PARAGON
(PAIR ah gawn) n.
a model or pattern of excellence
Link: PAIR OF GUNS
“A PARAGON PAIR OF GUNS”
Although Joyce was a PARAGON of virtue, she was also
good fun to be with at the same time.
While not an architectural PARAGON to be copied, the
sturdy old brick house has withstood many hurricanes.
William named his shoe company PARAGON Shoes,
with expectations customers would think his shoes the
best.
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STRIFE
(stryfe) n.
bitter conflict; quarrel; fight
Link: LIFE
“There was little STRIFE in Amanda’s LIFE.”
He was thin and gaunt and had led a life full of STRIFE.
It was a time of great STRIFE in the kingdom because of
three seasons of failed crops.
A life of poverty is filled with much STRIFE.
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APPEASE
(ah PEEZ) v.
to soothe; to pacify or relieve by giving into
Link: PEAS
“To APPEASE his parents, Johnny ate his PEAS.”
To APPEASE his mother, Zachary always walked the dog
before dinner.
The sergeant APPEASED his troops by giving them an
extra day of rest and relaxation.
The trainer APPEASES the monkey by giving him extra
bananas.
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LAMPOON
(lam POON) n.
light, good-humored satire
Link: HARPOON
A LAMPOON with a HARPOON
In a humorous skit, the comedian LAMPOONED the
president.
When the boss leaves the office, Sylvester always
LAMPOONS the poor man’s shortcomings.
MAD magazine LAMPOONS many aspects of American
culture.
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BOON
(boon) n.
a timely benefit; a blessing
Link: BABOON
“A BOON for BABOONS”
Construction of the new residential development was a
BOON to the community.
The week-long rain was a BOON to the farmers whose
crops were withering from the drought.
The decline of interest rates proved a BOON to the real
estate market; more families could afford to buy homes.
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POLTROON
(pol TROON) n.
a coward
Link: PLATOON
“A PLATOON full of POLTROONS”
Although Joe did not want the guys to think he was a
POLTROON, he knew what they wanted him to do was
dangerous.
He was found guilty of POLTROONERY for deserting his
men while they were under attack.
Many considered him a POLTROON because he was in
his 30s yet still afraid of the dark.
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BRAZEN
(BRAY zun) adj.
bold, shameless; impudent; brass-like
Link: RAISIN
“A BRAZEN RAISIN”
Robert’s BRAZEN presumption that he would be elected
class president because of his good looks proved wrong
when the votes were counted.
Tiger Woods’ BRAZEN attempt to reach the green in two
strokes paid off with a birdie.
The BRAZEN of the cymbals worn by the dancers made
metallic, melodious sounds.
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CONUNDRUM
(kuh NUN drum) n.
a dilemma; any problem or puzzle
Link: NUN’S DRUM
“The NUN’S DRUMS created a CONUNDRUM.”
In most mystery novels, the CONUNDRUM is solved by
the end.
Justin’s CONUNDRUM after high school was whether he
should go find a job or go to college first.
During the long drive, Jean invented entertaining
CONUNDRUMS to help keep Jeff awake.
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COVERT
(KOH vert) adj.
secret; hidden; concealed
Link: COVER
“Secret agents COVERTLY
COVER their true identities.”
Sam carried out COVERT missions for the CIA in China
during the Korean War.
Spies usually operate COVERTLY.
OVERT is the opposite of COVERT. OVERT means open
or unconcealed.
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BOOTLEG
(BOOT leg) v.
to smuggle; to make, sell, or
transport for sale illegally
Link: BOOTS AND LEGS
“Stan was caught with BOOTLEG
BOOTS AND LEGS.”
Scott was arrested when he attempted to sell a
BOOTLEG CD.
During Prohibition, all liquor in the United States was
BOOTLEG.
On the streets of some cities BOOTLEGGERS sell just
about anything.
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Name: _______________________________________ Date: ____________________
Vocabulary Cartoons II: Review #13
Match the word with its definition.
___ 1.
___ 2.
___ 3.
___ 4.
___ 5.
___ 6.
___ 7.
___ 8.
___ 9.
___ 10.
paragon
strife
appease
lampoon
boon
poltroon
brazen
conundrum
covert
bootleg
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
a coward
secret; hidden
bitter conflict; fight
a dilemma
a model of excellence
a light good-humored satire
bold; shameless
to soothe or pacify
to smuggle; sell illegally
a timely benefit
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word.
1. Sam carried out ____________ missions for the CIA in China during the
Korean War.
2. To ____________ his mother, Zackary always walked the dog before
dinner.
3. In a humorous skit, the comedian ____________ the president.
4. He was thin and gaunt and had led a life full of ____________ .
5. Scott was arrested when he attempted to sell a ____________ CD.
6. Construction of the new residential development was a ____________ to
the community.
7. Tiger Woods’ ____________ attempt to reach the green in two strokes paid
off with a birdie.
8. Many considered him a ____________ because he was in his 30s yet still
afraid of the dark.
9. Justin’s ____________ after high school was whether he should
get a job or go to college.
10. Although Joyce was a ____________ of virtue, she was good fun to be with
at the same time.
vocabularycartoons.com
Vocabulary Cartoons
Review Answers
Review #13
Matching:
1-e
2-c
3-h
4-f
5-j
6-a
7-g
8-d
9-b
10-i
Fill in the Blank:
1-covert
2-appease
3-lampooned
4-strife
5-bootleg
6-boon
7-brazen
8-poltroon
9-conundrum
10-paragon