ADVANCED
WORD POWER
Second Edition
BETH JOHNSON
JANET M. GOLDSTEIN
© 2011 Townsend Press
Unit Four: Chapter 20
• cordial
• indoctrinate
• defame
• submissive
• discordant
• sullen
• grueling
• thwart
• indict
• wanton
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 cordial
– adjective
• Moving into their new apartment, Lee and Ron received a cordial
welcome from their next-door neighbors, who brought them flowers and a
chocolate cake.
• “I hate having to act sweet and cordial to my in-laws,” Rosa complained,
“when I really don’t like them very much.”
Cordial means
A. grumpy.
B. gracious.
C. sophisticated.
Photo: dan probert
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 cordial
– adjective
• Moving into their new apartment, Lee and Ron received a cordial
welcome from their next-door neighbors, who brought them flowers and a
chocolate cake.
• “I hate having to act sweet and cordial to my in-laws,” Rosa complained,
“when I really don’t like them very much.”
Cordial means
A. grumpy.
B. gracious.
C. sophisticated.
Photo: dan probert
A gracious way to welcome new
neighbors is to bring them food and
flowers. The word sweet suggests
that Rosa tries to act in gracious way
with her in-laws.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 defame
– verb
• Li thought he knew who had stolen his iPod, but he wasn’t sure, and he
didn’t want to defame the person by making a false accusation. He didn’t
know what to do.
• After the test, the instructor quietly drew Annie aside. “I don’t want to
defame you,” she said, “but I think you were cheating. Can you explain
why you kept looking at your cell phone during the test?”
Defame means
A. to dispute.
B. to misunderstand.
C. to slander.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 defame
– verb
• Li thought he knew who had stolen his iPod, but he wasn’t sure, and he
didn’t want to defame the person by making a false accusation. He didn’t
know what to do.
• After the test, the instructor quietly drew Annie aside. “I don’t want to
defame you,” she said, “but I think you were cheating. Can you explain
why you kept looking at your cell phone during the test?”
Defame means
A. to dispute.
B. to misunderstand.
C. to slander.
False accusations of theft can slander people by ruining their
reputations. False accusations of cheating can slander people by
ruining their reputations.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 discordant
– adjective
• The colors in the living room are discordant. We should have realized that
orange, purple, and lime green would clash.
• The performance of the marching band has improved amazingly. At the
beginning of the school year it was discordant, but now it’s in perfect tune.
Discordant means
A. not visible.
B. not intended.
C. not in harmony.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 discordant
– adjective
• The colors in the living room are discordant. We should have realized that
orange, purple, and lime green would clash.
• The performance of the marching band has improved amazingly. At the
beginning of the school year it was discordant, but now it’s in perfect tune.
Discordant means
A. not visible.
B. not intended.
C. not in harmony.
The word clash suggests that the colors are not in harmony. In
contrast to the band’s performance at the beginning of the school
year, which was not in harmony, they are now able to play in perfect
tune.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 grueling
– adjective
• Before running the marathon, Dolores worked hard—training, eating
carefully, and preparing her mind and body for the grueling race.
• In Japan, high-school seniors spend weeks cramming for the grueling
exam that will determine whether or not they go to college.
Grueling means
Photo: U.S. Navy - Shane T. McCoy
A. stressful.
B. relaxing.
C. amusing.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 grueling
– adjective
• Before running the marathon, Dolores worked hard—training, eating
carefully, and preparing her mind and body for the grueling race.
• In Japan, high-school seniors spend weeks cramming for the grueling
exam that will determine whether or not they go to college.
Grueling means
Photo: U.S. Navy - Shane T. McCoy
A. stressful.
B. relaxing.
C. amusing.
If Delores had to work that hard to
prepare, then the race must have been
stressful. An exam that determines
whether or not one goes to college
would be stressful.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 indict
– verb
• You can’t really indict a cat for killing birds; the cat is only doing what
is natural.
• In many divorces, each person indicts the other as being more to blame
for the marriage’s breakdown.
Indict means
A. to advise.
B. to accuse.
C. to inform.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 indict
– verb
• You can’t really indict a cat for killing birds; the cat is only doing what
is natural.
• In many divorces, each person indicts the other as being more to blame
for the marriage’s breakdown.
Indict means
A. to advise.
B. to accuse.
C. to inform.
One cannot indict a cat for killing birds—not only because it’s
pointless to accuse it of doing something instinctive, but also
because a cat can’t be charged with a serious crime. The word
blame suggests that divorcing people tend to accuse each other
of destroying the marriage.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 indoctrinate
– verb
• Nazi leaders indoctrinated their followers with the idea that there was a
“master race” which deserved to rule over the rest of humanity.
