English 11A Unit 3

Question 1

(adj.) roundabout, not direct

Answer 1

circuitous

Question 2

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

Answer 2

commiserate

Question 3

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

Answer 3

expedite

Question 4

(v.) to make amends, atone, make up for; to ward off or avert

Answer 4

expiate

Question 5

(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

Answer 5

enjoin

Question 6

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

Answer 6

wheedle

Question 7

(adj.) easy to see or perceive, obvious; attracting attention by being unexpected, unusual, outstanding

Answer 7

conspicuous

Question 8

(v.) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use

Answer 8

peculate

Question 9

(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency ( especially of human character or behavior)

Answer 9

proclivity

Question 10

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

Answer 10

abominate

Question 11

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source)

Answer 11

ascribe

Question 12

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

Answer 12

nominal

Question 13

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

Answer 13

inadvertent

Question 14

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

Answer 14

seditious

Question 15

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

Answer 15

vitriolic

Question 16

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action

Answer 16

ferment

Question 17

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause; accidental, not essential (medicine) acquired, not congenital

Answer 17

adventitious

Question 18

(n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another, the resultant blend

Answer 18

acculturation

Question 19

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position

Answer 19

noncommittal

Question 20

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

Answer 20

tenuous