Vocabulary Exercises 1

calligraphy - fine handwriting

cartography - mapmaking

epigram - short saying

graphic - evoking lifelike images

holography three - dimensional image

monogram - design composed of one or more initials

monograph - scholarly study

seismograph - instrument for measuring earthquake vibrations

stenography - short hand writing

typography - appearance of a printed page

ultimatum - final offer

canard - false report

inert - inactive

immemorial - extending back beyond memory

desolate - uninhabited

Vocabulary Exercises 2

deploy - place military troops

lassitude - weariness

haze - unclear

ply - address someone urgently

acuteness - quick mind

belligerent - seeking conflict

detonation - explosion

pinnacle - highest point

clamor - cry out

bevy - any group

lurid - glowing

bawl - to call out noisily

reins - controlling

commend - to express a good opinion


foreboding - prediction of something bad

Vocabulary Exercises 3

fusillade - simultaneous firing of weapons

contagion - spreading of a disease

precipitate - cause to happen

silhouette - figure seen against a light background

apparition - anything that appears unexpectedly

reverberation - reechoed sound

insensate - not capable of feeling sensation

exultant - triumphant

imminent - likely to happen soon

desist - stop

avail - take advantage of

torrent - very heavy fall of rain

repugnance - distaste

conveyance - a transport or carrier

Vocabulary Exercises 4

minute - small

colossus - huge

disgorge - empty

lethargy - great lack of energy

torpor - state of being inactive

obscurity - lack of clearness or visibility

perplexingly - with confusion or hesitancy

furtively - secretly

cowl - hood

scintillate - reflect brightly

consume - devour

gaunt - starved

indiscriminate - failing to clearly choose

battery - basic unit of military personnel

dissuade - persuade not to do something

Vocabulary Exercises 5

assiduously - carefully

expostulate - argue

vicar - a parish priest

formidable - inspiring fear

obliquely - with a change of direction

portmanteau - suitcase

exultation - celebration

decapitate - to remove one's head

intricate - full of elaborate detail

patent - obvious

intermittently - periodically

froth - churn

inaudibly - not able to be heard

confluence - where rivers join

Vocabulary Exercises 6

basin - low area on Earth's surface

salinity - saltiness

crest - highest point of a wave

trough - lowest point of a wave

breaker - ocean wave that collapses

tide - the rise and fall of the sea level

photosynthesis - compound produced through light

pollutant - a poison

radiation - method of transmitting or spreading something

stratosphere - atmosphere that contains ozone

dew point - temperature at which water vapor condenses

cirrus h - igh altitude clouds

cumulus - low-lying puffy white clouds


cumulonimbus - anvil shaped clouds

Vocabulary Exercises 7

dearth - scarce supply

gratify - satisfy

choleric - easily angered

threshold - entrance

wreak - inflict punishment upon

stoic - unemotional

vendetta - destructive feud

condone - excuse

robust - strong

panoply - striking array

confer - to present

poignant - touching

mettle - spirit

withhold - restrain

vindictive - revengeful

Vocabulary Exercises 8

travesty - humorous imitation

impose - to apply by force

piquant - spicy

diatribe - abusive denunciation

appease - quieten

sumptuous - lavish

hedonism - pursuit of

castigate - inflict severe punishment

orotund - full in sound

brink - edge

pluck - daring

wrest - obtain by pulling

brazen - shameless

harridan - vicious

encumber - to place a heavy load on

Vocabulary Exercises 9

wan - unnaturally pale

ploy - devious action

jostle - push

stringent - severe

catastrophe - a great calamity

nettle - stinging hairs

ostentatious - very showy display

glut - fill beyond capacity

incense - infuriate

severe - strict

precipice - steep cliff

retaliate - to pay back

peevish - contrary

verge - border

rehabilitate - restore to good health

Vocabulary Exercises 10

pacific - peaceful

toady - flatterer

endow - to give

obsequious - fawning

rectify - to set right

circumspection - carefully considering

remonstrance - protest

hem - surround

lethargic - lack of energy

rout - to cause to flee

aghast - horrified

manifest - obvious

radiate - to send out

timorous - timid


instantaneous - done immediately

Vocabulary Exercises 11

masonry - brick

scullery - room next to kitchen

rampart - defense against attack

aspect - point of view

agile - moving easily

rendering - drawing

dexterous - skillful

endeavor - to strive

convulsive - involuntary spasms

physiological - workings of the body

heterogeneous - make of different elements

fluctuation - unsteady motion

supersede - to make obsolete

defunct - no longer used

caricature - representation of a person

Vocabulary Exercises 12

incur - to bring on oneself

vitiate - weaken

efficacious - effective

importunity - persistent urgent demands

anemic - lacking vitality

elemental - most basic

contrivance - invention

oscillate - swing from side to side

impart - give

acute - sharp

enigma - perplexing

culminate - climax or end

atrocity - cruel action

vestige - sign

forethought - thinking ahead

Vocabulary Exercises 13

oust - force out

tussle - cuffle

cajole - coax

rudimentary - basic

paradoxical - full of contradictions

implore - ask

copiously - abundantly

intolerable - unbearable

parch - dry

ebb - decline

despondent - without hope

inconclusive - not leading to a definite result

phantasm - ghost

sumptuous - splendid

frond - palm

Vocabulary Exercises 14

covet - long for with envy

teeter - to rock

lurid - vivid or harsh

dominate - rule

dethronement - act of ousting

exuberance - excitement

succumb - yield

circuitously - indirectly

singularly - uniquely

dexterous - skillful

cell - small unit

organelles - tiny organs

cell wall - outermost boundary of a cell

nucleus - center of a cell


chromosomes - carries the traits of a cell

Vocabulary Exercises 15

chlorophyll - green substance in plants

enzyme - body protein

weight - measure of the force

cleavage - groove between parts

gravity - attractive force

fracture - to break

titanium - lightweight metal

pique - arouse

equivocate - lie

opulent - luxuriant

dandy - a dude concerned with his clothes

gesticulate - express through movement

diffident - shy

ruse - trickery

