Vocabulary Workshop®

Enriched Edition Grades 6–12+

LEVEL E / Grade 10

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Vocabulary Workshop, Level E / Grade 10

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UNIT 3
Read the following selection, taking note of the boldface words and their contexts.
These words are among those you will be studying in Unit 3. As you complete the
exercises in this unit, it may help to refer to the way the words are used below.

Finding the Facts: Techniques of Modern

Crime-Scene Investigation
< Expository Essay>
Fingerprints are left behind when a
person’s hands touch an object, but such
fingerprints are usually invisible to the
naked eye. To find such evidence at a
crime scene, investigators rely on artifice:
They use special powders to “dust for
fingerprints” on walls, doorknobs, or other
surfaces. They apply powder to the
surface and brush it away. If a fingerprint
is in the area, some of the powder will
stick to it and reveal its unique pattern.
The investigators “lift” the fingerprint with
sticky tape and send the tape to a crime
lab, along with other objects that may
Crime-scene investigators use a special contain invisible fingerprints, such as
powder to “dust” for fingerprints. articles of clothing, knives or other
culinary tools, or handguns. At the lab,

C enturies ago, it was common for scientists use computers to compare the
criminals to escape a punitive fate. If new fingerprints with others they have on
there were no witnesses to a crime and if file. When the scientists find a match, this
the craven wrongdoer had run off and evidence can help prove that a suspect
could not be found or could not be coerced was at the crime scene or that he or she
into confessing, investigators had to rely on handled a weapon used in the crime.
both careful reasoning and observation of
the crime scene. Yet it was not enough
for early investigators to examine a crime
scene and then withdraw in order to
muse on what they had seen: they
needed to find actual evidence to convict
the criminal. Following the precedent set
by detectives in the past, today’s crime-
scene sleuths perpetuate law-
enforcement’s reliance on reasoning and
observation. But they also use powerful
modern techniques made possible by the
progress of science.
A well-known method of modern
crime-scene investigation is the use of
fingerprints to identify criminals. A chemical called luminol exposes blood that
can’t be seen after it has been washed away.

32 ■ Unit 3
 outdoors in inclement
weather. Even minute samples
of skin, hair, or blood that
once would have been
considered negligible are
now removed from the crime
scene and sent to the lab to
be tested for DNA. Like
fingerprints, DNA testing can
provide evidence connecting a
suspect to the crime.
While criminals may hope to
Using DNA analysis, investigators can find traces
get away with their crimes,
of skin or blood from a victim or criminal. investigators continue their
important work. These detectives are
Another technique of modern crime exhilarated by every scientific
detection is the use of chemicals like development that advances their ability to
luminol to find blood at the scene. Even if solve crimes. The tools of modern
a criminal has cleaned up the blood after crime-scene investigation make it harder
the victim’s demise, bloodstains are often for criminals to avoid punishment. These
left behind that are difficult to remove tools also make it more likely that the
entirely. Because these bloodstains can wrongs committed by those who unfairly
be invisible to the naked eye, investigators harass or harm other people will be
use luminol to reveal their location. The redressed in a court of law. Then it is up
investigators mix luminol powder into a to the judge and jury to ensure the
liquid solution and spray it evenly onto a punishment fits the crime.
surface. If there are traces of blood in the
sprayed area, the liquid will glow bright
blue. The pattern of the bloodstain can
help investigators figure out how the
crime was committed, and a sample of
the blood that is found is sent to the
crime lab for further testing.
A more recently developed practice is
the use of DNA analysis. The victim of a Snap the code, or go to
crime may have scratched the attacker, vocabularyworkshop.com
leaving the skin of the adversary under
his or her fingernails. Clothing, weapons,
or other objects may carry traces of blood,
even if they have been cleaned or left

Unit 3 ■ 33
 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 word in the blank
Definitions spaces in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists
of synonyms and antonyms.

