Sat - MC Grawhill part 12 pot

100 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Vocabulary Lesson 14: Cruel and Unusual
Today’s roots: vilis worthless de- down
super- above, beyond -less without
❑ ruthless (adj) cruel; merciless (rue regret + -less without)
Torquemada is widely regarded as the most ruthless interrogator of the Spanish Inquisition.
Synonyms: brutal, callous Antonyms: civilized, humane, merciful
❑ contempt (n) scorn; disrespect
Many eminent and successful scientists often show contempt for novel theories that question their own.
Synonyms: disdain, scorn Antonyms: respect, honor, reverence
❑ callous (adj) hardened; insensitive
Because they see so much suffering daily, emergency room doctors often struggle to avoid becoming callous.
Synonyms: insensitive, dispassionate Antonyms: compassionate, empathetic, sympathetic
❑ sadistic (adj) taking pleasure in the pain of others (from the Marquis de Sade)
The sadistic youngster smiled as he watched his classmate get hit in the head with a dodgeball.
Synonyms: barbarous, savage, ruthless Antonyms: civilized, humane
❑ supercilious (adj) full of haughty arrogance (super- above + cilium eyebrow)
Although he seems supercilious when you first meet him, Joe is actually a modest and down-to-earth guy.
Synonyms: haughty, cavalier Antonyms: diffident, unassuming, humble
❑ idiosyncrasy (n) a peculiar trait or habit (idio peculiar)
My history teacher has the idiosyncrasy of always squinting just before she asks a question of the class.
Synonyms: quirk, affectation, eccentricity, singularity
❑ anomaly (n) unusual event (an- not + homos same)
The ninety-degree day in Siberia was an anomaly; the temperature had gone that high only once before.
Synonyms: aberration, irregularity Antonym: regularity
❑ incongruous (adj) inappropriate; not in keeping with a pattern (in- not + congru agree)
❑ fetter (v) to tie up; to chain
Synonyms: shackle, hamper
❑ notorious (adj) famous for bad things (notus known)
Synonyms: infamous, disreputable
❑ decry (v) to speak out against (de- down + crier cry)

Synonyms: vilify, condemn
❑ vilify (v) to slander; to defame (vilis worthless)
Synonyms: denigrate, malign, libel, calumniate
❑ heinous (adj) cruel and unusual (haine hatred)
Synonyms: atrocious, monstrous
❑ revile (v) to denounce abusively (vilis worthless)
Benedict Arnold has long been reviled as a traitor
CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 101
Vocabulary Unit 2 Exercise Set I
Time—8 minutes
For each question, select the best answer among the choices given. Note any vocabulary words to
review on the Hit List below.
1. The emotional outburst was quite unusual for
Peter; he is typically one of the most indi-
viduals you could ever meet.
(A) stoic
(B) demonstrative
(C) extroverted
(D) irascible
(E) inimical
2. Ayn Rand, whose writing is considered by some
awkward and contrived, is nevertheless by
many as of individualism and objectivism,
the cornerstones of her philosophy.
(A) lionized . . a stalwart
(B) repudiated . . a protagonist
(C) censured . . an advocate
(D) praised . . an antagonist
(E) extolled . . a skeptic
3. Fearing from officials in their home coun-

try, the dissidents sought in the American
embassy.
(A) veneration . . solitude
(B) oppression . . sanctuary
(C) impotence . . asylum
(D) calumny . . disparagement
(E) judiciousness . . salvation
4. Because female authors were not treated as
equals in the 19th century, many women used
in an effort to disguise themselves as males.
(A) influxes
(B) anachronisms
(C) pseudonyms
(D) diatribes
(E) amalgams
5. The newly implemented tax cut was not as
as its supporters had hoped in the economy
by spurring investment and growth.
(A) formidable . . enervating
(B) efficacious . . invigorating
(C) delicate . . stimulating
(D) ruthless . . lauding
(E) incongruous . . encouraging
6. After many said that her last novel was too ,
she included a bizarre and shocking ending to
her newest book in an effort to her critics.
(A) banal . . support
(B) elegant . . pacify
(C) spurious . . silence
(D) mundane . . appease

(E) contrived . . endorse
7. When unhappy, Richard quickly becomes ,
picking fights with anyone around him.
(A) sadistic
(B) pious
(C) capricious
(D) belligerent
(E) fallacious
8. Although sparrows appear to be weak and
harmless, they can actually be quite when
their nest is threatened.
(A) redoubtable
(B) furtive
(C) evanescent
(D) fickle
(E) laconic
9. Many societies detest , and as a result the
among them are often treated as outcasts.
(A) compatibility . . antagonistic
(B) idiosyncrasy . . callous
(C) duplicity . . perfidious
(D) superficiality . . profound
(E) potency . . sacrosanct
10. The remarks made by the press hurt
Kendra’s feelings, but she vowed to ignore the
and continue toward her goal.
(A) derogatory . . consecrations
(B) inimical . . conciliations
(C) sanctimonious . . predilections
(D) venerable . . harangues

