Those with the highest value.

My father ’s broker recommended that for safety we invest in blue chip stocks only.

W EEK 24 D AY 5

REVIEW

And today it’s time to strengthen your word knowledge again. You’ve noticed, of course, that

the matching definitions are not always the definitions you may have been familiar with. This

is the way language works. It is impossible to provide a one-word synonym or simple

definition for a word that you will always be able to substitute for it. Therefore, in our weekly

review we hope not only to check your learning, but also to teach you closely related

meanings.

Match the best possible definition with the word you studied. *Reminder: Record answers on a

sheet of paper.

REVIEW WORDS DEFINITIONS

1. abhor a. a hand-made object

2. absurd b. unwise

3. anthropologist c. one who is not tolerant of others’ ideas

4. artifact d. completely protected

5. bigot e. a magical object

6. bizarre f. widespread

7. contemptuous g. begin, arise

8. entreaty h. person who studies mankind’s customs

9. fetish i. forbidden

10. imperative j. long-standing practice

11. imprudent k. weird

12. inanimate l. able to be hurt

13. inviolable m. looking down on someone or something

14. originate n. to utterly hate

15. prohibition o. without life

16. taboo p. forbidding of certain actions

17. taint q. necessary

18. tradition r. ridiculous

19. universal s. plea, appeal

20. vulnerable t. contaminate

IDIOMS

21. to get off one’s high horse u. the greatest

22. of the first water v. a highly valued asset

23. dyed-in-the-wool w. to act like an ordinary person

24. blue chip x. set in one’s ways

Record your errors and their correct meanings. These words must be studied independently if

you want to master them. Use them in original sentences. Also, study the several different

definitions a good dictionary provides for each of these problem words.

*For reference only

WORDS FOR

FURTHER STUDY MEANINGS

1. _________________________ _________________________

2. _________________________ _________________________

3. _________________________ _________________________

ADJECTIVE LEADERS AND NOUN

FOLLOWERS

(From Weeks 21–24)

a. fulsome i. catastrophic

b. covert j. inanimate

c. bona fide k. imprudent

d. lush l. maladjusted

e. bizarre m. connubial

f. susceptible n. heterogeneous

g. inviolable o. inordinate

h. taboo

Directions Record separately, the letter corresponding to the vocabulary word (above) for the

noun (below) that it is most likely to precede.

1. bliss

2. diamond

3. praise

4. amount

5. incident

6. purchase

7. meeting

8. object

9. earthquake

10. law

WORDSEARCH 24

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

1st Day

2nd Day

1st Day

Map Makers at Work

We are all caught up in the events that change history and the shape of the countries in Asia,

Africa, and the Middle East. Each time a country changes its name or its borders, there are

some people who have their work cut out for them. They are the map makers—the

cartographers. These skilled artists know it is to believe that this year ’s borders will

remain fixed. Has there ever been an border?

Looking through an atlas of just a few years back, we realize it is simply an of an

ever-changing world. If there is one thing for map makers to do, it is to realize how

it is for them to keep abreast of world events.

The study of world history is replete with exciting events that have shaken the economic and

political past. Geography is the physical rendering of these events. As history moves and

changes our lives, it is up to the cartographer to take the lines of a map and shape

the picture of this world in motion. A quick search of Google Earth brings our ever-changing

planet to our screen.

N EW W ORDS

Awesome

ô´ səm

Eruption

i rup´ shən

Puny

pyü´ nē

Debris

də brē´

Dispersed

dis pėrsd´

W EEK 25 D AY 1

THE EXPLOSION OF KRAKATOA

There are few sights that are more impressive and awesome than the eruption of an active

volcano. There are few natural events that so singularly* dwarf man’s puny attempts to

control his environment. Perhaps the greatest volcanic eruption of modern times took place in

1883 when the island of Krakatoa in Indonesia blew up as the result of a volcanic explosion.

An enormous tidal wave resulted that proved catastrophic* to the nearby coasts of Java and

Sumatra. New islands were formed by the lava that poured out, and debris was scattered

across the Indian Ocean for hundreds of miles. Volcanic material, dispersed seventeen miles

into the atmosphere, created startlingly beautiful sunsets for years afterwards.

Sample Sentences Relying on the contextual clues in the paragraph above, use the new words

in the following sentences.

1. Fred had been known for his gentle ways, so his friends were stunned by the

________________ of angry words that issued from him.

2. We were surprised by the ________________ resistance put up by the voracious* tiger

to its capture.