conjure - exaggerated dignity

Vocabulary Exercises 16

pompous - vain or stuck up

frippery - elegance

emit - to give off

resplendent - splendid

glint - sparkle

strut - walk proudly

vociferous - crying out loudly

perfidy - treachery

ravage - devastate

boorish - ill-mannered

myriad - innumerable

hoodwink - deceive

vocal - spoken

locution - word or phrase

devastate - destroy

Vocabulary Exercises 17

staid - great dignity

AD - Anno domini

BC - Before Christ

bicentennial - two hundredth anniversary

centennial - one hundredth anniversary

century - one hundred years

chronology - events in order

decade - ten years

generalization - broad conclusion

historian - studies the past

barometer - measures air pressure

bathysphere - sphere-shaped diving vessel

lens - transparent object that bends light

palpable - able to be handled

Vocabulary Exercises 18

vitality - energetic

indolently - lazily

slender - thin

doggedly - persistently

crags - uneven parts of cliffs

opaque - not able to be seen through

gargoyle - decorative monster

cultivated - refined

baronial - suitable for nobility

cossack - skilled Russian horsemen

lacerated - torn roughly

mantle - thickest layer inside Earth

tsunami - destructive tidal wave

Vocabulary Exercises 19


projectile - object thrown or shot

centripetal - tendency to move to the center

antibiotic - stops growth of microorganisms

biopsy - removal of living tissue

biosphere - atmosphere in which living things exist

microbe - tiny life form

symbiosis - beneficial relationship

vivacious - lively

vivid - intense

edifice - building

alleviate - make bearable

viable - practicable

agenda - a plan

infiltrate - to enter maliciously

sultry - hot

Vocabulary Exercises 20

itinerary - plan for a journey

sustain - support

transient - passing with time

levity - humor

quaff - to drink heartily

hardy - vigorous

valor - bravery

malign - to make untrue statements

demure - shy

edict - having the force of law

permeate - penetrate

audacious - outrageous

malaise - sense of unease

evict - expel

pugnacious - belligerent

Vocabulary Exercises 21

oration - formal speech

avert - to prevent

craven - cowardly

humility - meekness or a lack of pride

exhort - spur on

impediment - obstruction

embellish - decorate

pith - sponge-like inside of flower

luminous - bright or glowing

subside - sink to a lower level

homage to pay respect

rebuke - to reprimand

wiles - tricks

rant - emotional speech

snare - trap

Vocabulary Exercises 22

isthmus - narrow strip of land

lurk - wait out of sight

entice - lure

gorge - deep valley

assemble - to gather together

omnivorous - eating anything

sinister - wicked

clandestine - done in secret

strait - narrow passage of water

vivacious - lively

timorous - fearful

savory - tasty

role - an assumed character

bland - tasteless

gourmand - glutton

Vocabulary Exercises 23


covey - small flock of birds

waylay - ambush

indefatigable - unwearying

aplomb - great composure

stymie - stump

arduous - difficult

cistern - receptacle for holding water

flag - cloth with a distinct design

inscrutable - mysterious

quandary - perplexity

curtail - abbreviate

sheepish - embarrassed

surplus - excess amount

truncate - to shorten

garish - tacky

Vocabulary Exercises 24

chagrin - embarrassment

garrulous - wordy and rambling

enigma - riddle

deplete - empty out

sanctimonious - self-righteous

languish - lose strength

incessant - continuous

magnanimity - kind-heartedness

rainforest - forest with abundant rainfall

deforestation - large-scale cutting down of forests

dike - dam or levee

fallow - not cultivated

personification - giving human characteristics

exposition - explanation

setting - where a story takes place

Vocabulary Exercises 25

persistent - unrelenting

fatuous - foolish

petulant - impatient

ferocity - savage

dissentient - against the majority

satchel - small bag

drawl - speak very slowly

scheme - plan in a deceitful way

beckon - silent gesture

turbulent - wildly irregular motion

retch - vomit

perpetuate - cause to continue

affluence - abundance of riches

consent - give permission

lavish - give generously

Vocabulary Exercises 26

placid - calm

recoil - shrink back

meager - small amount

expanse - open area

degrade - bring to dishonor

blatant - brazenly obvious

imperceptible - difficult to detect

deteriorate - to become worse

perusal - casual reading

aggregation - group of people

unprecedented - never before seen

din - harsh noice

ruckus - noisy disturbance

hibernate - inactive state

archeologist - studies man's past

Vocabulary Exercises 27


incidental - accidental

predicament - situation that is hard to get out of

dietitian - specialist in nutrition

waders - waterproof boots

poacher - one that kills animals illegally

sloughs - places of deep mud

briar - thorny stem

haven - safe place

gauged - estimated

commute - travel back and forth

mystical - spiritual meaning

biologist - those who study living things

random - determined by chance

audible - heard

semi-dormant - half asleep

Vocabulary Exercises 28

frigid - intensely cold

refuge - shelter

unsociable - unfriendly

conservancy - preserve of natural resources

soberly - seriously

pointed - definite meaning

flank - fleshy part near the ribs

burly - heavily built

mannequin - plastic person

disfigure - to mar the appearance

stealthy - sneaky

fishtail - swing from side to side

intimidate - make fearful

gallivanting - roaming

data - information

Vocabulary Exercises 29

compel - to make someone do something

gingerly - carefully

cubicle - small space

skeptical - attitude of doubt

heart-wrenching - very emotional

microfiche - sheet of microfilm

honorary - having distinction

psychic - supernatural forces

laden - burdened

retreat - withdrawal

hypnotizing - mesmerizing

habitat - living environment

vivid - lively

ebony - dark

vicinity - near

Vocabulary Exercises 30

dedicated - committed to a goal

rafters - beams that support

shard - fragment of a brittle substance

sanctuary - protection

boycott - refusal to do something

simmer - stew gently

mute - to muffle or make quiet

resign - give up deliberately

manufacture - to make something

rivulets - small streams

dilemma - problem

cackle - to laugh harshly

trauma - disturbing event

sullen - depressed

hobgoblin - mischievous elf

Vocabulary Exercises 31



 

