English I
Vocabulary
Unit 1
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. admonish
(ad ‘män ish)
(v.) to caution or advise against something; to scold
mildly; to remind of a duty
_____________________ the noisy students
2. breach
(brēch)
(n.) an opening, gap; a violation or infraction; (v.) to
create an opening, break through
_____________________ the enemy’s lines
3. brigand
(‘brig ənd)
(n.) a bandit
assaulted on the way by _____________________
4. circumspect
(‘sər kəm spekt)
(adj.) careful, cautious
try to behave in a ____________________ fashion
5. commandeer
(käm ən ‘dēr)
(v.) to seize for military or official use
the right to ___________________private property
6. cumbersome
(‘kəm bər səm)
(adj.) clumsy, hard to handle; slow-moving
a _______________________ package
7. deadlock
(‘ded läk)
(n.) a complete standstill; (v.) to bring to a standstill
a 3-to-3 ____________________ after 15 innings
8. irreverent
(i’ rev ər ənt)
(adj.) disrespectful
resent his __________________ comments
9. diffuse
(v., dif ‘yüz;
adj., dif ‘yüs)
(v.) to spread or scatter freely or widely; (adj.)
wordy,long-winded, or unfocused; scattered or widely
spread
slowly ___________________ through the room
10. dilemma
(di ‘lem ə)
(n.) a difficult or perplexing situation or problem
caught in a painful __________________
Synonyms : From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly the
same in meaning as each of the following groups of
expression. Write the word on the line given.
1. take over, requisition, expropriate, seize __________________________
2. rambling, verbose, prolix; to disperse
__________________________
3. cautious, wary, prudent, careful, guarded ___________________________
4. to caution, warn, scold, call on the carpet ___________________________
5. unwieldy, clumsy to handle; ponderous ____________________________
6. a robber, bandit, highwayman, outlaw ______________________________
7. a standoff, stalemate, impasse
________________________________
8. a gap, rupture, rift; to break through ________________________________
9. profane, impious, sacrilegious, flippant _____________________________
10. a predicament, quandary, “pickle”, “bind” __________________________
Antonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
opposite in meaning to each of the following groups of
expressions. Write the word on the line given.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
incautious, rash, heedless, reckless _____________________________
an easily solved problem, cinch _____________________________
to praise, pat on the back
______________________________
an agreement, accord, a breakthrough __________________________
brief, concise, succinct, to concentrate __________________________
to seal, close
___________________________
easy to handle manageable
__________________________
restrained, held in check, muted
__________________________
Unit 2
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. efface
(e ‘fās)
(v.) to wipe out; to keep oneself from being noticed
____________________all signs of struggle
2. muddle
(‘məd əl)
(v.) to make a mess of; muddle through: to get by;
(n.) a hopeless mess
a _______________ caused by failure to obey my
directions
3. harry
(‘har ē)
(v.) to make a destructive raid on; to torment; to harass
__________________the desperate villagers
4. perennial
(pə ‘ren ē əl)
(adj.) lasting for a long time, persistent; (n.) a plant that
lives for many years
a ____________________ favorite of the young
5. predispose
(prē dis ‘pōz)
(v.) to incline to beforehand
_______________ me to colds
6. relinquish
(rē ‘liŋ kwish
(v.) to let go, give up
________________ his role in the class show
7. salvage
(‘sal vij)
(v.) to save from fire or shipwreck; (n.) property thus
saved
________________ a few things from the fire
8. spasmodic
(spaz ‘mäd ik)
(adj.) sudden and violent but brief; fitful, intermittent
________________ rifle fire from the woods
9. spurious
(‘spyü rē əs)
(adj.) not genuine, not true, not valid
reject the ____________________ will
10. unbridled
(ən ‘brīd əld)
(adj.) uncontrolled, lacking in restraint
the _______________ enthusiasm of the fans
Synonyms : From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly the
same in meaning as each of the following groups of
expression. Write the word on the line given.
