To change or go along with a poor situation

After he bought the white elephant,* he made the best of a bad bargain and let sleeping

dogs lie.*

N EW W ORDS

Manifest

man´ ə fest

Delve

delv

Capricious

kə prish´ əs

Requisite

rek´ wə zit

Replenish

ri plen´ ish

W EEK 42 D AY 4

IT SEEMS TO WORK

Despite the antipathy* toward commercials expressed by the viewers, the remarkable success

of television commercials in selling products makes it manifest that the advertiser has

gleaned* what the viewer wants to see and hear from his research interview. This has helped

the advertiser delve deeply into what motivates* people when they go into the supermarket to

purchase products. The advertising agency is never capricious and can vindicate* spending

large sums of money on research. Having uncovered what the public wants, the advertiser

expedites* putting the requisite words, music, and photographs of the product on film. He will

thus replenish the never-ending, ubiquitous* television commercial supply in the hope that the

consumer will remember some facet* of the film and buy the product.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

1. If we ________________ below and behind the rhetoric* and invective,* we may

discover the profound* reasons for the ferment* in our land.

2. He was reticent* about emulating* those who, after eating almost to satiety,* rushed to

________________ the food on their plates.

3. It was ________________ that an arbiter* would be needed because neither side would

capitulate* to a plan foisted* on them by the other side.

4. When the acrimonious* discussion about his ________________ actions had

attenuated,* he was able to vindicate* his conduct.

5. One mortifying* ________________ for the position was that he would have to work

for one year under the aegis* of a fatuous* egotist.*

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

6. manifest a. requirement

7. delve b. evident, obvious

8. capricious c. fanciful, whimsical*

9. requisite d. to fill again, to restock

10. replenish e. dig, do research

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to make ends meet —to manage on a given income

He turned thumbs down* on a new car; he was having enough trouble making ends meet,

as it was.

W EEK 42 D AY 5

REVIEW

As you watch your next television commercial try to imagine what questions were asked by

the research people as they interviewed the possible consumers. Advertisers have to select

their words carefully. You can select words only when you have large numbers at your

command.

REVIEW WORDS DEFINITIONS

1. artifice a. to remove objectionable parts or passages

2. artless b. twinge of conscience

3. begrudge c. handsome, beautiful

4. blasé d. strategy, trickery

5. callous e. fit, advisable

6. capricious f. indifferent, not responsive to excitement

7. comely g. fanciful, whimsical*

8. delve h. to do research, dig

9. diversity i. to be resentful or reluctant

10. ennui j. inconsiderable, trifling

11. expedient k. boredom

12. expurgate l. obvious, evident

13. frenetic m. to restock, fill again

14. gratuity n. change, variety

15. manifest o. dilemma, doubt

16. negligible p. unfeeling, hardened

17. qualm q. frenzied, frantic

18. quandary r. requirement

19. replenish s. tip

20. requisite t. naive, innocent

IDIOMS

21. to make the best of a bad bargain u. extremely valuable, very useful

22. to do one’s heart good v. to make one feel happy or better

23. worth one’s weight in gold w. to manage on a given income

24. to make ends meet x. to change or go along with a poor situation

Learn those words you missed!

*For reference only

WORDS FOR

FURTHER STUDY MEANINGS

1. _________________________ _________________________

2. _________________________ _________________________

3. _________________________ _________________________

WORDSEARCH 42

Using the clues listed below, record separately using one of the new words you learned this

week for each blank in the following story.

Clues

4th Day

1st Day

4th Day

2nd Day

4th Day

An Historic Date

One event that takes place so rarely that almost no one alive when it happens can remember

the previous occurrence is the changing of the century number. The passing of the

number of years brings about the end of the 20th century and the advent of the 21st. Is there

anyone enough to reach this historic date without experiencing the excitement of

this once-in-a-lifetime moment?

While we may feel that events in our lifetime happen in a way, the stroke of

midnight on December 31, 2000, ushered in a new century. It served as a time to reflect upon

the of events in our lives, both positive and negative, that the 20th century

encompassed. It is obvious to all that the past 100 years have altered the world in ways no one

could anticipate at the end of the 19th century. There are many who into the past and

make predictions for the new century. December 31, 2000, was a time for reflection and

promise.