1. adversary (n.) an enemy, opponent

(ad’ vər ser ē) A best friend off the tennis court can also be a fierce
on it.
SYNONYMS: antagonist, foe
ANTONYMS: friend, ally, supporter, confederate

2. alienate (v.) to turn away; to make indifferent or hostile; to transfer,

(ā’ lē ə nāt) convey
Gossiping and backbiting are bad habits that are bound to
friends.
SYNONYMS: separate, drive apart, estrange
ANTONYMS: befriend, attract, captivate

3. artifice (n.) a skillful or ingenious device; a clever trick; a clever skill;

(är’ tə fis) trickery
Even the most renowned art experts were completely taken
in by the forger’s .
SYNONYMS: ruse, stratagem, contrivance

4. coerce (v.) to compel, force

(kō ərs’)
Dictators try to their subjects into
obedience by threatening them or their families with
punishment.
SYNONYMS: pressure, bully, constrain
ANTONYMS: persuade, cajole

5. craven (adj.) cowardly; (n.) a coward

(krā’ vən) Those who urged Great Britain to make peace with Hitler
were criticized for their attitude.
It is a mistake to assume that everyone who refuses to go to
war is a who lacks patriotism.
SYNONYMS: (adj.) fearful, fainthearted, pusillanimous
ANTONYMS: (adj.) brave, courageous, valiant

6. culinary (adj.) of or related to cooking or the kitchen

(kyü’ lə ner ē) Cooking shows on television have helped many people to
master the secrets of the arts.

34 ■ Unit 3
 3
7. demise (n.) a death, especially of a person in a lofty position
(di mīz’) Traditionally, the tolling of church bells has announced the
of a monarch.
SYNONYMS: decease, passing away
ANTONYMS: birth, commencement

8. exhilarate (v.) to enliven, cheer, give spirit or liveliness to

(eg zil’ ə rāt) The first landing on the moon, in the summer of 1969,
the nation.
SYNONYMS: stimulate, excite, gladden
ANTONYMS: discourage, dispirit, dishearten, inhibit

9. fallow (adj.) plowed but not seeded; inactive; reddish-yellow; (n.) land
(fal’ ō) left unseeded; (v.) to plow but not seed
After a month without a date, I decided that my social life
was definitely in a period.
In the drought-stricken region, there were millions of acres
of .
Farmers often a third of their fields
each year to restore the chemical balance of the soil.
SYNONYMS: (adj.) unproductive, dormant
ANTONYMS: (adj.) productive, fertile, prolific

10. harass (v.) to disturb, worry; to trouble by repeated attacks

(hə ras’) The judge repeatedly cautioned the prosecuting attorney
not to the witness.
SYNONYMS: annoy, bedevil, beleaguer

11. inclement (adj.) stormy, harsh; severe in attitude or action

(in klem’ ənt) During an New England winter,
heavy snowfalls may bring highway traffic to a standstill.
SYNONYMS: blustery, tempestuous, implacable
ANTONYMS: mild, gentle, balmy

12. liquidate (v.) to pay a debt, settle an account; to eliminate

(lik’ wi dāt’) After a profitable year, the business was able to
its loan.
SYNONYMS: reconcile, pay, cancel, exterminate
ANTONYMS: invest, collect

13. muse (v.) to think about in a dreamy way, ponder

(myüz) Philosophers have always on the
meaning of life.
SYNONYMS: contemplate, daydream

Unit 3 ■ 35
14. negligible (adj.) so unimportant that it can be disregarded
(neg’ lə jə bəl) After taxes are deducted, a small raise in salary may result
in a increase in take-home pay.
SYNONYMS: trivial, inconsequential, insignificant
ANTONYMS: significant, crucial, momentous

15. perpetuate (v.) to make permanent or long lasting

(pər pech’ ü āt) In most cultures, people try to the
customs of their ancestors.
SYNONYMS: continue, preserve, prolong indefinitely
ANTONYMS: discontinue, abolish, abandon

16. precedent (n.) an example that may serve as a basis for imitation or
(pres’ ə dənt) later action
We hope that students at other schools in our city will follow
our in volunteer work and
charitable contributions.
SYNONYMS: guide, tradition, model

17. punitive (adj.) inflicting or aiming at punishment

(pyü’ nə tiv) The general led a expedition
against the rebel forces.
SYNONYMS: penalizing, retaliatory

18. redress (v.) to set right, remedy; (n.) relief from wrong or injury
(rē dres’) An apology can go a long way to
the hurt feelings caused by an insensitive comment or a
thoughtless act.
The accident victims will seek for
the injuries they suffered in the train crash.
SYNONYMS: (v.) correct, mitigate

19. sojourn (n.) a temporary stay; (v.) to stay for a time

(sō’ jərn) No matter how short your in Paris,
you must take time to go to the Louvre.
Many American graduates abroad
before they begin working full-time at home.
SYNONYMS: (n.) visit, brief stay

20. urbane (adj.) refined in manner or style, suave

(ər bān’) An host puts guests at ease by
appearing totally confident and unruffled no matter what
happens.
SYNONYM: elegant
ANTONYMS: crude, uncouth

36 ■ Unit 3
 3

Choosing the Select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
You might refer to the essay on pages 32–33 to see how most
Right Word of these words are used in context.