(E) caustic . . denigrations
HIT LIST
102 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Vocabulary Unit 2 Exercise Set II
Write the meaning next to each root, and then write as many words as you can that contain the root.
1. NYM_____________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
2. FLUERE__________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
3. CHRONOS________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
4. SYN-_____________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
5. IN-, IM-___________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________

6. TRANS___________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
7. SACER___________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
8. VERERI__________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
9. VOCARE__________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
10. VILIS_____________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
11. TEMPUS_________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________

12. SANCTUS________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
13. POTENS__________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
14. DOMIT___________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
15. DE-______________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 103
Vocabulary Unit 2 Exercise Set III
1. Should a good boxer be redoubtable? Y N
2. Is a stalwart weak? Y N
3. Can a mountain be evanescent? Y N
4. Do compatible things work together well? Y N
5. Is a diffident person haughty? Y N
Write the word with the given meaning.
6. slander; false accusation c____________________
7. reprimand mildly a____________________

8. irregular; infrequent s____________________
9. extended in time p____________________
10. trickery; deceit g____________________
11. sneaky s____________________
12. greedy; ravenous r____________________
13. to regard with honor r____________________
14. magical object t____________________
15. falsely pious s____________________
16. a strong defense b____________________
17. unconquerable i____________________
18. to slander; defame v____________________
19. scorn; disrespect c____________________
20. deceitful scheme s____________________
21. out of place in time a____________________
22. place of refuge s____________________
23. full of vigor r____________________
24. collection of works a____________________
25. call on for inspiration i____________________
Write the correct form of the italicized word.
26. like an anomaly
_____________________________________________
27. showing contempt
_____________________________________________
28. having the quality of an anachronism
_____________________________________________
29. to give censure
_____________________________________________
30. having the tendency to evanesce
_____________________________________________
Write the word with the given meaning and root.

31. deceit (duplit)
_____________________________________________
32. fake name (nym)
_____________________________________________
33. disparaging (de-)
_____________________________________________
34. to attack as untrue (pugn)
_____________________________________________
35. falsely pious (sanct)
_____________________________________________
36. regard with respect (venus)
_____________________________________________
37. most important (domit)
_____________________________________________
38. weak (potens)
_____________________________________________
39. blend or fuse together (co-)
_____________________________________________
40. full of haughty arrogance (super-)
_____________________________________________
41. to denounce abusively (vilis)
_____________________________________________
104 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Unit 2 Exercise Set I Answer Key
1. A The sentence indicates that showing emotion
is unusual for Peter. Look for a word that means
unemotional to fill the blank.
stoic = unaffected by pleasure or pain
demonstrative = effusive, emotional
extroverted = outgoing, gregarious

irascible = easily angered
inimical = unfriendly, harmful
2. A Nevertheless indicates that the blank should
contrast awkward and contrived. A contrasting
response would be praise. And if individualism
and objectivism are the cornerstones of her
philosophy, she must agree with them.
lionized = worshipped; stalwart = unwavering
person
repudiated = cast off; protagonist = main
character
censured = condemned; advocate = supporter
praised = commended; antagonist = opposed
extolled = praised highly; skeptic = doubter
3. B The sentence indicates that they fear the first
word and if they fear something, they should seek
comfort of some sort.
veneration = reverence; solitude = loneliness
oppression = holding back; sanctuary = place of
refuge
impotence = lack of power; asylum = a safe
place
calumny =
slander;
disparagement = belittlement
judiciousness = wisdom; salvation = being
saved
4. C The word in the blank is something that they
would use to disguise themselves as men. The
only word that fits this description is pseudonyms.

influxes = inward flows
anachronisms = things out of place in time
pseudonyms = false names
diatribes = prolonged speeches
amalgams = mixtures
5. B Supporters of the tax cut would obviously
hope that it would do well and cause good things.
So you want a positive word in the first blank.
The supporters hoped it would “spur investment
and growth” which shows they thought it would
strengthen the economy.
formidable = imposing; enervating = weakening
efficacious = effective; invigorating =
strengthening
delicate = fragile; stimulating = causing activity
ruthless = cruel; lauding = praising
incongruous = not matching; encouraging =
inspiring
6. D The second part of the sentence implies that
the critics deemed her first novel to be lacking a
bizarre and shocking ending. She would include a
shocking ending to silence these critics. Two sim-
ple words to complete the sentence would be
predictable and quiet.
banal = trivial; support = to hold up
elegant = refined; pacify = to soothe
spurious = fake; silence = to quiet
mundane =
ordinary; appease = to quiet
contrived =

