- The charlatan’s specious theories about curing baldness with used tea bags charmed the
studio audience but did not convince the experts, who believed that fresh tea bags were
more effective. - The river’s beauty turned out to be specious; what had looked like churning rapids from a
distance was, upon closer inspection, some sort of foamy industrial waste.
To be specious is to be characterized by speciousness.
Bonus Exercise Answer
Definition: Presage means to know (sage) something before (pre-) it happens; to
foreshadow. It suggests an omen or warning sign.Sentence: The team’s devastating loss on homecoming weekend presaged the rest
of the season; they finished last in the league.tentative (TEN tuh tiv) adj experimental; temporary; uncertain
Mnemonic:- George made a tentative effort to paint his house by himself; he slapped some paint on
the front door and his clothes, tipped over the bucket, and called a professional. - Our plans for the party are tentative at this point, but we are considering hiring a troupe
of accordionists to play polkas while our guests are eating dessert. - Hugo believed himself to be a great wit, but his big joke was rewarded by nothing more
than a very tentative chuckle from his audience.