1. When Washington refused to serve a third term as

President, he set a(n) (artifice, precedent) that was to
last for 150 years.

2. Our history shows how the (demise, adversary) of

one political party provides an opportunity for the
formation of a new one.

3. We must reject the (craven, fallow) advice of those

who feel we can solve social problems by
abandoning our democratic freedoms.

4. The critics unanimously praised the actor for the

(urbane, punitive) charm with which he played the
well-bred English gentleman.
Before he became the first president,
5. May I remind you that the (urbane, punitive) action George Washington led troops in the
we are authorized to take does not include physical Revolutionary War.
force of any kind.

6. Our city government needs basic reforms; clever little (sojourns, artifices) will not
solve our problems.

7. Do you really expect me to believe that your friends (coerced, alienated) you into
cutting class to go to the movies?

8. We need a supervisor who can maintain good discipline in the shop without
(harassing, exhilarating) the workers.

9. The story takes place in a foreign country where a rogue government agent accepts
a mission to (liquidate, coerce) an evil dictator.

10. Because of the severe sentences she often handed down, she gained the
reputation of being an extremely (negligible, inclement) judge.

11. Only when the attempt to get the British government to (redress, harass) injustices
proved unsuccessful did the American colonists resort to arms.

12. It is all very well to (muse, perpetuate) on what might have been, but it is far better
to take action to make good things happen.

13. I admit that we did some foolish things after the game, but you must remember how
(mused, exhilarated) we were by the victory.

14. Since we are making (craven, negligible) progress in our fight against pollution,
the time has come for us to adopt completely new methods.

15. After a long (urbane, fallow) period during which she scarcely touched her
brushes, the painter suddenly produced a series of major canvases.

Unit 3 ■ 37
16. The highlight of my trip to Europe came when I (sojourned, redressed) in the
birthplace of my ancestors.

17. When he blocked my jump shot, took the rebound, drove down the court, and
scored, I realized that I was facing a worthy (artifice, adversary).

18. And now I want you all to try my (inclement, culinary) masterpiece—a salami
soufflé, garnished with sour cream.

19. The coach ran the risk of (exhilarating, alienating) influential graduates of the
school when she suspended a star player who had broken training.

20. If we do not take steps now to clear their names, we will be (perpetuating,
liquidating) an injustice that has already lasted far too long.

21. Did the other journalists (alienate, perpetuate) the young writer after she expressed
some political views with which they disagreed?

22. After several months of losing money, the furniture store held a huge sale, hoping
to (liquidate, redress) its entire inventory.

23. To rid your aquarium of parasites, allow the tank to remain (negligible, fallow) for
several weeks, and keep your fish in a separate tank.

24. The artist took a(n) (adversary, sojourn) to the mountains, hoping to relieve his
stress and renew his creativity.

25. (Urbane, Craven) and sophisticated, the young princess charmed the diplomat.

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. pestered by flies and mosquitoes

2. a castigatory campaign against a political rival
3. a relaxing stopover on a tropical island
4. a polished manner that puts people at ease
5. an attempt to rectify past mistakes
6. an inert phase in the artist’s long career
7. to sell off poor stock investments
8. a pretense used to fool unwary customers
9. a dangerous rival who will stop at nothing
10. isolated from society

38 ■ Unit 3
 3
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. planned on a permanent stay

2. unexpectedly boorish behavior toward others
3. reconcile with an estranged friend
4. a dialogue that is fruitful
5. accumulate possessions after a shopping spree

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

1. Their behavior at the first sign of danger was a disgrace to

the uniform they wore.
2. There are far more subtle ways of a person into doing
what you want than twisting his or her arm.

