Nirvana
Public opinion began to __________ dramatically after the release of the new scientific report.
shift
With her talent and determination, __________ for what she can accomplish.
the sky’s the limit
From Latin praedicare “to proclaim, assert.”
(be) predicated on (something) (v)
Two mothers and two daughters go to a cafe and order three cups of coffee. How is that possible?
They are grandmother, mother, and daughter. (Three people: a grandmother, her daughter, and her granddaughter — two mothers, two daughters.)
British slang from the 19th century meaning “to attempt.”
5. have a go (phr)
500 points
Arrange the digits 1–9 (each once) into three 3-digit numbers so that the sum of the first two equals the third. Give one valid example.
One valid example: 123 + 456 = 579. (Uses digits 1–9 each exactly once; check: 1–9 all present.)
triple points
In a clear, detailed, and unambiguous manner.
explicitly
Her decision to study medicine was largely __________ her childhood experience of caring for her ill grandmother.
prompted by (something)
From old Latin meaning “object of wonder.”
miraculous
Using only the digits 1, 2, 3, and 4 exactly once each, and the operations +, −, ×, ÷ and parentheses, make an expression equal to 10. (Concatenation not allowed.)
(4×3)−(2×1)=12−2=10.
He agreed to spend the entire weekend repainting the house purely __________ his aging parents.
(do something) out of affection for (someone) (phr)
More important than anything else; supreme.
paramount
triple points
From Old English motan “to be obliged to.”
a must
Old English gaderian “to unite, collect.”
gather
To gain approval or praise, often in a showy or insincere way.
get all the brownie points (phr)
Don’t __________ too much about the promotion—it hasn’t been confirmed yet.
get your hopes up
The teacher encouraged students to __________ the problem __________ instead of repeating the same failed methods.
come at something from a different angle
double points
A state of familiarity and ease where one feels safe but may not grow.
comfort zone
From Old French eschiet “escheat, forfeiture,” later “to defraud.”
cheating
A merchant sells a shirt for $100 after giving a 20% discount on the marked price and still makes a 25% profit on his cost. What was his original marked (tag) price and his cost?
Marked price = $125, Cost = $80.
Let cost = CCC, marked price = MMM. Discount 20% on MMM → selling price =0.8M=0.8M=0.8M. That selling price yields 25% profit on cost: 0.8M=1.25C0.8M = 1.25C0.8M=1.25C. We also know sale price was $100 (given). So 0.8M=1000.8M=1000.8M=100 → M=100/0.8=125.M = 100/0.8 = 125.M=100/0.8=125. Then 1.25C=1001.25C=1001.25C=100 → C=100/1.25=80.C = 100/1.25 = 80.C=100/1.25=80.
Old English strīcan “to stroke, pass lightly over.” Later came to mean “to hit.”
strike
From Latin impedimentum “a hindrance.”
speech impediment
double points
I’m taken from a mine and shut up in a wooden case, from which I am never released, and yet I am used by almost every artist. What am I?
Graphite (pencil lead). Taken from a mine (graphite), enclosed in wood (pencil), used by artists.
2000pts
American slang from the early 20th century, linked to the idea of “clean hands” meaning innocence.
come clean about (something)
She declined the hiking trip, explaining that roughing it outdoors was __________.
(something) is not really your thing