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Vocabulary Workshop, Level A / Grade 6

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UNIT 13
Read the following passage, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 13. As you complete the
exercises in this Unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Polar Opposites
< Compare and Contrast Essay>
A lthough they may seem similar, the
polar regions of planet Earth are really
very different. They affirm the old adage
The Arctic is a region of immense
diversity. Although the terrain seems
forbidding, many animals prowl the land,
that there are two sides to the same coin. including polar bears, caribou, wolves,
The astonishing climate traits of both foxes, hares, and weasels. Migrant birds
the Arctic and Antarctica are stupefying. visit from as far away as Central and South
Temperatures of –60°F are not unusual. If America. Possibly the most famous of
the harsh winds and vast ice sheets do not these birds is the arctic tern. This summer
deter visitors, these strangers will find the visitor traverses thousands of miles every
elements disquieting at the very least. year, from Antarctica to the Arctic! The
During polar winters, the sun never rises, ocean surges with abundant marine life,
while during the summers, it never sets. especially when warm currents move
For centuries, explorers had to give around some of the Arctic coasts.
careful thought to how to cope with these Surprisingly, vegetation is widespread.
forces of nature. It was essential to adhere Algae, lichens, and dwarf shrubs persist,
closely to a more rigorous program of even in areas of permanent ice.
safety precautions than explorers used in The Arctic is also home to a broad
more temperate lands. range of native peoples. For example,
the Inuit and Aleuts reside in northern
North America and Greenland. The
Eurasian Arctic is home to the Sami,

The arctic fox has a thick

coat and furred paws to
allow for survival in an
extremely cold climate.

164 ■ Unit 13
 The emperor penguin, indigenous to Antarctica,
is the largest species of penguins.

sometimes called the Lapps, as well as

to the Nenets (Samoyed) and the Evenks
(Tungus). To suppose that these peoples
view their environment as hostile would
be a misapprehension. According to histories. Study of Antarctica lagged for
anthropologists, many Arctic residents are some time, largely because trade routes
optimists. They perceive their surroundings from North America and Europe to the
as benevolent and empowering, offering East seemed much more appealing in the
an abundant livelihood. far north.
By contrast with the Arctic, which is The 1950s, however, witnessed two
made up of portions of several continents, important events for Antarctica. First was
Antarctica is a true continent, the fifth the development of the tourist industry.
largest on Earth. Its landmass covers 5.5 Second was the Antarctic Treaty, a
million square miles and lies almost breakthrough in international diplomacy.
wholly beneath a vast ice sheet. The ice This treaty preserved Antarctica from
measures 7 million cubic miles—that’s corrupt or unscrupulous exploitation that
about 90 percent of all the ice on Earth. In would mangle the environment. The
1983, the lowest recorded temperature on agreement set aside the continent as a
Earth was measured at an Antarctic scientific preserve.
research center, Vostok Station: –128.6°F.
Despite differences between these two
Unlike the Arctic, the interior of polar regions, both have been an equal
Antarctica may boast only of invertebrate source of fascination and inspiration for
microfauna, such as nematodes and people throughout the centuries.
ciliate protozoans. Seals and birds live on
the edges of the land. Probably the most
spectacular resident of Antarctica is the
emperor penguin, a flightless bird
d io
standing between three and four feet tall.
Antarctica is the only continent on
Au
Earth without a native human population.
For and
Although the North and South Poles were
audio passages,
first reached at roughly the same time in
snap the code, or
the early 1900s, the Arctic and Antarctic
go to vocabularyworkshop.com.
regions have had different exploration

Unit 13 ■ 165
 vocabularyworkshop.com: audio program interactive word games

Note the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s)

of each of the following words. Then write the appropriate form of
Definitions the word in the blank spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following.
Finally, study the lists of synonyms and antonyms.

