Having cut through the thick vines to get a better view of the waterfall, the hikers did not understand how ________ their situation was until they tried to return to the trail and could not find it.
What is precarious? (Not safe or secure; dangerously uncertain.)
100
Although Robert Graves was a _______ poet, he is remembered primarily for his few novels.
What is prolific? (Abundantly productive.)
100
George’s ___________ voice awakened the campers every morning.
What is strident? (Harsh and grating; loud and shrill.)
100
The movie begins with a series of _________ about life in Los Angeles.
What is vignettes? (A short sketch that provides a clear picture.)
100
Because Victoria has hay fever, she is very _________ to ragweed pollen.
What is susceptible? (Open or subject to; easily influenced or affected by.)
200
King Lear’s life changed from one of luxury and power to one of ________ poverty and helplessness.
What is flagrant? (Most miserable; wretched.)
200
Standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon at dawn, Tessa had a __________ panorama of the canyon walls changing color in the morning light.
What is sublime? (Great or noble in expression, thought, or manner; splendid.)
200
Eliott had a difficult time keeping employees because the job paid only a _________.
What is pittance? (A very small amount, especially of money.)
200
Josie's beauty made an __________ impression on the visitors.
What is indelible? (Not able to be erased; permanent.)
200
Heavy traffic in the hallways is always a _________ to Barbie's getting to class on time.
What is hindrance? (Any person or thing that is an obstacle.)
300
The tablet on the front of the house __________ its importance as a station on the Underground Railroad.
What is commemorate? (To serve as a memorial to; to remember in a solemn manner.)
300
Elena's attempt to grow tomato plants from seed has been __________, with most withering before they had sprouted leaves.
What is ineffectual? (Not bringing about the desired result, futile.)
300
Nicole claims that running five miles a day has built up her ________.
What is stamina? (Physical strength or courage to resist hardship, illness, or fatigue.)
300
Meghan studied ___________ to improve her debating skills.
What is rhetoric? (The art of using language skillfully; exaggerated or insincere language that is without real meaning or worth.)
300
Christina, at El Teniente, was ___________ in her all-night efforts to reach the trapped copper miners.
What is indefatigable? (Not easily made tired; tireless.)
400
Just as the row of seventeenth-century buildings was about to be _______, the preservation society requested a delay.
What is raze? (To level to the ground; to destroy completely.)
400
In spite of Mica’s _________ praise of Michael, I was not convinced of his ability.
What is ardent? (Intensely eager; passionate.)
400
New scientific evidence often _________ earlier theories.
What is discredits? (To hurt the reputation of; to destroy confidence or trust in.)
400
This Brat doll collection was _________ to me by my father.
What is bequeathed? (To pass on to others; to leave to another in one’s will.)
400
Building a new library is __________ provided that Summer allots sufficient funds for it.
What is feasible? (Able to be done; possible or likely.)
500
Samuel Johnson was a __________ literary figure in eighteenth-century England.
What is renowned? (Famous; honored.)
500
Attempts to make super-conductive materials were ___________ by the extremely low temperatures required.
What is stymied? (To thwart; to make difficulties for or find problems with.)
500
Cassie pruned the branches of the maple tree that ________ on her property.
What is encroached? (To advance little by little beyond the usual limits or boundaries.)
500
The _______ known as the Cold War, a period of hostility without military conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, began around 1945 and ended in 1991.
What is epoch? (An extended period of time marked by a series of related events.)
500
When the mice escaped from their cages, they created _______ in Meredith’s bedroom.
What is havoc? (Widespread destruction or devastation; great confusion.)