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Page 62

3rd Day

New Words

histrionics

elusive

frustrate

symptomatic

interject

i lü′ siv

A Time for Decision

The doctor explained the situation calmly, avoiding histrionics. First of all, they didn't know whether the dog had rabies. Secondly, the elusive dog had frustrated all attempts to find him so far. Finally, the decision would have to be made whether Bobby was to undergo the painful vaccination administered daily for two weeks. Mrs. Hart said that a neighbor who had seen the dog claimed that it had been foaming at the mouth, barking, and growling constantlyall symptomatic of rabies. But the policeman interjected that there hadn't been a case of a mad dog in the county in over twenty years; he repudiated* the neighbor's report, advocating* that they do nothing for at least another day. Mr. and Mrs. Hart sat down to think about their next step.

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.The warden __________ the prisoners' attempt to escape by adding more guards.

2.Most viewers hate it when a commercial is __________ into a suspense drama.

3.Saying that he would not tolerate* her __________, the director fired the temperamental actress.

4.All his life he found happiness __________, but wealth easy to come by.

5.The sordid* rioting was __________ of the problems facing the large cities.

Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

6. histrionics	____ a. having to do with signs or symptoms, indicative
7. elusive	____ b. hard to grasp
8. frustrate	____ c. insert, interrupt
9. symptomatic	____ d. display of emotions
10. interject	____ e. counteract, foil, thwart*

Today's Idiom

to show one's handto reveal one's intentions

When someone joined in bidding for the antique, the dealer was forced to show his hand.

Answers are on Page 308

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Page 63

4th Day

New Words

inert

salient

imminent

squeamish

engrossed

The Pertinent* Facts about Rabies

"Give me some of the rudimentary* information about the disease, Doc," said Jerry, glancing toward the inert figure of his son. "Well, as you know, the malady* used to be called 'hydrophobia' (fear of water) because one of the symptoms is an inability to swallow liquids. Actually, it is caused by a live virus from the saliva of an infected animal. If saliva gets into a bite wound, the victim may get rabies. The virus travels along the nerves to the spine and brain. Once the salient characteristics appear (ten days to six months) then death is imminent." ''What are the symptoms?" asked Mrs. Hart. "Pain and numbness. difficulty in swallowing, headaches and nervousness. Also, muscle spasms and convulsions." The squeamish neighbors who were engrossed in the doctor's remarks gasped. "I think we should go ahead with the injections," the distraught* Mrs. Hart said. "I've heard enough."

Sample Sentences

Use the new words in the following sentences.

1.The senator loathed* it when people said that an atomic war was __________.

2.When his __________ partner complained about a lack of ethics,* the businessman laughed at his innocence.

3.__________ in his crossword puzzle, he failed to notice the paucity* of customers in the restaurant.

4.One of the __________ features of her poetry is a dependence upon euphemisms.*

5.Seeing the __________ player, the manager dashed out onto the field.

Definitions

Match the new words with their meanings.

6. inert	____ a. outstanding, prominent
7. salient	____ b. without power to move
8. imminent	____ c. likely to happen, threatening
9. squeamish	____ d. absorbed
10. engrossed	____ e. easily shocked, over sensitive
Today's Idiom

to tilt at windmillsto fight imaginary enemies (from Don Quixote)

The vice president told the committee, "We're really on your side, and if you fight us you'll be tilting at windmills." Answers are on Page 308

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