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Page 178
4th Day
New Words
irrational |
avarice |
insatiable |
nadir |
moribund |
Tulip Fever
The tulip reached Holland in 1593 and was, at first, looked upon as a curiosity. There soon developed an irrational demand for new species. Specimens were sold at awesomely* high prices. In their avarice, speculators bought and sold the same tulip ten times in one day. Thé entire Dutch population suffered from the craze. There was an insatiable desire for each new color or shape. At one point a man purchased a house for three bulbs! Before long the inevitable* crash came and the demand for bulbs quickly reached its nadir. A $1,500 bulb could be bought for $1.50. With the moribund tulip market came financial disaster to thousands of people.
Sample Sentences
Fill in the blank spaces with the new words.
1.Who is not vulnerable* to some measure of __________?
2.The American consumer appears to have an __________ need for new products.
3.He looked upon the last-place finish of his team with equanimity;* from this __________ the only place to go was up.
4.We ought to expect some __________ behavior from a senile* person.
5.With the expansion of the supermarket, the small, local grocery store is in a __________ state.
Definitions
Match the new words with their definitions.
6. irrational |
____ a. lowest point |
7. avarice |
____ b. dying, at the point of death |
8. insatiable |
____ c. unreasonable, absurd |
9. nadir |
____ d. greed, passion for riches |
10. moribund |
____ e. cannot be satisfied |
Today's Idiom
out on a limbin a dangerous or exposed position
He went out on a limb and predicted he would win the election by a wide margin.
Answers are on Page 314
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Page 179
5th Day Review
You have been learning how to use many new words by seeing them in a natural situation. Each day's story is the setting in which you meet the new words. The weekly review enables you to isolate the word and its many meanings. In this way you can reinforce your understanding and word power. At this point you have learned almost 600 words. Keep up the good work.
Review Words |
Definitions |
____ 1. avarice |
a. susceptible, open to attack |
____ 2. bedlam |
b. exempt from error, right |
____ 3. cacophony |
c. well-matched, harmonious |
____ 4. compatible |
d. lowest point |
____ 5. disgruntled |
e. at the point of death, dying |
____ 6. equanimity |
f. peaceful repose |
____ 7. eradicate |
g. cure-all |
____ 8. exploit |
h. uproar, confusion |
____ 9. impede |
i. harsh sound, discord, dissonance |
____ 10. infallible |
j. wipe out |
____ 11. insatiable |
k. sober, still, quiet, undisturbed |
____ 12. irrational |
l. nearness in time and place |
____ 13. moribund |
m. displeased, unhappy |
____ 14. nadir |
n. absurd, unreasonable |
____ 15. panacea |
o. cannot be satisfied |
____ 16. propinquity |
p. utilize, profit by |
____ 17. revere |
q. composure, evenness of mind |
____ 18. sedate |
r. passion for riches, greed |
____ 19. serenity |
s. hinder, interfere, block |
____ 20. vulnerable |
t. admire, respect, honor |
Idioms |
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____ 21. lock, stock, and barrel |
u. a costly and useless possession |
____ 22. out on a limb |
v. entirely, completely |
____ 23. a feather in one's cap |
w. in a dangerous or exposed position |
____ 24. a white elephant |
x. something to be proud of |
The answers can be found on page 314. Consistent study and use of difficult words will work quickly to bring them into your daily vocabulary.
Words for Further Study |
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Meanings |
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1. _______________ |
_______________ |
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2. _______________ |
_______________ |
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3. _______________ |
_______________ |
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