140 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT 28. the act of abstaining _____________________________________________ 29. the act of touching something that is palpable _____________________________________________ 30. the act of cajoling _____________________________________________ Write the word with the given root. 31. to urge into motion (citare) _____________________________________________ 32. a prediction of the future ( pro-) _____________________________________________ 33. lacking feeling (a-) _____________________________________________ 34. relating to smell (olere) _____________________________________________ 35. extremely poor individual ( pau) _____________________________________________ 36. to comfort (solari) _____________________________________________ 37. economical ( frux) _____________________________________________ 38. to stir up (vocare) _____________________________________________ 39. worn out (crepare) _____________________________________________ 40. to make less (curtus) _____________________________________________ 41. regret (mordere) _____________________________________________ Vocabulary Unit 5 Exercise Set III 1. Can you be parsimonious with words? Y N 2. Is an omen necessarily bad? Y N 3. Does something savory taste good? Y N 4. Is something obsolete new? Y N 5. Does someone thrifty waste money? Y N Write the word with the given meaning. 6. lacking emotion i__________________ 7. repentant c__________________ 8. to foretell p__________________ 9. without money i__________________ 10. outmoded o__________________ 11. capable of being felt p__________________ 12. to make less c__________________ 13. to cause by persuasion i__________________ 14. ancient a__________________ 15. a forewarning p__________________ 16. relating to taste g__________________ 17. to refrain from action a__________________ 18. to persuade with flattery c__________________ 19. deeply emotional p__________________ 20. economical t__________________ 21. to urge strongly e__________________ 22. humiliation i__________________ 23. payment r__________________ 24. able to be bribed v__________________ 25. to stop before it begins t__________________ Write the correct form of the italicized word. 26. showing apathy _____________________________________________ 27. to act as a deterrent _____________________________________________ CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 141 Unit 5 Exercise Set I Answer Key 1. B If the assistant only spoke when it was absolutely necessary, then he was frugal or sparing with his words. improvident = not economical parsimonious = excessively thrifty antiquated = very old clairvoyant = having great foresight sympathetic = feeling pity 2. A The but indicates a contrast. Extra benefits like a dental plan, a vacation, and a car are called perks or perquisites. 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 3. A The phrase in spite indicates 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 like persuade and stay away would 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 4. 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 5. C The word future is the key context clue. What can one do to the future? A wise man in particu- lar might be able to predict it. 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 departure indicates a contrast, and the parallelism between the clauses sets up the contrast. The two words must be the opposite of bland and mundane, 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 empathize with 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 10. D Even though indicates an unexpected twist. The inability to walk without a limp is certainly a nuisance. It would make sense that the first word should mean hindrance and 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 142 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT 1. PATHOS: emotion apathy, sympathy, empathy, osteopathy, pathogen, pathetic, psychopath 2. DUCERE: to lead induce, conduction, conducive, produce, deduce 3. TERRERE: to frighten deter, deterrent, terrible, terrify, terror, terrific 4. ANTI-: against antipathy, antibiotic, antonym, antiseptic, antagonist, antisocial 5. AUDIRE: to hear audition, auditorium, auditory, inaudible, audible 6. FORE-: before foremost, foretell, forethought, forehand, forecast, forebear, foresight 7. SCIENTIA: knowledge