Lesson 27
Appearances and Attitudes
1. pedantic: stressing trivial points of learning; lacking a sense of proportion in scholarship. A pedant is a narrow-minded teacher who insists on rigid adherence to a set of arbitrary rules.
2. pertinacious: stubborn; unyielding; holding firmly to some belief.
3. pontifical: ornate; stiff; having the pomp and dignity of a high priest or Pope.
4. pretentious: making claims to some distinctions; showy. Pretentious people put on airs, try to appear more important than they are.
5. prolix: wordy; long-winded
6. puerile: childish; silly; young. In Latin it means “boy”
7. quiescent: inactive; in repose; latent
8. recalcitrant: unruly; refusing to obey authority. In Latin it meant “to kick one's heels (calx) in defiance)
9. restive: hard to control; restless; contrary
10. ribald: coarse; vulgar in language; irreverent
11. sardonic: sarcastic; bitterly sneering. it is believed that this word can be traced back to a Sardinian plant whose bitter taste caused facial distortion
12. sedulous: busy; working hard; diligent
13. sleazy: flimsy or thin in texture or substance; of poor quality. This word can be traced back to cloth made in Silesia, Germany.
14. supercilious: naughty; arrogant; contemptuous
15. voluptuous: sensuous; full of sensual delights and pleasures
Exercises
I. Which Word Comes to Mind?
In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.
1. A gangster's cruel smile
(puerile, sedulous, sardonic)
2. Second-rate fabric that wears poorly
(quiescent, pertinacious, sleazy)
3. Someone who uses a dozen words when one would do
(prolix, supercilious, recalcitrant)
4. The natives were nervous before the battle
(pontifical, restive, pretentious)
5. A night club comic's suggestive monologue
(pedantic, ribald, voluptuous)
6. A child who refuses to obey his parents and teachers
(puerile, recalcitrant, sedulous)
7. The actress's beauty rather than her talent was responsible for her popularity
(ribald, pertinacious, voluptuous)
8. Once Barry forms an opinion, he'll never change his mind
(pertinacious, pretentious, pontifical)
9. A trait that makes a person a success
(pedantic, sedulous, supercilious)
10. Someone follows the rules but misses the spirit
(pontifical, pedantic, quiescent)
II. True or False?
In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false
____ 1. Mules and oxen are frequently described as being pertinacious
____ 2. Sleazy products deserve the high price they command
____ 3. Gary Cooper, famed for using words sparingly drew compliments for that prolix style.
____ 4. Although we strive to be young, no one wants to be described as puerile
____ 5. Quiescent talent can often be brought to the surface through patient teaching techniques
____ 6. Puerile behavior is not likely to win you friends
____ 7. The defendant was acquitted because of his sleazy background
____ 8. A restive person would appreciate frequent periods of silence.
____ 9. Being puerile, Brenda often does not act her age
____ 10. The voluptuous figures in the museum attracted the attention of the crowd
III. Fill in the Blank
Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below
1. Joanna, finding it difficult to tolerate the _____________________ attitude of the salespeople in the exclusive boutique, left without buying anything
2. The unscrupulous travel agent tried to sell the mystery trip as an adventure that would contain many _____________________ experiences
3. Realizing he was losing friends because of his ________________ airs, Martin vowed to stop being showy.
4. The ______________________ character of the two rivals prolonged the argument; neither would budge an inch
5. Defending his _________________ style, Professor Dobbins claimed he had written the book for scholars like himself.
6. The teacher advised the class not to adopt a(n) __________________ tone in a letter of application
7. Jerry actually drove his customers away with his ____________________ sales pitch.
8. The valedictorian was careful to keep _________________ expressions out of her speech
9. Parents wait for the day when their children will be as __________________ in fulfilling their family responsibilities as they are in preparing for a party.
10. There is a time for fun and revelry, but that does not include an overdoes of _______________ speech.
IV. What's the Antonym?
Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provide?
1. indolent _________________________
2. mature _________________________
3. terse _________________________
4. docile _________________________
5. refined _________________________
6. dynamic _________________________
7. docile _________________________
8. unassuming _________________________
9. austere _________________________
10. concise _________________________