Chapter 14 Wordly Wise

Question 1

scrupulous

Answer 1

adj. 1. marked by close attention to the smallest detail
2. acting in a correct and honest manner

The treasurer kept a scrupulous record of all moneys received and paid out.
The children were scrupulous in the way they divided the money from the lemonade stand.

Question 2

preposterous

Answer 2

adj. Too absurd to be believed; ridiculous.

You cannot believe this preposterous newspaper story that a six month old baby speaks three languages.

Question 3

plausible

Answer 3

adj.seeming to be true but not necessarily so.

Lin Shao’s explanation of why she was late seems plausible, so I’ll accept it.

Question 4

pander

Answer 4

v. To give or promise what is wanted in order to please someone.

I believe that she panders to students by giving them better grades than they deserve .

Question 5

naive

Answer 5

adj. 1. inexperienced; ready to accept without analyzing.
2. simple in a childlike way; innocent

I was naive to believe that sending off the coupon would win me a free vacation in Hawaii.
Even though he is nine years old, he maintains a naive belief in the tooth fairy.

Question 6

menagerie

Answer 6

n. a collection of animals kept in cages for showing to the public.

The owner of the menagerie assured us that the animals were well cared for.

Question 7

lurk

Answer 7

v. To prowl or lie hidden, as though about to attack.

The farmer frightened awry the fox that lurked by the henhouse.

Question 8

legendary

Answer 8

adj. 1. well-known;famous and much talked about over a long period of time.
2. relating to a story (usually untrue) handed down from the past.

Harriet Tubman, who led more that 300 slaves to freedom, is a legendary figure in American history.
Paul Bunyan, the legendary lumberjack of fantastic size and strength, is the hero of many ‘tall tales”.

Question 9

. incredulous

Answer 9

adj. 1. doubtful;skeptical
2. showing disbelief.

incredulity n. doubt or disbelief.

The teacher was incredulous when the student claimed to have read the novel in two hours.
My friend game me an incredulous look when I said I had seen a flying saucer.
My father gave me a look of incredulity when I said I had asked for extra homework.

Question 10

exotic

Answer 10

adj. Fascinating because of being very different from the ordinary.

Rare orchids and other exotic flowers decorated the tables at the wedding.

Question 11

enthrall

Answer 11

v. To hold the attention of as though under a spell.

enthralling adj. Having the power to enthrall

The acrobats on the trapeze enthralled the circus audience
The children listened for over an hour to the storyteller’s enthralling tales.

Question 12

dismal

Answer 12

adj. 1. Dark, or extremely gloomy
2. causing misery or sadness; depressing

The dismal weather kept us inside for most of our vacation at the beach.
The dismal condition in Haiti force many to flee their homeland

Question 13

counterpart

Answer 13

n. A person or thing that is similar to another

The British prime minister is the counterpart of the American president.

Question 14

conclusive

Answer 14

adj. Putting an end to doubt; convincing.

The cancelled check was conclusive proof that the bicycle had been paid for.

Question 15

allege

Answer 15

v. To state as a fact but without offering proof.

alleged adj. Claimed to be true.

allegation n. Something that is alleged.

The police allege that the two teenagers took the car without permission.
This is the alleged troublemaker.
Our neighbor claimed that my brother was the boy who broke the window, but h could not provide proof to back up his allegation.