkshop.com: iWords*^ audio program Q* interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
D s spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. atrophy (n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive
(a' tra fe) decline or failure; (v.) to waste away
The of the downtown business
district began when two huge malls opened.
The patient’s muscles have
synonyms: (n.) degeneration, deterioration; (v.) wither
antonyms: (n.) growth; (v.) mature

2. bastion (n.) a fortified place, stronghold

(bas' chan) Contrary to popular belief, the military is not always a
of political conservatism.
synonyms: citadel, rampart, parapet

3. concord (n.) a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact,

(kan' kord) covenant
A spirit of was restored when the
company compensated its employees.
antonyms: disagreement, strife, discord

4. consummate (adj.) complete or perfect in the highest degree; (v.) to bring to

(y., kan' sa mat; a state of completion or perfection
adj., kan' sa mat) Michelangelo’s paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
in the Vatican are works of artistry.
The lawyers could not the
settlement until the two parties met face to face.
synonyms: (adj.) masterful; (v.) clinch, conclude
antonyms: (v.) launch, initiate, begin, kick off

5. disarray (n.) disorder, confusion; (v.) to throw into disorder

(dis a ra')
The burgled home was in a state of
If you leave the window open, a breeze may
the papers on the des
synonyms: (n.) disorganization; (v.) dishevel, mess up
antonyms: (n.) organization, order, tidiness

6. exigency (n., often pl.) urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need;
(ek' sa jan se) an emergency
He emphasized the of the situation
by requesting the immediate dispatch of rescue teams.
synonyms: requirement, crisis

52 ■ Unit 4
 4
7. flotsam (n.) floating debris; homeless, impoverished people
(flat' sam) After the two ships collided, the survivors clung to various
pieces of and hoped for rescue.
synonym: floating wreckage

8. frenetic (adj.) frenzied, highly agitated

(fra net' ik) When a court order was issued, the social services
department made a search for the
missing report.
synonyms: frantic, overwrought
antonyms: calm, controlled, relaxed, leisurely

9. glean (v.) to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left in
(glen) a field by the reapers
By means of painstaking investigation, the detectives will
eventually the truth.
SYNONYMS: cull, pick up

10. grouse (n.) a type of game bird; a complaint; (v.) to complain, grumble
(graus) The patient’s latest was that he did
not get any dessert with his dinner the night before.
Those who just stand around and
about their low salaries are not likely to get raises.
synonyms: (v.) kvetch, bellyache

11. incarcerate (v.) to imprison, confine, jail

(in kar' sa rat) They will the convicted felon at the
state penitentiary.
synonym: intern; antonyms: liberate, free

12. incumbent (adj.) obligatory, required; (n.) one who holds a specific office at
(in kam' bant) the time spoken of
Voting on election day is a duty on
all Americans who value a democratic government.
The has the advantage when
standing for reelection but does not have a guarantee of
victory.
synonyms: (adj.) mandatory, necessary
antonyms: (adj.) optional, unnecessary

13. jocular (adj.) humorous, jesting, jolly, joking

(jak' ya lar) After receiving the news that she was ahead in the polls, the
candidate was in a delightfully mood.
synonyms: waggish, facetious, droll
antonyms: solemn, grave, earnest, grim

Unit 4 ■ S3
14. ludicrous (adj.) ridiculous, laughable, absurd
(lud' a kras) Her comment was so that we finally
understood that she was joking.
synonyms: risible, preposterous
antonyms: heartrending, poignant, pathetic

15. mordant (adj.) biting or caustic in thought, manner, or style; sharply or

(mor' dant) bitterly harsh
The actor was upset by the criticism
of the gossip columnist who seemed out to ruin his reputation.
synonyms: acrimonious, acidulous, sardonic, scathing
antonyms: bland, mild, gentle, soothing

16. nettle (n.) a prickly or stinging plant; (v.) to arouse displeasure,

(net' al) impatience, or anger; to vex or irritate severely
If you are pricked by a , aloe cream
will soothe and reduce the sting.
The principal was by the student's
disrespectful behavior.
synonyms: (v.) peeve, annoy, incense, gall
antonyms: (v.) please, delight, soothe, pacify

17. pecuniary (adj.) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money

(pi kyu' ne er e) The couple was forced by
considerations to sell their large home and buy a smaller one.
synonym: monetary

18. pusillanimous (adj.) contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited

(pyu sa Ian' a mas) It is often said that bullies, when tested, are the most
people of all.
synonym: lily-livered
antonyms: stouthearted, courageous

19. recumbent (adj.) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one
(ri kam' bant) sleeping or resting
The tired toddlers were on the
couch after playing all afternoon in the yard.
synonyms: prone, supine, inactive
antonyms: erect, energetic, dynamic

20. stratagem (n.) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end

(strat' a jam) The defense attorney used a clever
to curry sympathy for her client.
synonyms: trick, ploy, subterfuge

54 • Unit 4
 4

Ch< the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 50-51 to see how most
Ri rd of these words are used in context.

1. In Victorian times, fashionable ladies (disarrayed,

incarcerated) their waists in tight corsets to achieve a
chic “hourglass" figure.

2. During the 19th century, it was fashionable to spend a

few weeks in the fall hunting (grouse, nettles),
pheasants, and other game birds.

3. Comfortably (recumbent, frenetic) in the shade of the

elm tree, I watched the members of the football team
go through a long, hard workout.

4. The affairs of our city are in such (disarray, flotsam)

that the state may have to intervene to restore some
semblance of order.

5. Before the ceremony began, we all bowed our heads Victorian dress with a high
and hoped for unity, peace, and (concord, atrophy) neckline and long, full skirt
among all nations.

6. We were fascinated by the (mordant, frenetic) scene on the floor of the stock
exchange as brokers struggled to keep up with sudden price changes.

7. I have always regarded our schools and colleges as citadels of learning and
(bastions, stratagems) against ignorance and superstition.

8. Do you really think that those (jocular, recumbent) remarks are appropriate on
such a solemn occasion?

9. In the shelter, I saw for the first time people who'd been beaten and discouraged
by life—the so-called derelicts and (flotsam, incumbents) of the great city.

10. The only way we’ll really be able to increase productivity is to offer our employees
a few solid (frenetic, pecuniary) incentives to work harder.

11. We were able to (consummate, glean) only a few shreds of useful information from
his long, pretentious speech.

12. Of the ten Congressional seats in our state, only one was won by a new member;
all the other winners were (incumbents, bastions).

13. There are few things in life as (frenetic, ludicrous) as an unqualified person trying
to assume the trappings of authority.

14. The huge influx of wealth that resulted from foreign conquests led in part to the
physical and moral (atrophy, flotsam) of the Roman ruling class.

15. What we need to cope with this crisis is not cute (grouses, stratagems) but a bold,
realistic plan and the courage to carry it out.

Unit 4 • 55
16. All that I needed to (consummate, nettle) the most important deal of my career
was her signature on the dotted line.

17. To feel fear in difficult situations is natural, but to allow one's conduct to be
governed by fear is (jocular, pusillanimous).

18. I noticed with approval that his (pecuniary, mordant) remarks were intended to
deflate the pompous and unmask the hypocritical.

19. It has been said that the only way to handle a (nettle, stratagem), or any difficult
problem, without being stung is to grasp it firmly and decisively.

20. A born leader is someone who can rise to the (incumbents, exigencies) of any
crisis that he or she may be confronted with.

21. Why did my grandparents feel it necessary to show the (pecuniary, ludicrous)
photo of me dressed as a chicken to my new girlfriend?

22. Although most of the diners’ comments were favorable, several (grouses,
concords) about the soggy salads dismayed the chef.

23. Recent polls confirm a widespread (atrophy, nettle) in small business owners’
abilities to secure bank loans at reasonable rates.

24. In his 1907 painting The Sick Child, Edvard Munch’s depiction of a (jocular,
recumbent) adolescent creates a mood of despair.

25. The undisciplined puppy (disarrayed, consummated) the boxes in the garage.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. gripes about every change in the routine

2. received financial compensation
3. the ill-conceived ruse
4. collected tidbits of information
5. a longtime bulwark of resistance
6. prostrate on a hospital bed
7. craven behavior
8. a witty conversation
9. immured for years in a dank dungeon
10. irks her coworkers with senseless chatter

56 ■ Unit 4
 1 4
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. made a daring attempt

2. enthusiasm that developed
3. stayed upright without moving
4. release the trapped bat
5. a humorless manner

s From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. The defeated army fled in such that before long it had

become little more than a uniformed mob.

2. People who are used to the unhurried atmosphere of a country town often find it
hard to cope with the pace of big-city life.

3. Almost every case of muscle or tissue is the result of

disease, prolonged disuse, or changes in cell nutrition.

4. I have yet to meet an adult who did not about the taxes he
or she had to pay.

5. I get my best ideas while lying down; the position seems to

stimulate my brain.

6. The of my present financial situation demand that I curtail

all unnecessary expenses for at least a month.

7. Even critics of our penal system admit that as long as hardened criminals are
, they can’t commit further crimes.

8. Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens is a disillusioned misanthrope who spends his time

hurling barbs at the rest of mankind.

9. As soon as he struck the opening chords of the selection, we realized that we were
listening to a(n)master of the piano.

10. The that we observed here and there in the harbor bore
mute testimony to the destructive power of the storm.

Unit 4 ■ 57
11. I regret that Nancy was by my unfavorable review of her
short story, but I had to express my opinion honestly.

12. Most people regarded the government's attempt to avert a war by buying off the
aggressor as not only shameful but

13. It was pleasant to see the usually quiet and restrained Mr. Baxter in such a(n)
and expansive mood.

14. It is on all of us to do whatever we can to help our

community overcome this crisis.

15. Since I had had only one year of high-school French, my attempts to speak that
language on my trip to Paris were pretty

16. Peace is not just the absence of war but a positive state of
among the nations of the world.

17. Despite all their highfalutin malarkey about helping the poor, I suspect that their
interest in the project is purely

18. Though next to nothing is known about Homer, historians have been able to
a few odd facts abo

19. The high ground east of the river formed a natural , which
we decided to defend with all the forces at our disposal.

20. The purpose of our was to draw in the safety so that Tom
could get behind him to receive a long pass.

Writing:

1. Look back at “Reforming the Security Council” (pages 50-51). Think about
how the U.N. Security Council could become more effective. Which one of the
possible changes to the Council that the author mentions do you think makes
the most sense? Write a persuasive essay explaining the single most important
change to the Security Council that you would like to see made. Use at least
two details from the passage and three unit words to support your argument.

2. "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character,
give him power."■—Abraham Lincoln
Do you agree with Lincoln’s statement? How does having power bring out the
best or the worst in a person? Write an essay that explains your opinion, using
specific examples from your reading (refer to pages 50-51), your studies, or
your own experience and observations to clarify and support your ideas. Write
at least three paragraphs, and use three or more words from this unit.

58 ■ Unit 4
 4
Vocabulary The following excerpts are from Thomas Hardy's novels Jude the
inCiitext Obscure and Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Some of the words you have
studied in this unit appear in boldface type. Complete each statement
Literary Text below the excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. The sight of it [a milestone], unimpaired, within its screen of grass and nettles,
lit in his soul a spark of the old fire. Surely his plan should be to move onward
through good and ill—to avoid morbid sorrow even though he did see uglinesses
in the world? (Jude the Obscure)
Nettles are
a. tiny pebbles c. prickly plants
b. thick roots d. crumbling rocks

2. As a set-off against such discussions as these there had come an improvement in

their pecuniary position, which earlier in their experience would have made them
cheerful. (Jude the Obscure)
A pecuniary position is related to
a. money c. family
b. emotions d. taxes

3. To have suggested such a story was certainly

not very exhilarating, in a serious view of
their position. However, in a few minutes Sue
seemed to see that their position this morning
had a ludicrous side, and wiping her eyes
she laughed. (Jude the Obscure)
Something ludicrous is
The 1998 TV version of Tess of the
a. pathetic c. fleeting d’Urbervilles stars Justine Waddell.
b. arbitrary d. absurd

4. She musingly turned to withdraw, passing near an altar-tomb, the oldest of them
all, on which was a recumbent figure. In the dusk she had not noticed it before,
and would hardly have noticed it now but for an odd fancy that the effigy moved.
(Tess of the d’Urbervilles)
Someone who is recumbent is NOT
a. talkative c. sturdy
b. hideous d. standing

5. They [the mountain summits] had a low and

unassuming aspect from this upland, though as
□
approached on the other side from Blackmoor in
her childhood they were as lofty bastions against
the sky. (Tess of the d’Urbervilles)
Bastions are
□
Snap the code, or go to
a. strongholds c. shadows
vocabularyworkshop.com
b. benedictions d. omens

Unit 4 ■ 59
UNIT 5
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 5. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

What Is Pop Art?

< Essay >

Roy Lichtenstein's In the Car, 1963, looks like a comic strip

but measures 30 x 40 in.

Uf hat is pop art? The simple answer: Art color to express personal ideas and
W based on popular culture. Beginning feelings. Pop artists viewed abstract
in the mid-1950s and continuing for more expressionism as elitist—too esoteric to be
than a decade, pop artists borrowed appreciated by most museum goers. In
images directly from everyday popular response, they returned to representational
culture. Drawing upon this seemingly art. This was a time when consumerism
mundane content, pop artists created was booming in the United States and
bold, overpowering images. With great advertising had become ubiquitous. So
acuity, their canvases detailed such the world around the pop artists became a
familiar things as comic strips, American fecund source of images.
flags, race cars, popular movie stars, At first, pop art garnered much negative
and even boxes of laundry detergent. criticism. Some critics complained that
In many ways, pop art was a reaction pop art’s penchant for reproducing
to abstract expressionism, the dominant existing images—such as painting a
style of painting during the 1940s and portrait of a can of soup—was too easy.
1950s. Abstract expressionist paintings Others claimed the pop artist's love of
were nonrepresentational; they did not commercial images enervated traditional
delineate objects directly. Instead, artists artistic values. A few critics even implied
used abstract shapes and nuances in that pop art was depraved, or at least was

60 • Units
 Warhol, Andy (1928-1987). Vegetarian
Vegetable from Campbell's Soup II. 1
1969. Screenprint, 35| x 23^ in. Gift
of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eider-Orley, 1972
(1972.724.3). The Metropolitan Museum
of Art, New York, NY.

devoid of aesthetic principles. Pop artists

dismissed these arguments as so much condensed
sophistry. Why should traditional art be
hallowed and commercial art be dismissed
as vulgar? Was it a declaration of truth or a
mere fiat when a critic pronounced one 3 <Cxsoupj~x
piece art and another trash?
4, VEGETARIAN
No doubt reminding themselves that
beauty is in the eye of the beholder, pop vegetable
artists ignored the critics and continued
to explore the relationship between the boz
two types of art, playing around with
commercial images and presenting them
as works of art. Roy Lichtenstein, for
example, chose comic strips as his main
subject. Reproducing all the cream bars. Like so much pop art,
idiosyncrasies of this format, including Oldenburg’s "soft sculptures” remind us
voice balloons and printing dots, he that, in pop art, the ordinary things of life
chose frames that showed violent action become strange and things that we take
or sentimental romance. The images, for granted are seen anew, as if for the
enlarged to monumental size and
first time.
completely out of context, took on a new
significance. Pop art outlived its critics, and today, a
half century later, its seriousness is not in
Andy Warhol is reputed to have eaten doubt. As a movement, pop art ended, but
soup for lunch every day for twenty years. not before greatly expanding the range
Perhaps that explains why he, the best- of subjects, attitudes, and techniques
known of the pop artists, first became available to all artists. Thanks to the pop
famous for his images of soup cans and artists, younger generations of painters,
other consumer products. Later, glamour sculptors, and photographers now explore
and fame became a central theme of his the world in more imaginative and thought­
work, and he produced sumptuous provoking ways.
silkscreens of celebrities, such as Marilyn
Monroe and Elvis Presley. Thanks to an
overweening desire for publicity, Andy
Warhol helped make pop art a household
term, and he became one of the wealthiest
artists of all time.
□
Pop art sculptors were also active,
again taking consumer products as their
starting point. Claes Oldenburg stuffed
and painted cloth to produce giant
□
Snap the code, or go to
hamburgers, toothpaste tubes, and ice vocabularyworkshop.com

Units • 61
 vocabularywork8hop.com: iWort^audio program 9 interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
D spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. acuity (n.) sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)

(a kyu' a te) The of most people’s hearing
diminishes as they grow older.
synonym: acuteness
antonyms: dullness, obtuseness

2. delineate (v.) to portray, sketch, or describe in accurate and vivid detail;

(di tin' e at) to represent pictorially
The architects will the main features
of their plan at the next client meeting.
synonyms: picture, render

3. depraved (adj.) marked by evil and corruption, devoid of moral principles

(di pravd') Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray is about
a man whose portrait reveals
his wickedness.
synonyms: perverted, degenerate, vicious, corrupt
antonyms: moral, virtuous, upright, uncorrupted

4. enervate (v.) to weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of;
(en' ar vat) enfeeble, hamstring
Unfortunately, the great musician’s mind was
by disease in the last decade of
her life.
synonyms: impair, cripple, paralyze
antonyms: invigorate, strengthen, buttress

5. esoteric (adj.) intended for or understood by only a select few, private,

(es a ter' ik) secret
The fraternity developed a set of
rites that had to be performed by anyone seeking
membership.
synonyms: cryptic, arcane, recondite
antonyms: accessible, comprehensible, intelligible

6. fecund (adj.) fruitful in offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive

(fek' und) The remarkably mind of Albert
Einstein produced theories that revolutionized the science
of physics.
synonyms: fertile, teeming, prolific
antonyms: infertile, barren, unproductive

62 ■ Units
 5
7. fiat (n.) an arbitrary order or decree; a command or act of will
(fe at) or consciousness
The ruler instituted several new
synonyms: dictum, ukase

8. figment (n.) a fabrication of the mind; an arbitrary notion

(fig' mant) The silhouette of a man on the porch was a mere
of your overheated imag
synonyms: invention, fancy

9. garner (v) to acquire as the result of effort; to gather and store away, as
(gar' nar) for future use
Over the years, the writer was able to
some wisdo
to others in her books.
synonyms: collect, accumulate, accrue
antonyms: scatter, squander, waste, dissipate

10. hallow (v.) to set apart as holy or sacred, sanctify, consecrate; to honor
(hal' 6) greatly, revere
In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln--------------------------------
the battlefield on which the Union soldiers fought and died.
synonyms: venerate, bless
antonyms: defile, profane

11. idiosyncrasy (n.) a peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify

(id e a sirj' kra se) The fact that the plurals of some nouns are formed
irregularly is an of English grammar.
synonyms: quirk, mannerism

12. ignominy (n.) shame and disgrace

(ig' na min e) He went from glory to
synonyms: humiliation, disrepute, odium
antonyms: honor, acclaim

13. mundane (adj.) earthly, worldly, relating to practical and material affairs;
(man dan') concerned with what is ordinary
The painter left all concerns to her
sister while she single-mindedly pursued her artistic goals.
synonyms: prosaic, humdrum, routine, sublunary
antonyms: heavenly, spiritual, transcendental

Units ■ 63
14. nuance (n.) a subtle or slight variation (as in color, meaning, quality),
(nu' ans) delicate gradation or shade of difference
In his writing, the poet paid close attention to every
of meaning i
synonyms: shade, nicety, refinement

15. overweening (adj.) conceited, presumptuous; excessive, immoderate

(d var we 'nirj) It was the confidence of the
candidate that prevented her from acknowledging her
weaknesses.
synonyms: arrogant, unbridled, inflated
antonyms: restrained, understated, meek

16. penchant (n.) a strong attraction or inclination

(pen' chant) A teacher with a for belaboring the
obvious is bound to be boring.
synonyms: proclivity, predilection
antonyms: disinclination, aversion

17. reputed (adj.) according to reputation or general belief; having

(ri pyut' id) widespread acceptance and good reputation; (part.) alleged
Although he is the head of a crime
syndicate, he has never spent time in jail.
synonyms: putative, reputable
antonyms: proven, corroborated, authenticated

18. sophistry (n.) reasoning that seems plausible but is actually unsound;
(saf a stre) a fallacy
The couple was beguiled into buying a bigger house
than they needed by the clever of
the broker.
synonym: specious reasoning

19. sumptuous (adj.) costly, rich, magnificent

(samp' chu as) The feast honoring the king's
birthday was followed by musical entertainment.
synonyms: lavish, munificent, opulent, splendid
antonyms: skimpy, stingy, niggardly, spartan

20. ubiquitous (adj.) present or existing everywhere

(yu bik' wa tas) The eye of the TV camera threatens
to rob citizens of any sense of privacy.
synonyms: pervasive, universal
antonyms: restricted, limited, rare, scarce

64 ■ Unit 5
 5
/
Chcg the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 60-61 to see how most
Rig rd of these words are used in context.

1. Cleopatra took her own life rather than suffer the

(figment, ignominy) of being led through the streets
of Rome in chains.

2. Her imagination is like a (fecund, depraved) field in which

new ideas spring up like so many ripe ears of corn.
g
3. Scandal and corruption may so (enervate, delineate) an
administration that it can no longer function effectively.

4. Two synonyms are rarely exactly the same because

(fiats, nuances) of tone or applicability make each of
the words unique.
'X

5. Few writers have J. D. Salinger’s remarkable ability

to (delineate, garner) the emotions and aspirations
of the average teenager.
ill
A relief of Cleopatra, the
last ruler of ancient Egypt
6. It is only in superior mental powers, not in physical (51 bc-30 bc).
strength or (ignominy, acuity) of the senses, that human
beings surpass other living things.

7. Your language is indeed clever and amusing, but your argument is nothing but a
piece of outright (sophistry, idiosyncrasy).

8. Someone with a pronounced (penchant, figment) for saying the wrong thing might
justly be described as a victim of “foot-in-mouth” disease.
9. The (sumptuous, ubiquitous) banquet was a pleasant change of pace from the
spartan fare to which I had become accustomed.

10. He means well, but we cannot tolerate his highly (idiosyncratic, fecund) behavior
in an organization that depends on discipline and teamwork.

11. Like a true fanatic, he considers anyone who disagrees with him on any issue to be
either feebleminded or (depraved, mundane).

12. A true sign of intellectual maturity is the ability to distinguish the (figments,
penchants) of wishful thinking from reality.

13. In a democracy, the government must rule by persuasion and consent—not by

mere (fiat, sophistry).

14. How I’d love to knock the wind out of the sails of that lout’s (fecund, overweening)
conceit!

15. The conversation between the computer programmers was so (esoteric,

ubiquitous) that I wasn’t sure they were speaking English.

Units ■ 65
16. In that rarefied atmosphere, I was afraid to ask about anything quite so
(sumptuous, mundane) as the location of the rest room.

17. I appreciate all those kind expressions of gratitude for my services, but I had
hoped also to (garner, nuance) some cash.

18. The alert defense put up by our team completely neutralized our opponents’
(reputedly, sumptuously) unstoppable passing attack.

19. We will never abandon a cause that has been (garnered, hallowed) by the
achievements and sacrifices of so many noble people.

20. Probably no complaint of young people is more (ubiquitous, depraved) than “My
parents don’t understand me!”

21. In Shakespeare’s Othello and King Lear, the (overweening, sumptuous) pride of
the title characters contributes to their tragic downfalls.

22. Eight White Sox players in the 1919 World Series were banned from baseball for
throwing games and forced to live with the (fiat, ignominy) of their actions.

23. The orator who is most able to recognize and rebut his or her opponent’s
persuasive (figments, sophistry) consistently will win the debate.

24. Weary of her (mundane, ubiquitous) day-to-day life, the woman embarked on a
summer-long bicycle adventure across the continental United States.

25. Given my (penchant, nuance) for spicy food, I should enjoy the cayenne pepper.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. known for his propensity for exaggeration

2. as a result of a general edict
3. a supposed heir to a huge fortune
4. an eccentricity of speech
5. depicted the view from the balcony
6. sought occult knowledge in ancient books
7. the latest creation of his imagination
8. their omnipresent sense of dread
9. known for the keenness of her wit
10. the dishonor of plagiarism

66 ■ Units
 5

Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. a man of modest aspirations

2. the other worldly side of life
3. made a meager meal
4. the glory of her situation
5. believed the story was reality

c s From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. The marathon not only brought in huge sums of money for Africa’s starving masses,
but also much sympathy for their plight.

2. Beneath the man’s cultivated manner and impeccable grooming there lurked the
mind of a brutal sadist.

3. The man is to have mob connections, but so far no one

has actually substantiated the allegation.

4. May I interrupt this abstruse discussion and turn your attention to more
matters—like what’s for dinner?

5. Most people I know are so busy dealing with the ordinary problems of life that they
have no time for philosophical speculation.

6. During the eleven years of his “personal rule,” King Charles I bypassed Parliament
and ruled England by royal

7. Analysis will show that his "brilliant exposition” of how we can handle the pollution
problem without cost to anyone is sheer

8. I was so by the oppressive heat and humidity of that awful

afternoon that I could barely move.

9. The phonograph is but one of the wonderful new devices that sprang from the
mind of Thomas Edison, our

10. "Your suspicion that I am constantly making fun of you behind your back is a mere
of your overheated brain,” I replied.

Units . 67
11. The ground in which those soldiers are buried was by the
blood they shed on it.

12. He was a changed young man after he suffered the of

expulsion from West Point for conduct unbecoming a gentleman.

13. His constant use of the word fabulous, even for quite ordinary subjects, is a(n)
that I could do without.

14. There is quite a difference between the austere furnishings of my little apartment
and the accommodations of a luxury hotel.

15. His sense of superiority dominates his personality in much

the same way as his beetling brow dominates his face.

16. You may have many good traits, but I do not admire your
for borrowing things and failing to return them.

17. The passing years lessened her physical vigor but in no way diminished the
of her judgment.

18. Music can often express a(n) of mood or feeling that would
be difficult to put into words.

19. The artist’s sketch not only the model’s appearance

accurately, but also captured something of her personality.

20. American-style fast-food shops have gained such popularity all over the world that
they are now truly

Writing:

1. Look back at “What Is Pop Art?" (pages 60-61). Think about the kinds of art
and music that are popular today. How have styles of art and music changed
over the years? How do they reflect the social values and issues of a specific
time period? Write a brief essay in which you analyze one or two current trends
in art or music, explaining what they reveal about contemporary society. Use at
least two details from the passage and three unit words in your analysis.

2. For centuries, people have tried to answer this question: “Is some art actually
better than other art, or is the quality of a work of art really just a matter of
personal taste?” What is your opinion? If there is good and bad art, then what
makes good art good, and what makes bad art bad? Write at least three
paragraphs explaining your viewpoint. Support your ideas with specific details
from your reading (pages 60-61), your prior knowledge, and your personal
experience and observations.

68 ■ Units
 5 I
Vo ry The following excerpts are from Charles Dickens's novel David
llE Kt Copperfield. Some of the words you have studied in this unit appear
in boldface type. Complete each statement below the excerpt by
Literary Text circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. By and by, when we had dined in a sumptuous manner off boiled dabs, melted
butter, and potatoes, with a chop for me, a hairy man with a very good-natured
face came home.
Something that is sumptuous is
a. casual c. protracted
b. magnificent d. companionable

2. “The victim, from my cradle, of pecuniary liabilities to

which I have been unable to respond, I have ever
been the sport and toy of debasing circumstances.
Ignominy, Want, Despair, and Madness, have,
collectively or separately, been the attendants of
my career."
Ignominy is
a. disgrace c. larceny
b. poverty d. imprisonment

3. “Miss Dartle," I returned, “you deepen the injury...

you do him a great wrong.” A scene from the 1935 film version
“I do him no wrong,” she returned. “They are a of David Copperfield, starring W.C.
Fields as Mr. Micawber and Freddie
depraved, worthless set.” Bartholomew as David Copperfield.
Someone who is depraved is definitely NOT
a. reasonable c. cheerful
b. dynamic d. moral

Before this boy, who was reputed to be a great scholar, and was very good-looking,
and at least half-a-dozen years my senior, I was carried as before a magistrate.
A person who is reputed to be a scholar is
a. generally believed to be one c. humble about his abilities
b. expected to become one d. devoted to his studies

5. What other changes have come upon me, besides

the changes in my growth and looks, and in the
knowledge I have garnered all this while?
When something is garnered, it is
a. verified c. utilized
b. gathered d. dispersed
□
Snap the code, or go to
vocabularyworkshop.com

Unit 5 ■ 69
UNIT 6
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 6. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Your Papers. Please

< Debate >
RFoday’s debate question Is:
I Should every citizen of the United
States be required to have a national
identity card?
Tessa: The United States should ** 53 s

implement a national identity card system

without delay. Failure to do so would make
the government derelict in its duty to
protect citizens, as well as constitute a
travesty of common sense. The most
compelling argument favoring national ID
cards is the crucial, ongoing effort to
forestall any terrorist attacks against the
United States. Advocates of national ID
cards have noted with perspicacity that
an effective ID card setup could operate
our existing system of surveillance has
been proved inadequate and has failed in with only five basic elements: name,
the past to detect the complicity of the address, Social Security number,
photograph, and a finger or retinal print
terrorists in plots against the Unites States.
matching a chip on the card. Even a
Tyrone: All that glitters is not gold, Tessa, civil liberties neophyte would hesitate
and establishment of a national ID card before raising an indictment of such
would be an abject surrender of civil requirements.
liberties and our citizens’ right to privacy.
At the risk of sounding testy, I firmly Tyrone: Tessa, people’s right to privacy is
dispute the implicit assumption that an the most important motif in my critique of
a national ID card system, as there are
ID card system would have foiled
previous terrorist attacks. That conjecture numerous unresolved questions about the
is an illusion in this high-tech world, elements, requirements, and circumstances
where forgery, hacking, and identity theft of an ID card program. All these questions
might well have equipped terrorists with would affect privacy: Would the program
fake cards. be voluntary or mandatory, for example?
Who could lawfully demand presentation of
Tessa: I believe a national ID card would the card, and on what occasions? Should
have several indubitable benefits, Tyrone. the card be local, federal, or international?
First, it would offer consistency, in contrast How much information could the
to the varying requirements of the states government collect?
for the issue of driver's licenses. Second,
To ignore the risk of a slippery slope here
an ID card system could be administered
would be inane. In the information age,
with equity. Despite the diatribes of
privacy advocates against such a system, everyone knows the extent to which giant

70 ■ Unit 6
institutions tend to assemble more and presentation of the card on the threat of
more data on citizens, sometimes for arrest. The misuse of ID cards under
illegitimate purposes. totalitarian governments such as in South
Tessa: I have several more arguments, Africa, the former Soviet Union, and China
Tyrone—the first of which is with a national has long been known. Let's consider
ID card system concerns about racial and carefully before we go down that path.
ethnic profiling would no longer be moot,
because such concerns would be nullified
by the uniformities of the card system.
Intermittent harassment of minority groups
would thus in all likelihood decline. Finally,
many other countries, especially in Europe,
use national ID cards successfully, so why
not here? □
Snap the code, or go to
Tyrone: A national ID card system would
grant a single institution, the federal vocabularyworkshop.com
government, plenary powers to accrue
information on all American citizens, so
the potential for abuse is discernible.
Contrary to your assertion, Tessa, racial
profiling might actually increase. In other Left: A foreign national ID card;
parts of the world with this system, the Right: fraudulent government
police are often entitled to demand documents seized by U.S. Customs
in New York
 vocabularyworkshop.com: iWord^ audio program 9 interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. abject (adj.) degraded; base, contemptible; cringing, servile; complete

(ab' jekt) and unrelieved
In the American dream, those who work hard can escape
lives of poverty.
synonyms: wretched, miserable, ignoble, sheer, utter
antonyms: noble, exalted

2. agnostic (n.) one who believes that nothing can be known about God; a
(ag nas' tik) skeptic; (adj.) without faith, skeptical
Although he was a confirmed he
supported the rights of others to practice their religion.
Her tendencies made it difficult for
her to subscribe to any set of religious beliefs.
synonym: (n.) doubter
antonym: (n.) believer

3. complicity (n.) involvement in wrongdoing; the state of being an

(kam plis' a te) accomplice
If you know a crime is going to be committed but do nothing
to prevent it, you may be accused of
synonyms: connivance, collusion
antonyms: noninvolvement, innocence

4. derelict (n.) someone or something that is abandoned or neglected;

(der' a likt) (adj.) left abandoned; neglectful of duty
The family complained about the unsightly collection of
cars in its neighbor
synonyms: (n.) vagrant; (adj.) delinquent
antonyms: (adj.) punctilious, conscientious, scrupulous

5. diatribe (n.) a bitter and prolonged verbal attack

(di' a trib) The senator’s speech was more of a
than a reasoned address.
synonyms: harangue, tirade
antonyms: panegyric, encomium, eulogy

6. effigy (n.) a crude image of a despised person

(ef a je) The night before the battle, the troops burned the despised
enemy leader in
synonyms: figure, figurine

72 ■ Unit 6
 6
7. equity (n.) the state or quality of being just, fair, or impartial; fair and
(ek' wat e) equal treatment; something that is fair; the money value of a
property above and beyond any mortgage or other claim
Prompted by considerations of the
father decided to divide his estate equally among his children.
synonyms: justice, fairness, impartiality
antonyms: unfairness, bias, prejudice

8. inane (adj.) silly, empty of meaning or value

(in an') The politician made an reply to the
interviewer’s probing question.
synonyms: idiotic, moronic, fatuous
antonyms: sensible, meaningful, profound

9. indictment (n.) the act of accusing; a formal accusation

(in dit' mant) The grand jury delivered the
synonyms: charge, accusation

10. indubitable (adj.) certain, not to be doubted or denied

(in du' ba ta bal) You cannot argue with truths.
synonyms: unquestionable, indisputable
antonyms: questionable, debatable, dubious

11. intermittent (adj.) stopping and beginning again, sporadic

(in tar mit' ant) She had back pains for a week.
synonyms; fitful, spasmodic, random
antonym: uninterrupted

12. moot (adj.) open to discussion and debate, unresolved; (v.) to bring
(mut) up for discussion; (n.) a hypothetical law case argued by
students
The class agreed that the question of whether Jefferson
should have retaliated sooner against the Barbary pirates
was a point.
The committee members decided to
the issue to the full Congress at the earliest opportunity.
The law student prepared for the
synonyms: (adj.) debatable, questionable; (v.) broach
antonyms: (adj.) undebatable, indisputable, self-evident

13. motif (n.) a principal idea, feature, theme, or element; a repeated or

(mb tef) dominant figure in a design
The collector admired the unusual Asian
woven into the tapestry.

