Week2

Question 1

laconic /ləˈkɑːnɪk/ (a)

Answer 1

(a) expressing much in few words

Ex: His speech was usually rambling, but this time I found it brief and laconic

Question 2

throng /θrɔːŋ/ (n)

Answer 2

(n) a crowd of people

Ex: A howling throng of teenage girls surrounded the pop stars
Ex: We pushed our way through the throng

Question 3

intrepid /ɪnˈtrepɪd/ (a)

Answer 3

(a) brave

Ex: An intrepid reporter accosted the Chief Executive
Ex: The corporal received the Silver Star for his intrepid deeds in combat

Question 4

accost /əˈkɔːst/ (v)

Answer 4

(v) to approach and speak to (especially in a way that is rude or threatening)

Ex: If a surly panhandler should accost you, keep on walking
Ex: An intrepid reporter accosted the Chief Executive

Question 5

reticent /ˈretɪsnt/ (a)

Answer 5

(a) inclined to be reserved, unwilling to tel ppl abt things

Ex: Even under repeated questioning, the witness remained reticent.

Question 6

furtive /ˈfɜːrtɪv/ (a)

Answer 6

(a) do thing quietly and secretly, STEALTHY /ˈstelθi/

Ex: In a furtive manner she removed her shoes and tiptoed up to her room

Question 7

felon /ˈfelən/ (n)

Answer 7

(n) a person guilty of a major crime

Ex: When his wife learned that Bob associated with a dangerous felon, she divorced him

Question 8

plethora /ˈpleθərə/ (n)

Answer 8

(n) EXCESS, an amount that is greater than is needed or can be used

Ex: When the teacher asked why the homework had not been done, he was greeted by a plethora of incredible alibis.

Question 9

hapless /ˈhæpləs/ (a)

Answer 9

(a) unfortunate

Ex: The hapless contest winner was unable to locate the lucky ticket.

Question 10

irate /aɪˈreɪt/ (a)

Answer 10

(a) angry, incensed

Ex: My uncle was irate when the drunken driver swerved in front of us.

Question 11

sword /sɔːrd/ of Damocles /ˈdæməkliːz/

Answer 11

(Idiom) any imminent danger

Ex: Although the president of the company seemed quite secure, he always believed that there was a sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

Question 12

Pyrrhic victory /ˌpɪrɪk ˈvɪktəri/

Answer 12

(I) a too costly victory

Ex: In heavy fighting, the troops managed to recapture the hill, but it could only be considered a Pyrrhic victory, given the significant loss of life.

Question 13

pretext /ˈpriːtekst/ (n)

Answer 13

(n) An excuse

Ex: Her pretext of being tired did not fool us for an instant

Question 14

fabricate /ˈfæbrɪkeɪt/ (v)

Answer 14

(v) to lie, construct

Ex: When interviewed by the director, he had to fabricate a tale of his medical experience, but he was so adroit at lying that he got away with it.

Question 15

(be) adroit (at) /əˈdrɔɪt/

Answer 15

(a) skillful and clever, esp in dealing with people

Ex: My nephew is quite adroit at making model airplanes
Ex: When interviewed by the director, he had to fabricate a tale of his medical experience, but he was so adroit at lying that he got away with it.

Question 16

gesticulate /dʒeˈstɪkjuleɪt/ (v)

Answer 16

(v) to move the arms energetically (to attract attention)

Ex: It’s difficult to miss the traffic officer when he gesticulates at the onrushing cars.
Ex: She was shouting and gesticulating from the other side of the road

Question 17

vigilant /ˈvɪdʒɪlənt/ (a)

Answer 17

(a) watchful, very careful to notice any signs of danger or trouble

Ex: The shootings at Columbine High School made educators much more vigilant.

Question 18

wet blanket /ˈblæŋkɪt/ (I)

Answer 18

(i) one who spoils the fun

Ex: Everyone wanted the party to go on, but Romie, the wet blanket, decided to go home to bed.

Question 19

phony /ˈfoʊni/(a)

Answer 19

(a) not genuine, fraudulent /ˈfrɔːdʒələnt/

Question 20

cajole /kəˈdʒoʊl/ into doing sth(v)

Answer 20

(v) to COAX /koʊks/ - make sb do sth by talking to them & being very nice to them

Ex: Whenever I can cajole my father into accompanying me

Question 21

rudimentary /ˌruːdɪˈmentri/ (a)

Answer 21

(a) elementary, dealing with only the most basic matters or ideas

Ex: Since my grasp of calculus is rudimentary, I cannot solve the problem

Ex: He has only a rudimentary knowledge of the game, and since I am steeped in it, I enjoy explaining its intricate details to him.

Question 22

nuance /ˈnuːɑːns/ (n)

Answer 22

(n) slight variation in meaning, ton, etc.

Ex: It certainly does enhance your appreciation of football when you are aware of every nuance of the sport.

Question 23

the stars align (I)

Answer 23

(I) when an unexpected event takes place

Ex: It seemed the stars had aligned when Demetrius got his wish to play first violin in the orchestra

Question 24

intricate /ˈɪntrɪkət/ (a)

Answer 24

(a) having a lot of different parts and small details that fit together

Ex: since I am steeped in it, I enjoy explaining its intricate details to him

Ex:an intricate network of loyalties and relationships

Question 25

grasp /ɡræsp/(n)

Answer 25

(n) a person’s understanding of a subject or of difficult facts

Ex: Since my grasp of calculus is rudimentary, I cannot solve the problem