AWP2 ch 11

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ADVANCED

WORD POWER

Second Edition

B

ETH

J

OHNSON

J

ANET

M. G

OLDSTEIN

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Unit Three: Chapter 11

•

aesthetic

•

peerless

•

catalyst

•

propriety

•

disparage

•

virtuoso

•

ingratiate

•

vitriolic

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TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

–

adjective

• A vegetable garden not only is practical but has aesthetic value, too; the shining green peppers, red tomatoes, and purple eggplants are a

beautiful sight.

• Your green plaid pants and orange flowered shirt do not make a very

aesthetic combination.

Aesthetic

means

A.

pleasing to the senses.

B.

moral.

C.

financial.

1

aesthetic

Aesthetic

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TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

–

adjective

• A vegetable garden not only is practical but has aesthetic value, too; the shining green peppers, red tomatoes, and purple eggplants are a

beautiful sight.

• Your green plaid pants and orange flowered shirt do not make a very

aesthetic combination.

Aesthetic

means

A.

pleasing to the senses.

B.

moral.

C.

financial.

1

aesthetic

The phrase beautiful sight suggests that gardens are pleasing to the sense of sight. The combination of plaid and flowered patterns would not be pleasing to the senses.

Aesthetic

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TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

2

catalyst

–

noun

• World War II was a catalyst for social change. When women took factory jobs, filling in for men who were away fighting, the concept of “women’s work” was permanently expanded.

• Seeing a friend die of an overdose was a catalyst for Herbert’s decision to stop abusing drugs.

Catalyst

means

A.

something that causes or

speeds up a

process.

B.

something that prevents a

process.

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2

catalyst

–

noun

• World War II was a catalyst for social change. When women took factory jobs, filling in for men who were away fighting, the concept of “women’s work” was permanently expanded.

• Seeing a friend die of an overdose was a catalyst for Herbert’s decision to stop abusing drugs.

Catalyst

means

A.

something that causes or

speeds up a

process.

B.

something that prevents a

process.

C.

something that is harmful.

Because the war necessitated an expansion of “women’s work,” it was

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3

disparage

–

verb

• An ironclad rule of politics used to be “Never disparage anyone in your party.” For the sake of unity, party members weren’t supposed to

criticize each other.

• “I’ve lost respect for Cheryl,” Shawna said. “She’ll pretend to be your friend, but then she’ll disparage you behind your back.”

Disparage

means

A.

to discourage.

B.

to say bad things about.

C.

to ignore.

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3

disparage

–

verb

• An ironclad rule of politics used to be “Never disparage anyone in your party.” For the sake of unity, party members weren’t supposed to

criticize each other.

• “I’ve lost respect for Cheryl,” Shawna said. “She’ll pretend to be your friend, but then she’ll disparage you behind your back.”

Disparage

means

A.

to discourage.

B.

to say bad things about.

C.

to ignore.

The word criticize means to say bad things about someone or something. The phrase to be your friend is

contrasted with Cheryl’s tendency to say bad things about people behind their backs.

Making a disparaging remark

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TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

4

ingratiate

–

verb

• When he was stopped for speeding, Luke tried hard to ingratiate himself with the officer by complimenting the police department, but he got a ticket anyway.

• It’s sickening the way Howie ingratiates himself with his boss by agreeing with her about every little thing and telling her how wonderful she is.

Ingratiate

means

A.

to argue with someone.

B.

to flatter someone.

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4

ingratiate

–

verb

• When he was stopped for speeding, Luke tried hard to ingratiate himself with the officer by complimenting the police department, but he got a ticket anyway.

• It’s sickening the way Howie ingratiates himself with his boss by agreeing with her about every little thing and telling her how wonderful she is.

Ingratiate

means

A.

to argue with someone.

B.

to flatter someone.

C.

to make demands.

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5

insipid

–

adjective

• A French novelist once said, “A story without love is like beef without mustard—an insipid dish.”

• The cast tried hard to put some sparkle and zest into the play, but the script was so pointless and insipid that their efforts fell flat.

Insipid

means

A.

disgusting.

