Ultimate word success - Peterson's 2009

Day 14 Explore Test-worthy Words About Behavior
Part V Collect More Valuable Words

In 1740, Admiral Vernon of the British fleet decided to water down the navy’s rum. Needless to say, the sailors weren’t pleased. To get some small measure of revenge, they nicknamed the Admiral “Old Grog” after the stiff wool grogram coats he wore. The term “grog” soon began to mean the watered-down drink itself. When you were drunk on this grog, you were “groggy,” a word still in use today.

Today you’ll learn test-worthy words that have to do with the way we act. As always, try to use the techniques you learned on Day 3 to help you remember these words.

Learn Words About Conduct

Today, the word etiquette refers to the conventional requirements of social behavior. Commonly, the word is used to refer to manners. Originally, an etiquette was a target attached to a post. Children used it in games. Later, it was a military order prescribing the duties of the day. Then the paper card itself became the etiquette, the equivalent of a “ticket.” (This is what the word means in French today.) Still later the word came to mean a card that set out the procedures to be observed at the royal court. With the passage of time, it came to be linked to the manners themselves.

The following ten words refer to behavior. Try to use each word in a sentence to fix it in your memory.

Discover Ten Words About Comportment

Comportment is a fancy word for “behavior.” See? You learned a new word just like that! Below are ten more test-worthy words about human actions and behavior. As you study, pronounce each word and link it to a synonym. This will make it more likely that you’ll remember the words, come test time.

1. affable (af-uh-bul) adjective, easy-going; good-natured

2. amenable (uh-meen-uh-bul) adjective, agreeable; docile

3. chastise (chas-tyz) verb, to discipline; to rebuke

4. clandestine (klan-des-tin) adjective, secretive; hidden

5. decorous (dek-er-us) adjective, proper; well-mannered

6. disdain (dis-dayn) verb, to scorn; to treat with contempt

7. disingenuous (dis-in-jen-yoo-us) adjective, crafty; Machiavellian

8. disport (dis-port) verb, to carry away, comfort, entertain; to divert or amuse

9. fabricated (fab-ruh-kay-tid) verb, made; created

10. hypocrisy (hih-pok-ruh-see) noun, insincerity; pretense of virtue

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Word-Definition Match

Match the word to its definition. You may wish to say the word aloud as you look for the match. Remember: saying the words will help you remember them! Then, write the letter of your answer in the space provided. The answers appear on here.

Time for Fun: Word-Find Puzzle

There are fourteen words hidden in this word-find puzzle. Many of the words have already been introduced in this chapter, but a few are new. To complete the puzzle, locate and circle all the words. (See the word list below.) The words may be written forward, backward, or upside down. The answers appear on here. Good luck!

Word List

1. clandestine: secretive; hidden

2. inherent: inborn

3. transient: passing away with time

4. inveterate: deep-rooted; done by habit

5. disdain: contempt; scorn

6. gratuitous: unwarranted

7. assimilate: fit in

8. egregious: offensive

9. wary: watchful

10. amenable: agreeable; docile

11. decorous: proper; well-mannered

12. elusive: evasive; intangible

13. dubious: doubtful

14. disingenuous: crafty; Machiavellian

Study the Way We Are

The following ten test-worthy words are popular with test makers because they’re also useful in life. As you read this chart, see how many of these terms you would use in your everyday life… after tests!

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Multiple-Choice #1

Select the correct meaning for each of the following boldfaced words. Circle your choice. The answers appear on here.

1. stoic

(A) decorous

(B) egregious

(C) disingenuous

(D) impassive; self-possessed

(E) sensitive

2. surreptitious

(A) susceptible

(B) decorous

(C) sneaky

(D) disingenuous

(E) egregious

3. vitality

(A) sluggishness

(B) inactivity

(C) viciousness

(D) irony

(E) spunk

4. dogged

(A) dog-like

(B) egregious

(C) disingenuous

(D) decorous

(E) stubbornly determined

5. staid

(A) serious

(B) stiff

(C) disingenuous

(D) egregious

(E) decorous

6. wary

(A) watchful

(B) disingenuous

(C) decorous

(D) egregious

(E) negligent

7. enthrall

(A) imprison

(B) fascinate

(C) repel

(D) disgust

(E) interest mildly

8. exemplary

(A) inconspicuous

(B) outstanding

(C) hypocrisy

(D) commonplace

(E) ordinary

9. laudatory

(A) hypocrisy

(B) egregious

(C) giving praise

(D) potent

(E) brutal

10. tenacity

(A) city-like

(B) rural area

(C) tough

(D) hypocrisy

(E) persistence

See How Words of a Feather Flock Together

Animals have contributed their share of words and expressions, too. Here are some examples: beetle-browed (an angry, gloomy person), behemoth (someone of enormous size), caterpillar (an amusement park ride), and chameleon (a person who changes opinion).

