Chapter One - Core Vocab I

Question 1

ambivalent

Answer 1

Having mixed or opposing feelings at the same time

Question 2

dearth, paucity

Answer 2

A scarcity or shortage of something

Question 3

meticulous, fastiduous, painstaking

Answer 3

Extremely careful; very EXACTING

Question 4

diffident, self-effacing

Answer 4

Hesitant due to a lack of self-confidence; unassertive; shy; retiring

Question 5

evocation

Answer 5

An imaginative re-creation of something; a calling forth

Question 6

recalcitrant

Answer 6

stubbornly resistant and defiant, obstinate, obdurate, refractory, disobedient

Question 7

surreptitious, clandestine

Answer 7

secret, covert; not open; NOT ABOVE­BOARD

Question 8

gregarious, genial

Answer 8

affable, amiable, agreeable, warm and friendly

Question 9

altruism

Answer 9

unselfish concern for others

Question 10

ambiguity

Answer 10

equivocal, state of having more than one

Question 11

ambiguous

Answer 11

dubious, uncertain

Question 12

conjecture

Answer 12

supposition, inference

Question 13

obsolete

Answer 13

antiquated, archaic

Question 14

auspicious

Answer 14

propitious, favorable

Question 15

gaffe

Answer 15

a blunder, a clumsy error

Question 16

anachronism

Answer 16

an error in time period

Question 17

belie

Answer 17

to contradict, prove false

Question 18

mitigate

Answer 18

mollify, assuage, alleviate

Question 19

covet

Answer 19

to crave

Question 20

covetious

Answer 20

avaricious, greedy

Question 21

antithesis

Answer 21

antipode, extreme contrast

Question 22

antithetical

Answer 22

exactly opposite

Question 23

prototype

Answer 23

an original model

Question 24

antecedent

Answer 24

a precursor, forerunner, preceding event

Question 25

plausible

Answer 25

credible

Question 26

prudent

Answer 26

sensible, cautious

Question 27

aesthetic

Answer 27

relating to beauty

Question 28

paradox

Answer 28

contradictory statement that nonetheless expresses the truth

Question 29

enigmatic

Answer 29

inscrutable, baffling, unfathomable

Question 30

acquiesce

Answer 30

to comply, agree

Question 31

autonomy

Answer 31

independence; self-governance

Question 32

futile

Answer 32

doomed to failure, in vain

Question 33

endemic

Answer 33

indigenous, native

Question 34

ubiquitous

Answer 34

prevalent, pervasive, widespread, omnipresent

Question 35

fortitude

Answer 35

strength of mind that allows one to endure pain and adversity