Part A Target Words and Their Meanings

1. absolutely adv.2. adorn v.3. assemblage n. v4. avaricious adj.5. dauntless adj. 6. disfigure v.7. disturb v.8. endow v.9. flourish n., v.10. lucrative adj.

11. militia n.12. peerless adj.13. principality n.14. procession n.15. prosperous adj.16. rife adj.17. simper v., n. :18. solitude n.19. stalwart adj., n..20. vigorous adj.

U N I T 9

Inferring Meaning from ContextFor each sentence write the letter of the word or phrase that is closest to the meaning

of the word or words in italics. Use context clues to help you determine the correct answer. (For information about how context helps you understand vocabulary, see pages 1-5.)

__C__ 1. Although she was unsure of other formulas, Ann was absolutely certain that Ttr2 was the formula for the area of a circle, a. never b. sometimes c. completely d. sternly

__B__ 2. Queen Elizabeth's cape was adorned with glittering jewels that sparkled as she passed. a. hidden b. decorated c. magnified d. concealed

__D__ 3. An assemblage of friends and relatives was in the hall, waiting to cele-brate Grandmother Mayer's eightieth birthday, a. A branch b. An expanse c. A mural d. A group

_A___ 4. The man was avaricious; he did everything he could to make money and refused to part with a cent of it. a. greedy b. fearless c. liable d. agile

__B__ 5. According to legend, Prince Valiant was a dauntless young man known for his heroic deeds, a. an avaricious b. a brave c. a menacing d. an irresponsible

__C__ 6. Heavy rains disfigured the hillside, creating unsightly gullies, a. flattened b. contrived c. marred d. minimized

__D__ 7. Noisy car mufflers disturb people, particularly when they are sleeping. a. demoralize b. reproach c. agree with d. annoy

__D__ 8. Dorothy was endowed with great musical talent; when she was only a year old, she could sing in tune. a. surrounded by b. apprehended by c. im-pressed with d. gifted with

__A__ 9. Corn flourishes in warm, moist climates and does poorly in dry, cold ones. a. grows vigorously b. grows slowly c. depreciates d. recedes

__C__ 10. Jean became wealthy through her lucrative accounting business. a. cir-cumstantial b. artificial c. profitable d. dilapidated

__C__ 11. On the eve of the Revolutionary War, ordinary people such as farmers and tradesmen formed a militia to fight the British. a. committee b. legisla-ture c. citizen army d. professional army

__A__ 12. According to legend, Helen of Troy was the most beautiful woman in the world; her peerless beauty was the envy of the gods and caused a war. a. unequaled b. inconspicuous c. diminutive d. flawed

__A__ 13. The prince ruled his principality very well; everyone who lived there respected his decisions. a. territory b. ancestry c. army d. temper

__B__ 14. In columns of eight, the procession of soldiers marched down the road. a. disorderly group b. orderly, forward-moving group c. mob d. expanse

__C__ 15. Many Christmas cards include wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year. a. militant b. meager c. successful d. humble

__B__ 16. Rumors were rife in Centerville after the mayor suddenly announced his resignation; most of the stories centered on the mayor's health problems. a. minimal b. abundant c. humorous d. expeditious

__C__ 17. When their classmates saw Tom and Sue holding hands, the two sim-pered in embarrassment, a. cried immediately b. argued loudly c. smiled self-consciously d. joked

_A___ 18. The few people living on that remote island during the winter when no tourists were present enjoyed their solitude. a. seclusion b. solicitation c. assemblage d. acclaim

_C___ 19. Ann is one of the most stalwart people I know; she once walked thirty miles through rugged territory when her car broke down. a. efficient and honest b. intelligent and profound c. strong and determined d. careful and shy

__B__ 20. Tom enjoys playing vigorous sports such as football, soccer, and rugby. a. winter b. energetic c. independent d. sedate

Number correct ____ (total 20)

Part B Target Words in Reading and Literature

You should now have a general idea of the meaning of each target word. Refine your understanding by examining the shades of meaning the words have in the follow-ing excerpt.