Unit 6 ■ 73
14. neophyte (n.) a new convert, beginner, novice
(ne' a fit) In comparison to an experienced wilderness hiker, he is a
mere in the woods.
synonyms: tenderfoot, tyro
antonyms: veteran, past master, expert, pro

15. perspicacity (n.) keenness in observing and understanding

(par spa kas' at e) The bird watcher scans the surrounding trees and fields with
the same as a hawk looking for prey.
synonyms: acumen, discernment
antonyms: dullness, obtuseness

16. plenary (ad/.) complete in all aspects or essentials; absolute; attended

(plen' a re) by all qualified members
Because of its importance, the case was presented at a
session of the Su
synonym: unrestricted
antonyms; limited, restricted, incomplete

17. surveillance (n.) a watch kept over a person; careful, close, and disciplined
(sar va' Ians) observation
The police kept the suspect under strict
after she was released.
synonyms: observation, monitoring

18. sylvan (adj.) pertaining to or characteristic of forests; living or located

(sil' van) in a forest; wooded, woody
Once upon a time, Hansel and Gretel walked down a
path, leaving on
synonym: arcadian

19. testy (adj.) easily irritated; characterized by impatience and

(tes' te) exasperation
The lawyer’s remarks during cross-
examination probably affected her credibility with the jury.
synonyms; irritable, peevish, waspish, petulant
antonyms: imperturbable, unexcitable

20. travesty (n.) a grotesque or grossly inferior imitation; a disguise,

(trav' a ste) especially the clothing of the opposite sex; (v.) to ridicule by
imitating in a broad or burlesque fashion
Instead of modernizing Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, they
made a of it.
The new song the original version.
synonyms: (n.) burlesque, caricature, farce

74 ■ Unit 6
 6

Ch< the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 70-71 to see how most
Ri rd of these words are used in context.

1. Human and animal forms carved in stucco and stone are

a common (motif, neophyte) in ancient Aztec art.

2. Though the book was written by an avowed

(agnostic, derelict), it enjoyed a certain
popularity with religious types.

3. As he sat before the fire reading his

newspaper, Grandfather seemed the very
epitome of (plenary, sylvan) contentment.

4. Because she is a fair-minded woman, I’m sure

she will present both sides of the controversy with
admirable (equity, effigy).

5. Though I can sometimes be as (testy, derelict) as The Aztec calendar marked

an irate wasp, I normally do not lose my temper a sacred year of 260 days.
very easily.

6. Today’s forecast calls for variable cloudiness with (abject, intermittent) periods
of rain.

7. My studies have convinced me that the one dominant (motif, diatribe) in American
history has been the expansion of democracy.

8. Bag ladies and other homeless (neophytes, derelicts) roam our streets in
increasing numbers.

9. The awkward pause in the conversation became even more painful when he
interjected his (plenary, inane) attempts at humor.
10. All of a sudden, a strange young man rushed onto the speaker’s platform and
launched into a (travesty, diatribe) against “big government.”

11. After over 30 years in Congress, he retains the idealism of the (agnostic, neophyte)
but has gained the practical wisdom of the veteran.

12. His disgraceful behavior since he left college is in itself a(n) (indictment,
surveillance) of the lax, overindulgent upbringing he received.

13. What qualities will he have to fall back on when his (indubitable, testy) charm and
good looks begin to wear thin?

14. His extraordinary ability to (moot, travesty) the works of popular writers is largely
due to his keen eye for the ridiculous.

15. The picture shows the three Graces dancing in a forest clearing, while nymphs,
satyrs, and other (sylvan, indubitable) creatures cavort among the trees.

Unit 6 ■ 75
16. According to that village’s custom, one can get rid of an enemy by making a tiny
(effigy, motif) of him and sticking it full of pins.

17. Observers on the ground keep close (surveillance, equity) on air traffic at a busy
airport by means of various electronic devices, such as radar.

18. Only an (intermittent, abject) coward would stand idly by while a defenseless old
woman was mugged in the street.

19. The historian had long been noted for the soundness of his scholarship and the
(complicity, perspicacity) of his judgment.

20. “I vetoed that idea when it was first (mooted, indicted) years ago,” the governor
said, “and I have never regretted my decision."

21. How can I be accused of (indictment, complicity) in that plot when I did not even
know the conspirators?

22. To some readers, the dark and (intermittent, sylvan) setting of Hawthorne’s short
story “Young Goodman Brown” symbolizes the unknown.

23. We laughed at Grandmother’s confession that she can be (testy, moot) before she
has her morning cup of coffee.

24. Several theology professors have given provocative reviews of the new book by Mr.
Stuart, who readily admits he is an (effigy, agnostic).

25. The sleeping security guard was (derelict, plenary) in his duties.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. a crude likeness
2. put under scrutiny
3. their level of involvement
4. the forested slopes of the Rockies
5. admired for his uncommon acuity
6. was given unlimited power to govern
7. indoctrinated the rookie
8. a questioning nonbeliever
9. remiss in discharging her responsibilities
10. the vapid chatter of thoughtless critics

76 ■ Unit 6
 6
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. nonparticipation as partners
2. being very clever
3. painted the treeless landscape
4. pleased the devout
5. noticed the flattering copy

9 From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. During the emergency, the mayor assumed authority and

did whatever was needed to provide essential services.

2. Those who saw the young woman being assaulted and did nothing to help her
were guilty of in the crime.

3. The of her analysis not only clarified the nature of the

problem but also suggested its most promising solution.

4. Though some writers have emphasized Jefferson’s human weaknesses, his

greatness is also a(n)part of the historical record.

5. I would be in my duty to you if I did not warn you against

the pernicious effects of smoking cigarettes.

6. For years, we carried on a(n)correspondence, sometimes

allowing months to pass before a letter was answered.

7. How could a mere in the teaching profession question the

judgment of so experienced an educator?

8. The fact that so many released prisoners return to a life of crime is in itself a
terrifying of our penal system.

9. Throughout the period that the spy thought he had gone undetected, he was
actually under close by the CIA.

10. Since the accused was never really given a chance to defend himself, his so-called
trial was nothing but a(n)of justice.

Unit 6 • 77
11. “Simple demands that we distribute the tax burden as
fairly as possible among the populace,” the senator remarked.

12. Since he neither affirms nor denies the existence of God, I’d classify him as a(n)
rather than an atheist.

13. Every time we did something to anger him, he delivered an intemperate

lambasting our “hopeless irresponsibility.”

14. It was such a(n) remark that I couldn’t keep myself from
laughing derisively when I heard it.

15. I'd say that the phrase “having a short fuse” aptly describes my boss’s decidedly
disposition.

16. In her garland of leaves and acorns, the child looked very much like some
spirit from an Arthurian myth.

17. The overthrown dictator was hanged in before a vast

throng in the town square.

18. At the slightest sound of thunder, my dog Rover dives under the bed in a state of
terror.

19. In Wagner’s operas, brief musical associated with the

characters or their actions recur again and again.

20. How can you call that a(n) question when it is quite
clearly a simple matter of right and wrong?

Writing:

1. Look back at “Your Papers, Please” (pages 70-71). Think about the arguments
offered by each side in the debate. Do you believe every U.S. citizen should
be required to have a national identity card? Write a persuasive essay that
identifies and supports your position on this issue. Use at least two details
from the passage and three unit words to support your argument.

2. Legal and ethical concerns about a person’s right to privacy that are part of
the debate about a national ID also extend into issues in the workplace. For
example, do employers have the right to monitor their employees’ workplace
use of the Internet (such as email and social media)? Write an essay of at least
three paragraphs in which you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
such monitoring. Draw on specific examples from your own observations,
studies, reading (refer to pages 70-71), or personal experiences, and use
three or more words from this unit.

78 ■ Unit 6
 6
The following excerpts are from Joseph Conrad's novels Victory and
“•KJ Nostromo. Some of the words you have studied in this unit appear
in boldface type. Complete each statement below the excerpt by
Literary Text circling the letter of the correct answer.
I
1. He felt intensely aware of her personality, as if this were the first moment of leisure
he had found to look at her since they had come together. The peculiar timbre of her
voice, with its modulations of audacity and sadness, would have given interest to
the most inane chatter. But she was no chatterer. (Victory)
Something that is inane is definitely NOT
a. enjoyable c. surprising
b. meaningful d. boring

2. He leaned his back against one of the lofty uprights which still held up the
company's signboard above the mound of derelict coal. Nobody could have
guessed how much his blood was up. (Victory)
Something that is derelict is
a. filthy c. useless
b. primeval d. abandoned /

3. But Don Jose, disregarding the general indictment

as though he had not heard a word of it, took up the
defense of Barrios. The man was competent enough
for his special task in the plan of campaign.
(Nostromo)
'VU
An indictment is a(n)
a. perspective c. slander
b. strategy d. accusation

4. Not to have bound and gagged him seemed to g==\At-pvv^<^-^

Decoud now the height of improvident folly. As long
as the miserable creature had the power to raise a Considered a great English novelist
and short story writer, the
yell he was a constant danger. His abject terror was Polish-born Joseph Conrad began
mute now, but there was no saying from what cause learning English at age twenty.
it might suddenly find vent in shrieks. (Nostromo)
Terror that is abject is
a. unjustified c. unrelieved
b. sporadic d. conspicuous

5. The necessity of winding round his little finger,

□
almost daily, the pompous and testy self­
importance of the old seaman had grown irksome
with use to Nostromo. (Nostromo)
Someone who is testy is
□
Snap the code, or go to
a. sly c. greedy
vocabularyworkshop.com
b. exasperating d. dull

Unit 6 • 79
REVIEW vocabularyworkshop.com : SAT and ACT practice worksheets

Yog 'for Read the following selection in which some of the words
you have studied in Units 4-6 appear in boldface type.
Com sion Then answer the questions on page 81.

As this passage shows, zoos have served a wide range of purposes during their
long history.

(Line)
Zoos, or at least collections of Stamford Raffles, was scientific
incarcerated animals, have existed study, not the “vulgar admiration" of
for millennia. The purpose of (30) animals. Despite Raffles’s fiat,
capturing and caging animals, however, zoos on both sides of the
(5) however, has changed over time. In Atlantic soon focused on
ancient Egypt, certain animals were entertaining the large crowds that
deified or else considered very paid money to view the animals.
closely connected to gods. These (35) While exposure to both rare and
animals were held in cages in temple commonplace creatures benefited
(W) complexes and treated as objects of many zoo patrons, the animals often
worship. In a sense, these ancient suffered. The creatures, which had
zoos were hallowed grounds, but it been either taken captive in the wild
is difficult not to see them as existing (40) or bred in captivity, were usually
more for the benefit of humans than housed singly in tiny metal cages or
(15) for animals. In the classical world, other bare enclosures, where they
private menageries, or collections of paced nervously or lay recumbent
exotic animals, were ubiquitous in a bored stupor.
among overweening rulers who (45) Finally, with the rise of ecological
wished to advertise their power and consciousness in the 1970s, the
(20) wealth. bars began to come down in zoos all
The modern conception of a zoo over the world. Increasingly, captive
emerged in Victorian England. In animals were placed in roomier,
fact, the word zoo derives from the (50) more natural environments not only
London zoological garden, which for their own well-being but also as a
(25) was established in the late way of educating the public about
nineteenth century. The purpose of the need to preserve wild habitats.
this zoo, according to its founder Sir

80 ■ Review Units 4-6

 REVIEW

1. The meaning of incarcerated (line 2) is 7. The author states that the modern
a. imaginary conception of a zoo emerged
b. confined a. in China around 1900
c. immense b. during the late Middle Ages in France
d. exotic c. in Victorian England
e. dangerous d. in the United States during the late
nineteenth century
2. The primary purpose of the passage is e. during the Italian Renaissance
a. to present some aspects of the
historical development of zoos 8. From paragraph 2 (lines 21-44), one
b. to offer insights into the religion of can reasonably infer that the author
ancient Egypt a. rejects the techniques of captive
c. to compare modern zoos with breeding
ancient ones b. thinks that zoos are vital for
d. to argue that zoos unjustifiably scientific progress
deprive wild animals of their freedom c. thinks that zoos should be
e. to expose the shocking conditions in abolished
modern zoos d. believes that zoo admission should
be free
3. Hallowed (line 12) most nearly means e. sympathizes with the animals’
a. forbidden suffering
b. breeding
c. fertile 9. Fiat (line 30) most nearly means
d. sacred a. decree
e. neutral b. opinion
c. title
4. Ubiquitous (line 17) is best defined as d. request
a. prohibited e. wealth
b. pervasive
c. coveted 10. The organization of the passage as a
d. traditional whole is best defined as
e. unusual a. comparison and contrast
b. chronological order
5. The meaning of overweening (line 18) is c. cause and effect
a. weak d. spatial order
b. benevolent e. order of importance
c. feuding
d. arrogant 11. Recumbent (line 43) most nearly
e. brutal means
a. contented
6. According to the author, in the classical b. ignored
world private menageries of exotic c. injured
animals served to d. prostrate
a. entertain large crowds of visitors e. relaxed
b. strengthen traditional religious
attitudes 12. The tone of the final paragraph (lines
c. advertise the power and wealth 45-53) is best described as
of rulers a. humorous
d. celebrate foreign conquests b. philosophical
e. insure the progress of science c. positive
d. satirical
e. skeptical

Review Units 4-6 ■ 81

 REVIEW

d Select the pair of words that best complete the meaning of each
Co ms of the following passages.

1. I’m extremely circumspect about what I say or do in the office because my boss is so
---------------------------- that it is easy to or exasperate him.
a. mordant. . . disarray c. testy .. . nettle
b. abject... moot d. jocular. .. enervate

2. Edward R. Murrow will hold a place in history as a journalist who saw in 1950s
television the potential to educate, and not simply to entertain. He felt it was the
res
against both zealotry and indifference.
a. consummate .. . fiat c. overweening ... indictment
b. plenary . .. grouse d. incumbent. . . bastion

. Vincent van Gogh was indeed a(n)technician, able to

------------- every nuance of nature’s variegated panorama with a mere
stroke of the brush.
a. ubiquitous ... hallow c. consummate . . . delineate
b. indubitable ... enervate d. sylvan . . . travesty

4. Despite the harried officer’s attempts to steady his troops

after the left flank had been turned, they fled from the field in such

a. consummate ... ignominy c. intermittent... concord

b. ludicrous ... equity d. frenetic .. . disarray

5. After the battle, the officer who had failed to carry out his orders was arrested by
the military police, charged with of duty, and
in the stockade, pending a court-mar
a. atrophy .. . garnered c. travesty . . . mooted
b. dereliction ... incarcerated d. ignominy . . . hallowed

6. Although the man is certainly thought to have been involved in the crime, no
---------------------------- has yet been brought against him because the authorities
have not been able to assemble enough evidence to establish his
beyond a reason
a. indictment.. . complicity c. exigency . . . acuity
b. surveillance . . . equity d. figment. . . perspicacity

7. The wealthy widow had a(n) for fine clothes and

meals.
a. stratagem ... pecuniary c. acuity ... recumbent
b. flotsam ... fecund d. penchant... sumptuous

82 ■ Review Units 4-6

 WORD STUDY

In the essay “What Is Pop Art?” (see pages 60-61), the author uses
the old saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is an example of an adage. An adage is a

traditional saying that many people accept as true. Adages offer a condensed, general
observation about human nature and experience. They may be humorous or profound
and frequently use memorable figures of speech. The adage “Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder” emphasizes that each individual’s perception of beauty is unique. It suggests
that a person’s judgment that something or someone is beautiful is subjective. What one
person finds beautiful, another might not.

Choosing the Right Adage

Read each sentence. Use context dues to figure out the meaning of each adage in
boldface print. Then write the letter of the definition for the adage in the sentence.

1. When Kim missed the bus a second time, she muttered, a. Forget about past
When it rains, it pours .” disagreements.

2. “Mind your p’s and q’s,” called Mr. Rose to his three b. Doing things right
young children as they began pulling boxes from the initially will save
time later.
grocery store shelves--------
c. Tackle the problem
3. I told my best friend, "Don’t put the cart before the
directly and
horse; get a job before you buy a new car.”------- confidently.
4. If Erin will let bygones be bygones, she can save her d. Remain cheerful
friendship with Alex during difficult
times.
5. The housepainter was tempted to rush, but he knew that
a stitch in time saves nine e. Something very
good will eventually
6. After the election, the losing candidate’s daughter attract attention.
whispered to her father, "Keep your chin up.” —
f. Misfortunes rarely
7. When my grandfather said he wanted to start blogging, come alone.
my grandmother laughed and reminded him that you
can’t teach an old dog new tricks-------- g. Do things in the
proper order.
8. After ignoring residents’ concerns about traffic, the mayor
h. As people age, it
finally pledged to grab the bull by the horns--------
becomes harder to
9. It would be risky to appoint a new general since the war learn new skills.
is not over; do not change horses midstream-----------
i. Behave properly.
10. Uncle John said he knew Jennifer would receive the j. It’s unwise to
scholarship because cream always rises to the top. change leaders
during a crisis.

Word Study ■ 83
WORD STUDY

Writing with Adages

Find the meaning of each adage. (Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.) Then write a
sentence for each adage.

1. Virtue is its own reward.

2. Charity begins at home.

3. Waste not, want not.

4. Drastic times call for drastic measures.

5. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

6. When the cat’s away, the mice will play.

7. Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.

8. Every rose has its thorn.

9. Money doesn’t grow on trees.

10. An empty purse frightens away friends.

11. It’s no use crying over spilt milk.

12. Let the chips fall where they may.

84 ■ Word Study
 WORD STUDY
•A The denotation of a word—its definition—is objective.
D ion It can be found in the dictionary. Many words, however,
have one or more subjective meanings. They are the
and lation emotional associations, or connotations, of a word.
7 Connotations can be positive or negative.
By using words with different shades of meaning and connotations, writers and speakers
can create and convey a precise mood or message. For instance, to emphasize the
cleverness of two characters, a writer could describe them as ingenious, astute, or
resourceful. To convey not only intelligence but also suggest a lack of candor, a writer
might instead describe the characters as cunning, sly, or wily.

Consider these synonyms for the neutral word intermittent:

sporadic variable desultory spasmodic
Sporadic and variable have neutral or positive connotations, describing something
occurring at irregular intervals. The negative connotations of desultory and spasmodic
suggest that the lack of regularity is unfortunate, disappointing, or even violent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X

Think. An insomniac might look forward to taking sporadic or

variable rests the next day, not desultory or spasmodic naps.

Look at these examples of words that are similar in denotation but have
different connotations.

NEUTRAL POSITIVE NEGATIVE

utterance tribute diatribe

timid retiring pusillanimous

reasoning sagacity sophistry

Understanding the connotations of words with similar denotations is an important skill. It

enables writers and speakers to get across their point more effectively and allows
readers and listeners to understand meaning more precisely.

Shades of Meaning
Write a plus sign (+) in the box if the word has a positive connotation. Write a minus sign (-)
if the word has a negative connotation. Put a zero (0) if the word is neutral.

1. disarray 2. incumbent 3. equity 4. grouse

5. sylvan 6. atrophy 7. overweening 8. incarcerate

9. jocular 10. mordant 11. pecuniary 12. hallow

13. enervate 14. fecund 15. perspicacity 16. abject

Word Study ■ 85
WORD STUDY

Expressing the Connotation

Read each sentence. Select the word in parentheses that expresses the connotation
(positive, negative, or neutral) given at the beginning of the sentence.

positive 1. In last Sunday’s recital, the cellist’s (terminal, consummate)

performance of a Beethoven concerto surprised the audience.
neutral 2. The hotel staff worked at a (frenetic, bustling) pace as the wedding
guests began to arrive.
negative 3. As they spilled into the streets, angry protestors displayed (effigies,
embodiments) of the tyrannical dictator.
neutral 4. The newspaper report hinted at the elderly woman’s (participation,
complicity) in the recent police investigation.
negative 5. The girl is planning to (imitate, travesty) Shakespeare’s sonnet by
rewriting it as a limerick.
positive 6. The chaperone was pleased by the cooperation and (demeanor,
concord) her young students displayed on the field trip.
neutral 7. One (idiosyncrasy, flaw) of William Faulkner’s writing style is his use
of long sentences with multiple independent and dependent clauses.
positive 8. Sean’s (whimsical, inane) comments about the film made me
appreciate his unique wit.

Challenge: Using Connotation

Choose vocabulary words from Units 4-6 to replace the highlighted words in the
sentences below. Then explain how the connotation of the replacement word changes
the tone of the sentence.

fiat agnostic sumptuous

ignominy penchant testy

1. The busy librarian responded to the child’s question in a distracted

manner.

2. It has taken my brother years to live down the embarrassment

3. Guidebooks agree that the hotel’s accommodations are among the most expensive
in London.

86 ■ Word Study
 WORD STUDY

The Greek root gno(s) appears in agnostic (page 72).

Cla ots The literal meaning is "one who does not know.” In modern
usage the word refers to an individual who believes that
gno(s)—to know nothing can be known about God, or a skeptic.

cognate cognizant gnostic prognosis

cognition diagnose ignore recognize

From the list of words above, choose the one that corresponds to each of the brief
definitions below. Write the word in the blank space in the illustrative sentence below
the definition. Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.

1. a prediction of the probable course of a disease; a probable forecast or estimate

With modern treatment options, patients who contract this once-fatal disease
now have an excellent for full recovery.

2. to identify a disease or condition based on observation, examination, and analysis

A podiatrist is trained to and treat a range of problems
of the foot.

3. of, relating to, or possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge

Many religions observe a doctrine, where emphasis is
placed on the pursuit of spiritual and intellectual knowledge.

4. to disregard deliberately; to pay no attention to; to refuse to consider

If we just Rover, he will eventually stop begging for food
at the table.

5. related by family or origin; related in nature, character, quality, or function; a person

or thing related to another
The Sanskrit word for king—rajah—is a of the Latin rex.

6. the broad mental process by which knowledge is acquired, including aspects of

awareness, perception, reasoning, judgment, memory, and intuition; knowledge
After a serious blow to the head, her was impaired for
several weeks.

7. to know, identify, or show awareness of something from past experience or

knowledge; to accept as a fact; to acknowledge a thing’s existence, validity, or
authority; to approve of or appreciate
The school board has come to the positive impact of art
and music classes.

8. fully informed; conscious; aware

As a result of a 1966 court decision, all arrested suspects must be made
of their Miranda rights.

Word Study ■ 87
UNIT 7
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 7. /As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

John Lennon's Legacy

< Biographical Sketch>

musical aspirations (as

J ohn Lennon was
born in Liverpool,
England, on October 9,
his Aunt Mimi hoped he
would do), even giving
1940, at the height of him his first guitar when
World War II. Forty he was fifteen. The gift
years later, on
December 8, 1980, he
was shot dead by a
mentally unstable fan
I was felicitous, as
Lennon dove into music
with pertinacious
ambition. His belief that
outside his Manhattan it would bring him
apartment. During lasting fame was as
his short life, as a strong as Aunt Mimi’s
musician, artist, poet, conviction that his
and political activist, •t hopes were illusory.
Lennon transcended
Lennon soon realized
his time. “If someone John Lennon in 1961 his dream of fame,
thinks that love and
thanks to the success of
peace is a cliche that must have been left
the Beatles, the band he formed with his
behind in the '60s, that’s his problem,” he
songwriting counterpart, Paul McCartney.
said. “Love and peace are eternal."
The band rocketed to fame in the early
Lennon's father left his wife and young 1960s, propelled by energetic pop songs
son before World War II ended. Poor but like “Love Me Do,” simple variations on
never indigent, Lennon’s mother, Julia, the time-honored theme of teenage love.
entrusted the boy to her sister, Mimi, one
With age comes wisdom. As Lennon’s
of a coterie of “five strong, intelligent
artistic vision matured, he led the Beatles
sisters," as Lennon later recalled. During
toward new horizons, and his lyrics
his childhood, Lennon spent an inordinate
increasingly contained intricate metaphors
amount of time with convivial female
and political themes. Lennon's humor, free
relatives. In later years, he said that this
spirit, and politics soon permeated the
was his “first feminist education” and that
band’s image and music, a transformation
living apart from his parents enabled him
marked by the album Sgt. Pepper's
“to see that parents are not gods" but
Lonely Hearts Club Band. The album
were human and had flaws just like
cover ridicules military formality,
everyone else.
presenting the bandmates in garish
Despite their living apart, Julia Lennon uniforms, raiment that was absurd even
maintained a close relationship with her for its era. Lennon’s maturing talents shine
son. She encouraged his interest in music, in songs like "A Day in the Life,” which
rather than demand that he jettison his weaves themes of class and political

88 • Unit 7
 -J

1 WAR
I IS ,
The Beatles in the BBC’s Top of the
Pops television show in June 1966 , ONER!
power with images of mundane and tragic **RD HtRRING
moments in life; the lyrics are a dreamlike
tapestry embellished with metaphor.
Critics soon acknowledged Lennon as a
worthy modern poet.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono, his wife, in a
Politics and poetry remained at the war protest, London, 1969.
fore of Lennon’s songwriting as he
became a high-profile social activist.
U.S. leaders, mired in the Vietnam War, asking for a world without hate, greed, or
objected to the effrontery of this popular hunger. “It’s the same message over and
British “peacenik,” and had him monitored over. And it’s positive,” he said of his
by the FBI, which diligently collected work. Lennon’s devotion to such positive
picayune details for his file. Lennon did messages, his willingness to use his art and
little to allay their concerns. Many of his fame to promote love and peace among all
lyrics, such as those in "All You Need Is people, is his most enduring legacy.
Love” and later, “Imagine,” rallied those
who demurred violence. As a group, the
Beatles proved more ephemeral than
their fame, and personal tensions broke
up the band. Yet Lennon continued to 4
speak passionately against violence and
enmity with solo works like “Give Peace
a Chance.”
“We're not being unreasonable. Just
saying ‘give it a chance,’ ” said Lennon in
□
Snap the code, or go to
1980 when discussing his desire for a vocabularyworkshop.com
world without war. With “Imagine," he was

•
Unit 7 ■ 89
 vocabularyworlcshop.com: iWord^ audio program 9 interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. allay (v.) to calm or pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieve

(a la') The politician made a speech in order to
his constituents’ fears.
synonyms: reduce, alleviate, moderate
antonyms: aggravate, exacerbate, intensify

2. bestial (adj.) beastiike; beastly, brutal; subhuman in intelligence and

(bes' chai) sensibility
In beating their prisoner, the guards were guilty of a truly
act.
synonyms: animalistic, loathsome
antonyms: human, clement, virtuous, upright

3. convivial (adj.) festive, sociable, having fun together, genial

(kan viv' e al) Thanksgiving dinner at Grandmother’s house is always a
family gathering.
synonyms: fun-loving, jovial, merry
antonyms: dour, sullen, unsociable

4. coterie (n.) a circle of acquaintances; a close-knit, often exclusive,

(kd' ta re) group of people with a common interest
Robert Browning and his had ideas
about poetry that seemed revolutionary in their day.
synonyms: clique, set

5. counterpart (n.) a person or thing closely resembling or corresponding to

(kaunt' ar part) another; a complement
I have to admit I was frightened of my
--------------------------------on the other team because she
held the high-jump record.
synonym: match

6. demur (v.) to object or take exception to; (n.) an objection

(di mar') The rank and file will if they are not
consulted regularly by the union leadership.
The speech in favor of the proposal was drowned out by a
chorus of from the senate floor.
synonyms: (v.) protest, object to
antonyms: (v.) assent to, consent to, accept, agree to

90 ■ Unit 7
 7
7. effrontery (n.) shameless boldness, impudence
(a fran' ta re) After having been suspended for disrespectful behavior, the
student had the to talk back to his
teacher again.
synonyms: chutzpah, nerve, impertinence, cheek
antonyms: shyness, diffidence, timidity

8. embellish (v.) to decorate, adorn, touch up; to improve by adding details

(em bel' ish) The best storytellers their tales in
ways that help readers visualize the setting.
synonym: garnish
antonyms: strip, mar, disfigure

9. ephemeral (adj.) lasting only a short time, short-lived

(i fem' ar al) Only the greatest of writers and artists achieve anything
other than popularity.
synonyms: transient, evanescent, transitory
antonyms: durable, long-lasting, permanent, perpetual

10. felicitous (adj.) appropriate, apt, well chosen; marked by well-being or

(fa lis' a tas) good fortune, happy
In view of the high prices for home heating oil, the mild
winter was a turn of events.
synonyms: fortunate, well-put
antonyms: inappropriate, inept, graceless, unhappy

11. furtive (adj.) done slyly or stealthily, sneaky, secret, shifty; stolen
(far' tiv) The girl was caught taking a-------------------------------- glance
at the test paper of the student sitting next to her.
synonyms: covert, surreptitious
antonyms: aboveboard, open

12. garish (adj.) glaring; tastelessly showy or overdecorated in a vulgar or

(gar7 ish) offensive way
The storefront was painted in colors
so that it would attract the attention of passersby.
synonyms: gaudy, flashy, tawdry
antonyms: subdued, muted, understated, quiet

13. illusory (adj.) misleading, deceptive; lacking in or not based on reality

(i lii' sa re) Police state tactics provide an
sense of security in an unjust society.
synonyms: specious, spurious, imaginary
antonyms: actual, real, factual, objective

Unit 7 • 91
14. indigent (acfy.) needy, impoverished
(in' da jant) The number of homeless and
persons has increased since the economy took a downturn.
synonyms: penniless, poverty-stricken, destitute
antonyms: affluent, prosperous

15. inordinate (adj.) far too great, exceeding reasonable limits, excessive
(in dr' da nat) The press showered the popular actor with
praise for what seemed a rather
ordinary performance.
synonyms: exorbitant, extravagant
antonyms: reasonable, equitable

16. jettison (v.) to cast overboard, get rid of as unnecessary or burdensome

(jet' a san) The captain ordered the crew to
the ballast so the ship could move more quickly through
the water.
synonyms: cast off, discard, dump, junk
antonyms: conserve, retain, hold on to, keep

17. misanthrope (n.) a person who hates or despises people

(mis' an throp) The millionaire left all her money to
an animal shelter and not a penny to a single human being.
synonym: people-hater

18. pertinacious (adj.) very persistent; holding firmly to a course of action or a set
(par ta na' shas) of beliefs; hard to get rid of, refusing to be put off or denied
The defense attorney was as as a
bulldog in his cross-examination of the witness.
synonyms: stubborn, determined

19. picayune (adj.) of little value or importance, paltry, measly; concerned with
(pik e yun') trifling matters, small-minded
A supervisor who fusses about every
fault of the workers will lower
morale and productivity.
synonyms: piddling, trifling
antonyms: important, significant, huge, gigantic

20. raiment (n.) clothing, garments

(ra' mant) When the chorus in the Greek tragedy hears that the king
has died, they tear their in anguish.
synonyms: apparel, attire

92 ■ Unit 7
 7

Ch( the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 88-89 to see how most
Ri rd of these words are used in context.