N EW W ORDS

Roster

ros´ tər

Stunted

stunt´ id

Atrophy

at´ rə fē

Maim

mām

Ameliorate

ə mē´ lyə rāt

W EEK 43 D AY 1

IT TAKES MORE THAN MEDICINE

If one were to look at the roster of physical handicaps, one would reach the somber*

conclusion that the list is a long one. Included would be stunted development of an arm or leg

due to a birth anomaly.* Others would be the result of a crippling disease that has caused

muscles to atrophy. The list would go on with illnesses and injuries that maim and debilitate.*

Modern medicine has done much to ameliorate the physical problems. However, there are an

inordinate* number of problems of the handicapped that have still to be alleviated.* People

are not naturally callous,* but in some perverse* way they have the propensity* to repress*

any concern with the physically handicapped. The social problems seem to be inherent* in our

own attitudes.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

1. If you heap opprobrium* on an impious* child, it probably will not

________________ the conditions that led to the rebelliousness.

2. The coach knew he would have to add experienced players to the ________________ to

compensate* for the spate* of freshmen on the team.

3. There seems to be voluminous* evidence that the mother ’s smoking will

________________ the baby’s growth.

4. The prodigy* allowed his musical talent to ________________ as he redirected his

career.

5. When it seemed that Reggie would ________________ his opponent, we broke up the

fight.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

6. roster a. checked in natural growth, held back in growth

7. stunted b. waste away

8. atrophy c. a list of names

9. maim d. improve, relieve

10. ameliorate e. disable, cripple

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to burn the midnight oil —to study or work until very late

The radio was such an enigma* that he had to burn the midnight oil* for several nights in

order to get it working.

N EW W ORDS

Cynic

sin´ ik

Unctuous

ungk´ ch əs

Benevolent

bə nev´ ə lənt

Subservient

səb sėr´ vē ənt

Iniquity

in ik´ wə tē

W EEK 43 D AY 2

DOING THE RIGHT THING

The obstacles that frustrate* the physically handicapped person who is seeking employment

may turn him into a cynic. Too often a prospective employer, with a rather unctuous manner,

actually tends to degrade* the handicapped by proffering* employment that is really beneath

them and their abilities. The employer appears to be acting in a benevolent manner, but this

attitude shows no compassion,* for he really expects the person seeking the job to remain

subservient. This iniquity cannot but give the handicapped a feeling that they are being

discriminated against. He does not expect a sinecure,* but he has an aversion* to the

prevalent* belief that he should consider himself lucky to find any employment.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

1. We had to wince* as we watched the newcomer try to wheedle* and ingratiate* himself

into the teacher ’s favor in the most ________________ manner.

2. It is easy to become a ________________ when the same adults who inveigh* most

vehemently* against the uncouth actions that they say permeate* our youth drink to

satiety* and behave fatuously.*

3. We all have moments when we vacillate* between selfish and ________________

desires.

4. While his demeanor* remained imperturbable,* there was latent* anger at the

ignominious* and ________________ role he had to play.

5. Those who are complacent* about any ________________ in our society should be

wary* of the unsavory* consequences for all.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

6. cynic a. servile, obsequious*

7. unctuous b. pessimist, skeptic

8. benevolent c. affectedly emotional

9. subservient d. kindly, charitable

10. iniquity e. injustice, wickedness

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to lay one’s cards on the table —to talk frankly

He knew he was out of his depth* so he laid his cards on the table and asked for

assistance.

N EW W ORDS

Largess

lär´ jis

Criterion

krī tir´ ē ən

Repent

ri pent´

Mollify

mol´ ə fī

Mercenary

mėr´ sə ner´ ē

W EEK 43 D AY 3

A BETTER WAY

Why is there any question about the propriety* of hiring the physically handicapped? No one

who understands their needs can condone* this attitude. The offering of employment should

not be considered a largess. There should be no need to vindicate* the hiring of a handicapped

person. The only criterion should be what he is capable of doing. If this is the approach, the

handicapped worker will not feel he is an encumbrance* to his boss. The employer, on the

other hand, will find it conducive* to good work and will not repent his having tried

something new just to mollify his conscience. Even for the most mercenary employer, there

should be no reticence* in eliciting* the best that is possible from the handicapped worker.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

1. He felt it would be ignominious* for him to accept any ________________ from the

charlatan* whose Machiavellian* schemes had made him affluent.*

2. Behind the façade* of ostensible* benevolence* there was a ________________ streak.

3. The platitude, “I know what I like,” is often used to rationalize* our lack of a

________________ for things about which we are dubious.*

4. When Mother is in a pique* about some infraction* of a rule, it takes all of our

dexterity* to ________________ her.

5. After every election we ________________, in a belated* criticism, the apathy* and

complacency* of so many people who failed to vote.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

6. largess a. gift, gratuity*, liberality

7. criterion b. model, standard, test

8. repent c. motivated* by desire for gain, greedy

9. mollify d. pacify, appease

10. mercenary (adj.) e. regret, desire to make amends

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

a bolt from the blue —a great surprise

The windfall* from his distant cousin came like a bolt from the blue.

