English Essays

Question 1

Aberration

Answer 1

Something that differs from the norm — Gatsby’s success, Duchess’ sexual freedom

Question 2

Acquiesce

Answer 2

Passive agreement — Ophelia spying on Hamlet, Daisy marrying Tom

Question 3

Alacrity

Answer 3

Eagerness — Gatsby’s reunion with Daisy, Duchess marrying Antonio

Question 4

Avarice

Answer 4

Excessive greed — TGG and money/robberbarons, Bosola’s motivations

Question 5

Callous

Answer 5

Harsh and unfeeling — Claudius

Question 6

Circumspect

Answer 6

Cautious — Irene’s association with passing, Nick’s relationships

Question 7

Clandestine

Answer 7

Secret — passing, Bigger’s murders

Question 8

Decry

Answer 8

Criticising openly — Tom/Gatsby, Hamlet/Claudius/Laertes

Question 9

Deride

Answer 9

Mocking scorn — Hamlet and Polonius, Bosola and the brothers

Question 10

Despot

Answer 10

Total power and brutal ruling — Claudius, Ferdinand

Question 11

Enmity

Answer 11

Hostility — Gatsby and Tom, everyone and Hamlet

Question 12

Extol

Answer 12

Praising — Nick to Gatsby, Jim to Antonia

Question 13

Fractious

Answer 13

Irritable — character as Gatsby’s parties, Polonius

Question 14

Furtive

Answer 14

Secretive and sly — Polonius/Claudius, Cardinal/Ferdinand

Question 15

Haughty

Answer 15

Disdainfully proud — Tom, Jack Bellew

Question 16

Impertinent

Answer 16

Rude, insolent — Tom, Ferdinand

Question 17

Insatiable

Answer 17

Incapable of being satisfied — Gatsby, Daisy, Clare

Question 18

Insular

Answer 18

Narrow minded and closed off — Tom’s racism, the Daltons

Question 19

Maverick

Answer 19

Independent and nonconformist — Max, Jordan

Question 20

Nadir

Answer 20

The lowest point

Question 21

Nominal

Answer 21

Insignificant — Gatsby’s legacy, Cariola

Question 22

Obsequious

Answer 22

Compliant and submissive — gender expectations

Question 23

Serendipity

Answer 23

Luck — Gatsby finding Daisy, Duchess telling Bosola about the marriage

Question 24

Sycophant

Answer 24

Flattering for self gain — Polonius, Osric, Bosola

Question 25

Venerable

Answer 25

Deserving of respect due to experience/age — Cather’s old women, Joad grandparents

Question 26

Zenith

Answer 26

The highest point/climax — Myrtle’s death, Clare’s death, Hamlet A5S2

Question 27

Heralded

Answer 27

A signal that something important (typically positive will happen) — American dream determinism Ma Joad, hope in My Antonia