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Page 14

3rd Week 1st Day

The Pep Talk

"If there's one thing I loathe," the coach said, "it's a quitter." He had good reason to reprimand us at half-time, because the scoreboard revealed that we were losing, 4520. Our lackluster performance indicated to him that we had forgotten the rudimentary* aspects of basketball. His caustic remarks fired us up, however, and we dashed out, determined to wrest control of the game from our rivals.

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.With the help of his brothers he was able to __________ the leadership of the company from his partner.

2.Speaking in a monotone, the politician was booed for his __________ address.

3.In a __________ article, the drama critic slaughtered the hapless* actors.

4.I __________ spinach but I love other green vegetables.

5.When Ed arrived late, he knew that the grocer would __________ him.

Definitions

Match the new words with their dictionary definitions.

Today's Idiom

crocodile tearsinsincere tears (crocodiles were said to cry while eating their prey) When the football player broke his leg, his substitute wept crocodile tears. Answers are on Page 306

Page 15

2nd Day

New Words

düp

The Handcuff Is Quicker Than the Eye

Slippery Eddie, the infamous pickpocket, was back at work, and every detective had to be especially vigilant.* Eddie's technique was to jostle a victim toward a confederate who would then slip the man's wallet out of his back pocket while Eddie was stammering an apology to the confused dupe. Within a week the incipient crimewave came to an end when Slippery Eddie inadvertently chose the chief of police for his victim. Although Eddie loathes* Sing Sing, it's his permanent address now.

Sample Sentences

Can you put the new words in the right sentences?

1.By telling the truth, we stopped the __________ rumor from spreading.

2.The bombing of Pearl Harbor was referred to as an __________ deed.

3.The wealthy __________ consented to buy the often-sold Brooklyn Bridge.

4.When he attempted to __________ the old lady, she struck him with her umbrella.

5.Through an __________ error, the guided missile sped out of control.

Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

Today's Idiom

to carry the dayto win the approval of the majority

The secretary's motion that we adjourn for lunch carried the day, and we headed for the restaurant.

Answers are on Page 306

Page 16

3rd Day

New Words

Courtroom Drama

There was an ominous silence when the jittery defendant rose in court. He explained in a tremulous voice what had led him to repudiate his confession made at the police station on the night of the crime. The audience began to buzz excitedly until the judge demanded a cessation of the noise. Although the district attorney bristled with anger, the defendant kept insisting that his rights had been violated because he had not been told that he could see a lawyer before confessing.

Sample Sentences

Fit the new words into the blanks.

1.After the weatherman had seen the __________ clouds, he prognosticated* rain.

2.The general attempted to __________ the testimony of the lieutenant, claiming that the young officer was not an authority on low level bombing.

3.Upon seeing the snake, the cat began to __________ with fear.

4.The widow's __________ hands revealed her nervousness.

5.The __________ of the bombing in Yugoslavia was urged by the Pope.

Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

Today's Idiom

Skid Rowdisreputable part of town, inhabited by derelicts and people "on the skid"

The presence of so many bars has turned our neighborhood into another Skid Row.

Answers are on Page 306

Page 17

4th Day

New Words

Call Me By My Right Name

My cousin refers to himself as a ''sanitary engineer"a euphemism for garbage collector. There are any number of people who try to find more respectable or glamorous titles for the mundane jobs they hold. It may seem incongruous to call an undertaker a "condolence counselor," or to refer to a taxi driver as a "transportation expediter," but some prefer those titles. As a matter of fact, our butcher has stipulated that from now on he wants to be known as a "meat coordinator." He became irate* when I inadvertently* called him "Butch."

Sample Sentences

In which blanks do the new words belong?

1.We repudiated* the contract because it did not __________ a cost of living bonus.

2.The word "expired" is a __________ for "died."

3.When my neighbor's dog was run over, we sent a __________ card.

4.The philosopher dealt with spiritual things, ignorning the __________ ones.

5.The play was so __________ that it seemed to be the work of several authors. Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

Today's Idiom

to go up in smoketo come to no practical result (kindling smokes but it will not light a fire)

The mayor's plans to get the gubernatorial nomination went up in smoke when he couldn't end the costly strike. Answers are on Page 306