levering - prying

dentures - false set of teeth

sinewy - stringy

caterwauling - harsh crying

cockfight - fighting gamecocks

daubed - coated

cascade - small waterfall

score - account

throaty - sound uttered low and rasping

slog - hit hard

rogue - dishonest person

simper smile in a silly manner

taproot - root that grows downward

taunt - insult

meringue - sweet topping

Vocabulary Exercises 32

cantankerous - grouchy

catcall - loud cry

meandered - walk along without direction

abominable - disgusting

privy - outhouse

impudence - rudeness

dovecote - box for domestic pigeons

tunic - loose cloak

skeins - loosely coiled yarn

grievances - complaints

shamming - pretending

betrothal - engagement

wimple - cloth covering over the head

morose - gloomy

odious - extremely unlikable

Vocabulary Exercises 33

addled - confused

contemplating - deciding

spectacle - eye-catching

gibberish - foolish talk

tedious - repetitive

harrowing - vexing

rapturous - ecstatic

menagerie - collection of animals

babbling - talking excessively

cairn - marker

slather - a great amount

doleful - mournful

adage - wise saying

embroil - entangle

succinct - concise

Vocabulary Exercises 34

minutia - trivial detail

capsize - to overturn

frowzy - unkempt

peon - menial worker

ensnare - to catch

lavish - to give abundantly

finagle - to obtain

peripatetic - traveling on foot

lapse - to be no longer valid

excoriate - to tear

fluent - express oneself readily

charisma - personal appeal

regress - move backward

articulate - express oneself clearly


Vocabulary Exercises 35

beacon - guiding device

cajole - flatter

lucid - sane or rational

mentor - trusted counselor

retinue - body of assistants

burgeon - blossom

histrionic - melodramatic

psyche - having to do with the soul

advocate - to plead in favor

salutary - beneficial

conclave - private meeting

deflect - to turn aside

pernicious - wicked

missive - written communication

extol - praise highly

Vocabulary Exercises 36

whet - sharpen by rubbing

transient - passing quckly

complacency - quiet satisfaction

scrutinize - look at very carefully

serene - calm

assurance - confidence

terrestrial - of the earth

molten - liquefied by heat

animated - very lively

superficial - not deep

eloquent - expressive

palpitate - tremble

fertile - fruitful

unanimity - complete agreement

fluctuate - continually changing

Vocabulary Exercises 37

incandescent - very bright

velocity - speed

vigil - determined watchfulness

audible - can be heard

recede - move back

calamity - misery

scoff - express mocking contempt

adjacent - near or close

jubilant - triumphant

tranquil - calm

dun - dull grayish brown

incrustation - crust

circumference - boundary of a circular object

irresolute - wavering in purpose

diameter - width of a circular object

Vocabulary Exercises 38

ascribe - assign something to

consolation - making less sad

embed - set firmly

inanimate - not moving

evident - plain

rouse - awake

impediment - hinders a certain action

excavation - expose by digging

concussion - violent blow

cavity - hole

billowy - surge

inarticulate - speak poorly

petrify - paralyze with fear

deliberation - slowness and with care

aperture - opening


Vocabulary Exercises 39

renew - make new

impulse - sudden inclination

multitude - large number of persons

derelict - abandoned

accost - approach to speak

composition - makeup

derive - to receive

intermittent - stopping and starting

pallid - faint in color

drone - continuous buzzing sound

impinge - strike

inevitable - certain to happen

stupefy - stun

undulate - move as if in waves

verge - edge

Vocabulary Exercises 40

combustible - flammable

incontinently - able to restrain

trivial - insignificant

deter - discourage someone

smite - strike hard

perplexed - puzzled

detachment - separation

incongruity - having a lack of harmony

haggard - worn look

allay - lessen

albeit - even though

invigorate - energize

indisputably - unquestionably

dispense - do away with

exertion - energetic activity

Vocabulary Exercises 41

timidity - state of shyness

citizenship - conduct within the community

cooperation - working together

school pride - satisfaction in your school's achievements

respect - regard highly

self-respect - positive opinion of oneself

courage - bravery

commitment - binding oneself

loyalty - faithfulness

determination - firm of purpose

trustworthy - responsible

tolerance - permitting something

empathy - understand what another person is feeling

kindness - being friendly and sympathetic

gratitude - thankfulness

Vocabulary Exercises 42

generosity - unselfishness

diligence - steady manner

creativity - originality

initiative - first step

work ethic - positive attitude towards work

punctuality - promptness

perseverance - continuing in spite of difficulties

reliability - honoring commitments

courtesy - well-mannered

honesty - truthfulness

fairness - impartiality

patience - waiting calmly and quietly

cleanliness - free from dirt

self-control - mastering one's actions

compassion - showing pity


Vocabulary Exercises 43

independent - self-reliant

wisdom - accumulated learning

virtue - moral excellence

dependability - reliability

sportsmanship - winning or losing positively

cheerfulness - good humored

patriotism - love of country

absurd - unreasonable

access - approach

acclaim - to approve

acquiesce - to agree

advocate - to support

aloof - disinterested

ambiguous - unclear

Vocabulary Exercises 44

analogy - comparison

analysis - examination of something

anarchy - lawlessness

apathy - lack of emotion

arbitrary - whimsical

arrogant - overly proud

articulate - to speak distinctly

augment - to add to

authentic - genuine

baffle - to perplex

benevolent - intending to do good

bias - prejudice

censor - to ban

censure - an official reprimand

circumlocution - to evade with words

Vocabulary Exercises 45

coherent - logical

competent - fit

contempt - disdain

deference - respect

denounce - condemn

deter - discourage

deviate - turn aside from

discern - distinguish

discriminate - distinguish

disdain - despise

disparage - discredit

dispute - to call into question

distort - twist out of the true meaning

diverse - differing from one another

dogma - doctrine

Vocabulary Exercises 46

fluctuate - shift back and forth

futile - unproductive

hostile - unfriendly

hypocrite - who fakes virtue

hypothesis - tentative assumption

immense - enormous

impose - compel

indifferent - without interest

indulge - pamper

inevitable - incapable of being avoided

infer - hint

innocuous - inoffensive

innovate - introduce something new

intense - extreme

manipulate - to control skillfully

Vocabulary Exercises 47


pandemonium - chaos

benevolence - kindness

barter - to trade

culture - way of life of a group

whimsical - impulsive

lagoon - pool of water

tributary - small stream

delta - mouth of a river

longitude - east-west direction on the globe

equator - north-south line around the middle of the Eath

topographic - map that shows the relief of the land

contour lines - lines that connect points of equal elevation

epicenter - point directly above an earthquake

harbor - seaport

plains - flat land

Vocabulary Exercises 48

ocean - body of salt water

volcano - opening in the Earth

valley - low land between hills

reef - ridge that lies near the surface of a sea

rapids - fast moving part of a river

