Lesson 4

Question 0

Paradoxical

Answer 0

Something that appears false or contradictory but is actually correct

It is paradoxical that a man from the South, Lyndon Johnson, led the fight for the passage of a civil rights bill.

Question 1

Palpable

Answer 1

Tangible, perceptible, easily noticeable

I do not see how I overlooked such a palpable miscalculation.

Question 2

Paragon

Answer 2

A model of excellence or perfection

The minister was a paragon of virtue in all his affairs.

Question 3

Parch

Answer 3

To become dry from heat, to shrivel from heat

The fruit was parched from staying in the sun so long.

Question 4

Peevish

Answer 4

Fretful, obstinate

With a peevish gesture, Jane slammed the book shut.

Question 5

Perdition

Answer 5

Eternal damnation, utter ruin

The church warns against pursuing hedonistic and worldly things and risking eternal perdition.

Question 6

Pernicious

Answer 6

Very destructive or harmful, deadly

SYN: baneful, deleterious, detrimental, noxious
Shooting heroin is a pernicious habit.

Question 7

Peruse

Answer 7

To read or examine

My lawyer has not had time to peruse the contract.

Question 8

Pithy

Answer 8

Concise and meaningful

SYN: compendious, laconic, succinct, summary, terse
Due to great demands on his time, the president needs memos that he must read to be pithy.

Question 9

Plausible

Answer 9

Seemingly acceptable, believable, or possible

We need someone to develop a plausible solution to this problem.