B.

inspiring.

C.

boring.

Insipid flavor Not insipid flavor

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5

insipid

–

adjective

• A French novelist once said, “A story without love is like beef without mustard—an insipid dish.”

• The cast tried hard to put some sparkle and zest into the play, but the script was so pointless and insipid that their efforts fell flat.

Insipid

means

A.

disgusting.

B.

inspiring.

C.

boring.

Insipid flavor Not insipid flavor

A dish served with a spicy mustard sauce is less boring than one served without. A performance with sparkle and zest is contrasted with a script that is pointless and boring.

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6

peerless

–

adjective

• “She’s peerless,” the singer’s fans insisted. “No one can compete with her.”

• When their beloved teacher retired, her students presented her with a plaque: “To a peerless educator and a matchless friend.”

Peerless

means

A.

without an equal.

B.

critical.

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6

peerless

–

adjective

• “She’s peerless,” the singer’s fans insisted. “No one can compete with her.”

• When their beloved teacher retired, her students presented her with a plaque: “To a peerless educator and a matchless friend.”

Peerless

means

A.

without an equal.

B.

critical.

C.

perceptive.

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7

propriety

–

noun

• Helen, a newspaper reporter, is concerned about the propriety of her writing stories about the town council when her husband is a member of the council. • People questioned the propriety of the woman’s beginning to date only two

weeks after her husband had been killed.

Propriety

means

A.

opportunity.

B.

correctness.

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7

propriety

–

noun

• Helen, a newspaper reporter, is concerned about the propriety of her writing stories about the town council when her husband is a member of the council. • People questioned the propriety of the woman’s beginning to date only two

weeks after her husband had been killed.

Propriety

means

A.

opportunity.

B.

correctness.

C.

cost.

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8

virtuoso

–

noun

• Woody Allen has a funny line about a woman who gave up her lifetime ambition of becoming a violin virtuoso when she realized she would have to study the violin.

• The pianist was disappointed by the review of his performance: “He is competent, but no virtuoso—that spark of genius is missing.”

Virtuoso

means

A.

a moral person.

B.

a repairperson.

C.

a master performer.

Ph

oto

: W

hit

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ou

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ho

to O

ffi

ce

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8

virtuoso

–

noun

• Woody Allen has a funny line about a woman who gave up her lifetime ambition of becoming a violin virtuoso when she realized she would have to study the violin.

• The pianist was disappointed by the review of his performance: “He is competent, but no virtuoso—that spark of genius is missing.”

Virtuoso

means

A.

a moral person.

B.

a repairperson.

C.

a master performer.

A virtuoso appearing at the White House

It is silly to expect to become a master performer without first learning to play the violin. To be a master performer, the pianist needed a spark of genius—in

addition to “mere” competence.

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9

vitriolic

–

adjective

• Some people who call in to radio talk shows make shockingly vitriolic remarks; they seem to be using the show as an outlet for their most bitter, vicious thoughts.

• A famous piece of advice: When you are furious at someone, write him or her a

vitriolic letter, using the ugliest, most cutting words you can find. Read it a few times to make sure it’s as hateful as possible. Then tear it up and throw it away.

Vitriolic

means

A.

debatable.

B.

sharp and bitter.

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9

vitriolic

–

adjective

• Some people who call in to radio talk shows make shockingly vitriolic remarks; they seem to be using the show as an outlet for their most bitter, vicious thoughts.

• A famous piece of advice: When you are furious at someone, write him or her a

vitriolic letter, using the ugliest, most cutting words you can find. Read it a few times to make sure it’s as hateful as possible. Then tear it up and throw it away.

Vitriolic

means

A.

debatable.

B.

sharp and bitter.

C.

insane.

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10

whimsical

–

adjective

• Toni and Ed’s decision to marry seemed whimsical. They had known each other for only three days.

• Some of the policies at our school seem pointless and whimsical. For example, students are allowed to audit courses in science but not in math, the library is closed every other Tuesday, and coffee is not served in the dining hall.

Whimsical

means

A.

impulsive.

B.

appropriate.

C.

frightening.