swamp - low, wet lands

floodplain - land that is flooded by a river

cape - land that extends into water

sea - body of salt water

lake - body of fresh water with land on all sides

range - chain of mountains

canyon - deep, narrow valley

mesa - flat-topped mountain

waterfall - steep drop from a high place

cave - hollow passage in the earth

Vocabulary Exercises 49

wetlands - land saturated with water

foothills - hilly area at the base of a mountain

gap - passage through mountains

inlet - narrow passage of water

marsh - lowland with moist soil

peak - pointed summit of a mountain

tributary - river that empties into a larger river

product - answer to a multiplication problem

quotient - answer to a division problem

square root - any number times itself

exponent - how many times a number is used as a factor

variable - letter that represents a number

consecutive - one after another

formula - mathematical equation

estimate - educated guess

Vocabulary Exercises 50

base - lowest point or number

integers - whole numbers

positive number - any number greater than zero

negative number - any number less than zero

opposite numbers - negative and positive of a number

absolute value - distance from zero on the number line

simplify - reduce completely

evaluate - find the value of a variable expression

substitution - put in place of

percent - number compared to one hundred

meter - basic unit of length in the metric system

gram - basic unit of mass

liter - basic unit of capacity

Vocabulary Exercises 51


deci 1/10

centi 1/100

milli 1/1000

metric - system of measurement

proper fraction - fraction whose numerator is less than its denominator

improper fraction - fraction whose numerator is greater that denominator

mixed number - whole number and a fraction

foot - 12 inches

yard - 3 feet

mile - 5,280 feet

pound - 16 ounces

Vocabulary Exercises 52

ton - 2,000 pounds

cup - 8 fluid ounces

pint - 2 cups

quart - 2 pints

gallon - 4 quarts

ratio - comparison of one number to another

quadrant - section of the coordinate plane

plot - mark points on a graph

trojan horse - hidden instructions inside a computer program

hacker - someone who breaks into a computer system

Vocabulary Exercises 53

reboot - restart

gigabyte - one billion bytes of information

tutorial - program of instruction

WYSIWYG - word-processing system

encrypt - scramble computerized information

header - information at the top margin

footer - information at the bottom of a page

executable - computer file that will perform a tast

buffer - used to store data

online - connected to a computer network

character - symbol such as a letter

byte - a small unit of measure of computer memory

upload - to transfer data from a computer

download - to transfer data to a computer

Vocabulary Exercises 54

command - causes a computer to do a task

delete - to remove

document - text file

file - stored document

format - to divide in sectors for data storage

graphics - pictures

hard copy - a document that is printed on paper

input - information given to a computer

insert - process of adding

memory - computer storage capacity

menu - list of functions that a computer performs

Vocabulary Exercises 55

word wrap - automatic movement of a word to the next line

output - the final document

printout - document printed on paper

proofreading - finding mistake or errors in your copy

software - set of programmed instructions

word processing - text data

edit - to modify data

e-mail - electronic mail

digital - camera a camera which uses a chip to store images

hard drive - magnetic metal disk that stores data


hardware - physical parts of the computer

Vocabulary Exercises 56

web site - a location on the world wide web

modem - device that connects the computer to a communications system

mouse - pointing device

multimedia - graphics and sound

online - connected to a computer network

PC - personal computer

scanner - device that copies an image

port - computer connection hardware

scroll - to move through text or graphics

software - computer programs

word processor - application that outputs text data

ply - provide insistently

decapitate - to remove one's head

Vocabulary Exercises 57

whinnies - horse sound

bridle - horse's harness for the head

stirrups - rings that a horse rider's feet fit in

gallop - to go very fast

straddle t - o sit with one leg on each side

meadow - grassy land

reluctant - holding back

skillets - frying pans

rodeo - riding and roping contest

utensils - tools used in cooking

satisfied - having no doubts

confidently - feeling sure of yourself

appearance - the way something looks

summoned - being called

progress - moving forward

Vocabulary Exercises 58

failure - not successful

conscious - being aware

resist - go against

remarkable - amazing

particularly - distinct or different

accord - being in agreement

request - ask for

immediately - right now

available - able to be used now

sensation - feeling

disaster - terrible loss

enchanted - magically delighted

acrobats - trapeze artists

agent - representing another

boardinghouse - furnished rooms and meals

Vocabulary Exercises 59

protegee - guided by someone

wavering - moving back and forth

trance - dreamlike state

Parliament - British legislature

allies - friends in war

taxes - money paid to the government

authority - control

tariff - tax on imported goods

represent - acting for someone else

treason - betraying one’s government

petitions - signed requests for

boycott - refusal to buy

congress - meeting of elected representatives

repealed - taken back

massacre - killing many defenseless people


Vocabulary Exercises 60

blockade - barring entry by ships

quarter - soldier's housing

rights - irrevocable freedoms

inutemen - soldiers available on short notice

patriots - loyal to one’s nation

dread - to wait with fear

recovery - return to being well

prospecting - looking for gold

citizen - member of a country

occupation - person's job

ransack - messy search

herb - useful plant

expression - look on the face

emigrant - person leaving his country

grant - something that is given

Vocabulary Exercises 61

impatient - unwillingness to wait

despair - loss of hope

succeed - complete

frontier - edge of an unknown land

determination - decided action

cautiously - carefully

supply - to give what is needed

appeal - to ask for

supervise - to watch over

settlers - pioneers in a new area

assure - to make confident

stunned - shocked

opportunities - chances to do something

demonstration - public display

Vocabulary Exercises 62

muffle - to deaden sound

partition - something that divides

prowls - roams quietly

prose - anything not poetry

anxiously - nervously

nonchalant - unconcerned

sarcastically - in a mocking tone

laughingstock - object of ridicule

culprit - guilty person

privileges - special rights

groveling - crawling face-down

cringe - to shrink back

propeller - rotating blades

pneumonia - disease of the lungs

flustered - confused

Vocabulary Exercises 63

mariners - sailors

vessels - ships

provisions - supplies of food

unfurled - unfolded

mutiny - rebellion against authority

forfeited - given up

reckon - compute or calculate

orator - public speaker

spectators - persons watching an event

transfixed - motionless

vetoed - rejected by authority

resolutions - personal goals

adjourned - ended a session

