AWP2 ch 09

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ADVANCED

WORD POWER

Second Edition

B

ETH

J

OHNSON

J

ANET

M. G

OLDSTEIN

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Unit Two: Chapter 9

•

accolade

•

edifice

•

assuage

•

gravity

•

cacophony

•

infraction

•

censure

•

profane

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TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.

–

noun

• Many people rushed out to try the new Thai restaurant on Wayne

Avenue after it received an accolade in a newspaper review.

• Although it was filmed in 1941, Citizen Kane continues to earn

accolades as one of the best movies ever made.

Accolade

means

A.

an expression of approval.

B.

an apology.

C.

a greeting.

1

accolade

Ph

oto

: S

he

ala

h C

raig

(4)

–

noun

• Many people rushed out to try the new Thai restaurant on Wayne

Avenue after it received an accolade in a newspaper review.

• Although it was filmed in 1941, Citizen Kane continues to earn

accolades as one of the best movies ever made.

Accolade

means

A.

an expression of approval.

B.

an apology.

C.

a greeting.

1

accolade

Only an expression of approval would send so many readers out to a new restaurant. Calling it “one of the best movies ever made” is one of many expressions of approval the film has earned.

Ph oto : S he ala h C raig

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2

assuage

–

verb

• My brother’s apology helped to assuage my anger at him.

• The grief one feels over the loss of a loved one never fully goes away,

but time does assuage the pain.

Assuage

means

A.

to increase.

B.

to explain.

(6)

2

assuage

–

verb

• My brother’s apology helped to assuage my anger at him.

• The grief one feels over the loss of a loved one never fully goes away,

but time does assuage the pain.

Assuage

means

A.

to increase.

B.

to explain.

C.

to make less severe.

(7)

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

3

cacophony

–

noun

• “I bought my daughter an iPod,” Gordon confessed, “so I wouldn’t have

to listen to the cacophony that she calls music.”

• When we listen to the cacophony of orchestra members tuning their

instruments, it is hard to believe that they will soon produce a beautiful symphony.

Cacophony

means

A.

harmony.

B.

unpleasant noise.

C.

silence.

Ph

oto

: A

lte

rn

(8)

3

cacophony

–

noun

• “I bought my daughter an iPod,” Gordon confessed, “so I wouldn’t have

to listen to the cacophony that she calls music.”

• When we listen to the cacophony of orchestra members tuning their

instruments, it is hard to believe that they will soon produce a beautiful symphony.

Cacophony

means

A.

harmony.

B.

unpleasant noise.

C.

silence.

The father doesn’t want to listen to the unpleasant noise his daughter calls music. A beautiful symphony is contrasted with the unpleasant

noise of an orchestra tuning up.

Ph

oto

: A

lte

rn

(9)

4

censure

–

noun

• After Aaron got his ear pierced, he had to deal not only with his father’s

censure, but also with his grandfather’s sarcastic remarks and icy stares.

• Jodi’s parents were strongly opposed to her engagement. Unable to stand

up to their censure, she broke up with her boyfriend.

Censure

means

A.

disapproval.

B.

tolerance.

(10)

4

censure

–

noun

• After Aaron got his ear pierced, he had to deal not only with his father’s

censure, but also with his grandfather’s sarcastic remarks and icy stares.

• Jodi’s parents were strongly opposed to her engagement. Unable to stand

up to their censure, she broke up with her boyfriend.

Censure

means

A.

disapproval.

B.

tolerance.

C.

neglect.

(11)

5

diatribe

–

noun

• A reporter covering a preacher’s sermon sat through an hour-long

diatribe about wickedness. He later wrote, “Mr. Blank spoke on sin. He was against it.”

• The art teacher, normally soft-spoken, subjected the class to a loud

diatribe when he discovered that someone had spilled Coca-Cola on his computer.

Diatribe

means

A.

a calm discussion.

B.

a physical attack.