• Elsie criticized her brother for teaching his children that his religious
beliefs were the only acceptable ones. But he responded, “It’s not wrong
to indoctrinate your children with the truth.”
Indoctrinate means
A. to instruct.
B. to tease.
C. to blame.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 indoctrinate
– verb
• Nazi leaders indoctrinated their followers with the idea that there was a
“master race” which deserved to rule over the rest of humanity.
• Elsie criticized her brother for teaching his children that his religious
beliefs were the only acceptable ones. But he responded, “It’s not wrong
to indoctrinate your children with the truth.”
Indoctrinate means
A. to instruct.
B. to tease.
C. to blame.
Single-minded leaders sometimes try to instruct their followers
about their ideas—to the exclusion of other ideas. The word
teaching suggests that Elsie’s brother was trying to instruct his
children that only his religious beliefs were acceptable.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 submissive
– adjective
• Some dogs are dominant, seeking to establish power over other dogs. Other
dogs are submissive, immediately showing that they will offer no resistance.
• Strict parents expect their children to be submissive. By contrast, easygoing
parents focus less on being obeyed and more on developing a child’s
independence.
Submissive means
A. unresisting.
B. depressed.
C. affectionate.
Photo: Mikaël Restoux
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 submissive
– adjective
• Some dogs are dominant, seeking to establish power over other dogs. Other
dogs are submissive, immediately showing that they will offer no resistance.
• Strict parents expect their children to be submissive. By contrast, easygoing
parents focus less on being obeyed and more on developing a child’s
independence.
Submissive means
A. unresisting.
B. depressed.
C. affectionate.
Photo: Mikaël Restoux
A dog that shows no resistance is
unresisting. Strict parents who focus
on being obeyed expect their children
to be unresisting.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 sullen
– adjective
• “Leave the table and go to your room!” said little Ann’s father when she
wouldn’t stop kicking her brother. “And wipe that sullen look off your face,
or no TV for a week.”
• Cary’s girlfriend has been sullen and silent for days. “What’s wrong,
sweetie?” he asks. “Nothing!” she snaps.
Sullen means
Photo: Studio publicity still of James Dean
A. frightened.
B. disagreeable.
C. overexcited.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 sullen
– adjective
• “Leave the table and go to your room!” said little Ann’s father when she
wouldn’t stop kicking her brother. “And wipe that sullen look off your face,
or no TV for a week.”
• Cary’s girlfriend has been sullen and silent for days. “What’s wrong,
sweetie?” he asks. “Nothing!” she snaps.
Sullen means
Photo: Studio publicity still of James Dean
A. frightened.
B. disagreeable.
C. overexcited.
If Ann resented being scolded, she
might have looked at her father in a
disagreeable way. If the girlfriend felt
quietly resentful, she might have
remained silent and disagreeable.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 thwart
– verb
• The burglars’ attempt to break into our house was thwarted by our dog,
who barked loudly and frightened them off.
• “Lack of education will thwart all your ambitions,” warned the guidance
counselor, “so stay in school.”
Thwart means
Photo: U.S. Air Force - Mike Meares
A. to block.
B. to hide.
C. to assist.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 thwart
– verb
• The burglars’ attempt to break into our house was thwarted by our dog,
who barked loudly and frightened them off.
• “Lack of education will thwart all your ambitions,” warned the guidance
counselor, “so stay in school.”
Thwart means
Photo: U.S. Air Force - Mike Meares
A. to block.
B. to hide.
C. to assist.
The dog was able to block the break-in
break-in by frightening the burglars.
Lack of education is likely to block the
fulfillment of one’s ambitions.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 wanton
– adjective
• As Vernon worked at his term paper at his desk near an open window, a
sudden, wanton gust of wind scattered the pages and his notes in all
directions.
• Wanton violence is terrifying because we can see no sense in it and
therefore cannot think how to prevent or avoid it.
Wanton means
A. disguised.
B. obvious.
C. mindless.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 wanton
– adjective
• As Vernon worked at his term paper at his desk near an open window, a
sudden, wanton gust of wind scattered the pages and his notes in all
directions.
• Wanton violence is terrifying because we can see no sense in it and
therefore cannot think how to prevent or avoid it.
