Vocabulary 14 test

Directions: select the word that best completes the sentence.

1. Although I had never even met her, the letters she wrote me were so (cordial, threadbare) that I felt we were old friends.

2. Runaway inflation can cause a (glib, precipitous) decline in the value of a nation’s currency.

3. Modern processing methods (devitalize, annex) many foodstuffs sold today, resulting in a loss of both taste and nutritional value.

4. The famous actor applied a layer of ashen makeup to simulate the ghastly (pallor, pedigree) of a ghost.

5. The story of his unhappy childhood aroused our sympathy but did not (exonerate, improvise) him from the charge of criminal assault.

6. Separation of powers is one of the (cornerstones, shackles) upon which the American form of government is built.

7. We learned from the TV film that Spartacus was a Roman gladiator who (reconciled, incited) his fellow slaves to armed rebellion.

8. He is the kind of speaker who is more effective when he (improvises, exonerates) his remarks than when he reads from a prepared script.

9. The disaster was so great that the overcrowded hospital was forced to house some patients in a makeshift (annex, debacle).

10. To seaside resorts, the annual (influx, pallor) of tourists marks the true beginning of the summer season.

11. In spite of all the progress made in recent years, we are still not entirely free from the (shackles, debacles) of prejudice and superstition.

12. In a time of unrest and bewildering change, it is more important than ever to (incite, cleave) to the basic principles that give meaning to our lives.

13. The president said in his inaugural address that he firmly believes that we must not (embroil, devitalize) ourselves in the quarrels of other nations.

14. My campaign for the class presidency ended in an utter (influx, debacle) when I forgot my speech as I was about to address the assembly.

15. We are tired of listening to those (cordial, threadbare) old excuses for your failure to keep your promises.

16. The elderly couple thanked me so (profusely, haphazardly) for the small favor I had done them that I was almost embarrassed.

17. What we need is not talkers with (glib, cordial) solutions for all our problems, but doers who are prepared to pitch in and help.

18. With such a (precipitous, haphazard) way of keeping accounts, is it any wonder that your budget is a disaster area?

19. True, he comes from an aristocratic family, but he won that promotion on the basis of merit, not because of his (pedigree, cornerstone).

20. How can he (cleave, reconcile) his claim that he is a “good citizen” with the fact that he doesn’t even bother to vote?