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5

diatribe

–

noun

• A reporter covering a preacher’s sermon sat through an hour-long

diatribe about wickedness. He later wrote, “Mr. Blank spoke on sin. He was against it.”

• The art teacher, normally soft-spoken, subjected the class to a loud

diatribe when he discovered that someone had spilled Coca-Cola on his computer.

Diatribe

means

A.

a calm discussion.

B.

a physical attack.

C.

a verbal attack.

If the preacher spoke against sin, his hour-long sermon must have been a verbal attack on wickedness. The teacher’s soft-spoken

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–

noun

Edifice

means

A.

a structure.

B.

an expense.

C.

a design.

• On the college’s hundredth anniversary, a plaque was put up in honor of the

architect who had designed its first edifice, now the administration building.

• The company president decided to continue to rent office space, rather than

buy a building. “It would be nice to move into a fine new edifice,” she said, “but I’d rather spend the money on higher salaries and a better product.”

(14)

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

–

noun

Edifice

means

A.

a structure.

B.

an expense.

C.

a design.

• On the college’s hundredth anniversary, a plaque was put up in honor of the

architect who had designed its first edifice, now the administration building.

• The company president decided to continue to rent office space, rather than

buy a building. “It would be nice to move into a fine new edifice,” she said, “but I’d rather spend the money on higher salaries and a better product.”

6

edifice

In both items, the word building suggests that an edifice is a

(15)

7

gravity

–

noun

• “I’m not sure you understand the gravity of the crimes you are accused

of,” the lawyer told his client. “Do you realize you could go to prison for a very long time?”

• The anxious parents waited in the emergency room to learn the gravity

of their son’s condition.

Gravity

means

A.

grief.

B.

seriousness.

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7

gravity

–

noun

• “I’m not sure you understand the gravity of the crimes you are accused

of,” the lawyer told his client. “Do you realize you could go to prison for a very long time?”

• The anxious parents waited in the emergency room to learn the gravity

of their son’s condition.

Gravity

means

A.

grief.

B.

seriousness.

C.

usefulness.

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8

infraction

–

noun

• “In my class, there will be no texting or other cell-phone use,” said the

instructor. “Any infraction of this rule will lead to a lower grade.”

• Mrs. Hoeffel charges her kids for household infractions. For instance,

there is a five-cent fine for leaving towels on the bathroom floor and a twenty-five-cent fine for failing to turn off the living-room lights at bedtime.

Infraction

means

A.

an exception.

B.

an explanation.

(18)

8

infraction

–

noun

• “In my class, there will be no texting or other cell-phone use,” said the

instructor. “Any infraction of this rule will lead to a lower grade.”

• Mrs. Hoeffel charges her kids for household infractions. For instance,

there is a five-cent fine for leaving towels on the bathroom floor and a twenty-five-cent fine for failing to turn off the living-room lights at bedtime.

Infraction

means

A.

an exception.

B.

an explanation.

C.

a violation

.

The first item describes an instructor’s rule (no texting or cell-phone use) and the consequence for any violation (a lower grade). The

second item describes a parent’s rules (no leaving towels on floors, no leaving lights on at bedtime) and the consequences for any violation

(19)

TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

9

profane

–

adjective

• Karen refuses to use profane language. She says “Oh my gosh” instead

of “Oh my God.”

• Movies may get an “R” rating because of violence, sexual scenes, or

profane dialog.

Profane

means

A.

lacking reverence.

B.

ungrammatical.

C.

hard to understand.

Profane

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TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT

9

profane

–

adjective

• Karen refuses to use profane language. She says “Oh my gosh” instead

of “Oh my God.”

• Movies may get an “R” rating because of violence, sexual scenes, or

profane dialog.

Profane

means

A.

lacking reverence.

B.

ungrammatical.

C.

hard to understand.

Karen thinks it would be lacking

reverence to use the word God to show surprise. Dialog that is lacking reverence

is considered unsuitable for children. Profane

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10

somber

–

adjective

• When I saw the doctor’s somber expression, I was afraid she had bad

news for me.

