3-6

Question 1

failing to produce the intended result

Answer 1

abortive

Question 2

spread (a report or rumor) widely

Answer 2

bruit

Question 3

(of behavior) scornful and insulting; insolent

Answer 3

contumelious

Question 4

a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source

Answer 4

dictum

Question 5

establish or settle (someone) in a comfortable, safe, or secret place

Answer 5

ensconce

Question 6

characterized by attack on cherished beliefs or institutions

Answer 6

iconoclastic

Question 7

the literary and artistic narrative technique of relating a story from the midpoint, rather than the beginning. In an in medias res narrative, the story opens with dramatic action rather than exposition setting up the characters and situation. .

Answer 7

in media res

Question 8

destructive to both sides in a conflict.

Answer 8

internecine

Question 9

ineffective or bungling; clumsy.

Answer 9

maladroit

Question 10

self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness

Answer 10

maudlin

Question 11

exert a modifying or controlling influence on.

Answer 11

modulate

Question 12

ominous

Answer 12

portentous

Question 13

the fact of knowing something before it takes place; foreknowledge.

Answer 13

prescience

Question 14

a favor or advantage granted or expected in return for something

Answer 14

quid pro quo

Question 15

health-giving; healthy

Answer 15

salubrious

Question 16

the ancient Roman festival of Saturn in December, which was a period of general merrymaking and was the predecessor of Christmas.

Answer 16

Saturnalia

Question 17

a piece of fine-grained dark schist or jasper formerly used for testing alloys of gold by observing the color of the mark that they made on it.

Answer 17

touchstone

Question 18

emotionally disturbing or distressing.

Answer 18

traumatic

Question 19

spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of.

Answer 19

vitiate

Question 20

humorous in a playful, mischievous, or facetious manner

Answer 20

waggish