Wanton means
A. disguised.
B. obvious.
C. mindless.
The sudden, unexpected gust made the wind seem to blow in an
unpredictable, mindless fashion. The violence seems mindless
because we can see no sense in it.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. cordial
B. defame
C. discordant
D. grueling
E. indict
F. indoctrinate
G. submissive
H. sullen
I. thwart
J. wanton
1. The meal took a lot of work, but the results were _________. Pork
and sauerkraut do not go very well with ice cream and cake for
dessert.
2. A grand jury hears evidence and then decides whether the
evidence is sufficient to _________ someone for a crime.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. cordial
B. defame
C. discordant
D. grueling
E. indict
F. indoctrinate
G. submissive
H. sullen
I. thwart
J. wanton
1. The meal took a lot of work, but the results were _________.
discordant Pork
and sauerkraut do not go very well with ice cream and cake for
dessert.
A dessert of pork, sauerkraut, ice cream, and cake would lack harmony.
2. A grand jury hears evidence and then decides whether the
evidence is sufficient to _________
someone for a crime.
indict
There needs to be sufficient evidence to charge someone with an
offense.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. cordial
B. defame
C. discordant
D. grueling
E. indict
F. indoctrinate
G. submissive
H. sullen
I. thwart
J. wanton
3. The prisoner’s wife said he had been ________(e)d, but she would
clear his name.
4. The employees seemed ________ about having to work late.
Hoping to improve their mood, the boss sent out for coffee and
sandwiches.
5. “The movie is excellent, but watching it is a(n) _______ experience,”
Rafael warned his friends. “The story is so tragic that it drains you
emotionally.”
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. cordial
B. defame
C. discordant
D. grueling
E. indict
F. indoctrinate
G. submissive
H. sullen
I. thwart
J. wanton
3. The prisoner’s wife said he had been __________,
defamed but she would
clear his name.
His good name must have been damaged if his wife wanted to clear it.
4. The employees seemed ________
sullen about having to work late.
Hoping to improve their mood, the boss sent out for coffee and
sandwiches.
Having to work late put them in a quietly resentful, irritable mood.
5. “The movie is excellent, but watching it is a _________
grueling experience,”
Rafael warned his friends. “The story is so tragic that it drains you
emotionally.”
An emotionally draining experience would be mentally exhausting.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. cordial
B. defame
C. discordant
D. grueling
E. indict
F. indoctrinate
G. submissive
H. sullen
I. thwart
J. wanton
6. Don’t let “test anxiety” _________ your efforts to earn good grades.
Learn how to avoid it by being well prepared and developing a
positive attitude.
7. Members of racist hate groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan,
__________ their children with the belief that one racial group
is better than another.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. cordial
B. defame
C. discordant
D. grueling
E. indict
F. indoctrinate
G. submissive
H. sullen
I. thwart
J. wanton
6. Don’t let “test anxiety” _________
thwart your efforts to earn good grades.
Learn how to avoid it by being well prepared and developing a
positive attitude.
Test anxiety can obstruct or defeat efforts to earn good grades.
7. Members of racist hate groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan,
__________
indoctrinate their children with the belief that one racial group
is better than another.
By teaching that their group is better than others, racist hate groups
impose a one-sided way of thinking that excludes other points of view.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. cordial
B. defame
C. discordant
D. grueling
E. indict
F. indoctrinate
G. submissive
H. sullen
I. thwart
J. wanton
8. “As flies to _________ boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for
their sport.” These words from Shakespeare’s King Lear mean
that fate can injure us senselessly.
9. In public, my grandmother was __________ to my grandfather,
agreeing with whatever he said. In private, however, she bossed
him around a good deal.
10. Even after their divorce, Max and Amy remained _________ to each
other. “We were always good friends,” Max tells people, “and we still
are.”
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. cordial
B. defame
C. discordant
D. grueling
E. indict
F. indoctrinate
G. submissive
H. sullen
I. thwart
J. wanton
8. “As flies to _________
wanton boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for
their sport.” These words from Shakespeare’s King Lear mean
that fate can injure us senselessly.
The word senselessly means boys kill flies in a mindless, senseless way.
9. In public, my grandmother was __________
submissive to my grandfather,
agreeing with whatever he said. In private, however, she bossed
him around a good deal.
Bossing him around is contrasted with obediently giving in to his authority.
10. Even after their divorce, Max and Amy remained _________
cordial to each
other. “We were always good friends,” Max tells people, “and we still
are.”
If they were still friends, they remained warm and friendly to each other.