scientist, omniscient, prescient, conscientious 8. VOCARE: to call vocabulary, convocation, provoke, revoke, convoke, vocation, invoke, advocate, equivocate 9. POR-: forward portent, portend, portray 10. SUADERE: to urge sway, persuasion, persuade, dissuade 11. MONERE: to warn premonition, summon, admonish, monitor 12. TENERE: to hold sustain, abstain, contain, detain, entertain, tenable, tenacity, pertinacity, retain, obtain, pertain 13. PALPARE: to touch palpate, palpable, palpatation 14. INDU: in, within indigenous, industrial, indigent, industry 15. CERNERE: to separate discern, certain, concern, excrement, secretary Unit 5 Exercise Sets II and III Answer Key Exercise Set II Exercise Set III 1. Y 2. N 3. Y 4. N 5. N 6. impassive 7. contrite 8. portend 9. insolvent, impecunious 10. obsolete 11. palpable 12. curtail 13. impel, induce 14. archaic 15. premonition 16. gustatory 17. abstain 18. cajole 19. poignant 20. thrifty 21. exhort 22. ignominy 23. remuneration 24. venal 25. thwart 26. apathetic 27. deter 28. abstinence 29. palpation 30. cajolery 31. incite 32. prophecy 33. apathetic 34. olfactory 35. pauper 36. console 37. frugal 38. provoke 39. decrepit 40. curtail 41. remorse CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 143 Vocabulary Unit 6 Vocabulary Lesson 36: What the Heck? Today’s roots: gradi to step, to go equi equal crypto secret dis- apart ❑ ambiguous (adj) unclear in meaning (ambigere to wander) The teacher’s ambiguous instructions left us with no idea of what we were supposed to do. Synonyms: vague, obscure Antonyms: apparent, lucid ❑ obscure (adj) not easily understood; indistinct (obscurus darkness) The comedian’s jokes contained obscure references that left the audience confused and silent. Synonyms: vague, enigmatic, cryptic Antonyms: evident, lucid ❑ equivocal (adj) deliberately ambiguous or misleading (equi same + vocare to call) The defendant’s equivocal answers made it hard for the prosecutor to prove his case. Synonyms: evasive, indirect Antonyms: straightforward, forthright, candid ❑ convoluted (adj) intricate and hard to follow (con- together + volvere to roll) The instructions in this manual are so convoluted that I don’t even know where to begin. Synonyms: cryptic, inscrutable, incomprehensible Antonyms: coherent, intelligible ❑ cryptic (adj) enigmatic; mysterious (crypto concealed, secret) The soldier’s cryptic reply over the radio to his captain suggested that something was amiss. Synonyms: cryptic, obscure, incomprehensible Antonyms: coherent, intelligible ❑ unfathomable (adj) impossible to comprehend (un- not + fathom to grasp) The idea that time slows as our speed increases is unfathomable to most of us. Synonyms: baffling, impenetrable, inscrutable Antonyms: coherent, intelligible ❑ nebulous (adj) vague; indefinite (nebula mist) Bill’s memory of the car accident was nebulous; he remembered only bits and pieces of the ordeal. Synonyms: hazy, unclear Antonym: lucid ❑ enigma (n) a mystery or riddle (oenigma riddle) Synonyms: conundrum, riddle ❑ esoteric (adj) difficult to understand (Gr esoterikos belonging to an inner circle) ❑ ramble (v) to wander aimlessly, either verbally or physically Synonyms: stray, babble ❑ desultory (adj) aimless; prone to random digressions (desultorious skipping about) ❑ digress (v) to go off topic (dis- away + gradi to step, to go) Synonyms: diverge, deviate, ramble ❑ profound (adj) deep; insightful ( pro- forth + fundus bottom) Synonyms: philosophical, sagacious 144 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary Lesson 37: True or False? Today’s roots: verax true candere to shine genuinus natural apo- away ❑ candor (n) honesty; straightforwardness (candere to shine) I appreciated my doctor’s candor; I prefer a straightforward approach when discussing my health. Synonyms: forthrightness, frankness Antonyms: disingenuousness, fraudulence, equivocation ❑ affect (v) to put on airs; to behave unnaturally Hoping to fit in while in London, Jules affected a British accent. Synonyms: feign, impersonate ❑ veracity (n) truthfulness (verax true) Since we can’t test the veracity of his statements, we will never know for sure if he was telling the truth. Synonyms: sincerity, candor Antonyms: fallacy, falsehood ❑ debunk (v) to expose something as fraudulent (bunkum nonsense) The DA knew that the cop was crooked and made it his mission to debunk the officer’s claims. Synonyms: uncover, reveal