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Questions and Answers
What is described as having a deleterious effect on health?
What is described as having a deleterious effect on health?
What does it mean if an idea is considered innocuous?
What does it mean if an idea is considered innocuous?
What is implied about the efficacy of propaganda in a free society?
What is implied about the efficacy of propaganda in a free society?
What is meant by the term 'swan song'?
What is meant by the term 'swan song'?
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What does 'concomitant' most closely mean in the context provided?
What does 'concomitant' most closely mean in the context provided?
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What does it mean to 'usurp' power?
What does it mean to 'usurp' power?
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Which word describes an environment filled with excessive information and propaganda?
Which word describes an environment filled with excessive information and propaganda?
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What is the implication of an idea being described as 'profound'?
What is the implication of an idea being described as 'profound'?
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What does it mean to 'alleviate' a problem?
What does it mean to 'alleviate' a problem?
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What is 'incumbent' in reference to responsibility?
What is 'incumbent' in reference to responsibility?
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What is the significance of 'ferment' in the context of societal change?
What is the significance of 'ferment' in the context of societal change?
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What is meant by 'attenuate' in relation to an argument's appeal?
What is meant by 'attenuate' in relation to an argument's appeal?
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What does 'abstemious' imply about a person's lifestyle?
What does 'abstemious' imply about a person's lifestyle?
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What does the term 'venerable' imply in the context provided?
What does the term 'venerable' imply in the context provided?
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Which word best captures the meaning of 'extraneous' in the context given?
Which word best captures the meaning of 'extraneous' in the context given?
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What does 'succinct' mean based on its usage in the context?
What does 'succinct' mean based on its usage in the context?
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How is the term 'factious' characterized in this context?
How is the term 'factious' characterized in this context?
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What does 'salubrious' most closely describe based on the provided content?
What does 'salubrious' most closely describe based on the provided content?
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Which of the following words best defines 'impetuous' as presented?
Which of the following words best defines 'impetuous' as presented?
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What does 'complacent' indicate about a person's attitude?
What does 'complacent' indicate about a person's attitude?
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What does it mean to 'ferment' in the given context?
What does it mean to 'ferment' in the given context?
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Which option describes the meaning of 'slovenly' as per the context?
Which option describes the meaning of 'slovenly' as per the context?
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In what way does the term 'debilitate' apply based on its usage?
In what way does the term 'debilitate' apply based on its usage?
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What does 'on the dot' suggest in the context provided?
What does 'on the dot' suggest in the context provided?
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What does 'cursory' mean when discussing inspections?
What does 'cursory' mean when discussing inspections?
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Which term best describes a person's demeanor if they are described as 'somber'?
Which term best describes a person's demeanor if they are described as 'somber'?
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What is the implication of the phrase 'the writing on the wall'?
What is the implication of the phrase 'the writing on the wall'?
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What is the proper definition of 'cander' in the context of honest speech?
What is the proper definition of 'cander' in the context of honest speech?
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What does the term 'peremptory' imply about an order?
What does the term 'peremptory' imply about an order?
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Which phrase best describes a 'charlatan'?
Which phrase best describes a 'charlatan'?
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What does the word 'jubilant' convey about a person's demeanor?
What does the word 'jubilant' convey about a person's demeanor?
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In the context of 'mortify', what does it mean to mortify someone?
In the context of 'mortify', what does it mean to mortify someone?
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What does the phrase 'from pillar to post' imply about someone's situation?
What does the phrase 'from pillar to post' imply about someone's situation?
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What does 'abjure' mean in the context of dreams and aspirations?
What does 'abjure' mean in the context of dreams and aspirations?
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Which of the following describes a 'fledgling' in relation to experience?
Which of the following describes a 'fledgling' in relation to experience?
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What does 'indolent' generally imply about a person's work ethic?
What does 'indolent' generally imply about a person's work ethic?
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What is the meaning of 'propagate' when referring to beliefs or ideas?
What is the meaning of 'propagate' when referring to beliefs or ideas?
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How is 'ostensible' best interpreted in a political context?
