"With words we govern men."
Benjamin Disraeli, Contarini Fleming
Words to Learn This Week
vicinity
century
rage
document
conclude
undeniable
resist
lack
ignore
challenge
miniature
source
Read the following story to see how the new words are used in it.
More about the Guitar
The guitar is one of the oldest instruments known to man. It probably originated in the vicinity of China. There were guitars in ancient Egypt and Greece as well, but the written history of the guitar starts in Spain in the 13th century. By 1500 the guitar was popular in Italy, France, and Spain. A French document of that time concludes that many people were playing the guitar. Stradivarius, the undeniable king of violin makers, could not resist creating a variety of guitars. Also, there was no lack of music written for the instrument. Haydn, Schubert, and others wrote guitar music. When the great Beethoven was asked to compose music for the guitar, he went into a rage and refused, but eventually even Beethoven could not ignore the challenge; legend tells us he finally called the guitar a miniature orchestra. Indeed the guitar does sound like a little orchestra! Perhaps that is why in rural areas around the world the guitar has been a source of music for millions to enjoy.
Place one of the new words in each of the blanks below.
01. Ernesto would constantly ___________ his father's questions.
02. Historical ___________ are kept in a special section of the library.
03. Great scientific progress has been made in this ____________ .
04. The massive wrestler accepted the ___________ of the newcomer.
05. Not wearing warm clothing was the ____________of his illness.
06. "When do you expect to ___________ your investigation of the case?"
07. It is that this restaurant's food is delicious. --------
08. Lena showed a ___________ of good judgment.
09. Everyone who lived in the ___________ of the bomb test was in peril.
10. Anita's habit of interrupting him sent her hu*****and into a ___________ .
11. My nephew was given a set of ___________ soldiers for Christmas.
12. When you are tired it is hard to ____________ staying in bed all day.
Synonyms
Circle the word that most nearly expresses the meaning of the word printed in heavy black type.
1. century
a. countless years b. three score years c. one hundred years d. generation
2. document
a. official paper b. critical review c. decree d. composition
3. undeniable
a. essential b. unforeseen c. comprehensive d. unquestionable
4. vicinity
a. region near a place b. division of a city or town c. residential district d. metropolitan area
5. challenge
a. banish permanently b. verify easily c. call to a fight d. join together
6. lack
a. take responsibility b. correct c. be without d. give freely
7. miniature
a. balanced b. tiny c. eager d. forbidden
8. rage
a. extreme anger b. foolish explanation c. rapid movement d. bad habit
9. conclude
a. show b. reorganize c. examine d. decide
10. source
a. origin b. task c. onlooker d. chart
11. resist
a. discuss honestly b. change completely c. strive against d. pay attention
12. ignore
a. disregard b. complete c. exaggerate d. offer