California—Character of Population

Mark Twain

In 1848, at Suiter's Mill in California, James Marshall discovered gold. By the next year, the greatest gold rush in U.S. history was under way as thou-sands traveled to California to seek their fortunes. In this excerpt from Roughing It, Mark Twain describes the towns and the men of the California gold rush.

It was in the Sacramento Valley that a deal of the most lucrative of the early gold mining was done, and you may still see, in places, its grassy slopes and levels torn and guttered1 and disfigured by the avaricious spoilers of fifteen and twenty years ago. You may see such disfigurements far and wide over California—and in some such places, where only meadows and forests are visible—not a living creature, not a house, no stick or stone or remnant of a ruin, and not a sound, not even a whisper to disturb the Sabbath stillness—you will find it hard to believe that there stood at one time a fiercely flourishing little city of two thousand or three thousand souls, with its newspaper, fire company, brass band, volunteer militia, bank, hotels, noisy Fourth of July processions and speeches, and rough-bearded men

of all nations and colors, with tables heaped with gold dust sufficient for the revenues of a German principality—streets crowded and rife with business— town lots worth four hundred dollars a front foot—labor, laughter, music, dancing—everything that delights and adorns existence—all the appointments and appurtenances2 of a thriving and prosperous and promising young city— and now nothing is left of it all but a life-less, homeless solitude. The men are gone, the houses have vanished, even the name of the place is forgotten. In no other land in modern times have towns so ab-solutely died and disappeared as in the old mining regions of California.

It was a driving, vigorous, restless population in those days. It was a curious population. It was the only population of the kind that the world has ever seen gath-ered together, and it is not likely that the world will ever see its like again. For, ob-serve, it was an assemblage of two hundred thousand young men—not simper-ing, dainty, kid-gloved weaklings, but stalwart, muscular, dauntless young braves, brimful of push and energy, and royally endowed with every attribute that goes to make up a peerless and magnificent person—the strangest population, the finest population, the most gallant host that ever trooped down the startled solitudes of an unpeopled land.

1 guttered: with ditches, the result of mining and soil erosion2 appurtenances: something added to a more important thing

Refining Your UnderstandingFor each of the following items, consider how the target word is used in the pas -

sage. Write the letter of the word or phrase that best completes each sentence.

__B__ 1. An avaricious person would not care if the landscape became disfigured (line 3) because such a person a. believes the land is sacred b. cares only about getting rich c. doesn't realize the land is being spoiled.

__A__ 2. "Streets crowded and rife with business" (line 13) probably indicates that a. mining was good for the economy b. many poor people lived on the streets c. an economic slowdown was coming soon.

__C__ 3. "Everything that delights and adorns existence" (line 15) probably refers to a. the basic necessities of life b. clothing stores c. luxuries and other extras.

__A__ 4. Mark Twain uses the phrase "absolutely died" (line 19) to emphasize a. how abandoned the mining towns had become b. how violent the miner's life was c. how important law and order was in the mining towns.

__C__ 5. From this selection we can infer that what brought the "assemblage of two hundred thousand young men" (line 24) together in California was i . most likely a. solitude b. charity c. avarice.

Number correct ____ (total 5)

Part C Ways to Make New Words Your Own

By now you are familiar with the target words and their meanings. This section presents a va-riety of reinforcement activities that will help you make these words part of your vocabulary.

Using Language and Thinking SkillsFinding the Unrelated Word Write the letter of the word that is not related inmeaning to the other words in the set.

_C___ 1. a. unique b. peerless c. equaled d. unequaled

__D__ 2. a. avaricious b. greedy c. miserly d. generous

___B_ 3. a. profitable b. worthless c. lucrative d. productive

__B__ 4. a. stalwart b. afraid c. fearless d. strong

__D__ 5. a. beautify b. adorn c. decorate d. disfigure

__C__ 6. a. wither b. shrivel c. flourish d. decay

__D__ 7. a. disturb b. bother c. disrupt d. rejoice

___A_ 8. a. simper b. frown c. glare d. scowl

_D___ 9. a. rife b. abundant c. plentiful d. meager

___C_ 10. a. supply b. endow c. deplete d. bestow

Number correct ____ (total 10)

Practicing for Standardized TestsAnalogies Write the letter of the pair of words that best expresses a relationship sim-ilar to that expressed in the original pair.

