ADVANCED
WORD POWER
Second Edition
BETH JOHNSON
JANET M. GOLDSTEIN
© 2011 Townsend Press
Unit Five: Chapter 21
• assiduous
• fallacious
• caustic
• hypocrisy
• chastise
• insurgent
• elucidate
• placid
• exalt
• trite
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 assiduous
– adjective
• Our dog is an assiduous chewer. If we give him an old leather shoe, he
will spend hours gnawing at it until he reduces it to a pile of scraps.
• Because Rafael has been an assiduous student this term, he will
probably earn all A’s.
Assiduous means
A. uncaring.
B. hard-working.
C. peaceful.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 assiduous
– adjective
• Our dog is an assiduous chewer. If we give him an old leather shoe, he
will spend hours gnawing at it until he reduces it to a pile of scraps.
• Because Rafael has been an assiduous student this term, he will
probably earn all A’s.
Assiduous means
A. uncaring.
B. hard-working.
C. peaceful.
If the dog spends hours gnawing leather until it’s a pile of small
pieces, he must be a hard-working and thorough chewer. Students
who are hard-working increase their likelihood of earning high grades.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 caustic
– adjective
• The writer Dorothy Parker was famous for her caustic wit. When she
met a woman who had recently attempted suicide, Parker said, “Better
luck next time.”
• Cassie must have had a bad day. When I asked her how she was, her
reply was caustic: “Oh, I’m just wonderful; now, if you’ll excuse me,
I’m going to lie down in the middle of traffic.”
Caustic means
A. sarcastic.
B. careful.
C. old-fashioned.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 caustic
– adjective
• The writer Dorothy Parker was famous for her caustic wit. When she
met a woman who had recently attempted suicide, Parker said, “Better
luck next time.”
• Cassie must have had a bad day. When I asked her how she was, her
reply was caustic: “Oh, I’m just wonderful; now, if you’ll excuse me,
I’m going to lie down in the middle of traffic.”
Caustic means
A. sarcastic.
B. careful.
C. old-fashioned.
Parker was being sarcastic when she wished the woman good luck
in her next attempt to kill herself. Cassie was being sarcastic when
she said she felt both “wonderful” and suicidal.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 chastise
– verb
• The officer did not give Joe a ticket, but he did chastise him for driving
with a burned-out headlight.
• The newspaper story chastised several city landlords for renting out
filthy, unsafe apartments to poor families.
Chastise means
Painting: Jehan Georges Vibert (1874)
A. to admire.
B. to criticize.
C. to fear.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 chastise
– verb
• The officer did not give Joe a ticket, but he did chastise him for driving
with a burned-out headlight.
• The newspaper story chastised several city landlords for renting out
filthy, unsafe apartments to poor families.
Chastise means
Painting: Jehan Georges Vibert (1874)
A. to admire.
B. to criticize.
C. to fear.
A police officer would be likely to
criticize someone verbally for driving
with only one headlight. A newspaper
would be likely to criticize landlords
who mistreat tenants who are poor.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 elucidate
– verb
• To elucidate the stages of decision-making, the instructor drew a helpful
chart on the chalkboard.
• When Mom told me her recipe for macaroni and cheese, I was only half
listening. Later I asked her to elucidate some details, such as how much
milk and flour to use.
Elucidate means
A. to understand.
B. to remember.
C. to make clear.
Photo: RegisFrey
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 elucidate
– verb
• To elucidate the stages of decision-making, the instructor drew a helpful
chart on the chalkboard.
• When Mom told me her recipe for macaroni and cheese, I was only half
listening. Later I asked her to elucidate some details, such as how much
milk and flour to use.
Elucidate means
A. to understand.
B. to remember.
C. to make clear.
Photo: RegisFrey
The chart was helpful because it could
make clear the stages of decisionmaking. Because the speaker was only
half listening, later the mother had to
make clear the details of the recipe.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 exalt
– verb
• Some high schools exalt student athletes, making it seem that winning
games is the most important thing in life.
• LaToya loves Siamese cats; in fact, she exalts them above all other pets.
Exalt means
Painting: Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1827)
A. to expect.
B. to praise.
C. to accompany.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 exalt
– verb
• Some high schools exalt student athletes, making it seem that winning
games is the most important thing in life.
• LaToya loves Siamese cats; in fact, she exalts them above all other pets.