1. Ralph Waldo Emerson and a(n) (coterie,

effrontery) of like-minded friends led the American
transcendentalism movement in the mid­
nineteenth century.

2. Though the federal government does much to help

the (indigent, illusory), private charities play no
small part in their welfare.

3. To anyone as fond of horses as I am, the stable and

the tack room provide as (indigent, convivial) an
Atmosphere as one could wish for.

4. I can always come up with the crushing rejoinder,

the dazzling witticism, or the (furtive, felicitous)
phrase—about an hour after I need it! In the 1840s, Ralph Waldo Emerson
founded and contributed to The
5. When I returned to the office earlier than expected, Dial, a magazine that explored
transcendental philosophy.
I caught the little snoop (felicitously, furtively)
going through the papers on my desk.

6. The presidency is the “toughest job in the world” because it makes such
(bestial, inordinate) demands on a person’s time, energy, and ingenuity.

7. Nothing we could say seemed to (demur, allay) her grief over the loss of her dog.

8. If installment buying is not carefully controlled, the benefits that can accrue from it
may prove wholly (illusory, inordinate).

9. The atrocities committed by the (garish, bestial) commanders of such

concentration camps as Auschwitz appalled the civilized world.

10. As the rock star’s popularity began to skyrocket, what had been a small (coterie,
raiment) of admirers became an unruly mob.

11. lam flattered that you want me to chair the meeting, but I must (demur, embellish)
on the grounds of my youth and inexperience.

12. The famous sleuth pursued his investigation with all the (pertinacity, conviviality)
of a lion stalking its dinner.

13. The kind of (garish, picayune) theatrical makeup used by circus clowns is not
suitable for an elegant fashion model.

14. Often the antonym of a given English word is not so much its opposite as its
(embellishment, counterpart)—for example, actor and actress.

15. "You mean you had the (effrontery, demur) to ask for a raise when everyone knows
you've been goofing off lately?” I asked in amazement.

Unit 7 n 93
16. The proofreader didn’t notice any significant flaws in the writing, but he did find a
few (ephemeral, picayune) errors in the punctuation.

17. When the facts of a matter speak so plainly for themselves, we shouldn’t seek to
(embellish, jettison) them.

18. She has neither the starry-eyed optimism of the idealist nor the mordant cynicism of
the (misanthrope, coterie)

19. Every dynamic and successful society must be able to (allay, jettison) ideas and
institutions that have outlived their usefulness.

20. Somehow, it depresses me to think that with the approach of winter this magnificent
old tree will surrender all its leafy (raiment, effrontery).

21. An emotion so fickle and (ephemeral, pertinacious) does not deserve to be

categorized as “love."

22. Not surprisingly, my sister's solemnly made commitment to daily clarinet practice
for one month was (garish, ephemeral), lasting only five days.

23. Sadly, in our celebrity-obsessed culture, professional athletes make (pertinacious,

inordinate) amounts of money while professional educators make little.

24. To celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, my grandfather described the (felicitous,

indigent) choice he made to ask my grandmother for a first date.

25. Effective coaches are able to (allay, embellish) the doubts of their players.

Choose the word from th/s unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. the dogged researcher

2. a clandestine midnight meeting
3. willingly abandoned their prejudices
4. had the gall to demand an apology
5. prone to fanciful get-rich-quick schemes
6. condemned the militia's depraved behavior
7. a well-known despiser of mankind
8. ornamented with high-sounding phrases
9. ignore those inconsequential objections
10. the fleeting nature of power

94 ■ Unit 7
 7
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. their forthright attempt to withdraw

2. moderate increases in profits
3. the social inhabitants of the big cities
4. a very grim lunch meeting
5. humane behavior

s From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. When Charles V retired to a Spanish monastery, he exchanged the costly

of a king for the simple habit of a mo

2. Since we all agreed that the proposal seemed to offer the best solution to our
problem, it was accepted without

3. A busy administrator in today’s high-pressure business world just doesn’t have

time to deal with such concerns as making coffee.

4. He is entitled to reasonable compensation for the damage to his car, but the
demands he has made are totally

5. The man’s features suddenly contorted into a(n) mask,

more reminiscent of a hobgoblin than a human being.

6. Jonathan Swift so came to loathe human folly, vice, and hypocrisy that he died a
virtual

7. The manner in which he sidled into the room and tried to

avoid being noticed actually drew attention to his presence.

8. The disastrous stock market crash of 1929 left many a wealthy speculator as
as the proverbial church mouse.

9. Who wouldn’t have had fun among such a(n) group

of people?

10. The crew of the freighter most of its cargo in a desperate

effort to keep the sinking ship afloat.

Unit 7 ■ 95
11. The “Old 400” was a very small and exclusive of
prominent families that dominated East Coast society for decades.

12. Recent developments in that part of the world have intensified rather than
our fears of a renewed conflict.

13. At the Casablanca Conference in 1943, President Roosevelt and his military aides
met with their British to map military strategy for the
Western Allies.

14. A good deal of sad experience has taught me that my youthful hopes of getting
something for nothing are entirely

15. Though I don’t consider myself much of a diplomat, I think I handled that delicate
situation in a particularly manner.

16. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again" seems to be the motto of that
young woman.

17. In the Victorian era, designers women’s dresses with all

sorts of elaborate frills and flounces.

18. The movie palaces of an earlier era have given way to

smaller theaters, decorated in a simpler, more austere style.

19. Many a now-forgotten “movie great” has discovered to his or her chagrin that fame
may indeed be as as a passing shower.

20. He had the to come into my own home to tell me what I

should do to help him.

Writing:
1. Look back at “John Lennon’s Legacy” (pages 88-89). In it, the author mentions
Lennon’s “dream of fame” and his confidence that he would achieve it through
his music. How important is fame to you? Would you include it as part of your
definition of being successful or happy? Write an essay in which you explain
your opinion of fame. Use at least two details from the passage and three unit
words to explain your ideas.

2. Think about the power celebrities have to influence individual people as well
as society as a whole. Do you think celebrities—including singers, actors, and
professional athletes—should become politically active, or should they stay out
of politics? In a brief essay, support your opinion with specific examples from
current events, your reading (refer to pages 88-89), your media viewing, or
your personal observations and experience. Write at least three paragraphs,
and use three or more words from this unit.

96 ■ Unit 7
 7
Vo ry The following excerpts are from Henry james's novels The Bostonians
iff Kt and Roderick Hudson. Some of the words you have studied in this
unit appear in boldface type. Complete each statement below the
Literary Text excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. Ransom could see for himself that the occasion was not crudely festive; there
was a want of convivial movement, and, among most of the visitors, even of
mutual recognition. (The Bostonians)
Convivial movement is
a. energetic c. knowledgeable
b. purposeful d. sociable

2. Basil Ransom wondered whether it were effrontery or innocence that enabled

Miss Tarrant to meet with such complacency the aloofness of the elder lady.
(The Bostonians)
Effrontery is
a. experience c. serenity
b. impudence d. sympathy

3. She was silent for a few minutes; then at last, ; "

“In that, then, we are better than Europe,” she
said. To a certain point Rowland agreed with
lit
her, but he demurred, to make her say more.
(Roderick Hudson)
If you have demurred, you have
Christopher Reeve stars as Mississippi
a. remained silent c. raised your voice lawyer Basil Ransom in the 1984 film
b. asked a question d. made an objection version of James’s The Bostonians.

4. Her daughter had come lawfully by her loveliness, but Rowland mentally made the
distinction that the mother was silly and that the daughter was not. The mother had
a very silly mouth—a mouth, Rowland suspected, capable of expressing an
inordinate degree of unreason. (Roderick Hudson)
Something inordinate is NOT
a. admirable c. moderate
b. necessary d. predictable

5. Her mouth was larwge, fortunately for the principal

grace of her physiognomy was her smile, which
displayed itself with magnificent amplitude. □£ □
Rowland, indeed, had not yet seen her smile, but
something assured him that her rigid gravity had a 4 iSH^S
□'W
radiant counterpart. (Roderick Hudson)
A counterpart is a(n)
a. authority c. extension
Snap the code, or go to
b. complement d. component
vocabularyworkshop.com

Unit 7 . 97
UNIT 8
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 8. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

A Passage to Power
< Interview>
tlf hoever is Speaker of the U.S. House of presidency if the President can no
Representatives sets House rules, longer serve.
adjudicates procedural conflicts, and Q: How do other representatives view the
strives to maintain civility during debates. Speaker?
The Speaker also exerts behind-the-
scenes powers by appointing committee A: It’s irrefutable that the House reveres
chairs and setting the timetables for its Speaker. After all, it's a very important
legislative votes. To learn more about the position. Money talks: From the First
post and its evolution, we asked the noted Congress onwards, the Speaker always
congressional scholar, Bill T. Kanoho, made more money than members of
about one of the most powerful Congress. For example, in 2011, the
government posts. Speaker was paid $223,500 and members
of Congress $174,000.
Q: What are the requirements for the
Speaker's job? Q: Was the role of the Speaker always as
influential as it is today?
A: You must be at least 25 years old, a
U.S. citizen for the previous seven years, A: Actually, no. The first speaker, Frederick
and an inhabitant of the state you are to Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania, did little that
represent at the time of election. would portend the post would ever grow
in importance. It has become saturated
Q: That’s it?
with power, but I would say a paucity of
A: That's what the Constitution requires. change marked the role until the Twelfth
Another aspect of the post—it’s slightly Congress (1811-1813).
macabre—is that the Speaker is second
Q: Why so little change in those early
in line, after the Vice President, to the
years?
A: It wasn’t that the Speakers were
lackadaisical, and in fact I believe they all
saw the expanding nation as a juggernaut
on the world stage. But it seems the first
Speakers wanted to conciliate the
members, perhaps because in the early

| John Boehner, Speaker of

I the House, 2011

i
I
f Ji
W;.

98 > Unit8
days of our republic fistfights could erupt maneuvers—that is, exploiting legal
when one member refused to recant a technicalities—to block majority party
position that angered another. decisions.
Q: Why did the job start to change? Q: Is that when the post became truly
A: Henry Clay of Kentucky stirred the pot powerful?
when he served six nonconsecutive terms A: It’s been evolving since then. However,
as Speaker, from 1811 through 1825, and it would be fatuous not to mention the
made a litany of changes. The biggest post’s current partisan profile: Republicans
were that he participated in debates, and and Democrats sometimes have a hard
he enforced strict rules of order to slough time working together, so a powerful
off attempts to countermand his efforts to Speaker is needed in order to get things
raise the office to a new echelon. done. And sometimes problems in
Q: Is that when the job’s scope became Congress are exacerbated by talking
heads—talk show guests and politicians
as powerful as it is today?
who talk in sound bites that tell only half
A: Well, after Clay left, the office returned the story and thus misrepresent an issue.
to its original scope until 1880, when the
Speaker’s role was expanded to include Q: What can the Speaker do to solve that
being Chairman of the Committee on problem?
Rules, a power-filled position. A: He or she can be fair. Though politicians
Q: Then what happened? may pontificate and argue and attack
others' positions, many voters fail to realize
A: Maine’s Thomas Brackett Reed is what this is part of the game. These officials
happened. While serving as Speaker from strike a pose to appeal to their constituents,
1889 to 1891, then again from 1895 to then they get down to business. A lot of
1899, he made arrant and successful bids friendly badinage goes on in the House.
to increase the Speaker's power. The Our elected officials are not about to raze
most notable change occurred when he the Capitol building. The Speaker wouldn’t
masterminded how to prevent the allow it!
minority party from using parliamentary

□
Frederick Muhlenberg,
circa 1790, was the first
Speaker of the House
and represented
Pennsylvania.
□
Snap the code, or go to
vocabularyworkshop.com

Speaker Henry Clay

served six nonconsecutive
two-year terms as Speaker
and made changes that
started the post’s evolution
to what it is today. .

-I

Unit 8 • 99
 vocabularyworkshop.com: iWords*^ audio program 5? interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
D s spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
Z//H of synonyms and antonyms.

1. allege (v.) to assert without proof or confirmation

(a lej') The newspaper tabloid that the
movie star and the director were having creative differences.
synonym: contend
antonym: prove

2. arrant (adj.) thoroughgoing, out-and-out; shameless, blatant

(ar' ant) In Shakespeare's tragedy the audience sees clearly that
Iago is an scoundrel, but Othello is
blind to his treachery.
synonyms: egregious, unmitigated

3. badinage (n.) light and playful conversation

(bad a nazh') I enjoy the delightful between stars
like Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn in 1940s movies.
synonyms: banter, persiflage, repartee
antonym: sermon

4. conciliate (v.) to overcome the distrust of, win over; to appease, pacify; to
(kan sil' e at) reconcile, make consistent
Because of the weakness of our army, we had to try to
the enemy.
synonyms: mollify, propitiate
antonyms: antagonize, alienate, estrange

5. countermand (v.) to cancel or reverse one order or command with another

(kaun' tar mand) that is contrary to the first
Today's directive clearly all previous
instructions on how to exit the building in case of fire.
synonyms: recall, revoke
antonyms: reaffirm, reassert

6. echelon (n.) one of a series of grades in an organization or field of

(esh' a Ian) activity; an organized military unit; a steplike formation or
arrangement
Although the civil servant began in the lower
--------------------------------of government service,
he rose quickly through the ranks.
synonym: rank

700 ■ Unit 8
 8
7. exacerbate (v.) to make more violent, severe, bitter, or painful
(eg zas' ar bat) Shouting and name-calling are sure to
any quarrel.
synonyms: intensify, worsen
antonyms: alleviate, mitigate, ameliorate

8. fatuous (ad/.) stupid or foolish in a self-satisfied way

(fach' u as) In order to discredit the candidate, the columnist quoted
some of his more, self-serving
remarks.
synonyms: silly, vapid, inane, doltish, vacuous
antonyms: intelligent, perceptive, bright

9. irrefutable (adj.) impossible to disprove; beyond argument

(ir i fyu' ta bal) The jury felt the prosecution presented it with
evidence of the
synonyms: indisputable, incontrovertible, undeniable
antonyms: disputable, indefensible, untenable

10. juggernaut (n.) a massive and inescapable force or object that crushes
(jag' ar not) whatever is in its path
Any population that has experienced the
of war firsthand will
not easily forget its destructive power.

11. lackadaisical (adj.) lacking spirit or interest, halfhearted

(lak a da' za kal) The team’s performance in the late innings was
because they wer
synonyms: indolent, indifferent, lax
antonyms: energetic, vigorous, wholehearted

12. litany (n.) a prayer consisting of short appeals to God recited by the
(lit' a ne) leader alternating with responses from the congregation; any
repetitive chant; a long list
Whenever she talks about her childhood, she recites an
interminable of grievances.
synonyms: catalog, megillah

13. macabre (adj.) grisly, gruesome; horrible, distressing; having death as

(ma kab') a subject
The continuing popularity of horror movies suggests that
one way to score at the box office is to exploit
situations.
synonyms: grim, ghoulish

Unit 8 ■ 101
14. paucity (n.) an inadequate quantity, scarcity, dearth
(po' sa te) The senate campaign was marred by a
of original ideas.
synonym:lack
antonyms: glut, plenitude, deluge

15. portend (v.) to indicate beforehand that something is about to happen;

(por tand') to give advance warning of
In Shakespeare’s plays, disturbances in the heavens usually
disaster or tro
synonyms: bode, foretell, suggest

16. raze (v.) to tear down, destroy completely; to cut or scrape off or out
(raz) The town the old schoolhouse to
make room for a larger, more modern school complex.
synonyms: pull down, demolish, shave off
antonyms: build, construct, raise, erect

17. recant (v.) to withdraw a statement or belief to which one has

(ri kant') previously been committed, renounce, retract
On the stand, the defendant the
guilty admissions she had made in her confession to the
police.
synonyms: repudiate, disavow
antonym: reassert

18. saturate (v.) to soak thoroughly, fill to capacity; to satisfy fully

(sach' a rat) A sponge that is with water swells
up but does not drip.
synonyms: drench, flood, imbue; antonym: drain

19. saturnine (adj.) of a gloomy or surly disposition; cold or sluggish in mood

(sat' ar nin) Ebenezer Scrooge, of Dickens's A Christmas Carol, has a
decidedly temperament.
synonym: morose; antonyms: cheerful, vivacious

20. slough (v.) to cast off, discard; to get rid of something objectionable or
(slaf) unnecessary; to plod through as if through mud; (n.) a mire; a
state of depression
At New Year’s time, many people resolve to
off bad habits and
The advancing line of tanks became bogged down in a

synonyms: (v.) shed, slog

antonyms: (v.) take on, acquire, assume

102 ■ Unit 8
 /.
Che the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 98-99 to see how most
Ri rd of these words are used in context.

1. On the Western Front in August 1914, the French army

steeled itself against the oncoming (badinage,
juggernaut) that was the German Second Army.

2. Not surprisingly, the committee’s final report was

an incongruous mixture of the astute and the
(irrefutable, fatuous).

3. By (portending, sloughing) off the artificiality of her

first book, the novelist arrived at a style that was
simple, genuine, and highly effective.

4. What possible purpose will be served by setting up yet

another hamburger stand in an area already (saturated,
sloughed) with fast-food shops?
A French solider protects himself
5. Our excitement at visiting the world-famous ruins from shrapnel in a trench during
was dampened by the (lackadaisical, arrant) World War I.
attitude of the bored and listless guide.

6. The authority of the student council is not absolute because the principal can
(countermand, exacerbate) any of its decisions.

7. It is a good deal easier to (raze, allege) an old building than it is to destroy a

time-honored social institution.
8. I never ask anyone, “How are you?” anymore because I am afraid I will be treated
to an endless (litany, badinage) of symptoms and ailments.

9. His debating technique is rooted in the firm belief that anything bellowed in a loud
voice is absolutely (saturnine, irrefutable).

10. The views of the two parties involved in this dispute are so diametrically opposed
that it will be almost impossible to (conciliate, saturate) them.

11. Only a(n) (arrant, macabre) knave would be capable of devising such an
incredibly underhanded and treacherous scheme.

12. In earlier times, people whose views conflicted with “received opinion” often had to
(recant, portend) their ideas or face the consequences.

13. Stephen King’s book Danse (Macabre, Lackadaisical) surveys popular and
obscure horror fiction of the twentieth century.

14. Over the years, hard work and unstinting devotion to duty have raised me from one
(echelon, paucity) of company management to the next.

15. She excused herself from lending me the money I so desperately needed by
(conciliating, alleging) that she had financial troubles of her own.

Unit8 ■ 103
16. By denying your guilt without offering any explanation of your actions, you will only
(recant, exacerbate) an already bad situation.

17. Economists believe that the drop in automobile sales and steel production
(countermands, portends) serious problems for business in the future.

18. His attempts at casual (badinage, echelon) did not conceal the fact that he was
acutely embarrassed by his blunder.

19. We have many capable and well-meaning people in our organization, but it seems
to me that there is a (paucity, juggernaut) of real leadership.

20. Someone with such a (fatuous, saturnine) outlook on life doesn’t make an
agreeable traveling companion, especially on a long journey.

21. With incredible unconcern, the nobles of Europe immersed themselves in social
frivolities as the fearful (juggernaut, litany) of World War I steamrolled ineluctably
toward them.

22. Ever a bit of a melancholic, Mr. Smithers sank into a (litany, slough) in the
wintertime.

23. The defense attorney succeeded in portraying the genial witness as a(n) (arrant,
saturnine) liar, whose testimony was never credible.

24. The dog’s owner (exacerbated, razed) the situation when he flagrantly encouraged
the terrier to romp in the neighbor’s petunias.

25. A plunge in atmospheric pressure (conciliates, portends) an oncoming storm.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. seemed in a sullen mood

2. claimed that a crime had been committed
3. foreshadows dangers to come
4. an idea that permeates all aspects of society
5. will aggravate tensions between the rivals
6. a long rigmarole of questions and answers
7. a listless response from voters
8. the upper levels of power
9. tried to placate both sides in the dispute
10. wore a very grotesque mask

104 ■ Unit8
 8
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
A meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. a growing abundance of cheap labor

2. given to lighthearted predictions
3. known for his sensible opinions
4. has reaffirmed her support of free trade
5. deny involvement in the burglary

S From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. The breaking news story concerned corruption among the highest

of politics.

2. We object to the policy of historic old buildings to make

way for unsightly parking lots.

3. Ms. Ryan’s warnings to the class to “review thoroughly” seemed to me to

an unusually difficult examination.

4. The seriousness of the matter under discussion left no room for the type of
lighthearted encountered in the locker room.

5. At first I thought it would be easy to shoot holes in their case, but I soon realized
that their arguments were practically

6. As a snake off its old skin, so he hoped to rid himself of

his weaknesses and develop a new and better personality.

7. Though some “home remedies” appear to alleviate the symptoms of a disease,

they may in fact the condition.

8. After he made that absurd remark, a(n) grin of self-

congratulation spread like syrup across his face.

9. The men now being held in police custody are to have

robbed eight supermarkets over the last year.

10. Only someone with a truly sense of humor would decide

to use a hearse as the family car or a coffin as a bed.

Unit 8 ■ 105
11. My shirt became so with perspiration on that beastly day
that I had to change it more than once during the match.

12. You are not going to do well in your job if you continue to work in such a(n)
and desultory manner.

13. No sooner had the feckless tsar decreed a general mobilization than he
his order, only to reissue it a short time later.
14. Her friendly manner and disarming smile helped to those
who opposed her views on the proposal.
15. The enemy’s lines crumpled before the mighty of our
attack like so much wheat before a harvester.

16. “I find it terribly depressing to be around people whose dispositions are so

and misanthropic,” I remarked.

17. His four disastrous years in office were marked by a plenitude of promises and a(n)
of performance.

18. The service in honor of the miners trapped in the underground collapse included
prayers and--------------------------
19. However much it may cost me, I will never the principles
to which I have devoted my life.

20. “It seems to me that such hypocrisy is indicative of a

thoroughly opportunistic approach to running for office," I said sadly.

Writing:
1. Look back at "A Passage to Power” (pages 98-99). Think about the three
requirements for the Speaker’s job—the Speaker must be at least 25 years old,
a United States citizen for the previous seven years, and a resident in the state
that he or she represents. In a brief essay, explain which of those three
requirements you believe is the most important. Use at least two details from
the passage and three unit words to support your answer.

2. "Compromise is usually a sign of weakness, or an admission of defeat. Strong

men don't compromise, it is said, and principles should never be
compromised." -Andrew Carnegie
One challenge for the Speaker is deciding if and when to compromise with
other members. Do you agree with businessman Andrew Carnegie that
compromise is often a sign of weakness? Would you ever compromise your
principles? Write an expository essay that explains your view. Support your
ideas with specific examples from your personal experience or from your
studies. Write at least three paragraphs, and use three or more unit words.

106 ■ Unit 8
 8
Vo ry The following excerpts are from William Makepeace Thackeray's
novels Vanity Fair and The History of Henry Esmond. Some of the
Ik Kt words you have studied in this unit appear in boldface type.
Complete each statement below the excerpt by circling the letter of
Literary Text the correct answer.

1. “When she comes to tea here she does not speak a word during the whole evening.
She is but a poor lackadaisical creature, and it is my belief has no heart at all. It is
only her pretty face which all you gentlemen admire so.” (Vanity Fair)
Someone who is lackadaisical is NOT
a. vigorous c. intelligent
b. ordinary d. kind
2. And so having easily won the daughter’s good-will, the indefatigable little woman
bent herself to conciliate the august Lady Southdown. As soon as she found her
Ladyship alone, Rebecca attacked her on the nursery question at once and said
that her own little boy was saved, actually saved, by calomel, freely administered,
when all the physicians in Paris had given the dear child up. (Vanity Fair)
To conciliate is to
a. exonerate c. appease
b. demean d. bewilder
3. O, my dear brethren and fellow-sojourners in
Vanity Fair, which among you does not know
and suffer under such benevolent despots?
It is in vain you say to them, “Dear Madam, I ■-

took Podgers’ specific at your orders last year,

and believe in it. Why, why am I to recant
and accept the Rodgers’ articles now?”
(Vanity Fair)
A scene from the 2004 film version of
To recant is to Vanity Fair, starring Reese Witherspoon
as Becky Sharp.
a. renounce c. apologize
b. proclaim d. sacrifice
4. Although Mr. Esmond had told Jack Lockwood to get horses and they would ride
for Winchester that night, when he heard this news he countermanded the horses
at once; his business lay no longer in Hanta; all his hope and desire lay within a
couple of miles of him in Kensington Park wall. (The History of Henry Esmond)
Something countermanded is
a. summoned c. recalled
b. restrained d. scattered
5. There was a fire in the room where the cloths were
drying for the baths, and there lay a heap in a
(
□
corner saturated with the blood of my dear lord's
body. Esmond went to the fire, and threw the paper
into it. (The History of Henry Esmond)
Something that is saturated is
□
Snap the code, or go to
a. tossed carelessly c. soaked completely
vocabularyworkshop.com
b. mangled badly d. stained lightly

Unit 8 ■ 107
UNIT 9
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 9. /Is you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Security Status: It’s Complicated

< Persuasive Essay>

" "aL *rt■. hi

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I

Mie
...

o great acclamation, social networking without much effort, but who else
I sites, websites that allow connected is effortlessly monitoring their
groups of individuals to interact online, correspondences? Corporations are, for
burst onto the scene in the late 1990s. one. Looking for market advantages,
Since then, tell-all social networking sites businesses use personal information to
have increased in popularity exponentially. evaluate potential customers. The
With some sites boasting hundreds of companies that own the social networks
millions of users disclosing information are, in a sense, in collusion with those
with total strangers and friends alike, there corporations when they collect data to
now exists an extensive online community sell to their advertisers. But the
sharing ideas, interests, and activities. infringements of advertisers are paltry
Social networking is, in theory, an problems, more redolent of annoying
excellent, appealing concept, but risks telephone marketing, than of the serious
abound with every online peregrination. crimes committed by those who prey on
Sites provide ready access to personal social network users. For, unfortunately,
information, so even the most along with the rapid growth of sites and
imperturbable and experienced users their many beneficial applications, there
must recognize and be mindful of the has also emerged a veritable paroxysm
hazards. of criminal activity associated with
those sites.
Social networking sites allow users to
keep in touch and build connections

108 ■ Unit 9
 Yes, there are unsavory individuals out data in postings and provide more details
there who are very interested in collecting in secure areas. Nobody really wants
the information that people post. There strangers to have his or her phone number
are identity thieves and those who or address. Remember, personal data
vituperatively harass or stalk people are valuable to crooks, identity thieves,
online, or who infect computers with spammers, and advertisers.
malware; scam artists looking to take Furthermore, users should familiarize
advantage of tyros and veterans alike. themselves with a site’s privacy settings
It is another sad truth that there is a and be alert to changes in them. It is a
growing number of bullying teens who good practice to reject requests to connect
use social networks to cruelly calumniate with strangers looking for money. If a social
and isolate classmates. In a few cases, network account is compromised, it should
cyber-bullying has led to tragedy as be reported to the site and the account
victims try to escape their tormentors. should be closed. Protective strategies
Fortunately, available tools and are not pedantry, but key components
strategies minimize risks when using of a prudent approach to safe social
social networks. Users must remain as networking. Social networkers must
unremitting in their efforts to protect proceed with caution and common sense
their privacy as the malefactors are in to enjoy the many benefits of cyber­
theirs to breach it. communities.
The old shibboleth,"Leave no stone
unturned," is a mandate in this war against
cyber criminals and against as yet
unforeseen issues. Above all, users must
be chary in what they post, providing
only necessary information that errs on
the side of caution and good sense.
Social networkers should limit personal
Snap the code, or go to
vocabularyworkshop.com

I
i
k

Unit 9 ■ 709
 vocabularyworicshop.com: iWordir^audio program *5 interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
D spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. acclamation (n.) a shout of welcome; an overwhelming verbal vote of approval

(ak la ma'
It is very rare for a presidential candidate to be nominated by
shan)
from the convention floor.
synonyms: ovation, cheering, plaudits
antonyms: booing, hissing, jeers, catcalls

2. bucolic {adj.) characteristic of the countryside, rural; relating to shepherds

(byu kal' ik) and cowherds, pastoral
The Elizabethans who wrote of shepherds in ideal
country settings were imitating the Greek
poets.
synonym: rustic
antonym: metropolitan

3. calumniate (v.) to slander; to accuse falsely and maliciously

(ka lam' ne at) Not only did the artist’s enemy seek to discredit her while she
was alive but tried to her memory
as well.
synonyms: defame, libel
antonyms: flatter, whitewash, praise

4. chary (adj.) extremely cautious, hesitant, or slow (to); reserved, diffident

(char' e) Since so many funds had been spent with so few results, they
were about appropriating
more money.
SYNONYM: skittish
antonyms: heedless, reckless, incautious

5. collusion (n.) secret agreement or cooperation

(ka lii' zhan) Years later, it was discovered that senior members of
the company had been in with
the enemy.
synonyms: conspiracy, plot, connivance

6. dilettante (n.) a dabbler in the arts; one who engages in an activity in an

(dil' a tant) amateurish, trifling way; (adj.) superficial
Many people dismissed the poster artists of the 1960s as mere
----------------------------------- with nothing serious to say about life
or art.
synonym: amateur
antonym: professional

110 • Unit 9
 9
7. imperturbable (adj.) not easily excited; emotionally steady
(im par tar' ba The witness remained throughout the
bal) grueling cross-examination.
synonyms: unflappable, unexcitable, serene, unruffled
antonym: excitable

8. increment (n.) an enlargement, increase, addition

(in' kra mant) Employees were added to the work force in
of five to reduce train
synonym: accretion
antonyms: reduction, decrease

9. mandate (n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization; (v.) to

(man' dat) issue such an order
The peacekeepers were sent into the war-torn country under a
UN to protect civilians.
The environmental protection agency has
that all automobiles pass an annual
emissions test.
synonym: (n.) directive
antonyms: (v.) forbid, ban, outlaw

10. paltry (adj.) trifling, insignificant; mean, despicable; inferior, trashy

(pol' tre) The billionaire was so greedy that he contributed only a
sum of money to ch
synonyms: measly, meager, piddling, trivial
antonyms: gigantic, immense

11. paroxysm (n.) a sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion

(par' ak siz am) The children greeted the clown with a of
laughter when he began making his funny faces.
synonyms: fit, seizure

12. pedantry (n.) a pretentious display of knowledge; overly rigid attention to

(ped' an tre) rules and details
The fussy music professor was distinguished more for her
than her true scholarship.
synonyms: nit-picking, pettifoggery

13. peregrination (n.) the act of traveling; an excursion, especially on foot or to a

(per a gra na' foreign country
s^an) After returning from my throughout
South America, I wrote a book about my experiences.
synonyms: journey, wandering, odyssey

Unit 9 ■ 111
14. redolent (adj.) fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or
(red' a lant) create an aura
My grandmother’s kitchen was always
with the smells of baking.
synonyms: evocative, reminiscent, aromatic
antonyms: unevocative, odorless

15. refulgent (adj.) shining, radiant, resplendent

(ri fal' jant) The swift-flowing stream beside our house was
in the morning light.
synonym: splendid
antonyms: dim, dark, obscure, dingy, dull

16. shibboleth (n.) a word, expression, or custom that distinguishes a

(shib' a leth) particular group of persons from all others; a commonplace
saying or truism
By the time Election Day rolls around, most voters
are tired of hearing the same old promises and

synonyms: password, slogan

17. tyro (n.) a beginner, novice; one with little or no background or skill
(O' rd) You cannot expect a mere to perform
like a veteran in his first season of major league play.
synonym: neophyte
antonyms: veteran, past master, expert

18. unremitting (adj.) not stopping, maintained steadily, never letting up, relentless
(an ri mit' irj) The social laws in Edith Wharton’s novels are

synonyms: incessant, unrelenting

antonyms: desultory, intermittent

19. vacillate (v.) to swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to
(vas' a lat) another; to waver weakly in mind or will
Someone who in a crisis should not
be in a position of leadership.
synonyms: fluctuate, oscillate
antonym: persevere

20. vituperative (adj.) harshly abusive, severely scolding

(vi tu' par a tiv) That speech in which she blamed
others for her own mistakes may have cost her the election.
synonyms: abusive, scurrilous, insulting
antonyms: complimentary, laudatory, flattering

112 ■ Unit 9
 9

Che the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 108-109 to see how
Bi rd most of these words are used in context.