Study the following terms for animal groups. They will help you correctly identify masses of animals.

It’s Your Turn: Fill-in-the-Blank

Play this game by writing in the term for the group in which each animal travels. The answers appear on here.

A ___________________ of chickens

A ___________________ of birds

A ___________________ of geese

A ___________________ of lions

A ___________________ of whales

A ___________________ or a ___________________ of fish

A ___________________ of horses

A ___________________ of bees

Give It a Try: Rock and Roll

The following words all concern motion. To play this game, determine which of the following three phrases best describes each of the words in the list that follows. Write the number of your answer choice on the line to the left of each entry. The answers appear on here.

1. to swing or rock

2. to spin or rotate

3. to twitch or vibrate

More Words About Human Nature

Since human nature is endlessly varied, it’s no wonder that we have so many words to describe it! The following list also includes synonyms and antonyms for each vocabulary word.

adept (uh-dept) adjective, skillful; competent

Synonyms: proficient; able; adroit; deft

Antonyms: incompetent; loutish; inept

aplomb (uh-plahm) noun, poise; composure

Synonyms: assurance; intrepidity; impassivity; unflappability; imperturbability

Antonyms: intemperance; irascibility; petulance

balk (bawk) verb, to stop; to refuse to continue

Synonyms: demur; spurn; shun; desist; halt; falter; stammer; suspend

Antonyms: advance; proceed; persevere; persist; endure; dogged; indefatigable

boisterous (boy-ster-us) adjective, loud, rough, or violent

Synonyms: clamorous; tumultuous; obstreperous; rambunctious; riotous; turbulent

Antonyms: sedate; staid; reconciled; subdued; placid; tranquil

bovine (boh-vyn) adjective, cowlike; dull or inactive

Synonyms: inert; loutish; slothful; torpid; indolent; languid; phlegmatic; listless

Antonyms: astir; exuberant; animated; vivacious; effervescent; ebullient

brusque (brusk) adjective, abrupt or blunt in speech

Synonyms: curt; bluff; crude; frank; boorish; sententious; terse

Antonyms: tactful; suave; glib

candid (can-did) adjective, sincere and forthright

Synonyms: frank; ingenuous; guileless; earnest; fervent

Antonyms: hypocritical; sanctimonious; ingenuous; equivocal; mendacious; devious

dapper (dap-er) adjective, neat; trim

Synonyms: fashionable; smart; natty; fastidious

Antonyms: disheveled; unkempt; tousled; slovenly; rumpled; disarrayed

debonair (deh-boh-nayr) adjective, courteous; charming

Synonyms: dashing; ambrosial; rakish; genteel; gallant; urbane; amiable; complaisant

Antonyms: impudent; impertinent; insolent; flippant; churlish; boorish; unceremonious

deft (deft) adjective, proficient; skilled

Synonyms: adroit; adept; dexterous

Antonyms: maladroit; inept; gauche

Time for Fun: Synonyms and Antonyms

This time, complete the chart by writing a synonym and an antonym for each word. Remember: a synonym means the same; an antonym has the opposite meaning. Try to list at least two synonyms and two antonyms for each vocabulary word. The answers appear on here.

Enjoy Words About Behavior with a French Flair

How many English words with French origins do you see on standardized tests? Here are ten words that entered English from French. They not only appear on standardized tests but are especially handy in social situations, too!

Rehearse Words About the Act and the Actor

In medieval days, a cavalier was a gallant on horseback. The word came to refer to a man courting members of the opposite sex. However, men on horseback look down on those who do not ride. Their attitude is haughty, and so cavalier came to mean “disdainful, arrogant.”

As the example of cavalier shows, language is a living thing. Therefore, words often change meaning. Catch the following words before they change their meaning!

1. exhort (eg-zort) verb, to urge by words; to caution or advise strongly

2. dissemble (dih-sem-bul) verb, to hide, conceal, or disguise

3. gambol (gam-bul) verb, to skip or leap playfully

4. impassive (im-pas-iv) adjective, composed; without emotion; reserved

5. ingratiate (in-gray-shee-ayt) verb, to gain favor with another; to become popular with

6. insouciant (in-soo-see-int) adjective, unconcerned; without a care; carefree; jaunty

7. predilection (preh-duh-lik-shun) noun, partiality; preference

8. rakish (ray-kish) adjective, stylish; chic

9. redress (ree-dres) verb, setting right that which is wrong; compensation or remedy for a wrong

10. reproach (ree-prohch) verb, to find fault with; blame; scold

Give It a Try: Word Scramble

Game time! First unscramble each of the words so that it matches its definition. Then, use the words to fill the appropriate spaces on the corresponding line. When you have completed the entire puzzle, another test-worthy word will read vertically in the circles. This puzzle uses words from the entire chapter. The answers appear on here.

