Definition
The arid plain stretched for miles, baking under the sun.
What does "arid" most likely mean, and what words in the sentence are key to understanding?
dry, "baking under the sun"
She felt elated after the test because she had done well.
What does "elated" mean, and how do you know?
If 'scarce' is the opposite of 'plentiful,' what does 'scarce' mean?
hard to find/in short supply
"The teacher's admonition stopped the students' chatter immediately."
What does "admonition" most likely mean, and how do you know?
scolding, stopped the chatter
"He spoke in a laconic manner, offering brief answers that revealed little emotion."
What does "laconic" mean, and how do you know?
short on words/to the point, "brief"
She gingerly opened the package, fearful of what it might contain.
What does "gingerly" mean, and what words are the clues?
carefully, "fearful of what it might contain"
The ancient ruins were dilapidated, with crumbling stones strewn around.
What does "dilapidated" mean, and how do you know?
run-down, "crumbling" & "ruins"
Unlike the tranquil lake, the ocean was turbulent.
What does "turbulent" mean?
He felt dejected when his father grounded him for a month.
What does "dejected" mean, and how do you know?
disappointed, "grounded"
"Despite the cacophony of the marketplace, she navigated the crowds with aplomb, collecting samples and making polite conversation. Even the vendor's loud bargaining failed to rattle her."
What does "aplomb" mean?
"skill," what all she managed to do
After the long debate, his concession signaled the end of the disagreement.
What does "concession" mean, and what words are the clues?
"giving up," "end of the disagreement"
The athlete was agile on the field, coming in first of all the competitors.
What does "agile" mean, and how do you know?
fast, "coming in first"
His response was candid; he did not try to lie or hide anything.
What does "candid" mean?
honest
"Although the voyage was arduous, the crew remained resolute."
What does "arduous" mean, and how do you know?
challenging, "resolute" means they needed to stay focused
"Despite the cacophony of the marketplace, she navigated the crowds with aplomb, collecting samples and making polite conversation. Even the vendor's loud bargaining failed to rattle her."
What does "cacophony" mean, and how do you know?
chaos, what all she managed to do despite it
The scent was redolent of cedar and spices, evoking memories of holiday kitchens.
What does "redolent" mean, and what words are the clues?
"suggestive of"/"reminding people of", "evoking memories"
The instructions were concise and to-the-point.
What does "concise" mean, and how do you know?
brief, "to-the-point"
The teacher was lenient with late assignments and did not dock points.
What does "lenient" mean?
permissive
"His ostentatious display of wealth made him unpopular among his modest neighbors."
What does "ostentatious" mean, and how do you know?
The scientist's hypothesis was speculative at first; colleagues criticized the lack of data. Over time, careful experiments lent credence to her idea, transforming speculation into accepted theory."
What does "speculative" mean, and how do you know?
guessing, "lack of data"
Her reticence in meetings masked a keen ability to observe; colleagues often missed that her silence was strategic rather than timid.
What does "reticence" mean, and what words support it?
"hesitant to speak," "silence"
The villain's actions were nefarious.
What is a synonym for "nefarious," and how do you know?
evil, "villain"
Unlike his predecessor, who was indifferent, the new mayor was zealous about city improvements.
What does "zealous" mean, and how do you know?
eager, "indifferent"
"The old mansion had a sullen air — its shutters closed, paint peeling, and the yard overgrown. Neighbors whispered that the place was decrepit."
What does "decrepit" mean, and how do you know?
falling apart, the description
"Although his apology was perfunctory, the group accepted it and moved on." What does "perfunctory" mean, and how do you know?