Week 28

Question 1

vulnerable

Racing car drivers are vulnerable to dangers that other sportsmen seldom face.

Answer 1

open to attack; susceptible;

weak and easily hurt physically or emotionally

Question 2

bedlam

There is the bedlam caused by the roaring motors that move the car from a standing start to 100 miles an hour in eight seconds.

Answer 2

confusion; uproar

a scene full of noise and confusion; chaos

Question 3

cacophony

One is shaken by the cacophony of the brakes, larger than the wheels.

Answer 3

discord; harsh sound; dissonance

a mixture of loud unpleasant sounds

Question 4

exploit

The driver needs to be on the alert to exploit any mistake by an opponent.

Answer 4

profit by; utilize

Question 5

propinquity

He must be constantly aware of the propinquity of sudden death.

Answer 5

nearness in time or place

Question 6

[ IDM ] a white elephant

When he discovered the 30-volume encyclopedia, dated 1895, in his attic, he knew he had a white elephant on his hands.

Answer 6

a costly and useless possession

Question 7

disgruntled

In order to create, it is said that a man must be disgruntled.

Answer 7

unhappy; displeased

Question 8

infallible

There is no infallible way to identify a potentially creative person.

Answer 8

exempt from error; right

Question 9

panacea

The speed-up in the sciences has forced schools and industry to seek a panacea for the shortages that they face.

Answer 9

cure-all

Question 10

eradicate

The paramount objectives of the studies are to eradicate anything that will block the discovery of creative talent.

Answer 10

wipe out

Question 11

impede

The paramount objectives of the studies are to eradicate anything that will impede the discovery of creative talent.

Answer 11

interfere; block; hinder

Question 12

[ IDM ] lock, stock, and barrel

The company moved its operations to another state lock, stock, and barrel.

Answer 12

entirely; completely

Question 13

sedate

The first impression one gets of Holland is that it is a calm, sedate, and simple land.

Answer 13

quiet, still, undisturbed, sober

Question 14

equanimity

One gradually discovers this equanimity of daily existence is not in accord with the intrinsic nature of the Dutch.

Answer 14

evenness of mind; composure

Question 15

compatible

Dutch people are moved by strong feelings that are not compatible with the serenity of the world around them.

Answer 15

harmonious; well-matched

Question 16

serenity

Dutch people are moved by strong feelings that are not compatible with the serenity of the world around them.

Answer 16

peaceful repose

Question 17

revere

The Dutch revere liberty and independence.

Answer 17

honour; respect; admire

Question 18

[ IDM ] a feather in one’s cap

If she could get the movie star’s autograph, she knew it would be a feather in her cap.

Answer 18

something to be proud of

Question 19

irrational

There soon developed an irrational demand for new species.

Answer 19

unreasonable; absurd

Question 20

avarice

In their avarice, speculators bought and sold the same tulip ten times in one day.

Answer 20

greed; passion for riches

Question 21

insatiable

There was an insatiable desire for each new colour or shape.

Answer 21

cannot be satisfied

Question 22

nadir

Before long the inevitable crash came and the demand for bulbs quickly reached its nadir.

Answer 22

lowest point

Question 23

moribund

With the moribund tulip market came financial disaster to thousands of people.

Answer 23

dying; at the point of death

Question 24

[IDM] out on a limb

He went out on a limb and predicted he would win the election by a wide margin.

Answer 24

in a dangerous or exposed position