1. adhere (v.) to stick to, remain attached; to be devoted or loyal as a

(ad hēr’) follower or supporter
Things will work out better if we to
our original plan.
SYNONYMS: cling, hold fast
ANTONYMS: unfasten, unglue, abandon, betray

2. affirm (v.) to declare to be true, state positively; to confirm

(ə fərm’) Unexpected kindness from a stranger during a time of need
can one’s faith in human nature.
SYNONYMS: assert, ratify
ANTONYMS: deny, disavow, reject, veto, disallow

3. atrocity (n.) an extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel act; something very

(ə träs’ ət ē) bad or unpleasant
The Nazis took great pains to keep detailed records of each
kind of they committed.
SYNONYMS: enormity, monstrosity
ANTONYMS: good deed, kindness

4. cope (v.) to struggle successfully against; to prove to be a match for,

(kōp) deal with satisfactorily; (n.) a long religious cloak; a canopy
Education and experience provide us with the skills we need
to with difficult situations.
We exchanged wedding vows under a blue
.
SYNONYMS: (v.) make do, get along, handle

5. deter (v.) to discourage, scare off, or prevent through fear or doubt

(di tər’) Traffic jams won’t us from coming
to your birthday party.
ANTONYMS: encourage, urge on

6. disquieting (adj.) causing uneasiness or worry

(dis kwī’ ət iŋ) A incident at school put all the
teachers and students on edge.
SYNONYMS: disturbing, alarming
ANTONYMS: calming, reassuring, soothing, comforting

166 ■ Unit 13
 13
7. empower (v.) to give power or authority to; to enable; to permit
(em paú’ ər) Signing this legal paper will me to
set up my own bank account.
SYNONYMS: authorize, license
ANTONYMS: forbid, prohibit, ban, disqualify

8. fluent (adj.) speaking or writing easily and smoothly, flowing gracefully

(flü’ ənt) Susannah can speak Japanese,
French, and Russian.
SYNONYMS: eloquent, articulate, glib
ANTONYMS: tongue-tied, choppy

9. lag (v.) to move slowly or fall behind; to bring up the rear; (n.) a
(lag) falling behind; the amount by which someone or something is
behind; an interval
Please try not to behind the others.
There is a three-hour from the time
I send you an e-mail until you receive it.
SYNONYMS: (v.) trail, straggle; (v., n.) delay
ANTONYMS: (v.) keep up, outstrip, outdo

10. mangle (v.) to injure very seriously by cutting, tearing, crushing, etc.; to
(maŋ’ gəl) bring to ruin
Workers could their hands in this
equipment if they don’t pay attention to what they’re doing.
SYNONYMS: mutilate, butcher, disfigure, rend

11. misapprehension (n.) a wrong idea, misunderstanding

(mis ap ri hen’ shən) A lingering may cause ill will
between friends.
SYNONYM: misconception

12. optimist (n.) one who expects things to turn out for the best; someone
(äp’ tə mist) who looks on the bright side of things
An holds a rosy view of life.
ANTONYMS: pessimist, prophet of doom

13. prowl (v.) to roam about stealthily in search of something

(praúl) A panther can freely at night
because its dark fur prevents it from being seen.
SYNONYMS: rove, skulk, slink, lurk

Unit 13 ■ 167
14. recitation (n.) a reading in public of something that is memorized; a
(res’ ə tā’ shən) memorized poem or piece of prose that is read aloud
Kent was not nervous at all when he gave his Walt Whitman
at the school assembly.
SYNONYMS: (n.) recital, performance, presentation

15. stupefy (v.) to make stupid, dull, or groggy; to surprise or astonish

(stü’ pə fī) The vet used a powerful tranquilizer to
the animal.
SYNONYMS: stun, daze, shock, amaze, astound
ANTONYMS: awaken, arouse, stimulate, enliven

16. sulky (adj.) in a bad or nasty mood, resentful; gloomy

(səl’ kē) A child does not make a very
good playmate.
SYNONYMS: sullen, petulant; ANTONYMS: cheerful, amiable

17. supplement (n.) something added to complete a thing or make up for a lack;
(səp’ lə ment) a section added to a book or document; (v.) to provide such an
addition or completion
The sports is my favorite part of
this magazine.
Many people their regular diet by
taking daily vitamins.
SYNONYMS: (n.) addition, extension; (v.) add to

18. surge (v.) to have a heavy, violent, swelling motion (like waves); (n.) a
(sərj) powerful forward rush
Runners who train hard and who have good stamina often
ahead of the pack.
A sudden of electrical current could
make a computer crash.
SYNONYMS: (v.) flood, rush, burst, gush; (n.) wave
ANTONYMS: (v.) recede, ebb; (n.) recession, slowdown

19. trait (n.) a quality or characteristic (especially of personality); a

(trāt) distinguishing feature
Your most appealing is your
unfailing sense of humor.

