Unit 2

Question 1

ex officio

Answer 1

(adj., adv.) by virtue of holding a certain office

called upon to serve _____ as a member of the board

Question 2

infringe

Answer 2

(v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds

inclined to _____ on my area of responsibility

Question 3

callow

Answer 3

(adj.) without feathers, without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise

annoyed by the chatter of ____ young people

Question 4

ameliorate

Answer 4

(v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

took steps to _____ the poor working conditions

Question 5

bombastic

Answer 5

(adj.) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas

a ____ speech with no solid content

Question 6

ingratiate

Answer 6

(v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favorable acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)

tried to ____ himself with his superiors

Question 7

epitome

Answer 7

(n.) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality

the very ____ of chivalry

Question 8

aplomb

Answer 8

(n.) poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity

handled the situation with _____

Question 9

exhort

Answer 9

(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly

_____ the team members to make a supreme effort

Question 10

drivel

Answer 10

(n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking, nonsense;
(v.) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly

to sound like so much _____

Question 11

inveigh

Answer 11

(v.) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval

_____ against the plan

Question 12

surmise

Answer 12

(v.) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess;
(n.) an idea or thought that seems likely but lacks definite proof

_______ that she would not accept my invitation

Question 13

intrinsic

Answer 13

(adj.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature; essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part; good for its own sake

a book with little ______ interest

Question 14

occult

Answer 14

(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v.) to hide, conceal; eclipse;
(n.) matters involving the supernatural

claiming to have ____ powers

Question 15

precipitate

Answer 15

(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to;
(adj.) characterized by excessive haste;
(n.) moisture; the product of an action of process

the crisis that ______(ed) the war

Question 16

lassitude

Answer 16

(n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

overcome by _____

Question 17

millenium

Answer 17

(n.) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy, prosperity, or peace

not spoken in over a _____

Question 18

permeate

Answer 18

(v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak through

a driving rain that ______(ed) every bit of clothing

Question 19

stringent

Answer 19

adj. strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste

more _____ laws against speeding

Question 20

interloper

Answer 20

(n.) an intruder, one who moves in where he or she is not wanted and has no right to be

resented as an ______