Name: _____________________________________
Date: _____________________ Period: ___________
VOCABULARY PACKET: Book A, #14 (KEY)
Definitions: Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s) of each of the following words. Study the synonyms
and antonyms. Then write the word in the blank space(s) in the illustrative sentence(s) following.
1. memorandum (mem ә ran’ dәm): (n.) a note to aid one’s memory; an informal note or report (pl., memorandums or
memoranda)
The principal posts a weekly memorandum to remind teachers of programs, deadlines, and special events.
Synonyms: reminder
2. pathetic (pә thet’ ik): (adj.) marked by strong emotion, especially pity and sorrow; able to more people emotionally,;
worthy of pity; woefully inadequate
It was a pathetic sight to see so many starving people desperately begging for food.
Synonyms: moving, distressing, pitiable, heartrending
Antonyms: funny, hilarious, frightening
3. persevere (pәr sә vēr’): (v.) to keep doing something in spite of difficulties; to refuse to quit even when the going is
tough
The patient needs to persevere with the painful exercises in order to be able to walk normally again.
Synonyms: plug away, pursue, stick to it
Antonyms: give up, despair, throw in the towel, quit
4. prevaricate (pri var’ ә kāt): (v.) to lie, tell an untruth, to mislead on purpose
His reputation has suffered because of his unfortunate tendency to prevaricate.
Synonyms: fib, stretch the truth, equivocate
Antonyms: tell the truth
5. quash (kwäsh): (v.) to crush, put down completely
Swift military action was required to quash the revolt before anyone was injured.
Synonyms: suppress
Antonyms: start, kindle, ignite, encourage
6. relish (rel’ ish): (n.) enjoyment or satisfaction; something that adds a pleasing flavor; (v.) to enjoy greatly
She opened the tiny box with relish, knowing that it contained a piece of jewelry.
Now that I’ve learned about Japan in class, I relish the chance to travel there.
Synonyms: (n.) pleasure, gusto; (v.) take delight in
Antonyms: (v.) dislike, loathe, hate, despise
7. reminisce (rem ә nis’): (v.) to recall one’s past thoughts, feelings, or experiences
At the family reunion, we got to hear 94-year-old Tia Luzia reminisce about life in old Havana.
Synonyms: remember, recollect
8. scour (skaür): (v.) to clean or polish by hard rubbing; to examine with great care; to move about quickly in search of
The pot roast was delicious, but it won’t be any fun to scour the burned roasting pan.
Synonyms: scrub, search, comb
Antonyms: dirty, soil
9. tribute (trib’ yüt): (n.) something done or given to show thanks or respect; a payment
The best-selling author offered tribute to the teacher who inspired her.
Synonyms: praise, honor, homage, recognition, commendation, glorification, money, tax, levy
Antonyms: blame, criticism, reproach
10. writhe (rīth): (v.) to make twisting or turning movements in a way that suggests pain or struggle
It’s so sad to see an injured bird writhe in pain.
Synonyms: twist, squirm, thrash
COMPLETING THE SENTENCE: From the words for this unit, choose the one that best completes each of the following sentences. Write the
word in the space provided using the proper tense.
11. Our supervisor prepared a(n) memorandum that reminded the salespeople of the procedures to be followed
during the holiday season.
12. The dictator ordered his secret police to quash any attempt to organize a protest rally.
13. You may not relish being told that your carelessness was responsible for the accident even though it happens to
be true.
14. How can you adequately pay tribute to such an outstanding individual?
15. We tried to hold Tom steady, but he writhed with pain as the doctor put splint son his broken leg.
16. The story of the homeless child was so pathetic that it moved us all to tears.
17. I love to listen to my grandfather reminisce about his boyhood adventures in Coney Island.
18. No matter how talented you may be, you will never be successful unless you learn to persevere in what you
undertake.
19. We had to scour the walls for hours to get rid of the dirt and grease with which they were encrusted.
20. You may be tempted to prevaricate, but in the long run it will be to your advantage to own up to the truth about
your unfortunate error.
SYNONYMS: Choose the word from this unit that is the same or most nearly the same in meaning as the boldface word or expression in the given
phrase. Write the word on the line provided.
21. upsetting to learn the heartrending details
pathetic
22. their attempt to suppress all those wild rumors
quash
23 desperate to squirm free from the ropes
writhe
24. plug away despite many setbacks
persevere
25. is certainly no time to fib
prevaricate
26. a monthly reminder to all her patients
memorandum
27. love to recollect about how we first met
reminisce
28. will comb the shelves to find that book
scour
ANTONYMS: Choose the word from this unit that is most nearly the opposite in meaning to the boldface word or expression in the given phrase.
Write the word on the line provided.
29. would loathe a weekend at the beach
relish
30. given criticisms for his actions
tribute