Lesson 5

Question 0

inexorable (in ek´ sər ə bal) adj.

Answer 0

unrelenting; unavoidable
Decades of harsh weather caused the inexorable erosion of the tombstone.
syn: relentless; certain ant: avoidable; preventable”

Question 1

rancor (rang´ kər) n.

Answer 1

extreme hatred or ill will
Whelan’s double-dealing had Jack seething; he had never before felt so much rancor toward a lawyer.
syn: animosity; enmity ant: amity; sympathy

Question 2

extol (ik stōl´) v.

Answer 2

to praise highly
Emily extolled the virtues of her personal hero and mentor.
syn: exalt; laud ant: chastise

Question 3

clement (klem´ ənt) adj.

Answer 3

merciful; lenient
Despite the abhorrent nature of the crime, the judge handed down a surprisingly clement sentence.
syn: forbearing; benign ant: malevolent; harsh

Question 4

cliché (klē shā´) n.

Answer 4

worn-out idea or overused expression
The candidate promised new ideas, but spouted the same old clichés after her election.
syn: platitude; banality

Question 5

adamant (ad´ ə mant) adj.

Answer 5

unyielding; firm in opinion
Despite the protests of the entire city council, the mayor remained adamant.
syn: stubborn ant: amenable; flexible

Question 6

diffident (dif´ i dənt) adj.

Answer 6

lacking in self-confidence; shy
The diffident student hated to speak in front of the class.
syn: timid ant: outgoing

Question 7

opus (ō´ pəs) n.

Answer 7

a creative work, especially a numbered composition (“opus 3” would be a composer’s third composition; plural: opera)
My favorite composition by Antonin Dvorák is Opus 95.

Question 8

ostensible (o sten´ sə bəl) adj.

Answer 8

professed but not necessarily true”
“The ostensible reason for inviting her up to his room was to show her his bottle cap collection.
syn: supposed ant: actual

Question 9

disparity (di spar´ i tē) n.

Answer 9

inequality; difference
My wife is twelve years older than I am, but we get along well despite the disparity in our ages.
syn: gap ant: similarity”