1. to incline, make susceptible to ______________________________
2. to blot out, erase, expunge, obliterate __________________________
3. false, counterfeit, fraudulent, bogus ___________________________
4. uncontrolled, unrestrained, unchecked _________________________
5. to rescue, recover, retrieve, reclaim
_________________________
6. to give up, let go, surrender, abandon _________________________
7. irregular, intermittent, occasional, fitful ________________________
8. enduring, persistent, recurring
_________________________
9. confusion, disorder; to jumble, mess up ________________________
10. to badger, pester, hound; to pillage, ravage _____________________
Antonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to each of the following groups of expressions. Write the word on the line
given.
1. genuine, authentic, bona fide, valid _______________________________
2. to keep, hold on to, retain, cling to _______________________________
3. orderliness, tidiness, neatness
_______________________________
4. continuous, steady; chronic
______________________________
5. to abandon; to scrap, junk
______________________________
6. to imprint permanently
______________________________
7. to immunize against, shield from ______________________________
Choosing the right word: Encircle the boldface word that more satisfactorily
completes each of the following sentences
1. His attempts to rid his administration of the inefficiency were so (unbridled,
spasmodic) that he came to be called the “reformer by fits and starts.”
2. The “robber barons” were a group of 19th-century captains of industry who amassed
wealth by means that a (brigand, salvager) might use.
3. the evidence intended to show that some races or nationalities are superior to others
proved to be completely (spurious, cumbersome).
4. How can you expect to succeed at your new job when you are (diffused, predisposed)
to believe that it is “not right” for you?
5. The dean (effaced, admonished) the members of the team for neglecting their
homework assignments.
6. The Senator refused to (efface, relinquish) the floor to any other speaker before he had
finished his statement.
7. Instead of trying to (commandeer, admonish) the support of the student body, we must
earn it by showing our sincerity and ability.
8. Like the rings a pebble makes in a pool of water, the good feelings generated by the
speech (diffused, relinquished) through the crowd.
9. An economy in which the marketplace is considered “open” is one in which
competition is more or less (muddled, unbridled)
10. Developing nations in all parts of the world face the (perennial, spurious) problem of
gaining a higher level of economic growth
Unit 3
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. adjourn
(ə ‘jərn)
(v.) to stop proceedings for a time; to move to another
place
_________________ the session until the next day
2. brevity
(‘brev ə tē)
(n.) shortness
admire the ________________ of the speech
3. comely
(‘kəm lē)
(adj.) having a pleasing appearance
a _________________ child
4. squander
(‘skwän dər)
(v.) to spend foolishly; waste
_________________ a fortune on gambling
5. dissolute
(‘dis ə lüt)
(adj.) loose in one’s morals or behavior
a group of ________________”men-about-town”
6. erratic
(e ‘rat ik)
(adj.) not regular or consistent; different from what is
ordinarily expected; undependable
upset by his ___________________ behavior
7. expulsion
(ek ‘ spəl shən)
(n.) the process of driving or forcing out
order the ____________________ of aliens
8. feint
(fānt)
(n.) a deliberately deceptive movement; a pretense; (v.)
to make a deceptive movement; to make a pretense of
the boxer’s extraordinary ability to counter and
__________________
9. fodder
(‘fäd ər)
(n.) food for horses or cattle; raw material for a
designated purpose
stored _________________ in the silo
10. fortify
(‘fôr tə fī)
(v.) to strengthen, build up
___________________ the city against attack
Synonyms : From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly the
same in meaning as each of the following groups of
expression. Write the word on the line given.
1. an ejection, ouster, eviction
________________________________
2. irregular, inconsistent, unpredictable ___________________________
3. good-looking, attractive, bonny
___________________________
4. dissipated, debauched; immoral, corrupt
______________________
5. a trick, ruse, subterfuge, a bluff, dodge
______________________
6. food for animals, feed, provender
______________________
7. to postpone, suspend, discontinue
______________________
8. to postpone, suspend, discontinue
______________________
9. conciseness, terseness, pithiness
______________________
10. to strengthen, reinforce, shore up
_________________________
Antonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning
to each of the following groups of expressions. Write the word on the line given.