1. Many of the most well-known paintings of Grandma

Moses portray rural scenes that are (redolent,
vituperative) of her childhood in upstate New York.

2. Because my teacher is usually so (chary, J\

imperturbable) of giving compliments, I felt really
good when she spoke well of my essay.

3. Isn’t it sheer (pedantry, refulgence) on his part to

r
use terms like Proustian and Kafkaesque when he
knows they mean nothing to his audience?

4. Although he has been in this business for 20 years, Born in 1860, Anna Mary Robertson,
better known as “Grandma Moses,”
he still has the sublime innocence of the most began painting in her seventies.
helpless (tyro, shibboleth).

5. Not satisfied with the slow (increment, peregrination) of his savings in a bank
account, he turned to speculation in the stock market.

6. Are we to try to make a realistic analysis of our alternatives or let ourselves be

distracted by slogans and (tyros, shibboleths)?

7. Once the senator’s nomination became a certainty, all opposition to him

evaporated, and he was named by (vituperation, acclamation).

8. Perhaps he would be less lyrical about the delights of the (bucolic, redolent) life
if, like me, he had grown up on a farm in Kansas.

9. The gambler’s predictions of the game scores were so incredibly accurate that we
suspected some form of (acclamation, collusion).

10. The same difficulties that serve as a challenge to the true professional will be a
crushing discouragement to the typical (mandate, dilettante).

11. I'm not sure if Tom's (imperturbable, collusive) spirit is due to toughness or to an
inability to understand the dangers of the situation.

12. Since she comes from a rural area, she expresses herself in language that is
(redolent, paltry) of the farm and of country life in general.

13. During the course of my (peregrinations, paroxysms) through the world of books,
I have picked up all kinds of useful information.

14. Clad in the (refulgent, dilettante) armor of moral rectitude, he sallied forth to do
battle with the forces of evil.

15. I am perfectly willing to listen to a reasonable complaint, but I will not put up with
that kind of (bucolic, vituperative) backbiting.

Unit 9 m 113
16. It has long been known that some twisted and unhappy people derive a kind of
satisfaction from (calumniating, colluding) others.

17. The phrase “We the people” in the Constitution indicates that the ultimate
(mandate, vacillation) of our government comes from the popular will.

18. If we (vacillate, increment) now at adopting a tough energy policy, we may find
ourselves in a desperate situation in the future.

19. How do you have the nerve to offer such a(n) (paltry, unremitting) sum for this
magnificent “antique” car!

20. A (paroxysm, pedantry) of indignation flashed though the community, and the
streets filled with angry people ready to protest the proposal.

21. It is easy to criticize him, but how can we overlook the fact that for 20 years he has
worked (unremittingly, charily) to help the homeless?

22. Although Martin thinks he is an expert software developer, many of his dissatisfied
clients view him as merely a (paroxysm, tyro).

23. The senate candidate claimed that her opponent’s most recent television ad
(calumniated, vacillated) her husband and children.

24. During our family’s recent (peregrination, acclamation) to the New Orleans
French Quarter, we attended several jazz concerts.

25. (Paltry, Refulgent) attendance on opening night caused a financial crisis.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
Synonyms the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. large gain in tax revenues

2. in cahoots with the competition
3. kept up the constant pressure to surrender
4. a stunningly luminous smile
5. bored us with his hairsplitting
6. seesawed in their commitments
7. keeps repeating the tired old catchphrases
8. labeled a mere trifler by the experts
9. wary of flattery and favor-seekers
10. painted a charming country scene

T/4 ■ Unit 9
 9
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. a scholar of poetry
2. a colossal amount of debt
3. reported a steady loss in annual sales
4. felt relief that the market was able to stabilize
5. prefers the urban lifestyle

s From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. In a series of searing orations, filled with the most--------------------------------

language, Cicero launched the full battery of political invective against the
hapless Mark Antony.

2. The scene may seem ordinary to you, but I find it with

memories of happy summers spent in these woods.

3. As we waited through the long night for the arrival of the rescue party, we
between hope and despair.

4. However long and hard the struggle, we must be in our

efforts to wipe out racism in this country.

5. Since Lucy had expected no more than polite applause, she was delighted by the
she received from the audience.

6. The contractor was suspected of having acted in with a

state official to fix the bids on certain public works contracts.

7. The painting shows a restfully scene, with some cows

grazing placidly in a meadow as their shepherd dozes under a bush.

8. I thought I was unexcitable, but she is as as the granite

lions in front of the public library.

9. In my various through that vast metropolis, I ran across

many curious old buildings that the ordinary tourist never sees.

10. It is sheer to insist upon applying the rules of formal

literary composition to everyday speech and writing.

Unit 9 , 115
11. I have learned from long experience to be extremely
about offering advice when it has not been requested.

12. The Pledge of Allegiance is no mere to be recited

mechanically and without understanding like some advertising jingle.

13. She may have great musical talents, but she will get nowhere as long as she has
the casual attitude of the

14. Since Lincoln is now considered a great national hero, it is hard to believe that he
was bitterly when he was President.

15. I had expected a decent tip from the party of six that I waited on early that evening,
but all I got was a(n)two bucks!

16. “The overwhelming victory I have won at the polls,” the Governor-elect said, “has
given me a clear to carry out my program."

17. Seized by a(n) of rage, he began to beat the bars of his

cell with his bare hands.

18. Even the merest in the use of firearms knows that a gun
should never be pointed at another person.

19. Every time I sign a new lease on my apartment, my rent goes up, though the
are not usually very large.

20. As a(n) summer sun sank slowly in the west, the skies
were ablaze with color.

• .
Writing:
1. Look back at “Security Status: It’s Complicated” (pages 108-109). Suppose
that you work for an organization that educates the public about the potential
dangers of social networking sites. You want to write a letter to the editor that
persuades parents to take steps to ensure their young children use such sites
appropriately and safely. Use at least two details from the essay and three unit
words in your letter.

2. Think about how the experience of communicating with somebody by phone is

different from that of communicating through social networking sites. Write an
essay of at least three paragraphs in which you compare and contrast
telephone and computer conversations. Use examples from your reading
(refer to pages 108-109), prior knowledge, and personal experience to
support your points of comparison. Use three or more words from this unit.

116 ■ Unit 9
 9
Vo ry The following excerpts are from Ceorge Eliot's novels The Mill on the
in n Kt Floss and Romola. Some of the words you have studied in this unit
appear in boldface type. Complete each statement below the
Literary Text excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. Once before, since his illness, he had had a similar paroxysm, in which he had
beaten his horse, and the scene had left a lasting terror in Maggie’s mind. The
thought had risen, that some time or other he might beat her mother if she
happened to speak in her feeble way at the wrong moment. (The Mill on the Floss)
A paroxysm is a(n)
a. convulsion c. inclination
b. disease d. hallucination
2. “They’re paltry times, these are. Why, mum, look at
the printed cottons now, an' what they was when you NOVELS
wore 'em, — why you wouldn’t put such a thing on
now, I can see.” (The Mill on the Floss) GEORGE ELIOT
Paltry times are definitely NOT
VOL IL
a. diverse c. wealthy MILL ON THE FLOSS
b. memorable d. inevitable irznv tt i

3. The nineteenth of May had come, and by that day’s

sunshine there had entered into Florence the two
Papal Commissaries, charged with the completion
of Savonarola’s trial. They entered amid the
acclamations of the people, calling for the death of
the Frate. (Romola)
Acclamations are
a. demands for revenge c. shouts of welcome WILLIAM HI.AVKWOOI> ASD SOKS
luihirwii 4X» inwtMMt
b. angry protests d. frightened cries
4. “Pardon, Messer Piero,” said Tito, with his Mary Ann Evans used the pen
name George Eliot when she
imperturbable good-humor; “I acted without published The Mill on the Floss
sufficient reflection. I remembered nothing but your in 1860.
admirable skill in inventing pretty caprices, when a
sudden desire for something of that sort prompted
me to come to you.” (Romola)
Something that is imperturbable is
a. undeniable and obvious c. witty and sarcastic
b. quiet and understated d. steady and not
easily excited
5. Every day the distress became sharper: every day
the murmurs became louder. And, to crown the
difficulties of the government, for a month and
more—in obedience to a mandate from Rome—Fra
Girolamo had ceased to preach. (Romola)
A mandate is a Snap the code, or go to
vocabularyworkshop.com
a. document c. deliberation
b. command d. plea

Unit 9 • 117
REVIEW I vocabularyworkshop.com : SAT and ACT practice worksheets

VOG r for Read the following selection in which some of the words
you have studied in Units 7-9 appear in boldface type.
Com slon Then answer the questions on page 119.

As this passage shows, the central goal of the League of Women Voters is good citizenship.

(Line)
The League of Women Voters is a words, the League supports
citizen advocacy organization that programs and policies but demurs
was developed as a result of the when asked to endorse specific
women's suffrage movement. It was (30) parties or candidates. This stance
(5) founded in 1920 by the suffragist has led critics on both the left and
Carrie Chapman Catt, an the right to allege that the League is
unremitting champion of women’s a coterie of activists with a hidden
rights and social reform. Its agenda concealed behind a banner
immediate mission was to help (35) of nonpartisanship. The League
(10) inform and empower the 20 million replies that it is undeniably political
American women who were but definitely not partisan.
enfranchised as a result of the The League also takes great pride
passage in 1920 of the Nineteenth in its grassroots style of organization.
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (40) Policy decisions are not made by a
(15) Over the years, however, the few leaders in the upper echelons
League has advocated issues less of the organization, but rather are
directly related to the women’s arrived at by intense study, debate,
movement. It has supported and consensus building among the
programs as diverse as assistance (45) rank-and-file membership at the
(20) to the indigent during the Great chapter level. This reflects the
Depression, civil rights in the 1960s, League’s attitude toward the power
and environmental conservation and of well-informed citizens in a
campaign finance reform today. democracy, who ideally will make
Though the League vigorously (50) choices that will lead to a better life
(25) champions its causes, it sees itself for all.
as staunchly nonpartisan. In other

118 ■ Review Units 7-9

 REVIEW JNIT5 7-9

1. The main purpose of the first paragraph 7. Coterie (line 33) most nearly means
(lines 1-14) is to a. conspiracy
a. discuss the origins of the League b. party
b. explain why women had to wait so c. clique
long for the vote d. family
c. analyze the opposition to the e. gang
Nineteenth Amendment
d. highlight the career of Carrie 8. From the details the author provides in
Chapman Catt paragraph 2 (lines 15-37), you may
e. show how the League of Women reasonably infer that the League has
Voters got its name at times been
a. undemocratic
2. According to the passage, the b. partisan
League’s original mission was to c. unsuccessful
a. advise Republican candidates in d. inconsistent
the 1920 election e. controversial
b. inform and empower newly
enfranchised women voters 9. Which of the following best identifies
c. lobby for campaign finance reform the comparison/contrast the writer
d. create a grassroots organization of makes in paragraph 2?
local chapters a. Republicans vs. Democrats
e. lobby for passage of the Nineteenth b. critics on the left vs. critics on
Amendment the right
c. political vs. partisan
3. The meaning of unremitting (line 7) is d. the Great Depression vs. the Civil
a. controversial Rights movement
b. incomparable e. national issues vs. local issues
c. unrelenting
d. undefeated 10. The author identifies all of the following
e. intolerant as activities of the League EXCEPT
a. assisting the indigent
4. Indigent (line 20) most nearly means b. supporting environmental
a. penniless conservation
b. handicapped c. informing citizens
c. despondent d. lobbying for tax cuts
d. oppressed e. advocating campaign finance
e. homeless reform
5. Demurs (line 28) is best defined as 11. Echelons (line 41) most nearly means
a. debates a. floors
b. objects b. classes
c. waffles c. salaries
d. consents d. offices
e. rethinks e. levels
6. The meaning of allege (line 32) is 12. The author’s attitude toward the
a. refute League may best be described as
b. imply a. romantic
c. claim b. skeptical
d. deny c. reflective
e. dispute d. hostile
e. admiring

Review Units 7-9 ■ 119

REVIEW UNITS 7-9

T d Select the pair of words that best complete the meaning of each
Co ms of the following passages.

1. The--------------------------------rains had so the ground over

which we passed that it actually squished and gurgled in protest as we trod on it,
and our attack had to be postponed until the sun came out again.
a. inordinate ... razed c. unremitting ... saturated
b. ephemeral... embellished d. bestial. .. jettisoned

2. In Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, twenty-nine travelers from various

shrine of Saint Thomas Beckett. At night the of travelers

shares its stories in order to help time pass.
a. mandates ... collusion c. echelons . .. coterie
b. litanies ... raiment d. shibboleths ... paucity

3. Though the official is to have been in cahoots with the

swindlers, so far no substantive evidence has been brought forward to prove

a. portended . . . acclamation c. alleged ... collusion

b. demurred ... peregrination d. calumniated ... badinage

4. At the June 1961 summit meetings in Vienna, President John Kennedy met with his
Soviet, Nikita Khrushchev, in an effort to deal with sources
of friction between the two superpowers and international
fears that the so-called Cold War was heating up.
a. counterpart... allay c. coterie ... exacerbate
b. raiment... mandate d. shibboleth ... conciliate

5. The speed with which the Kaiser issued, then, then

reissued orders during the crisis was indicative of his essentially weak and
personality.
a. embellished ... pertinacious c. demurred . . . fatuous
b. recanted ... imperturbable d. countermanded . . . vacillating

6. Only a thoroughgoing would enjoy castigating other

people’s behavior in such unremittingly harsh and
language.
a. pedant... felicitous c. tyro ... arrant
b. misanthrope . . . vituperative d. dilettante ... convivial

7. The horribly furnishings sent the shocked homeowner into

a(n)------------------------ of anger.
a. macabre .. . increment c. chary ... effrontery
b. refulgent.. . slough d. garish ... paroxysm

120 ■ Review Units 7-9

 WORD STUDY
In "A Passage to Power” (pages 98-99), in a response to a question
about the job of Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
interviewee notes that Henry Clay, a previous Speaker, “stirred the
pot” in several ways. The phrase “stir the pot” is an idiom that means
"cause trouble” or “deliberately bring issues to the surface." The
interviewee wants to convey that Clay’s actions provoked thought
about and changes in the Speaker’s duties and power.
An idiom is a phrase with a figurative, not literal, meaning. Like other figures of speech,
idioms create fresh images in the minds of readers or listeners. Sometimes you will be
able to figure out an idiom’s meaning from context clues. Other times you may need to
consult an online or print dictionary to discover or verify an idiom’s meaning.

Choosing the Right Idiom

Read each sentence. Use context clues to figure out the meaning of each idiom in
boldface print. Then write the letter of the definition for the idiom in the sentence.

1. The aging band's concert tour across Europe this a. argue about
summer is likely to be their swan song small details
2. The parade organizers worried that high wind gusts b. having plenty
might play havoc with the streamers tied to the flag of money
poles
c. have a long chat
3. Noting that her father had worked two jobs to pay for
her college education, Maria described him as the d. a most worthy person
salt of the earth
e. angry
4. After our golden retriever left muddy paw prints on the
kitchen floor, we worked hard to get it spick and f. be totally honest
span again
g. final performance
5. Derrick’s two talkative aunts hoped to arrive at the
reunion early so that they would have time to chew h. ruin
the fat
i. become increasingly
6. When the well-heeled customer took the luxury liked
convertible for a test drive, the salesman began
dreaming of a huge commission------------ j. neat and clean
7. The news story about the protest included a photo of
several local residents who are up in arms over the
road expansion
8. “Although you might not like the turnip casserole at
first,” Karen added, “I hope it will grow on you after
you’ve had several bites.”-----------
9. The judge vowed not to split hairs when he clarifies
his ruling in the tax evasion case------------
10. “Please lay it on the line when you tell me what
happened,” Grandma told the fidgety children as she
stared at her shattered crystal vase-------

Word Study ■ 121

WORD STUDY F

Writing with Idioms

Find the meaning of each idiom. (Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.) Then write a
sentence for each idiom.

1. on the dot

2. hit pay dirt

3. behind the eight ball

4. scratch the surface

5. on the same wavelength

6. with flying colors

7. pick up the tab

8. home free

9. on the table

10. neither here nor there

11. hem and haw

12. play fast and loose with

122 ■ Word Study

 WORD STUDY
A dictionary provides the objective meaning of a word,
D m its denotation. A word’s connotation is its subjective
meaning, which includes the emotional and implied
and tlon meanings associated with the word. Connotations can
be positive, neutral, or negative.
Suppose you were writing an essay about a famous historical figure. To convey your
esteem for the person’s determination, you might use words like tenacious or resolute. To
suggest an excessive inflexibility, you might choose words like obstinate or peremptory.

Consider these synonyms for the neutrai word chary.

prudent circumspect calculating diffident
Prudent and circumspect have positive connotations, whereas calculating and diffident
have negative connotations.

Think: Successful financial advisers are prudent and

circumspect in giving advice, but calculating or diffident
advisers consider their own self-interest or are overly cautious.
\__________________________________________________

Look at these examples of words that are similar in denotation but have
different connotations.

NEUTRAL POSITIVE NEGATIVE

approachable convivial boisterous

nerve aplomb effrontery

meager streamlined paltry

A single word may have different connotations in different contexts. For example, family
may have a neutral connotation when it identifies a category in a biology textbook but a
positive connotation when it describes loving relatives in a memoir.

Shades of Meaning
Write a plus sign (+) in the box if the word has a positive connotation.
Write a minus sign (-) if the word has a negative connotation. Put a zero (0)
if the word is neutral.

1. calumniate 2. refulgent 3. shibboleth 4. vacillate

5. portend 6. exacerbate 7. bestial 8. embellish

9. fatuous 10. furtive 11. raiment 12. saturnine

13. mandate 14. indigent 15. felicitous 16. paucity

Word Study ■ 123

WORD STUDY

Expressing the Connotation

Read each sentence. Select the word in parentheses that expresses the connotation
(positive, negative, or neutral) given at the beginning of the sentence.

negative 1. The fairgrounds surrounding the roller coaster rides were (redolent,
odorous) with the smells of the nearby food tents.
positive 2. After Officer Ramirez (alleged, verified) that the vehicle had been
traveling 65 mph, the driver reluctantly admitted to speeding.
neutral 3. The arrival of Kenny and his (coterie, mob) of friends did not disrupt
the other passengers on the plane.
negative 4. The mayor’s relentless focus on making (unimportant, picayune)
changes to the bill’s wording frustrated the council members.
negative 5. On their course evaluations, students frequently complained about
the pompous professor’s (pedantry, proficiency) during lectures.
neutral 6. Minutes after the storms began, the white linen tablecloth became
(saturated, discolored) with water.
neutral 7. The army veteran acknowledged the (acclamation, reception) from
the audience with a nod of her head and a salute.
positive 8. Everyone in our family likes to discuss my (intense, inordinate)
interest in cars and motorcycles.

Challenge: Using Connotation

Choose vocabulary words from Units 7-9 to replace the highlighted words in the
sentences below. Then explain how the connotation of the replacement word changes
the tone of the sentence.

badinage litany slough

garish peregrination vituperative

1. When the actress first saw her costume, she thought that the dress and coat were
extremely bright

2. The hikers were surprised that the marked trail took them so close to a large
meadow

3. Upon returning home after her blind date, Anna regaled her roommates with details
of the discussion she had with her date.

124 ■ Word Study

 WORD STUDY

The root clam appears in acclamation (page 110). The

Cla ots literal meaning of acclamation is “shouting at,” but it now
suggests “applause” or “an overwhelmingly favorable
clam, claim—to cry out, oral vote.” Some other words based on the same root are
shout, call listed below.
•X
acclaim clamorous disclaimer proclamation
claimant declaim irreclaimable reclamation

From the list of words above, choose the one that corresponds to each of the brief
definitions below. Write the word in the blank space in the illustrative sentence below
the definition. Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.

1. a denial or disavowal of responsibility or connection; a formal refusal of one’s

rights or claims
The manufacturer issued a swift after mediocre reviews
of its new product.

2. to applaud; to indicate strong approval; noisy and enthusiastic applause

The winning team enjoyed vigorous public in a ticker-
tape parade.

3. to speak like an orator; to recite in public, make a public speech; to speak

bitterly against
The actor would lines from Shakespeare in response to
any comment.

4. incapable of being reformed; incapable of being rendered useful

That region of the park is nothing more than swampland.

5. an official or formal public announcement

The clerk posted the latest mayoral at the entrance to
City Hall.

6. the act of bringing back or restoring to a normal or useful condition (“to call back")
Innovative irrigation techniques have resulted in the of
much of the desert.

7. marked by loud confusion or outcry; noisily insistent ("crying out")

The protesters outside the White House made demands
for reform.

8. a person who asserts a right or title

After many years, the estranged son resurfaced as the last
to the estate.

Word Study ■ 125

UNIT 10
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 10. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

What Happened to the Franklin Expedition?

< Magazine Article >
By Simon Devoucoux two warships, the HMS Erebus and HMS
he tragic story of the Franklin Expedition Terror, both refitted for navigating
I began promisingly enough. In 1845, Sir treacherous ice floes. Each vessel carried
John Franklin and his crew of about 130 set provisions for three years—including 2,500
sail with great fanfare from England to the pounds of tea and 9,000 pounds of
Arctic Ocean to find the fabled Northwest chocolate!—and each had thousands of
Passage. Franklin, a seasoned Polar books. The officers and crew were clearly
explorer, was charged with reconnoitering not required to forgo luxury onboard.
the island mazes and channels of Arctic Although the expedition was well
Canada in search of a route that linked the stocked, the Royal Navy had not fully
North Atlantic to the Pacific, a transit that reckoned with subzero temperatures and
could save many arduous months at sea hazardous Arctic conditions. Officers and
for ships traveling to the other side of the crew were outfitted in traditional navy
world. That was the last time Franklin and uniforms, skimpy outerwear, and woolen
his men would ever see home, and the gloves—the navy looked askance at
expedition is known as one of the most changes to convention in clothing. It
disastrous in history. proved impossible for them to adapt to
Although the expedition was fraught with their new environment as the indigenous
potential dangers, the British Admiralty
believed it had planned for all exigencies
and addressed all foibles that might
weaken the expedition. It commissioned

v ■ • 't,
Wws

Sir John Franklin led the lost Franklin

—■ Expedition, one of the great unsolved
mysteries of the nineteenth century.
 In 1895, w Thomas
Smith painted how
he imagined the
end of the Franklin
Expedition looked.

people, the Inuit, had over centuries. The graves, disturbing notes that made little
Inuit, hunter-gatherers who relied on dog sense, then skeletons and a trail of more
sleds for transportation and animal skins than 1,000 artifacts, from sextants to silver
for warmth, had become inured to the utensils to Bibles—even some novels. But a
formidable cold. string of facts does not add up to the truth.
Before long, the two ships were Newspapers of the day referred to it as
irrevocably trapped in pack ice. The the “awful mystery,” and the fate of the
expedition lay in shambles. Franklin Franklin Expedition still intrigues us—
perished in 1847, according to notes later Franklin was an experienced explorer, not
found by search teams, and starvation, a charlatan, and previous expeditions had
scurvy and lead poisoning from tinned been trapped in pack ice and survived,
food decimated the crew. Under the so why did his entire crew perish?
luminous northern lights, more and more Sporadic attempts are made today to
fell victim to disease, hypothermia, and retrace the expedition, locate the two
exposure. With their ranks attenuated, famous shipwrecks, and uncover what
some of the crew set out on foot to try to really happened to Franklin and his men.
reach an outpost of the Hudson Bay But the full truth may lie submerged
Company, but fate was not benign, and somewhere in the frozen depths, where it
the crew members died before reaching continues to rebuff attempts to uncover it.
the outpost.
Three years after the doomed expedition Simon Devoucoux lives in Newfoundland.
set out, there was still no word. How could He is a regular contributor to Victorian
the pride of the Royal Navy disappear Exploration Quarterly.
without a trace? The country mourned
Franklin—explorers and adventurers were
national heroes and the attention given them
by the public bordered on obsequious.
□
Lady Jane Franklin campaigned vigorously
for search parties to locate her husband
and his ships. A reward was offered, and
scores of British and American vessels set
sail for the unforgiving North. What they
□
Snap the code, or go to
eventually found was unsettling: a few
vocabularyworkshop.com

Unit 10 ■ 127
 i
vocabularyworkshop.com; IWardjffiaudio program 2 interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. askance (adv.) with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval

(a skans') The English teacher looked
at the suggestion that students read compendiums of
Dickens’s novels.
synonyms: distrustfully, suspiciously

2. attenuate (v.) to make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity,

(a ten' yu at) or value
After making sure the wound was clean, the doctor took
steps to the victim's pain.
synonyms: thin out, dilute, water down
antonyms: thicken, strengthen, bolster

3. benign (adj.) gentle, kind; forgiving, understanding; having a favorable or

(bi nin') beneficial effect; not malignant
Abraham Lincoln’s sensitive stepmother had a
influence on th
had lost his mother.
synonyms: benevolent, salubrious, harmless
antonyms: malevolent, deleterious

4. cavil (v.) to find fault in a petty way, carp; (n.) a trivial objection
(kav' al) or criticism
I suggest you do not over small
things but instead focus on what is important.
Despite a few I might make, I still find
her to be an excellent poet.
synonym: (v.) nitpick

5. charlatan (n.) one who feigns knowledge or ability; a pretender, impostor,

(shar' la tan) or quack
The reporter exposed the real estate agent as a
who routinely deceived
her customers.
synonym: mountebank

6. decimate (v.) to kill or destroy a large part of

(des' a mat) Again and again, Napoleon was able to
the armies of his enemies
and lead his men to further victories.
synonym: devastate

128 ■ Unit 10
 10
7. foible (n.) a weak point, failing, minor flaw
(foi' bal) Backbiting is one human not likely to
be eradicated.
synonyms: shortcoming, quirk
antonyms: forte, virtue

8. forgo (v.) to do without, abstain from, give up

(for go') One of the best, if not the easiest, ways to lose weight is to
dessert.
synonyms: refrain from, renounce
antonyms: indulge in, partake of

9. fraught (adj.) full of or loaded with; accompanied by

(frdt) Even with the most advanced equipment, expeditions to the
top of Mt. Everest are still with
danger.
synonym: charged with
antonyms: devoid of, lacking, deficient in

10. inure (v.) to toughen, harden; to render used to something by long

(in yur') subjection or exposure
The Inuit have become to the
hardships of the long Arctic winters through years of
experience.
synonyms: accustom, acclimate

11. luminous (adj.) emitting or reflecting light, glowing; illuminating

(lu' ma nas) Walking under that night sky induced
in me weighty thoughts not often pondered.
synonyms: bright, refulgent, lustrous
antonyms: dark, opaque, dim, murky

12. obsequious (adj.) marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive,

(ab se' kwe as) often for purely self-interested reasons
Jane Austen ridiculed characters who were
to the aristocracy but
condescending to their social inferiors.
synonyms: fawning, servile, sycophantic, mealymouthed
antonyms: assertive, bumptious, candid, frank, independent

13. obtuse (adj.) blunt, not coming to a point; slow or dull in understanding;
(ab tils') measuring between 90° and 180°; not causing a sharp impression
The lieutenant was too to see the
danger and led his company right into the hands of the enemy.
synonyms: dumb, thick, mild, dull-witted
antonyms: perceptive, quick-witted

Unit 10 ■ 129
14. oscillate (v.) to swing back and forth with a steady rhythm; to fluctuate
(as' a lat) or waver
The terrified narrator in Poe’s story “The Pit and the
Pendulum” watches the dreaded instrument
as it slowly move
synonym: vibrate

15. penitent {adj.) regretful for one’s sins or mistakes; {n.) one who is sorry for
(pen' a tant) wrongdoing
The thief was sincerely
In the Middle Ages often confessed
their sins publicly and were publicly punished.
synonyms: {adj.) remorseful, regretful, rueful
antonym: {adj.) remorseless

16. peremptory {adj.) having the nature of a command that leaves no opportunity
(pa remp' ta re) for debate, denial, or refusal; offensively self-assured, dictatorial;
determined, resolute
The board members resented the director’s
tone of voice.
synonym: unconditional; antonyms: irresolute, mild, unassuming

17. rebuff (v.) to snub; to repel, drive away; (n.) a curt rejection, a check
(ri baf') The old man his neighbors by
refusing all offers of friendship.
Her of my invitation was quite rude.
synonyms: (v.) repulse, reject; (n.) setback
antonyms: (v) accept, welcome

18. reconnoiter (v.) to engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary

(re ka noit' ar) inspection
Infantry officers often ask for volunteers to
the terrain ahead before ordering
their soldiers to advance.
SYNONYM: SCOUt

19. shambles (n.) a slaughterhouse; a place of mass bloodshed; a state of

(sham' balz) complete disorder and confusion, mess
The burglars made a complete of the
apartment in their search for money and jewelry.

20. sporadic {adj.) occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order
(spo rad' ik) The soldiers heard gunfire from the
other side of the river.
synonyms: intermittent, spasmodic
antonyms: steady, continuous, uninterrupted

130 ■ Unit 10
 10

Che the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 126-127 to see how
Ri rd most of these words are used in context.

1. A grandfather clock works by gravity; when the pendulum

(oscillates, reconnoiters), it moves a system of weights
attached to the clock’s hands.

2. At an autocrat’s court, free speech is usually replaced

by the (penitent, obsequious) twaddle of flunkies
and toadies.

3. We believe that classes taught by teachers with specialized

training will have a (sporadic, benign) effect on the troubled
children.

4. Though I admire the woman’s strong points, I find her

(rebuffs, foibles) comic.

5. Over the years, her (luminous, obtuse) descriptions and

scintillating wit have helped her students master the
difficult subject she taught. Galileo discovered that a
pendulum could be used to
6. Since he didn’t want to give me credit for having done keep time and developed the
a good job, he took refuge in endless (foibles, cavils) first plans for what is now
known as a grandfather clock.
about my work.

7. Though the small nation was always ready to settle a conflict peacefully, it was not
afraid to use (luminous, peremptory) force when necessary.

