Try as he might, the sideshow barker couldn't convince me that the “real live mermaid” inside the tent wasn't just a clever _____ .
After a lifetime of travel in dozens of countries all over the world, she is highly _____ in her tastes and ideas.
Mere words cannot express our _____ for your splendid services to our school.
The spokesperson had important things to say, but his way of expressing himself was so unimaginative and _____ that he lost our interest.
The speaker was greeted by a _____ round of applause, but before she left the stage, she had the audience cheering.
My mind and body were so _____ by the stifling heat that afternoon that I couldn't do anything at all.
Such extravaganzas as the “Night of 100 Stars” are usually designed to be _____ charity benefits for worthy causes.
Each scholarship candidate was identified by a number so that the people doing the grading would be absolutely _____ .
Is it necessary for you to go into the woods to _____ every time you have to make a routine decision?
By continuing to praise his extremely modest accomplishments, you are helping to _____ his already oversized ego.
He claimed to be a famous multimillionaire, but when he tried to borrow bus fare, we realized he was a(n) _____ .
Education and compassion are the only weapons by which we will _____ prejudice and superstition once and for all.
The glowing review of my performance must be accurate, as critics do their best to be _____ in their reviews.
The man's pathetically _____ personality is matched only by the hopelessly bland and lifeless statements that issue from his mouth.
I'd describe nostalgia as a feeling more _____ to yearning than to grief.
Regardless of whether the light is green, _____ always have the right of way, according to the law.
We won the game because we kept our heads and paid no _____ to the insulting remarks made by our opponents.
_____ every day not only lowers stress, but it also reduces the risk of a heart attack.
Is there any country in the world in which the terrible _____ of poverty has been entirely overcome?
In order to express my _____ for all the help Mrs. Schroeder had given me, I made a donation to her favorite charity.
Have you ever noticed that as the sun sinks lower in the sky, shadows become _____ ?
Shakespeare's advice about dressing—“rich, not _____ ”—still holds true in today's sophisticated world.
We are so accustomed to television that we tend to forget what a marvel it is to _____ colored images from one place to another.
A viewing diet made up entirely of game shows may be entertaining, but it is not particularly _____ , mentally speaking.
Had you _____ my advice, you would be finished by now.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Read the following excerpts that contain vocabulary words from this unit. The vocabulary words are written in bold font.
2. Select the answer that best completes each question. (5 points)
*You may only select one option for your answer.
EXCERPT #1:
The learned man from the cold lands . . . sat in a glowing oven; it took effect on him, he became quite meager—even his shadow shrunk in, for the sun had also an effect on it.
(“The Shadow”)
EXCERPT #1 Question: Someone who becomes meager is _____ .
EXCERPT #2:
"You are so clever,” said the Reindeer. . . . “Will you give the little maiden a potion, that she may possess the strength of twelve men, and vanquish the Snow Queen?”
(“The Snow Queen”)
EXCERPT #2 Question: To vanquish is to _____ .
EXCERPT #3:
“How naughty a boy Cupid is! I will tell all children about him, that they may take care and not play with him.” And all good children to whom he related this story, took great heed of this naughty Cupid.
(“The Naughty Boy”)
EXCERPT #3 Question: Whenever people take heed of a story, they _____ .
EXCERPT #4 Question: Something that is oppressive is NOT _____ .
EXCERPT #5:
[H]e went to the crafty impostors, who, as soon as they were aware of the Emperor's approach, went on working more diligently than ever; although they still did not pass a single thread through the looms.
(“The Emperor's New Clothes”)
EXCERPT #5 Question: Impostors are people who are _____ .
DIRECTIONS:
1. Read the following passage that contains vocabulary words from this unit. The vocabulary words are written in bold font.
2. Select the answer that best completes each question. (6 points)
*You may only select one option for your answer.
PASSAGE:
You step onto the elongated “sheet” of ice, which is twice the size of a bowling alley, push off from a “hack,” then “slide” your “stone” with a “broom” and “lay it up just past the hog line.” Huh? What kind of game are you playing? Is it shuffleboard on ice? No, like more than one million people worldwide, you are curling.
A subtle game, curling probably had its beginnings on a frozen lake (loch) somewhere in Scotland more than 400 years ago. By the 1700s curling had become Scotland’s national pastime, and many curling clubs were established in that country, with numerous rules for curlers to heed. These rules included no wagering, swearing, or political discussions while curling, in addition to detailed instructions for sweeping the 42-pound granite stone which, today, looks like a tea kettle, across the “keen” ice. During the French and Indian War, Scottish soldiers brought curling to North America.
Today, particularly in the icy Midwest, curling clubs have sprung up, as has enthusiasm for the sport. Just ask residents of Mapleton, “the curling capital of southern Minnesota.” They’ll tell you how they drive for hours, in bad weather, to attend curling tournaments, called “bonspiels.” In Canada, curling is nearly akin to ice hockey in its number of supporters.