1. to call to order, open
2. virtuous, chaste, moral; seemly, proper
______________________________
_______________________________
3. admittance, admission
4. plain, homely; ugly, repulsive
5. steady, consistent, dependable
6. wordiness, verbosity
7. to weaken, undermine, sap, impair
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
____________________
Unit 4
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. illegible
(i ‘lej ə bəl)
(adj.) difficult or impossible to read
an ____________________ note
2. jeer
(jēr)
(v.) to make fun of rudely or unkindly; (n.) a rude remark
of ridicule
________________ at strangers
3. lucrative
(‘lü krə tiv)
(adj.) bringing in money, profitable
establish a ________________ business
4. mediocre
(mē dē ‘ō kər)
(adj.) average, ordinary, undistinguished
a ___________________ player rather than a star
5. proliferate
(prō ‘lif ə rāt)
(v.) to reproduce, increase, or spread rapidly
since some cells _________________ more
quickly than others
6. subjugate
(‘səb jü gāt)
(v.) to conquer by force, bring under complete control
a campaign to __________________ the rebels
7. sully
(‘səl ē)
(v.) to soil, stain, tarnish, defile, besmirch
a reputation _____________ by scandal
8. tantalize
(‘tan tə līz)
(v.) to tease, torment by teasing
_________________ by goodies in the window
9. terse
(tərs)
(adj.) brief and to the point
a ________________ remark
10. unflinching
(ən ‘flin chiŋ)
(adj.) firm, showing no signs of fear, not drawing back
faced danger with __________________ courage
Synonyms : From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly the same in
meaning as each of the following groups of expression. Write the word on the
line given.
1. ordinary, average, run-of-the-mill
___________________________
2. to multiply, mushroom, burgeon, increase ___________________________
3. to tempt, lead on, make one’s mouth water __________________________
4. to pollute, defile, tarnish, taint, smear
___________________________
5. resolute, steadfast, unwavering
___________________________
6. to conquer, subdue, vanquish, master
__________________________
7. to make fun of, laugh at, mock, taunt
__________________________
8. profitable, gainful, moneymaking
__________________________
9. unreadable, indecipherable, scribbled
__________________________
Antonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning
to each of the following groups of expressions. Write the word on the line given.
1. unprofitable, losing, in the red
_____________________
2. to be conquered, submit, surrender _____________________
3. wordy, diffuse, prolix, verbose
_____________________
4. wavering, vacillating, irresolute
_____________________
5. decrease, diminish, slack off, dwindle
_____________________
6. to cleanse, purify, decontaminate
___________________
7. readable, decipherable, distinct, clear
___________________
8. applause, plaudits, accolades
___________________
9. outstanding, exceptional, distinguished ___________________
Choosing the right word: Encircle the boldface word that more satisfactorily
completes each of the following sentences
1. We all experience fear and panic, but the leader of a great nation must be
able to (tantalize, subjugate) such emotions.
2. A best-selling book that is then made into a movie may be more (lucrative,
erratic) than finding the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
3. To keep my self-respect, I must stand (comely, unflinching) before the
authorities and tell them the truth as I see it.
4. At one point in our fencing match, my opponent unexpectedly (sullied,
feinted) to the left and threw me completely off guard
5. Instead of all those long, flowery passages, why don’t you try to write more
in the (mediocre, terse) and direct style of a good newspaper reporter.
6. After the formal dinner was over, we (tantalized, adjourned) to the den in
order to continue our conversation in a more relaxed atmosphere.
7. When I first noticed how (illegible, lucrative) my roommates handwriting
was, I suggested that he sign up immediately for a course in penmanship.
8. I can understand how poor people sometimes feel (jeered, tantalized) by the
wealth and luxury they see on TV programs.
9. Over the years I’ve noticed one thing about rumors: where the facts are few,
fictions (proliferate, adjourn).
10. All great athlete should know that the same fans that are cheering them on
today may be (jeering, unflinching) them tomorrow.
11.Even though I must work hard for a living, I feel that the company I’m
working for amply (compensates, subjugates) me for my time and effort.
12.“No,” said Roger, “I won’t (sully, jeer) your ears by repeating those mean
and nasty rumors.”
13.His behavior is so (mediocre, erratic) that we never know what to expect
from him.
14. For centuries people have turned to various kinds of religious literature to
(fortify, proliferate) themselves against the shocks of daily life.
15.Though a trained veteran is often well-tuned fighting machine. A raw recruit
is sometimes no better than cannon (feint, fodder).