Get in Your Last Licks

Here are six more words to help you hit the top of the charts on all your vocabulary tests.

jaded (jay-did) adjective, weary

Synonyms: enervated; spent; cloyed; depleted

Antonyms: invigorated; revitalized; enlivened

jaunty (jawn-tee) adjective, carefree; lighthearted

Synonyms: insouciant; jocund; jocose; jovial; blithe

Antonyms: dour; sullen; morose; somber; doleful; melancholy; lugubrious; saturnine

jocose (joh-kohs) adjective, playful; lighthearted

Synonyms: jocular; jocund; waggish; jovial; facetious; blithe; trifling; buoyant; halcyon

Antonyms: somber; demure; staid; sedate; stern; grim; lugubrious; pensive; saturnine

jubilant (joo-buh-lunt) adjective, rejoicing; joyful

Synonyms: elated; exuberant; exultant; reveling; frolicsome

Antonyms: depressed; sad

inscrutable (in-skroo-tuh-bul) adjective, mysterious

Synonyms: impervious; impermeable; hermetic; enigmatic; cryptic; abstruse; recondite

Antonyms: pervious; permeable; porous; pregnable; fathomable; ascertainable

misconstrue (mis-kun-stroo) verb, to misunderstand or misinterpret

Synonyms: distort; pervert; err

Antonyms: discern; fathom; conceive; assimilate

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Multiple-Choice #2

Complete each sentence with the word that fits best. Write the letter of the word in the blank. The answers appear on here.

1. Despite the extreme pain, the child remained __________ and didn’t even shed a tear.

(A) bovine

(B) candid

(C) insouciant

(D) impassive

(E) clandestine

2. With a dashing, __________ grin, the old-time movie actor prepared to pick up the star-struck ingenue.

(A) brusque

(B) clandestine

(C) jaunty

(D) erudite

(E) biennial

3. We all knew the rumors of her misdeeds, but we could find no proof because her behavior was beyond __________.

(A) jocose

(B) bovine

(C) clandestine

(D) brusque

(E) reproach

4. The liar could __________ so well that no one knew when—or even if—he was ever telling the truth.

(A) expunge

(B) embalm

(C) embark

(D) chastise

(E) dissemble

5. The children liked to skip, leap, and __________ around the playground.

(A) gambol

(B) fabricate

(C) chastise

(D) envenom

(E) reimburse

6. With a weary sigh, the world traveler realized that he was __________ by too many wondrous sights, sounds, and experiences.

(A) jaded

(B) insouciant

(C) jocose

(D) fabricated

(E) chastised

7. The soccer fans were __________ when their team won the World Cup. In their joy, they rushed from the stands onto the field.

(A) clandestine

(B) jubilant

(C) insouciant

(D) fabricated

(E) chastised

8. According to the cartoon, bears have a __________ for picnic baskets filled with goodies.

(A) clandestine

(B) predilection

(C) syllogism

(D) syndicate

(E) philanthropy

9. After all the Botox injections, her face was an __________ mask, devoid of all emotion.

(A) alias

(B) audible

(C) inscrutable

(D) insouciant

(E) antebellum

10. The model wore the outlandish hat with just the right __________ tilt and so it looked quite dashing and glamorous.

(A) carnivorous

(B) antebellum

(C) audible

(D) brusque

(E) rakish

Rush Once More into the Breach!

Let’s finish up with ten more terms for unwanted behaviors. Study the synonyms and antonyms as well as the boldface vocabulary words.

obtuse (ahb-toos) adjective, slow to understand

Synonyms: undiscerning; doltish; dull; dimwitted; moronic

Antonyms: perspicacious; keen; astute; discerning

pallid (pal-id) noun, pale

Synonyms: sallow; wan; ashen; anemic; waxen; blanched

Antonyms: flushed; ruddy; rosy; cerise; rubicund; sanguine

pan (pan) verb, to criticize harshly

Synonyms: censure; reprove; chastise; reprimand; reproach; remonstrate; inveigh

Antonyms: acclaim; extol; plaudit; laud; hail; adulate; commend; eulogize

puerile (pyoor-yl) adjective, childish

Synonyms: callow; nubile; fledgling; pubescent; juvenile; green

Antonyms: hoary; grizzled; ancient; antique; decrepit; doddering

scurrilous (sker-uh-lis) adjective, obscene; indecent

Synonyms: lewd; vulgar; uncouth; indecorous; lascivious; licentious; unsavory; libertine; bawdy; ribald