20. unscrupulous (adj.) dishonest; not guided or controlled by moral principles

(ən skrü’ pyə ləs) Avoid dealing with merchants
whenever possible.
SYNONYMS: crooked, corrupt, shady
ANTONYMS: fair, honest, trustworthy, aboveboard

168 ■ Unit 13
 13

Choosing the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the passage on pages 164–165 to see how
Right Word most of these words are used in context.

1. Everything that I have learned about Theodore

Roosevelt from history books (stupefies,
affirms) my reverence for this great president.

2. Who (prowled, empowered) you to speak for

everyone in our class?

3. A loud groan went through the class when we got

the (unscrupulous, disquieting) news that there
would be a full-period test later in the week.

4. I would love to be half as (fluent, sulky) in

Spanish as José is in English.

5. All those smooth words and vague promises are

not going to (adhere, deter) us from doing what
we know is needed to improve conditions.
Theodore Roosevelt, the twenty-sixth
president of the United States, won
6. There is no one (trait, optimist) that makes him so the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1906.
likable; it is the overall effect of his personality.

7. When everything went wrong for Stan, and he saw no way out of his troubles, he
muttered to himself, “I just can’t (mangle, cope)!”

8. Come what may, I will (adhere, affirm) to the great ideas and ideals for which
our ancestors suffered so much.

9. Jonathan was furious when his (optimistic, unscrupulous) boss stole his ideas
for an advertising campaign.

10. My yoga class helped improve my breathing and (supplemented, affirmed) my

training for running the marathon.

11. My definition of a(n) (optimist, misapprehension) is someone who looks at an

almost empty bottle of juice and says, “This bottle is one-quarter full.”

12. The City Council has approved funds for a new playground, but we expect a
(lag, surge) of several months before construction begins.

13. When I saw the (disquieting, mangled) vehicle, I thought for sure that the driver
had to be seriously injured; amazingly, though, he walked away from the wreck.

14. Even though some animals are ferocious and attack livestock, we should not be
(mangled, deterred) from protecting their dwindling populations.

15. It is far better to know you are ignorant of something than to act on the basis of
wrong information and (misapprehensions, recitations).

Unit 13 ■ 169
16. Shortly after World War II, Japan began the great economic (surge, trait) that put
it among the world’s top industrial nations.

17. My friend took one look at the statue I fashioned from stray pieces of junk and
exclaimed, “That’s not a sculpture; it’s a(n) (lag, atrocity)!”

18. The worst way to deal with disappointments is to become (fluent, sulky); the best
way is to smile and make up your mind to try again.

19. Ms. Edwards is having us listen to professional speakers to help prepare us for our
poetry (recitations, supplements).

20. Jackals and other scavengers now (prowl, deter) through the ruins of what was
once a great city.

21. Have all these years of peace and good living (disquieted, stupefied) us to such
an extent that we are not even prepared to defend ourselves?

22. I agree fully with what the previous speaker has said, but I should like to (cope,
supplement) his ideas with a few remarks of my own.

23. The play went along smoothly until it came to Mark Antony’s funeral oration, which
Fred (empowered, mangled) beyond all recognition.

24. A true friend would not have been so (sulky, unscrupulous) as to take unfair
advantage of your trust and confidence.

25. Which stylistic (traits, surges) of Van Gogh’s paintings do you find most enthralling?

Choose the word from this Unit that is the same or most nearly
Synonyms the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the
phrase. Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. damaged the bicycle’s lock while stealing it

2. did not welcome her grouchy attitude
3. outrage that stunned the world
4. the most unique attribute of the breed
5. hikers who drop back to the rear of the group
6. drafting a smooth and effortless speech
7. a special addendum to the book
8. a letter containing some troubling news
9. his dramatic delivery of the poem
10. unsure how to manage without her help

170 ■ Unit 13
 13
Choose the word from this Unit that is most nearly opposite in
Antonyms meaning to the boldface word or expression in the phrase.
Write that word on the line. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. comments that detract from your main point

2. witnessed the spontaneous outburst on the stage
3. known for her sunny disposition
4. halting public-speaking skills
5. practicing caring acts everyday

Completing From the words in this Unit, choose the one that best completes
each of the following sentences. Write the correct word form in the
the Sentence space provided.

1. In spite of our best efforts, collections for the Community Fund this year have
far behind last year’s figures.

2. Since she has a large family, she finds it necessary to her

income by working at a second job at night and on weekends.

