Vocab Unit 8

Question 1

abnormal

Answer 1

(adj) not usual, not typical, strange

For my sister, who is always late, being early for class would be an abnormal situation.

Question 2

catastrophe

Answer 2

(n) a large-scale disaster, misfortune, or failure

During the Cold War, the United States did everything possible to avoid a nuclear catastrophe.

Question 3

decrease

Answer 3

(v) to become or make less
(n) a lessening

The manager hopes that theft will decrease once the new security system is installed.

Because of a sharp decrease in sales, the company had to lay off two-thirds of its workers.

Question 4

flourish

Answer 4

(v) to grow, thrive; to wave in the air
(n) a dramatic gesture; a fanfare of horns

It is fortunate for lovers of the arts that painting and opera still flourish in Italy.

Actors often enter the stage with a flourish.

Question 5

insubordinate

Answer 5

(disobedient, rebellious

The insubordinate soldier repeatedly interrupted his commanding officer.

Question 6

onslaught

Answer 6

(n) a violent attack; a sudden rush of something

To prepare for the onslaught of winter, we replenished our supply of firewood and rock salt.

Question 7

outstrip

Answer 7

(v) to get ahead of, do better than, exceed

By offering customers low prices and good terms, the new store hopes to outstrip the competition.

Question 8

prudent

Answer 8

(adj) cautious, careful, showing good sense

It pays to make prudent interviews.

Question 9

quench

Answer 9

(v) to put out, extinguish, end

The firefighters will quench the flames with water.

Question 10

swerve

Answer 10

(v) to turn aside sharply
(n) a sharp or sudden turn

Be aware that if you swerve too sharply, you may loose control of the car.

The sudden swerve of the bus caused some passengers to fall out of their seats.

Question 11

capsize

Answer 11

(v) to turn bottom side up, upset

Anyone watching could see that it was our inexperience that caused us to capsize the canoes.

Question 12

disputatious

Answer 12

(adj) inclined to argue or debate

The disputatious senator had engaged in filibusters to block the passage of many a bill.

Question 13

evict

Answer 13

(v) to force a property, eject

The landlord reluctantly decided to eject the tenants who fell on hard times and had not paid their rent in six months.

Question 14

incentive

Answer 14

(n) a reason for doing something: something that stimulates action

Because career advancement is such a strong incentive, adults are usually eager and hard-working students.

Question 15

legible

Answer 15

(adj) easily read, neat, clear enough to read

In keeping with the jokes, pharmacists will tell you most doctors’ handwriting is barley legible.

Question 16

nub

Answer 16

(n) the central point or heart of a matter; a knob

After seemingly endless digressions, the speaker finally got to the nub of his argument.

Question 17

ordain

Answer 17

(v) to establish by law; to order or command; to destine

Ancient astrologers believed that the stars could ordain one’s future.

Question 18

pervade

Answer 18

(v.) to spread throughout

Pollutants pervade the atmosphere of many of our nation’s large cities

Question 19

remnant

Answer 19

(n.) a small part remaining behind

By the end of the war, the rebels had but a remnant of their former strength.

Question 20

simultaneous

Answer 20

(adj.) happening or existing at the same time

The people put on headphones so they could listen to a simultaneous translation of the speech.