astronomy - study of heavenly bodies

yield - produce


Vocabulary Exercises 64

unraveling - becoming undone

eclipse - complete or partial hiding

almanac - yearly book of facts

edition - copies printed at one time

abolitionist - slavery opponent

monarch - royal ruler

here - in this place

little - small

this - thing being mentioned

mother - female parent

play - to have fun

trunk - long snout

cake - baked dessert

Vocabulary Exercises 65

artist - one who paints or draws

meadow - grassy field

paintings - pictures not drawn with pen or pencil

brook - small stream

season - part of the year

real - not imagined

talking - speaking

stretching - spreading out

brilliant - bright

cover - hide under something

delighted - very happy

horrible - terrible

replied - answered

weaving - winding in and out

crawled - moved slowly

Vocabulary Exercises 66

tend - to take care of

finally - at last

disappear - to move out of sight

strange - unusual

through - into and out of

relatives - people in the same family

wrinkle - crooked fold

hour - sixty minutes

few - not many

bullying - threatening

family - people related to each another

buy - to purchase

new - not old

grown - larger

weather - outside conditions

Vocabulary Exercises 67

knit - to made with yarn

barbecue - meat roasted on an open fire

jeans - tough cotton pants

adventure - an exciting experience

whole - complete or entire

harbor - sheltered body of water

soar - fly very high

surround - shut in on all sides

believe - to trust in

practice - training by repeating

remember - to keep in memory

cousin - child of your aunt or uncle

building - structure

country - land of a nation

say - to speak

Vocabulary Exercises 68


touch - physical contact

bore - make a hole

impatient - not wanting to wait

replied - answered

squeeze - press between something

thorn - sharp sticker on a plant

lazy - not willing to work

hungry - feeling a need for food

full - able to hold no more

angry - feeling or showing displeasure

ridiculous - foolish and comical

draw - to make a picture

thought - idea

music - pleasant expressive sounds

instrument - something making musical sounds

Vocabulary Exercises 69

squawk - shrill or harsh sound

poem - writing in verse

entertain - to amuse

performance - musical or theatrical presentation

foolish - not having good sense

feather - covering on bird's body

spread - to stretch out

balance - steady position

foot - lowest part of the leg

canyon - deep narrow valley

cringed - crouch in fear

consumer - user of goods or services

error - mistake

released - set free

lame - not able to walk well

Vocabulary Exercises 70

sly - sneaky or clever

sturdy - strong

astonishment - amazement

proud - feeling good about yourself

special - very important

knew - having the facts

borrow - temporary use something

enough - all that is needed

heard - listened to

dike - dam made of dirt

announced - said or told

blinding - hard to see through

flooded covered with water

village - small town

cranes - large water birds

Vocabulary Exercises 71

women - female humans

clever - sly and resourceful

greedy - wanting too much

tricky - sly

courage - overcoming fear

attempt - to make an effort

trees - large, woody plants

short - not long or tall

live - to exist

way - certain path

leaves - green parts of a plant

turn - to move in a different direction

soft - not hard

their - belonging to them

Vocabulary Exercises 72

feel - to know by touch


nervous - restless or tense

allowance - something granted

postcards - cards mailed without an envelope

yawn - expression of tiredness

knapsack - backpack

advice - guidance

realistic - showing things as they are

haze - fog or cloud

device - an instrument or tool

chemical - made from changed substances

ingredients - parts of a mixture

silo - storage tower

mechanical - like a machine

millennium - one thousand years

Vocabulary Exercises 73

descendant - person born from an ancestor

oppression - force or subjugation

discrimination - extreme favoritism in actions or attitude

nectar - sweet liquid made by flowers

production - process of making something

conquer - to overpower

current - flow of water

cycle - repeating set of events

endangered - threatened

installed - set up correctly

engineering - planning and building

cocoon - covering around a pupa

orphanage - place for homeless children

wigwam - Indian tent

Vocabulary Exercises 74

squaw - American Indian woman

papoose - Native American baby

legend - supernatural story

excavate - to dig up

dugout - Indian log boat

mesas - steep hills with flat tops

adobe - made of clay

cultivate - grow plants

accomplishment - achievement

founded - established

formal - following established customs

piety - religious devotion

ingenious - clever

compulsory - enforced

baritone - male voice above a bass

Vocabulary Exercises 75

entitled - having the right to something

landscape - stretch of natural scenery on land

pros - advantages

cons - disadvantages

bolster - support or strengthen

residential - used for homes

ancestors - people one is descended from

prosperous - having success

synthetic - man-made with chemicals

poultry - birds raised for food

communal - belonging to a group

harvest - gather a crop

perpetuate - cause to be continued

industrious - steadily working hard

competently - skillfully

Vocabulary Exercises 76

emphasize - give special attention to

deprive - keep from having


dialect - localized form of a language

tolerate - allow

monsoon - strong seasonal wind

sacrifice - giving up of something

commemorate - honor the memory of

restoration - act of bringing back

conservation - preserving something

inhabit - to live in

irrigation - supplying land with water

nutrients - substances that provide nourishment

distribution - area over which something is spread

ecosystems - specific environment

impact - effect of an action

Vocabulary Exercises 77

vegetation - plant life

desolate - barren or deserted

broadcaster - person sending messages electronically

exclusively - particular way

blackmail - to get something by threatening

evading - avoiding

mute - silent

impose - to enforce

stragglers - those lagging behind

violated - failed to follow

influence - ability to affect what others do

neutral - taking neither side

truce - temporary halt in fighting

recital - musical performance

stage fright - fear of performing

Vocabulary Exercises 78

kneaded - pressed with the hands

quartet - four musicians who perform together

ensemble - group of musicians who perform together

professional - specially trained

scales - series of musical tones

tempo - speed of music

intonation - ability to play notes in tune

symphony - long piece of music in four parts

inquire - investigate

dreadful - terrible

eccentricities - odd behaviors

peculiar - odd

uproar - noisy confusion

appreciate - show gratitude

congruent - same shape and size

Vocabulary Exercises 79

dodge - move quickly aside

rescue - save from danger

taunt - to tease

source - origin

eliminate - to get rid of

famished - starving

produce - to make

purchase - to buy something

discover - to find something

curtain - window covering

break - to crack into pieces

piece - part of a whole

wondered c - urious about something

rescue - save from harm

Vocabulary Exercises 80

strong - powerful

appear - come into sight

spare - extra


brought - carried with one