3. In 1858, Abraham Lincoln held a series of debates with Stephen Douglas, his
in the contest for U.S. Senator from Illinois.
4. The coach took me off the starting team as a(n) measure
for missing two days of practice.

5. At first we watched the game with relatively little emotion, but we became so
by our team’s strong comeback that we began to
cheer loudly.
6. As I lay under the old apple tree, I began to on the strange
twists of fate that had led to the present situation.
7. When the snowstorm lasted into a second day, we listened attentively to the
radio to find out if our school was among those closed because of the
weather.
8. When planning our trip to the Southwest, we made sure to set aside two days for
a(n) at the Grand Canyon.

9. When Grandfather stubbornly refused to eat his vegetables, he set a(n)

that was immediately followed by the children.
10. The of an administration in the United States is never a
crisis because a newly elected administration is waiting to take over.

Unit 3 ■ 39
11. If we continue to elect unworthy people to public office, we will simply
the evils that we have tried so hard to correct.
12. When citizens feel that something is wrong, they have a right under the First
Amendment to ask their government for a(n) of grievances.

13. The coach emphasized that the way to stop our opponents’ passing game was to
their receivers and blitz their quarterback.
14. The deserted buildings and the land lying hinted at the
troubles the farmers in the area were experiencing.
15. Since both cars had virtually come to a halt by the time their bumpers met, the
damage was .
16. Magicians rely on sleight of hand and other forms of to
deceive their unsuspecting audiences.
17. I advise you to all of your assets and negotiate with
creditors before declaring bankruptcy.
18. Their bad manners and insufferable conceit even those
who were most inclined to judge them favorably.
19. The full extent of my skill is preparing scrambled eggs
on toast.
20. His charmingly manner and keen wit made him a much
sought-after guest at social gatherings.

Writing: Words in Action

1. Look back at “Finding the Facts: Techniques of Modern Crime-Scene
Investigation” (pages 32–33). Write an essay in which you compare and
contrast the modern techniques of crime-scene investigation and explain
which one you believe provides the most effective evidence for identifying and
ultimately prosecuting criminals. Use at least two details from the passage and
three unit words to support your view.

2. Forensic scientists, detectives, crime-scene investigators, and others all work

in the field of criminal justice and corrections, part of the law and public safety
career cluster. Numerous jobs and career paths exist in such broad fields as
government, finance, health, business, transportation, information technology,
agriculture, and communications, among many other areas. In a brief essay,
explain what kind of career most appeals to you and how you could use your
interests and skills to become successful in that career. Support your ideas
with specific examples from your reading (refer to pages 32–33), your own
observations, and your personal experiences. Write at least three paragraphs,
and use three or more words from this unit.

40 ■ Unit 3
 3
Vocabulary The following excerpts are from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne
in Context Brontë. 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. “He cannot linger long. He suffers dreadfully, and so do those that wait upon him.
But I will not harass you with further details: I have said enough, I think, to convince
you that I did well to go to him.”
If you harass someone about an illness, you
a. trouble her c. comfort her
b. bore her d. cure her

2. She could not now absent herself under the plea of

dark evenings or inclement weather, and, greatly to
my relief, she came.
Inclement weather is NOT
a. turbulent c. temperate
b. ominous d. unpredictable

3. ... but the moment I was out of sight of my fair

tormentor cutting away across the country, just as a
bird might fly, over pasture-land, and fallow, and
stubble, and lane, clearing hedges and ditches and Anne Brontë, the sister of Emily
and Charlotte, wrote two novels
hurdles, till I came to the young squire’s gates. before her death at age 29.
Fallow is
a. uncultivated land c. a lush field
b. a wooded area d. a fast-moving stream

4. He has been in person to Staningley, seeking redress for his grievances—

expecting to hear of his victims, if not to find them there—and has told so many lies,
and with such unblushing coolness, that my uncle more than half believes him, and
strongly advocates my going back to him and being friends again.
A person seeking redress expects a
a. greeting c. punishment
b. resolution d. repetition

5. I did not mention my suspicions to Rachel; but she,

having sojourned for half a century in this land of t i ve
c
era
sin and sorrow, has learned to be suspicious
t
herself.
In uiz
Someone who has sojourned for many Q
years has
a. changed drastically c. traveled frequently
b. learned considerably d. suffered greatly Snap the code, or go to
vocabularyworkshop.com

Unit 3 ■ 41
REVIEW UNITS 1–3 vocabularyworkshop.com: SAT and ACT practice worksheets

Vocabulary for Read the following selection in which some of the words
you have studied in Units 1–3 appear in boldface type.
Comprehension Then answer the questions on page 43.

