"Clearness is the most important matter in the use of words."
Quintillian, De institutione Oratoria
Words to Learn This Week
excel
feminine
mount
compete
dread
masculine
menace
tendency
underestimate
victorious
numerous
flexible
Read the following story to see how the new words are used in it.
Bet on the Blonde
Can women excel as jockeys in big-time horse racing? Until recently the feminine touch was kept out of racing, but now at tracks all over the country women mount horses and compete with men, most of whom dread the whole idea. Their masculine image, they feel, may vanish. Also, some offer the weak argument that females are a menace on the track. But, as we all know, we should resist the tendency to underestimate the power of women. A few female jockeys have been victorious in numerous races, and this is probably what has put the male jockeys in a rage. It would be wise if the men were more flexible in their attitudes toward women athletes.
Place one of the new words in each of the blanks below.
01. The massive tree on the corner was a _________to traffic.
02. At parties, the shy girl would _________ being asked to dance.
03. My uncie has a ________ to repeat the same story over and over again.
04. The modest man used to _________ his own strength.
05. No person can ever _________ in all things he does.
06. Being ________ is far better than being stubborn.
07. We went to the beach on ___________ occasions last summer.
08. Playing with dolls is traditionally a __________ pastime, but attitudes are changing.
09. Only the brightest students were invited to __________ for the prize.
10. Carole was ten years old before her parents finally let her ___________ a horse.
11. The amateur tennis player completed many matches without being _________ .
12. When Stuart started growing a mustache, it was obvious he was becoming more __________ .
