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Page 227
36th Week
1st Day
New Words
genre |
candid |
unsavory |
degrade |
venial |
kan′ did
A Lady Novelist
The nineteenth century saw the woman novelist attain the same prestige* as men. England was prolific* in producing women writers. One of the foremost in this genre was Charlotte Brontë. In Jane Eyre she presented a candid portrait of a woman caught up in a clandestine* affair with a married man. Miss Bronte's readers were engrossed* in this story. She took this unsavory subject and presented it in a way that did not degrade the relationship. She showed that true passion can be healthy. Miss Brontë did not disparage* Jane's feelings or besmirch* her character. The author was generous in her verdict. The affair was considered merely a venial sin because Jane was never false in her feelings or her actions.
Sample Sentences
Insert the new words in these sentences.
1.Harry held the fallacious* belief that the menial* job would __________ him in the eyes of his friends.
2.Betty's childish fabrications* were judged __________ sins, although they mortified* her mother.
3.Modern abstract painting is a highly lucrative* __________.
4.It is reprehensible,* but it doesn't require much gossip to give a person a(n) __________ reputation.
5.In my __________ opinion he is a sanctimonious* fool.
Definitions
Match the new words with their definitions.
6. genre |
____ a. make contemptible, lower |
7. candid |
____ b. disagreeable, offensive, morally bad |
8. unsavory |
____ c. a certain form or style in painting or literature |
9. degrade |
____ d. pardonable, forgivable |
10. venial |
____ e. frank, open, honest |
Today's Idiom
keep a stiff upper lipkeep up courage, stand up to trouble
When he heard through the grapevine* that the fat was in the fire,* he knew he had to keep a stiff upper lip so as not to spill the beans.*
Answers are on Page 317
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Page 228
2nd Day
New Words
epitome |
dexterity |
grotesque |
compassion |
repugnant |
Victor Hugo
The epitome of French romantic writers in the nineteenth century was Victor Hugo. With the utmost dexterity he wrote poetry, novels, and drama. His highly popular novels, Notre Dame de Paris and Les Miserables, are replete* with melodramatic situations and grotesque characters. He had a profound* sense of social justice and a compassion for the poor, hapless,* and downtrodden. He could not work under the aegis* of Napoleon II and fled into exile. When the repugnant rule came to an end, the expatriate* returned from exile. He was received with adulation* and acclaim as the idol of the Third Republic.
Sample Sentences
Insert the new words in these sentences.
1.He was made up in the most __________ way for his role as a man from outer space.
2.We all felt deep __________ for the innocent progeny,* who were bereft* of their parents who had succumbed* during the conflagration.*
3.The Taj Mahal in India is said to be the __________ of grace as an edifice.*
4.The sight of the corpse was __________ to the squeamish* onlookers.
5.With __________ he thwarted* the pugnacious* and belligerent* adversary.*
Definitions
Match the new words with their definitions.
6. epitome |
____ a. strange, bizarre,* fantastic |
7. dexterity |
____ b. person or thing that embodies or represents the best |
8. grotesque |
____ c. distasteful, repulsive |
9. compassion |
____ d. sympathetic feeling, kindness |
10. repugnant |
____ e. mental or physical skill |
Today's Idiom
to throw the book at someoneto give the maximum punishment The judge got his back up* and threw the book at the criminal. Answers are on Page 317
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Page 229
3rd Day
New Words
acme |
copious |
vehemently |
depict |
naive |
di pikt′
An English Realist
The movement toward realism in the English novel of the nineteenth century reached its acme with the works of Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray. Charles Dickens was a prolific* writer. Among his copious works are Oliver Twist, a candid* exposure of the repugnant* poor laws; Nicholas Nickleby, in which the life of boys in a boarding school is vehemently attacked; Hard Times, in which the author wanted to depict the infamous* life in a factory during an early period of the industrial revolution; The Pickwick Papers, about a naive gentleman who has numerous misadventures. The novels, aimed at exposing the sordid* and pernicious* elements of English life, were said to have helped galvanize* people into action leading to improvement in these conditions.
Sample Sentences
Insert the new words in these sentences.
1.At the __________ of his power, the dictator was obsessed* with the belief that those who dissented* were trying to usurp* his position.
2.As a perspicacious* newspaper reporter, he felt it incumbent* upon him to __________ the abortive* coup as a reprehensible* act.
3.The urbane* gentleman was flabbergasted* by the fervid* interest in wrestling shown by the __________ young girl.
4.She lost her decorum* and wept __________ tears at the poignant* story.
5.He objected __________ to a vote taking place in the absence of a quorum.*
Definitions
Match the new words with their definitions.
6. acme |
____ a. unworldly, unsophisticated |
7. copious |
____ b. violently, eagerly, passionately |
8. vehemently |
____ c. peak, pinnacle,* zenith* |
9. depict |
____ d. ample, abundant, plentiful |
10. naive |
____ e. describe clearly, picture, portray |
Today's Idiom
terra firmasolid, firm land
The rough ocean crossing took the wind out of his sails*, and he was happy to be on terra firma again. Answers are on Page 317
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