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Page 145

3rd Day

New Words

in ôrd′ n it

The Perils of the Alphabet

Dr. Weston is convinced that the pedagogue is the culprit.* Since teachers seat their pupils in alphabetical order, the "S" to "Z" child is usually the last to receive his test marks, the last to eat lunch, the last to be dismissed, and so on. As they are the last to recite, these youngsters feel frustrated* because what they had to say had usually been enunciated earlier. The inordinate amount of waiting that this group has to do causes them to become irascible and jittery. "S" to "Z" people also become quite introspective, convinced that they are inferior to those at the top of the alphabet.

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.Reporters were expecting the candidate to __________ his policy on the escalation* of the war.

2.His profligate* son made the parsimonious* old crank even more __________.

3.Since Alice is so gregarious* it surprised me to learn that she is also an __________ girl.

4.Mr. Ford is proud to be called a teacher, but he demurs* at the title of __________.

5.In an attempt to show how assiduous* he was, the executive spent an __________ amount of time on his report. Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

Today's Idiom

to get one's back upto become angry

Page 146

4th Day

New Words

In the Nature of Educational Reform

Mr. Sloane did not want to perpetuate the disorders that stemmed from the alphabetical arrangement. Not only did he reverse the seating in his other classes, but he began to badger* the school's administration for a mandate to bring about such changes throughout the building. He called it a compensatory factor to neutralize the catastrophic effects of the traditional policy. Soon, Mr. Sloane earned the appellation* of "Mr. Backwards."

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.Don Ricardo hoped that his son would __________ the family business, but Manuel was too involved with chimerical* schemes to want to run a restaurant.

2.If the draconian* regulations are to continue unabated,* they will have __________ results.

3.Dr. Meyers prescribed medication to __________ the acid condition that had incapacitated* my uncle.

4.As a prelude* to his victory speech, the mayor announced that he considered the large vote to be a __________ from the people.

5.__________ education may help minority groups to cope* with their plight.*

Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

Today's Idiom

to bring home the baconto earn a living, to succeed

The man's inability to bring home the bacon was the actual reason for the couple's incompatibility.* Answers are on Page 312