Lesson 13

Question 1

Importune

Answer 1

Syn: ask urgently; beg; implore

Although Eddie was not sanguine about his chances, he continued to importune his boss for a winter vacation.

Question 2

Haven

Answer 2

Syn: palce of safety; shelter

In inclement weather our barn is a haven for many animals.

Question 3

Subjugate

Answer 3

Syn: conquer; overcome

The dictator used duplicity in order to subjugate his rivals.

Question 4

Surreptitious

Answer 4

Syn: stealthy; secret

With a Surreptitious movement, the meticulous bookkeeper emptied the ash tray.

Question 5

Incontrovertible

Answer 5

Syn: undeniable; incertain

The expert’s incontrovertible testimony corroborated the police report.

Question 6

To take the ball by the horns (idiom)

Answer 6

To face a problem directly

• After several days of delay, the minister decided to take the balls by the horns, and so he sent for the vandals.

Question 7

Eventuate (v.)

Answer 7

Syn: to result finally; lead to

• A thorough investigation eventuated in a comprehensive report.

Question 8

Subterranean (adj.)

Answer 8

Syn: underground

• After two years of confinement in a subterranean dungeon, the prisoner was thin and wan.

Question 9

Emit (vt.)

Answer 9

Syn: to give off; eject

• The mayor issued a diatribe against companies whose smockstacks emit poisonous fumes.

Question 10

Ultimate (adj.) (n.)

Answer 10

Syn: final; eventual; last

• Gaining better housing for all was the ultimate goal of the zealous reformer.

Question 11

Viable (adj.)

Answer 11

Syn: practicable; workable; applicable

• When the schism in the company was healed, a viable arrangement was worked out.

Question 12

The lion’s share (idiom.)

Answer 12

The major portion

• Because the salesman was essential to the business, he demanded the lion’s share of the profits.

Question 13

Premise (n.) (vt.)

Answer 13

Syn: grounds for a conclusion; assumption

• Acting on the premise that there were no burglars around, the police became quite lax.

Question 14

Incredulous (adj.)

Answer 14

Syn: skeptical; disbelieving; doubtful

• After I had perused the yankee lineup, I was incredulous about their chances of winning.

Question 15

Jeopardize (vt.)

Answer 15

Syn: endanger; risk; expose

• The trapeze artist was squeamish about having to jeopardize his life.

Question 16

Permeate (vt.) (vi.)

Answer 16

Syn: to spread through; to flow through

• A terrible odor that was impossible to expunge permeated the skunk handler’s clothing.

Question 17

Propitious (adj.)

Answer 17

Syn: favorable; beneficial; convenient; appropriate

• At a propitious moment the flamboyant movie star made her grand entrance.

Question 18

Out of the frying pan into the five (idiom.)

Answer 18

To go from a difficult situation to a worse one

• I thought I had escaped, but actually I went out of the frying pan into the five.

Question 19

Curtail (vt.)

Answer 19

Syn: to cut short; to reduce

• Publication of the lurid magazine was curtailed by the district attorney.

Question 20

Cryptic (adj.)

Answer 20

Syn: puzzling; confusing

• Although his remarks appeared cryptic at first, we began to see how really pertinent they were.

Question 21

Repress (vt.)

Answer 21

Syn: to put down; to control; to restrain

• I had to repress my desire to interject my criticism during the debate.

Question 22

Surmise (n.) (vt.)

Answer 22

Syn: guess; assume; think

• Edna had surmised that she would be charged a nominal sum and so she was outraged when she got the bill.

Question 23

Inchoate (adj.)

Answer 23

Syn: in an early stage; beginning; initial

• The young couple was disappointed to see the inchoate state of their new house.

Question 24

To keep the pot boiling (idiom.)

Answer 24

To see that interest doesn’t die down

• Dickens kept the pot boiling by ending each chapter on a note of uncertainty and suspense.