1. Vocabulary Level D
Unit 12

2. For many years, the island was under the autocratic control of a dictator.
Adj: absolute in power or authority
Syn: domineering, tyrannical
Phrase: autocratic control

3. Even the veteran rescue worker blanched upon seeing the crash site.
Verb: to remove the color from; to make or turn pale; to parboil
Syn: bleach, wash out
Phrase: blanch the beans

4. Teenagers and adults, northerners and southerners alike, participated in a concerted drive to register new voters.
Adj: planned or performed in cooperation with others
Syn: cooperative, consolidated
Phrase: concerted effort

5. I enjoy watching the four major tennis tournaments in which brilliant players contend for the “grand slam” titles.
Verb: to fight, struggle; to compete; to argue
Syn: vie, maintain
Phrase: contend for the title

6. The humane legal code of Hammaurabi, king of Babylonia, was ahead of its time in seeking justice for the weak and oppressed.
Adj: kind, merciful
Syn: compassionate, kindhearted
Phrase: Humane Society

7. After cleaning the gutters, we moved on to the laborious task of raking and bagging leaves.
Adj: not easy, requiring hard work; hardworking
Syn: arduous, wearisome
Phrase: laborious task

8. The candidate pledged to shut down any factory or manufacturing plant found to maltreat workers.
Verb: to abuse, use roughly or crudely
Syn: misuse, harm
Phrase: maltreat workers

9. I need time to ponder all of my options before deciding how to spend the summer.
Verb: to consider carefully, reflect on
Syn: contemplate
Phrase: ponder the possibilities

10. The underground movement circulated subversive pamphlets that criticized the government.
Adj: intended to undermine or overthrow
Noun: one who advocates or attempts to undermine a political system
Synonym: Undermine
Phrase: subversive pamphlets

11. It’s impossible to have a temperate discussion with a hotheaded person.
Adj: mild, moderate
Syn: composed, balanced
Phrase: temperate climate