obvious; endorse = support
7. D As is often the case, the information after the
semicolon tells us everything we need to know.
When Richard is unhappy, he picks fights.
sadistic = enjoying the pain of others
pious = holy
capricious = acting on impulse
belligerent = warlike, prone to fighting
fallacious = false
8. A Although shows a classic contrast. Sparrows
appear to be weak and harmless, but when some-
thing important to them is threatened, they
become the opposite of weak and harmless.
redoubtable = formidable, intimidating
furtive = sneaky
evanescent = ephemeral, short-lived
fickle = prone to change one’s mind
laconic = not inclined to speaking much
9. C If society detests it, the first word must indi-
cate something negative. The as a result shows a
cause and effect, so you’d expect the second word
to describe a person who has the characteristic in
the first blank.
compatibility = ability to go together;
antagonistic = hostile
idiosyncrasy = odd behavior; callous =
hardened
duplicity = deceptiveness; perfidious =
untrustworthy
superficial = lacking substance; profound =

deep
potency = strength, power; sacrosanct =
sacred
CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 105
10. E The first word indicates something that
would hurt one’s feelings. The second word must
be a noun to describe such remarks.
derogatory = insulting; consecrations =blessings
inimical = unfriendly; conciliations = actions
or remarks that regain trust or
friendship
sanctimonious = smug;
predilections = inclinations
venerable = worthy of respect;
harangues = tirades
caustic = harmful; denigrations = slander
106 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Unit 2 Exercise Sets II and III Answer Key
Exercise Set II
1. NYM: name
pseudonym, anonymous,
synonym, antonym
2. FLUERE: flow
fluent, superfluous,
confluence, effluvium
3. CHRONOS: time
synchronize, chronology,
anachronism, chronicle
4. SYN-: same
synonym, sympathy,

synchronize, synthesis
5. IN-, IM-: not
intolerant, immoral,
immodest, inconceivable
6. TRANS: across
transparent, transmit,
translate, transition
7. SACER: sacred
sacrilegious, sacrament,
sacrosanct, consecrate
8. VERERI: respect
revere, reverent, irreverent,
reverend
9. VOCARE: to call
invoke, provoke, vocation,
voice, revoke
10. VILIS: worthless
vilify, revile, villain, evil
11. TEMPUS: time
extemporaneous, temporary,
contemporary
12. SANCTUS: holy
sanctify, sanctuary,
sacrosanct, sanctimonious
13. POTENS: strong
potent, impotent, potential,
despot
14. DOMIT: lord
dominion, indomitable,
domesticate, dominate

15. DE-: down
descend, demoralize, demote,
deride, decline
Exercise Set III
1. Y
2. N
3. N
4. Y
5. N
6. calumny
7. admonish
8. sporadic
9. protracted
10. guile
11. surreptitious
12. rapacious
13. revere
14. talisman
15. sanctimonious
16. bulwark
17. indomitable
18. vilify
19. contempt
20. stratagem
21. anachronistic
22. sanctuary
23. robust
24. anthology
25. invoke
26. anomalous

27. contemptuous
28. anachronistic
29. censure
30. evanescent
31. duplicity
32. pseudonym
33. derogatory
34. impugn
35. sanctimonious
36. venerate
37. predominant
38. impotent
39. coalesce
40. supercilious
41. revile
CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 107
Vocabulary Unit 3
Vocabulary Lesson 15: Weak and Weaker
Today’s roots: batre to beat troph nourishment
sequi follow pli fold
❑ atrophy (v) to weaken from disuse (a- without + troph nourishment)
After surgery, extended bed rest often causes muscles to atrophy unless it is accompanied by physical therapy.
Synonyms: degenerate, deteriorate Antonyms: thrive, flourish
❑ abate (v) to subside; to decrease in intensity (ad- to + batre to beat)
The crews had to wait until the storm abated before they could begin to assess the damage to the coastal town.
Synonyms: wane, diminish Antonyms: expand, amplify
❑ porous (adj) filled with many holes ( porus opening)
The teenager’s story was a porous one that her parents could easily see through.
Synonyms: penetrable, pervious Antonyms: impervious, impenetrable, impregnable
❑ wane (v) to grow smaller or less intense

