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20 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
(adj.) throughly skilled;
(n.) an expert |
adept
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Not only is the soloist an accomplished singer, but he is also __________ at playing the saxophone.
An __________ at chess, she hopes to compete in tournaments against top rated players. SYN: (adj.) masterful, accomplished, proficient ANT: (adj.) clumsy, unskilled, maladroit; (n.) novice |
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(v.) to have ambitious hopes or plans, strive toward a higher goal, desire earnestly;
to ascend |
aspire
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An early fascination with ants led the young naturalist to _________ to a career as an entomologist.
SYN: seek, yearn, aim for, soar |
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(adj.) bare, dreary, dismal
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bleak
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Urban renewal can turn a run-down city with __________ economic prospects into a flourishing metropolis.
SYN: grim, cheerless, gloomy, desolate, barren ANT: rosy, cheerful, sunny, promising, encouraging |
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(v.) to blame, scold
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chide
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The teacher __________ the student for truancy and tardiness.
SYN: unbraid, reprimand, rebuke, chastise ANT: approve, praise, compliment, pat on the back |
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(adj.) worthy of scorn, contemptible
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despicable
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Whaever the provocation, there is no justification for such __________ behavior.
SYN: undersized, miniature, tiny, compact ANT: oversized, gigantic, huge, enormous |
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(adj.) small, smaller than most others of the same type
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diminutive
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The __________ lapdog was so small that it actually fit in its owner's purse.
SYN: undersized, miniature, tiny, compact ANT: oversized, gigantic, huge, enormous |
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(v.) to free from slavery;
to release or liberate |
emancipate
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Scientific knowledge can ___________ humanity from blind superstistition.
SYN: set loose, unchain, unshakle, unfetter ANT: enslave, snare, chain, shackle |
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(adj.) incorrect, containing mistakes
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erroneous
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An __________ first impression is not easily corrected.
SYN: mistaken, fallacious, all wrong ANT: accurate, correct, exact, unerring |
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(v.) to make use of, develop;
to make improper use of for personal profit; (n.) a feat, deed |
exploit
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A good debater knows how to __________ weaknesses in an opponent's argument.
The __________ of Robin Hood and his Merry Men are so well known that they have become a part of Western culture. SYN: (v.) utilize, turn to advantage, misuse |
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(adj.) made or delivered on the spur of the moment
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extemporaneous
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The stand-up comedian's outrageous act included about twenty minutes of completely __________ banter.
SYN: spontaneous, impromptu, off-the-cuff ANT: planned, rehearsed, prepared |
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(v.) to make imperfect, damage, harm
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impair
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I am fortunate that the scratch on my eye will not permanently __________ my vision.
SYN: injure, mar, disable, cripple, enervate ANT: improve, strengthen, promote, advance |
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(adj.) not able to be defeated, unbeatable
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invincible
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Napoleon I, emperor of France, was __________ until he launched a disastrous invasion of Russia.
SYN: unconquerable, indominable, insuperable ANT: vulnerable, conquerable, surmountable |
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(adj.) drooping, without energy, sluggish
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languid
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A big lunch makes me feel __________ for the rest of the day.
SYN: lazy, sluggish, listless, slack, lethargic ANT: lively energetic, vigerous, enlivening |
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(n.) mud;
wet, swampy ground; a tough situation; (v.) to get stuck |
mire
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The once verdant expanse of soccor field has become a rectangle of muck and __________.
Congress will never ratify that bill __________ in controversy. SYN: (n.) marsh, swamp, bog, slough |
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(adj.) forward;
undesirably prominent; thrust out |
obtrusive
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I don't blame you for being put off by his __________ attempt to dominate the conversation.
SYN: brash, impudent, conspicuous, protruding ANT: meek, reserved, deferential, recessed |
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(n.) an introduction to a speech or piece of writing
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preamble
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The __________ to the Constitution describes the purpose of our national government.
SYN: opening, preface, prologue, preliminary ANT: conclusion, ending, closing, epilogue |
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(v.) to cause to become;
to perform; to deliver officially; to process, extract |
render
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The freelance writer presented the managing editor with a bill for services ___________.
SYN: present, furnish, submit, make, effect |
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(adj.) rough, irregular;
severe, stern; strong; stormy |
rugged
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Settlers had a rough time crossing the __________ Appalachian Mountains.
SYN: rocky, craggy, blunt, harsh, hardy, tough ANT: smooth, flat, soft, mild, tender, delicate |
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(adj.) inclined to doubt;
slow to accept something as true |
skeptical
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I am __________ of promises made by politicians when they are running for office.
SYN: dubious, suspicious, incredulous ANT: believing, credulous, gullible, ingenuous |
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(adj.) untidy in dress, personal habits, etc.;
careless, sloppy |
slipshod
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The commission attributed the unfortunate collapse of the apartment building to its __________ construction.
SYN: messy, untidy, slovenly, slapdash, cursory ANT: tidy, neat, orderly, careful, painstaking |