Exalt means
Painting: Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1827)
A. to expect.
B. to praise.
C. to accompany.
Schools that view winning games as the
most important thing in life would be
likely to praise student athletes. Since
LaToya loves Siamese cats, she would be
likely to praise them above all other pets.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 fallacious
– adjective
• It would be fallacious to conclude that Norm and Lou are brothers just
because they look alike. In fact, they’re not related at all.
• Jerry’s argument sounded good, but it was fallacious. He had based it on
the wrong statistics.
Fallacious means
A. incorrect.
B. careful.
C. commonplace.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 fallacious
– adjective
• It would be fallacious to conclude that Norm and Lou are brothers just
because they look alike. In fact, they’re not related at all.
• Jerry’s argument sounded good, but it was fallacious. He had based it on
the wrong statistics.
Fallacious means
A. incorrect.
B. careful.
C. commonplace.
The fact that Norm and Lou are not related is contrasted with the
incorrect conclusion that they are brothers. Since Jerry’s argument
was based on the wrong statistics, it was incorrect.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 hypocrisy
– noun
• That candidate is guilty of hypocrisy. He promised to run a clean campaign,
but all he’s done so far is call his opponent names and tell lies about her.
• In order to avoid hypocrisy, simply remember the old saying, “Practice
what you preach.”
Hypocrisy means
A. falseness.
B. honesty.
C. prejudice.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 hypocrisy
– noun
• That candidate is guilty of hypocrisy. He promised to run a clean campaign,
but all he’s done so far is call his opponent names and tell lies about her.
• In order to avoid hypocrisy, simply remember the old saying, “Practice
what you preach.”
Hypocrisy means
A. falseness.
B. honesty.
C. prejudice.
The candidate’s falseness is revealed by the contrast between his
promise to run a clean campaign and his actual use of dirty tactics.
You can avoid falseness if what you “practice,” or do, is consistent
with what you “preach,” or advise, others to do.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 insurgent
– noun
• “If I lived under a dictatorship,” Carmen confessed, “I think I would just keep
quiet and try to stay out of trouble. I don’t have the soul of an insurgent.”
• As a young man, Uncle Kiril joined a group of insurgents. When their plot
against the government was discovered, he had to flee for his life, and that’s
how he came to America.
Insurgent means
Photo: U.S. Army-1st Lt. Paul O'Leary
A. a rebel.
B. an elected official.
C. a candidate.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 insurgent
– noun
• “If I lived under a dictatorship,” Carmen confessed, “I think I would just keep
quiet and try to stay out of trouble. I don’t have the soul of an insurgent.”
• As a young man, Uncle Kiril joined a group of insurgents. When their plot
against the government was discovered, he had to flee for his life, and that’s
how he came to America.
Insurgent means
A. a rebel.
B. an elected official.
C. a candidate.
Photo: cjb
Keeping quiet and not challenging a
dictator’s authority is contrasted with
being a rebel. If Uncle Kiril’s group
plotted against the government, they
were rebels.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 placid
– adjective
• Jack and Cindy’s first baby was restless and fussy, but their second baby
was happy and placid.
• The two women who were waiting to hear if they had passed their driving
test were very different. One was pacing up and down, a bundle of nerves,
while the other was quietly reading a magazine and seemed quite placid.
Placid means
A. tense.
B. untroubled.
C. sad.
Photo (right): Heinz Albers
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 placid
– adjective
• Jack and Cindy’s first baby was restless and fussy, but their second baby
was happy and placid.
• The two women who were waiting to hear if they had passed their driving
test were very different. One was pacing up and down, a bundle of nerves,
while the other was quietly reading a magazine and seemed quite placid.
Placid means
A. tense.
B. untroubled.
C. sad.
Photo (right): Heinz Albers
A restless and fussy baby is contrasted
with one that is happy and untroubled.
A nervously pacing woman is contrasted
with one that is quiet and untroubled.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 trite
– adjective
• “Trite but true—I love you!” was the poem accompanying the bouquet
of roses.
• Tired of the trite expression “Have a nice day,” Betty bought a T-shirt
that said: “Don’t tell me what kind of day to have.”
Trite means
A. misunderstood.
B. original.
C. worn-out.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 trite
– adjective
• “Trite but true—I love you!” was the poem accompanying the bouquet
of roses.
• Tired of the trite expression “Have a nice day,” Betty bought a T-shirt
that said: “Don’t tell me what kind of day to have.”