Antonyms: conceal, camouflage ❑ apocryphal (adj) of doubtful authenticity (apo- away + kryptein hide) Before they found out it was a fake, the apocryphal Van Gogh painting sold for over a million dollars. Synonyms: counterfeit, forged Antonym: authentic ❑ forthright (adj) honest; straightforward The student’s forthright admission of guilt was appreciated by the principal, who reduced his suspension. Synonyms: candid, frank Antonyms: deceitful, treacherous ❑ disingenuous (adj) insincere; crafty (dis- away from + genuinus natural) Daphne’s expression of remorse was clearly disingenuous, because she did not feel any regret for her actions. Synonyms: deceitful, treacherous Antonyms: forthright, candid ❑ candid (adj) straightforward; honest (candere to shine) Synonyms: frank, forthright ❑ dubious (adj) doubtful (dubium doubt) Synonyms: suspect, questionable ❑ prevaricate (v) to lie ( pre- before + varicare to straddle) Synonyms: equivocate, fabricate ❑ verisimilitude (n) the quality of appearing to be true (verax true + similis like) ❑ outspoken (adj) candid and unsparing in speech Synonyms: forthright, frank ❑ fraudulent (adj) deceitful (fraus deceit) Synonyms: duplicitous; crooked ❑ facade (n) outward appearance; a false front ( faccia face) Synonyms: superficiality, frontispiece CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 145 Vocabulary Lesson 38: Arts and Entertainment Today’s roots: curare to take care of levis light in weight jocus joke para- beside, beyond ❑ mirth (n) merriment; laughter The little boy could not contain his mirth when playing with the bubbles. Synonyms: jollity, levity, gaiety Antonyms: melancholy, dejection, despondency ❑ aesthetic (adj) relating to beauty or a theory of beauty (aisthetikos Gr perception) The beautiful colors that emerged from the crystal when struck by the sunlight were aesthetically pleasing. ❑ satire (n) a mocking literary or dramatic work (satira a poetic medley) Animal Farm by George Orwell is a satire that mocks socialism. Synonyms: burlesque, parody, lampoon, travesty, spoof ❑ curator (n) the individual in charge of a museum (curare to take care of) The curator in charge of the Louvre in Paris controls the Mona Lisa, perhaps the world’s most famous painting. ❑ witticism (n) a clever or funny remark Will Rogers was famous for his witticisms about American life. Synonyms: epigram, bon mot, quip, badinage ❑ jocular (adj) done in a joking way ( jocus joke) Jeff’s jocular tone relaxed the visitors trapped in the elevator; he even made a few people laugh. Synonyms: facetious, waggish, salty Antonyms: despondent, somber, morose, plaintive, lugubrious ❑ malapropism (n) the outrageous misuse of a word Saying “for all intensive purposes” instead of “for all intents and purposes” is a classic example of a malapropism. Synonyms: misusage, solecism, catachresis ❑ levity (n) a lack of seriousness (levis light in weight) Synonyms: frivolity, flippancy ❑ bard (n) a skilled poet Synonyms: sonneteer, versifier ❑ parody (n) a spoof ( para beside + ode song) Synonyms: burlesque, lampoon, travesty, satire ❑ epic (n) a lengthy poem that celebrates the life of a hero (Gr epos word, story) ❑ aesthete (n) a person interested in the pursuit of beauty (Gr aisthetikos sensitive) ❑ dilettante (n) one who dabbles in an art (dilettare to delight) Synonym: amateur ❑ lampoon (v) to make fun of Synonyms: satirize, mock, parody 146 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary Lesson 39: You’re in Trouble Today’s roots: culpa blame censura judgment dictare to declare probus honest, worthy ❑ chastise (v) to punish or criticize (castus pure) The congressman was chastised in the media for his ties to big business. Synonyms: condemn, rebuke Antonyms: applaud, hail ❑ reprove (v) to scold (re- not + probus worthy) The teacher reproved her students strongly for talking during her lecture. Synonyms: rebuke, berate, reprimand Antonyms: hail, compliment, acclaim ❑ reprehensible (adj) worthy of blame or censure The woman could not believe that her son would do something so reprehensible as torturing small animals. Synonyms: culpable, disgraceful, censurable Antonym: laudable ❑ culpable (adj) deserving blame (culpa blame) Although the DNA evidence clearly proved he was culpable, the defendant continued to claim innocence. Synonyms: guilty, blameworthy Antonyms: innocent, blameless, sinless ❑ indict (v) to accuse of an