Celebrity chef Julia Child, the subject of the following passage, is credited with
bringing French cuisine to American home cooks. She died in August 2004 at
the age of 91.

(Line)
In the world of the culinary arts, the United States. It was an immense
probably no one has had a greater popular and critical success. Julia
influence on Americans than Julia Child was immediately extolled as
Child. She was born Julia (35) an expert on French cuisine and
(5) McWilliams in Pasadena, California, cooking instruction. Her book was
in 1912. Her interest in cooking was praised for its meticulous attention
negligible until she met Paul to detail, clear and complete
Cushing Child, an artist, diplomat, explanations, and straightforward,
and gourmet, in China in the early (40) unpretentious tone.
(10) 1940s. The couple married in 1946 In 1963, Julia’s half-hour cooking
and moved to Paris in 1948. There, program, The French Chef, debuted
Julia studied French and enrolled at on Boston’s public television station.
the Cordon Bleu, a famous French This award-winning show attracted
cooking school. Soon she was an (45) an enthusiastic and ever-growing
(15) adroit cook and an enthusiast of audience. Even noncooks enjoyed
classical French cuisine. Eager to Julia Child’s evident love of fine food,
share her knowledge, Julia opened down-to-earth good humor, and
a cooking school in Paris with two easygoing manner. She had the
friends. With one of these friends, (50) uncommon ability to convince her
(20) Simone Beck, she began writing a viewers that it was feasible for them
cookbook based on their to succeed in the kitchen. She made
experiences at the school. They people realize that cooking is fun.
continued to work on the book as In new cookbooks and television
Julia moved around Europe with her (55) programs that appeared in the
(25) husband. ensuing decades, Julia Child
When Paul retired in 1961, the adapted her recipes to
Childs returned to the United States accommodate the contemporary
and settled in Cambridge, desire for low-fat meals that could be
Massachusetts. That year, Julia’s first (60) prepared quickly. Yet she remained
(30) cookbook, Mastering the Art of true to what she considered the
French Cooking, was published in essentials of fine French cuisine.

42 ■ Review Units 1–3

 REVIEW UNITS 1–3
1. The primary purpose of the passage 8. Feasible (line 51) is best defined as
is to a. possible
a. publicize the success of The b. challenging
French Chef c. joyful
b. pay tribute to Julia Child d. unlikely
c. describe Julia Child’s culinary e. important
background
d. demystify French cuisine 9. One of Julia Child’s notable
e. popularize American cuisine achievements was convincing the
American public that
2. In line 1, culinary most nearly means a. cooking is serious business
a. literary b. anyone can cook French cuisine
b. martial c. low-fat meals can be prepared
c. performing quickly
d. cooking d. French cuisine is superior to
e. fine American cuisine
e. the Cordon Bleu is the best place
3. Negligible (line 7) most nearly means to study classical French cooking
a. nonexistent
b. sincere 10. In the final paragraph (lines 54–62),
c. limited the author presents evidence of
d. immense Julia Child’s
e. insignificant a. inflexibility
b. unpredictability
4. Adroit (line 15) is best defined as c. generosity
a. legal d. adaptability
b. amateur e. curiosity
c. skillful
d. inept 11. Much of Julia Child’s appeal lay
e. sloppy in her
a. unpretentious style and humor
5. Evidently Julia Child’s interest in b. meticulous attention to nutrition
cooking can be attributed, in part, to c. extensive knowledge of American
a. the influence of her husband cuisine
b. her education at the Cordon Bleu d. unwillingness to compromise
c. her friendship with Simone Beck e. uncommon love of all things
d. her early childhood French
e. a love of travel
12. The author’s attitude toward Julia
6. In line 34, the meaning of extolled is Child is best described as one of
a. identified a. antipathy
b. dismissed b. amusement
c. consulted c. admiration
d. trained d. acceptance
e. acclaimed e. apathy
7. Meticulous (line 37) most nearly means
a. honest
b. occasional
c. painstaking
d. unnecessary
e. welcome

Review Units 1–3 ■ 43

REVIEW UNITS 1–3

Two-Word Select the pair of words that best complete the meaning of each
Completions of the following passages.

