1. Vocabulary 9B

2. Gnarled (adj.) knotted, twisted, lumpy S: knotty, misshapen, contorted
A: smooth, unblemished, straight
The gnarled limbs of cypresses dominate many of the landscapes painted by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh.

3. Indemnity (n.) a payment for damage or loss
S: compensation, restitution, reparation
A certain type of life insurance contract provides double indemnity for the accidental death of the policyholder.

4. inkling (n.) a hint; a vague notion S: clue, intimation, suggestion
I had absolutely no inkling of what to expect as I entered the room.

5. limpid (adj.) clear, transparent; readily understood
S: lucid, intelligible
A: clouded, murky, opaque
Snorkelers flock to the limpid waters of the Caribbean to view schools of brightly colored fish.

6. omnipotent (adj.) almighty, having unlimited power or authority
S: all-powerful
A: powerless, impotent, feeble, weak
Many of the heroes of ancient myths and legends appear to be all but omnipotent.

7. Palatable
(adj.) agreeable to the taste or one’s sensibilities; suitable for consumption.
S: edible, appetizing, attractive
A: inedible, distasteful, disagreeable
The addition of some seasonings will usually make even the blandest of dishes palatable.

8. poignant
(adj.) deeply affecting, touching; keen or sharp in taste or smell
S: heartrending, bittersweet, melancholy
A: unaffecting, bland, vapid, insipid, funny
There is something truly poignant about the sight of falling leaves in autumn.

9. rancor (n.) bitter resentment or ill-will
S: animosity, enmity, bitterness
A: goodwill, harmony, rapport, amity
An unusual degree of rancor may creep into the tone of the political debate in an election year.

10. sophomoric (adj.) immature and overconfident; conceited
S: pretentious, superficial, fatuous
A: mature, judicious, sage, knowledgeable
Adolescents aren’t the only people whose behavior might at times be considered a bit sophomoric.

11. spontaneous
(adj.) arising naturally; not planned or engineered in advance.
S: unpremeditated, unplanned, impromptu
A: premeditated, planned, contrived, rehearsed
Actors try to make their performances seem as spontaneous as possible.