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4th Day

New Words

ôg ment′

The Hammy Old Days

Actors depend upon their ability to gesticulate* almost as much as upon speech to obtain their desired histrionic* effects. With them, gesture serves much more than merely to augment speech. When their communication is by gesture alone, it is called pantomime. In the early silent motion picture period, gestures were flamboyant.* To show that he was distraught* about the danger in which the heroine had been placed, the hero would go through the most fatuous actions. He would stagger, beat his breast, tear his hair, and contort his face into the most doleful* appearance. There weren't many simple or restrained gestures in his repertoire. The heroine, to indicate her love, would fling her arms wide and ardently* jump into her sweetheart's arms. It was only much later that actors became skilled enough to communicate with the audience through discreet* gestures and almost imperceptible changes in facial expression that could transmit nuances* of emotion.

Sample Sentences

Insert the new words in these sentences.

1.The new employee wanted to gain favor with his boss, and his obsequious* desires led to the most __________ behavior.

2.Her virtuosity* was demonstrated by the works she performed from her __________.

3.He had always appeared virile,* so that the __________ decline toward senility* went unnoticed until he succumbed* and began to use a cane.

4.The paroxysm* of coughing served to __________ her body until she could gain a respite.*

5.The parsimonious* octogenarian* sought to __________ his wealth by removing it from its cache* and placing it in a bank. Definitions

Match the new words with their definitions.

Today's Idiom

to have at one's fingertipsto have thorough knowledge, to have ready He had at his fingertips an extensive repertoire.*

Answers are on Page 318

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5th Day Review

If there's one thing a politician must know how to do, it is to use words effectively. He must weigh carefully each and every utterance. He must also select the proper word for the audience he is addressing. You may never run for office, but it would be comforting to know you were ready for itvocabulary-wise!