offense (dictare to declare) The mob boss was indicted on ten counts of money laundering. Synonyms: accuse, impeach Antonyms: acquit, exonerate ❑ reproach (v) to blame; to express disapproval After hitting the softball through the window, Ella was reproached by her mother for being so careless. Synonyms: censure, condemn, rebuke Antonyms: compliment, commend ❑ rebuke (v) to scold (re- back + buke to strike) Because Belinda was rebuked the last time she left her toys out, she cleaned up thoroughly to avoid another scolding. Synonyms: reprove, reproach, reprehend, reprimand, chide ❑ castigate (v) to punish severely Synonyms: reprimand, berate, chastise ❑ impeach (v) to accuse of wrongdoing (im- in + pedica shackle) Synonyms: indict, charge ❑ irreproachable (adj) beyond blame Synonyms: innocent, impeccable ❑ berate (v) to punish severely (be- thoroughly + rate to scold) Synonyms: reprimand, castigate, chastise ❑ culprit (n) one guilty of a crime (culpa blame) Synonyms: offender, criminal ❑ acquit (v) to clear of a charge (a- to + quite free) Synonyms: vindicate, exonerate ❑ reprimand (v) to scold (reprimare to reprove) Synonyms: reprove, castigate, censure CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 147 Vocabulary Lesson 40: Working Hard Today’s roots: fatigare tire sedere to sit metus fear integer whole ❑ diligence (n) hard work and dedication (diligentia attentiveness) Ty’s diligence paid off when his boss gave him a promotion and a raise. Synonyms: assiduousness, industry, perseverance Antonyms: laziness, indolence ❑ scrupulous (adj) careful, ethical (scruples ethical standards) Always a scrupulous student, Simone made sure she got her assignments in on time. Synonyms: conscientious, honorable, meticulous Antonyms: immoral, wanton ❑ meticulous (adj) attentive to detail (metus fear) The accountant was incredibly meticulous; no detail ever slipped by her. Synonyms: thorough, painstaking Antonyms: lackadaisical, cavalier ❑ indefatigable (adj) untiring (in- not + fatigare to tire) Despite working 100 hours per week, the lawyer was indefatigable, remaining energetic about his job. Synonyms: tireless, unremitting, dogged Antonyms: listless, lethargic ❑ spartan (adj) full of self-discipline (from Sparta whose army was known for its discipline and valor) Alissa’s spartan regimen included learning fifty new vocabulary words each week. Synonyms: ascetic, rigorous Antonyms: cavalier, lackadaisical ❑ painstaking (adj) meticulous; paying great attention to detail After eleven painstaking hours in the operating room, the surgeon declared the brain surgery a complete success. Synonyms: thorough, meticulous Antonyms: lackadaisical, cavalier ❑ assiduous (adj) hard working (sedere to sit) My parents are always telling me that my grades would improve if I were more assiduous in my studies. Synonyms: diligent, industrious Antonyms: indolent, slothful ❑ prolific (adj) extremely productive ( pro- forth + facere to make) Synonyms: productive, abundant ❑ integrity (n) honesty and virtue (integer whole) Synonym: purity ❑ enterprising (adj) full of initiative and imagination (entreprendre to undertake) ❑ entrepreneur (n) a self-made businessman (entreprendre to undertake) Synonyms: magnate, industrialist ❑ industrious (adj) hard-working; diligent Synonym: assiduous ❑ resolute (adj) determined; willing to push on Synonyms: dogged, steadfast, tenacious 148 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary Lesson 41: The Faithful and the Unfaithful Today’s roots: orthos straight, strict sub- under surgere to rise klan to break ❑ conform (v) to do what one is expected to do (com- together + formare to form) His desire to avoid punishment at all costs causes him to conform to his parents’ many rules. Synonyms: comply, obey Antonyms: defy, rebel ❑ orthodoxy (n) strict adherence to tradition (orthos straight, strict + doxa opinion) The Amish are well known for their orthodoxy; tradition is very important to their culture. Synonyms: conventionality, traditionalism Antonyms: heresy, apostasy ❑ iconoclast (n) one who challenges tradition (eikon Gr image + klan to break) Always an iconoclast, Michael did everything in his power to do the opposite of what was expected. Synonyms: heretic, apostate, rebel, nonconformist, infidel Antonyms: conformist, traditionalist ❑ heresy (n) opinion or action that violates traditional belief In many villages in colonial New