Lesson 5: The Ambassadors (Hans Holbein the Younger)

Question 1

Benjamin Franklin was the US __________ to France after the American Revolution.

(a person who represents the government of a foreign country)

Answer 1

ambassador

Question 2

After the restaurant closed, the new __________ tore down the building and made a parking lot.

(the owner of a business)

Answer 2

proprietor

(clue: property = what belongs to someone)

Question 3

In Japan, the trains run on time, the service is first rate, and the stations are __________.

(perfectly neat, clean, tidy)

Answer 3

immaculate

(im – MA – kew – lut)

Question 4

Guests were treated to a __________ dinner and free champagne.

(seems expensive, luxurious, ‘over the top’)

Answer 4

sumptuous

(SUM - chew - us)

Question 5

If you’re going to hike Mt Fuji, you need to wear the proper __________ as it gets very cold at the top.

(clothing)

Answer 5

attire

Question 6

The strange angle of this photograph makes my face look __________.

(twisted out of shape)

Answer 6

distorted

Question 7

‘もののあはれ’ is a Japanese phrase that refers to the feeling of gentle sadness one experiences with the passing of __________ things.

(changes, disappears, or dies, not permanent, only around a short while)

Answer 7

transitory

Question 8

This necklace is very __________ to me, so please don’t lose it.

(important, valuable)

Answer 8

precious

Question 9

Being involved in a car accident reminded him of his __________.

(the fact that something dies)

Answer 9

mortality

(clue: mortal things die, immortal things live forever)

Question 10

Ginger is a __________ ingredient that goes well in many different kinds of food.

(has many different uses)

Answer 10

versatile

(VER - sit - ul)

Question 11

Despite his poor upbringing, Michael has __________ taste in art, music, and literature.

(that is, Michael knows what is good, fine, beautiful, rare, etc.)

Answer 11

exquisite

(ex - KWIZ - ut)

Question 12

The moonlight cast a silvery __________ on the water.

(shine – i.e., the makes the water look shiny)

Answer 12

sheen

Question 13

The gap between rich and poor is a major source of __________ in modern society.

(disagreement, conflict)

Answer 13

discord

Question 14

The marriage was __________ when Doris learned that her new husband was actually a criminal who spent time in prison.

(cancelled, called off)

Answer 14

annulled

(to annul = to cancel)

Question 15

Patrick made up some excuse for why he couldn’t do his homework, but it wasn’t very __________.

(believable, realistic)

Answer 15

convincing

(to convince = to make someone believe something is true)

Question 16

Thanks to Google Maps, the art of ___________ is all but lost for the average person.

(knowledge of space, directions, knowing how to get places, etc.)

Answer 16

navigation