Charlotte’s Web

Question 1

cunning

Answer 1

Cunning people are clever at planning so that they get what they want, especially by tricking other people, or things that they are cleverly made for a particular purpose.

He is a very cunning man.

Question 2

dejected
adj

Answer 2

unhappy, disappointed, or without hope

She looked a bit dejected when they told her she didn’t get the job.

Question 3

blunder
n

Answer 3

a serious mistake, usually caused by not taking care or thinking

I made a blunder by getting his name wrong.

Question 4

delectable
adj

Answer 4

looking or tasting extremely good, and giving great pleasure

a delectable cheesecake

Question 5

detestable
adj
formal

Answer 5

used to refer to people or things that you hate very much

a detestable coward

Question 6

hysterics
n

Answer 6

uncontrolled behaviour or crying, usually caused by extreme fear or sadness

Convinced the plane was about to crash, many people were sobbing and in hysterics.

Question 7

scruple
n

Answer 7

a feeling that prevents you from doing something that you think is morally wrong or makes you uncertain about doing it

Robin Hood had no scruples about robbing the rich to give to the poor.

He is a man without scruple - he has no conscience.

Question 8

compunction
n

Answer 8

a slight guilty feeling about something you have done or might do

I wouldn’t have any compunction about telling him to leave.

Question 9

sensible
adj

Answer 9

based on or acting on good judgment and practical ideas or understanding

It would be sensible to take an umbrella.

a sensible person

a sensible answer

Question 10

ramble
v
talk/write

Answer 10

to talk or write in a confused way, often for a long time

Sorry, I’m rambling (on) - let me get back to the point.

Question 11

ramble
v
walk

Answer 11

to walk for pleasure, especially in the countryside

I love to ramble through the fields and lanes in this part of the country.

Let’s go rambling tomorrow.

Question 12

appal
v

Answer 12

to make someone have strong feelings of shock or of disapproval

I was appalled by the lack of staff in the hospital.

The state of the kitchen appalled her.

Question 13

hastily
adv

Answer 13

said or done in a hurry, sometimes without the necessary care or thought

“He looks good for his age. Not that 55 is old,” she added hastily.

Some thought the government acted too hastily.

Question 14

heartily
adv

Answer 14

enthusiastically, energetically, and often loudly

She laughed heartily at the joke.

Question 15

drowse
v

Answer 15

to sleep lightly for a short time, or to be almost asleep

Exhausted by their exercise, they were content to drowse in the sun.

Question 16

drowse
n

Answer 16

a period of light sleep, or a period when someone is almost asleep

I fell into a drowse again until there was another emergency brake.

Question 17

grunt
v

Answer 17

(of a pig) to make a low, rough noise

The pigs were grunting contentedly as they ate their food.

(of a person) to make a short, low sound instead of speaking, usually because of anger or pain

“Too tired,” he grunted and sat down.

Question 18

sneak up on
phr v

Answer 18

move close to someone without him seeing

I thought I’d sneak up on him and give him a surprise.

Question 19

hullabaloo
n

Answer 19

allow noise made by people who are angry or annoyed; a lot of angry comments made in public about someone or something

There’s a crowd of angry demonstrators, making a real halal outside the Houses of Parliament

Question 20

doze
v

Answer 20

to have a short sleep, usually drifting in and out of sleep

My cat likes dozing in front of the fire.