Unit 5
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. abridge
(ə ‘brij)
(v.) to make shorter
to ___________________ a 1000-page novel
2. adherent
(ad ‘hēr ənt)
(n.) a follower, supporter; (adj.) attached, sticking to
has attracted many ___________________
3. altercation
(ôl tər ‘kā shən)
(n.) an angry argument
involved in a noisy ___________________
4. cherubic
(che ‘rü bik)
(adj.) resembling an angel portrayed as a little child with
a beautiful, round, or chubby face; sweet and innocent
the _________________ smile of a newborn baby
5. condone
(kən ‘dōn)
(v.) to pardon or overlook
refuse to ________________ bad behavior
6. dissent
(di ‘sent)
(v.) to disagree; (n.) disagreement
____________________ from the majority view
7. eminent
(‘em ə nənt)
(adj.) famous, outstanding, distinguished; projecting
an ___________________member of the bar
8. exorcise
(‘ek sôr sīz)
(v.) to drive out by magic; to dispose of something
troublesome, menacing, or oppressive
to _____________________ an evil spirit
9. fabricate
(‘fab rə kāt)
(v.) to make, manufacture; to make up, invent
learned how to _____________________ steel
10. irate
(ī ‘rāt)
(adj.) angry
try to calm an __________________ parent
Synonyms : From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly the
same in meaning as each of the following groups of
expression. Write the word on the line given.
1. to ignore, wink at, turn a blind eye to
2. a quarrel, dispute, squabble
3. a follower, supporter, disciple
4. illustrious, renowned, distinguished
5. angelic, seraphic, beatific
6. angry, incensed, infuriated, enraged, livid
7. manufacture, devise, concoct
8. to shorten, condense, abbreviate
9. to differ, disagree, dispute
10. to drive out, expel; to dispel
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Antonyms
1. to expand, enlarge, augment
__________________________
2. impish, devilish, diabolic
__________________________
3. to agree, concur; unanimity, harmony
__________________________
4. an opponent, adversary; critic, detractor ____________________________
5. calm, composed, cool, unruffled
____________________________
6. obscure, nameless, lowly, humble
____________________________
7. to censure, condemn, disapprove, deprecate
_______________________
8. to take apart, undo; to destroy, demolish
_______________________
Unit 6
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. marauder
(mə ‘rôd ər)
(n.) a raider, plunderer
a village raided by _____________________
2. lithe
(līth)
(adj.) bending easily; limber
as _______________ and gentle as a ballet dancer
3. pauper
(‘pô pər)
(n.) an extremely poor person
help for the ______________ in our community
4. pilfer
(‘pil fər)
(v.) to steal in small quantities
___________________ stamps from the cash box
5. rift
(rift)
(n.) a split, break. Breach
an unfortunate _________________ in their
friendship
6. semblance
(‘sem bləns)
(n.) a likeness; an outward appearance; an apparition
tried to create a ___________________ of order
7. surmount
(sər ‘ maůnt)
(v.) to overcome, rise above
struggle to ____________________ all obstacles
8. subversive
(səb ‘vər siv)
(adj.) intended to undermine or overthrow (n) one who
advocates or attempts to undermine a political system
confiscate the ________________ pamphlets
9. trite
(trīt)
(adj.) commonplace; overused, stale
full of clichés and __________________ phrases
10. usurp
(yü ‘sərp)
(v.) to seize and hold a position by force or without right
plot to ____________________ power
Synonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
the same in meaning as each of the following groups of expression. Write the
word on the line given.
1. to conquer, overcome, triumph over _______________________________
2. an appearance, air, aura, veneer, façade ____________________________
3. to steal, rob, filch, swipe, purloin _________________________________
4. a poor person, someone destitute _________________________________
5. a crack, fissure, breach, gap, cleft ________________________________
6. commonplace, banal, hackneyed, “corny”__________________________
7. to seize illegally, commandeer, supplant ___________________________
8. a raider, looter, pirate, freebooter _________________________________
9. agile, nimble, supple ___________________________________________
10. rebellious, defiant, disobedient __________________________________
Antonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in
meaning to each of the following groups of expressions. Write the word on the line given.