8. We must never allow our passion for justice to be (inured, attenuated) to mere
halfhearted goodwill.

9. I have learned that (sporadic, peremptory) sessions of intense “cramming” can

never take the place of a regular study program.

10. Somehow or other, a bull got into the china shop and turned it into a complete
(shambles, foibles)

11. Since he is not guided by firm principles, he (attenuates, oscillates) between the
rival factions, looking for support from both of them.

12. During the Civil War the ranks of both armies were (decimated, rebuffed) as much
by disease as by enemy action.

13. When I found that people I admired were looking (askance, sporadic) at my
unconventional clothing, I resolved to remedy the situation.

14. The (decimated, penitent) youths agreed to work without pay until they could
make restitution for the damage their carelessness had caused.

15. How could you have the heart to (rebuff, cavil) those people’s piteous appeals
for aid?

Unit 10 . 131
16. Even though my experiences in battle have (inured, caviled) me to scenes of
suffering, I was horrified by the devastation wrought by the tornado.

17. Their relationship has been so (fraught, benign) with strife and malice that I don’t
see how they can ever patch things up.

18. All angles are classified as acute, right, (obtuse, benign), or straight, according to
the number of degrees they contain.

19. Imagine the general disappointment when the so-called “miracle cure” was
exposed as a fraud promoted by a (charlatan, cavil).

20. Bank robbers often spend a good deal of time (reconnoitering, rebuffing) the
neighborhood where the bank they intend to rob is located.

21. Do you want to be a ballet dancer enough to (oscillate, forgo) all other activities?

22. Although the judge offered two minor (shambles, cavils) about our choreography,
our dance troupe won first place in the competition.

23. The play featured the stereotypical (obsequious, fraught) butler who treated his
employer’s family with excessive and artificial politeness.

24. Was it Juan’s gentle stroking of the frightened dog’s neck that produced a
(benign, peremptory) change in the animal’s mood?

25. The (penitent, obtuse) young woman begged her mother for forgiveness.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. quibble over who is at fault

2. exposed him as a complete fraud
3. a salutary effect on consumer confidence
4. vacillated between two choices
5. looked skeptically at their proposals
6. feeling sorry about the decision
7. willing to overlook its defects
8. will spurn his offer of marriage
9. his high-handed challenge to our authority
10. embarrassed by his stupid questions

132 ■ Unit 10
 10
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. a tentative request for money

2. set the fan to stay still
3. her acute handling of the issue
4. an entirely unrepentant gambler and thief
5. prone to praise unnecessarily

s From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.
th ce
1. Although there had been some fighting earlier, the real
battles of the Civil War did not begin until Bull Run in July 1861.

2. Although the moon appears to be a(n) body, the fact is that

it only reflects light from the sun.

3. Life on the family farm has me to hard physical labor and

long hours of unremitting toil.

4. I was relieved to learn that the officials were and that I

would only have to pay a small fine.

5. During imperial times, the Roman Senate was little more than a collection of
yes-men, intent upon preserving their own lives by
gratifying the emperor’s every whim.

6. No doubt he’s very sorry he got caught, but that does not mean that he's at all
about what he did.

7. I was totally taken aback when they my kind offers of

assistance so rudely and nastily.

8. During the fourteenth century, the Black Death suddenly swept across Europe,
the population and paralyzin

9. His statements have been so uniformly that I get the

impression that he is wearing a permanent pair of mental blinders.

10. Though my childhood recollections have been by the

passage of time, they have not been totally effaced from my memory.

Unit 10 • 133
11. We look--------------------------------at any program that makes it harder for city
dwellers to get out and enjoy the beauties of nature.

12. The general sent scouts on ahead of the army to the area
for a suitable site to pitch camp.

13. Good supervisors know that they can get more cooperation from their staff by
making polite requests than by issuing orders.

14. Any "investment counselor” who promises to double your money overnight must be
regarded as a(n)or a crook.

15. Unless the title Special Aide to the Assistant Section Manager involves a salary
increase, I would just as soon it.

16. The man’s personality was a strange mixture of strengths and weaknesses, fortes
and

17. In a typical James Bond movie, Agent 007 has a series of adventures that are
with tongue-in-cheek peril.

18. As all kinds of wild rumors ran rampant through the besieged city, the mood of the
populace between hope and despair.

19. The riot converted the quiet streets of that suburban community into a ghastly

20. Though critics at minor faults in the new Broadway show,

the general public loved it.

Writing:
1. Look back at “What Happened to the Franklin Expedition?” (pages 126-127).
Suppose that it is 1845 and you are a member of Franklin’s crew. You want to
write a letter to your family members explaining the goal of the expedition and
letting them know how you feel as you depart England. Use at least two details
from the passage and three unit words in your explanation.

2. "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
—Saint Augustine
Do you agree with Saint Augustine’s statement? What is your view on the
importance of traveling? Write a brief essay in which you develop your point of
view about the value of travel. Support your position with specific examples
from your reading (refer to pages 126-127), studies, experiences, or
observations. Write at least three paragraphs, and use three or more words
from this unit.
J

134 ■ Unit 10
 L 10
ary The following excerpts are from E.M. Forster's novels Howards End
jxt and A Room with a View. Some of the words you have studied in
this unit appear in boldface type. Complete each statement below
Literary Text the excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. Only in legend does the sinner come forth penitent, but terrible, to conquer pure
woman by his resistless power. Henry was anxious to be terrible, but had not got it
in him. He was a good average Englishman, who had slipped. (Howards End)
A penitent person
a. appears to be confident c. shows strength
b. is sorry for wrongdoing d. seems worried

2. It pleased Margaret to hear her brother and sister

talking. They did not get on overwell as a rule.
For a few moments she listened to them,
feeling elderly and benign. (Howards End)
If you feel benign, you feel
a. forgiving c. dutiful
b. invincible d. sentimental

3. Margaret had given instructions that no one

who mentioned her name should ever be
rebuffed. Putting the door on the chain— A scene from the 1985 film version of A
for Leonard’s appearance demanded this Room with a View, with Julian Sands as
—she went through to the smoking-room, George Emerson and Helena Bonham
Carter as Lucy Honeychurch.
which was occupied by Tibby.
(Howards End)
Someone who is rebuffed is
a. interrogated c. snubbed
b. ignored d. detained

4. In silence the two women watched him. His last remark, they knew, was nonsense,
but was he going after it or not? Would not he, the cad, the charlatan, attempt a
more dramatic finish? No. He was apparently content. (A Room with a View)
A charlatan is a(n)
a. intellectual c. impostor
b. snob d. aristocrat

5. Mrs. Honeychurch had been civil, but obtuse in

essentials, while as for Freddy—“He is only a boy,”
□
he reflected. “I represent all that he despises. Why
should he want me for a brother-in-law?" (A Room
with a View)
An obtuse person is NOT
□
Snap the code, or go to
a. optimistic c. decisive
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b. remorseful d. perceptive

Unit 10 ■ 135
UNIT 11
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 11. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Apollo 11 Poised for Take-Off

< Press Release >
For Immediate Release President’s challenge, saying the nation
•pomorrow, July 16, 1969, will mark the should focus on achievements closer to
I beginning of a bold new phase in home. Others saw the task, rife with
humankind’s inexorable quest to explore problems and danger, as too onerous.
the universe. At approximately 9:30 a.m. The program’s expense also was at
EST, the Apollo 11 spacecraft will lift off issue: Would the cost of a program
from Cape Kennedy, Florida, for an culminating in a moon landing, estimated
eight-day, round-trip journey to the moon. at some $25 billion, leave the United
The climax of this flight will come on July States impecunious? Despite these
20, when a manned lunar module will concerns and the asperity of the
descend to the moon’s surface. For the President’s response to naysayers, the
first time in history, humans will walk on majority of Americans rose to the
another celestial body. The astronauts will challenge, realizing that a lunar landing
explore the moon and gather rocks, dust, would open the door to ’’the last frontier.”
and other celestial detritus for analysis. In spirit, the entire nation would be going
to the moon along with its astronauts.
This mission represents the fulfillment
of a universal dream. Throughout history, For its part, the National Aeronautics
in every time and place, humans have and Space Administration (NASA) has
stared at the moon and wondered. never considered abrogating its
Wizards and necromancers of the past commitment to a lunar landing. By
have claimed to have traveled to the mastering the rudiments of manned
moon, and storytellers and novelists have space flight during the early Mercury and
shared delectable tales of imaginary lunar Gemini flights and by learning the lessons
adventures. In the past, these trips were, of recent Apollo missions, NASA scientists
at best, mere flights of fancy. Today, in the have developed a deep and eclectic set
shadow of the six-million-ton Saturn rocket of aerospace engineering skills. These
poised for take-off, such imaginings pale have enabled NASA to construct the most
and become flaccid, for America's complex and sophisticated equipment on
astronauts will embark on a real adventure earth, and thanks to these tools the
more gripping than any fiction. agency is ebullient about the prospects
of tomorrow's extraordinary mission. The
The Apollo 11 mission is a response to astronauts themselves—Neil Armstrong,
a specific challenge. Eight years ago, Michael Collins, and Edwin "Buzz”
President John F. Kennedy challenged Aldrin—are also cause for optimism.
the United States to land a man on the To select the three candidates, NASA
moon by the end of the decade. Such an winnowed a list of thousands of the
achievement would require Americans to country’s best pilots and aeronautical
adopt a new and ambitious scientific engineers. Furthermore, these three men
outlook, discarding old and moribund have undergone months of intense training
attitudes. A few critics deprecated the

136 ■ Unit 11
&
for the upcoming mission, burnishing us—whether to Mars, to Venus, or to
their considerable talents and skills. other solar systems—will not be
Tonight they are sequestered near the answered for many years. Undoubtedly
Florida launch site, confidently awaiting such destinations will be on future
their chance to make history. itineraries, but as tomorrow’s launch
Although tomorrow’s thunderous takeoff reminds us, science’s ultimate
will begin a journey of more than 400,000
destination is limited only by mankind’s
miles, it reminds us that even a journey of knowledge, individual courage, and the
one thousand miles begins with a single forces of our expanding universe.
step. Indeed, the Apollo 11 flight is
but the beginning of a much
longer voyage for humankind.
The question of where our
scientific explorations will take

Apollo 11 ready to take off

Snap the code, or go to

vocabularyworkshop.com
-•*sT
...

■ : . ..
 vocabularyworkshop.com: iWords^audio program 2 interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
Definitions
^9^ spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. abrogate (v.) to repeal, cancel, declare null and void

(ab' ra gat) Often with no legal or moral grounds, the U.S. government
would treaties made with Native
Americans.
synonyms: annul, revoke
antonyms: renew, ratify

2. ambient (adj.) completely surrounding, encompassing

(am' be ant) The new filtering system is capable of cleaning and deodorizing
the air.

3. asperity (n.) roughness, severity; bitterness or tartness

(a sper' a te) The of the drama critic’s statements
undermined the young actor’s confidence.
synonyms: rigor, harshness
antonyms: mildness, blandness, softness, lenience

4. burnish (v.) to make smooth or glossy by rubbing, polish; (n.) gloss,

(bar' nish) brightness, luster
The hotel manager ordered the waiters to
all the brass candlesticks
before the formal banquet.
The on the metal frame had faded with
age and neglect.
synonyms: (v.) shine, buff
antonyms: (v.) dull, abrade

5. cabal (n.) a small group working in secret

(ka bal') The members of the met at an
unknown location for the purpose of fixing prices and
stifling competition.
synonyms: ring, gang, plot, conspiracy

6. delectable (adj.) delightful, highly enjoyable; deliciously flavored, savory; (n.)

(di lek' ta bal) an appealing or appetizing food or dish
The banquet ended with a truly dessert
made of peaches, raspberries, and ice cream.
The eatery attracted customers with a mouth-watering display
of in its front window.
synonym: (adj.) scrumptious
antonyms: (adj.) repugnant, repulsive, distasteful

138 ■ Unit 11
 11
7. deprecate (v.) to express mild disapproval; to belittle
(dep' ra kat) The administration such foolish
practices as the hazing of new students.
synonyms: deplore, frown upon
antonyms: smile on, approve

8. detritus (n.) loose bits and pieces of material resulting from disintegration or
(di trit' as) wearing away; fragments that result from any destruction
Pieces of people’s homes, furniture, and toys could be seen in
the of the landslide.
synonyms: wreckage, ruins, rubble

9. ebullient (adj.) overflowing with enthusiasm and excitement; boiling,

(i bul' yant) bubbling
After a string of very favorable reviews, the dance company
was in an mood for weeks.
synonyms: exhilarated, elated
antonyms: gloomy, morose, sullen, apathetic, blas6

10. eclectic (adj.) drawn from different sources; (n.) one whose beliefs are
(e klek' tik) drawn from various sources
Stanford White developed an style of
architecture that made use of classic and modern elements.
The critics accused the composer of being a mere
with no original sty
synonyms: (adj.) selective, synthetic, pick-and-choose
antonyms: (adj.) uniform, monolithic

11. flaccid (adj.) limp, not firm; lacking vigor or effectiveness

(flas' ad) Because the injured bodybuilder had not worked out for weeks,
his muscles grew--------------------------------
synonyms: soft, flabby; antonyms: hard, solid

12. impecunious (adj.) having little or no money

(im pa kyu' ne In my present state, I will not be able to
as) pay for dinner.
synonyms: impoverished, indigent
antonyms: affluent, wealthy, prosperous, rich

13. inexorable (adj.) inflexible, beyond influence; relentless, unyielding

(in ek' sar a bal) In the Greek tragedies, nothing could save characters like
Oedipus Rex from their fates.
synonyms: ineluctable, obdurate
antonyms: avoidable, yielding, pliant

Unit 11 • 139
14. moribund (adj.) dying, on the way out
(mor' a band) In the age of electronic communication, writing letters by hand
seems to be a custom.
synonym: obsolescent; antonym: thriving

15. necromancer (n.) one who claims to reveal or influence the future through magic,
(nek' ra man sar) especially communication with the dead; in general, a magician
or wizard
When the stock market began to tumble, some
desperate investors resorted to
for financial advice.
synonyms: sorcerer, conjurer

16. onerous (adj.) burdensome; involving hardship or difficulty

(an' ar as)
Informing patients of bad news is an
duty that every doctor has to perform.
synonym: weighty; antonyms: light, easy, undemanding, untaxing

17. rife (adj.) common, prevalent, widespread, happening often; full,

(rif) abounding; plentiful, abundant, replete
Since rumors were the president
announced that the company had been bought out by its
major competitor.
antonyms: devoid of, lacking

18. rudiments (n. pl.) the parts of any subject or discipline that are learned first;
(rud' a manti) the earliest stages of anything
At a very young age, the girl learned the
of chess from her father,
a professional player.
synonyms: basics, fundamentals

19. sequester (v.) to set apart, separate for a special purpose; to take
(si kwes' tar) possession of and hold in custody
The parties agreed to the disputed
funds pending a decision by the court.
synonyms: segregate, isolate, closet

20. winnow (v.) to get rid of something unwanted, delete; to sift through to
(win'd) obtain what is desirable; to remove the chaff from the wheat by
blowing air on it; to blow on, fan
Spelling and grammar software programs are designed to
help writers inaccuracies from
their documents.
synonyms; sift, strain, filter, sort

140 ■ Unit 11
 11

Ch< the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 136-137 to see how
Rl rd most of these words are used in context.

1. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., once observed that

he did not wish to lead a(n) (sequestered,
abrogated) life far from the conflicts of his times.

2. Though she entered this country as a(n)

(impecunious, rife) child, she eventually made a
fortune in the garment industry.

3. “The (inexorable, moribund) march of the years,”

said the aged speaker, “decrees that this is the
last time I will address you.”

4. The old adage that “one man’s meat is another Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was
man's poison” simply means that what is considered appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in
(delectable, onerous) is often quite subjective. 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt.

5. The charm of this musical comedy lies in its slam-bang pacing, its sprightly music,
and its generally (onerous, ebullient) good cheer.

6. What appeared to be an informal study group was in reality a highly organized

(detritus, cabal) determined to overthrow the establishment.

7. Though the presidency confers great powers on the person who holds the office, it
also saddles that person with (onerous, eclectic) responsibilities.

8. It is one thing to (burnish, deprecate) human follies and pretensions; it is quite

another to correct them.

9. The (moribund, burnished) helmets and breastplates of the warriors gleamed and
twinkled in the morning sunlight.

10. No one, however powerful or dominant, can (abrogate, sequester) the basic moral
laws on which civilization rests.

11. Writing that is so full of soggy clichds, gummy sentence structure, and excessive
wordiness can best be described as (inexorable, flaccid).

12. (Eclectic, Ambient) schools of art are typical of a period when there is little original
inspiration or bold experimentation.

13. Since archaeologists spend a lot of time rummaging through the (detritus,
asperity) of vanished civilizations, they bear a striking resemblance to junk
collectors and ragpickers.

14. Though skeptics insist that patriotism is (onerous, moribund) in America, I believe
that it is alive and well in the hearts of the people.

15. The investigating committee spent long hours trying to (burnish, winnow) fact
from fiction in the witnesses’ testimony.

Unit 11 ■ 141
16. As we sat in the locker room after our heartbreaking loss, the (ambient,
impecunious) gloom was so thick you could almost cut it.
17. Any political party that is (rife, ebullient) with petty jealousies and backbiting can
never hope to present a united front in an election.

18. (Asperity, Necromancy) and other forms of witchcraft were punishable by death
during the Middle Ages.

19. As one veteran aptly observed, a soldier had to be hardy to cope with the
(asperities, cabals) of life in the trenches during World War I.

20. Anyone who has the slightest acquaintance with the (rudiments, cabals) of
economic theory understands that we cannot solve our financial problems simply
by borrowing more and more money.

21. Despite our prodding, Aunt Eileen would not disclose the secret ingredient that
makes her marinara sauce so (delectable, ebullient).

22. The film critic complained that some of the (sequestered, inexorable) tension in
the original film has been lost in this year’s milder remake.

23. The unconventional artist liked to incorporate glass shards, plastic strips, pieces of
string, and assorted (detritus, rudiments) into his sculptures.

24. “Did you use a cotton or a velvet cloth to (burnish, abrogate) the antique mirror?"
Bryan inquired.

25. The (cabal, asperity) of the stones in the patio hurt the soles of my feet.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. cleaned up the debris from the parade

2. secluded on a remote country estate
3. a ruthless clique of gangsters
4. the inescapable consequences of her actions
5. a garden filled with weeds
6. a varied collection of opinions
7. the exuberant cheerleading squad
8. sheltered the penniless immigrants
9. rebelled against the oppressive taxation
10. noticed another fading tradition

142 ■ Unit 11
 11
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
A meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. will reaffirm his oath to the king

2. noticed her firm handshake
3. a snack low in nutritional value
4. the flourishing downtown area
5. countenanced our peaceful protest

s From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. I thought the job of revising the manuscript would be a relatively simple matter, but
it proved to be a(n)task.

2. Some superstitious Roman emperors consulted and other

dabblers in black magic to find out what the future held.

3. The plot of the novel centers on a(n)adventurer who

attempts to remedy his financial embarrassment by marrying into money.

4. The copper pots had been so highly that I could see my

face in them.

5. Though monarchies still exist in some parts of the world, they are more or less a(n)
form of government.

6. One of Darwin’s theories suggests that nature ensures the survival of a species by
slowly out the less fit members.

7. There is nothing more on a hot day than to stretch out in a

hammock with a good book and pitcher of icy lemonade!

8. I could tell that my boss was really “riled” by the of his tone
of voice when he summoned me.

9. The conversation at dinner tables all over town was with

speculation as to the outcome of the big game.

10. All the facts and figures point to one conclusion: we are
hopelessly outnumbered.

Unit 11 ■ 143
11. We will never allow anyone to curtail or the basic rights and
liberties guaranteed to us in the Constitution.

12. She is a very private person who any attempt to honor

publicly her great services to humanity.

13. Even before they said a word, I could tell from their
expressions that our team had won.

14. Late that night, we began the heartbreaking task of sifting through the
of our ravaged home.

15. Unless you have mastered the of French grammar, you will
find it difficult to speak the language fluently.

16. As air slowly seeped out through the tiny puncture, the inner tube became more and
more

17. It was then that he began to organize the that would later
depose the king.

18. In order to prevent outside influences from coming into play, a jury is normally
until it reaches a decision.

19. It is often difficult to hold a conversation while walking on a busy city street because
of the high level of traffic noise.

20. In a sense, the man is a(n)philosopher because his ideas

have been influenced by many different schools of thought.

Writing:
1. Look back at “Apollo 11 Poised for Take-Off" (pages 136-137). If you were
offered the opportunity, would you like to be a passenger on a space flight to
the moon? Why or why not? In a short expository essay, explain your opinion,
using at least two details from the passage and three unit words.

2. In recent years, the United States has reduced funding for its manned space
exploration programs. Some people argue that the money spent on space
exploration could be better used elsewhere. However, others claim that the
potential benefits of space exploration justify its costs. In your opinion, how
important is continued manned space exploration? Explain your position on
this question in a short essay. Use specific examples from your reading (refer
to pages 136-137), studies, and personal observations to support your point.
Write at least three paragraphs, and use at least three words from this unit.

144 ■ Unit 11
 11
Vo iry The following excerpts are from Anthony Trollope's novels The Eustace
lit act Diamonds and Barchester Towers. Some of the words you have
studied in this unit appear in boldface type. Complete each statement
Literary Text below the excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. Frank began pretty well, getting some little work in London, and perhaps nearly
enough to pay the cost of his circuit out of the county in which the cathedral was
situated. But he began life after that impecunious fashion for which the Greystocks
had been noted. (The Eustace Diamonds)
An impecunious life is NOT
a. random c. lively
b. prosperous d. bland

2. Having pronounced this terrible sentence, Mrs.

Carbunkle stalked out of the room. “That they can
sequester your property for your creditors, I know,”
she said, returning for a moment and putting her
head within the door. (The Eustace Diamonds)
To sequester is to
a. auction off c. take possession of
b. abandon d. display

3. Now, Dr. Proudie certainly liked the lady, but,

seeing that he was a bishop, it was not probable
that he was going to instruct a little girl in the first
rudiments of her catechism; so he said he'd send
Anthony Trollope was one of the
a teacher. (Barchester Towers) most prolific Victorian novelists,
Rudiments are writing 47 novels before his death
in 1882. Above, an illustration from
a. facts c. strict rituals one of his novels
b. performances d. the earliest stages

4. Even the compliment did not soften the asperity of the maimed beauty. “Every
woman is charming according to Lotte,” she said; “I never knew an eye with so little
true appreciation." (Barchester Towers)
Asperity is
a. admiration c. severity
b. brilliance d. judgment

5. Mr. Slope’s only preferment has hitherto been that of

reader and preacher in a London district church; and
□ ■I
□ y.
on the consecration of his friend the new bishop, he
readily gave this up to undertake the onerous but
congenial duties of domestic chaplain to his lordship.
(Barchester Towers)
□
Snap the code, or go to
XEJ
Duties that are onerous are
vocabularyworkshop.com
a. burdensome c. traditional
b. virtuous d. abundant

Unit 11 • 145
UNIT 12
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 12. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Pyramids: Monuments to Gods and Men

< Compare and Contrast Essay>
Imposing, mysterious pyramids, found in Teotihuacans, but impeccable planning
■ areas from Asia to the Middle East to went into the erecting of each.
South America, have fascinated people for The Great Pyramid of Giza (also known
millennia. Some pyramids are lauded for as the Great Pyramid of Khufu, or
their aesthetic qualities; some, though Cheops) was one of the Seven Wonders of
not as beautiful, are equally intriguing. the Ancient World. It was constructed
Who built these architectural wonders? circa 2560 b.c. and is made up of 2.3
Why were they built, and what is their million limestone blocks. Estimates vary,
significance? And how were they built, but it took perhaps 30,000 men 20 years
given the technological limitations? to complete the first Great Pyramid and its
The world’s largest pyramids are in remarkable complex of secret chambers
Egypt, in the Valley of the Kings, near and hidden passages. It was created as a
Cairo, and in Teotihuacan, in proximity to tomb for Pharaoh Khufu, who espoused a
Mexico City, where these massive belief in the afterlife and wanted a resting
constructions seem omnipresent and place for himself, his wives, and his
command the attention of all onlookers. treasures within a structure that would
The two pyramids were built for different thwart and discomfit his enemies.
reasons—as tombs for Egypt’s pharaohs Nearby, as part of the Giza Necropolis,
and as places of worship and ritual for the are another two pyramids and the Great

Ancient artifacts have been

uncovered from the pyramids and
other monuments in Giza, Egypt.

"text..
l-'l

ViWIk
: 146 ■ Unit 121
Sphinx. All have withstood the natural inhabitants used the pyramids in their
elements: As an old proverb says, the religious rites and sacrifices. Ignoring the
pyramids mock time. plaintive wails of their hapless victims,
Unlike Egyptian pyramids, Mesoamerican they importuned the gods for favors.
pyramids are typically step pyramids with a The city's nadir came about a.d. 600,
temple at the peak. The three magnificent when the Teotihuacans abandoned their
pyramids of Teotihuacan—the Pyramid of home, but a later Indian civilization, the
the Moon, the Pyramid of the Sun and the Aztecs, adopted the city and kept it from
Feathered Serpent Pyramid—are part of a becoming defunct. They dubbed the
massive archaeological site in the Basin of place the “City of the Gods,” or “Place
Mexico. The main street, the “Avenue of the Where Men Become Gods.”
Dead," is lined with smaller temples and Over time, explorers and treasure
residences, and excavations throughout the hunters have done lasting and irreparable
site have turned up fertility fetishes and damage to the world’s pyramids, including
other talismans. The largest structure, the those in Egypt and Teotihuacan. In many
Pyramid of the Sun, was completed by a.d. cases, authorities have made inferior,
100 and is about half as tall as the Great perfunctory repairs or allowed the
Pyramid of Giza. The pyramid’s core was damaged pyramids to languish and fall
mainly volcanic ash and gravel, while a into disrepair, but now both sites are
thick layer of stone and mortar made up its protected as national treasures by their
walls. Incredibly, the builders were able to governments. Thousands of tourists visit
erect these marvels without the aid of the the pyramids in the Valley of the Kings
wheel or metal tools. and Teotihuacan every year.
The early history of Teotihuacan is
enigmatic because no one is completely
sure which ancient, gregarious society
built North America’s first great city. The
□ □
J*
□
Snap the code, or go to
vocabularyworkshop.com

: i"-

Ceramics such as
this seated figure
were found at
Teotihuacan in
Mexico.

Unit 12 > 147

 vocabularyworkshop.com: iWords^ audio program Q interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
Definitions spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. aesthetic (adj.) pertaining to beauty; sensitive or responsive to beauty

(es thet' ik) Since the structure had no practical purpose, keeping it in
place could only be justified on
grounds.
synonym: artistic

2. defunct (adj.) no longer in existence or functioning, dead

(di farjkt') I could find no forwarding address or phone' number for the
organization.
synonyms: extinct, nonexistent
antonym: alive

3. discomfit (v.) to frustrate, thwart, or defeat; to confuse, perplex, or embarrass

(dis kern' fit) The general tried to his enemies by
repeatedly beginning an advance and then pulling back.
synonyms: nonplus, foil

4. espouse (v.) to take up and support; to become attached to, adopt; to marry
(es pauz') To appeal to the large number of dissatisfied voters, the
candidate a strong program
of reform.
synonyms: embrace, wed
antonyms: repudiate, disavow, renounce

5. fetish (n.) an object believed to have magical powers; an object of

(fet' ish) unreasoning devotion or reverence
The rabbit’s foot, once a very popular
seems to have lost its hold on the public imagination.
synonyms: charm, obsession

6. gregarious (adj.) living together in a herd or group; sociable, seeking the

(gra gar' e as) company of others
I would expect the recreation director of a cruise ship to be a
person.
synonyms: outgoing, extroverted
antonyms: aloof, introverted, reclusive

148 ■ Unit 12
 12
7. hapless (adj.) marked by a persistent absence of good luck
(hap' lis) Once again, my younger brother has become the
victim of a silly practical joke.
synonyms: unlucky, ill-starred, unfortunate
antonyms: lucky, charmed, fortunate

8. impeccable (adj.) faultless, beyond criticism or blame

(im pek' a bal) We always consulted my grandmother about what to wear
because she had taste in clothing.
synonyms: flawless, spotless, immaculate
antonyms: grimy, soiled, spotted

9. importune (v.) to trouble with demands; to beg for insistently

(im por tyun') My bankrupt uncle my father
for a loan.
synonyms: implore, dun, tax

10. interpolate (v.) to insert between other parts or things; to present as an

(in tar' pa lat) addition or correction
At the director’s request, the screenwriter
some new lines into the script.
synonyms: interpose, introduce

11. irreparable (adj.) incapable of being repaired or rectified

(i rep' ar a bal) The husband believed that the surgeon did
harm to his wife and sued
the doctor and the hospital.
synonym: irremediable
antonyms: remediable, fixable, reversible

12. laconic (adj.) concise, using few words

(Is kan' ik) The senator issued a statement
declaring her innocence after the accusations of fraud were
made public.
synonyms: succinct, pithy, compact
antonyms: garrulous, prolix, loquacious

13. languish (v.) to become weak, feeble, or dull; to droop; to be depressed or

(larf gwish) dispirited; to suffer neglect
Without the constitutional guarantee of a speedy trial, the
accused could in jail for years.
synonyms: flag, fade, pine

Unit 12 ■ 149
14. mendacious (adj.) given to lying or deception; untrue
(men da 'shas) The deputy gave a account of his
employer's actions on the day of the alleged crime.
synonyms: untruthful, false
antonym: veracious

15. nadir (n.) the lowest point

(na' dar) At the--------------------------------of his popularity, the prime
minister decided to resign his office and call for new elections.
synonyms: rock bottom
antonyms: pinnacle, zenith

16. omnipresent (adj.) present in all places at all times

(am ni pre' zant) They believed in an deity that existed
in all things.
synonyms: ubiquitous, ever-present

17. perfunctory (adj.) done in a superficial or halfhearted manner; without interest

(per farjk' ta re) or enthusiasm
The police made a search for the
missing handbag, but they really did not expect to find it.
synonyms: slapdash, shallow
antonyms: thorough, assiduous, diligent, meticulous

18. plaintive (adj.) expressive of sorrow or woe, melancholy

(plan' tiv) The recently widowed man spoke of his loneliness in a
tone of voice.
synonyms: sad, lugubrious
antonyms: cheerful, blithe, joyous, merry

19. requite (v.) to make suitable repayment, as for a kindness, service, or

(ri kwft') favor; to make retaliation, as for an injury or wrong; to reciprocate
We made sure to the neighbors for
looking after our house while we were away.
synonyms: reimburse, avenge

20. tantamount (adj.) equivalent, having the same meaning, value, or effect
(tan' ta maunt) The armed invasion of their territory was
to a declaration of war.
synonym: indistinguishable from

150 ■ Unit 12
 12

Ch< the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 146-147 to see how
Ri rd most of these words are used in context.

1. One of the best-known figures of American folklore is

the lean, tough, (laconic, hapless) cowboy.

2. I hope to (espouse, requite) my parents for

all the care they have shown me.

3. Although fate has decreed that he

make his living as a stockbroker, his main r'
interests and talents are definitely
(irreparable, aesthetic).
- J1'
4. Though I left the house feeling “as fit as a
fiddle,” my spirits began to (requite, languish)
after only five minutes in that withering heat. The popularity of cowboy music
grew after the recording of the first
5. Her sense of tact is so (hapless, impeccable) cowboy song in 1925.
and unerring that she can handle the most
trying situation as if it were mere child’s play.

6. The sternness of my boss’s expression so (discomfited, languished) me that at

first I had difficulty responding to the question.

7. Many scholars believe that Beaumont or Fletcher (interpolated, requited) a scene

or two into the present text of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

8. One of the comforting things about reaching the (fetish, nadir) of one's career is
that the only place to go from there is up.