__B__ 1. ABSOLUTELY : DOUBTFULLY :: (A) doubtlessly : completely(B) positively : questionably (C) horizontally : diagonally (D) abruptly : anxiously (E) perpetually : continually

_E___ 2. DISFIGURE : BEAUTIFY :: (A) precede : proceed (B) impede : thwart (C) bark : meow (D) compose : sing (E) fail : excel

__A__ 3. AGITATE : DISTURB :: (A) disrupt : unsettle (B) upset : calm(C) shake : separate (D) trust : distrust (E) haughty : meek

___B_ 4. ENDOW : GIFT :: (A) conduct : copper (B) bestow : award (C) enter : exit (D) save : payment (E) defend : trial

___D_ 5. VIGOROUS : LIFELESS :: (A) stalwart : robust (B) healthy : sturdy (C) cloudy : rainy (D) spirited : feeble (E) routine : ordinary

__D__ 6. HERMIT : SOLITUDE :: (A) music : harmony (B) group : discussion (C) bird : aviation (D) prisoner : confinement (E) expedience : convenience

___D_ 7. FLOURISHING : PROSPEROUS :: (A) lucrative : unprofitable (B) peerless : dauntless (C) successful : intelligent (D) rich : wealthy (E) ephemeral : lasting

_A___ 8. MISER : AVARICIOUS :: (A) benefactor : kind (B) doctor : medicinal (C) king : harsh (D) prey : animalistic (E) desert : rainy

__E__ 9. RIFE : SURPLUS :: (A) leathery : shoe (B) tedious : excitement (C) mortal : eternity (D) triumphant : contest (E) meager : shortage

_C___10. HERO : DAUNTLESS :: (A) coward : peerless (B) history : re-cent (C) disc jockey : musical (D) winner : triumphant (E) spy : open

Number Correct ____ (Total 10)

Part D Related Words

A number of words are closely related to the target words you have studied. Use your

knowledge of the target words and of word parts to determine the meanings of these words.

Learning these related words expands your vocabulary and helps you learn the target words

more thoroughly.

1. absolute adj. n.2. adornment n.3. avarice n. 4. disfigurement n.5. endowment n.6. invigorate v.7. militant adj., n.

8. military adj.9. peer n., v.

10. perturb v.11. proceed v.12. solitary adj.13. undaunted adj.,14. .vigor n.

Understanding Related WordsTrue-False Decide whether each state-ment is true or false. Write T for True and F for False.

_T___ 1. If a person is in solitary confinement, he or she has no contact with others.

__F__ 2. A person who feels invigorated must take frequent naps.

__F__ 3. Avarice is a personality trait that makes a person well liked.

__T__ 4. People usually avoid things that perturb them.

__T__ 5. If the silence in a room is absolute, one can hear a pin drop.

__T__ 6. Members of a jury are peers.

__F__ 7. When you proceed to pack your suitcase, you start removing things.

_T___ 8. A puppy usually displays a great deal of vigor.

__F__ 9. A person who becomes discouraged easily is obviously undaunted.

__T__ 10. A two-thousand-dollar gift to a hospital can be called an endowment.

Number correct ____ (total 10)

Turn to The Addition of Prefixes on pages 193-194 of the SpellingHandbook. Read the rule and complete the exercises provided.