1. surrender, submit, yield ___________________________________
2. loyal, dependable, dedicated _______________________________
3. awkward, clumsy, inflexible _______________________________
4. original, novel, fresh, innovative ____________________________
5. to be vanquished, be defeated, succumb to ____________________
6. a millionaire, tycoon _____________________________________
7. to obtain or come to by right _______________________________
8. a dissimilarity, contrast; a total lack _________________________
9. a reconciliation; a closing of a gap __________________________
Choosing the right word: Encircle the boldface word that more satisfactorily
completes each of the following sentences.
1. The fact that many citizens are (trite, irate) over the new taxes does not
mean that these taxes are unjustifiable.
2. Unless we repair the (rifts, fabrications) in our party and present a united
front, we will go down to crushing defeat in the upcoming election.
3. The “robber barons” of an earlier era often acted more like (adherents,
marauders) than ethical businessmen in their dealings with the public.
4. I feel like a (usurper, pauper) now that my part-time job has come to an
end and I no longer have any spending money.
5. Like all literary sneak thieves, he has a truly nasty habit of (pilfering,
fabricating) other people’s ideas and then claiming them as his own.
6. The fact that Abraham Lincoln was able to (surmount, terminate) the
handicap of limited education does not mean that you should quit school.
7. His speech was so (irate, trite) that one could almost anticipate the phrases
he would use next.
8. I am very much flattered that you have referred to me as “an (eminent,
obese) educator,” but I prefer to think of myself as just a good teacher.
9. One can’t become a good writer just by (surmounting, adhering) closely to
rules laid down in standard grammar books.
10.In a dictatorship, people who (abridge, dissent) from the official “party
line” usually wind up in prison – or worse.
11.I do not entirely (usurp, condone) his misconduct, but I can understand, to a
degree, why he behaved as he did.
12.It is the sacred duty of all Americans to oppose any attempt to (abridge,
condone) or deny the rights guaranteed to us in the Constitution.
13.What began as a minor quarrel grew into a serious (altercation, exorcism)
and then into an ugly brawl.
14.My cousin has so much imagination that he can (dissent, fabricate) an
excuse that even an experienced Dean of Boys would believe!
15.She had no right to (exorcise, usurp) for herself the role of gracious hostess
at my party!
16.The few words that he grudgingly muttered were the only (semblance,
altercation) of an apology that he offered for his rude behavior.
17.Their (irate, cherubic) faces and ethereal voices almost made me believe
that the music they were singing was coming from heaven.
18.The comforting presence of relatives did much to (exorcise, usurp) the
patient’s feelings of alarm at the thought of undergoing major surgery.
Unit 7
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. abscond
(ab ‘skänd)
(v.) to run off a hide
___________________ with the stolen money
2. hamper
(‘ham pər)
(v.) to hold back
______________ our efforts
3. anarchy
(‘an ər kē)
(n.) a lack of government and law, confusion
a country suffering from _________________
4. arduous
(‘är jü əs)
(adj.) hard to do, requiring much effort
__________________ chores
5. auspicious
(ô ‘spish əs)
(adj.) favorable; fortunate
under ____________________ circumstances
6. biased
(‘bī əst)
(adj.) favoring one side unduly; prejudiced
a _______________________ decision
7. daunt
(dônt)
(v.) to overcome with fear, intimidate; to dishearten,
discourage
not _________________ by their threats
8. disentangle
(dis en ‘taŋ gəl)
(v.) to free from tangles or complications
_________________ the fishing net
9. fated
(‘fā tid)
(adj.) determined in advance by destiny or fortune
_____________________ to rise to the top
10. hoodwink
(‘hůd wiŋk)
(v.) to mislead by a trick, deceive
attempt to ________________ the child
Synonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
the same in meaning as each of the following groups of expression. Write the
word on the line given.