9. Perhaps we should be overjoyed that the great man condescended to give us a(n)
(aesthetic, perfunctory) nod as we passed by.
10. Though few of us today stand on ceremony to quite the extent that our ancestors
did, common courtesy is by no means (plaintive, defunct).

11. Prehistoric peoples banded together into tribes, not only for protection, but also to
satisfy their (gregarious, mendacious) instincts.

12. She sang a (laconic, plaintive) little ditty about a man who yearns wistfully for the
girl he left behind many years before.

13. A diplomat must always proceed on the assumption that no rupture between
nations, no matter how serious, is (irreparable, perfunctory).

14. The (omnipresent, gregarious) threat of a nuclear holocaust that characterized

the Cold War era changed many people’s attitudes toward war in profound ways.

15. The legal adage “Silence implies consent” means that not objecting to an action
that concerns you is (perfunctory, tantamount) to approving it.

Unit 12 ■ 151
16. In our desire to improve the quality of life in America, we should not be too quick to
(importune, espouse) an idea simply because it is new.

17. When the scandal broke, the man found himself the (hapless, impeccable) victim
of other people’s misdeeds.

18. It is one thing to be concerned about discipline; it is quite another to make a

(perfunctory, fetish) of it.

19. I don’t know which is more painful—to have to ask someone for a favor or to have
some unfortunate (importune, discomfit) one for help.

20. Fortunately, our lawyer was able to produce documents that disproved the
(mendacious, omnipresent) assertions of our former partner.

21. Faced with a tight deadline, the exhausted editor gave the young reporter’s article a
hurried and (perfunctory, gregarious) edit.

22. In the Poetics and the Metaphysics, Greek philosopher Aristotle discusses the
purpose of art and identifies important (omnipresent, aesthetic) principles.

23. After the death of his wife of seven decades, a grieving Mr. Johnson (languished,
espoused) in their quiet apartment.

24. “Despite taking an oath to tell the truth, Laurie offered clearly (tantamount,
mendacious) testimony," complained the frustrated defense attorney.

25. The whiny toddler (importuned, requited) his mother for a snack.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. recompensed them for their hospitality

2. tried to interject a different opinion
3. entreated the governor for a pardon
4. cautioned me against the dishonest salesperson
5. disconcerted the conservative audience
6. kept repeating that doleful melody
7. wilt under the hot sun
8. listened to a terse summary
9. no more than a cursory note of apology
10. equal to betraying a friend

152 ■ Unit 12
 12
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
A meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. spurn her desire for friendship

2. gave a verbose tribute to his partner
3. unlike a fair deal
4. prone to delete unimportant text
5. a truthful account of the events

s From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. I was greatly relieved to learn that the accident I had with my car last week didn’t
do any damage to the motor.

2. Every general seems to have one defeat that marks the of

his military fortunes—for example, Lee at Gettysburg or Grant at Cold Harbor.

3. One wall of the museum was filled with charms and

designed to ward off everything from a hangnail to the evil eye.

4. They claim to have made a thorough search of the premises, but I suspect that their
efforts were no more than

5. Last night, Central High’s Shooting Stars captured the basketball championship by
the South High Slammers, 61 to 44.

6. When you get more experience on the job, you will learn that a “request” from your
employer is to an order.

7. No matter where candidates for high political office go these days, the
eye of the TV camera seems

8. “Don’t you think it’s a little foolish to pursue the young lady when your warm feelings
for her are clearly not .?” I asked.

9. Since extroverts are by nature, they usually prefer not to

live alone.

10. Responding to the melancholy note in the song of the nightingale, Keats wrote of its
“anthem.”

Unit 12 • 153
11. To say that he is--------------------------------does not even begin to convey just how
alienated he is from any regard for the truth.
12. Never once has the least whiff of a scandal or impropriety tainted the man's

13. I thought our state legislators would consider the proposal at the earliest
opportunity, but they let it in committee for months.
14. From a(n)--------------------------------point of view, the painting didn’t appeal to me,
but I kept it because it was a memento of my childhood.

15. Suddenly I was surrounded by a mob of street urchins loudly

me for a handout.

16. It's easy enough to back a popular program, but it takes real courage to
a cause that most people oppose.

17. I felt a little foolish when the librarian told me that I was asking for the current issue
of a magazine that had long been

18. The creature had somehow gotten its foot caught in the
grate and could not extricate it without help.

19. As his irrepressible flow of reminiscences continued without a letup, I tried in vain
to a few observations of my own.

20. When asked what terms he would offer the Confederate army, General Grant made
the reply, “Unconditional surrender!”

k
Writing:
1. Look back at “Pyramids: Monuments to Gods and Men” (pages 146-147).
Suppose that you are helping to raise funds to repair the pyramids in Egypt or
Teotihuacan. You want to persuade contributors to make a donation by
convincing them that the pyramids have historical and cultural significance,
not only to Egypt or Mexico but also to the world. Write a persuasive business
letter, using at least two details from the passage and three unit words.

2. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
—George Santayana
Do you agree with poet and philosopher George Santayana’s statement about
remembering the past? How important is it for high school students to study
world history, to learn, for example, about the ancient civilizations of Egypt and
Teotihuacan? In a brief expository essay, explain your opinion with specific
examples from your studies, observations and experiences, or current events.
Write at least three paragraphs, and use three or more words from this unit.

154 ■ Unit 12
 12
Vo ry The following excerpts are from James Fenimore Cooper's novels The
Im Kt Last of the Mohicans and The Pioneers. Some of the words you
have studied in this unit appear in boldface type. Complete each
Literary Text statement below the excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. "Why die at all!” said Cora, advancing from the place where natural horror had, until
this moment, held her riveted to the rock; “the path is open on every side; fly, then, to
the woods, and call on God for succor. Go, brave men, we owe you too much already;
let us no longer involve you in our hapless fortunes!” (The Last of the Mohicans)
Something that is hapless is NOT
a. relevant c. predictable
b. impressive d. lucky

2. Heyward gathered from the manners of the different

speakers, that the father and son espoused one
side of a disputed question, while the white man
maintained the other. (The Last of the Mohicans)
If something is espoused, it is
a. investigated c. supported
b. rejected d. debated

3. "His time has come,” said the laconic scout,

thrusting the long barrel of his rifle through the
leaves, and taking his deliberate and fatal aim. But,
instead of pulling the trigger he lowered the muzzle
again, and indulged himself in a fit of his peculiar
mirth. (The Last of the Mohicans) Wood engraving from an
1872 edition of The Last of
Someone who is laconic the Mohicans
a. uses few words c. shows no fear
b. acts impulsively d. appears fatigued

4. “Nay, Natty,” rejoined the traveller, with undisturbed good-humor, “it is for the honor
that I contend. A few dollars will pay for the venison, but what will requite me for the
lost honor of a buck's tail in my cap?" (The Pioneers)
To requite is to
a. annoy slightly c. produce shame
b. repay suitably d. offer revenge

5. Once, just as her eyes had opened, apparently in

the last stage of drowsiness, the roaring winds
brought with them a long and plaintive howl, that
seemed too wild for a dog, and yet resembled the
cries of that faithful animal, when night awakens his
vigilance, and gives sweetness and solemnity to its
charms. (The Pioneers)
Snap the code, or go to
Something that is plaintive is
vocabularyworkshop.com
a. melancholy c. fierce
b. shrill d. jubilant

Unit 12 ■ 755
REVIEW vocal ai SAT and ACT practice worksheets

Yog r for Read the following selection in which some of the words
you have studied in Units 10—12 appear in boldface type.
Com slon Then answer the questions on page 157.

This passage focuses on the brief but remarkable era of silent films.

(Line)
It may be tempting for modern Edison's camera was bulkier and
viewers to deprecate silent films. less portable than Lumiere’s, the
After all, they are technically (30) Europeans took an early lead in the
primitive compared with today’s development of motion pictures. The
(5) movies. Much of the acting is Americans soon caught up, however,
exaggerated and overwrought, and and Hollywood eventually became
the plots are often melodramatic or the capital of a vastly profitable
sentimental. Also, there is no (35) international film industry that
dialogue except for some laconic began in the 1910s with the
(10) titles that appear on the screen from production of silent movies.
time to time. Yet in their day, Many contemporary viewers have
audiences flocked to see these overlooked the masterpieces of the
movies, marveling at the luminous (40) silent era because they find the
images on the flickering screen. To adjustments they must make to
(15) these enthusiastic new moviegoers, watch these films onerous. Without
there was nothing as exciting as knowing it, however, they are
moving pictures! depriving themselves of some
Two men, Louis Lumiere and (45) unparalleled pleasures. These
Thomas Alva Edison, one French include the brilliant physical comedy
(20) and one American, are usually of Buster Keaton, the visual
credited with the invention of the expressiveness of Charlie Chaplin,
motion picture camera. In 1895 Louis and the landmark editing, camera
Lumiere invented what he called the (50) work, and set designs of the great
cinematographe. This compact, pioneer filmmakers D.W. Griffith,
(25) versatile instrument was tantamount Sergei Eisenstein, F.R. Murnau, and
to a camera, film-processing unit, Fritz Lang.
and projector all in one. Because

156 ■ Review Units 10-12

 REVIEW -12
S&ME

1. In the first paragraph (lines 1-17), the 7. Tantamount (line 25) most nearly
writer’s main focus is on means
a. discussing camera types a. similar
b. introducing some of the writer's b. supplementary
favorite silent films c. opposed
c. contrasting the drawbacks of silent d. compared
films with the excitement they e. equivalent
inspired in audiences of the day
d. describing landmark camera work 8. In paragraph 2, it may be inferred that
e. comparing Keaton and Chaplin the author believes that the
cinematographe was
2. The meaning of deprecate (line 2) is a. expensive
a. belittle b. worthless
b. ignore c. useful
c. overpraise d. disappointing
d. underestimate e. beautiful
e. misunderstand
9. According to the passage, the
3. In paragraph 1, the author mentions all international film industry began in
of the following as drawbacks of silent a. the 1930s
films EXCEPT b. the 1920s
a. melodramatic plots c. the 1910s
b. overwrought acting d. the 1890s
c. laconic captions e. the 1880s
d. unattractive set designs
e. primitive technical achievements 10. In paragraph 3 (lines 38-53), the
writer most likely includes so many
4. Laconic (line 9) most nearly means examples in order to
a. brilliant a. explain the cost of silent movies
b. obscure b. trace the ways in which silent film
c. succinct stars influenced one another
d. humorous c. persuade the reader of the claims
e. redundant made for silent films in the passage
d. display a high level of expertise
5. Luminous (line 13) is best defined as e. prove that directors were more
a. timeless skilled than actors
b. blurred
c. bright 11. Onerous (line 42) most nearly means
d. lifelike a. annoying
e. shocking b. costly
c. silly
6. From the details given in paragraph 2 d. burdensome
(lines 18-37), one may reasonably infer e. easy
that the Americans caught up with the
Europeans because 12. The writer’s attitude toward silent films
a. the leading actors were American might best be described as
b. refinements made film equipment a. enthusiastic
less bulky and more portable b. skeptical
c. the Americans made more films c. respectful
d. Hollywood was appealing d. neutral
e. Lumiere's equipment often broke e. dismissive

Review Units 10-12 ■ 157

REVIEW Ml

T d Select the pair of words that best complete the meaning of each
Co ms of the following passages.

1. In Of Human Bondage, W. Somerset Maugham’s main character Philip Carey is

by external adversity as we
because he was so as to have been born with a club foot.
a. rebuffed . . . sporadic c. decimated . . . laconic
b. requited . . . benign d. discomfited . . . hapless

2. Though the man appeared to be the most pauper on the

face of the earth, he had actually large sums of money in
various hiding places in the hovel he called home.
a. flaccid . . . burnished c. ambient... interpolated
b. impecunious ... sequestered d. benign .. . decimated

3. As soon as I heard its cries for help, I knew that the

animal had once again got its paw caught in the grillwork
on the front porch.
a. obsequious ... moribund c. onerous .. . defunct
b. laconic . . . impeccable d. plaintive . .. hapless

4. Although many of the pioneers found it difficult at first to cope with the

such rough-and-tumble living.

a. rudiments ... importuned by c. detritus ... decimated by
b. asperities ... inured to d. shambles ... discomfited by

5. Though Seneca embraced the tenets of Stoicism in their entirety, Cicero

, chos
a. discomfited ... penitent c. espoused ... eclectic
b. abrogated ... aesthetic d. deprecated ... foible

6. The “truth-in-advertising" laws that many states have passed were designed to stop
crooks and from making claims
about the products they offer to the unsuspecting public.
a. charlatans .. . mendacious c. fetishes ... laconic
b. necromancers ... sporadic d. cabals ... eclectic

7. The dietician looked --------------- at the sugary cereal and suggested

that we it and try whole-wheat toast and fruit instead.
a. ambient... attenuate c. tantamount... cavil
b. askance ... forgo d. obtuse ... winnow

158 ■ Review Units 10-12

 WORD STUDY
In the passage about the mystery of the Franklin Expedition (see
page 127), the author notes that “a string of facts does not add up to
the truth.” This saying is a proverb. The author means that the pieces
of evidence that were found on Franklin’s vessels (the facts) do not
provide a full explanation of what happened to Franklin and his crew
(the truth).
A proverb is a traditional and brief saying that expresses advice or a widely recognized
truth about life in a memorable way. Proverbs may owe their appeal to a play on words
(Don't bite off more than you can chew), an unusual metaphor (A clear conscience is a
soft pillow), effective parallel structure (Justice delayed is justice denied), or even rhyme
(A friend in need is a friend indeed).

Choosing the Right Proverb

Read each sentence. Use context clues to figure out the meaning of each proverb in
boldface print. Then write the letter of the definition for the proverb in the sentence.

1. When my friend broke up with her boyfriend, I reminded a. Failure is often

her that there are other fish in the sea followed by a new
opportunity.
2. Be sure that you have completed each line of the
application. Remember, for want of a nail, the b. Overconfidence can
kingdom was lost lead to trouble.

3. “Don’t get discouraged because you didn't make the c. People are inclined to
team,” the coach said to the athlete. “When one door take advantage of
closes, another one opens.”----------- others’ generosity.

4. “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you,” Grandpa said d. Those who make the
when I complained about Dad’s work hours most fuss get what
they want.
5. There is no use asking Troy to pay rent since he's
been living here free. After all, give a man an inch e. Nobody who owes
and he’ll take a mile money is secure.

6. It means little that we lost the game by only one f. Do not neglect small
touchdown because a miss is as good as a mile details.

g. Be kind to those on
7. Mr. Chang advised, “You should pay your credit card whom you depend.
bills now, since out of debt, out of danger."-----------
h. Other people and
8. “I have no desire for a promotion,” Sally said. “The other opportunities are
highest branch is not the safest roost.” available.

9. Pride goes before a fall, which may be why the i. Those with the most
singer who predicted she would win the talent power are often the
competition now has laryngitis------------ most uneasy.

10. If we want the senator to vote against the bill, we need j. If you fail, the margin
to publicize our complaints because the squeaky of failure doesn’t
wheel gets the grease matter.

Word Study ■ 759

WORD STUDY

Writing with Proverbs

Find the meaning of each proverb. (Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.) Then write a
sentence for each proverb.

1. Life is no bed of roses.

2. Strike while the iron is hot.

3. Dig the well before you are thirsty.

4. As you sow, so shall you reap.

5. Always put your best foot forward.

6. A bad workman quarrels with his tools.

7. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make

him drink.

8. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

9. Might makes right.

10. One good turn deserves another.

11. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

12. The eye is bigger than the belly.

160 ■ Word Study

 WORD STUDY
To speak or write with precision, you need to know both
the denotation and the connotation of the words you
D *n use. The denotation is the literal dictionary meaning of
and tlon a word. A word’s connotation is the emotional
implications and associations that a word can have.
Connotations may be positive, negative, or neutral.

Consider these synonyms for the word obsequious:

amenable complaisant servile sycophantic
Amenable and complaisant refer to positive behaviors marked by respect and a
disposition to please. Servile and sycophantic refer to negative behaviors,
characterized by fawning and excessive submissiveness.

Think: A cooperative worker is amenable and complaisant

when working with others, but a self-serving employee is
servile or sycophantic.

Look at these examples of words that are similar in denotation but have
different connotations.

NEUTRAL POSITIVE NEGATIVE

emotional sentimental plaintive

attribute virtue foible

inactive relaxed flaccid

Writers and speakers need to analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar
denotations. They should choose the word that best conveys the exact meaning and
tone they intend. Selecting a word with positive connotations in a situation that calls
for a negative or neutral term (or vice versa) can distract or confuse the audience.

Shades of Meaning
Write a plus sign (+) in the box if the word has a positive connotation.
Write a minus sign (-) if the word has a negative connotation. Put a zero (0)
if the word is neutral.

1. attenuate 2. delectable 3. ambient 4. rife

5. discomfit 6. interpolate 7. moribund 8. impecunious

9. gregarious 10. abrogate 11. irreparable 12. languish

13. sequester 14. impeccable 15. onerous 16. reconnoiter

Word Study ■ 161

WORD STUDY

Expressing the Connotation

Read each sentence. Select the word in parentheses that expresses the connotation
(positive, negative, or neutral) given at the beginning of the sentence.

neutral 1. The timid student tried to make sense of the (cavil, observation) the
teacher wrote in the margins of the essay.
positive 2. The desert scene was beautiful, with the sand and palm trees bathed
in (luminous, glaring) moonlight.
negative 3. After watching Roger bumble about in the kitchen, I realized he was
not a skilled chef, but rather a(n) (amateur, charlatan).
neutral 4. Ruth’s (response, rebuff) to the stranger’s offer to take her photograph
in front of the White House surprised our entire family.
negative 5. The high winds and torrential rains (decimated, transformed) the
newly planted rose gardens.
neutral 6. After a difficult loss, the team captain (deprecated, delineated) the
effort shown by his teammates.
positive 7. The (ebullient, agitated) crowd jammed the streets outside the football
stadium after the Scouts’ surprising victory in overtime.
negative 8. The lifeguards looked (skeptically, askance) at the antics of the
children who were chasing the birds along the beach.

Challenge: Using Connotation

Choose vocabulary words from Units 10-12 to replace the highlighted words in the
sentences below. Then explain how the connotation of the replacement word changes
the tone of the sentence.

tantamount fraught mendacious

perfunctory penitent benign

1. After taking a swift glance at the appointment book, the

receptionist advised the client to call back later.

2. The pediatrician reassured the parents that letting little Marie suck her thumb
frequently would have a harmless influence on the baby’s
development.

3. Mrs. Garcia suspected that the mechanic’s detailed explanation of the problem with
her car’s engine was questionable

162 ■ Word Study

 WORD STUDY

Cla ots The root rog appears in abrogate (page 138), meaning “to
cancel, to abolish by authoritative action.” Some other
rog—to ask, beg, call words based on the same root are listed below.

abrogation derogation interrogative supererogatory

arrogance interrogation prorogue surrogate

From the list of words above, choose the one that corresponds to each of the brief
definitions below. Write the word in the blank space in the illustrative sentence below
the definition. Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.

1. a substitute, deputy; a judge in charge of the probate of wills, administration of

estates, and appointment of guardians
While my parents were on vacation, my aunt served as a
guardian.

2. performed or observed beyond the degree required; demanded, or expected;

unnecessary; superfluous
“We could do with fewer remarks,” the teacher observed.

3. a cancellation; the act of repealing or annulling ("calling off")

Unfavorable evidence has emerged, forcing the------------ of the
agreement between the two parties.

4. exaggerated self-importance, haughty pride

The king was corrupted by power and, over time, exchanged his humility for

5. an act or expression that detracts from reputation, value, power, etc. (“to call down")
The aid workers deeply resented any------------------------ of their motives.

6. asking a question; having the form or character of a question; a word or sentence

that asks a question
In Spanish class, we are learning how to phrase--------------------------------
sentences.

7. to discontinue a session of a legislative body; to defer, postpone

The prime minister was determined to the legislative
assembly until all members were present.

8. an act of formal or systematic questioning

The detective asked question after question during the
of the prime suspect.

Word Study ■ 163

UNIT 13
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 13. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

More Than Just a Pretty Face

<Profile>
ne of many Hollywood stars who
.. mesmerized moviegoers of the
1940s was Hedy Lamarr. But it was
not only Lamarr’s striking looks and
dramatic talent that engendered
admiration in audiences. As fans
learned about the actress's life story,
many became more interested in
Lamarr herself than in the characters
she portrayed in her work onscreen.
Born in 1914 in Vienna, Austria,
Hedwig Kiesler was the only child of
Jewish parents who encouraged their
daughter to study ballet and piano.
Hedy began her acting career as a
teenager, appearing in a number of An undated portrait of Hedy Lamarr
German films. In 1933, she played a
lovesick young wife in a Czech film
called Ecstasy, a suggestive film Various rumors about the machinations
derided by captious critics as an of her escape would later surface.
affront to moral decency. Despite the According to one story, the actress used
opprobrium levied against the film, sleeping pills to drug her maid, who had
Ecstasy undeniably raised the young instructions from Mr. Mandi to see that his
actress's profile. wife did not leave the house. Then Hedy
Not long after the film’s release, Hedy put on the maid’s uniform and fled
married Fritz Mandi, an arms manufacturer through the servants' entrance.
some thirteen years her senior. They were However she escaped, it wasn’t long
an incongruous couple, and Mandi before Hedy arrived in Hollywood and
proved a jealous and tyrannical husband. adopted her stage name, Hedy Lamarr.
He forbade his wife from pursuing her Soon she was starring in motion pictures;
acting career, and ordered her to she appeared in 18 films during her
accompany him to business meetings. heyday in the 1940s. Her biggest box­
Though frustrated with the relationship, office success was Samson and Delilah,
Hedy enjoyed discussions of Mandi’s the highest-grossing movie of 1949.
business affairs and became acquainted While fans at the time recognized
with weapons systems technology. Soon, Lamarr as an ethereal beauty, few were
dismayed to learn that her husband was cognizant of the celebrity's off-screen
a Nazi sympathizer, Hedy fled Austria, pursuits as an inventor. In 1940, in
escaping both her husband and the Nazis. collaboration with her Hollywood neighbor,

164 ■ Unit 13
composer George Antheil, Lamarr time, rumors of less than decorous
developed a “Secret Communication behavior pursued her, including
System” designed to make the radio signals accusations of shoplifting. Lamarr seldom
used to control missiles harder to detect or assented to interviews, and after dismissing
jam. With World War II underway, the duo the rumors as canards, she maintained her
received a patent for the design in 1942. characteristic silence. Some fans admired
Though their device was never produced, Lamarr for not deigning to behave in a
the underlying concept of "frequency contrite manner, but the rumors proved
hopping” proposed by Lamarr was hard to shake.
implemented in a similar form by the United Still waters run deep, and there is little
States military in later years, and eventually doubt that behind the facade of silence,
became an essential feature of wireless Lamarr remained the intelligent and
communication systems. complex person she had always been
In a less abstruse contribution to the behind the gloss of Hollywood celebrity.
war effort, Lamarr, with other leading The Electronic Frontier Foundation
Hollywood actresses, toured major cities recognized her talents when it gave
to promote the sale of war bonds to help Lamarr the Pioneer Award in 1997 for her
fund the war. Lamarr visited 16 cities in ten invention. Lamarr died in 2000.
days, selling a putative $25 million in war
bonds in all. Sales received a boost from
the unsurprising efficacy of Lamarr’s offer
to kiss any man who purchased $25,000
worth of war bonds—an offer that
reportedly raised $7 million in one night.
Lamarr’s career declined from 1950, as
she gradually fell out of favor with
audiences and was no longer considered a Snap the code, or go to
bankable cynosure in Hollywood. Over vocabularyworkshop.com

Lamarr gives the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

V-for-Victory sign while
selling war bonds in 1942.

LT :

1
, r /J
Ill II
f MW
i

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 vocabularyworkshop.com: iWords^ audio program Q interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
D spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. abstruse (adj.) extremely difficult to understand

(ab strus') The physicist tried to explain her
research in the field of quantum mechanics.
synonyms: arcane, recondite, occult
antonyms: simple, straightforward

2. affront (n.) an open or intentional insult; a slight; (v) to insult to one’s

(a frant') face; to face in defiance, confront
The student felt that being referred to by number rather than
by name was an to her dignity.
In the nineteenth century, Irish immigrants to the United
States were by signs reading: No
Irish Need Apply.
synonyms: (n.) offense; (v.) offend
antonyms: (n., v.) compliment, praise

3. canard (n.) a false rumor, fabricated story

(ka nard') The tabloid journalist was responsible for spreading
the about the candidate’s
mental health.
synonym: hoax

4. captious (adj.) excessively ready to find fault; given to petty criticism;

(kap' shas) intended to trap, confuse, or show up
She is an invariably critic.
synonyms: faultfinding, carping
antonym: uncritical

5. cognizant (adj.) aware, knowledgeable, informed; having jurisdiction

(kag' ni zant) Police officers must make sure that crime suspects are
made-------------------------- of their rights before they
are questioned.
synonym: acquainted
antonyms: unaware, unconscious, oblivious

6. contrite (adj.) regretful for some misdeed or sin; plagued by a sense of

(kan trit') guilt; thoroughly penitent
The convicted felon had the look of someone who was truly
and ready to pa
synonyms: remorseful, rueful
antonyms: unapologetic, impenitent

166 • Unit 13
 13
7. cynosure (n.) the center of attraction, attention, or interest; something that
(si' na shur) serves to guide or direct
For over a century, the Statue of Liberty has been the
for millions of immigrants entering
New York Harbor.
SYNONYM: foCUS

8. decorous (adj.) well behaved, dignified, socially proper

(dek' ar as) On formal occasions, participants are expected to behave
in a manner.
synonyms: seemly, becoming, tasteful
antonyms: unbecoming, improper, tasteless

9. deign (v.) to think it appropriate or suitable to one’s dignity to do

(dan) something; to condescend
The enlisted men were surprised that the four-star general
to speak to them in the camp.
synonym: deem

10. desiccated (adj., part.) thoroughly dried out; divested of spirit or vitality;
(des' a ka tid) arid and uninteresting
The cornfield was by the scorching
sun after the long, hot summer without rain.
synonyms: dehydrated, shriveled
antonyms: sodden, waterlogged, drenched

11. efficacy (n.) the power to produce a desired result

(ef' a ka se) The pharmaceutical company has done extensive research
to prove the of the new drug.
synonyms: effectiveness, potency, reliability
antonym: impotence

12. engender (v.) to bring into existence, give rise to, produce; to come into
(in jen' dar) existence, assume form
The university has made an appealing video in order to
student interest in studying abroad.
synonyms: generate, cause, form; antonyms: stop, deter

13. ethereal (adj.) light, airy, delicate; highly refined; suggesting what is
(i ther' e al) heavenly (rather than earthbound)
The Renaissance painter Fra Angelico captured the
beauty of angels in his frescoes.
synonyms; heavenly, celestial, gossamer
antonyms: infernal, hellish, thick, heavy

Unit 13 ■ 167
14. facade (n.) the front or face of a building; a surface appearance (as
(fa sad') opposed to what may lie behind)
After years of neglect, the sooty-------------------------------- of
the structure is finally getting a much needed cleaning.
synonyms: exterior, surface, mask
antonym: interior

15. ghoulish (adj.) revolting in an unnatural or morbid way; suggestive of

(gul' ish) someone who robs graves or otherwise preys on the dead
The practice of grave robbing is
motivated by the desire to find and sell valuables.
synonyms: barbarous, monstrous

16. incongruous (adj.) not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible

(in kan' gru as) Abraham Lincoln, the backwoods lawyer, and Mary Todd,
the socialite, seemed an couple.
synonym: discordant
antonyms: compatible, harmonious, consistent

17. machination (n.) a crafty, scheming, or underhanded action designed to

(mak a na' shan) accomplish some (usually evil) end
Shakespeare’s Othello was the victim not only of Iago’s evil

synonyms: plot, maneuver

18. mesmerize (v.) to hypnotize, entrance; to fascinate, enthrall, bewitch

(mez' ma riz) The magician was able to the
audience with his fast-moving hands and distracting chatter.

19. opprobrium (n.) disgrace arising from shameful conduct; contempt,

(a pro' bre am) reproach
Despite the passage of centuries,
is still attached to the name of the traitor Benedict Arnold.
synonyms: infamy, dishonor, odium
antonyms: acclaim, honor, glory, renown

20. putative (adj.) generally regarded as such; reputed; hypothesized,

(pyu' ta tiv) inferred
Ancient Celtic rituals and ceremonies are the
--------------------------------origins of some of our modern
Halloween customs.
synonyms: supposed, presumed
antonyms: corroborated, confirmed

168 ■ Unit 13
 13
Ch< the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 164-165 to see how
Rl rd most of these words are used in context.

1. Workers dismantled and cleaned parts of the

Parthenon’s exterior (affront, facade) during 2 :
recent restoration work on the temple.
« -
2. The audience was so quiet after the curtain '!
fell that I couldn’t tell whether they were bored
or (deigned, mesmerized) by her artistry.
I
I --r>II -LI II
S II ■
3. Philologists believe that many Western
■r-:.
-Sr
languages can be traced back to a ■5®j'/i F S’ .
(putative, decorous) parent tongue
known as Indo-European. Built in the fifth century bc, the Parthenon in
Athens endures as a lasting symbol of the
4. A government that fails to create reform glory of ancient Greece.
(engenders, deigns) the social unrest that
makes violent revolution inevitable.

5. In my youthful folly, I inadvertently (affronted, engendered) the very people whose

aid I was attempting to enlist.

6. The President must always be on his toes because a careless answer to a

(contrite, captious) question could land him in political hot water.

7. It wasn't at all hard to recognize signs of extreme uneasiness beneath her

(canard, facade) of buoyant optimism.

8. His unmistakable interest in the gruesome details of the tragedy revealed that he
possessed the sensibilities of a (canard, ghoui).

9. Her quiet speech, subdued clothes, and (decorous, desiccated) manner made it
hard to believe that she was a famous rock star.

10. “Do we have sufficient evidence at hand,” I asked, “to judge the (efficacy,
cognizance) of the new method of teaching reading?”

11. It has been said that humor is essentially the yoking of (incongruous, ethereal)
elements within a familiar or recognizable framework.

12. For any actor, it is a unique thrill to know that when you are alone on stage, you are
the (facade, cynosure) of hundreds of pairs of eyes.

13. If you had listened to my warnings in the first place, there would be no need for
you to feel (contrite, desiccated) now.

14. I resent your nasty question about whether or not I will "(deign, affront) to speak
to ordinary students” after I’m elected class president.

15. He acts like someone whose vital juices have long since dried up, leaving only a
drab and (desiccated, contrite) shell behind.

Unit 13 ■ 169
16. The (efficacy, opprobrium) of history forever attaches itself to the name of Lee
Harvey Oswald, the assassin of President Kennedy.

17. The book describes in great detail the odious (machinations, facades) involved in
Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany.

18. The candidate’s “shocking revelation” about his opponent was later shown to be
nothing more than a malicious (canard, cynosure).

19. The play is so peopled with spirits and other incorporeal beings that it has the
(ethereal, captious) quality of a dream.

20. He tried to conceal his lack of scholarship and intellectual depth by using
unnecessarily (efficacious, abstruse) language.

21. Like many people who are completely wrapped up in themselves, she simply isn’t
(cognizant, decorous) of the larger world around her.

22. The daring feats of the acrobats on the high wire completely (engendered,
mesmerized) everyone in the crowd.

23. The 1938 radio broadcast by Orson Welles that described a Martian invasion is on
many lists of the greatest (canards, efficacies) of the twentieth century.

24. Sitting in the back of the cathedral, I strained to hear the lovely, (ethereal,
desiccated) voices of the children wafting down from the choir loft.