As the brightness of the moon wanes over the next few nights, it will become easier to see the surrounding stars.
Synonyms: abate, ebb Antonyms: wax, intensify
❑ lassitude (n) a feeling of weakness (lassus weary)
Although she tried valiantly to play through her illness, Danielle’s lassitude overtook her in the second half.
Synonyms: listlessness, weariness Antonyms: vitality, vigor
❑ undermine (v) to weaken or diminish something
The continual setbacks to the project over many weeks undermined the morale of the workers.
Synonyms: undercut, attenuate Antonyms: fortify, strengthen
❑ obsequious (adj) overly submissive (ob- to + sequi follow)
Synonyms: fawning, compliant
❑ attrition (n) a wearing away of strength or morale
Synonyms: debilitation, weakening
❑ enervate (v) to weaken someone’s vitality
Synonym: debilitate
❑ vulnerable (adj) prone to attack or harm
Synonyms: assailable, susceptible
❑ ebb (v) to decrease or decline slowly
Synonyms: wane, abate
❑ compliant (adj) submissive (pli fold)
Synonyms: yielding, conciliatory
❑ debilitate (v) to sap the strength of (de- away + bilis strength)
Synonyms: cripple, enervate
108 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Vocabulary Lesson 16: Chillin’
Today’s roots: status position, standing quies rest
plac to please serenus calm
❑ placid (adj) calm ( plac to please)
A relaxing day at the spa always makes me feel more placid.
Synonyms: serene, tranquil Antonyms: frenzied, frenetic
❑ inert (adj) sluggish; inactive (in- not + ertem active)

After his final exams, Ricky sat inert on his couch for two days watching soap operas and game shows.
Synonyms: quiescent, torpid, phlegmatic Antonyms: alert, lively
❑ listless (adj) sluggish; without energy (-less without)
I always feel listless on rainy days; sometimes I don’t even want to get out of bed.
Synonyms: enervated, inert, phlegmatic, lethargic Antonyms: lively, robust
❑ quiescent (adj) resting; quiet (quies rest)
During the quiescent phase of cell division, the cell does not split or grow.
Synonym: inactive Antonyms: dynamic, active
❑ serene (adj) tranquil; calm; placid (serenus peaceful, calm)
There was not a single wave on the surface of the serene lake.
Synonyms: quiescent, sedate Antonyms: frenzied, turbulent
❑ static (adj) stationary (status standing)
The patient’s vitals have been static for an hour. We hope this means he can be moved from intensive care.
Synonyms: stagnant, inert Antonyms: itinerant, peripatetic
❑ lethargic (adj) lazy; sluggish
The flu left me feeling lethargic even two days after my fever had broken.
Synonyms: phlegmatic, dormant, enervated, listless
❑ moratorium (n) postponement
Synonyms: deferral, delay
❑ stagnate (v) to become inactive; to become stale (status standing)
Synonym: idle
❑ torpor (n) lethargy; apathy
Synonyms: inertness, lassitude
❑ respite (n) rest; time of relief; pause (respit delay)
Synonyms: hiatus, moratorium
❑ hiatus (n) a break in the continuity of something
Synonyms: respite, discontinuity
❑ torpid (adj) hibernating; dormant (torpere be numb)
Synonyms: inert, idle
CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 109

Vocabulary Lesson 17: Wanna Fight?
Today’s roots: bellum war pro- forward, forth
pugnare fight ire anger
❑ belligerent (adj) warlike; quarrelsome (bellum war)
My brother is a belligerent guy; he picks his fair share of bar fights.
Synonyms: antagonistic, cantankerous, contentious Antonyms: passive, peaceful
❑ irascible (adj) easily angered (ire anger)
Adam’s irascible nature landed him in anger management therapy; he overreacts to the smallest things.
Synonyms: choleric, splenetic, petulant Antonym: even-tempered
❑ volatile (adj) explosive; tending to evaporate quickly (vola to fly)
The situation in the Middle East is a volatile one that must be handled with care.
Synonyms: unsettled, temperamental Antonym: stable
❑ rebuttal (n) refutation; opposing response to an argument (re- back)
After the opponent made his remarks, the debate team captain approached the podium to deliver her rebuttal.
Synonyms: repartee, rejoinder Antonym: agreement
❑ refute (v) to disprove; to rebut forcefully (refutare to drive back)
The judge found no evidence to refute your claim that the car is yours, so you get to keep it for now.
Synonyms: contradict, rebut Antonyms: support, endorse
❑ incite (v) to urge into action (citare to cause to move)
The rebels incited a revolt in the small city by convincing the citizens that their mayor was a crook.
Synonyms: coax, cajole, instigate Antonym: dissuade
❑ pugnacious (adj) quarrelsome; warlike (pugnare fight)
The pugnacious punk was happiest when his fists were pounding someone else’s chin.
Synonyms: truculent, belligerent Antonyms: pacific, passive
❑ bellicose (adj) warlike in manner (bellum war)
Synonyms: pugnacious, belligerent
❑ harass (v) to bother; to annoy
Synonyms: irritate, torment
❑ assail (v) to attack or assault (ad- at + salire leap)
Synonym: berate

❑ tumultuous (adj) violently agitated
Synonyms: hectic, unruly
❑ instigate (v) to goad; to urge on
Synonyms: incite, foment, coax, cajole
❑ provocative (adj) tending to aggravate or stimulate ( pro- forth + vocare to call)
Synonyms: goading, alluring
❑ propensity (n) a natural inclination; a tendency (pro- forth)