Hodo you spend your time on a warm summer day? Would you prefer to
lie in a hammock and read a mystery novel or take a bike trip? Would you
rather have an animated conversation with a group of friends or think quietly
by yourself?
Your answers to these questions depend on the situation and your mood.
Although everyone has his or her preferences for particular pastimes, most
people tend to enjoy both vigorous and less active pursuits. The words in this
lesson will help you to express the degree of movement that you encounter.
^l ^^-:+.,
4r4Lr r ry
composure
ennui
imperturbable
impetuous
incite
indolent
inert
pandemonium
serenity
After you have studied the definitions and example for each vocabulary word, write
the word on the line to the right.
1. alacrity (eJik'ri-t€) noun Speed and willingness in acting or responding; cheerful
"lively")
readiness; eagerness.(From the Latin word alacritas,meaning
Example
1.
Carmella accepted our invitation wtth olocrity
2. composure (kam-p6'zher) noan Control over one's emotions; steadiness of
"bgether," and pttnerc,
manner; tranquility. (From the Latin cttm-,meaning
"to
meaning
put")
Related Words
compose zrer&;composed adjectittt'
in stressful
-.oseveltwasfamousfor his conrposttre
Example
IT:,T,1:
3. ennui (6n-we', 6n'we) noun Listlessnessand dissatisfact:ionresulting from
inactivity or lack of interest; boredom. (From the' French wttrd ennui, meaning
"boredom")
Example
Mrs. Keller suggested finger painting as a way to relieve the
child ren's rainy -day en n u i.
4. imperturbable (im'per-t0r'be-bel)ndjectiue Not easilydisturbedor excited;
unshakablycalm and collected.
Related Word s imperturb ability ttoun; imp erturb ably aduer b
The imperturbable
catslept in the sun, ignoring butterfliesand
Exampfe
beesthat flew around it.
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Activity and Inactivity
47
5. impetuous (im-p6ch'oo--as) adjectiae Tending toward suddenness and boldness
of action; impulsive; hasty. (From the Latin ln-, meaning "against," and petere,
"to
"to
meaning
go toward" or
seek")
Refated Words
Example
impetuously adaerb;impetuousness noun
Dirk's impetuousdecisions often get him into trouble.
6. incite (in-sitf) trans. aerb To provoke to action; rouse; stir up or urge on. (From
the Latin word incitare, meaning "to urge forward")
Related Word
Example
7.
indolence noun; indolently aduerb
Margaret gave an indolent sigh as she stretched out in the deck
chair.
8. inert (in-0rt') adjectiae a. Having no power to move or act; Iifeless.
b. Exhibiting no chemical activity. (From the Latin in-, meaning "not," and ars,
meaning "skill")
Related Words
Example
6.
incitement noaiz
The cheerleaders and fans incited the football team to victory.
7. indolent (in'dalant) adjectiae a. Reluctant to exert oneself; habitually lazy.
b. Suggesting a calm idleness and ease. (From the Latin in-, meaning "not," and
dolere, meaning "to feel pain")
Refated Words
Example
5.
8.
inertia noun; inertly ndaerb
The new mayor had no patience with the inert city council.
9, pandemonium (pdn'de-mo'n€-em) noun a. Wild uproar or noise; tumult.
b. A place of wild disorder and confusion. (Coined by the poet John Milton from
the Creek pan-, rneaning,"all," and daimon, meaning "spirit" or "demon")
Exampre
9,
housewhena ram'v orrive
i::::K;:',:'.'il:T:f:*""slie's
10. serenity (se-r€n'i-t€) iloun The quality of being untroubled or unruffled;
peacefulness. (From the Latin word serenus,meaning "clear")
Related Words
Example
48
10.
serene adjectiue;serenely adverb
The painting of the landscape conveyed a sense of serenity.
Activity and Inactivity
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NAME
DATE
On the answer line, write the word from the vocabulary list that best completes
each definition.
1. The quality of being unruffled or untroubled is -.
't.
2. To provoke to action or to urge on is to
2.
3. If something lacks the power to move or act, it is -.
J.