3. After her house had burned to the ground, Mrs. Wiley searched through the

________________ for her valuable jewelry.

4. Many of those who witnessed the first atomic explosion reported that it was an

________________ sight.

5. The fluffy seeds of the milkweed are ________________ by the wind.

Definitions Now take the final step in learning the new words.

6. awesome a. scattered, spread, broken up

7. debris b. weak, unimportant

8. dispersed c. inspiring terror, weird

9. eruption d. ruins, fragments

10. puny e. bursting out

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

as broad as it is long —it makes very little difference

Since both jobs pay $7.25 an hour and are equally boring, it is about as broad as it is

long whether I take one or the other.

N EW W ORDS

Obliterate

ə blit´ ə rāt

Deplorable

di plôr´ ə bəl

Initiate

i nish´ ē āt

Conflagration

kon´ flə grā´ shən

Rue

rü

W EEK 25 D AY 2

A UNIVERSAL* DANGER

Man’s ability to obliterate life on this planet has increased at a rapid rate. We are now faced

with the deplorable prospect of new weapons that can cause destruction of life and property

on a scale far beyond our imagination. No matter who takes the first step to initiate a conflict,

the possibility exists that the conflagration will spread and envelop the world. Much thought

has been given to ways and means of preventing this catastrophe.* Some consider it

mandatory* that the nuclear powers seek agreement on methods of limiting and controlling

these weapons, for in the absence of such an agreement, we may rue the day atomic energy

was made practical.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

1. Who could imagine a more bizarre* story than the one having to do with a cow

causing the ________________ in Chicago?

2. No matter how one tries to delete material from a computer, it is almost impossible to

________________ it.

3. You will _________________ that display of histrionics* when I asked you to help.

4. She could not imagine how she was going to get him to ________________ a

conversation about marriage.

5. The hometown fans thought the umpire’s decision was ________________.

Definitions Let’s put the new words together with their meanings.

6. obliterate a. regret

7. deplorable b. sad, pitiable

8. initiate c. erase, wipe out

9. conflagration d. start, set going

10. rue e. great fire

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

blow hot and cold —swing for and against something

I told Charlie to give up his summer job and come cross-country biking with us. He’s

blowing hot and cold on the deal at this point.

N EW W ORDS

Congenial

kən jē´ nyəl

Hoard

hôrd

Sage

sāj

Aegis

ē´ jis

Detriment

det´ rə mənt

W EEK 25 D AY 3

TAKEN FOR GRANTED

The presence of an ever-flowing supply of fresh, clean water is taken for granted.

Unfortunately, this congenial condition is fast disappearing. As our population increases, as

industry consumes more water each year, the level of our underground water supply sinks

measurably. There is no way to hoard water; there are many ways to conserve it. During a

particularly dry spell, New York City found its reservoirs going dry. Only then did the

residents begin to heed the sage advice to limit the wasteful uses of water. Under the aegis of

the Water Commissioner, citizens were encouraged to develop habits that would save water.

The continued imprudent* waste by each of us of this most basic resource will work to the

detriment of all.

Sample Sentences Here’s your opportunity to use your new words.

1. Isn’t it a pity we can’t ________________ the ideal days of autumn?

2. A man may be a ________________ everywhere, but at home he’s called a “square” by

his youngsters.

3. The tree in front of my house has the dubious* honor of being the spot voted the most

________________ by the dogs of the neighborhood.

4. It was fortuitous* that at the last moment the mayor offered the ________________ of

his office in finding a solution to the problem.

5. A settlement that causes ________________ to neither side is imperative.*

Definitions Remember, words may have many synonyms.

6. congenial a. injury, damage, hurt

7. hoard (v.) b. sympathetic, agreeable

8. sage c. shield, protection, sponsorship

9. aegis d. hide, store, accumulate

10. detriment e. wise man, philosopher

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

in the doldrums —in a bored or depressed state

Mary has been in the doldrums since her best friend moved away.

