page_82

Page 82

3rd Day

New Words

prem′ is

The Squash Court Experiment

As the pile grew, so did the entire project. Fermi moved his materials to an abandoned squash court under a football stadium at the University of Chicago. His pace accelerated because they were proceeding on the premise that the Germans were close to atomic success. Six weeks after the pile had been started, its critical size was reached. Three brave young men jeopardized their lives by ascending* the pile, ready to cover it with liquid cadmium if anything went wrong. Almost fifty scientists and several incredulous observers mounted a balcony to watch. One physicist remained on the floor; it was his job to extract the final cadmium control rod. Unbearable tension permeated the atmosphere. Fermi completed his calculations, waited for a propitious moment, and then gave the signal.

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.Acting on the __________ that there were no burglars around, the police became quite lax.*

2.After I had perused* the Yankee lineup, I was __________ about their chances of winning.

3.The trapeze artist was squeamish* about having to __________ his life.

4.A terrible odor that was impossible to expunge* __________ the skunk handler's clothing.

5.At a __________ moment the flamboyant* movie star made her grand entrance. Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

Page 83

The Italian Navigator Lands

The chain reaction took place precisely as Enrico Fermi had surmised. After twenty-eight minutes he curtailed the experiment, giving the signal to replace the control rod. The normally reserved scientists, unable to repress their excitement, let out a tremendous cheer and gathered around Fermi to shake his hand. Although it was time to celebrate, some of the men remarked soberly that "the world would never be the same again." On December 2, 1942, the news of Fermi's achievement was relayed in a cryptic telephone message:

"The Italian Navigator has reached the New World." "And how did he find the natives?"

"Very friendly."

The Atomic Age was inchoatebut truly here!

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.Publication of the lurid* magazine was __________ by the district attorney.

2.Although his remarks appeared __________ at first, we began to see how really pertinent* they were.

3.I had to __________ my desire to interject* my criticism during the debate.

4.Edna had __________ that she would be charged a nominal* sum and so she was outraged when she got the bill.

5.The young couple was disappointed to see the __________ state of their new house.

Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.