Unit 3 Vocabulary
English 11 CP
I. Definitions – please use a dictionary to look up each of the following words and match them to the following definitions.
abominateacculturationadventitiousascribecircuitouscommiserate
enjoinexpediteexpiatefermentinadvertentnominal
noncommittalpeculateproclivitysangfroidseditious
tenuousvitriolicwheedle
1. (adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental______
2. (adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)______
3. (v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end______
4. (v.) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to takeimproperly for one’s own use______
5. (n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency, (especially of human character or behavior)______
6. (adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously______
7. (adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government______
8. (adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance;
lacking a sound basis, poorly supported ______
9. (adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no______
10. (n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances______
11.(v.) to make amends, atone, make up for; to ward off or avert______
12. (v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster______
13. (v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for______
14. (n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in ______
or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action
15. (adj.) roundabout, not direct______
16. (n.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress______
17. (n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by
contact with those of another; the resultant blend______
18. (v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way to prohibit ______
19. (adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or
character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital______
20. (v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute______
II. Completing the Sentence – from the word bank of definitions, select the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
1. No matter what their other likes or dislikes are, all Americans thoroughly ______slavery in all its forms.
2. Contacts with the modern world may still be infrequent, but the primitive peoples of New Guinea are already showing signs of ______.
3. Some people say that they cannot understand her defeat in the election, but I ______it to her failure to discuss the issues in simple, down-to-earth terms.
4. While he remained the ______leader of the group, the real power passed into the hands of his wily aide.
5. Much of the money that the “robber barons” ______from the public trust was never recovered ------or even missed!!!
6. His line of questioning was so ______that I began to suspect that he himself was not sure of what he was trying to prove.
7. He ______the crime committed during his youth by a lifetime of service to humanity.
8. The noted humanitarian ______her audience to play some part, however small, in her great crusade for human betterment.
9. You could have indicated frankly what you thought was wrong without embittering them with such ______criticism.
10. As charming, clever, and persuasive as she may be, she will certainly not ______me into lending her my tennis racquet.
11. We had hoped to learn his opinion of the new energy program, but he remained completely ______during the interview.
12. Wines from that part of France are produced by ______the juice of the luscious grapes that grow on the hillsides.
13. If, as you say, your slamming of the door on the way out was completely ______, you should be more careful in the future.
14. Since she seems to have a strong ______both for science and for service to others, I think that she should plan to study medicine.
15. He claims to be a close friend of the Senator, but I believe that the connection between them is extremely ______.
16. We Americans do not believe that honest criticism of our public school officials, no matter how severe, should be regarded as ______.
17. True, the cabdriver took a (n) ______route to the hotel, but his purpose was to avoid heavy traffic—not to build up the fare.
18. Declaring the boycott to be illegal, the judge ______the labor union from applying it against the employing firm.
19. The new computerized referral system will greatly ______the processing of complaints by customers.
20. Only someone who has suffered from bursitis can fully ______with me when I am in the throes of an acute attack.
21. Who in the world can hope to match the unshakable ______of the indestructible James Bond in moments of great peril?
22. We must distinguish between the truly basic policies of our political party and those which are ______and have little connection with the essential program.
III. Synonyms – Select the vocabulary word from the bank that is most nearly the same as each of the following groups of words.
1. to loathe, abhor, despise, detest______
2. accidental, unintentional______
3. commotion, turmoil______
4. to impute, attribute, credit______
5. titular, token, trifling, inconsequential______
6. adopting ways of another social group______
7. to atone for, redeem, make amends for______
8. to cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk______
9. to sympathize, feel sorry for, empathize______
10. poise, self-assurance, equanimity______
11. mutinous, rebellious; subversive______
12. a natural bent, penchant, propensity______
13. to bid, charge, command, adjure______
14. indirect, roundabout, meandering______
15. to embezzle, defraud, misappropriate______
16. slender, flimsy, unsubstantial; vague, hazy______
17. playing it safe, playing it close to the vest______
18. withering, acerbic, mordant______
19. to accelerate, facilitate, speed up______
20. extrinsic, incidental; fortuitous______
IV. Antonyms - select the best word from the word bank for each phrase below that is most nearly opposite in meaning.
1. to feel no sympathy for______
2. essential, intrinsic, inherent; congenital______
3. to coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm______
4. strong, solid, substantial, valid______
5. deliberate, intentional, premeditated______
6. a natural disability or incapacity______
7. peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity______
8. positive, definite, committed______
9. excitability, hysteria, flappability ______
10. real, actual; exorbitant, excessive______
11. supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant______
12. to hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct______
13. straight, direct, as the crow flies______
14. to relish, savor, cherish, esteem______
15. bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary______