Of Mice and Men Vocabulary

Question 1

feeling or showing readiness to fight; difficult (adj.)

Ex. “It was ___ nationalism that had haunted Europe for 100 years.”

Answer 1

belligerent

Question 2

brownish/tawny streaks of color (adj.)

Ex. “A fine ___ cow with a large udder was attached to the cart behind.”

Answer 2

brindled

Question 3

in a blunt, direct manner (adj.)

Ex. “Many think Donald Trump has a ____ and haughty demeanor.”

Answer 3

brusque

Question 4

showing deep hatred or disapproval (adj.)

Ex. “William looked at Thomas with a ____ glare as Daisy flirted with him.”

Answer 4

contemptuous

Question 5

calmed down; comforted (verb)

Ex. “Sybil ____(es) Mary after she turns down Matthew.”

Answer 5

consoled

Question 6

twisted, often in pain or struggle (verb)

Ex. “Robert’s face ___ with rage when Bates turns in his notice.”

Answer 6

contorted

Question 7

brought low in spirit (adj.)

Ex. “Mary was ____ when she saw Matthew standing with Lavinia.”

Answer 7

crestfallen

Question 8

remark expressing a low opinion of something; negative (adj.)

Ex. “Trump’s ___ remarks about Muslims and illegal immigrants have been controversial.”

Answer 8

derogatory

Question 9

removing feelings of distrust or unfriendliness (adj.)

Ex. “The boy had such a ____ smile, that she was comforted immediately.”

Answer 9

disarming

Question 10

doing what is expected (adv.)

Ex. “___, the officer held his stance as the man threatened him.”

Answer 10

dutifully

Question 11

seriously or sincerely (adv.)

Ex. “Violet spoke ___ about Matthew, urging Mary to accept his engagement.”

Answer 11

earnestly

Question 12

assuming power or authority without justification (adj.)

Ex. “Napoleon was ____ as he went country to country stealing power that was not his.”

Answer 12

imperious

Question 13

feeling of righteous anger (noun)

Ex. “Violet’s voice cracked with ____, as she spoke to Isobelle about the hospital.”

Answer 13

indignation

Question 14

make someone less angry; to calm (verb)

Ex. “Jane ____ Elizabeth when she was upset about how Mr. Darcy treater her.”

Answer 14

mollified

Question 15

sadly; ill-tempered (adv.)

Ex. “Matthew explained to Mary ____ why they could never be happy.”

Answer 15

morosely

Question 16

mark with spots or smears of color (verb)

Ex. “The art student ____(ed) the canvas for a modern piece.”

Answer 16

mottle

Question 17

suggesting that something bad is going to happen in the future (adj.)

Ex. “There were ____ signs of Matthew’s death when he made multiple remarks about his happiness during his life.”

Answer 17

ominous

Question 18

showing intellectual or emotional depth (adj.)

Ex. “The English class was astonished at the girl’s ____ statement about the repetitions of human mistakes.”

Answer 18

profound

Question 19

tough; callous from experience (adj.)

Ex. “The dog was ____ when it came to people; he knew to never to trust anyone.”

Answer 19

pugnacious

Question 20

lack of respect and dislike (adv.)

Ex. “Edith glared at Mary _____ after Mary told Bertie about Marigold.”

Answer 20

scornfully

Question 21

something causing misery or death (noun or verb)

Ex. “After Hitler committed suicide, many were relieved by the death of the ____.”

Answer 21

scourge

Question 22

to move or go quickly (verb)

Ex. “The clouds _____ through the sky as the girl swung on the swing set.”

Answer 22

scudded

Question 23

ran in short, quick steps (verb)

Ex. “The baby crab _____ toward the dry sand as the tide came in.”

Answer 23

scuttled

Question 24

to move in a twisting or contorting motion (verb)

Ex. “The cicadas _____(d) from their shells as they finally escaped the ground.”

Answer 24

writhe

Question 25

twist; ironic (adj.)

Ex. “The boy’s ___ smile sent chills down the girl’s spine as she ran through the alley.”

Answer 25

wry