1. Tony’s general attitude toward people is so that he has

absolutely everybody who knows him. If he didn’t walk
around with such a huge chip on his shoulder, he would have a few friends.
a. benevolent . . . deployed c. belligerent . . . alienated
b. impervious . . . exhilarated d. amicable . . . redressed

2. “I haven’t yet had time to give your latest sales report more than a
glance,” my boss told me. “However, I plan to
it carefully before we sit down to discuss it in detail.”
a. verbatim . . . reiterate c. meticulous . . . augment
b. cursory . . . scrutinize d. tentative . . . redress

3. My first of Nelson’s double-dealing came when I

discovered him whispering with my opponent. Prior to that, I had no inkling of my
so-called friend’s .
a. intimation . . . duplicity c. precedent . . . artifice
b. scrutiny . . . fortitude d. redress . . . coercion

4. Because the course of the disease was so , we didn’t

notice at first that the patient’s condition was no longer improving but in fact had
begun to .
a. tentative . . . adulterate c. averse . . . perpetuate
b. adroit . . . redress d. insidious . . . retrogress

5. Some people always stick up their noses at food they’re not accustomed to, but I’m
not at all to trying something new. Still, experience has
taught me to be of such dubious delicacies as chocolate-
covered ants, and I usually look before I leap, so to speak.
a. amicable . . . bereft c. averse . . . wary
b. tepid . . . negligible d. impervious . . . craven

6. I have chosen an excerpt from the president’s inaugural

address that I’d like to use in my report. Unfortunately, the passage is far too long
to reproduce .
a. tentatively . . . verbatim c. meticulously . . . reiterate
b. stolidly . . . coerce d. feasibly . . . liquidate

7. Although I now have a very relationship with my older

sister, she recalls that we used to fight over everything, viewing each other as
.
a. insidious . . . bereft c. amicable . . . adversaries
b. cursory . . . negligible d. adulterated . . . dour

44 ■ Review Units 1–3

 WORD STUDY
In the essay about how fashions, clothing colors, and styles have
Adages changed over the years (see pages 22–23), the author uses the old
saying, “Clothes make the man.”

“Clothes make the man” is an example of an adage. An adage is a saying passed down
through the years that makes a memorable and often witty or humorous observation
about some familiar aspect of life. The adage “Clothes make the man” suggests that the
clothes we wear reflect how we want to be perceived by others. It also suggests that
people will make judgments about a person based on how he or she dresses.

Choosing the Right Adage

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

1. When Amy’s entire family tried advising her on her a. You shouldn’t be
science project, she politely told them that too many picky when
cooks spoil the broth. accepting generosity.

2. Christopher resented missing outings because of his b. Unhappy people

cello practice, so his father often had to remind him that band together for
comfort and
April showers bring May flowers.
commiseration.
3. Beggars can’t be choosers, so don’t complain about c. Activities are more fun
the food your friends shared with you when you forgot with a large group.
your lunch.
d. A person who does
4. “Better safe than sorry,” my mother said as she waited not show feelings
for me to fasten my seatbelt. easily can still be
very kind.
5. Because we believe the more the merrier, we often
e. Something new
invite a group of friends over for movie night. seems exciting at
first.
6. Since misery loves company, Chris and Ty, who had both
failed to make the track team, sat together at lunch. f. You cannot have
things both ways.
7. Cold hands, warm heart describes my aunt. She can
be brusque and no-nonsense, but is always the first to g. Good results often
send a thoughtful card or gift in times of trouble. come from
unpleasant things.
8. Greg had failed to sell his writing for years, but every
h. Having too many
dog has its day, and he finally sold his first novel. helpers on a project
can ruin the result.
9. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too, so don’t
expect Kim, whom you insulted last week, to invite you to i. Eventually, everyone
her party. has a chance for
success or luck.
10. When you start a new job, a new broom sweeps clean,
j. Practicing caution can
but soon the work will probably start to feel routine.
prevent suffering later.

Word Study ■ 45
WORD STUDY
Writing with Adages
Find the meaning of each adage. (Use an online or print dictionary if necessary.)
Then write a sentence for each adage.

