"By my troth, captain, these are very bitter words."
Shakespeare, /I Henry VI
Words to Learn This Week
maintain
snub
endure
wrath
expose
legend
ponder
resign
drastic
wharf
amend
ballot
Read the following story to see how the new words are used in it.
A Time for Decision
Carl Brown walked wearily from the bus stop, his thoughts preoccupied with the day's events. He had become accustomed to receiving the blame for his colleagues' mistakes. He could remain complacent when less deserving workers were promoted ahead of him. He could even maintain an air of indifference when the young man he had trained now snubbed him. What he could not endure was the ridicule of his fellow employees. His wrath flamed at the thought that his secret had been exposed. The legend of his honesty had died.
Carl Brown pondered his next move. Should he resign or take even more drastic measures? His steps led past the wharf where the ships were unloading their cargoes of fruit. He looked into the dark waters and took a deep breath. No, this was not a sin that could be erased. He heaved a sigh and determined to amend his ways. Never again would he sign his ballot "Carl Smith."
Place one of the new words in each of the blanks below.
1. When the third person she approached turned away from her. Marilyn had a vague feeling she was being _______ .
2. Achilles' ___________ did not cease until he had taken revenge on the slayer of his friend.
3. As the captain ___________ their situation, he realized that resistance was in vain.
4. Father ___________ that all forms of gambling should be declared illegal.
5. The prophet warned that the land cannot _____________such violations of morality.
6. To diminish the chances of raising weaklings, the ancient Spartans used to _____________ to the elements the babies that they did not want.
7. The Robin Hood stories are a good illustration of a _____________ from the Middle Ages.
8. The __________ is the symbol of the democratic way of choosing leaders.
9. Because of the secret nature of the cargo, visits to the _____________ area were prohibited.
10. The patriot was __________ dying for his deed.
11. We are trying to persuade the sponsors of the bill to ____________ it in order to improve its chances for passage.
12. The guinea pigs could not put up with __________ changes in their diet.
