What's Up, Teach?

Question 1

Acumen

Answer 1

Quickness, accuracy, and keenness of judgement or insight

Judge Ackerman’s legal acumen was so well regarded that he was nicknamed “Solomon of the South.”

Question 2

Adroit

Answer 2

Dexterous; deft

An adroit balloon animal maker, Adriana became popular at children’s parties.

Question 3

Astute

Answer 3

Shrewd; clever

Stewart is financially astute; he invests wisely and never falls for scams.

Question 4

Ascertain

Answer 4

To find out, as through investigation or experimentation
My mother had long suspected my dog; after a week of gathering evidence, we ascertained that Toto had indeed chewed up her favorite pair of shoes.

Question 5

Circumspect

Answer 5

Careful; prudent; discreet

Ned’s circumspect manner makes him a wise appointment to the diplomatic corps.

Question 6

Disseminate

Answer 6

To scatter widely, as in sowing seed
The news about Dave’s embarrassing moment at the party disseminated quickly through the school; by the end of the day, everyone knew what had happened.

Question 7

Erudition

Answer 7

Deep, extensive learning

Professor Rudy’s erudition was such that she could answer any question her students put to her.

Question 8

Husbandry

Answer 8

Application of scientific principles to agriculture, especially animal breeding
After years of practicing animal husbandry, Marsha’s husband was able to create a breed of dog that actually walked itself.

Question 9

Pedantic

Answer 9

Excessively concerned with book learning and formal rules

Pedro’s pedantic tendencies prompted him to remind us constantly of all the grammatical rules we were breaking.

Question 10

Perspicacious

Answer 10

Shrewd; clear-sighted

Persephone’s perspicacious mind had solved so many cases that the popular private investigator was able to retire.

Question 11

Pragmatic

Answer 11

Practical

Never one for wild and unrealistic schemes, Matt took a pragmatic approach to research.

Question 12

Precocious

Answer 12

Exhibiting unusually early intellectual aptitude or maturity

Bobby Fisher’s precocious intellect made him one of the world’s best chess players before he could even drive.

Question 13

Prospectus

Answer 13

Formal proposal

Before writing my thesis, I had to submit a detailed prospectus to the department for approval.

Question 14

Rudimentary

Answer 14

Basic; elementary; in the earliest stages of development

Josh’s rudimentary golf skills were easily overpowered by Tiger Wood’s amazing performance on the green.