CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 141
Unit 5 Exercise Set I Answer Key
- B If the assistant only spoke when it was absolutely
necessary, then he was frugalorsparingwith his
words.
improvident=not economical
parsimonious=excessively thrifty
antiquated=very old
clairvoyant=having great foresight
sympathetic=feeling pity - A Thebutindicates a contrast. Extra benefits
like a dental plan, a vacation, and a car are called
perksorperquisites.
perquisite=a perk, a dividend
harbinger=a sign of something to come
mercenary=one who works for the highest
bidder
impediment=an obstruction
resolution=firm determination - A The phrase in spiteindicates a contrast in the
second half of the sentence. If he was aggressive
in getting us to do something illicit(illegal), the
contrast suggests that we didn’t give in. Words
likepersuadeandstay awaywould work.
goad=to urge; refrain=to hold back from doing
cajole=to persuade; stagnate=to remain still
coax=to persuade; rebound=to bounce back
impede=to block; abstain=to avoid something
dissuade=to deter; recuperate=to recover - B The sentence implies that the team has noth-
ing left to play for. The fact that they also consis-
tently lose by forty points indicates that they are
playing with a lack of heart.
fortitude=strength of mind; strength to endure
apathy=lack of concern or effort
dread=profound fear; anxious anticipation
vigor=physical energy or strength
resolution=firm determination - C The word futureis the key context clue. What
can one do to the future? A wiseman in particu-
lar might be able to predictit.
olfactory=related to smell; augur=to predict
the future
tactile=touchable;portend =to predict the
future
prescient=clairvoyant;divine=to predict the
future
prophetic=prescient;console=to comfort
clairvoyant=able to predict future; perjure=to
lie under oath
6. B The word departureindicates a contrast, and
the parallelism between the clauses sets up the
contrast. The two words must be the opposite of
blandandmundane,respectively.
pungent=strong;hedonistic=pleasure-seeking
savory=delicious;transcendent=inspiring
piquant=spicy;artificial=not genuine
obsolete=outmoded;supreme=great
palatable=edible;imperious=overbearing
7. A The second clause logically extends the idea
of the first. The decision was done for pragmatic
(practical) reasons rather than out of generosity
to the employees. Look for a word that means
generous.
magnanimous=generous
mellifluous=smooth-flowing
rigid=inflexible
masochistic=enjoying one’s own pain
frugal=thrifty; disinclined to waste money
8. A The woman now knows first hand about the
pain and discomfort associated with childbirth.
Because she has now experienced what her mother
went through, she can now empathizewith her
about the sensations.
empathize=to identify with another’s feelings
collaborate=work together
perpetuate=cause to continue
premeditate=plan in advance
9. E If the contrite behavior was not an act,then
the defendant must truly feel regret for what was
done.
apprehension=nervousness
indigence=neediness
foresight=ability to see things coming
bliss=extreme happiness
remorse=regret - D Even thoughindicates an unexpected twist.
The inability to walk without a limp is certainly a
nuisance. It would make sense that the first word
should mean hindranceand the second word
should mean prevent.
deterrent=something that discourages; spur=
to goad into action
barrier=a block; impel=to urge
abstinence=avoidance;thwart=to stop
impediment=barrier;hamper=to hinder
pathos=sorrow;hinder=to obstruct