Lesson 5

Question 1

callow

Answer 1

adj. young and inexperienced; immature

Question 2

contemporary

Answer 2

n. a person living during the same period as another

adj. existing or occurring at the same time

Question 3

cynical

Answer 3

adj. doubtful of the sincerity of others’ motives; skeptical

cynic n.

Question 4

despot

Answer 4

n. a ruler with absolute power or tyrannical control over a group of people
despotic adj.

Question 5

enunciate

Answer 5

v. 1. to pronounce clearly

2. to state; to announce

Question 6

impediment

Answer 6

n. anything that gets in the way; an obstacle

Question 7

impoverish

Answer 7

v. 1. to make poor
2. to take away
impoverished adj.

Question 8

indolent

Answer 8

adj. indulging in ease; avoiding exertion; lazy

indolence n.

Question 9

sagacious

Answer 9

adj. showing sound judgment; wise

sagacity

Question 10

secular

Answer 10

adj. worldly; not connected with a church or religion

Question 11

speculate

Answer 11

v. 1. to think about or make guesses

2. to engage in a risky business venture

Question 12

strife

Answer 12

n. conflict or struggle

Question 13

venerate

Answer 13

v. to show great respect for

Question 14

voracious

Answer 14

adj. 1. ravenous; desiring and eating a large amount of food

2. greatly eager

Question 15

wane

Answer 15

v. to get smaller, dimmer, or weaker; to near an end