1. promising, encouraging, propitious ______________________________
2. prejudiced, unfair, partial, bigoted_______________________________
3. to deceive, dupe, put one over on________________________________
4. to intimidate, dismay, cow, discourage____________________________
5. doomed, destined, preordained __________________________________
6. to bolt, make off, skip town_____________________________________
7. to unravel, unwind, unscramble, unsnarl___________________________
8. hard, difficult, laborious, fatiguing _______________________________
9. chaos, disorder, turmoil, pandemonium ___________________________
10.hinder, obstruct, slow down ____________________________________
Antonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
opposite in meaning to each of the following groups of expressions. Write the
word on the line given.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
accidental, fortuitous, chance, random_______________________________
to tangle up, ensnarl, snag ________________________________________
to encourage, embolden, reassure __________________________________
easy, simple, effortless __________________________________________
law and order, peace and quiet ____________________________________
ill-omened, ominous, sinister _____________________________________
fair, impartial, unprejudiced, just __________________________________
to undeceive, disabuse, “clue in” __________________________________
Unit 8
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. inanimate
(in ‘an ə mit)
(adj.) not having life; without energy or spirit
stones and other _________________ objects
2. incinerate
(in ‘sin ər āt)
(v.) to burn to ashes
____________________ the garbage
3. intrepid
(in ‘trep id)
(adj.) very brave, fearless, unshakable
______________________ explorers of the ocean
4. larceny
(‘lär sə nē)
(n.) theft
found guilty of ________________________
5. pliant
(‘plī ənt)
(adj.) bending readily, easily influenced
a sapling’s _____________________ branches
6. pompous
(‘päm pəs)
(adj.) overly self-important in speech or manner;
excessively stately or ceremonious
a ______________________ and conceited fool
7. precipice
(‘pres ə pis)
(n.) a very steep cliff; the brink or edge of disaster
peer cautiously over a _____________________
8. rectify
(‘rek tə fī)
(v.) to make right, correct
___________________ a false impression
9. reprieve
(ri ‘prēv)
(n.) a temporary relief or delay; (v.) to grant a
postponement
receive a ________________ from the Governor
10. revile
(ri ‘vīl)
(v.) to attack with words, call bad names
___________________ their enemies
Synonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
the same in meaning as each of the following groups of expression. Write the
word on the line given.
1. pretentious, highfalutin, bombastic _______________________________
2. to postpone, to delay; a stay, respite ______________________________
3. supple, flexible, elastic, plastic __________________________________
4. a cliff, crag, bluff, promontory; a brink, ledge ______________________
5. to correct, remedy, set right ____________________________________
6. lifeless, dead; inert, spiritless ___________________________________
7. inveigh against, malign, vilify, denounce __________________________
8. to burn up, cremate, reduce to ashes ______________________________
9. stealing, robbery, theft, burglary _________________________________
10.valiant, courageous, audacious, daring ____________________________
Antonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
opposite in meaning to each of the following groups of expressions. Write the
word on the line given.
1. timid, cowardly, craven ________________________________________
2. to praise, acclaim; to revere, idolize ______________________________
3. to mess up, botch, bungle ______________________________________
4. to proceed as scheduled _______________________________________
5. rigid, stiff, inflexible, set in stone ________________________________
6. living, alive; energetic, lively, sprightly ___________________________
7. unpretentious, unaffected; plain _________________________________
8. an abyss, chasm, gorge ________________________________________
Choosing the right word: Encircle the boldface word that more satisfactorily
completes each of the following sentences.
1. The team of accountants spent hours trying to locate and then to (rectify,
incinerate) the error I had so carelessly made.
2. We should begin studying foreign languages at an early age because it is
during those years that our minds are most (fated, pliant) and receptive.
3. I feared that this latest misfortune would drive him over the (precipice,
access) and into a depression from which he would not recover.
4. Instead of recognizing that he caused his own failure, he continues to
(revile, hoodwink) all the people who were “unfair” to him.
5. Anyone who takes the writings of other people and presents them as his or
her own is guilty of literary (anarchy, larceny).
6. When her eyes suddenly blazed with such fury, I felt that the heat of her
glance would all but (bias, incinerate) me.
7. Only by admitting your fault and trying to make up for it can you obtain a(n)
(access, reprieve) from the pangs of conscience.
8. Despite the threats made against his life, the (arduous, intrepid) district
attorney was able to obtain a conviction of the corrupt officials.
9. Although the hero and the heroine were parted by circumstance, I knew that
they were (intrepid, fated) to meet again before the last commercial.
10.Like farmers separating the wheat from the chaff, the members of a jury
must (disentangle, daunt) the truth from the evidence presented to them.
11.A great playwright’s characters always seem to come alive; those of a thirdrate hack stubbornly remain (pliant, inanimate).