3. Do you think that it is possible to become in a foreign

language without actually living in a country where it is spoken?

4. If you think that I would go to a party without being invited, you are under a
complete .

5. As the young girl began her , her mouth became dry and
her voice began to crack.

6. In World War I, soldiers in the trenches endured one after

another, such as contaminated food and water, diseases, and gangrene.

7. He is so careless in handling his textbooks that by the end of the term he has
practically all of them.

8. Naturally we were upset when we received the news that

our uncle had been taken to the hospital.

9. The unfavorable weather reports did not us from holding

the picnic that we had planned for so long.

10. In spite of all his talents, he will never gain high public office because so many
voters feel that he is and cannot be trusted.

Unit 13 ■ 171
11. We were so by the bad news that for a few moments we
just sat there without moving or speaking.

12. When he gets in one of those moods, he is as

unreasonable and unpleasant as a cranky child.

13. The Constitution the president to name the people who

will fill many of the most important positions in the government.

14. As soon as the doors were opened, the shoppers, eager for the advertised
bargains, into the store in great waves.

15. Throughout her long and noble career, her outstanding

has been her deep love for her fellow human beings.

16. If you are having so much trouble with a program of four major courses, how do
you expect to with a fifth course?

17. It is hard to be a(n) when nothing works out for you.

18. As the robber the streets looking for victims, he was

unaware that undercover police officers were watching his every move.

19. Now that the job has been completed, I have finally become skillful in hanging the
paper so that it firmly to the wall.

20. The witness solemnly that the evidence she was about to
give was true.

Writing: Words in Action

1. Look back at “Polar Opposites” (pages 164–165). Using details from the
passage, compare and contrast the Arctic and Antarctica. In your
conclusion, state which polar region you would rather visit and explain why.
Include at least two details from the passage and three Unit words.

2. The author of “Polar Opposites” states that Arctic residents “perceive their
surroundings as benevolent and empowering.” How do the weather and
the environment affect a person’s outlook? Write a brief essay, supporting
your views with specific examples, observations, the reading (refer to
pages 164–165), or personal experience. Write at least three paragraphs,
and use three or more words from this Unit.

172 ■ Unit 13
 13
Vocabulary The following excerpts are from Anne of Green Gables by L.M.
in Context Montgomery. Some of the words you have studied in this Unit appear
in boldface type. Complete each statement below the excerpt by
Literary Text circling the letter of the correct answer.

1. Every other Friday afternoon she has recitations and everybody has to say a
piece or take part in a dialogue. Oh, it’s just glorious to think of it.
Recitations are
a. parties c. experiments
b. readings d. picnics

2. She said she hadn’t time to get sick, watching to see that I didn’t fall overboard.
She said she never saw the beat of me for prowling about. But if it kept her from
being seasick it’s a mercy I did prowl, isn’t it?
The act of prowling involves
a. eating c. sneaking
b. swimming d. running

3. Marilla felt hot anger surge up into her heart

again. This child had taken and lost her
treasured amethyst brooch and now sat
there calmly reciting the details thereof
without the least apparent compunction
or repentance.
Feelings that surge
a. diminish c. end abruptly
b. cheapen d. swell rapidly

4. . . . Matthew, noting Anne’s paleness and

Megan Follows portrays the
indifference and the lagging steps that bore resourceful orphan Anne Shirley
her home from the post office every afternoon, in this 1985 TV adaptation of
began seriously to wonder if he hadn’t better Anne of Green Gables.
vote Grit at the next election.
Someone taking lagging steps is
a. lingering c. hasty
b. forceful d. skipping

5. “We had a quarrel. I wouldn’t forgive him when

t i ve
c
era
he asked me to. I meant to, after awhile—but I
was sulky and angry and I wanted to punish t
him first. He never came back . . . . But I always In uiz
felt—rather sorry. I’ve always kind of wished I’d
Q
forgiven him when I had the chance.”
A person who is sulky is NOT
a. peevish c. friendly Snap the code, or go to
b. confident d. energetic vocabularyworkshop.com

Unit 13 ■ 173
REVIEW UNITS 13–15 vocabularyworkshop.com: SAT and ACT practice worksheets

Vocabulary for Read the following passage in which some of the words
you have studied in Units 13–15 appear in boldface type.
Comprehension Then answer the questions on page 195.

