1. Unit One
Grade Eight

2. Set A

3. 1. bonanza (n) a rich mass of ore in a mine; something very valuable, profitable, or rewarding; a source of wealth or prosperity; a very large amount; sudden profit or gain
syn: windfall

4. 2. churlish (adj) lacking politeness or good manners; lacking sensitivity; difficult to work with or deal with; rude
syn: surly, ill-tempered
ant: courteous, civil, well- mannered

5. 3. collaborate (v) to work with, work together
syn: team up, join
forces
ant: work alone

6. 4. excerpt (n) a passage taken from a book, article, etc.
(v) to take such a passage; to quote
syn: portion, section, abstract

7. 5. grope (v) to feel about hesitantly with the hands; to search blindly and uncertainly
syn: fumble for; cast about for

8. 6. jostle (v) to make or force one’s way by pushing or elbowing; to bump, shove, brush against; to compete for
syn: push

9. 7. laggard (n) a person who moves slowly or falls behind
(adj) falling behind; slow to move, act, or respond
syn: (n) slowpoke, straggler (adj) sluggish
ant: (n) early bird (adj) swift, speedy, prompt

10. 8. plaudits (n) applause; enthusiastic praise or approval
syn: cheers, acclaim
ant: boos, disapproval, ridicule

11. 9. revert (v) to return, go back
syn: relapse, regress
ant: progress, advance

12. 10. vigil (n) a watch, especially at night; any period of watchful attention

13. Set B

14. 1. adage (n) a proverb, wise saying
syn: maxim, aphorism

15. 2. citadel (n) a fortress that overlooks and protects a city; any strong or commanding place
syn: fort, stronghold, bulwark, bastion

16. 3. decree (n) an order having the force of law
(v) to issue such an order; to command firmly and forcefully
syn: (n) proclamation, edict (v) proclaim

17. 4. discordant (adj) disagreeable in sound, jarring; lacking in harmony, conflicting
syn: grating, shrill, cacophonous, different, divergent
ant: harmonious, in agreement

18. 5. evolve (v) to develop gradually, to rise to a higher level
syn: unfold, emerge
ant: wither, shrivel up, atrophy

19. 6. hover (v) to float or hang suspended over; to move back and forth uncertainly over or around
syn: linger, waver, seesaw
ant: soar

20. 7. preclude (v) to make impossible, prevent, shut out
syn: hinder, check, stop
ant: help, promote, facilitate

21. 8. rubble (n) broken stones or bricks; ruins
syn: wreckage, debris

22. 9. servile (adj) of or relating to a slave; behaving like or suitable for a slave or servant, menial; lacking spirit or independence, abjectly submissive
syn: slavish, groveling, fawning
ant: masterly, overbearing

23. 10. wrangle (v) to quarrel or argue in a noisy, angry way; to obtain by argument; to herd;
(n) a noisy quarrel
syn: squabble, bicker
ant: agree, concur