perfect - just right

company - with others

without - not having

sure - positive

enjoyed - pleased with

explained - told about something

sighed - long sad breath

lonely - sad about being by yourself

decided - made up one's mind

important - necessary or valuable

change - to make different

Vocabulary Exercises 81

dangling - swinging loosely

noise - loud sounds

coin - metal piece of money

tour - a trip visiting places

solar system - the Sun and the planets

aboard - on something

guide - person leading a trip

already - before now

dangerous - unsafe

thunder - loud noise in a storm

rotates - turns in a circle

orbit - planet’s path around a sun

astronomer - solar system expert

fiercest - wildest

bargain - a deal

Vocabulary Exercises 82

jungle - land thickly covered with plants

kind - type

mind - to care about or obey

group - number of things together

scare - make afraid

lie - to rest by not standing or to no tell the truth

planets - larger bodies that orbit a star

produce - to make

larger bigger in size

weigh - to measure weight

meteorite - an object striking the earth from space

crater - deep hole

comet - object of gas and dust orbiting the sun

future - time that hasn't happened yet

Vocabulary Exercises 83

discovered - found out

neighbors - people who live near one another

different - not the same

scratched - scraped

veterinarian - doctor that takes care of animals

people - persons

caught - captured

discover - find out

biography - story of a person's life

bald - having no hair on head

protect - guard

argument - disagreement

advantage - something that is helpful

between - space that separates

Vocabulary Exercises 84

pity - sympathy or sorrow

fair - not favoring more than another

quarrel - angry dispute

accept - take what is given

penalty - punishment


horizon - line where sky meets earth

jeer - to taunt

particular - specific or exact

underground - below the earth ‘s surface

layers - levels

shower - brief fall of rain

destroy - to ruin completely

pounded - hit hard repeatedly

eon - age in the earth's history

countless - too many to be counted

Vocabulary Exercises 85

raging - moving with violent force

mountain - high hill

sometimes - not always

air - gases that we breathe

against - in opposition

shoes - coverings for the feet

start - to begin

dough - mixture of flour and water

slowly - not fast

minute - short period of 60 seconds

presents - gifts

stomach - where food is digested in the body

delicious - very good to taste

mouthful - as much as can be held in the mouth at one time

bale - large bundle of material

Vocabulary Exercises 86

fault - blame or cause

pause - short stop

spare - to keep from harming

pouch - fold of skin like a bag

freight - goods transported

shove - push

busy f - ull of activity

shrieked - screamed

shoulder - part of the body below the neck

silly - ridiculous

couple - two

secure - safe

boast - to speak too well of yourself

commotion - excitement and confusion

demand - ask forcefully

Vocabulary Exercises 87

lose - not have any longer

tone - quality of sound

bore - to make a hole

loon - duck-like bird

nip - pinch

compose - make up

stockade - high, strong fence

howl - a long and sad cry

cause - to make something happen

duty - obligation

ferocious - savage

literate - able to read and write

minuscule - very small

nonfiction - prose works based on facts

fiction - an imagined story

Vocabulary Exercises 88

obstinate - stubborn

sibling - brother or sister

suspense - anxiety

vermin - animal pests


aviator - pilot

territory - land ruled by a nation

smuggling - illegally transporting goods

dire - terrible

condemned - strongly disapproved

dismal - gloomy or depressing

campus - grounds of a school

somberly - sadly

address - speech

establish - to set up

concoction - mixture of things

Vocabulary Exercises 89

scour - search extensively

maneuver - move skillfully

donation - contribution

landmark - outstanding or well-know object

turbulence - violent atmospheric condition

indicate - to show

visualize - to form a mental picture

transmission - sending a message

static - radio noises

vague - not distinct

abated - lessened

troupe - company or group

ruts - grooves in the ground

revived - returned to life

vanity - excessive pride

Vocabulary Exercises 90

source - point of origin

populated - filled with inhabitants

revolutionary - radical change

disarray - state of disorder

helter-skelter - haphazardly

assaults - attacks

camphor - smelly white powder

loll - rest in a lazy way

eddies - currents that move with the main current

reservoirs - storage place for liquid

elated - happy

perverse - opposite of right

indomitable - unconquerable

recede - to move away

falter - to loose force

Vocabulary Exercises 91

burly - muscular

perilous - full of dangers

cavernous - resembling a cave

enveloped - completely surrounded

homely - plain

kingfisher - fish eating bird

comprehend - understand

luxurious - something pleasurable

parson - clergyman

vigorous - lively

penetrate - pierce

infield - playing area of a baseball field

nonviolence - absence of violence

unable - cannot do

recite - to repeat from memory

Vocabulary Exercises 92

defrost - thaw

cherish - love

disturb - to make uneasy

lock - to bind tightly


multiply - increase in number

nourish - to feed

overcome - conquer

pause - stop for a short time

smudge - smear or blur

efficient - effective without waste

false - wrong

ignore - disregard

misery - great pain or suffering

Vocabulary Exercises 93

partition - divider

smooth - even and unwrinkled

telescope - instrument that magnifies distant objects

utensil - implement

bacteria - single-celled microscopic organisms

canyon - deep narrow valley

decibel - measure for sound volume

fertile - productive soil

noun - person, place, or thing

quarrel - argument

signature - written name of person

treaty - agreement

rent - money paid for use of property

Vocabulary Exercises 94

shear - cut wool off a sheep

debt - money that is owed

Vicar - preacher or priest

bluff - high bank or cliff

interpreter - person that translates languages

sentinel - guard

peg - wooden nail

abstain - do without

aquarium - container for fish

battle - fight or conflict

carpenter - person who builds things with wood

engineer - person who plans and builds structures

hobby - something a person does for fun

lumberjack - person who chops down trees

recruit - person who has recently joined

Vocabulary Exercises 95

politician - person who runs for a political office

bailiff - officer of a court

smoldering - burning and smoking with little flame

wondrous - marvelous

emerges - breaks through

generations - family members around the same age

pollen - fine powder from flowers

canopy - covering

humiliation - causing shame shame

heroine - main female character

abandon - to leave behind

translation - something changed to another language

breed - one partricular kind of animal

ramble - to go on and on

Vocabulary Exercises 96

passerby - person who is moving by

instinct - natural feeling

patrol - secure an area

talent - something someone can do well

avalanche - sliding of material down a hillside

victim - person who has been hurt

suffocate - to die from not breathing


conscious - awake and alert

audition - to try out for a part

applause - clapping of hands

volunteer person who freely gives time