This passage discusses a theory that modern scientists use to explain why the
great Spanish painter Francisco de Goya was often ill.

(Line)
The masterful Spanish painter to return to painting, he would rush
Francisco de Goya (1746–1828) back to his studio. There he would
coped with strange bouts of illness (30) grind pigments again and paint
at various times in his life. Might his enthusiastically to make up for the
(5) illness have explained the dramatic lag in his output.
changes in his work? His early Like most artists of the past, Goya
paintings were gentle and bright. His made his paints himself. Grinding
graceful portraits were lovely. But (35) the pigments put him at risk of
over time, his work grew dark and inhaling lead dust and getting it in
(10) moody. He began to paint angry his eyes, mouth, and ears and on his
scenes in thick, dark colors. Art skin. Goya was known to use an
historians have long debated the unusual amount of a pigment called
reasons for this shift in Goya’s style. (40) lead white. It gave his works their
Could it have been his health? characteristic pearly glow. But it also
(15) Modern science has evidence to made him sick. Although other artists
suggest that Goya may have had a risked lead poisoning, few used as
severe case of lead poisoning. High much lead white as Goya did.
levels of lead in the bloodstream can (45) It no longer seems far-fetched to
cause muscle and joint pains, think that Goya’s physical condition
(20) headaches, hearing loss, dizziness, changed his artistic vision. One can
mental distress, nausea, deranged only wonder how modern medical
conduct, personality changes, and knowledge might have prevented his
finally, death. This list tallies with the (50) illness and allowed him to express
list of symptoms that Goya suffered. his later genius.
(25) Goya’s disquieting symptoms
forced him to take breaks from
painting. When he felt well enough

194 ■ Review Units 13–15

 REVIEW UNITS 13–15
1. The author’s primary purpose is to 7. The meaning of disquieting (line 25) is
prove that a. surprising
a. Goya is Spain’s greatest genius b. disturbing
b. Goya was an inferior artist c. unusual
c. Goya had many physical symptoms d. painful
d. Goya’s later paintings are superior to e. hidden
his early work
e. Goya’s severe lead poisoning 8. Lag (line 32) most nearly means
caused great changes in his work a. glut
b. belief
2. The meaning of coped (line 3) is c. delay
a. avoided d. inconsistencies
b. discovered e. disappointment
c. dealt with
d. laughed at 9. Far-fetched (line 45) is best defined as
e. suffered from a. selfish
b. plausible
3. The two rhetorical questions in c. sympathetic
paragraph 1 (lines 4–6 and line 14) d. improbable
provide the focus for e. shocking
a. the entire passage
b. paragraph 1 10. The author’s attitude in this passage is
c. paragraph 2 a. disbelieving
d. paragraph 3 b. matter-of-fact
e. paragraph 4 c. optimistic
d. humorous
4. In paragraph 1, the sentence about art e. outraged
historians (lines 11–13) implies that
a. art historians are argumentative 11. Which of the following best outlines
b. the theory stated is definitely true the organization of this passage?
c. the theory stated is definitely false a. Goya’s biography, lead poisoning
d. there are other theories to explain b. grinding pigments, lead poisoning
Goya’s change in style c. art historians’ views, modern
e. not everyone believes there was a science’s views
definite shift in Goya’s style d. Goya’s later work, lead poisoning,
Goya’s symptoms
5. Tallies (line 23) is best defined as e. changes in Goya’s work, symptoms,
a. agrees grinding pigments, lead poisoning
b. totals
c. merges 12. Which of the following would the
d. conflicts author most likely agree with?
e. degrades a. Goya’s health has no bearing on a
discussion of his artistic works.
6. The main purpose of paragraph 2 is to b. The circumstances of an artist’s life
a. make readers feel sorry for Goya can impact his or her style.
b. describe Goya’s various symptoms c. Scientists will one day discover the
c. show conflict between modern cause of Goya’s change in style.
science and art historians d. Experts in science and art history
d. show symptoms of lead poisoning are at odds with one another.
e. prove that Goya’s symptoms are e. The story behind the changes in
those of severe lead poisoning Goya’s style will never be known.

Review Units 13–15 ■ 195

REVIEW UNITS 13–15

Two-Word Select the pair of words that best completes the meaning of each
Completions of the following sentences.