4. Control of one's emotions is -.
4.
5. Speed and willingness in acting or responding is -.
5.
6. Listlessnessfrom inactivity or lack of interest is -.
6.
7. Someone who tends toward suddenness and boldness of action is -.
7.
8. Wild uproar or loud noise is called -.
8.
9. Someone who is not easily disturbed or excited is -.
9.
10. Someone who is reluctant to exert himself or herself is -.
10.
Each of the following statements contains an itaiicized vocabulary word. Decide'
whether the sentence is true or false and wrtte True or Fnlseon the answer iine.
l. An impetuousperson gives careful thought to each decision.
1.
2. Firefighters respond with alacritrl to every alarm.
2.
3. Most children would be filled with ennui at an amusement park.
J.
4. Pandemonian might occur if a tiger escaped from the zoo.
4.
5. An indolenf person is highly energetic.
5.
6. A spinning top is an inert object.
6.
7. An orator who incitesan audience calms it.
7.
8. A goalie with. composurewould remain calm even when failing to block a shot.
8.
9. A poet who describes the serenityof a facial expression is describing rts
peacefulness.
9.
10, A newscaster who is easily disturbed by activity in the newsroom can be said to be
imperturbable.
10.
Decide which vocabulary word or related form best expressesthe meaning of the
italicized word or phrase in the sentence.On the answer line, write the letter of the
correct choice.
L. Awild uproargreetedthe announcement that the math team had won the state
championship.
a. Serenity
b. Ennui
c. Pandemonium
d. Alacrity
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Activity and Inactivity
49
2. Helium is an inactiaesas.
a. rnert
2.
b. indolent
d. impetuous
c. serene
3. Peoplesometimesregretimpulsiueactions.
a. indoient
b. impetuous
c. composed
J.
d. inert
4. The peacefulness
of the beach in late afternoon was suddenly disturbed by the cries
of seagulls,
a. inertia
b. pandemonium
c. composure
d. serenity
5. Spurredonby the excited voice of the jockey, Classic Damsel crossed the finish line
several lengths ahead of the other horses.
a. Impetuous
b. Indolent
c. Incited
4.
5.
d. Serene
5. Overcome with listlessness,
Everett waited for a strong breeze to fill the sails of the
boat.
a. pandemonium
b. ennui
c. composure
d. alacrity
6.
7. Mrs. Rassiasvolunteered with cheerfulwillingness to read to the patients in local
hospitals.
7.
a. alacrity
b. inclolence
c. ennui
8. Crandmother's favorite reminder for any task is
the war."
a. Serenity
b. Composure
"Hnbif
d. composurcual lnzinessnever won
c. Pandemonium
d. Indolcncc
9. Sidney's emotionalcontrol was momentarily shaken by a shout of "Surprise!"
a. serenity
b. cnnui
c. comp()sure
d. alacrity
10. Tlre people who live next to the kennel arecalm nnrl collected:noamount of noisc
disturbsthem
a. inert
b. imperturbable c. impetuous
8.
9.
10.
d. indolent
Decide which form of the word in parenthesesbest completes the.sentence.The form
given may be correct. Write your answer on the arrswer line.
1. -
greeted the performers as they walked onto the stage. (ynntletnoniurn)
2. Darlene glanced -
at the height of the hurdles. (impcrttrrltnltlt)
3. In spite of his one mistake, Luke remained \composure)
5. Because of Kelly's and died. (indolent)
2.
throughout his performance.
4. While reading a poem by Robert Frost, Chariie could picture the snow-covered f orest. (serenity )
of the
4.
5.
(tnert)
6.
7. Scott chose a kiwi even though the fruit wasn't on his shopping list.
(impetuous)
8. We were overcome with -
while waiting in line for three hours. (ennui)
9. Mr. Kim accepted our ideas with -.
(alacrity)
10. For fans of the rival team, losing the game was enough of an -
Activity and Inactivity
3.
in neglecting to water the flowers, they withere.d
6 . The campaign for a new bridge died of -.
50
't.
7.
8.
9.
to riot. (incite)
10.
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