scenery - stage backgrounds

hostility - hate or dislike

disgrace - to bring shame upon

Vocabulary Exercises 97

stalk - follow without being seen

wandering - traveling from place to place

adapt - adjust to

survival the act of staying alive

technique - special way to do something

disguising - changing appearance

surroundings - place around something

enables - allows

mimic - copy

resemble - to look like

noticeable - easily seen

Vocabulary Exercises 98

sculpted - carved by an artist

mantle - cape like covering

era - long period of time

reside - to live

rodents - animals such as mice

sparkling - gleaming or shining

jewel - valuable stone or gem

countryside - rural area

record - permanent evidence

aware - having knowledge

recall - to remember

drift - move along on a current of air or water

Vocabulary Exercises 99

capture - catch and hold

responsible - being the cause of something

drab - dull

impossible - unable to happen

imitate - follow the example of

achiever - someone who reaches a goal

success - achievement

career - profession

package - box used for delivery

pasture - grassy field for farm animals

ankles - joints where feet meet legs

damage - harm

advise - offer helpful suggestions

frightened - afraid

Vocabulary Exercises 100

lightning - visible discharge in the sky

electricity - energy from the flow of electrons

shiver - shake

realized - understood completely

stubborn - unwilling to change

shadow - area of darkness

frozen - turned to ice or motionless

crane - machine that lifts heavy objects

property - piece of land

program - plan

petition - request

sprinkling - spreading or scattering

cunning - clever

weave - to interlace


pluck - pick by pulling off

Vocabulary Exercises 101

sunset - time when the sun disappears

plump - chubby

dusk - time when darkness begins

escape - to break free or run away

desert - large region of sand

tumbleweeds - dead rolling plants

fortune - success

grazing - eating grass and other plants

swallow - transporting food from the mouth to the stomach

comfortable - relaxed without pain

ledge - shelf-like rock on a mountain

image - picture

curious - wanting to know more

view - what can be seen

echoes - repeated sounds

Vocabulary Exercises 102

spy - to see without being seen

peering - looking in a searching way

blind - unable to see

peculiar - unique

identified - named or discovered

creatures - living beings

exist - to live

extinction - when no member of a species survives

populations - certain living things in a certain place

underground - below the earth’s surface

tame - gentle and meek

energy - power to do work

affect - have an influence on

Vocabulary Exercises 103

theory - explanation backed by testing

gem - valuable mineral

ore - mineral containing a useful substance

luster - shininess

density - amount per unit of measure

properties - things that can be described about an object

atom - smallest component of an element

Vocabulary Exercises 104

electron - negative part of atom outside nucleus

proton - positive part of atom inside nucleus

characterization - vivid description

connotation - emotional added meaning to a word

denotation - exaction definition to a word

figurative - non-literal language

flashback - part of a story that already happened

imagery - language that describes something

inference - reasonable conclusion

inversion - reversal of the usual order

irony - sarcasm or an unexpected outcome

metaphor - comparison between two unlike things

cacophony - harsh jarring sound

coherent - consistent and logical

dilution - weakened substance

Vocabulary Exercises 105

drastically - extremely

enigmatic - perplexing

indigenous - native to an area

metabolism - chemical reactions in living things

ingestion - taking in food

digestion - breaking food down


respiration - breathing

excretion - getting rid of waste materials

available - ready for use

cater - to satisfy the needs of

customary - usual or expected

dissuade - persuade not to do something

firebrand - troublemaker

hazard - danger

homicide - murder

Vocabulary Exercises 106

humane - showing sympathy for others

indifference - lack of interest or concern

indignant - anger over something unjust

indispensable - absolutely necessary

lubricate - to apply oil or grease

mutual - shared equally

pelt - strike successively

plague - easily spread disease causing deaths

poised - balanced

regime - government in power

retard - to make slow

transparent - allowing light through

unscathed - wholly unharmed

polygon - closed figure with three or more sides

majority - greater part

Vocabulary Exercises 107

definite - precise

symbol - something that represents something else

doubtful - uncertain

navigator - person who charts the course

deny - refuse to give

twilight - time immediately after sunset

reliable - dependable

absent - not present

analyze - study

accidentally - not on purpose

embarrass - humiliate

misspell - spell incorrectly

adherent - supporter or follower

Vocabulary Exercises 108

daunt - frighten

tranquility - calmness

virago - quarrelsome woman

persecution - affliction

flagon - container for liquids

quaff - drink heartily

lore - traditional knowledge

morrow - the next day

surcease - to come to an end

entreat - ask earnestly

obeisance - deference or homage

beguile - to trick

countenance - appearance

craven - cowardly

discourse - long communication

Vocabulary Exercises 109

placid - peaceful

melancholy - gloomy state of mind

ominous - portending evil or harm

plutonian - like the underworld

pallid - pale

chamber - room

invest - to put into


dynasty - family of rulers

pagoda - tall Asian shrine

empire - groups of lands under the rule of one ruler

academic - relating to education

clarify - to make clear

confide - totell something in secret

disclose - to uncover

Vocabulary Exercises 110

enlighten - to inform

expound - to make a detailed statement on a topic

ingrained - impressed firmly on the mind

sage - wise and respected person

seminar - conference where a specific topic is discussed

abridge - to shorten

browse - to look casually

citation - quotation from a reliable source

compendium - short but complete summary

etymology - study of the origin of words

gazetteer - geographical dictionary

glossary - alphabetical list of words in the back of a book

abash - embarrass

Vocabulary Exercises 111

activate - start

adept - expert

adjacent - directly next to

advent - coming event

affliction - misery

allay - lessen

alliance - union for a common purpose

amity - friendliness

anecdote - brief story

appalling - terrible

anonymous - unidentified

appropriate - suitable

aristocrat - nobility

arrogance - excessive pride

Vocabulary Exercises 112

articulate - speak clearly

aspiration - strong desire

scenario - rough script

taunt - reproach with insults

expansion - act of expanding

emphatic - strongly expressive

deny - declare something to be untrue

intersect - meet at a point of crossing

insignia - emblem

sponsor - one who supports

publicity - bringing something to the public's attention

offensive - act of attacking

abandoned left behind

breeds - particular kinds of animals

companion - close associate

Vocabulary Exercises 113

rambles - going on and on

originated - came into being

instincts - natural tendencies

patrol - check for trouble

talent - special natural ability

