page_21

Page 21

Mullins Throws Down the Gauntlet*

The pugnacious K.O. Mullins demanded a rematch. He took a full-page newspaper advertisement to promulgate his challenge. When the champ's manager saw the brash announcement, he accosted* Mullins, who was surrounded by a throng* of newsmen. The manager openly scoffed at Mullins and belittled his fighting ability. Mullins then lost his temper and fearlessly punched the manager, knocking him from his wheelchair.

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.We implored* the faculty advisor to __________ the requirements for the presidency of the club.

2.My mother liked the salesman's __________ personality, but he irritated most people.

3.I don't understand modern art, but I neither loathe* nor __________ at it.

4.Since everyone can outpunch my cousin, he cannot afford to be __________.

5.Although Ralph can't play, he doesn't hesitate to __________ the efforts of our football team. Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

Today's Idiom feeling no paindrunk

Although the party had just begun, after his first drink he was feeling no pain.

Answers are on Page 306

Page 22

3rd Day

New Words

sôr′ did

Mullins Forced to Eat Humble Pie*

The irate* 80-year-old manager pressed charges against K.O. Mullins, suing him for assault. As tangible evidence of the attack, he pointed to a deep laceration over his eyebrow that had required ten stitches. When the case was brought before the court, the judge castigated Mullins for the sordid incident. In addition to a costly financial settlement, Mullins was required to make a public apology to the octogenarian.

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.The medic reached into his kit to find a bandage for the ugly __________.

2.Mr. Dixon belittled* our request for __________ proof of his loyalty.

3.The kindly foreman was too reticent* to openly __________ the clumsy new worker.

4.When the teenager announced her engagement to the __________, the public suspected it to be a publicity stunt.

5.Stories of their __________ youth poured forth from the unhappy felons.*

Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

Today's Idiom

Hobson's choiceto have no choice at all (Mr. Hobson owned a livery stable but he did not allow the customers to pick their own horses)

Despite all the talk about democracy in my family, my father usually gives the rest of us Hobson's choice. Answers are on Page 306

Page 23

The Decline of Mullins

Mullins sought solace in whiskey. Once a highly respected aspirant for the lightweight crown, he now found himself associating with the dregs of Skid Row.* He would work himself into an alcoholic frenzy in which he would trumpet scurrilous attacks on the champ, the old manager, and the judge. One avid* fight fan attributed Mullins' absence from the ring to sickness, saying that he was "recovering from a bad case ofSCOTCH."

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.Vigilant* censors protect the public from listening to __________ language on television.

2.The publisher scoffed* at the reports that he was an __________ for the job of Secretary of State.

3.In a __________, the teenager overturned every drawer while searching for the car keys.

4.At the bottom of the beautiful wine bottle, only the __________ remained.

5.In trying to offer __________ to the pilot's wife, the reporter inadvertently* made the situation worse. Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

Today's Idiom

to rule the roostto be in charge, to be master (a roost is a perch where domestic birds can sleep) Although he is a lowly private in the army, at home he rules the roost.

Answers are on Page 306

Page 24

5th Day Review

Let's see how many of the new words studied during the course of this week you remember. Incidentally, try to keep a record of the many times you find your new words in magazines, newspapers, and books. Before you knew the meanings of those words you probably skipped right over them.

In the following quiz, match the best possible definition with the word you have studied. Write the correct letter in the appropriate answer space.