Vocabulary Unit 3-A (grade 12)

Accost:

The police officer accosted the intruder.

• to confront in a challenging way

• to deny

• to run away or flee

• to hate

Animadversion

The writer was upset by the animadversion of the critics.

• Praise

• a distraction

• Strong criticism or disapproval

• compliment

Avid

He was an avid snowboarder.

• reluctant

• intensely eager

• unenthusiastic

• uncaring

Brackish

The shipwrecked passengers became ill after drinking brackish water.

• fresh and pleasant to drink

• salty and unpleasant to drink

• clean and clear

• expensive

celerity

although the havey snowfall was not expected, the road crew cleared the roads with surprising celerity.

• slowness

• quickness

• greed

• praise

Devious

The interrogator used devious methods to try to get the suspect to incriminate himself.

• direct

• straightforward

• obvious

• indirect

Gambit

Asking an interesting stranger about his job is a popular party gambit.

• maneuver

• opposition

• suspect

• loud

Halcyon

The woman spoke of the halcyon days of her childhood.

• peaceful, happy

• turbulent

• chaotic

• unhappy

Histrionic

Upon receiving the award, the young actor gave a histrionic speech.

• theatrical

• boring

• long

• short

Incendiary

The arsonist planted an incendiary device in the garbage can.

• inflammatory

• quieting

• peacemaker

• calm