N EW W ORDS

Longevity

lon jev´ ə tē

Imbibe

im bīb´

Virile

vir´ əl

Senile

sē´ nīl

Doddering

dod´ ər ing

W EEK 25 D AY 4

AN AGELESS STORY

Every so often we can read about a man or woman who has reached an age far beyond the

limits we ordinarily expect. Reports of a man in Chile or a woman in Turkey who has

celebrated the 105th or 110th birthday occur regularly. The natural question is, to what do

these people owe their longevity? Frequently, the answer concerns the fact that the ancient one

liked to imbibe regularly of some hard liquor. The photograph will show an apparently virile

man or robust woman. Somehow, people who reach this advanced age seem to remain

eternally sturdy. There are no signs that they have become senile. Smoking a pipe, or sewing

on some garment, these rare specimens of hardy humanity are far from the doddering folk we

expect to see.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

1. Far from being ________________, the old woman was considered the sage* of the

neighborhood.

2. Scientists have placed the ________________ of the planet earth unbelievably into the

future.

3. It was deplorable* for us to see her ________________ around the house with the aid

of a cane.

4. If you ________________, don’t drive!

5. The boys struck ________________ poses to attract the girls on the beach.

Definitions Here’s your chance to match the new words with their meaning.

6. longevity a. long duration of life

7. imbibe b. masterful, manly

8. virile c. drink

9. senile d. infirm, weak from old age

10. doddering e. trembling, shaking

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

burn the midnight oil —study or work late into the night

If I’m going to pass the test tomorrow, I will have to burn the midnight oil tonight.

W EEK 25 D AY 5

REVIEW

Week by week your word-power is being built. It’s like putting money in the bank. Remember,

in our language there may be many synonyms and related meanings for each word. Knowing

one synonym is good, but you will reap greater benefits from knowing several. Below is the

matching review for this week.

REVIEW WORDS DEFINITIONS

1. aegis a. trembling, shaking with old age

2. awesome b. regret

3. conflagration c. bursting out

4. congenial d. infirm, weak as a result of old age

5. debris e. wise man, philosopher

6. deplorable f. ruins, fragments

7. detriment g. weak, unimportant

8. dispersed h. protection, sponsorship, shield

9. doddering i. agreeable, sympathetic

10. eruption j. broken up, scattered, spread

11. hoard k. sad, pitiable

12. imbibe l. hurt, damage, injury

13. initiate m. drink

14. longevity n. great fire

15. obliterate o. manly, masterful

16. puny p. inspiring terror, weird

17. rue q. set going, start

18. sage r. accumulate, save, store up

19. senile s. long duration of life

20. virile t. wipe out, erase

IDIOMS

21. as broad as it is long u. in a bored or depressed state

22. blow hot and cold v. makes very little difference

23. in the doldrums w. swing for and against something

24. burn the midnight oil x. work late into the night

Don’t neglect words you fail to answer correctly. These problem words can be mastered

quickly if you write them down, look up their meanings, and practice using them.

*For reference only

WORDS FOR

FURTHER STUDY MEANINGS

1. _________________________ _________________________

2. _________________________ _________________________

3. _________________________ _________________________

WORDSEARCH 25

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

2nd Day

2nd Day

3rd Day

3rd Day

Save the Whales, at Least

Have we all become tired of the much used word “environment”? How often we hear or read

about the state of the world’s rivers, forests, air, and earth. When we lose sight of the

fact that countless numbers of creatures have become extinct because their environment could

no longer sustain them, then we ignore the possibility that these same changes could

many species that we take for granted.

Our life-style, and that of the billions of others on this earth, puts waste into the air and water.

We may this careless behavior. While there may still be enough clean water and air

for us, the loss of animals and plants can only be a to a good life for the generations

that follow.

No one suggests that the solutions to our environmental problems are easy. The nations and

people of the world are in competition for the limited riches of this planet. It will take the

sagest and most dedicated leaders, under whose educated and concerned citizens will

live and work, to protect the environment.

N EW W ORDS

Lethargic

lə thär´ jik

Prevalent

prev´ ə lənt

Paramount

par´ ə mount

Remiss

ri mis´

Hostile

hos´ tl

W EEK 26 D AY 1

INFORMING THE PUBLIC

Public opinion has an important place in a democracy. The public, often lethargic, is

susceptible* to a wide variety of influences. The most prevalent of these is the mass media.

These communications media—the press, radio, and television—have a paramount position

in initiating,* influencing, and shaping public opinion. Bearing this responsibility, the mass

media are often accused of being remiss in their duty to inform the public. There has been a

great deal of hostile comment leveled against these opinion molders.

Sample Sentences Based upon your understanding of the new words as discovered from the

context, use them in the spaces provided.

1. The audience became extremely ________________ when the bigot* began to attack

minority groups.