Ph

oto

: D

av

e H

itc

hb

orn_e

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10

whimsical

–

adjective

• Toni and Ed’s decision to marry seemed whimsical. They had known each other for only three days.

• Some of the policies at our school seem pointless and whimsical. For example, students are allowed to audit courses in science but not in math, the library is closed every other Tuesday, and coffee is not served in the dining hall.

Whimsical

means

A.

impulsive.

B.

appropriate.

C.

frightening.

A whimsical wedding ceremony

It is impulsive to marry someone one has known for only three days. The contradictory, pointless, and odd rules seem to have been determined in an arbitrary and impulsive way.

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

2.

Mr. Lattimore is an unpopular teacher because his criticism is so _________. He is not only harsh about students’ work but is also highly critical of students personally.

1.

Mozart was considered a(n) _________ at an early age: he was performing before royalty by age six.

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

A. aesthetic B. catalyst C. disparage D. ingratiate E. insipid

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

2.

Mr. Lattimore is an unpopular teacher because his criticism is so _________. He is not only harsh about students’ work but is also highly critical of students personally.

1.

Mozart was considered a __________ at an early age: he was performing before royalty by age six.

F. peerless G. propriety H. virtuoso I. vitriolic J. whimsical

A six-year-old would have to be an expert musician to perform for royalty.

The words harsh and highly critical suggest that his criticism is sharp and biting.

virtuoso

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

4.

At first, Dad said we couldn’t keep the little dog, but then Muffin _________(ed) herself by sitting down in front of him and politely offering her paw.

5.

“Don’t _________ the instructor for failing you,” my advisor said. “Instead, I’d suggest you stop bad-mouthing her and work harder.” It was good advice.

3.

Though I like tea, I find it _________ without lemon to liven it up.

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

4.

At first, Dad said we couldn’t keep the little dog, but then Muffin ___________ herself by sitting down in front of him and politely offering her paw.

5.

“Don’t _________ the instructor for failing you,” my advisor said. “Instead, I’d suggest you stop bad-mouthing her and work harder.” It was good advice.

3.

Though I like tea, I find it _________ without lemon to liven it up.

If something needs livening up, it must be dull, tasteless, or unexciting.

The dog must have won Dad’ s favor since he ended up keeping her.

The word bad-mouthing suggests the student spoke ill of the instructor.

insipid

ingratiated

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

7.

I thought my grandmother’s sense of _________ would be offended by my sister’s plan to be married barefoot in a meadow, but Grandma loved the idea.

6.

“Well, I see that our _________ ball club has been beaten again,” Matt said sarcastically, as the baseball team lost its ninth game in a row.

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

7.

I thought my grandmother’s sense of _________ would be offended by my sister’s plan to be married barefoot in a meadow, but Grandma loved the idea.

6.

“Well, I see that our _________ ball club has been beaten again,” Matt said sarcastically, as the baseball team lost its ninth game in a row.

Matt was sarcastic: nine losses meant the club was not unsurpassed.

Surprisingly, the grandmother was not concerned about the

appropriateness of such a nontraditional wedding.

peerless

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

9.

“I’ve asked Sylvia to help me redecorate my apartment,” Lee said, “because she has the best _________ know-how of all my friends.”

10.

Getting a pet should not be a(n) _________, spur-of-the-moment decision. Owning a dog or cat is a long-term commitment that requires thought and planning.

8.

The _________ that started World War I was the assassination of an Austrian archduke—after that, fighting broke out among many factions.

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

9.

“I’ve asked Sylvia to help me redecorate my apartment,” Lee said, “because she has the best _________ know-how of all my friends.”

10.

Getting a pet should not be a __________, spur-of-the-moment decision. Owning a dog or cat is a long-term commitment that requires thought and planning.

8.

The _________ that started World War I was the assassination of an Austrian archduke—after that, fighting broke out among many factions.

The assassination brought about change from peace to war.

Good interior decorators have artistic know-how and a sense of beauty.

A long-term commitment based on thought and planning is contrasted with a spur-of-the-moment decision determined by impulse.

catalyst

aesthetic