1

P I2

S3

T4

A5

L6

W7

A8

R9

T10

B11

A T

R12

P13

A V A R I C I14

O U S15

I16

P A17

M A D D18

E N D S19

N E S T R20

P E21

E22

P23

C E24

D I25

S26

T U R27

B28

M R29

I R30

E31

C O O32

O I33

L34

B O35

P L A N36

I L L37

C R A38

W L S39

A E D40

O I L41

E D42

R A P43

L S O44

U T45

A S46

A G E47

I S W48

S U49

S50

I51

M P E R

T52

S53

R D54

W I D E O

Y55

A56

D O57

E58

C H O59

O60

S U61

A D O R N62

D O N U T H T S

Analyzing Word PartsThe Prefix pro- conveys the meaning of forward movement. It often means "before," "in front of," or "forth." A rocket propels a satellite, meaning the rocket shoots the satellite forward. When you propose a solution to a problem, you are putting forth that idea to be considered. A prophet speaks of things to come.

The Prefix dis- means "away," as in discharge or dismiss. It can also mean "apart," as in disassemble or dismantle. Finally, dis- also means "opposite of," as in dislike or

DOWN1. A prince's territory3. _ _ _O’ Shanter4. Greedy5. Young boy6. Abbr. World Record7. To help8. Abbr. Red Cross9. To knot10. Flower shoot11. Gathering of people12. Ma's and _ _ _14. A single item

16. Without equal20. Parade22. Wealthy25. Isolation26. A bridge tax27. Flying creature30. To give money orproperty33.Abbr. Los Angeles38. An outer covering50. In case that...51. Myself52. Unhappy53. In favor of54. _ _ factor, a

characteristic of blood

56. _ — or don' t58. Abbr. Certificate

of Deposit59. Exclamation of

surprise60. Abbr. Saint

disarmament. In this latter meaning, dis- acts much like the negative prefixes un- and im-.

In the following exercise, the words in the left column contain the prefix pro- or dis-. In the right column are definitions. Match the appropriate definition to each word, writing the letter in the blank. If you are unsure of a word's meaning, use your dictionary.

___I_ 1. prohibit a. to force something from a position

___F_ 2. produce b. to scatter or distribute widely

___H_ 3. prolong c. to stir up action or to anger

__J__ 4. profess d. to melt or become liquid

___C_ 5. provoke e. to cut apart

__G__ 6. discontinue f. to bring forth or yield

__A__ 7. dislodge g. to stop using

____E 8. dissect h. to lengthen in time

___B_ 9. disperse i. to forbid by law

__D__ 10. dissolve j. to openly declare

Number correct ____ (total 10)

Number correct in Unit ____ (total 65)

Word’s Worth: lucrativeThe origins of the word lucrative and its related word lucre provide an in-

teresting example of our complex attitude toward money and profit. Both words can be traced to the ancient Greek word for booty, that is money, prop -erty, or other riches that are taken as a result of war or piracy. By the time of the English Renaissance, lucrative and lucre had become two words with very different meanings. On the one hand, preachers warned their congrega-tions against the pursuit of money and profit, which they denounced as "filthy lucre." On the other hand, teachers and business people advised the young to enter lucrative professions and trades. The young people of Renaissance Eng -land thus received a mixed message about the role that money should play in their lives.

In today's world, lucrative has mostly positive associations, suggesting wealth and luxury. Lucre, however, still suffers from the taint of ill-gotten gain. And we still receive mixed messages about money.

The Last WordWriting

Write an imaginary story that includes three of the items listed below. Choose one item from each column.

Characters• a prosperous business person• a vigorous athlete• a military officer• a stalwart opponent • a dauntless hero

Incidents• trying to find solitude• endowed with great

wealth• walking in a procession• living in a principality• adorned with beautiful

gems

Conditions• in a disturbing set of

circumstances• with avaricious

tendencies• with a flourish• in a lucrative en-

terprise

SpeakingDivide into groups of two or three students each. Each group should choose one

of the thirteen adjectives from the Target and Related Words lists and create a short skit that demonstrates the meaning of the adjective in a colorful and original man -ner. The other groups should try to guess which adjective is being acted out.

Group Discussion"In solitude we are least alone."—William Wordsworth • What does

Wordsworth mean? Do you agree or disagree? As a class, discuss thepossible interpretations of this quotation.