How is 'ostensible' best interpreted in a political context?
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What does the term ' decorum' refer to in social situations?
What does the term ' decorum' refer to in social situations?
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In what context is 'Achilles heel' used metaphorically?
In what context is 'Achilles heel' used metaphorically?
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What does 'hersey' highlight in a political discussion?
What does 'hersey' highlight in a political discussion?
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What does Robert decide to do first in his search for Evelyn?
What does Robert decide to do first in his search for Evelyn?
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Which term best describes the gambling habit of the 'inveterate Gambler' mentioned?
Which term best describes the gambling habit of the 'inveterate Gambler' mentioned?
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What does the term 'evanescent' imply about life's challenges according to the Optimist?
What does the term 'evanescent' imply about life's challenges according to the Optimist?
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How does Robert feel about the chances of locating Evelyn after placing the ad?
How does Robert feel about the chances of locating Evelyn after placing the ad?
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What is suggested by the term 'to take under one's Wing'?
What is suggested by the term 'to take under one's Wing'?
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What did the letter from Evelyn challenge Robert to do?
What did the letter from Evelyn challenge Robert to do?
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In what way is the gambler described as 'penitent'?
In what way is the gambler described as 'penitent'?
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The term 'cumbersome' is best described as which of the following?
The term 'cumbersome' is best described as which of the following?
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What does it mean to ‘interrogate’ someone?
What does it mean to ‘interrogate’ someone?
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What is indicated by the term 'comodious' as described in the context?
What is indicated by the term 'comodious' as described in the context?
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What does 'attenuate' imply in the context of the father's warning?
What does 'attenuate' imply in the context of the father's warning?
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Which characteristic does Robert exhibit in finding Evelyn?
Which characteristic does Robert exhibit in finding Evelyn?
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How does the word 'vigil' relate to Robert's actions?
How does the word 'vigil' relate to Robert's actions?
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What does the phrase 'out of one's depth' suggest about Robert's situation at the ballet?
What does the phrase 'out of one's depth' suggest about Robert's situation at the ballet?
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Study Notes
Key Concepts and Vocabulary
- Candor: Honesty and frankness; speaking openly and truthfully
- Euphemisms: Mild, indirect expressions substituted for harsh or offensive ones
- Mortify: To cause shame or embarrassment; to humiliate
- Sportsmanship: Fair play and courtesy, especially in competition; not humiliating a defeated opponent
- Malign: To speak ill of; to slander or criticize unjustly
- Avarice: Greed; excessive desire for wealth
- Omnipotent: All-powerful; having unlimited authority
- Zenith: The highest point; peak
- Fledgling: Young and inexperienced
- Frugal: Economical; spending little money
- Peremptory: Authoritative; not allowing opposition
- Quorum: The minimum number of members required for a valid meeting
- Importune: To appeal persistently to; to plead or press urgently
- Weedle: To coax or persuade someone through trickery or flattery
- Rustic: Rural; country-like; unpolished
- Jubilant: Joyful; in high spirits
- Decorum: Polite conduct; proper behavior
- Charlatan: A fraud; someone who pretends to have skills or knowledge
- Achilles' Heel: A person's weakness or vulnerability
- Double Cross: Deceitful trickery or betrayal; an act of treachery, especially in a game of cards
- Heresy: Belief or opinion contrary to established doctrine; unbelief; dissent