England, to question religious doctrine was considered heresy. Synonyms: iconoclasm, apostasy Antonyms: sycophancy, toadyism, compliance, submission, obsequy ❑ insurgent (adj) rebellious (in- against + surgere to rise) The villagers became more insurgent each day that the army remained in their midst. Synonyms: insubordinate, mutinous Antonym: conformist, yes-man, toady, sycophant ❑ convention (n) a practice that comports with the norms of a society Ms. Frazier’s teaching style went against convention and thus angered the conservative school board. Synonyms: protocol, practice Antonym: irregularity ❑ insubordination (n) refusal to submit to authority (in- against + sub- under + ordinare arrange) By punishing all insubordination, the commander showed his troops that no disobedience would be tolerated. Synonyms: agitation, subversion, rebellion Antonym: pacification ❑ renegade (n) an outlaw (negare to deny) Synonyms: defector, traitor ❑ insurrection (n) an uprising (in- against + surgere to rise) Synonyms: coup, mutiny, rebellion ❑ dissident (n) one who strongly opposes accepted opinion (dis- apart + sedere to sit) Synonym: rebel ❑ mutiny (n) a rebellion Synonyms: revolt, riot, uprising ❑ servile (adj) overly submissive (servus slave) Synonym: obsequious ❑ heretic (n) one who dissents Synonyms: rebel, iconoclast ❑ apostasy (n) abandonment of a belief (apo- away from + stanai to stand) Synonym: heresy CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 149 Vocabulary Lesson 42: How Rude! Today’s roots: pudere to cause shame trux fierce solere accustomed haut high ❑ insolent (adj) rudely disrespectful (in- not + solere accustomed) The despot punished the rebel’s insolence with a lengthy prison sentence. Synonyms: impudent, impertinent Antonyms: courteous, deferential, decorous ❑ affront (n) an insult (afronter Fr to confront) When he found out that his dad had let him win, Frank took it as an affront to his tennis skills. Synonyms: slur, barb, aspersion, obloquy Antonyms: tribute, exaltation, veneration ❑ haughty (adj) overly proud (haut high) The haughty young goalie felt that he had no equal in the league. Synonyms: conceited, supercilious, cavalier, arrogant Antonyms: modest, diffident ❑ crass (adj) unrefined Luke’s crass behavior at the dinner table horrified the princess, who had never seen such poor manners. Synonyms: boorish, oafish, philistine Antonyms: decorous, civilized, refined ❑ impudent (adj) rudely bold (im- not + pudere to cause shame) The young soldier’s impudence would be punished; it is not wise to undermine the authority of a superior officer. Synonyms: insolent, impertinent, audacious Antonyms: courteous, civilized ❑ boorish (adj) crude, barbaric (unrelated to boar, a wild pig, but piggish is a close synonym) The boorish barbarians ripped at the meat with their bare hands and spit bones out onto the table. Synonyms: crass, oafish, barbaric, philistine Antonyms: decorous, polite ❑ irreverence (n) disrespect (ir- not + vereri to respect) The irreverence with which he mocked his teachers showed he had no respect for their authority. Synonyms: impertinence, flippancy Antonym: deference ❑ flippant (adj) disrespectfully jocular; using humor inappropriately Synonyms: irreverent, impertinent ❑ brazen (adj) bold and insolent The thieves pulled off a brazen midday heist Synonym: impudent ❑ truculent (adj) cruel and aggressive (trux fierce) Synonyms: obstreperous, bellicose ❑ effrontery (n) boldness, brashness Synonyms: insolence, impudence ❑ impertinent (adj) inappropriately bold (im- not + pertinere to concern) Synonyms: impudent, brazen ❑ glacial (adj) having a cold personality (like a glacier) Synonym: frigid ❑ rebuff (v) to refuse in an abrupt or rude manner Synonyms: reject, snub . (dis- away + gradi to step, to go) Synonyms: diverge, deviate, ramble ❑ profound (adj) deep; insightful ( pro- forth + fundus bottom) Synonyms: philosophical, sagacious 144 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary. (dilettare to delight) Synonym: amateur ❑ lampoon (v) to make fun of Synonyms: satirize, mock, parody 146 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT Vocabulary Lesson 39: You’re in Trouble Today’s roots: culpa blame censura. dogged Antonyms: listless, lethargic ❑ spartan (adj) full of self-discipline (from Sparta whose army was known for its discipline and valor) Alissa’s spartan regimen included learning fifty new