2. Long hair among boys is so ________________ today, there is no longer a prohibition

against it in most schools.

3. We are all susceptible* to a ________________ feeling after a heavy meal.

4. A good politician seeks the ________________ issue in his community.

5. We would be ________________ if we overlooked the importance of the Internet to the

interchange of ideas and information.

Definitions Matching words and definitions will prove you’ve learned them.

6. lethargic a. prevailing, common, general

7. prevalent b. lazy, indifferent

8. paramount c. antagonistic, angry

9. remiss d. supreme, foremost

10. hostile e. careless, negligent

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to split hairs —to make fine distinctions

The mother and child spent a great deal of time arguing about the hair-splitting question

of whether “going to bed” meant lights out or not.

N EW W ORDS

Rebuke

ri byük´

Aversion

ə ver´ zhən

Evince

i vins´

Vogue

vōg

Superficial

sü´ pər fish´ əl

W EEK 26 D AY 2

THE LACK OF FOREIGN NEWS

The critics rebuke the press for the fact that most newspapers devote somewhat less than 10

percent of their news space to foreign items. In many hundreds of papers this falls below two

percent. Why is there this aversion to foreign news? Newsmen claim that readers evince no

interest in foreign affairs. In order to increase reader interest in foreign news, the vogue

among editors is to sensationalize it to the point of distortion. Many other papers do only the

most superficial kind of reporting in this area.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

1. The female ________________ to mice is considered absurd* by boys.

2. After a ________________ examination of the injured motorist, the doctor said that

hospitalization was imperative.*

3. Many a husband has been given a ________________ for having imbibed* too fully at

an office party.

4. Youngsters often do not ________________ any curiosity about the lives of their

parents or grandparents.

5. Good manners are always in ________________.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

6. rebuke (v.) a. on the surface, slight

7. aversion b. criticize, reproach, reprimand

8. evince c. strong dislike, opposition

9. vogue d. fashion

10. superficial e. show plainly, exhibit

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to strike while the iron is hot —to take an action at the right moment

As soon as John heard that his father had won in the lottery, he struck while the iron was

hot and asked for an increase in his allowance.

N EW W ORDS

Jettison

jet´ ə sən

Inevitable

in ev´ ə tə bəl

Lucrative

lü´ krə tiv

Tussle

tus´ əl

Intrinsic

in trin´ sik

W EEK 26 D AY 3

PLAYING IT SAFE

The average newspaper office receives many times the amount of foreign news than it has

space to print. The editor must include or jettison items as he sees fit. It is inevitable that his

ideas of what the reader want to know, or should know, are decisive. Because the newspaper

owners do not want to endanger a lucrative business, there is the constant tussle between

personal opinion and the desire not to offend too many readers or advertisers. It is intrinsic to

the operation of all mass media that they avoid being extremist in their news coverage or

editorials.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

1. Our conscience must always ________________ against our yearning for what we

know is taboo.*

2. Man sets the price of gold; it has no ________________ value.

3. The pilot decided it would be imprudent* to ________________ his fuel over the

populated area.

4. It is ________________ that children question what their elders accept as tradition.*

5. Each year the contracts offered to star sports figures become more ________________

.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

6. jettison a. sure, certain, unavoidable

7. inevitable b. essential, natural, inborn

8. lucrative c. a rough struggle

9. tussle (n.) d. profitable

10. intrinsic e. throw overboard, discard

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

once in a blue moon —on a very rare occasion

His wife complained that they go out to dinner and a show once in a blue moon.

N EW W ORDS

Acute

ə kyüt´

Gist

jist

Transient

tran´ shənt

Terse

tėrs

Cogent

kō´ jənt

W EEK 26 D AY 4

A FAVORITE NEWS SOURCE

The electronic media—television and radio—have more acute problems than does the press

when it comes to news reporting. A normal broadcast can cover only a small part of a news

day. The object is to transmit the gist of a story without supplying its background. Another

difficulty of electronic news broadcasting is its transient nature; the viewers or listeners may

miss an important story if their attention wanders. On the other hand, because radio and

television present news in a more terse and exciting way, they are accepted as the most cogent

presentation of news and are preferred and believed above newspapers by most people.

Sample Sentences A slow and thorough study is needed today.

1. After the catastrophe,* there was an ________________ need for emergency housing.

2. The young lover was susceptible* to ________________ feelings of jealousy when he

saw his sweetheart dancing with his best friend.