25. Guests at the formal reception exhibited (putative, decorous) behavior.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. a fiendish interest in death

2. the parched desert landscape
3. esoteric concepts developed by experts
4. stooped to give a few interviews
5. conscious of our mutual responsibilities
6. disliked for his nit-picking tendencies
7. foiled the schemes of the villain
8. begets mistrust by covering up mistakes
9. brought shame on the whole family
10. the jarring reunion of longtime rivals

170 • Unit 13
 13
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. the unrepentant ringleaders of the riot

2. looked over the soggy farmland
3. the unseemly appearance of the judge
4. the known whereabouts of the fugitive
5. the angelic statue

9 From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.
th ce
1. There is little evidence that supports the idea that poverty tends to
poor language skills.

2. The only surefire way to establish the of a new drug in

treating a disease is to test it “in the field."

3. His fantastic stories about his academic, athletic, financial, and romantic
achievements are a(n)to common sense.

4. Except for a balcony built during the Truman administration, the

of the White House has remained virtually unchanged
since it was constructed.

5. No one knows for sure who really wrote the scene, but Shakespeare is generally
regarded as its author.

6. Some historians question whether Benedict Arnold really deserves all the
he has been accorded as Amer

7. At the risk of appearing a trifle I would like to raise a few

small objections to the wording of this proposal.

8. Some teachers are able to present the most subjects in

terms that are clear to all students.

9. I didn't really believe that he was sorry for what he had done until I saw the
expression on his face.

10. The cherubic faces and voices of the choristers almost

moved me to tears.

Unit 13 • 171
 11. Only a thoroughly naive and gullible person would actually believe every
preposterous that circulates in this school.

12. What could be more than the 6-foot, 7-inch center on the
basketball team dolled up in baby clothes for the class play!

13. The longer I study this country's history, the more I become
of my rich heritage of freedom.

14. The child’s conduct during the ceremony may not have been appropriately
, but it wasn’t horrendous either.

15. After the battle, camp followers began the process of

stripping the dead of whatever valuables they possessed.

16. The of the unscrupulous wheeler-dealers involved in that

unsavory scandal boggle the imagination.

17. The pages of the old book were so that they began to
crumble as soon as we touched them.

18. To be the of all eyes could be the joyous fulfillment of a

dream or the unhappy realization of a nightmare.

19. For more than five minutes she stared at the telegram containing the bad news,
as if she were

20. Am I supposed to feel honored simply because that arrogant lout sometimes
to nod vaguely in my direction?

Writing:

1. Look back at “More Than Just a Pretty Face” (pages 164-165). Suppose you
have been hired by a publishing company to promote an upcoming biography
of Hedy Lamarr. Write a press release to interest people in Lamarr’s life and
persuade them to buy the book. Use at least two details from the essay and
three unit words.

2. Today it seems that cordless and wireless phones are a commonplace—if not
a necessity—in the daily lives of many Americans. Think about the positive
and negative consequences that these devices have had on modern life. Write
an expository essay of at least three paragraphs in which you analyze the pros
and cons of cell phones. Support your ideas with specific details and
examples from personal experience or observations, as well as information
you have gained from your own reading or media viewing. Use three or more
words from this unit in your essay.

172 ■ Unit 13
 13
Vo lary The following excerpts are from lane Austen's novels Emma, Sense
lit bit and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice. Some of the words you have
studied in this unit appear in boldface type. Complete each statement
Literary Text below the excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. The consciousness of having done amiss, had exposed her to a thousand

inquietudes, and made her captious and irritable to a degree that must have
been—that had been—hard for him to bear. (Emma)
A person who is captious
a. appears passive c. acts impetuously
b. finds fault readily d. refuses to speak

2. Was it new for anything in this world to be unequal, inconsistent, incongruous—or for
chance and circumstance (as second causes) to direct the human fate? (Emma)
Something incongruous is
a. inflexible c. unsuitable
b. misunderstood d. unpredictable

3. But I had no inclination for the law, even in this

less abstruse study of it, which my family
approved. (Sense and Sensibility)
Something that is abstruse is NOT
a. precise c. serious
b. expensive d. simple

4. “Could he expect that her friends would not step

forward? Could he expect to be noticed again by
the regiment, after such an affront to Colonel A scene from the 2005 film version
Forster? His temptation is not adequate to the of Pride and Prejudice, with Brenda
risk!” (Pride and Prejudice) Blethyn, Talulah Riley, Jena Malone,
and Keira Knightley
An affront is a(n)
a. embarrassment c. lie
b. act of generosity d. insult

5. “And so ended his affection,” said Elizabeth

impatiently. “There has been many a one, I fancy,
overcome in the same way. I wonder who first
discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away
love!” (Pride and Prejudice)
Poetry’s efficacy is its
□
a. mixture of rhythm c. power to produce a
and rhyme
b. layers of meaning
desired result
d. capacity to stir
emotions
□
Snap the code, or go to
vocabularyworkshop.com

Unit 13 ■ 173
UNIT 14
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 14. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Artificial Intelligence and Social Robots

< Technical Essay >

Robots are machines programmed to Of course, most scientists would be

.interact with their surroundings. They skeptical and gainsay claims about the
can be stationary or mobile. They can be imminent threat of robots rebelling
stand-alone systems or “insects” in a fleet. against humanity. However, the notion that
Some robots perform household chores robots might learn to think for themselves
or provide entertainment, but the most can no longer be treated as an impossibility.
common are industrial robots consigned Robotics developed with febrile
to assembly lines and service robots used intensity in the 1990s, following advances
for repetitive tasks such as milking cows. in the field of artificial intelligence. The
Some critics complain that the use of breakthroughs improved computer
industrial and service robots can foster systems’ capacity to perform tasks
unemployment. Proponents claim the use involving perception, speech recognition,
of robots frees human workers from decision-making, translation, and related
tedious physical labor that many are skills. Early attempts to design intelligent
loath to do, enabling people to do more robots focused on simple interactions with
satisfying work. the environment, like getting a machine to
The term “robot" appeared for the learn to navigate down a hallway. With
first time in a 1920 fantasy play by Karel time, scientists began to produce robots
Capek, and comes from a Czech word that perceive subtle features of the world
meaning “forced labor.” In Capek’s around them, even distinguishing
visionary tale, robots develop self- cacophonous laughter from harmonious
awareness, tire of servitude, and stage singing. Recent efforts have focused on
a coup that destroys the human race. robots that cooperate with humans by
using realistic social behaviors. These
“social robots" engage in interactive
behaviors and respond to human actions.
Some even interpret emotions normally
manifest only to humans and make
appropriate responses, including facial
expressions.
In order to make interaction with social
robots feel natural, many are designed to
look like humans, animals, or cartoon-like
characters. One Korean-made robot,
modeled after famed scientist Albert

A robot completes repetitive tasks

at a solar cell manufacturer.

174 ■ Unit 14
 two cameras housed in its eyes. The
Einstein robot has learned to mimic a
range of facial expressions, from a
beatific smile to a wide-eyed look of
surprise.
Researchers are exploring a variety of
potential uses for social robots. Autism
patients whose innate ability to interpret
emotions is impaired might benefit from
interaction with social robots. Emotionally
responsive robots could provide
companionship for the elderly and help
them operate digital devices. Law-
enforcement robots could help police by
detecting concealed weapons and bombs.
The robot Alex Hubo was made to They could even take measurements of
look like Albert Einstein. heart rate, respiration, and body
temperature to recognize the chicanery
Einstein, has a rubber face shaped to of a lying suspect.
resemble the wizened old physicist in Some researchers and entrepreneurs
his later years. Designers took great claim that social robots will soon provide
pains to make the face lifelike, down to a nostrum for a range of socioeconomic
minutiae like a bushy mustache, fuzzy ills. It is more likely that decades of
eyebrows, and gleaming eyes. Beneath its research will be required before social
familiar appearance, the robot contains robots have a deep impact on human life
sophisticated artificial intelligence software, and work. However long it takes, it is
32 motors to guide facial movements, and clear that the die is cast. Intelligent
social robots are destined to become
increasingly integrated into human society.

Snap the code, or go to

vocabularyworkshop.com

fa
Georgia Tech University developed
this social robot named Simon.

Unit 14 ■ 175
 vocabularyworkshop.com: iWords*^ audio program W interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
Definitions spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. beatific (adj.) blissful; rendering or making blessed

(be a tif ik) During the awards ceremony, the gold medal winner had a
positively expression on her face.
synonyms: rapturous, ecstatic
antonyms: disconsolate, dejected, doleful

2. behemoth (n.) a creature of enormous size, power, or appearance

(bi he' math)
The Loch Ness monster is a famous
synonyms: whale, elephant, colossus
antonyms: dwarf, pygmy, midget

3. blandishment (n., often pl.) anything designed to flatter or coax; sweet talk,
(blan' dish mant) apple-polishing
The king was often influenced by subtle

synonyms: allurement, cajolery

antonym: intimidation

4. cacophonous (adj.) harsh-sounding, raucous, discordant, dissonant

(ka kaf a nas) The scene opened with laughter
coming from three witches gathered around a steaming
cauldron.
antonyms: harmonious, melodious, mellifluous

5. chicanery (n.) trickery, deceptive practices or tactics, double-dealing

(shi ka' na re) The accountants used legal to
cover up the company’s shaky financial position.
antonym: fair dealing

6. consign (v.) to give over to another’s care, charge, or control; to entrust,

(kan sin') deliver; to set apart for a special use
The ship’s captain many duties to
her trusted first mate.
synonyms: remit, convey

7. coup (n.) a highly successful stroke, masterstroke, tour de force, act,

(kii) plan, or stratagem; a sudden takeover of power or leadership
The surprise by high-ranking
military officers toppled the weak government in a matter
of hours.
antonyms: blunder, faux pas, gaffe

176 ■ Unit 14
 14
8. euphemism (n.) a mild or inoffensive expression used in place of a harsh or
(yii' fa miz am) unpleasant one; a substitute
Common for die include the
expressions pass away and go to the other side.

9. febrile (adj.) feverish; pertaining to or marked by fever; frenetic

(feb' ril)The journalist wrote with intensity.
antonym: leisurely

10. gainsay (v.) to deny, contradict, controvert; to dispute, oppose

(gan' sa) Some wished to the conclusions of
the United States Supreme Court in the matter of the 2000
presidential election.
antonyms: confirm, corroborate, support, admit

11. imminent (adj.) about to happen, threatening

(im' a nant) An hurricane forced the islanders
back to the mainland.
SYNONYM: looming
antonyms: distant, remote, faraway

12. innate (adj.) natural, inborn, inherent; built-in

(i nat') Musical excellence often comes from
ability.
synonym: congenital
antonyms: learned, acquired, extrinsic, accidental

13. loath (adj.) unwilling, reluctant, disinclined

(loth) My hard-working grandfather was
to retire.
synonyms: averse, indisposed
antonyms: eager, inclined

14. manifest (adj.) clear, evident to the eyes or mind; (v.) to show plainly,
(man' a fest) exhibit, evince; (n.) a list of cargo and/or passengers
It was to many nineteenth-century
Americans that the nation was destined to extend to the
Pacific Ocean.
When the man began to signs of
hearing loss, he went to a specialist.
The passenger helps investigators
find out who is on board a plane.
synonyms: (adj.) apparent; (v.) reveal, disclose
antonyms: (adj.) unrevealed, hidden; (v.) hide, conceal

Unit 14 ■ 177
15. minutiae (pl. n.) small or trivial details, trifling matters
(ma nii' she a) Because the researcher was too concerned with
she was unlike
original discovery.
synonym: trifles
antonym: essentials

16. moratorium (n.) a suspension of activity; an official waiting period; an

(mor a tor' e am) authorized period of delay
The conference was held to try to negotiate a
on arms sal
the conflict.
synonyms: postponement, stoppage
antonym: escalation

17. nostrum (n.) an alleged cure-all; a remedy or scheme of questionable

(nas' tram) effectiveness
The federal Food and Drug Administration was created in
part to keep unsavory characters from peddling
to the public.
synonym: elixir

18. pariah (n.) one who is rejected by a social group or organization

(par I' a) In most of the world today, those who are suffering from the
disease of leprosy are no longer treated as

synonyms: untouchable, persona non grata

19. visionary (adj.) not practical, lacking in realism; having the nature of a
(vizh' a ner e) fantasy or dream; (n.) one given to far-fetched ideas; a dreamer
or seer characterized by vision or foresight
Ideas that once were considered
often become widely accepted over time.
The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., was a
whose dreams inspired the
American civil rights movement.
synonyms: (adj.) utopian, idealistic, impractical
antonym: (adj.) practical

20. wizened (adj., part.) dry, shrunken, and wrinkled (often as the result
(wiz' and) of aging)
The old woman walked with the
aid of a cane.
synonyms: withered, shriveled
antonyms: bloated, distended

178 ■ Unit 14
 14

Che the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 174-175 to see how
Ri rd most of these words are used in context.

1. Many scientists view Nicolaus Copernicus as a

(visionary, nostrum), not simply a talented
mathematician and the founder of modem astronomy.

2. The (wizened, febrile) tempo of the symphony’s

opening movement gives way to a placid and
stately largo in the next.

3. “How much of a chance do you suppose a

98-pound weakling like me actually stands against
that 320-pound (coup, behemoth)?” I asked
incredulously.

4. (Imminent, Loath) disaster stared us in the face In the sixteenth century,

when we were thrown for a loss and then fumbled Copernicus concluded that the
planets revolve around the sun.
the ball on our own five-yard line.

5. It didn't make me any happier to learn that my firing was being referred to
(euphemistically, cacophonously) as a “termination.”

6. The (cacophony, moratorium) that suddenly greeted my ears made me suspect

that a fox had somehow gotten into the henhouse.

7. No one who knows the facts would venture to (gainsay, consign) your claim to have
done your utmost to improve this community.

8. Only when we tried to implement the plan did its (innate, imminent) defects
become clear to us.

9. Although I play a fair game of chess, I’m not capable of the brilliant (coups,
manifests) that mark a true master of the game.

10. Someone who "can’t see the forest for the trees” is usually too concerned with
(minutiae, nostrums) to be aware of the overall picture.

11. When he took his first bite of Mother’s famous coconut custard pie, a look of
(visionary, beatific) joy spread over his face.

12. Accidents at nuclear power plants have prompted some people to agitate for a
(moratorium, nostrum) on the construction of such facilities.

13. After he killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, Aaron Burr found himself no longer a
respected statesman, but a social and political (coup, pariah).

14. Although I am (febrile, loath) to boast, I must acknowledge my superior qualities as

a student, athlete, financier, and all-round social luminary.

15. “The evidence that we will present in this trial,” the prosecutor told the jury, “will
make the defendant’s guilt abundantly (beatific, manifest).”

Unit 14 ■ 179
16. After it had been left to rot in the sun for a few days, the plump little apple began to
take on the (visionary, wizened) appearance of a prune.

17. It is a rare leader indeed who can tell the public unpleasant truths without evasions
or (pariahs, blandishments).

18. The solution to our problems is to be found in long-term programs of social

planning, not in easy (pariahs, nostrums).

19. The plan is certainly ingenious, but it strikes me as far too (visionary, imminent) to
serve as the basis for practical legislation.

20. “As soon as we received the order,” I said, “we crated the equipment and
(gainsaid, consigned) it to the buyer in Atlanta.”

21. The kind of financial (minutiae, chicanery) involved in bringing off that deal may
not have been illegal, but it was certainly unethical.

22. I discovered my grandfather’s name on the (moratorium, manifest) of a ship that

carried immigrants from Italy to Boston in 1919.

23. In September 1973, President Salvador Allende of Chile was ousted in a (coup,
blandishment) organized by the military.

24. "Does anybody dare to (manifest, gainsay) my decision to paint the house
orange?” Uncle Max inquired with a twinkle in his eye.

25. After touching the baby's (febrile, imminent) cheek, Harry called the doctor.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. open to the enticement of lobbyists

2. a replacement for the word ugly
3. prepared for the delay
4. considered an outcast by her neighbors
5. when mammoths roamed the Earth
6. warned of an impending investigation
7. transcendent vision of another world
8. fascinated by the trivia of celebrity gossip
9. transferred to an underground facility
10. an intrinsic capacity for learning

180 ■ Unit 14
 14
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
A meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. demanded an immediate acceleration

2. a realistic blueprint for change
3. threats from one’s enemies
4. was willing to make a compromise
5. looked like a miniature

9 From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.
th ce
1. If you spend all your time on , you won’t have any left for
really important matters.

2. Suddenly I was overcome by such a feeling of peace that I

began to wonder whether I was still on earth.

3. Before you dismiss him as just another impractical------------------- think of

how many great inventors were once regarded as mere “cranks.”

4. Though her body had become bent and with age, her mind
was as alert and active as ever.

5. Some Civil War generals weren’t professional soldiers and got their jobs through
pulling strings and other forms of political----------------------------

6. Some people enjoy the type of atonal music written by such composers as Arnold
Schoenberg; others find it----------------------------

7. Only a fool would have succumbed to the cloying of that

smooth-talking rascal!

8. However much I may dispute your views, I will never your

right to hold them.

9. When it became clear just how shamelessly he had treated his brother, he became
a virtual in his own family.

10. On the first play, our diminutive quarterback was “sacked” by a veritable
of a linebacker, ominously nicknamed “Bone Crusher.”

Unit 14 • 181
11. Since I was brought up in a sleepy country town, I found it very hard to adjust to the
pace of big-city life.

12. We were all surprised that someone with the reputation of a frivolous playboy could
such courage and determination.

13. No matter what you use to describe his conduct, you can’t
disguise the fact he betrayed his best friend.

14. Just when it seemed that defeat was inevitable, she pulled off a dazzling
that totally discomfited her opponent.

15. You may be, as you say, “to leave such a fascinating book,”
but I’m telling you right now to take out the garbage!

16. In a touching ceremony, the soldiers the body of their fallen

leader to the grave and his memory to their hearts.

17. Though the ability to paint is probably a(n) gift, it can

certainly be improved by training and practice.

18. When the swollen river threatened to overflow its banks, a devastating flood seemed

19. One way to bring relief to small farmers who cannot meet their mortgage payments
is to declare a temporary on foreclosures.

20. The nation’s economic ills call for a variety of remedies; they cannot be cured by
any single, miraculous

Writing:

1. Look back at “Artificial Intelligence and Social Robots” (pages 174-175).

Imagine you work for a company that designs and manufactures social robots.
Your task is to write an editorial that first educates the public about the nature of
social robots and then explains the ways in which their use will improve the lives
of many people. Use at least two details from the essay and three unit words.

2. Today, some analysts argue that the growing use of robots and other forms of
automation will have a negative long-term impact on unemployment. Others
claim that the use of robots will free more workers from menial and repetitive
jobs and will result in an increase in satisfying jobs for highly skilled
technicians and other specialists. In a brief essay, explain your viewpoint on
this issue. Support your ideas with specific examples from your studies, the
reading (pages 174-175), or personal observations and experience. Write at
least three paragraphs, and use three or more words from this unit.

182 • Unit 14
 14
Vocabulary The following excerpts are from F Scott Fitzgerald's novel The
inC«Kext Beautiful and Damned. Some of the words you have studied in this
unit appear in boldface type. Complete each statement below the
O
Literary Text excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. After his decision a gradual improvement was manifest. He had taken at least a
step in the direction to which hope pointed, and he realized that the less he
brooded upon her the better he would be able to give the desired impression
when they met.
If an improvement is manifest, it is
a. evident
b. anticipated
c. fleeting
d. astonishing ft
i . .
2. It had seemed at the time that they were
always having company—she had indulged
in an unspoken conviction that each guest
J 1,2-

was ever afterward slightly indebted to her.

They owed her a sort of moral ten dollars
apiece, and should she ever be in need she
might, so to speak, borrow from them this
visionary currency. In the four novels and many short stories
Something that is visionary is NOT he wrote before his death in 1940, F. Scott
Fitzgerald depicted the optimism and the
a. worthless c. forgettable excesses of the Jazz Age.
b. common d. practical

3. The argument faded off, but reoccurred to Anthony several times thereafter. It was
disturbing to find this old belief, evidently assimilated from her mother, inserting
itself again under its immemorial disguise as an innate idea.
An idea that is innate is
a. novel c. hackneyed
b. inborn d. indisputable

4. It seemed a tragedy to want nothing—and yet he wanted something, something. He

knew in flashes what it was—some path of hope to lead him toward what he thought
was an imminent and ominous old age.
Something that is imminent is
a. extremely destructive c. full of sadness
b. lacking in energy d. about to happen

5. Just before the engagement was announced

Anthony had gone up to Tarrytown to see his
□ ■I
□ y.
grandfather, who, a little more wizened and grizzly
as time played its ultimate chuckling tricks, greeted
the news with profound cynicism.
A wizened person is
□
Snap the code, or go to
a. shrunken and wrinkled c. drowsy and forgetful vocabularyworkshop.com
b. solemn and serious d. outspoken and loud

Unit 14 • 183
UNIT 15
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 15. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Private Life In the Public Eye

< Humorous Essay>

here are many reasons One of history's great

'-.<*11
I to keep a private diary.
Jotting down your thoughts
helps you sort out nascent
JU examples of private
thoughts gone public is a
diary penned in the
feelings. Sketching plans
helps you make way toward /Sgsmaae
LI & seventeenth century by
Samuel Pepys (1633-
your goals. Whatever your 1703). Pepys was an
reasons, keeping a diary is ambitious man who
a perfect way to exercise climbed the ranks of
your inviolable right to take English society by skillful
yourself too seriously. The work and diligent
only problem is, it’s hard to networking, eventually
keep your private scribblings / becoming a member of
safe from prying eyes. To keep a // / Parliament, a Fellow of the
diary is to run the risk that your Royal Society, and Secretary for
secret thoughts might be discovered by the Admiralty. On account of his public
some snooping relative or friend, even achievements, we should consider him a
promulgated round the world, like the leading man of his day. But the diary he
evening news or the latest scandal on left to his progeny, having slipped into
the Internet. the records of history, provides another
aperture through which to view the man.

Visscher’s view of London, 1616

In the pages of his private thoughts, Another evening, he’s threatening to fling
Pepys, for all his hard work, high culture, her poor dog out the window. For months
and dignified connections, seems a man on end he’s racked with jealousy, afraid his
of restive habits and mutable character. wife might have an eye for other men,
He wrestles with his vices in his diary, though he doesn’t let the sentiment
time and again falling short of moral interfere with his own thoughts on comely
rectitude and raking over the ashes of women. He criticizes the king’s skill at
his chief iniquities: his epicurean love of tennis, reports on the monarch’s drinking
wine, his addiction to the theater, and his habits and mistresses, and complains
lust for women other than his wife. about the flatterers who praise their ruler
To the historian, Pepys’s diary provides far more than he deserves.
an insider's glimpse of the English For all the notable accomplishments of
Restoration: meetings with the king and his public life, Samuel Pepys is most
other men of high office, eyewitness commonly remembered as a funny fellow
accounts of the Great Fire and the Great who kept a diary and who could not
Plague of London, and views on the subsist without wine, plays, or the other
politics of war and peace. But the casual amenities of his times. His honesty and
reader—who might not care a pittance for enthusiasm for the details of his life might
international affairs of the seventeenth be worth a panegyric, but for some of his
century—is more apt to enjoy the diary's flaws the man deserves to be pilloried. We
personal anecdotes. Mr. Pepys rolls over would know nothing of his shortcomings if it
one night in his sleep accidentally to weren’t for the improvident decision, or
smash his wife in the nose with his elbow. perhaps the odd pride, that led Pepys to
leave his diary behind. On the other hand,
if it weren’t for that diary, most of us would
not know the man at all. This very public
legacy is a reminder to anyone who aspires
to be a “private” diarist. Be careful what
you commit to print!

King Charles II was

the subject of many
of Pepys’s diary Snap the code, or go to
entries.
vocabularyworkshop.com
 vocabularyworkshop.com: iWonE**^ audio program 5 interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the word in the blank
D spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. amenity (n.) that which is pleasant or agreeable; (pl.) attractive features,

(a men' a te) customs, etc.
When I backpack, there are certain basic
, such as hot meals and a
dry tent, that I will not go without.
antonyms: unpleasantness, disagreeableness

2. aperture (n.) an opening, gap, hole; orifice

(ap' ar char) After the earthquake, rain and cold came through the
in the wall of the damaged house.
antonyms: closure, blockage, occlusion

3. dlssldence (n.) a difference of opinion; discontent

(dis' a dans) When the commanding officer announced that all leave was
cancelled, there was widespread
in the ranks.
synonyms: disagreement, disaffection
antonyms: harmony, concord

4. epicurean (adj.) devoted to the pursuit of pleasure; fond of good food,

(ep a kyu' re an) comfort, and ease; with discriminating tastes; (n.) a person with
discriminating tastes
The chef took an delight in
presenting the most delicious dishes to his demanding
clientele.
Even the most fervent should not
expect fine dining in a poor, war-torn country.
synonyms: (adj.) sybaritic, discriminating
antonyms: (adj.) ascetic, self-denying, abstemious

5. improvident (adj.) not thrifty; failing to plan ahead

(im prav' a dant) Some people are so that despite
high incomes they struggle to make ends meet.
synonyms: prodigal, spendthrift, extravagant
antonyms: frugal, economical, cautious

6. iniquity (n.) wickedness, sin; a grossly immoral act

(i nik' wa te) English Puritans looked upon the court that surrounded King
Charles I as a den of
synonyms: evil, crime
antonyms: probity, rectitude, uprightness

186 ■ Unit 15
 15
7. inviolable (adj.) sacred; of such a character that it must not be broken,
(in vT a la bal) injured, or profaned
Safeguarding the retirement income of millions of Americans
is an trust of the federal
government.
synonym: unassailable
antonyms: vulnerable, assailable

8. mutable (adj.) open to or capable of change, fickle

(myu' ta bal) Most people would agree that one’s principles and moral
values should not be as as fashion.
synonyms: changeable, variable
antonyms: changeless, steadfast, constant

9. nascent (adj.) just beginning to exist or develop; having just come into
(na' sant) existence
Recent public opinion polls registered
opposition to the propose
tax increase.
synonyms: incipient, embryonic
antonyms: dying, moribund, senescent

10. obeisance (n.) a deep bow or other body movement indicating respect or
(d be' sans) submission; deference, homage
Upon entering the throne room, each courtier made a
respectful before the king
and queen.
synonym:honor
antonyms: disrespect, irreverence

11. panegyric (n.) formal or elaborate praise; a tribute

(pan a ji' rik) The speaker delivered a in honor
of the award-winning author.
synonyms: tribute, encomium, testimonial
antonyms: tirade, philippic

12. pillory (n.) a device for publicly punishing offenders; a means for
(pil' a re) exposing one to public contempt or ridicule; (v.) to expose to
public contempt or ridicule
The was placed in the center
of town so that everyone could view the outlaws and
their shame.
The candidate tried to her political
opponent by suggesting that he had ties to organized crime.
antonyms: (v.) extol, laud, acclaim

Unit IS ■ 187
13. pittance (n.) a woefully meager allowance, wage, or portion
(pit' ans) In comparison to the overwhelming need for food and
medicine, the shipment was a mere
synonym: trifle; antonym: fortune

14. presage (v.) to foreshadow or point to a future event; to predict; (n.) a

(pres' ij) warning or indication of the future
The skirmishes at the border a war.
The fall in stock prices and retail sales may be a
of hard econom
synonyms: (v.) augur, foretell

15. progeny (n.) descendants, offspring, children, followers, disciples

(praj' a ne) The Bill of Rights guarantees certain civil rights and
protections to us and our
synonyms: issue, posterity; antonyms: forebears, antecedents

16. promulgate (v.) to proclaim or issue officially; to make known far and wide
(pram' al gat) The School Board a new approach
to education that emphasized phonics.
synonym: announce
antonyms: withdraw, retract, abrogate, nullify

17. rectitude (n.) uprightness, righteousness; correctness

(rek' ta tud) The mayor is a person of unquestionable

synonyms: probity, integrity

antonyms: iniquity, heinousness

18. restive (adj.) restless, hard to manage, balky

(res' tiv) The horse had not been taken out
of the stable for five days.
synonyms: uneasy, recalcitrant
antonyms: serene, unruffled, docile

19. seraphic (adj.) angelic, heavenly, celestial

(sa raf' ik) The artist painted the children with
smiles to suggest their innocence.
synonym: cherubic; antonyms: devilish

20. subsist (v.) to have existence; to remain alive, manage to make a living
(sab sist') or maintain life; to persist or continue
Peasants in nineteenth-century Ireland were able to
almost exclusively
synonyms: last, sustain

188 ■ Unit 15
 15
Ch( the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the selection on pages 184-185 to see how
Ri rd most of these words are used in context.

1. Petty criminals in medieval England were

often placed in stocks or (progeny, pillories)
and subjected to public humiliation.

2. There was a loophole in the law, and through

this (aperture, obeisance) the defendant
escaped the legal consequences of
his crime.

3. Religious (obeisance, dissidence) was

one of the motives that led many people
to found colonies in North America. An offender sentenced to the stocks had
his feet, head, or hands locked in a heavy
4. The novel centers on a(n) (improvident, wooden frame.
seraphic) young man who squanders his
inheritance and dies in the poorhouse.

5. Like so many others of his generation, he paid unquestioning (iniquity, obeisance)

to the accepted symbols of material success.

6. The cost of living has risen so sharply that a salary that was adequate a decade
ago is now no more than a mere (panegyric, pittance).

7. “Angelica” is indeed an apt name for one whose (mutable, seraphic) beauty is
complemented by such sweetness of temper and gentleness of spirit.

8. Recently, the principal (promulgated, presaged) a new dress code that abolished
some of the unnecessary strictness of the old rules.

9. Specific customs vary widely in different lands, but the basic (apertures,
amenities) of civilized living are much the same everywhere.

10. Writers often regard their works as their (dissidence, progeny) in much the same
way as other people regard their pets as family members.

11. The new “gourmet” deli features delicacies that are bound to delight even the most
exacting of (epicurean, nascent) palates.

12. No matter how well defended, no boundary is (inviolable, restive) unless the
people on either side of it respect each other.

13. Instead of being so concerned with the (Iniquities, apertures) of others, they would
do well to concentrate on correcting their own shortcomings.

14. I realize the official made a serious mistake, but that is no reason to (pillory,
subsist) him so unmercifully in the press.

15. The resounding victory we scored at the polls is an eloquent tribute to the
(rectitude, dissidence) of her approach as campaign manager.

Unit 15 ■ 189
16. We would like to believe that the intensifying fear of ecological catastrophe
(subsists, presages) an era of environmental harmony in the near future.

17. Instead of mouthing empty (panegyrics, apertures) to the Bill of Rights, let’s strive
to make this great document a reality in our lives.

18. One cannot expect a(n) (epicurean, nascent) democracy to go through its early
years without experiencing serious growing pains.

19. The study of government shows us that many political institutions thought to be
unchanging are in fact highly (inviolable, mutable).

20. As the speaker’s remarks became more inflammatory, the crowd grew more sullen
and (nascent, restive).

21. Liberty (subsists, presages) only as long as people have the intelligence to know
their rights and the courage to defend them.

22. I hope that Jessie’s obvious nervousness during the dress rehearsal does not
(presage, promulgate) a poor performance in the play tonight.

23. The visitors lowered their voices and made (obeisance, iniquity) to the
distinguished gentleman who was beckoning them toward the castle entrance.

24. Grandma sighed, “Kim’s taste in clothes is so (promulgated, mutable) that nobody
even tries to guess what she’ll wear from week to week.”

25. (Pittances, Amenities) at the luxury spa include massages and steam baths.

Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly
s the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. the angry dissent of protestors

2. tried to survive in a desert
3. dark clouds that portend rain
4. a saintly figure dressed in white
5. the sacrosanct principle of equality
6. a hedonistic display of luxury
7. paid respect to those who came before her
8. repaid a mere modicum of what is owed
9. showed a budding interest in politics
10. fidgety after the caffeine

790 ■ Unit 15
 15
Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly opposite in
A meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. widespread political agreement

2. always treats those in authority with disregard
3. a puppy with an impish demeanor
4. a thrifty manager
5. insulted the king’s ancestors

9 From the words in this unit, choose the one that best completes each
th ce of the following sentences. Write the word in the space provided.