1. Time is money.

2. business before pleasure

3. Stop and smell the roses.

4. easy come, easy go

5. The best things in life are free.

6. Open mouth, insert foot.

7. once bitten, twice shy

8. The grass is always greener on the other side.

9. It takes two to tango.

10. The walls have ears.

11. Still waters run deep.

12. A penny saved is a penny earned.

46 ■ Word Study
 WORD STUDY

Denotation The dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word is

its denotation. A word’s denotation conveys a neutral
and Connotation tone, neither positive nor negative.

Many words have an underlying meaning, or connotation. The connotation of a word is

an association people make with the word, usually a particular meaning or emotion that
the word evokes. Connotations may be positive or negative.
Consider these synonyms for the neutral word skillful:
deft adroit masterful slick
Deft, adroit, and masterful have positive connotations, suggesting a high level of skill.
Slick, on the other hand, can have a negative connotation. If a person is called slick, it
might suggest that there is something misleading or false in his or her performance.

Think: A professional magician performing card tricks

may be considered deft, adroit, or masterful, but a
gambler playing poker may be considered slick.

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

NEUTRAL POSITIVE NEGATIVE

affect influence coerce

rich opulent excessive

praise extol flatter

Words that have particularly strong connotations—emotionally “charged” positive or

negative associations—are often called loaded words. Loaded words are common
tools of persuasive writers and speakers, who understand the power of implied
meanings to influence an audience’s perceptions.

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. insidious 2. fortitude 3. unkempt 4. deploy

5. culinary 6. adulterate 7. extol 8. artifice

9. alienate 10. precedent 11. grimace 12. harass

13. verbatim 14. urbane 15. bereft 16. exhilarating

Word Study ■ 47
WORD STUDY
Expressing the Connotation
Read each sentence. Select the word in parentheses that expresses the connotation
(positive, negative, or neutral) given at the beginning of the sentence.

neutral 1. The speaker (proclaimed, extolled) the man as a true hero who went
beyond the call of duty.
positive 2. Although the way you have dealt with her betrayal shows (strength,
fortitude), I still think you must confront her.
negative 3. When the armed robber fled with the money, the sheriff did not pursue
him, proving his (craven, weak) nature.
negative 4. The actress arrived at the charitable event wearing a(n) (gaudy,
opulent) diamond necklace.
neutral 5. I was very pleased by how (urbane, polite) everyone at school was
toward our visiting guest.
neutral 6. The detective approached the building (warily, sneakily), hoping to
get close enough to take a photo without being noticed.
positive 7. The (exhilarating, pleasing) news about the high annual bonus
motivated the employees even more.
negative 8. The flight attendant called security when the passenger became
(belligerent, difficult).

Challenge: Using Connotation

Choose vocabulary words from Units 1–3 to replace the highlighted words in the
sentences below. Then explain how the connotation of the replacement word changes
the tone of the sentence.

harass retrogress benevolent

dour adversary gibe

1. The general marched toward the river, nervous about meeting his opponent
.

2. The student’s gloomy attitude toward his education made

his parents concerned about his future.

3. My sister gets very annoyed when I tease her about her

boyfriend.

48 ■ Word Study
 WORD STUDY

The root mis appears in demise (page 35). The literal

Classical Roots meaning is “a sending down,” but the word now suggests
a death, especially of a person in an elevated position.
mis, miss, mit—to send Some other words based on the same root are listed below.

commissary emit missile premise

emissary manumit permit remission

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 an online or print dictionary if necessary.

1. to free from slavery or bondage

In some ancient societies, it was the custom to all
children born into slavery.

2. a statement or idea upon which a conclusion is based (“that which is sent before”)
Some members of Congress argued that the budget proposal was based on
false .

3. a letup, abatement; a relief from suffering

Immediately after undergoing major surgery, a patient may need some
medication for the of pain.

4. to consent to formally; to authorize; to allow

The law a person convicted of a crime to file an appeal.

5. to release or send forth (“send out”)

Crickets a shrill chirp by rubbing their wings together.

6. an object to be thrown or shot

The new fighter plane can fire a(n) with deadly accuracy.

7. a place where supplies are distributed; a lunchroom

Campers and counselors eat their meals at the .

8. a messenger, agent (“one sent out”)

The president sent a special to discuss the drafting of
a peace agreement.

Word Study ■ 49
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