Clearly, curling has come a long way from its meager beginnings. In fact, in 1998 it officially became an Olympic sport. That year, in Nagano, Japan, the Canadian women’s curling team vanquished Denmark to take the gold medal. Curling’s popularity continues to grow in the United States. In fact, our nation’s largest curling club, in St. Paul, Minnesota, now boasts 700 members. In an age of raucous sports, with celebrity athletes and inflated salaries, curling remains a game of manners, a kind of chess on ice.
The meaning of elongated is _____ .
Heed is best defined as _____ .
Akin most nearly means _____ .
Meager is best defined as _____ .
Vanquished most nearly means _____ .
The meaning of inflated is _____ .
DIRECTIONS:
1. Read each sentence and determine if the bold portion could be written better.
2. Select the answer that best completes each question. (4 points)
*You may only select one option for your answer.
PASSAGE:
The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of America’s most unusual landmarks. Located in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota, the memorial consists of immense, carved representations of the heads of four presidents of the United States. These sculptures are carved in granite on the southeast side of Mount Rushmore.
The project was first suggested in 1923 by Doane Robinson, the state historian of South. Dakota Robinson’s goal has been to attract more visitors to the Black Hills, and he envisioned colossal statues of western heroes. In 1924, Robinson contacted Gutzon Borglum, an American sculptor of Danish descent who had grown up in Nebraska. By then: Borglum had executed a number of important commissions in New York City, including bronzes acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and to work as a sculptor on religious themes for the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. He had also created a colossal head of Abraham Lincoln for the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.
Bold Section #1
Bold Section #2
Bold Section #3
Bold Section #4
Which of the following words is the opposite of biased?
If a tire is filled with an appropriate amount of air, it has been properly _____ .
Which of the following might be another word for mistreat?
Information that has been passed along has been _____ .
Someone who is walking along a sidewalk could be called a(n) _____ .
Which of the following is another word for conquer?
To pay careful attention to is to _____ .
Which of the following is the opposite of rosy?
A wholesome and satisfying snack could be described as _____ .
To think about deeply and quietly is to _____ .
DIRECTIONS:
1. Read the following passage that contains vocabulary words from this unit. The vocabulary words are written in bold font.
2. Select the answer that best completes each question. (6 points)
*You may only select one option for your answer.
PASSAGE:
My sister Maya was very excited when she was recently hired as a television news reporter. She was also thrilled when, just two weeks later, she was invited to a gala at which her news program would be receiving an award. Unfortunately, because she is earning an entry-level salary, her budget for a formal dress to wear was meager. In an effort to help, I offered to alter a dress that she already owned and make it suitable for the occasion, and Maya accepted with gratitude. Now all I can say is that I wish I had known better. The first mistake I made was to try to add a long ruffle made of sparkly, net-like fabric to the hem to lengthen the dress. At that point Maya said she looked like a gaudy mermaid, and, I must say, I had to agree. Then I tried to lengthen the sleeves, but Maya said that she now looked like she had elongated arms and resembled something akin to a spider monkey. Again, I had to agree. Hopefully, my next idea will work out much better. I have offered to go shopping with Maya so we can both look for a nice-looking dress that she can afford.
The mood at a gala (sentence 2) would be _____ .
In sentence 3, meager means _____ .
Which of the following words could be used to replace gratitude (sentence 4)?
Which of the following words could not be used to replace gaudy (sentence 7)?
Arms that are elongated (sentence 8) have extra _____ .
In sentence 8, akin means _____ .
DIRECTIONS:
1. Read the following passage that contains vocabulary words from this unit. The vocabulary words are written in bold font.
2. Select the answer that best completes each question. (4 points)
*You may only select one option for your answer.
PASSAGE:
More than a hundred years ago, an Irish writer named Bram Stoker published one of the greatest horror novels of all time. Titled simply Dracula, it brought the world’s attention to a strange, supernatural affliction known as vampirism—a topic that had previously been featured only in folklore. While countless readers today instantly recognize Stoker’s name, many would be surprised to learn that the novel was just one of many accomplishments in the life of this multitalented and cosmopolitan figure. For example, for many years, Stoker managed the London theater where Henry Irving, one of the most famous actors of his day, was based. Thanks to this job, Stoker met many famous Londoners and traveled to many different countries in order accompany Irving on his worldwide tours. Throughout his theatrical career, he continued to write, producing numerous works of fiction in addition to Dracula. He also authored four nonfiction books, including one titled Famous Impostors, in which he examined several major hoaxes that have occured throughout history.
In line 2, affliction means _____ .
Which of the following words could be used to replace cosmopolitan (line 5)?
Imposters (line 10) are people who _____ .
Which of the following words could not be used to replace hoaxes (line 10)?