1. In the opening of The Iliad, Homer’s famous poem about

the Trojan War, the hero, Achilles, who has not been accorded the proper reward for
his brave deeds, is moodily in his tent.
a. celestial . . . prowling c. epic . . . sulking
b. disquieting . . . shamming d. berserk . . . lagging

2. To say our new boss is a(n) is one thing. But you are wrong
to say that you believe she is making us work very hard to
for past wrongs that were done to her.
a. sham . . . prosecute c. pessimist . . . extort
b. atrocity . . . mangle d. taskmaster . . . retaliate

3. The who had been lurking very suspiciously around the

neighborhood was caught in the act of breaking into our house. The police
the set of burglar’s tools that he had with him as evidence
to back up the charges against him.
a. prowler . . . confiscated c. sham . . . mangled
b. optimist . . . underscored d. pessimist . . . enumerated

4. “The only way we are going to people from driving a car

while drunk,” the speaker observed, “is to impose stiff penalties on such behavior
and offenders to the full extent of the law.”
a. empower . . . accommodate c. exalt . . . puncture
b. detract . . . chasten d. deter . . . prosecute

5. There’s a wise old saying that a(n) will see a partially filled
glass of water as half full, while a will see the same glass of
water as half empty.
a. taskmaster . . . sham c. replica . . . tally
b. optimist . . . pessimist d. trait . . . beacon

6. It’s difficult to all the reasons I like him, especially because

he has exhibited so many excellent .
a. enumerate . . . traits c. puncture . . . beacons
b. pantomime . . . epics d. amalgamate . . . lags

7. The young, newly discovered actor has such good looks

that adding any makeup would from her natural beauty.
a. uncouth . . . append c. wholesome . . . detract
b. sulky . . . transform d. empowering . . . abstain

196 ■ Review Units 13–15

 WORD STUDY
The author in the passage about Madam C.J. Walker (see pages
174–175), describing Walker’s incentive to sell hair products, uses
Proverbs the old saying “he who hesitates is lost.” This proverb means that if
someone spends too much time thinking about what action to take,
the opportunity will vanish.
A proverb is a short saying that conveys a simple truth about life. Proverbs offer wise,
everyday advice, and they can be used in many contexts. Many proverbs originate from
the Bible, Shakespeare’s plays, and other classic literature.

Choosing the Right Proverb

Read each sentence. Use context clues to figure out the meaning of each proverb in
boldface print. Then write the letter of the definition for the proverb in the sentence.

1. Lightning never strikes twice, so stop worrying that a. Undertake tasks

you’re going to fall down on stage again! wholeheartedly.

2. It’s often said that when the cat’s away, the mice b. In an argument, both
will play, but our class always stays on task when our sides share blame.
teacher has to leave the room. c. The person who pays
the bill decides how to
3. “Don’t change horses in the middle of the stream, spend the money.
Marie,” I said. “Stick to your original topic and finish
the report you started writing.” d. Master a skill patiently,
step by step.
4. Joyce lost the debate, but there’s no point in crying
e. The same misfortune
over spilt milk. is unlikely to occur
twice to the same
5. They never do things by halves in my uncle’s auto person.
repair shop.
f. Don’t fret over
6. I know you want to blame Eric, but it takes two to something that has
make a quarrel. already happened.

7. John should reconsider giving Monique a loan; lend g. Avoid making a

change after an
your money and lose your friend.
activity has begun.
8. I’m not upset that Katie’s business card looks just like h. Lending money to
mine; imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. friends can ruin the
relationship.

9. Knowing that he who pays the piper calls the tune, i. Copying someone is
Claude ordered for everyone at the table. an unintended
compliment.
10. You should learn to walk before you run and stop
j. People take advantage
expecting to paint a masterpiece in your first art class.
of a situation when
there’s no supervision.

Word Study ■ 197

WORD STUDY
Writing with Proverbs
Find the meaning of each proverb. (Use a dictionary if necessary.) Then write a sentence
for each proverb.

1. Cross the stream where it’s shallowest.

2. Give credit where credit is due.

3. Make the best of a bad situation.

4. Practice what you preach.

5. Even a cat may look at a king.

6. A bad penny always turns up.

7. The best fish swim near the bottom.

8. Don’t shut the barn door after the horse has gone.

9. Home is where the heart is.

10. One tree doesn’t make a forest.

11. When it rains, it pours.

12. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

198 ■ Word Study

 WORD STUDY

Denotation Words have two kinds of meanings. Denotation refers

to the word’s literal meaning, which you’ll find in a
and Connotation dictionary entry. The denotation conveys a neutral tone.