• The dark colors and heavy furniture in the house give it a somber look

—I think it would be hard to laugh or even smile there.

Somber

means

A.

very serious.

B.

cheerful.

C.

restful.

A somber ceremony

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10

somber

–

adjective

• When I saw the doctor’s somber expression, I was afraid she had bad

news for me.

• The dark colors and heavy furniture in the house give it a somber look

—I think it would be hard to laugh or even smile there.

Somber

means

A.

very serious.

B.

cheerful.

C.

restful.

If the doctor had bad news for her patient, the expression on her face would be very serious. If it is hard to laugh or even smile in the house, the atmosphere must be very serious.

A somber ceremony

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

2.

Many birds sing sweetly, but crows don’t—instead, they produce a harsh _________ of cawing.

1.

If parents use _________ language around children, the children will most likely repeat it—not only at home but also in public, and at the most embarrassing moments possible.

Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

A. accolade B. assuage C. cacophony D. censure E. diatribe

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

2.

Many birds sing sweetly, but crows don’t—instead, they produce a harsh _________ of cawing.

1.

If parents use _________ language around children, the children will most likely repeat it—not only at home but also in public, and at the most embarrassing moments possible.

F. edifice G. gravity H. infraction I. profane J. somber

Children embarrass parents by showing disrespect for sacred things.

Sweet birdsong is contrasted with the harsh, discordant sounds of cawing.

profane

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

4.

The Little League team lost the championship game, but the coach ________(e)d the kids’ disappointment by taking them out for

banana splits.

5.

“Because of the ________ of the international situation,” announced the newscaster, “we will stay on the air with constant news updates throughout the evening.”

3.

Judging from the ________s the new movie has been receiving, it’s sure to be nominated for several Academy Awards.

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

4.

The Little League team lost the championship game, but the coach _________ the kids’ disappointment by taking them out for

banana splits.

5.

“Because of the ________ of the international situation,” announced the newscaster, “we will stay on the air with constant news updates throughout the evening.”

3.

Judging from the ________ the new movie has been receiving, it’s sure to be nominated for several Academy Awards.

Only movies that receive praise are nominated for Academy Awards.

Banana splits would lessen kids’ disappointment about losing a game.

Networks often interrupt regular programming with news updates when a situation of weighty importance is unfolding.

accolades

assuaged

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

7.

Jessie’s apartment house is an ornate ________ dating from the nineteenth century.

6.

The doctor received a letter of ________ from the local medical association for his negligent° treatment of a sick homeless man. Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

7.

Jessie’s apartment house is an ornate ________ dating from the nineteenth century.

6.

The doctor received a letter of ________ from the local medical association for his negligent° treatment of a sick homeless man. Complete each item with the correct word from the box.

Professional associations express rebuke or sharp criticism of members who provide inadequate or irresponsible treatment.

An apartment house—especially an old, ornate one—can be a large, imposing building.

censure

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SENTENCE CHECK 1

9.

On the day of the queen’s funeral, the national radio station

played only ________ music, as if to commiserate° with a country in mourning.

10.

The nutritionist lectured passionately on the folly of eating red meat. Then, tired and hungry after her ________, she went out to dinner at Steak ’n’ Ribs.

8.

Students are sent to detention for a variety of ________s, such as fighting, talking in class, or being disrespectful to a teacher.

(30)

SENTENCE CHECK 1

9.

On the day of the queen’s funeral, the national radio station

played only ________ music, as if to commiserate° with a country in mourning.

10.

The nutritionist lectured passionately on the folly of eating red meat. Then, tired and hungry after her ________, she went out to dinner at Steak ’n’ Ribs.

8.

Students are sent to detention for a variety of _________, such as fighting, talking in class, or being disrespectful to a teacher.

Students are sometimes sent to detention for breaking school rules.

Solemn music would express sorrow and sympathy for mourning citizens.

If she lectured passionately against meat, she gave a bitterly critical speech.

infractions

somber