Name: ____________________________
1.
admonitory
2.
cacophonous
3.
desultory
Senior Vocabulary 3.1
4.
discordant
5.
egalitarian
Context passage:
The democracy of the United States has served us well. We are an egalitarian nation whose
very declaration hinges on the principles of freedom and equality for all. Because of this clause
demanding freedom, we often find ourselves at odds with less democratic nations. When nations have
infringed upon the rights of others, we have taken an admonitory tone, and even restricted trade until
the country attempts to right its wrongs. Of course this hard line often results in discordant and tense
words exchanged with other countries. In response, citizens of these counties often gather in the street
shouting and yelling with cacophonous chants against the U.S. While this tends to harm international
relations, the desultory nature of politics allows politicians to quickly change topics, thereby shifting
the argument around to something less volatile.
Fill-ins:
Use the context clues in the passage above to complete the sentences below with the correct word.
1. The
animals.
squawk of the birds in the pet store created chaos for the surrounding
2. The couple was not able to resolve their conflict and soon became
another.
3. The officer’s
toward one
speech, though long winded, was preferential to a ticket.
4. The society depicted in Gattaca is opposite of what our
represents.
5. The students frequently tried to take advantage of the teacher’s
by asking questions intentionally off topic.
Matching:
Match each word with the best definition.
_____ 1. admonitory
a. disagreeing or conflicting; not in harmony
_____ 2. cacophonous
b. to wander from one thing to another
_____ 3. desultory
c. a belief that all are equal
_____ 4. discordant
d. harsh sounding
_____ 5. egalitarian
e. serving to warn, deter or caution
democracy
tendencies
Senior Vocabulary 3.2
6.
euphoria
7.
gregarious
8.
inconsequential
9.
inscrutable
10.
panegyric
Context passage:
At the funeral of Mike Snyder, his brother Bill delivered a powerful panegyric which reminded
listeners of Mike’s amazing warmth and optimism. Bill spoke of Mike’s enthusiasm and his sense of
euphoria which overflowed into everything he did. He was involved in his college admissions
department and spent many hours welcoming newcomers. Because of his gregarious personality, he
seemed to really enjoy meeting and socializing with the prospective students. Mike had his priorities
straight and always focused on what was important in life. He rarely allowed inconsequential worries
to dampen his day. It was a moving speech. In fact, at one point, Bill became choked up, but he
blamed it on his inscrutable handwriting and quickly regained his composure.
Fill-ins:
Use the context clues in the passage above to complete the sentences below with the correct word.
1. He already knew he hadn’t won, so the awards presentation seemed
2. Fortunately pharmacists are able to decipher doctors’
.
prescription notes.
3. Graduation day is an emotional day filled with reminiscences and giddy
.
4. The president spoke in the Rose Garden where he delivered a glowing
which focused on itemizing his party’s accomplishments from the past year.
5. It makes sense that she is the chair of the social committee because she is so
Matching:
Match each word with the best definition.
_____ 1. euphoria
a. not important
_____ 2. gregarious
b. a public speech of praise
_____ 3. inconsequential
c. fond of the company of others; sociable
_____ 4. inscrutable
d. a feeling of happiness and well-being
_____ 5. panegyric
e. impossible to understand
.
Senior Vocabulary 3.3
11.
platitude
12.
quintessential
13.
risible
14.
subjugate
15.
undulate
Context passage:
In the film, Gattaca, the government and big business corporations are able to subjugate the
citizens through genetic prejudice. Technologies are in place to genetically engineer babies into
quintessential beings. Parents who wish to conceive choose to visit geneticists to enhance their
offspring, where old platitudes like, “leave it to chance,” seem risible, at best.
Fill-ins:
Use the context clues in the passage above to complete the sentences below with the correct word.
1. The banners of the crowd began to
around the stadium as the enthusiasm rose.
2. Graduation speeches always talk about success and opportunity; they are full of
3. Democracy will always be at odds with dictatorial governments which
citizens.
.
its
4. The role of the British Royal Guard is to keep a straight face at all times. That job would not be
suitable for someone with a
5. William Shakespeare is hailed as the
know simply as the Bard.
nature.
poet so often that he has become
Matching:
Match each word with the best definition.
_____ 1. platitude
a. to move in a wavelike motion
_____ 2. quintessential
b. a dull and overused statement, comment, etc.
_____ 3. risible
c. to bring under complete control; to conquer or dominate
_____ 4. subjugate
d. causing or capable of causing laughter
_____ 5. undulate
e. the perfect example of someone or something
Senior Vocabulary 3.4
16.
euphemism
17.
prerogative
18.
incongruous
19.
condolence
20.
facetious
Context passage:
My cousin refers to himself as a “sanitary engineer”—a euphemism for garbage collector. As
it is his job, and it isn’t the most pleasant of jobs, he has earned the prerogative of calling himself
whatever he wishes. There are any numbers of people who try to find more respectable or glamorous
titles for the routine jobs they hold. It may seem incongruous to call an undertaker a “condolence
counselor,” or to refer to a taxi driver as a “transportation expediter,” but some prefer those titles. As a
matter of fact, our butcher has required that from now on he wants to be known as a “meat
coordinator.” And while I thought it was enormously facetious when I called him “Butch,” he became
irate.
Fill-ins:
Use the context clues in the passage above to complete the sentences below with the correct word.
1. There is something
“In all modesty…”
about an egoist who has the nerve to begin a speech with,
2. The word “expired” is a
for “died.”
3. When my neighbor’s dog was run over, we sent a
card.
4. Instead of allowing insurance providers to make healthcare decisions, it should be the patient’s
.
5. The distinction between Act I and Act II in the play was so
seemed to be the work of different authors.
that they
Matching:
Match each word with the best definition.
_____ 1. euphemism
a. an exclusive right or power
_____ 2. prerogative
b. a less offensive term used in place of something harsh or offensive
_____ 3. incongruous
c. comical or sarcastic statement that is not meant to be taken seriously
_____ 4. condolence
d. inconsistent; not harmonious; out of place
_____ 5. facetious
e. an expression of sympathy or pity for someone suffering misfortune or
grief