Chapter 1 - New Words

Question 1

Plump

Answer 1

You can describe someone or something as plump to indicate that they are somewhat fat or rounded.

Example: Maria was pretty, small and plump with a mass of curly hair

Question 2

Prissy

Answer 2

fussily and excessively respectable

adjective. If you say that someone is prissy, you are critical of them because they are very easily shocked by anything vulgar or bad.

Question 3

Curt

Answer 3

If you describe someone as curt, you mean that they speak or reply in a brief and rather rude way.

Example: “I’m leaving,” she said curtly

Question 4

Undertaker

Answer 4

An undertaker is a person whose job is to deal with the bodies of people who have died and to arrange funerals.

Question 5

Lapel

Answer 5

The lapels of a jacket or coat are the two top parts at the front that are folded back on each side and join on to the collar.

Question 6

Carnation

Answer 6

A carnation is a plant with white, pink, or red flowers.

Question 7

Blotter

Answer 7

something used to absorb excess ink or other liquid, esp a sheet of blotting paper with a firm backing

Question 8

Bare

Answer 8

A bare surface is not covered or decorated with anything

They would have liked bare wooden floors throughout the house.

Question 9

Bray

Answer 9

When a donkey brays, it makes a loud harsh sound.

Question 10

Gearing

Answer 10

1. the act or manner of fitting a machine with gears

2. a system of gears or other parts for transmitting motion

Question 11

Briskly

Answer 11

A brisk activity or action is done quickly and in an energetic way.
Taking a brisk walk can often induce a feeling of well-being.

Question 12

Bric-a-brac

Answer 12

Bric-a-brac is a number of small ornamental objects of no great value.

Question 13

Bait

Answer 13

something edible, such as soft bread paste, worms, or pieces of meat, fixed to a hook or in a trap to attract fish or animals

Question 14

Sowed

Answer 14

to scatter or place (seed, a crop, etc) in or on (a piece of ground, field, etc) so that it may grow

to sow wheat
to sow a strip of land

Question 15

Rustling

Answer 15

it makes soft sounds as it moves.

Question 16

Prick

Answer 16

You are insulting them because you think they are mean and spiteful or stupid, or you do not like them.

Question 17

Whisk

Answer 17

f you whisk someone or something somewhere, you take them or move them there quickly.

Question 18

Fleeing

Answer 18

If you flee from something or someone or flee a person or thing, you escape from them.

Question 19

Mingled

Answer 19

At a party, if you mingle with the other people there, you move around and talk to them.

• Go out of your way to mingle with others at the wedding.
• Guests ate and mingled.

Question 20

Merely

Answer 20

just; only.

Question 21

Utter

Answer 21

complete; absolute

Question 22

Although

Answer 22

in spite of the fact that; even though.

Question 23

Shareholders

Answer 23

an owner of shares in a company

Question 24

Foreign

Answer 24

/ˈfôrən/. of, from, in, or characteristic of a country or language other than one’s own.

Question 25

Fuss

Answer 25

a display of unnecessary or excessive excitement, activity, or interest.

Question 26

Gassed

Answer 26

kill or harm by exposure to poisonous gas.

Question 27

Bound

Answer 27

a limitation or restriction on feeling or action. Example: it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the issue could arise again"

Question 28

Pleading

Answer 28

make an emotional appeal.

Question 29

Afterward

Answer 29

at a later or future time; subsequently.

Question 30

flimsy

Answer 30

(of a pretext or account) weak and unconvincing. | "a pretty flimsy excuse"

Question 31

Adamant

Answer 31

refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.

Question 32

Layman

Answer 32

a person without professional or specialized knowledge in a particular subject. Example: "the book seems well suited to the interested layman"

Question 33

Cultivate

Answer 33

apply oneself to improving or developing (one's mind or manners).

Question 34

Peered

Answer 34

look keenly or with difficulty at someone or something. Example: "Blake screwed up his eyes, trying to peer through the fog"