"These words are razors to my wounded heart."
Shakespeare. Titus Andronicus
Words to Learn This Week
toil
blunder
daze
mourn
subside
maim
comprehend
commend
final
exempt
vain
repetition
Read the following story to see how the new words are used in it.
Camp Safety
For years a furniture salesman from Connecticut, Mitch Kurman, has toiled ceaselessly for the passage of a youth summer camp safety bill. Why? Because his son David was drowned when his canoe overturned in the raging waters of the Penobscot River. The camp counselors leading the trip were inexperienced, had blundered into dangerous waters, and had no life jackets for the canoers.
Mr. Kurman was naturally dazed by the tragedy. But rather than merely mourn his loss and wait for the painful memory to subside, he began a campaign that took him on hundreds of journeys to speak to governors, senators, and congressmen. He had learned that 250,000 children are injured or maimed annually in camp accidents. It was hard for him to comprehend why we have laws that outlaw mistreatment of alligators, coyotes, birds and bobcats, but we have no law to prevent disasters to children in summer camps.
Wherever he went, Mr. Kurman was commended for his efforts, but he received only trifling support from the lawmakers. One bill requiring people to put on life preservers when they took to the water died in the final reading. Another such bill exempted private ponds and lakes, exactly the waters where most summer camps are located. Even a bill calling for a survey of camp safety conditions was at first defeated. Mr. Kurman's struggle so far has been in vain, but he continues his battle to avoid a repetition of the accident that took his son's life.
Place one of the new words in each of the blanks below.
01. There is a tendency to _________ politicians from keeping campaign promises.
02. A _______of such a blunder could be disastrous.
03. The guide was compelled to admit he had _________ far from the intended route.
04. A miserly person cannot ________ the joy of sharing.
05. Though doctors ________ to cure the undernourished child, he never regained his full health.
06. Three workers were _________ when the ladder collapsed.
07. The policeman was ________ for his bravery in capturing the armed outlaw.
08. The perfect attendance of our class illustrated the importance of this __________ exam.
09. Friend and foe united in _________ the death of the leader, for she was respected by all.
10. The drowning man's cries were uttered in _________ because no one was near to hear them.
11. Miguel's fever ________ after he took the medicine.
12. My brother was in such a ________ over the tragedy that he could hardly respond to questions.
