V2

Question 1

mourning [n] [v]

/ˈmɔːnɪŋ/

Answer 1

1. the expression of sorrow for someone’s death.
   e. g. She’s still in mourning after the death of her husband.
2. black clothes worn as an expression of sorrow when someone dies.
   e. g. If he dies, she’ll put on mourning, but she won’t cry.

• [v] feel or show sorrow for the death of (someone), typically by following conventions such as the wearing of black clothes.
  e. g. Isobel mourned her husband.
• [v] feel regret or sadness about (the loss or disappearance of something).
  e. g. Publishers mourned declining sales of hardback fiction.

Question 2

imperative [adj] [n]

/ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/

Answer 2

1. of vital importance; crucial.
   e. g. Immediate action was imperative.
2. giving an authoritative command; peremptory.
   e. g. The bell pealed again, a final imperative call.

• [n] an essential or urgent thing.
  e. g. Free movement of labour was an economic imperative”
• a factor or influence making something necessary.
  e. g. The biological imperatives which guide male and female behaviour”

Question 3

harbinger [n]

/ˈhɑːbɪn(d)ʒə/

Answer 3

• a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another.
  e. g. Witch hazels are the harbingers of spring.
• a forerunner of something.
  e. g. These works were not yet opera, but they were the most important harbinger of opera.

Question 4

scrutiny [n]

/ˈskruːtɪni/

Answer 4

• critical observation or examination.
  (An example of scrutiny is a parent asking a ton of questions about the “study group” you’re going to on a Friday night.)
  e.g. Too aware of his scrutiny, she cleared her throat and pretended to read the iPad.

Question 5

embroil [v]

/ɪmˈbrɔɪl,ɛmˈbrɔɪl/

Answer 5

• involve (someone) deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation.
  e. g. She became embroiled in a dispute between two women she hardly knew.
• [ARCHAIC] bring into a state of confusion or disorder.
  e. g. What merit do you claim for having embroiled everything in which you are concerned?

Question 6

scone [n]

/skɒn,skəʊn/

Answer 6

1. a small unsweetened or lightly sweetened cake made from flour, fat, and milk and sometimes having added fruit.
2. • [INFORMAL•AUSTRALIAN] a person’s head.
     e. g. He tapped his scone and said, ‘off the top of my head’.

Question 7

off one’s scone [phrase]

Answer 7

• [INFORMAL•AUSTRALIAN] mad or crazy.

e. g. A man could go off his scone this way.

Question 8

verdict [n]

/ˈvəːdɪkt/

Answer 8

• a decision on an issue of fact in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
  e. g. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
• an opinion or judgment.
  e. g. This seems a fair verdict on the tabloids.

Question 9

bewildered [adj]

/bɪˈwɪldəd/

Answer 9

• perplexed and confused; very puzzled.
  e. g. He saw the bewildered look on my face.

bewilder [n]
/bɪˈwɪldə/
- cause (someone) to become perplexed and confused.
e.g. She was bewildered by his sudden change of mood.

Question 10

bellow [v] [n]

/ˈbɛləʊ/

Answer 10

• (of a person or animal) emits a deep loud roar, typically in pain or anger.
  e. g. He bellowed in agony.
• a deep roaring shout or sound.
  e. g. A bellow of rage.

Question 11

glitz [IMFORMAL] [n] [v]

/ɡlɪts/

Answer 11

• [n] extravagant but superficial display.
  e. g. The glitz and sophisticated night life of Ibiza.

[NORTH AMERICAN]

• [v] make (something) glamorous or showy.
  e. g. He wanted to know who we could get to glitz up the programme.

Question 12

pageant [n]

/ˈpadʒ(ə)nt/

Answer 12

1. • a public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in elaborate, colourful costumes, or an outdoor performance of a historical scene.
     e. g. They brought the history books to life at the town’s pageant.
   • something regarded as a series of interesting and varied events.
     e. g. It’s all part of life’s rich pageant.
2. [NORTH AMERICAN]
   - a beauty contest.

Question 13

reprimand [n] [v]

/ˈrɛprɪmɑːnd/

Answer 13

• [n] a formal expression of disapproval.
  e. g. The golfer received a reprimand for a breach of rules.
• [v] address a reprimand to.
  e. g. Officials were reprimanded for poor work.

Question 14

cherish [v]

/ˈtʃɛrɪʃ/

Answer 14

• protect and care for (someone) lovingly.
  e. g. He needed a woman he could cherish.
• hold (something) dear.
  e. .g. I cherish the letters she wrote.
• keep (a hope or ambition) in one’s mind.
  e. g. He had long cherished a secret fantasy about his future.

Question 15

inferno [n]

/ɪnˈfəːnəʊ/

Answer 15

1. a large fire that is dangerously out of control.
   e. g. The inferno had swept through the city.
2. hell (with reference to Dante’s Divine Comedy ).

• a place or situation that is too hot, chaotic, or noisy.
  e. g. The inferno of the Friday evening rush hour.