- Prudent: Wise; cautious; showing good judgment
- Ostensible: Apparent; outwardly claimed, but not necessarily true
- Fervid: Intense; passionate; enthusiastic
- Spurious: False; counterfeit; not genuine
- Propagate: To spread; produce off spring
- Panacea: A cure-all; a solution for all problems
- Anomaly: Irregularity; deviation from the norm
- Innocuous: Harmless; inoffensive
- Surfeit: Excess; overabundance
- Milêu: Environment; surroundings
- Strident: Loud; harsh; shrill
- Lassitude: Weariness; fatigue
- Deleterious: Harmful; damaging
- Efficacy: Power to produce an effect
- Swan Song: Final performance or effort
- Descent: To differ, disagree, or protest
- Ferment: Uproar; agitation; turmoil
- Attenuated: Weakened; thinned; decreased
- Arbiter: Judge; decider
- Obsequious: Excessively submissive or eager to please
- Lethargic: Lacking energy
- Construe: To interpret; to analyze
- Alleviate: To ease; to lessen; to make easier
- Attenuate: To make less severe or intense
- Prodigious: Extraordinary; enormous
- Expedite: To carry out promptly; to implement quickly
- Solitarity: Speed; rapidity, swiftness
- Ivory Tower: An isolated or detached lifestyle
- Usurp: To seize power or control illegally
- Poultry: Of little importance; insignificant
- Condone: To excuse; to pardon
- Trivial: Petty; unimportant
- Deleterious: Harmful
- Efficacy: Effectiveness
- Menial: Humble; degrading
- Venerable: Respected; worshiped
- Extraneous: Foreign; not belonging; not essential
- Ambiguous: Unclear; vague; undefined
- Succinct: Brief; concise; to the point
- Writing on the Wall: An incident or event that clearly shows what will happen in the future
- Archaic: Outdated; old-fashioned
- Emulate: To rival; to strive to equal
- Factious: Comical; humorous; witty
- Rabid: Fanatical; furious; mad
- Salubrious: Healthful; wholesome
- Bandwagon: Joining with the majority
- Complacent: Self-satisfied
- Somber: Gloomy; sad
- Debilitate: To weaken
- Impetuous: Impulsive; hasty
- Occult: Secret; mysterious; supernatural
- Discreet: Careful; cautious
- Formidable: Impressively strong or large; difficult to overcome
- Ferment: Stir up or instigate discussion or trouble
- Glean: Gather or collect
- Slovenly: Disorderly; careless
- On the Dot: Exactly on time
- Recondite: Hidden; obscure
- Hapless: Unlucky; unfortunate; without success
- Celarity: Speed; haste
- Abjure: To renounce; to abstain from
- Reproach: To rebuke; to reprimand
- Penitent: Regretful; showing remorse
- Evanescent: Fleeting; passing; momentary
- Tantamount: Equivalent; identical
- Propitious: Favorable; opportune
- Importune: To appeal persistently
- Sanguine: Optimistic; hopeful
- Wary: Watchful; cautious
- Encumbrance: A burden; something that weighs down
- Attenuate: To make less intense
- Allay: To ease or lessen (a feeling)
- Propensity: Inclination, bent, disposition
- Solicitous: Concerned, worried, anxious
- Assiduous: Diligent; hard-working
- Connoisseur: Expert
- Diletante: Someone with superficial knowledge
- Out of One's Depth: In a situation too difficult to handle
- Behind the Eightball: In a difficult or hopeless situation
- Allay: To ease or lessen anxiety or fear
- Deter: To hinder; to discourage
- Perverse: Evil; wicked; contrary to what is expected
- Site: Location
- Vigil: Wakeful watching
- Cumbersome: Difficult to manage or carry; clumsy; unwieldy
- Interrogate: To question formally; to examine
- Admonish: To warn or caution
- Divulge: To disclose or reveal
- Incontrovertible: Undeniable
- Unmitigated: Extreme; complete
- Commodious: Spacious; roomy
- Fluctuate: To change; to vary
- Sporadic: Irregular; occurring at random times
- Ranker: Someone less proficient, or with low status in an organization
- Tangible: Real; perceptible; demonstrable
Specific Examples and Observations
- Mark Twain used humor to malign riverboats, while expressing love for the lifestyle
- People often malign the wealthy due to greed
- Euphemisms are used when honesty is unavailable
- Good sportsmanship values not humiliating opponents.
- A high position can lead to a sense of powerlessness when the higher authority can't interfere
- A person can be considered omnipotent even if they are young
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your understanding of essential vocabulary and concepts. This quiz covers various terms and their meanings, enhancing your language skills and comprehension. Ideal for students looking to expand their lexicon and improve their writing.