1. After a few days in which everything went my way, I suddenly learned just how
Lady Luck can be.

2. We are sure that their vow is because their sense of moral

obligation will prevent them from ever breaking it.

3. “I’m afraid that the child’s countenance belies the mischief

in his heart," I observed sadly.

4. Though I’m by no means with my money, I don’t hoard

it either.

5. The on most cameras can be adjusted to admit more or

less light, as required.

6. Our financial situations are so different that what she considers a mere
seems a fortune to me.

7. The biography is a pretty evenhanded appraisal of the man’s strengths and

weaknesses, not just another to a great hero.

8. Nutritionists say that most of us could on a great deal less

food than we actually consume.

9. Conscientious parents will do everything they can to foster and develop the
intellectual curiosity of a small child.

10. The President has a policy that commits the nation to

curbing pollution.

Unit 15 ■ 191
11. The wranglers suspected that there were wolves or mountain lions nearby when the
herd suddenly grew nervous and

12. For many ancient peoples, the appearance of a comet was a fearful omen that
great social upheaval.

13. The liberties that we have inherited from our forefathers are a sacred trust that we
must pass on undiminished to our

14. Am I to be--------------------------------before the entire student body because I made

a few minor mistakes as a member of the Student Council?

15. The Bible tells us that visitors to the court of Solomon, the great Hebrew king,
willingly paid him

16. Imagine someone with my tastes having to live for a week

on that watery mush!

17. It was the of its natural setting on those rolling hills that led
the architect to dub the estate “Mount Pleasant."

18. Authoritarian governments often resort to violence and coercion in their efforts to
repress political

19. He inveighs against the sins of society with all the stridency of an Old Testament
prophet castigating the of the unworthy.

20. I see no reason to question the of her dealings with us

since I know her to be “as honest as the day is long.”

—— — -
ri ing........... .

1. Look back at "Private Life in the Public Eye” (pages 184-185). Think about
how the experience of keeping a diary is different from the experience of
composing an autobiography. Write a brief essay in which you compare and
contrast those two genres and explain which kind of writing you would prefer
to do. Use examples from your experience and prior knowledge to support
your ideas. Include at least two details from the essay and three unit words.

2. "What is a diary as a rule? A document useful to the person who keeps it. Dull
to the contemporary who reads it and invaluable to the student, centuries
afterwards, who treasures it." —attributed to Dame Ellen Terry
What do you think about Terry’s statement? Do you agree with her views about
diaries? In what ways might a diary be useful to the person who keeps it? In a
brief essay, support your opinion with specific examples from the reading
(refer to pages 184-185), your studies, or personal experiences. Write at least
three paragraphs, and use three or more words from this unit.

792 ■ Unit 15
 15
Vo lary The following excerpts are from Edith Wharton's novels The Custom
of the Country and The House of Mirth. Some of the words you
have studied in this unit appear in boldface type. Complete each
Literary Text statement below the excerpt by circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. She felt no compunction in continuing to accept an undiminished allowance: it

was the hereditary habit of the parent animal to despoil himself for his progeny.
(The Custom of the Country)
Progeny are
a. principles c. descendants
b. happiness d. ambitions

2. Paul, after Mrs. Heeny’s departure, had grown fretful and

restive, and Undine had found it more and more difficult
to fit his small exacting personality into her cramped
rooms and crowded life. (The Custom of the Country)
Someone who is restive is NOT
a. optimistic c. servile
b. docile d. healthy

3. She wanted, passionately and persistently, two things

which she believed should subsist together in any
well-ordered life: amusement and respectability; and
despite her surface-sophistication her notion of
amusement was hardly less innocent than when she
had hung on the plumber’s fence with Indiana Frusk.
(The Custom of the Country) Edith Wharton wrote about
New York high society in many
To subsist is to of her novels and stories.
a. labor c. correlate
b. exist d. aspire

4. “Hallo, Selden, going too? You’re an Epicurean like myself, I see: you don’t
want to see all those goddesses gobbling terrapin. Gad, what a show of good­
looking women; but not one of 'em could touch that little cousin of mine."
(The House of Mirth)
An epicurean
a. is extremely talkative c. likes to take risks
b. fears being alone d. has refined tastes

5. Everything in her surroundings ministered to

feelings of ease and amenity. The windows stood
open to the sparkling freshness of the September
morning... (The House of Mirth)
An amenity is something that is
a. pleasant c. poignant
b. energetic d. hopeful Snap the code, or go to
vocabularyworkshop.com

Unit 15 ■ 193
REVIEW nan: vocabularyworkshop.com : SAT and ACT practice worksheets

\\
VOG for Read the following selection in which some of the words
you have studied in Units 13-15 appear in boldface type.
Com slon Then answer the questions on page 195.

This passage focuses on one of the most famous American novelists of the twentieth
century, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

(Line)
Few writers have been as third submission to the Scribners
identified with an age as F. Scott publishing house, the manuscript
Fitzgerald (1896-1940). Not only is was accepted. It was published in
his best fiction set in the 1920s, but (35) 1920 as This Side of Paradise and
(5) he helped define that era as the became an instant success. Scott
Jazz Age, an epicurean decade of and Zelda were married within a
fevered pleasure-seeking, week. Like the characters in
improvident spending, and gaudy Fitzgerald's Jazz Age novels, the
excess. (40) couple spent the next decade
(10) Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, shuttling between New York and
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (named Europe, living the high life and
after his famous ancestor) was a spending lavishly. Behind the frothy
restless young man full of romantic facade, however, lay a darker reality
dreams. In 1917 he left Princeton (45) that Fitzgerald depicted in his most
(15) University, before receiving his famous novel, The Great Gatsby
degree, to train as an Army officer, (1925). In Gatsby, Fitzgerald
but he never made it overseas. While examines the moral decadence
stationed at Camp Sheridan near engendered by the American dream
Montgomery, Alabama, Fitzgerald (50) of wealth and success. When
(20) fell for a local southern beauty, Zelda Fitzgerald died of a heart attack at
Sayre. By dint of sheer charm and the age of 44 (Zelda died in a fire
persistence, Fitzgerald got Zelda to only a few years later), his works
agree to marry him, but she was too that chronicled such a discrete
cognizant of his poverty to succumb (55) period of American history seemed
(25) permanently to his blandishments. on their way to obscurity. In the
When the novel he was writing was 1950s, however, critics revived such
rejected for a second time, she classics as Gatsby and Tender Is the
broke off the engagement. Night (1934), securing a place for
Scott, however, was not deterred. (60) him in the canon of American writers.
(30) He went back to St. Paul and
rewrote the novel again. Upon its

194 ■ Review Units 13-15

 REVIEW

1. According to the author, which era did d. the instant success of This Side of
Fitzgerald help to define? Paradise
a. the Information Age e. the intervention of Zelda’s parents
b. the Civil Rights era
c. the Great Depression 8. According to the author, the main
d. the Jazz Age focus in the novel The Great Gatsby is
e. the Age of Discovery on which of the following?
a. the corruption of American politics
2. The meaning of epicurean (line 6) is b. the pitfalls of romance
a. idyllic c. the moral decadence flowing from
b. uneventful the American dream
c. hedonistic d. the complex rhythms of jazz
d. impoverished e. aspects of European society
e. turbulent
9. Facade (line 44) most nearly means
3. Improvident (line 8) most nearly means a. lifestyle
a. frugal b. costume
b. extravagant c. mask
c. prudent d. attitude
d. intermittent e. celebration
e. impressive
10. Engendered (line 49) most nearly
4. In paragraph 2 (lines 10-28), it may be means
inferred that when Scott was courting a. deterred
Zelda, her values were b. generated
a. patriotic c. enraged
b. idealistic d. offended
c. romantic e. baffled
d. literary
e. materialistic 11. The primary purpose of the passage
is to
5. Cognizant (line 24) is best defined as a. survey the highlights of Fitzgerald’s
a. aware life and literary career
b. proud b. analyze contrasts between
c. oblivious Fitzgerald’s early novels and his
d. ashamed later works
e. scornful c. support the claim that The Great
Gatsby is Fitzgerald’s masterpiece
6. The meaning of blandishments d. show how the Fitzgeralds
(line 25) is epitomized the Jazz Age lifestyle
a. apologies e. emphasize the irony in Fitzgerald’s
b. enticements handling of the theme of illusion
c. fantasies versus reality
d. threats
e. tantrums 12. For the most part, what organizational
scheme does the author use in the
7. You can infer that an important factor passage?
in Scott and Zelda’s marriage was a. comparison and contrast
a. his repeated pleas to her b. order of impression
b. Scott’s promise to leave New York c. order of importance
c. the couple’s admiring European d. spatial order
friends e. chronological order

Review Units 13-15 ■ 195

REVIEW

T d Select the pair of words that best complete the meaning of each
Co v\y ns
of the following passages.

1. As soon as the famous movie star walked into my shop, she became the
---------------------------- of all eyes. Customers stopped what they were doing to
stare at her as if by the spell of her celebrity.
a. aperture . . . engendered c. moratorium . . . subsisted
b. cynosure . . . mesmerized d. pillory .. . promulgated
2. Disgruntled army officers and other elements in the society
engineered the bloody that toppled the duly elected
government a few months after it had taken office.
a. contrite ... nostrum c. visionary ... pittance
b. restive .. . moratorium d. dissident... coup
3. Once the news broke, the public heaped so much on the
head of the hapless city official that he soon found himself a veritable political
, even in his own party.
a. euphemism ... canard c. opprobrium ... pariah
b. dissidence . .. amenity d. efficacy ... ghoul

4. Behind the courtier's outward of decorous sloth there

lurked the imagination of an inveterate opportunist, eager
to capitalize on any windfall that came his way.
a. aperture . . . incongruous c. cynosure . . . nascent
b. facade .. . febrile d. chicanery . . . improvident

5. The characters in Jane Austen novels display manners,

obeying the of social conventions that range from how
many consecutive waltzes a couple may dance to the type of tea that should be
served to guests.
a. abstruse ... canards c. decorous .. . minutiae
b. ethereal.. .pariahs d. beatific .. . manifests

6. Any official who is genuinely concerned about the of his or

her behavior while in public office will think twice before engaging in the kinds of
political and backroom shenanigans that sometimes go on
when a juicy government contract is up for grabs.
a. rectitude . . . chicanery c. progeny . . . machinations
b. imminence . .. blandishments d. iniquity .. . cognizance

7. At the demonstration in front of company headquarters, the protestor who

to address the med
to employee loyalty.
a. consigned ... behemoth c. gainsaid ... panegyric
b. deigned ... affront d. manifested . . . obeisance

796 > Review Units 13-15

 WORD STUDY
In the essay about writer Samuel Pepys and his diary (see pages
184-185), the author describes Pepys as “raking over the ashes” his
major vices and sins. This saying is an idiom. The author means that
in some diary entries Pepys returns to discuss and reflect on
unpleasant events from his past.
An idiom is an expression that cannot be translated literally. The meaning of an idiom is
not suggested by the meaning of its separate words. You learn idioms in the same way
that you learn many new words—by hearing or reading them in context. If you cannot
understand an idiom from context clues, you may need to use an online or print
dictionary to determine or confirm its meaning.

Choosing the Right Idiom

Read each sentence. Use context dues to figure out the meaning of each idiom in
boldface print. Then write the letter of the definition for the idiom in the sentence.

1. Did you actually enjoy that movie, or did you just jump a. rapidly and
on the bandwagon because it received three continuously
Academy Awards?
b. able to react quickly
2. The police are barking up the wrong tree if they think
Joey broke the windows; he has an airtight alibi for the c. trickery and
entire evening deception
3. The campaign manager wants Jones to remain above d. not involved in the
the fray when it comes to launching personal attacks argument or
on the other candidates unpleasantness
4. When the video game was released, the developer e. having knowledge of
must have made money hand over fist------------ something
5. “I want to speak to the manager now,” Melissa
f. believing the wrong
demanded, “so that I can get answers to all my
explanation for
questions in one fell swoop.” something
6. The employees applauded their boss for keeping them
in the loop about possible changes to the holiday g. in a good situation
delivery schedule h. all at once
7. After two months of tense negotiations, union leaders
decided to throw in the towel and urged their i. admit failure or
members to go on strike------------ defeat

8. “Because you are so quick on the draw,” Mickey said j. support something
to his best friend, "we have an excellent chance to win because it is popular
the obstacle race."
9. The high school senior won a full scholarship to the
college of his choice, so he is sitting pretty for the next
several years
10. Sadly, because the investment scheme was nothing but
smoke and mirrors, hundreds of people lost their
entire savings

Word Study ■ 197

WORD STUDY

Writins with Idioms

Find the meaning of each idiom. (Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.) Then write a
sentence for each idiom.

1. no great shakes

2. bar none

3. off the cuff

4. my cup of tea

5. stand your ground

6. cut the mustard

7. running on empty

8. for a song

9. take the plunge

10. toe the line

11. out of left field

12. have egg on your face

198 ■ Word Study

 WORD STUDY
The denotation of a word is its dictionary meaning or
D >n meanings. Beyond its denotations, many words may
also have connotations. Connotations are the ideas
and tlon and emotional associations that words carry apart from
their denotative meanings
Denotations are objective, but connotations are subjective; they can vary from person to
person. A word's connotation(s) may be neutral, positive, or negative.

Consider these synonyms for the neutral word abstruse-.

abstract profound cryptic unintelligible
Abstract and profound have neutral or positive connotations, suggesting something is
difficult to understand because of its conceptual complexity or the depth and thoughtfulness
of its ideas. Cryptic and unintelligible, however, suggest a difficulty in understanding based
on an unfortunate obscurity or a jumbled and incoherent explanation.

Think: The research of a learned and well-respected

professor can be described as abstract or profound, while the
work of a lesser scholar is deemed cryptic or unintelligible.
\_______________________ ___________________________

Look at these examples of words with similar denotations but different connotations.

NEUTRAL POSITIVE NEGATIVE

critical discerning captious

portion allowance pittance

discriminating epicurean self-indulgent

Distinguishing among sometimes subtle shades of meaning will help you say exactly
what you mean, prevent misunderstandings, and create the tone or mood you intend.

Shades off Meaning

Write a plus sign (+) in the box if the word has a positive connotation.
Write a minus sign (-) if the word has a negative connotation. Put a zero (0)
if the word is neutral.
1. canard G 2. desiccated 3. opprobrium 4. putative

5. engender 6. innate 7. pillory 8. seraphic

9. nostrum 10. facade 11. amenity 12. cacophonous

13. efficacy 14. ghoulish 15. nascent 16. pariah

Word Study ■ 199

WORD STUDY

Expressing the Connotation

Read each sentence. Select the word in parentheses that expresses the connotation (positive,
negative, or neutral) given at the beginning of the sentence.

positive 1. The host and hostess were pleased with the (decorous, staid)
behavior of all the party guests.
neutral 2. Were you as surprised by the (machinations, maneuvers) of the play’s
protagonist as I was?
negative 3. We couldn't believe Mike spent most of the long ride discussing the
(minutiae, features) of his new saxophone.
negative 4. The tenant (consigned, abandoned) the furniture in his apartment
when he moved out.
positive 5. The interview committee seemed impressed by the final job
candidate’s (rectitude, disposition)
positive 6. Upon seeing Dr. Slack enter the lobby, we hastily made an (obeisance,
acknowledgment) to him.
negative 7. My neighbor decided for whom she would vote weeks ago, but I’ve
learned that her political decisions are (mutable, unstable).
positive 8. In the foreground of the oil painting stands an elegantly dressed elderly
woman with a (beatific, supernatural) expression on her face.

Challenge: Using Connotation

Choose vocabulary words from Units 13-15 to replace the highlighted words in the
sentences below. Then explain how the connotation of the replacement word changes
the tone of the sentence.

cognizant chicanery apertures

affronted deigned ethereal

1. When she first saw her costume, the actress immediately noticed how light and
flimsy it seemed.

2. The antique shop owner uses subtle tactics to get

customers to pay top prices for his merchandise.

3. The young man ahead of me in line at the airport was obviously affected
by another passenger’s re

200 ■ Word Study

 WORD STUDY

Cla ots This root appears in visionary (page 178), which means
“lacking in practicality" or, as a noun, “a dreamer or seer.”
vid, vis—to look, see Some other words based on this same root are listed below.

advisement providence proviso visitation

envisage provident visage vista

From the list of words above, choose the one that corresponds to each of the brief
definitions below. Write the word in the blank space in the illustrative sentence below
the definition. Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.

1. a careful consideration (“act of seeing to")

The committee has agreed to take your most recent request under

2. a distinct view or prospect through an opening; an extensive mental view

As we rounded the bend, we suddenly beheld the most breathtaking
of our trip.

3. to picture to oneself ("see into”)-, conceive of, especially as a future possibility

It is hard to a modern America made up entirely of
small farmers.

4. a face, countenance, appearance, look, aspect ("that which is seen”)

The links of chains he carried, which signified his sins, gave Jacob Marley a
frightening

5. a conditional stipulation; an article or clause in a contract that introduces a condition

(“that which is foreseen")
They agreed to sign the deal, with the that we serve
as witnesses.

6. providing for future needs or contingencies; thrifty, economical

It is our agency's mission to explore the most use of
our natural resources.

7. a visit for the purpose of making an official inspection; an act of visiting; a severe
punishment or affliction
Health specialists are meeting to discuss the possibility of a new
of tuberculosis.

8. divine guidance or care; a manifestation of such guidance

Despite hard times, or perhaps especially during hard times, people of faith put
their trust in

Word Study ■ 201

FINAL MASTERY TEST

Select the two words or expressions that are most nearly

s the same in meaning.

1. a. countermand b. repudiate c. exonerate d. embellish

2. a. renovate b. raze c. pillory d. demolish
3. a. debris b. frenzy c. flotsam d. cabal
4. a. unwonted b. paltry c. insignificant d. beneficial
5. a. eulogy b. juggernaut c. critique d. tribute
6. a. object b. volunteer c. demur d. jettison
7. a. suppliant b. fiat c. decree d. consent
8. a. wretched b. nefarious c. fearless d. abject
9. a. amplify b. verify c. substantiate d. recant
10. a. sophistry b. desire c. gall d. effrontery
11. a. picayune b. plenary c. trifling d. irrelevant
12. a. overcome b. foreshadow c. portend d. eschew
13. a. echelon b. mandate c. objection d. authorization
14. a. deign b. stoop c. exhume d. attempt
15. a. deprecate b. decimate c. deplore d. approve

Select the two words that are most nearly opposite in meaning.

16. a. delineate b. arrogate c. renounce d. remain

17. a. intellectual b. moot c. indisputable d. disturbed
18. a. feckless b. disagreeable c. seraphic d. effective
19. a. youthful b. obsequious c. moribund d. thriving
20. a. loquacious b. frenetic c. calm d. vituperative
21. a. flatter b. embezzle c. hallow d. calumniate
22. a. restive b. banal c. original d. militant
23. a. coherent b. glorious c. wizened d. muddled
24. a. decry b. presage c. commend d. apportion
25. a. consecrate b. antagonize c. conciliate d. forgo

202 ■ Final Mastery Test

 FINAL MASTERY TEST

Select the item that best completes the comparison.

26. avid is to indifference as 30. acuity is to see as

a. germane is to appropriateness a. perspicacity is to argue
b. taciturn is to prolixity b. equity is to report
c. halcyon is to serenity c. sensitivity is to feel
d. substantive is to eloquence d. concord is to disturb
27. brackish is to drink as 31. depraved is to corruption as
a. visible is to see a. moot is to originality
b. incendiary is to burn b. frenetic is to leisure
c. indigestible is to eat c. mordant is to obscurity
d. piquant is to whet d. overweening is to excess
28. mule is to intransigent as 32. derelict is to conscientiousness as
a. monkey is to verdant a. consummate is to perfection
b. fly is to acquisitive b. intermittent is to continuity
c. horse is to devious c. pecuniary is to money
d. bat is to myopic d. ubiquitous is to prevalence
29. maelstrom is to sea as 33. saturnine is to gloom as
a. foliage is to desert a. fatuous is to intelligence
b. quicksand is to swamp b. macabre is to gaiety
c. hurricane is to shower c. refulgent is to darkness
d. skyscraper is to forest d. lackadaisical is to indolence

T d Select the best word pair from among the choices given.
Co ms
34. I don’t mean to__________________ the point by telling you again, but if you
don’t exercise, your muscles will
a. loath ... languish c. belabor... atrophy
b. inure ... mesmerize d. requite ... saturate
35. His artistic choices are so strange and _________________ that he runs the risk
of being labeled a________________ _ and not being taken seriously.
a. rife ... canard c. abstruse . . . progeny
b. pejorative . . . tyro d. eclectic . .. dilettante
36. It simply seems to someone for not
throwing away a gum wrapper properly; wouldn’t a warning be more appropriate?
a. inane .. . incarcerate c. aesthetic . .. discomfit
b. furtive ... vacillate d. ebullient... congeal
37. The office-holder has a decided advantage over her
opponent, who has never held office and is a political
a. incumbent... neophyte c. visionary .. . effigy
b. cognizant... utopia d. felicitous ... penitent

Final Mastery Test ■ 203

FINAL MASTERY TEST

Supp] ords To complete each sentence, select the best word from
among the choices given. Not all words in the word bank
In it will be used. You may modify the word form as necessary.

allay murky paucity counterpart

eschew undulate raiment pusillanimous
pedantry nuance accost unremitting
bucolic travesty Illusory tenable

38. The teacher sought to our concerns about the upcoming test.

39. The verdant and setting was soothing in its tranquility.

40. The ocean water was so that we couldn't see our feet.

41. The subtle of this story will be lost on a reader who is less
than attentive.

42. Our good fortune proved ., and we were soon back in

deep difficulty.

43. In order to lose weight, I will fats and sweets and eat more
fruits and vegetables.

carping echelon emulate coterie

invidious dissemble stratagem glean
jocular enervate gambit mundane
garish litany nettle distraught

44. The constant of the children was beginning to drive the

baby-sitter to her wits’ end!

45. The pop singer’s of admirers flattered her constantly and kept
her shielded from criticism.

46. Would he or would he tell the truth?

47. Lucius didn’t need to say a word: I could from the look on
his face that he wasn't happy.

48. The outfit stuck out in such a staid, somber setting.

49. The man was understandably when given the horrific news.

204 ■ Final Mastery Test

 FINAL MASTERY TEST

i r ■r
Select the word or expression that best completes the meaning of
the sentence or answers the question, with particular reference to
Asso the meaning of the word in boldface type.
w
50. An agnostic will likely say
a. “I believe.” c. “I'm running late."
b. "I don’t know." d. "My socks are always missing.”
51. Typical amenities of urban life might include
a. air pollution and litter c. bridges and cars
b. pedestrians on the street d. museums and concerts
52. Which advice would be most suitable for a person who is recumbent?
a. “Keep your eye on the ball.” c. “Turn left at the first light.”
b. “Rise and shine!” d. "Grin and bear it.”
53. A figment usually develops in
a. a factory c. the human mind
b. an orchard d. the wild blue yonder
54. If you temporize when a decision is called for, you are
a. acting decisively c. misjudging the situation
b. stalling for time d. losing your temper
55. The motif of a play refers to its
a. financial backing c. basic theme
b. adaptation for television d. cast of characters
56. The wisest course of action when confronted by a juggernaut is to
a. get out of its way c. stand your ground
b. take its picture d. make up your mind
57. Histrionic behavior is best suited to
a. the stage c. the classroom
b. the laboratory d. the museum
58. Primordial times occurred
a. in Ancient Greece c. as a result of negligence
b. first d. during World War II
59. To allege that someone is guilty of a crime means that
a. the person is clearly guilty c. the charge is malicious
b. the charge remains to be proved d. an indictment will be handed down
60. Ina convivial atmosphere, people may be expected to
a. suffer from boredom c. go into shock
b. enjoy themselves d. show off their erudition
61. You would be well advised not to give credence to
a. your friends c. a reliable witness
b. your creditors d. a habitual liar

Final Mastery Test ■ 205

FINAL MASTERY TEST

e Read each sentence carefully. Then select the item that best
completes the statement below the sentence.

62. The audience’s acclamation was demonstrated by its repeated standing ovations.
The word acclamation most nearly means
a. approval b. opprobrium c. asperity d. victory

63. I was able to guarantee his collusion by demonstrating that his participation would
be to his benefit.
The word collusion most nearly means
a. connivance b. detritus c. chicanery d. foible

64. The knights had retreated into their bastion, where they hoped to regroup and repel
the invaders’ attack.
The word bastion most nearly means
a. aperture b. facade c. fortress d. significance

65. I would be extremely chary of taking up jogging again until the knee injury is
completely healed.
The word chary most nearly means
a. benign b. fecund c. bestial d. wary

66. It was fun to watch the two puppies cavort in the field, dashing round and round the
bushes and trees.
The word cavort most nearly means
a. grouse b. regret c. gambol d. rebuff

67. I appreciated the celerity with which the electricians responded to the power
outage from the storm.
The best definition for the word celerity is
a. propriety b. promptness c. propinquity d. verbiage

68. The critic’s review turned into a diatribe against contemporary music in general.
The word diatribe most nearly means
a. badinage b. surveillance c. tirade d. accusation

69. Although the man did not plan the crime, his participation in the robbery attempt
was evidence of his complicity.
The word complicity most nearly means
a. animadversion b. collusion c. exigency d. idiosyncrasy

70. With books and clothes strewn everywhere, the bedroom was in a state of disarray.
The word disarray is best defined as
a. largesse b. paroxysm c. disorganization d. reconnaissance

206 ■ Final Mastery Test

The following is a list of all the words taught in the Units of this book. The number
after each entry indicates the page on which the word is defined.

abject, 72 cognizant, 166 encomium, 15 idiosyncrasy, 63

abrogate, 138 coherent, 14 enervate, 62 ignominy, 63
abstruse, 166 collusion, 110 engender, 167 illusory, 91
acclamation, 110 complicity, 72 ephemeral, 91 imminent, 177
accost, 24 conciliate, 100 epicurean, 186 impeccable, 149
acquisitive, 14 concord, 52 equity, 73 impecunious, 139
acuity, 62 congeal, 15 eschew, 15 imperturbable, 111
aesthetic, 148 consign, 176 esoteric, 62 importune, 149
affront, 166 consummate, 52 espouse, 148 improvident, 186
agnostic, 72 contrite, 166 ethereal, 167 inane, 73
allay, 90 convivial, 90 eulogy, 34 incarcerate, 53
allege, 100 coterie, 90 euphemism, 177 incendiary, 25
ambient, 138 countermand, 100 evince, 34 incongruous, 168
amenity, 186 counterpart, 90 exacerbate, 101 increment, 111
animadversion, 24 coup, 176 exhume, 35 incumbent, 53
aperture, 186 credence, 34 exigency, 52 indictment, 73
arrant, 100 cynosure, 167 indigent, 92
arrogate, 14 facade, 168 indubitable, 73
askance, 128 decimate, 128 fatuous, 101 inexorable, 139
asperity, 138 decorous, 167 febrile, 177 iniquity, 186
atrophy, 52 decry, 34 feckless, 35 innate, 177
attenuate, 128 defunct, 148 fecund, 62 inordinate, 92
avid, 24 deign, 167 felicitous, 91 insatiable, 15
delectable, 138 fetish, 148 intermittent, 73
badinage, 100 delineate, 62 fiat, 63 interpolate, 149
banal, 14 demur, 90 figment, 63 intransigent, 15
bastion, 52 depraved, 62 flaccid, 139 inure, 129
beatific, 176 deprecate, 139 flotsam, 53 invidious, 16
behemoth, 176 derelict, 72 foible, 129 inviolable, 187
belabor, 14 desiccated, 167 forgo, 129 irrefutable, 101
benign, 128 detritus, 139 fraught, 129 irreparable, 149
bestial, 90 devious, 24 frenetic, 53
blandishment, 176 diatribe, 72 furtive, 91 jettison, 92
brackish, 24 dilettante, 110 jocular, 53
bucolic, 110 disarray, 52 gainsay, 177 juggernaut, 101
burnish, 138 discomfit, 148 gambit, 25
dissemble, 34 garish, 91 lackadaisical, 101
cabal, 138 dissidence, 186 garner, 63 laconic, 149
cacophonous, 176 distraught, 34 germane, 15 languish, 149
calumniate, 110 ghoulish, 168 largesse, 16
canard, 166 ebullient, 139 glean, 53 litany, 101
captious, 166 echelon, 100 gregarious, 148 loath, 177
carping, 14 eclectic, 139 grouse, 53 ludicrous, 54
cavil, 128 efficacy, 167 luminous, 129
cavort, 34 effigy, 72 halcyon, 25
celerity, 24 effrontery, 91 hallow, 63 macabre, 101
charlatan, 128 embellish, 91 hapless, 149 machination, 168
chary, 110 emulate, 15 histrionic, 25 maelstrom, 25
chicanery, 176
207
 mandate, 111 overt, 26 pusillanimous, 54 substantive, 36
manifest, 177 ovenweening, 64 putative, 168 summarily, 26
mendacious, 150 sumptuous, 64
mesmerize, 168 paltry, 111 raiment, 92 suppliant, 26
minutiae, 178 panegyric, 187 raze, 102 surveillance, 74
misanthrope, 92 pariah, 178 rebuff, 130 sylvan, 74
moot, 73 paroxysm, 111 recant, 102
moratorium, 178 paucity, 102 reconnaissance, 16 taciturn, 16
mordant, 54 pecuniary, 54 reconnoiter, 130 talisman, 26
moribund, 140 pedantry, 111 rectitude, 188 tantamount, 150
motif, 73 pejorative, 26 recumbent, 54 temporize, 16
mundane, 63 penchant, 64 redolent, 112 tenable, 16
murky, 35 penitent, 130 refulgent, 112 testy, 74
mutable, 187 peregrination, 111 reputed, 64 travesty, 74
myopic, 25 peremptory, 130 requite, 150 tyro, 112
perfunctory, 150 restive, 188
nadir, 150 perspicacity, 74 rife, 140 ubiquitous, 64 i
nascent, 187 pertinacious, 92 rudiments, 140 undulate, 26
necromancer, 140 picayune, 92 unremitting, 112
nefarious, 35 pillory, 187 sacrilege, 26 unwonted, 36
neophyte, 74 piquant, 35 saturate, 102 utopian, 36
nettle, 54 pittance, 188 saturnine, 102
nostrum, 178 plaintive, 150 sequester, 140 vacillate, 112
nuance, 64 plenary, 74 seraphic, 188 verbiage, 36
portend, 102 shambles, 130 verdant, 36
obeisance, 187 presage, 188 shibboleth, 112 viscous, 36
obsequious, 129 primordial, 35 slough, 102 visionary, 178
obtuse, 129 progeny, 188 sophistry, 64 vituperative, 112
omnipresent, 150 promulgate, 188 sporadic, 130
onerous, 140 propinquity, 35 stratagem, 54 winnow, 140
opprobrium, 168 propriety, 26 subsist, 188 wizened, 178
oscillate, 130 substantiate, 16

INDEX
Affixes, 8
Analogies, 11
Context Clues, 7
Literary Text, 21, 31,41,59, 69, 79, 97, 107, 117, 135, 145, 155, 173, 183, 193
Online Resources, 13, 21,23, 31, 33, 41,51,59, 61,69, 71,79, 89, 97, 99, 107, 109, 117,127, 135,
137, 145, 147, 155, 165, 173, 175, 183, 185, 193
Reading Passages,12-13, 22-23, 32-33, 50-51, 60-61, 70-71, 88-89, 98-99, 108-109,
126-127, 136-137, 146-147, 164-165, 174-175, 184-185
Vocabulary and Reading, 9
Vocabulary Strategies, 7
Word Structure, 8
Word Study
Adages, 83
Classical Roots, 49, 87, 125, 163, 201
Connotation and Denotation, 47-48, 85-86, 123-124, 161-162,199-200
Idioms, 45,121, 197
Proverbs, 159
Shades of Meaning, 47, 85, 123, 161, 199

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