Antonyms: seemly; decorous; befitting; scrupulous; genteel; courtly

vainglorious (vayn-glor-ee-us) adjective, boastful

Synonyms: vain; boastful; conceited; egotistical; haughty; pompous; arrogant

Antonyms: retiring; unpretentious; unobtrusive; decorous

vapid (vap-id) adjective, boring

Synonyms: insipid; stale; banal; mundane; prosaic; phlegmatic; insouciant

Antonyms: effervescent; ebullient; vivacious; savory

vaunt (vawnt) verb, to boast

Synonyms: brag; flaunt; gloat; tout; brandish; publicize

Antonyms: lament; mourn; grieve

vitriolic (vit-ree-ah-lik) adjective, sarcastic; caustic

Synonyms: scathing; sardonic; acerbic; mordant; trenchant; acrimonious; pungent

Antonyms: soothing; tropical; temperate

wastrel (way-strul) adjective, extremely or lavishly wasteful, especially with money

Synonyms: prodigal; spendthrift; squanderer; profligate

Antonyms: frugal; penurious; sparing; provident; thrifty; parsimonious; miserly

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Multiple-Choice #3

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. Write the letter of the word in the space provided. The answers appear on here.

1. The boss’s sardonic and __________ words lingered in the air long after the actual quarrel had ended.

(A) insouciant

(B) vitriolic

(C) laudatory

(D) mundane

(E) boring

2. The starlet was so banal and _________ that even the talk show host showed signs of falling asleep during their interview.

(A) vapid

(B) effervescent

(C) vivacious

(D) ebullient

(E) profligate

3. My girlfriend is such a __________ with money that she’s sure to be broke before she’s thirty years old!

(A) thrifty

(B) parsimonious

(C) miserly

(D) penurious

(E) wastrel

4. The slander was so __________ that there was no question the victim would litigate and surely emerge victorious.

(A) decorous

(B) genteel

(C) courtly

(D) scurrilous

(E) scrupulous

5. The __________ prank was certainly not what we expected from a sophisticated professional like him!

(A) puerile

(B) sophisticated

(C) urbane

(D) mature

(E) clever

6. After a bad case of the flu, my friend was __________ and ashen, so pale that she looked like she had seen a ghost.

(A) pallid

(B) ruddy

(C) rubicund

(D) sanguine

(E) obtuse

7. The critic __________ the movie but fans didn’t think it was bad at all and eagerly lined up to see it over and over.

(A) acclaimed

(B) lauded

(C) hailed

(D) commended

(E) panned

8. Richie was very __________ when it came to subtle jokes so we knew that he’d be slow to understand the joke that Heather told.

(A) perspicacious

(B) obtuse

(C) discerning

(D) astute

(E) keen

9. Resting should make people more energetic, but it often has the opposite effect, leaving them __________ and sluggish.

(A) lethargic

(B) vivacious

(C) ebullient

(D) effervescent

(E) zealous

10. The __________ general rarely stopped boasting about his success on the battlefield—and off.

(A) modest

(B) unobtrusive

(C) decorous

(D) unpretentious

(E) vainglorious

Answers and Explanations

Word-Definition Match (here)

1. c

2. h

3. f

4. i

5. b

6. e

7. a

8. j

9. d

10. g

Word-Find Puzzle (here)

Multiple-Choice #1 (here)

1. D

2. C

3. E

4. E

5. A

6. A

7. B

8. B

9. C

10. E

Fill-in-the-Blank (here)

A brood of chickens

A flock of birds

A gaggle of geese

A pride of lions

A gam of whales

A school or a shoal of fish

A stable of horses

A swarm of bees

Rock and Roll (here)

1. to swing or rock

bandy

oscillate

undulate

vacillate

2. to spin or rotate

gyrate

pirouette

whirl

3. to twitch or vibrate

quake

Synonyms and Antonyms (here)

(Possible answers)

Word Scramble (here)

rakish

exhort

predilection

redress

oscillate

aplomb

candid

hypocrisy

Reading down: reproach

Multiple-Choice #2 (here)

1. D

2. C

3. E

4. E

5. A

6. A

7. B

8. B

9. C

10. E

Multiple-Choice #3 (here)

1. B

2. A

3. E

4. D

5. A

6. A

7. E

8. B

9. A

10. E