12.For most retired boxers, the comeback trail is an (arduous, auspicious) one
that few ever get to the end of.
13.Though the dangers and uncertainties of a westward passage to the Orient
cowed many a brave sailor, they did not (rectify, daunt) Columbus.
14.How can you accuse me of (absconding, reprieving) with all your brilliant
ideas when you have never had an original thought in your life!
15.His speech and manners were so (auspicious, pompous) and stiff that he cut
a somewhat ridiculous figure at our informal little get-together.
16.The voters may seem to be easily deceived, but in the long run they cannot
be (disentangled, hoodwinked) by self-serving politicians.
17.Spring, with its ever-renewing promise of life, is for me the most (arduous,
auspicious) of seasons.
18.His narrow education gave him a (fated, biased) view of other cultures.
19.There is a vast difference between democracy, under which everyone has
duties and privileges, and (larceny, anarchy), under which no one has.
Unit 9
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. sardonic
(sär ‘dän ik)
(adj.) grimly or scornfully mocking; bitterly sarcastic
the satirist’s _________________ laughter
2. annihilate
(ə ‘nī ə lāt)
(v.) to destroy completely
_____________________ the enemy forces
3. arbitrary
(‘är bə trer ē)
(adj.) unreasonable; based on one’s own wishes or whims
without regard for reason or fairness
an __________________ and domineering ruler
4. brazen
(‘brā zən)
(adj.) made of brass; shameless, disrespectful
a __________________ liar
5. catalyst
(‘kat əl ist)
(n.) a substance that causes or hastens a chemical
reaction; any agent that causes change
act as a ________________ in the process
6. exodus
(‘ek sə dəs)
(n.) a large-scale departure or flight
a mass __________________ of refugees
7. facilitate
(fə ‘sil ə tāt)
(v.) to make easier, assist
_________________ the efforts of the rescue team
8. incorrigible
(in ‘kä rə jə bəl)
(adj.) not able to be corrected, beyond control
an __________________ optimist
9. latent
(‘lāt ənt)
(adj.) hidden, present but not realized
a ________________, unexpressed hostility
10. militant
(‘mil ə tənt)
(adj.) given to fighting; active and aggressive in support
of a cause; (n.) activist
a ________________ campaign against drugs
Synonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
the same in meaning as each of the following groups of expression. Write the
word on the line given.
1. scornful; scathing; cutting_____________________________________
2. an emigration, flight, escape, hegira_____________________________
3. impudent, saucy, bold; shameless ______________________________
4. unruly, intractable; incurable, inveterate _________________________
5. dormant, inactive, undeveloped; hidden__________________________
6. to obliterate, decimate, demolish _______________________________
7. a stimulus, spur; an instigator __________________________________
8. capricious; high-handed, autocratic _____________________________
9. aggressive, truculent; an activist ________________________________
10.to ease, smooth the way, simplify ______________________________
Antonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
opposite in meaning to each of the following groups of expressions. Write the
word on the line given.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
reasoned, rational; objective, equitable _____________________________
to foster, promote, encourage, nurture ______________________________
deferential, respectful; self-effacing ________________________________
sincere; genuine; heartfelt _______________________________________
an immigration, influx, arrival; an entrance __________________________
unassertive, peaceable; passive ____________________________________
exposed, manifest, evident _______________________________________
to hamper, hinder, obstruct, impede ________________________________
docile, tractable; curable, reparable ________________________________
Unit 10
Definitions
Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, and definition
of each of the following words. Then write the word, part
of speech and definition in your notebook. Make a
complete sentence using the phrase below the definition.
1. morose
(mə ‘rōs)
(adj.) having a gloomy or sullen manner; not friendly or
sociable
found him in a __________________ mood
2. opaque
(ō ‘pāk)
(adj.) not letting light through; not clear or lucid; dense,
stupid
windows that were ________________ with grime
3. paramount
(‘par ə maůnt)
(adj.) chief in importance, above all others
the ___________________ issue in the election
4. prattle
(‘prat əl)
(v.) to talk in an aimless, foolish, or simple way; (n.)