avalanches - large mass sliding down a hillside

victim - someone who is injured

suffocate - to die from lack of air

conscious - awake

audition - to try out


father - male parent

pony - small horse

wanted - desired

Vocabulary Exercises 114

opportunitie - chance to do something

supply - furnish what is needed

dreaded - greatly feared

miniature - tiny version

quality - degree of excellence

nourish - keep alive and healthy

mechanical - operated by a machine

yield - amount produced

nectar - sweet liquid found in flowers

remedies - cures

production - process of making something

oppression - cruel and unfair treatment

untidy - messy

discovered - found out

Vocabulary Exercises 115

exclude - shut out

disapprove - show dislike

inactive - idle

inaccurate - wrong

dishonest - deceitful

expedition - journey for a purpose

extinct - no longer living

incomplete - not finished

untied - not fastened

incorrect - not right

unpack - to take things out

unseen - not visible

except - instead of

unhealthy - not well

universe - everything that exists

Vocabulary Exercises 116

exploration - travel for the purpose discovery

disinfectant - used to destroy germs

international - between nations

babble - make meaningless sounds

badge - distinctive emblem

baggage - luggage a traveler takes on a trip

bakery - place baked goods are made

ballot - form used to cast a vote

balance - equality between opposing forces

baton - wand used by a musical conductor

priest - religious leader

temple - place of worship

principal - highest in importance

Vocabulary Exercises 117

shinny - to climb

slimy - covered with filth

stationing - assigning a certain spot

venture - proceed in face of danger

pantry - closet where food is kept

reputation - how the public views a person

style - manner of doing something

exercises - training by repetition and review

sprint - race covering a short distance

gurgling - making a flowing or low sound

spade - digging tool

churn - to stir quickly

patchwork - many small pieces sewn together

umbrella - hand-held canopy

struggle - difficult task


Vocabulary Exercises 118

compass - direction determining device

tough - rugged

general - high officer

carnival - fair or festival

several - quite a few

ceramics - type of pottery

classical - arts in a past era

daub - apply paint with crude strokes

medley - mixture

melodious - pleasant to hear

orchestrate - organize

palette - thin board for mixing paints

pantomime - acting with gestures

texture - feel of the surface of an object

geologist - scientist who studies rocks

Vocabulary Exercises 119

mine - extracting minerals from the ground

forbidden - not allowed

accidental - happening by chance

vein - long deposit of underground metal

allusion - indirect mention of something

dialogue - conversation

foreshadow - foretell or bode

anthology - collection of writings

serialize - present one part of a story at a time

volume - relative amount

episode - part in a series

image - vivid description

pseudonym - pen name

literary - referring to books and writing

commission - share of the profit

Vocabulary Exercises 120

interest - charge for the use of money

principal - amount borrowed in a loan

flex - bend

mono - prefix meaning "one"

phonetics - study of the sounds of language

deign - condescend

pragmatic - practical

ambiance - special atmosphere

tout - publicize

obsequious - groveling

prospect - possibility

ingratiate - gain favor

Vocabulary Exercises 121

voracious - eating a lot

manifesto - declaration of principles

vaunt - brag about

cynical - showing scorn

apprehensive - uneasy

confide - to reveal in private

retrospective - contemplating

annals - chronological record of the events

implore - to beg for earnestly

fortuitous - fortunate

invective - abusive language

rue - feel regret

avarice - greed

trappings - articles of dress

Vocabulary Exercises 122

condescend - lower oneself

drivel - talk childishly

disseminate - to spread


lustrous - shiny

envelop - enclose with a covering

iridescent - display of lustrous colors

rancor - bitter

malignant - disposed to do evil

curmudgeon - ill-tempered person

degrade - demote

exalt - glorify, praise, or honor

slough - swamp

discern - detect

Vocabulary Exercises 123

baleful - ominous

pall - cover for a coffin

shimmer - glimmer

precarious - based on uncertain premises

misdemeanor - offense less serious than a felony

fester - to decay

sanguine - color of blood

maelstrom - violent situation

disclose - to make known

jaundice - yellowish coloring of the eyes and skin

toehold - slight advantage

void - emptiness

specter - ghost

destitute - lacking necessary things

implored - begged

Vocabulary Exercises 124

blemish - physical defect

misanthrope - someone who does not like people

ponderous - unyielding

trifle - something of little value

wrench - twist or pull

covetous - greedy

solemnize - honor or remember

bestow - give

dismal - gloomy and dark

resolute - determined

endeavor - to try

insomniac - person who is unable to sleep

deliquesce - melt away

homage - anything done to show honor

compulsion - feeling of having to do something

Vocabulary Exercises 125

wizened - old

preserve - maintain

astonish - surprise

confidentially - secretly

seethe - bubble or boil

consequence - result of an action

vacant - not occupied

wane - to become less

repent - feel sorry for

subcontinent - large landmass

jute - plant fiber used in making rope

teak - tropical wood used in furniture

beleaguer - beset with difficulties

Vocabulary Exercises 126

spasmodically - abruptly

ascetic - very self-disciplined person

fanatic - zealot

draught - long spell of dry weather

ruse - trick

remorse - torturing sense of guilt

concussion - shock from impact


acute - sharp and quick

conceive - develop in the mind

dissimulation - act of hiding

profound - marked by intellectual depth

sagacity - intelligence

stifle - hold back

Vocabulary Exercises 127

supposition - assumption

stalk - approach an stealthily

vex - trouble

suavity - graceful politeness

audacity - aggressive courage

vehemently - violently

derision - contempt or ridicule

anxiety - extreme nervousness

crevice - crack or narrow hole

fluently - clearly

hearkening - listening carefully

hypocritical - pretending

mockery - mean spirited joking

proceeded - went forward

pulsation - rhythmic beating

Vocabulary Exercises 128

refrained - kept from doing something

conceive - develop in the mind

trait - characteristic

genetics - study of heredity

heredity - passing of traits to offspring

genes - specific portion of DNA

dominant - stronger

hue - color

province - territorial district

surmount - overcome an obstacle

obsequious - servile and flattering

termagant - quarrelsome

impunity - freedom from punishment

aversion - definite dislike

frolic - lively recreation

Vocabulary Exercises 129

pestilent - very harmful

disposition - temperament

incessantly - never stopping

eloquence - polished speech

tranquility - calmness

reciprocate - to return

fancy - whimsical imagination

transient - temporary

azure - blue colored

countenance - facial expression

addle - to make confused

bewilderment - hopelessly confused

comely - attractive

corroborate - support

Vocabulary Exercises 130

beleaguer - beset with difficulties

invalid - sickly person

thicket - thick growth of plants

sanction - permit

incredulous - skeptical