N EW W ORDS

Pariah

pə rī´ ə

Aloof

ə lüf´

Pragmatic

prag mat´ ik

Vestige

ves´ tij

Guise

gīz

W EEK 43 D AY 4

JUST BE YOURSELF

Socially, the handicapped person is often treated as a pariah. Most people hold themselves

aloof from normal contact with those who are “different.” This social separation propagates*

additional feelings of antipathy*. If “normal” individuals would socialize with the

handicapped individual, they would learn in a pragmatic way that these are people who happen

to have a physical handicap; the handicap does not make them any less human. The iniquity*

of assuming that physical superiority equals moral superiority prevents all of us from direct

human relationships. As long as there is a vestige of feeling that handicapped people are

inferior, then we are all handicapped in one way or another. Under the guise of physical

superiority we demonstrate a moral turpitude* that is harmful to all.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

1. After therapy*, there remained hardly a ________________ of his phobia*.

2. He was stigmatized* as a ________________ when he had the audacity* to boast of his

nefarious* and sordid* career printing bogus* money.

3. Although many people say this is a propitious* time to invest in the stock market, there

is a tenable* argument for remaining ________________.

4. In the ________________ of maintaining national unity under military rule, there was a

paucity* of even innocuous* dissent*.

5. “You can’t argue with success,” was his ________________ reply to derogatory*

remarks about a movie star who had only superficial* talent as an actor.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

6. pariah a. manner, appearance, mien*

7. aloof b. social outcast

8. pragmatic c. distant, apart, reserved

9. vestige d. trace, evidence

10. guise e. practical, based on experience

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to tell tales out of school —to reveal harmful secrets

The fat was in the fire* for the politician when his private secretary started telling tales

out of school about his secret sources of income.

W EEK 43 D AY 5

REVIEW

There are various kinds of handicaps. One that we can do something about, and you are now

doing it, is the language handicap. Our fullest potential can be realized only when there is no

barrier between what we want to say or write and our ability to express ourselves.

REVIEW WORDS DEFINITIONS

1. aloof a. based on experience, practical

2. ameliorate b. mien,* appearance, manner

3. atrophy c. a list of names

4. benevolent d. skeptic, pessimist

5. criterion e. test, model, standard

6. cynic f. desire to make amends, regret

7. guise g. obsequious,* servile

8. iniquity h. held back or checked in natural growth

9. largess i. social outcast

10. maim j. evidence, trace

11. mercenary k. waste away

12. mollify l. charitable, kindly

13. pariah m. appease, pacify

14. pragmatic n. wickedness, injustice

15. repent o. cripple, disable

16. roster p. reserved, apart, distant

17. stunted q. greedy, motivated* by desire for gain

18. subservient r. liberality, gift, gratuity*

19. unctuous s. affectedly emotional

20. vestige t. relieve, improve

IDIOMS

21. to burn the midnight oil u. to reveal harmful secrets

22. to lay one’s cards on the table v. a great surprise

23. a bolt from the blue w. to talk frankly

24. to tell tales out of school x. to study or work until very late

WORDS FOR

FURTHER STUDY MEANINGS

1. _________________________ _________________________

2. _________________________ _________________________

3. _________________________ _________________________

WORDSEARCH 43

Using the clues listed below, record separately using one of the new words you learned this

week for each blank in the following story.

Clues

2nd Day

4th Day

4th Day

2nd Day

1st Day

Whistle Blowing

There appears to be a question of how much loyalty employees owe to their employers—

whether private or governmental. Many companies go out of their way to encourage

employees to make suggestions that will improve the way they operate. A employer

will not criticize or reprimand an employee who points out problems having to do with the

way other employees are harming the business. In fact, it should be in the bosses’ interest that

the person who has become known as a “whistle blower” is encouraged to alert them to a

problem.

However, many such whistle blowers face harsh punishment for calling attention to illegal or

unethical actions. The whistle blower soon becomes a in the workplace. Under the

of some minor error, or other excuse, the informer might be demoted, transferred,

or fired. This often goes unreported. As a result, the employees go back to “business

as usual” without any change. They become used to whatever they may see around them and to

the belief that they should not make waves. Thus, no attempt to the situation actually

takes place.

N EW W ORDS

Nullify

nul´ ə fī

Deluge

del´ yüj

Futility

fyü til´ ə tē

Carnage

kär´ nij

Technology

tek nol´ ə jē

W EEK 44 D AY 1