1. Unit 15

2. DEF = (adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing down; (n.) a substance used to smooth or polish SYN = (adj.) chafing, grating, rasping, erosive ANT = (adj.) smooth, polished, satiny, oily Sandpaper is an ABRASIVE that is used to WEAR DOWN wood and make it smooth. Sometimes an ITCHY WOOL SWEATER can be ABRASIVE on your skin.

3. DEF = (v.) to adapt to a new climate, environment, or situation SYN = accustom, learn the ropes Word Connection: When going to a new CLIMATE, you must ACCLIMATE yourself to the new temperatures. Chameleons are able to ACCLIMATE to different environments by ADAPTING their color to match their background for camouflage.

4. DEF = (n.) irritation or humiliation caused by disappointed or frustration; (v.) to cause such a feeling SYN = (n.) mortification; (v.) mortify, abash ANT = (n.) jubilation, triumph; (v.) delight This sign could say, “I’m so CHAGRINED”.

5. DEF = (adj.) self-satisfied; overly content SYN = smug, pleased with oneself Word Connection: If you are comPLACEnt, you‘re happy with your PLACE in life. This guy is COMPLACENT because he is PLEASED WITH HIMSELF.

6. DEF = (v.) to express agreement, approve SYN = agree, assent, ratify, sanction ANT = disagree, differ, part company Spanish Connection: In Spanish “con” = “with” If you “concur”, you’re “with” someone. Giving a “thumbs up” is body language to show that you CONCUR.

7. DEF = (n.) slander or libel SYN = mudslinging, vilification ANT = praise, salute, tribute Word Connection: DE-FAME = take away fame People who use DEFAMATION of character are trying to HURT someone’s REPUTATION.

8. DEF = (v.) to make plain or clear, explain; to interpret SYN = clarify, elucidate, untangle, spell out ANT = confuse, bewilder, obscure, obfuscate Word Connection: EXPLicate = EXPLain Dictionaries help EXPLICATE the meaning of difficult words. This teacher is EXPLICATING difficult information for her students.

9. DEF = (n.) a noisy quarrel or brawl SYN = row, altercation, brouhaha ANT = agreement, accord, harmony, unanimity In a FRACAS there’s a lot of shouting and hitting. A FRACAS is a FIGHT.

10. DEF = (adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarre SYN = fantastic, outlandish, ugly, deformed ANT = appealing, attractive, comely Word Connection: Think “GROSS” This “Tiger Man” wanted to be a tiger and had many operations and tattoos to make himself look this way. His “tiger face” is definitely UNNATURAL and DISTORTED. Some people might think his new look is GROTESQUE.

11. DEF = (n.) a wild uproar, din, or commotion SYN = chaos, tumult, bedlam, three ring circus ANT = order, calm, tranquility, peace, repose Word Connection: In movies DEMONS are always causing panDEMONium. When people are trading stocks for billions of dollars, there can be CHAOS and PANDEMONIUM at the New York Stock Exchange!

12. 1. The “friendly” hockey game erupted into a(n) _____ when a player “accidentally” got a stick to the face. 2. After receiving the news that she might have cancer, Sherry immediately saw a second doctor to see if he _____ with the first doctor’s opinion. 3. The jagged edges of the piece of wood were so ____ that when I brushed my arm against it, I began to bleed. 4. At times the _____ in the preschool classroom made the teachers feels like they were zookeepers! 5. Before the writing final I’m going to ask Mrs. Musick to ____ the directions. I want to make sure I get a good grade!

13. 1. Johnny’s _____ attitude will leave him stuck in a low-paying job because he’s too smug and lazy to try for something better. 2. To my _____, I realized I had given my entire presentation with a large green piece of broccoli stuck between my teeth. 3. Sadly, social networking websites don’t offer just a place to meet friends; they also provide opportunities for cruel people to engage in the ______ of others. 4. When Tim returned from active duty in Iraq, he found it very difficult to __________ to civilian life. 5. When police arrived at the murder scene, they found the victim’s body arranged in a _____ position.

14. DEF = (adj.) disagreeably harsh-sounding; disorderly SYN = boisterous, clamorous, strident ANT = placid, tranquil, peaceful, serene, pastoral Anybody (or any Muppet) banging on drums would create a RAUCOUS NOISE.

15. DEF = (adj.) open or responsive to ideas or suggestions SYN = open-minded, tolerant, amenable ANT = narrow-minded, intolerant, hidebound Word Connection: To be RECEptive is to RECEive Businesses that offer a “Suggestions Box” are RECEPTIVE to customers’ NEW IDEAS.

16. DEF = (v.) to give up or resign something SYN = repudiate, disown, abdicate, abjure ANT = secure, affirm, assent, aver To TURN AWAY from something or to QUIT is to RENOUNCE.

17. DEF = (v.) to hold back; to put down or check by force SYN = subdue, curb, stifle, constrain, bottle up ANT = liberate, set loose, provoke, excite Word Connection: To rePRESS is to PRESS DOWN If a person has REPRESSED memories, she has PUSHED them to the BACK OF HER MIND. It would be hard to remember a REPRESSED memory.

18. DEF = (adj.) not inclined to speak; reserved; reluctant SYN = taciturn, close-mouthed, tight-lipped ANT = talkative, garrulous, long-winded Word Connection: reticENT = silENT A RETICENT person keeps his MOUTH CLOSED.

19. DEF = (adj.) tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not sweet; inoffensive, respectable SYN = delectable, flavorful, aromatic, piquant ANT = distasteful, unpalatable, malodorous, bland Rhyme Connection: Savor the Flavor All of these foods are SAVORY.

20. DEF = (adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep SYN = groggy, soporific ANT = alert, lively, wide-awake, stimulating SOMinex is a SLEEPING pill that helps a person FALL ASLEEP.

21. DEF = (adj.) intense, forceful, powerful SYN = emphatic, fierce, vigorous, impassioned ANT = apathetic, lukewarm, subdued, muted An EXCLAMATION POINT shows that someone is saying something VEHEMENTLY!! When Serena Williams is on the tennis court, she hits every ball VEHEMENTLY.

22. DEF = (adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent SYN = loquacious, garrulous, long-winded ANT = uncommunicative, taciturn, terse Word Connection: A VOLUble person produces A LARGE VOLUme of words.

23. DEF = (adj.) eager, earnest, devoted SYN = ardent, fervent, devout, gung ho ANT = reluctant, unwilling, averse, tepid These ZEALOUS Bears fans are so DEVOTED to their team that they PAINTED THEIR FACES and DYED THEIR HAIR!!

24. 1. Sitting in the concert hall listening to the soothing sound of the string quartet, a ______ feeling came over me, and I could hardly keep my eyes open. 2. After his terrible car accident, Tom met with a therapist to help him deal with _____ memories of the event that were causing nightmares. 3. The ______ Jonas Brothers fans came to the concert carrying signs that read, “The Jonas Brothers Rock!!” 4. The ________ girls at the slumber party kept everyone in the house awake all night. 5. Just looking at the ______ food on the table made my mouth begin to water.

25. 1. From the ______ way my mother said, “Absolutely not!” I knew there was no hope of changing her mind. 2. Mrs. Sanders has a ______ personality. If you ask her about her grandkids, she’ll go on and on for hours. 3. After the news broke about the Senator’s affair, he _______ his position in the U.S. Senate. 4. Although I am unhappy about some changes in my job, I am ______ to speak up about it for fear that I might be fired. 5. When I called customer service, I said a little prayer that my call would be answered by a ______ person. I just needed someone to listen to my problem!