baby talk
the ___________________ of the child in her crib
5. rebut
(ri ‘bət)
(v.) to offer arguments or evidence that contradict an
assertion, to refute
easy to ____________________ his shaky case
6. reprimand
(‘rep rə mand)
(v.) to scold, find fault with; (n.) a rebuke
______________________ the unruly student
7. servitude
(‘sər və tüd)
(n.) slavery, forced labor
penal _________________________
8. slapdash
(‘slap dash)
(adj.) careless and hasty
did a _____________________ job on the repairs
9. stagnant
(‘stag nənt)
(adj.) not running or flowing; foul from standing still;
inactive, sluggish, dull
bred in ____________________ pools of water
10. succumb
(sə ‘kəm)
(v.) to give way to superior force, yield
_______________________ to pressure
Synonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
the same in meaning as each of the following groups of expression. Write the
word on the line given.
1. gloomy, sullen, morbid, doleful ________________________________
2. hazy, cloudy, foggy, murky; dull, obtuse _________________________
3. a reproof, rebuke; to reprove, reproach ___________________________
4. still, motionless, inert; foul, fetid ________________________________
5. captivity, bondage, thralldom, slavery ____________________________
6. cursory, perfunctory; sloppy, slipshod ____________________________
7. to yield, give way, submit; to die, expire __________________________
8. supreme, foremost, primary, dominant ____________________________
9. to refute, disprove, confute, shoot holes in _________________________
10.to chatter, babble; to purl; twaddle, gibberish _______________________
Antonyms: From the words for this unit, choose the one that is most nearly
opposite in meaning to each of the following groups of expressions. Write the
word on the line given.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
painstaking, meticulous; thorough, in-depth __________________________
cheerful, blithe, jaunty, buoyant ___________________________________
to confirm, corroborate, substantiate ________________________________
freedom, liberty ________________________________________________
flowing, running; fresh, sweet _____________________________________
secondary, subordinate, ancillary __________________________________
to overcome, master, conquer _____________________________________
to praise, pat on the back _________________________________________
transparent, clear; bright, perceptive ________________________________
Choosing the right word: Encircle the boldface word that more satisfactorily
completes each of the following sentences.
1. On rare occasions, the U.S. Senate will (reprimand, prattle) one of its
members who has violated its rules.
2. Even people who appear to be free may be in (exodus, servitude) to their
own passions and prejudices.
3. You may think that his explanation is perfectly clear, but I find it confused
and (brazen, opaque).
4. The best way to (facilitate, rebut) the contention that something is not
possible to do is to go out and do it.
5. The brook (prattling, annihilating) along its rocky course seemed to be
conversing wordlessly with the wind murmuring in the trees.
6. People who never give any assignment more than “a lick and a promise”
may be said to belong to the (militant, slapdash) school of working.
7. The novel’s grim humor and (superfluous, sardonic) portrayal of the
futility of all human endeavors make it an intensely disturbing book.
8. For Africa’s starving millions, finding enough food to keep body and soul
together has now become the (paramount, latent) concern in life.
9. The leaden silence of the afternoon was shattered by the (opaque, brazen)
voices of trumpets braying fanfares for the returning hero.
10.Most historians agree that military disasters during World War I were the
(exodus, catalyst) that sparked the Russian Revolution of 1917.
11.Her excellent command of both French and Spanish should (annihilate,
facilitate) her efforts to get a position in the Foreign Service.
12.It is up to us to get rid of any (latent, arbitrary) prejudices that we may still
unwittingly hold against members of other races and nationalities.
13.Unemployment will stay at a high level so long as a nation’s economy
remains (stagnant, paramount).
14.I refuse to believe that our society will (reprimand, succumb) to the
weaknesses that have destroyed other nations.
15.Since they are firmly based on the “logic” of a sentence, the rules of
punctuation should not be considered purely (arbitrary, militant).
16.(Accomplices, Militants) disgusted with the government’s policies took to
the streets to register a vote of “no confidence.”
17.He has deceived me so many times that I am forced to conclude that he is
simply a(n) (incorrigible, latent) liar.
18.During the summer, urban “sun-worshippers” begin their weekly (exodus,
servitude) from the city around 3:00 P.M. on Friday.
19.With their bigger, faster, more experienced players, South High simply
(reprimanded, annihilated) our team, 56 to 7.
20.I don’t think it is fair to call him a(n) (incorrigible, morose) person just
because he was depressed when you met him.