Chapter 27 - 35

Question 1

She died last year after a ‘valiant’ and bold battle with cancer.

Answer 1

possessing or acting with bravery or boldness : courageous

Question 2

The Prime Minister ‘presided’ over a meeting of his inner Cabinet.

Answer 2

to exercise guidance, direction, or control; to occupy the place of authority

Question 3

The President was in a ‘pugnacious’ mood when he was inquired about his past mistakes.

Answer 3

having a quarrelsome or combative nature : truculent

Question 4

As he reached for the figure, he realized it was not ‘corporeal’ when his hands went straight through the shape.

Answer 4

having, consisting of, or relating to a physical material body; tangible, non-spiritual

Question 5

People say I worry too much, but for ‘aught’ I know, a stranger could be watching all of my actions.

Answer 5

anything; all, everything

Question 6

My paralyzed uncle takes ‘vicarious’ pride in his son’s running achievements.

Answer 6

experienced or realized through imaginative or sympathetic participation in the experience of another : substitutionary satisfaction

Question 7

Because I love sharing knowledge, I chose teaching as my life’s ‘vocation’.

Answer 7

a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action; engaged in a particular occupation

Question 8

Although no words were spoken, our nods represented our ‘tacit’ agreement to share the debt.

Answer 8

implied or indicated (as by an act or by silence) but not actually expressed; expressed or carried on without words or speech

Question 9

A detective’s job is to ‘discern’ who is guilty of a particular crime by evaluating the evidence.

Answer 9

to detect with senses; to recognize or identify as separate and distinct; to notice

Question 10

He was sick of cities and crowds, so he decided to go live by himself in the woods as a ‘recluse’.

Answer 10

person who lives away from others : hermit, solitary, anchorite

Question 11

The ‘potency’ of the drug is high.

Answer 11

the ability or capacity to achieve or bring about a particular result; force, power

Question 12

I ‘deprecate’ TV sitcoms due to their childish and simpleminded storytelling.

Answer 12

to express disapproval of; to seek to avert, avoid

Question 13

While the dictator had no legal power, he nevertheless desired to ‘usurp’ the government’s position.

Answer 13

to seize and hold (office, place, functions, powers, etc.) in possession by force or without right

Question 14

I had no trouble believing the doctor’s ‘cogent’ explanation about my strong need for the surgery.

Answer 14

having power to compel or constrain; appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : convincing

Question 15

Dentists ‘opine’ flossing is essential for maintaining good dental health.

Answer 15

to express opinions

Question 16

What is the name of the scientific ‘nomenclature’ in which sharks are studied?

Answer 16

name, designation; group of terms; the act or process or an instance of naming

Question 17

The polar bear is an iconic ‘denizen’ of the snowy Arctic.

Answer 17

inhabitant

Question 18

Because Mary and Frank have a ‘volatile’ relationship, they often argue.

Answer 18

characterized by or subject to rapid or unexpected change; tending to erupt into violence : explosive

Question 19

As a knowledgeable talker, Carter can ‘expatiate’ on any topic.

Answer 19

to move about freely or at will : wander; to speak or write at length or in detail

Question 20

Janice was at the ‘apex’ of her music career when she sold over a million copies of her second album.

Answer 20

the uppermost point : vertex; the highest or culminating point

Question 21

During the tour, the ‘grandeur’ of the royal palace left me speechless.

Answer 21

the quality or state of being grand : magnificence

Question 22

Since Bob and Mary are both book addicts, we jokingly ‘surmise’ the couple met in a library.

Answer 22

a thought or idea based on insufficient evidence : conjecture

Question 23

The jeweler was able to easily ‘descry’ the true value of the large diamond.

Answer 23

to catch sight of; find out, discover

Question 24

Because of the rain drought, the lake is nearly ‘destitute’ of water.

Answer 24

lacking something needed or desirable

Question 25

My physician is always ‘admonishing’ me to eat more healthy foods.

Answer 25

to indicate duties or obligations to; to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner