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3rd Day

New Words

nas′ nt

The Mind's Secrets

The study of the human mind and behavior has had many prominent practitioners, but no one is more revered* than Sigmund Freud. An Austrian physician, he is said to be the father of psychoanalysis. He taught that man has a subconscious mind in which he keeps repugnant* memories that come to the surface surreptitiously* and motivate behavior. Man often tries to rationalize his actions, when, in reality, they are really the result of suppressed memories coming to the surface. Freud's approach to the disturbed person was to attempt therapy by examining the dreams that make cognizant* what the cause of the illness might be. Only with the airing of deleterious, buried emotions can the person move from the nascent stage to that of full health. Freud was considered an iconoclast in the field of psychology when his ideas first appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Sample Sentences

Insert the new words in these sentences.

1.The __________ was in favor of jettisoning* one of the traditions that had become an intrinsic* part of his life.

2.In order to complete the __________, the doctor said a trip to a warm, dry climate was mandatory.*

3.Complacent* people are difficult to __________ to altruistic* actions.

4.It is pathetic* the way some citizens __________ their apathy* during election years.

5.His beard was in its __________ state; it would soon be a hirsute* masterpiece.

Definitions

Match the new words with their definitions.

Today's Idiom

a square peg in a round holean able man in the wrong job

It was a bitter pill to swallow* when they had to fire him because he was a square peg in a round hole. Answers are on Page 317

Page 237

4th Day

New Words

Amateur Psychologists

The ideas of Freudian psychology have become part of our everyday life. Our language is replete* with clichés* that have their origin in Freud's writings. There is a surfeit* of amateur psychologists who, with celerity,* analyze an individual's problems from the slightest evidence. Despite their dubious* education and training in this field, they discuss symptoms and cures on a most erudite fashion. Should a person express a fear of height, this phobia is examined; events from childhood are considered germane to the problem. Is it possible he or she was dropped as an infant? Perhaps something in a dream is pertinent* to explain the feelings of vertigo that accompany height. For some reason, non-trained people find the Freudian approach to the workings of the human mind most conducive to their practicing as amateur psychologists.

Sample Sentences

Insert the new words in these sentences.

1.She could not countenance* the sight of a lethal* weapon; it was tantamount* to a __________ with her.

2.The __________ man was more than merely bilingual;* he spoke five languages.

3.I would never have the temerity* to walk across the steel girders high up on a new building; an onset of __________ would surely follow.

4.The bedlam* in the study hall was not __________ to good work habits.

5.Epithets* are not __________ when motivating* a child to a task.

Definitions

Match the new words with their definitions.

Today's Idiom

to upset the apple cartto overturn or disturb a plan or intention

It was a bitter pill to swallow* when they upset the apple cart and elected a dark horse.*

Answers are on Page 317

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5th Day Review

The writings of Thoreau and Freud are replete* with ideas that require deep thought. In order to tackle their ideas, one must understand their vocabulary. Therefore, word mastery is the key to unlocking ideas of some of our greatest thinkers.