Trite means
A. misunderstood.
B. original.
C. worn-out.
Some people might think that offering a bouquet of roses is an
overused and worn-out way to say, “I love you,” but many people
still appreciate the gesture. The expression “Have a nice day” has
become worn-out by mindless overuse.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. assiduous
B. caustic
C. chastise
D. elucidate
E. exalt
F. fallacious
G. hypocrisy
H. insurgent
I. placid
J. trite
1. A good teacher can criticize her students’ work without being
________; in other words, she does not attack the students
with stinging sarcasm.
2. The police officer ________(e)d the driver for not wearing a
seat belt.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. assiduous
B. caustic
C. chastise
D. elucidate
E. exalt
F. fallacious
G. hypocrisy
H. insurgent
I. placid
J. trite
1. A good teacher can criticize her students’ work without being
________;
caustic in other words, she does not attack the students
with stinging sarcasm.
Teachers who criticize with stinging sarcasm would be bitingly sarcastic.
2. The police officer __________
chastised the driver for not wearing a
seat belt.
A police officer would be likely to sharply scold a driver for not wearing a
seat belt.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. assiduous
B. caustic
C. chastise
D. elucidate
E. exalt
F. fallacious
G. hypocrisy
H. insurgent
I. placid
J. trite
3. Some _________s in the history class marched into the instructor’s office
and demanded an end to surprise quizzes. The instructor did not lose her
composure°; she just laughed and told them to get back to their books.
4. The boys who washed the windows did such a(n) _________ job that
they didn’t leave a single speck of dust.
5. _________ expressions weaken a paper. One expert on writing even
advises that if you have ever seen a phrase in print before, don’t use it.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. assiduous
B. caustic
C. chastise
D. elucidate
E. exalt
F. fallacious
G. hypocrisy
H. insurgent
I. placid
J. trite
3. Some _________
insurgents in the history class marched into the instructor’s office
and demanded an end to surprise quizzes. The instructor did not lose her
composure°; she just laughed and told them to get back to their books.
They “revolted” against established authority by marching in with demands.
4. The boys who washed the windows did such an __________
assiduous job that
they didn’t leave a single speck of dust.
Only careful, thorough, diligent work would not leave a single speck of dust.
5. _________
expressions weaken a paper. One expert on writing even
Trite
advises that if you have ever seen a phrase in print before, don’t use it.
Overused, commonplace, and stale expressions are phrases that have
previously appeared in print—not just once, but repeatedly.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. assiduous
B. caustic
C. chastise
D. elucidate
E. exalt
F. fallacious
G. hypocrisy
H. insurgent
I. placid
J. trite
6. We assumed that Route 58 connects with Route 59. Unfortunately,
our reasoning was _________; the two roads are nowhere near
each other.
7. As our class discussed immigration reform, I found it hard to
_________ my opinion. I think that the current laws are wrong,
but I can’t say exactly why.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. assiduous
B. caustic
C. chastise
D. elucidate
E. exalt
F. fallacious
G. hypocrisy
H. insurgent
I. placid
J. trite
6. We assumed that Route 58 connects with Route 59. Unfortunately,
our reasoning was _________;
fallacious the two roads are nowhere near
each other.
Their reasoning was mistaken since the two roads never intersected.
7. As our class discussed immigration reform, I found it hard to
_________
elucidate my opinion. I think that the current laws are wrong,
but I can’t say exactly why.
It is hard to explain or clarify one’s opinion if one can’t say exactly why
one holds a particular belief.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. assiduous
B. caustic
C. chastise
D. elucidate
E. exalt
F. fallacious
G. hypocrisy
H. insurgent
I. placid
J. trite
8. It took all my self-control to look ________ during the job
interview. Inside I was nervous and excited.
9. Shelly’s ________ bothers me. She pretends to be very fond of her
brother’s girlfriend, but then she insults and defames° the poor girl
behind her back.
10. Because Ralph wants his daughter to go to the state university, he
________s it above all other schools whenever they discuss colleges.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. assiduous
B. caustic
C. chastise
D. elucidate
E. exalt
F. fallacious
G. hypocrisy
H. insurgent
I. placid
J. trite
8. It took all my self-control to look ________
placid during the job
interview. Inside I was nervous and excited.
Feeling nervous and excited is contrasted with looking peaceful and calm.
9. Shelly’s ________
hypocrisy bothers me. She pretends to be very fond of her
brother’s girlfriend, but then she insults and defames° the poor girl
behind her back.
She shows insincerity by pretending fondness that she does not possess.
10. Because Ralph wants his daughter to go to the state university, he
________
exalts it above all other schools whenever they discuss colleges.
He glorifies his favorite college so his daughter will want to attend it.