Connotations are the emotional and cultural associations that people make to words.
These associations are the “shades of meaning” we perceive in words that have similar,
but not identical, denotations. A connotation can have a positive or negative tone.

Consider these synonyms for the word copy:

replica facsimile sham fraud
Replica and facsimile have neutral connotations, while sham and fraud have deeply
negative connotations.

Think: A museum might display a replica or a facsimile of a

famous artwork or document, but it would never exhibit a work
considered to be a sham or fraud.

Look at these examples of words that are similar in denotation but have different
connotations.

NEUTRAL POSITIVE NEGATIVE

pronounce affirm dictate

satisfied proud self-seeking

meet encounter confront

Remember that writers choose their words deliberately. They understand that people
associate feelings with words. Writers know how to influence their audiences, and thus
readers should be mindful of the specific connotations carried by certain words.

Shades of Meaning
Write a plus sign (+) in the box if the word has a positive connotation.
Write a minus sign (–) if the word has a negative connotation.
Put a zero (0) if the word is neutral.

1. mangle 2. pantomime 3. submissive 4. optimist

5. empower 6. glum 7. data 8. beacon

9. commemorate 10. recitation 11. berserk 12. atrocity

13. fluent 14. unscrupulous 15. celestial 16. uncouth

Word Study ■ 199

WORD STUDY
Expressing the Connotation
Read each sentence. Select the word in parentheses that better expresses the connotation
(positive, negative, or neutral) given at the beginning of the sentence.

positive 1. The office manager kept (promoting, exalting) her resourceful young
assistant, hoping to procure a large raise for her in the next fiscal year.
neutral 2. Rhonda wants to become a (taskmaster, manager) at the hotel when
she graduates from school.
positive 3. I’d like to (commemorate, remember) my father with a special
gathering on the anniversary of his death.
positive 4. The professor shared all of her knowledge with her graduate students,
hoping to (empower, help) them in their future careers.
neutral 5. In order to (inflate, supplement) his income, my uncle took a second
job that he could do from home.
negative 6. Brandi was amused when her host (mangled, stumbled over) the
pronunciation of her last name.
negative 7. Several homeowners were suspicious of the man (wandering,
prowling) around their neighborhood.
negative 8. Don’t let the price (frighten, deter) you; this house is really a very good
deal, and you won’t regret buying it.

Challenge: Using Connotation

Choose vocabulary words from Units 13–15 to replace the boldface words in the
sentences below. Then explain how the connotation of the replacement word changes
the tone of the sentence.

sulky uncouth abstain

exalt lag responsive

1. During Lent, many Catholics withdraw from eating meat

on Fridays.

2. Those young actors are very sensitive when the director

offers suggestions on how they can improve their performances.

3. Although Bernie thought that eating with his mouth open was funny, family members
found his behavior to be ill-mannered .

200 ■ Word Study

 WORD STUDY

Classical Roots This Latin prefix appears in precaution (page 187).

Some other words in which this prefix appears are
pre—before listed below.

prearrange prefer preliminary preoccupy

precise prehistoric premature preside

From the list of words above, choose the one that corresponds to each of the brief definitions
below. Write the word in the blank space in the illustrative sentence below the definition.
Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. coming before the main business or action; introductory; something that comes
before the main event, a curtain-raiser
Although the young boxer lost the bout, knowledgeable
fans could readily see that he had promise.

2. to like better, choose over something else; to put forward, press

Although many customers to order healthy
appetizers and main courses, restaurant owners report an increased interest
in rich desserts.

3. unexpectedly early in development; coming too soon

The expectant mother was alerted to the possibility of a
birth, so she took extra good care of herself.

4. to absorb one’s attention completely or at the expense of other things

She was so with the novel that she forgot to return my
phone call.

5. very definite or clear, exact; very careful; strict

The doctor left instructions on how to clean the wound.

6. to arrange ahead of time

One important task of a travel agent is to transportation
and accommodations so that the client can focus on enjoying the trip.

7. belonging to the period before written history

The museum has a fascinating new exhibit that explains how scientists identify
and classify the bones of animals.

8. to have authority over, oversee

Tomorrow is the first opportunity our principal will have to
at the community school board meeting.

Word Study ■ 201

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