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that entertained us all. or straw; often also used in expressions
unrelated to animals
brusque ( brYsk)
We were waiting by the barn for the new
(adj.)
to be delivered.
abrupt, blunt, or short in manner or speech
His manner was often mistaken for garrulous ( ar·Y·lYs)
rudeness by people who did not know him (adj.)
better. overly talkative about unimportant things; chattering
I regretted striking up a conversation with him when
cower ( kau· Y
Ù r)
I remembered how he can be.
(verb)
to shrink and tremble, as from someone s anger or hyperbole (h
¯· pYr·bY·l)
threats; to cringe (noun)
It was unnerving to watch the dog in the exaggeration for effect, not to be taken literally
corner when he misbehaved. He often spoke with , as when he said he
was so hungry he could eat a horse.
diffident ( di·fY·dYnt)
(adj.) malapropism ( ma·lY·pra
·pi·zYm)
modest, shy, reserved, bashful, humble (noun)
Her smile seemed to indicate that she a ridiculous or humorous misuse of words, usually
would dance if only someone would encourage due to a resemblance in sound
her. She was quite amusing with her frequent
(s), like when she excused herself
dross ( dra
s)
from the table to go to the laboratory.
(noun)
the worthless part of something that is separated
from the better part; waste; garbage
The cook trimmed the fillet and swept the
away.
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VOCABULARY LIST 13: COMMONLY TESTED WORDS
pertinacity (per·tYn· a·sY·t) The researcher was investigating several aspects of
(noun) behavior.
firm or unyielding adherence to some purpose;
stolid ( sta·lYd)
stubbornness; persistence
(adj.)
No matter what anyone said, there was no way to
showing little or no emotion or awareness;
reason with his .
unexcitable; expressionless
plausible ( plo·zY·bYl) We wondered how he could remain so
Ù
(adj.) upon hearing such awful news.
seemingly true and acceptable, but usually used with
succor ( sY·kYr)
implied disbelief; possible
(noun)
The excuse seemed , so we had to accept
aid; help; assistance, especially that which relieves
their apology for not attending our dinner
and ends stress, need, or a difficulty
party.
She gladly offered when he had nowhere
prehensile (pr· hen t ·sYl) else to turn.
(adj.)
adapted to grasp, seize, or hold Words in Context
Chimpanzees and humans both have a The following exercise will help you figure out the
hand. meaning of some words from Vocabulary List 13 by
reading context clues. After you have read and under-
rancor ( raK·kYr)
stood the paragraph, explain the context clues that
(noun)
helped you with the meaning of the vocabulary word.
a continuing and bitter hatred or ill will
Refer to the answer section at the end of this chapter for
The negotiators worked for peace among the
an explanation of the clues.
opposing factions, despite their obvious
.
I will never forget the day I accompanied
Professor Mackey into the apes facility for
resolute ( re·zY·lu
t)
the first time. He delighted in introducing
(adj.)
me to all their unique simian behaviors.
determined; firm of purpose; resolved
There were several apes who remained
I would try and stop you, but I can see you are
quite diffident during our visit, but most
in your decision.
went about their normal behavior, and a
ruminate (ru·mY·nt)
few even came forward to greet us. One
(verb)
charmer even offered us a piece of food
to meditate on or ponder something; to think over
with his prehensile hand. The professor
One could see him over the question for
pointed out the leader, who remained a
a few moments before he answered.
stolid observer of all the proceedings in the
cage. Mackey explained that when the
simian ( si·m·Yn)
leader did move about, all the apes would
(adj.)
become scared and excited and even cower
dealing with apes or monkeys; ape-like
in the corner. Two of the apes fought vio-
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VOCABULARY LIST 13: COMMONLY TESTED WORDS
lently during our visit, but fortunately 6. I was unable to myself
their rancor seemed focused solely on each from an uncomfortable situation when I realized
other. Undoubtedly, the most fascinating I was seated next to the woman I had beat out for
resident was one of the males named Yan- a promotion.
kee. When the professor closed the cage
door after he had brought the apes their 7. Because there were so many stray animals, the
lunch, Yankee came to the door and looked shelter could not provide
for the keyhole. I watched him ruminate to all of them.
there for a few minutes, staring intently at
the door and the keys on the bench beside 8. He was known for using
us. He then tried every imaginable way to to make his point, but sometimes, it became
extricate himself from the cage, and tedious to hear him exaggerate every situation.
regardless of how impossible it would be
without the keys, he seemed resolute 9. Natalie s turning in the report late is really a(n)
enough to continue for hours. Indeed, the , as she is always on
professor said he was still trying when he time with her work.
returned later that evening.
10. I think that sometimes horses get tired of eating
Sentence Completion the same every day, but
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