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Questions and Answers
What prompted Mullins to lose his temper and punch the manager?
What prompted Mullins to lose his temper and punch the manager?
What is the definition of 'laceration' as used in the context?
What is the definition of 'laceration' as used in the context?
What type of choice does 'Hobson's choice' refer to?
What type of choice does 'Hobson's choice' refer to?
What did the judge require Mullins to do in addition to paying a financial settlement?
What did the judge require Mullins to do in addition to paying a financial settlement?
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How did the reporter unintentionally impact the grieving wife's situation?
How did the reporter unintentionally impact the grieving wife's situation?
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What is meant by the phrase 'to rule the roost'?
What is meant by the phrase 'to rule the roost'?
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What led Mullins to seek solace in whiskey?
What led Mullins to seek solace in whiskey?
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What does the term 'aspirant' refer to in this context?
What does the term 'aspirant' refer to in this context?
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What does it mean to 'pour oil on troubled waters'?
What does it mean to 'pour oil on troubled waters'?
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Which word best describes a speech that is brief and to the point?
Which word best describes a speech that is brief and to the point?
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What character trait is described by being 'intrepid'?
What character trait is described by being 'intrepid'?
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What does it mean if someone is 'reticent'?
What does it mean if someone is 'reticent'?
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In what context might one experience the 'Sword of Damocles'?
In what context might one experience the 'Sword of Damocles'?
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What is a 'plethora'?
What is a 'plethora'?
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Which word describes someone who is 'sly' or 'sneaky'?
Which word describes someone who is 'sly' or 'sneaky'?
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What does it mean to 'fabricate' a story?
What does it mean to 'fabricate' a story?
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What is the meaning of 'vigilant'?
What is the meaning of 'vigilant'?
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What is implied by the term 'wet blanket'?
What is implied by the term 'wet blanket'?
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What does the action 'to gesticulate' involve?
What does the action 'to gesticulate' involve?
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What does 'cynical' imply when describing a person's attitude?
What does 'cynical' imply when describing a person's attitude?
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What does the term 'nuance' refer to?
What does the term 'nuance' refer to?
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What does 'avid' describe regarding a person's interests?
What does 'avid' describe regarding a person's interests?
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What does the term 'infamous' imply in the context provided?
What does the term 'infamous' imply in the context provided?
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What does the term 'dupe' refer to in the context given?
What does the term 'dupe' refer to in the context given?
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What does 'tremulous' describe about the widow's hands?
What does 'tremulous' describe about the widow's hands?
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In the context, what does 'repudiate' mean?
In the context, what does 'repudiate' mean?
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What does the term 'gubernatorial' relate to?
What does the term 'gubernatorial' relate to?
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What does 'euphemism' refer to based on the context?
What does 'euphemism' refer to based on the context?
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What is meant by the term 'mundane' in the provided context?
What is meant by the term 'mundane' in the provided context?
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What is indicated by a person who is described as 'pugnacious'?
What is indicated by a person who is described as 'pugnacious'?
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What does 'intimidate' mean in this context?
What does 'intimidate' mean in this context?
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What does the phrase 'to throw down the gauntlet' mean?
What does the phrase 'to throw down the gauntlet' mean?
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What does 'bristle' signify when used to describe the cat?
What does 'bristle' signify when used to describe the cat?
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What does the term 'disdain' express?
What does the term 'disdain' express?
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What is the best definition of 'adroit' within the context provided?
What is the best definition of 'adroit' within the context provided?
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Study Notes
Vocabulary and Phrases
- Pour oil on troubled waters: To make peace, calm down someone in conflict
- Nag: To repeatedly ask for something or complain
- Laconic: Concise, expressing much in few words
- Intrepid: Brave, courageous
- Accost: To approach and speak to
- Reticent: Silent, uncommunicative
- Sword of Damocles: Imminent danger
- Furtive: Sly, secret, stealthy
- Felon: Person guilty of a major crime
- Plethora: Excess, overabundance
- Hapless: Unfortunate, unlucky
- Irate: Angry, incensed
- Puck victory: Expensive, difficult victory
- Adroit: Skillful
- Gesticulate: To use lively gestures
- Vigilante: Watchful, alert
- Wet blanket: One who spoils the fun
- Avid: Very eager
- Cajole: To persuade
- Rudimentary: Basic, elementary
- Enhance: Intensify, heighten
- Nuance: Slight variation in meaning
- Beard the lion in his den: Defy an opponent in his home
- Loathe: To hate
- Reprimand: To scold severely
- Lackluster: Dull, monotone
- Caustic: Sarcastic, biting
- Rest: Take by force
- Crocodile tears: Insincere tears, hypocritical sympathy
- Infamous: Having a bad reputation, evil
- Jostle: To push, elbow, shove hard
- Dupe: Person easily tricked
- Incipient: Just beginning
- Inadvertent: Heedless, not attentive
- Carry the day: To win approval of the majority, win honors
- Slippery Eddie: Infamous pickpocket
- Ominous: Threatening, menacing
- Tremulous: Quivering, trembling
- Repudiate: To reject, decline
- Cessation: Stopping
- Bristle: Stiffen with fear or anger
- Skid Row: Disreputable part of town for derelicts
- Euphemism: Less offensive term
- Mundane: Worldly, earthly
- Incongruous: Inappropriate
- Condolence: Expression of sympathy
- Stipulate: Make a specific demand, specify a condition
- Alacrity: Briskness, lively action
- Disdain: Contempt
- Belligerent: Warlike, seeking war, hostile
- Intimidate: To overwhelm, make afraid
- Faint: False attack, pretense, sham
- Throw down the gauntlet: Challenge someone
- Pugnacious: Quarrelsome, combative
- Promulgate: To make known officially, make public, proclaim
- Brash: Impudent, insolent
- Scoff: To mock, sneer at
- Belittle: To make seem less important
- Tangible: Having actual form, able to be touched
- Laceration: Jagged wound, rough cut
- Castigate: To correct by punishing, chastise
- Sorted: Dirty, bas, filthy
- Noble: Ill-mannered, base, lowly-born
- Octogenarian: Person in their 80s
- Hobson's choice: To have no choice
- Solace: Comfort, easing of grief
- Aspirant: Candidate for high position
- Drgs: Most worthless part at the bottom
- Frenzy: Wild fit, frantic outburst
- Scarless: Vulgar, using indecent language
- Rule the roost: Be the boss, lay down the laws
Situations and Actions
- Changing someone's opinion by badgering them: Difficult to do
- Getting your way: Difficult to do by nagging
- Special privileges: Children can plead for them
- Avoiding being nagged: Important to avoid
- How not to get your way: Important to understand
- How to avoid conflicts: Important to understand
- Stopping a quarrel: Can be accomplished by using certain techniques
- False attacks: A way to gain advantage in conflicts
- Pickpocketing: A skill of a professional pickpocket
- Winning: Getting the approval of the majority or winning the honors
- Conflict resolution: Understanding the reasons to do so
- Challenges: Accepting them
- Public apologies: Accepting them
- Financial settlements: Making them after conflicts
Characters & Entities
- Mr. Kulage: 30th President, nicknamed "Silent Cow" for his speech
- Corporal: Received a Silver Star
Key concepts
- Perception of situations and people: Importance of understanding others and situations.
- Communication: Importance of effective communication styles.
- Conflict resolution: Techniques and difficulties of conflict resolution.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of diverse vocabulary and phrases that enrich your language skills. This quiz focuses on idiomatic expressions and nuanced words that can enhance your communication. Challenge yourself to understand and use these terms effectively.