3. She tried to get the ________________ of her message into a 25-word telegram.

4. The mayor made a ________________ statement in which he rebuked* his election

opponent for making a contemptuous* accusation.

5. The best debater makes the most ________________ presentation.

Definitions This day’s work requires careful study.

6. acute a. forceful, convincing, persuasive

7. gist b. concise, brief, compact

8. transient c. essence, main point

9. terse d. passing, short-lived, fleeting

10. cogent e. sharp, keen, severe

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

sleep on it —postpone a decision while giving it some thought

He didn’t want to show his hand* immediately, so he agreed to sleep on it for a few more

days.

W EEK 26 D AY 5

REVIEW

If you’ve ever watched or played baseball, you know how important a base hit is to each

batter. Before the game players spend as much time as possible taking their batting practice.

During the game the batter concentrates on every pitch. In the same way, each day you are

getting in your “batting practice,” and the weekly review is your chance to build up your

“batting average.” Collect new words with the same concentration that baseball players collect

base hits.

REVIEW WORDS DEFINITIONS

1. acute a. show plainly, exhibit

2. aversion b. fleeting, passing, short-lived

3. cogent c. throw overboard, discard

4. evince d. forceful, convincing, persuasive

5. gist e. on the surface, slight

6. hostile f. a rough struggle

7. inevitable g. compact, brief, concise

8. intrinsic h. reprimand, reproach, criticize

9. jettison i. inborn, natural, essential

10. lucrative j. fashion

11. paramount k. main point, essence

12. prevalent l. severe, keen, sharp

13. rebuke m. lazy, indifferent

14. remiss n. negligent, careless

15. superficial o. unavoidable, certain, sure

16. lethargic p. opposition, strong dislike

17. terse q. foremost, supreme

18. transient r. general, common, prevailing

19. tussle s. angry, antagonistic

20. vogue t. profitable

IDIOMS

21. to strike while the iron is hot u. on a very rare occasion

22. to split hairs v. postpone a decision

23. sleep on it w. take action at the right moment

24. once in a blue moon x. to make a fine distinction

Take that extra moment now to review and study the words you got wrong.

*For reference only

WORDS FOR

FURTHER STUDY MEANINGS

1. _________________________ _________________________

2. _________________________ _________________________

3. _________________________ _________________________

WORDSEARCH 26

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

1st Day

3rd Day

2nd Day

4th Day

3rd Day

The Wild West

History tells us that, in a showdown in 1881, a notorious outlaw, Billy the Kid, was killed. At

least that is the belief. The real Billy the Kid, William Bonney, is believed to have

escaped and lived for many years in Texas. In fact, a man named Brushy Bill Roberts claimed

to be the grown-up Billy the Kid.

When Roberts died in 1950, there was the question about his true identity. As a

result, a computer was brought in to test whether there was anything other than a

resemblance between the two men. A photo of the Kid and a photo of Roberts were compared

on the computer.

In a report from the computer technician, the identity of Roberts was proved to be

different from that of the real Billy the Kid. Thus, computer analysis allows us to the

idea that Billy the Kid survived the famous gun duel.

N EW W ORDS

Pinnacle

pin´ kəl

Array

ə rā´

Obscure

əb sky r´

Ardent

ärd´ nt

Culminate

kul´ mə nāt

W EEK 27 D AY 1

A MUSICAL WORLD

Music reached its pinnacle in the nineteenth century. Every leading nation produced its share

of great composers. There was a bewildering array of national schools and musical styles as

the once obscure musician came into his own. Music became a widespread and democratic art.

The ardent music lover turned to Vienna as the music center at the beginning of the nineteenth

century. However, Paris was not far behind, especially in the field of operatic music. As the

century progressed, the Germans became paramount* in orchestral and symphonic music.

The growth of German music can be said to have culminated with Ludwig van Beethoven.

Sample Sentences Take command of the new words in these sentences.

1. The president faced an imposing ________________ of reporters.

2. The party will ________________ with the award for the most original costume.

3. The ________________ of fame and success is often a transient* stage.

4. The ________________ baseball fan went to every home game.

5. Space telescopes are making our ________________ planets ever clearer.

Definitions Match-up time for new words and definitions.

6. pinnacle a. passionate, eager

7. array b. summit, peak, top, crown

8. obscure (adj.) c. arrangement, system

9. ardent d. unknown, lowly, unclear

10. culminate e. reach the highest point

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to break the ice —to make a beginning,