Unit 1

Question 1

(v.) to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench

Answer 1

assuage

Question 2

(n.) the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval

Answer 2

approbation

Question 3

(n.) a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

Answer 3

coalition

Question 4

(n.) decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence

Answer 4

decadence

Question 5

(v.) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)

Answer 5

elicit

Question 6

(v.) to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning

Answer 6

expostulate

Question 7

(adj.) used so often as to lack freshness or originality

Answer 7

hackneyed

Question 8

(n.) a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)

Answer 8

hiatus

Question 9

(n.) a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)

Answer 9

innuendo

Question 10

(v.) to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement

Answer 10

intercede

Question 11

(adj.) wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)

Answer 11

jaded

Question 12

(adj.) causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint

Answer 12

lurid

Question 13

(adj.) worthy, deserving recognition and praise

Answer 13

meritorious

Question 14

(adj.) peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

Answer 14

petulant

Question 15

(n.) a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence

Answer 15

prerogative

Question 16

(adj.) pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside;

Answer 16

provincial

Question 17

(v.) to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of

Answer 17

simulate

Question 18

(v.) to rise above or beyond, exceed

Answer 18

transcend

Question 19

(n.) shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion

Answer 19

umbrage

Question 20

(adj.) excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable

Answer 20

unctuous