Vocabulary 12

Taking third place in the hundred-meter dash in the track meet left me satisfied but scarcely ___.

• callous

• elated

Like so many ___ pack rats, she has found that great self-discipline is needed to break the cluttering habit.

• clandestine

• inveterate

We may criticize Americans for many things, but they are never ___ when appeals for help come from needy people.

• elated

• callous

She was ___ about the big things in life: What would she do for a living? Where would she live? What did she want out of life?

• abjuring

• ruminating

To have a/n ___ memory of my trip to the British Isles, I bought post cards.

• tangible

• indulgent

The old ___ "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is based on the principle that old dogs and people do not learn as well as the young.

• compunction

• platitude

In these days of presidential primaries, candidates can no longer be chosen at ___ meetings of a few powerful politicians.

• august

• clandestine

In a large city, it is difficult to avoid the ___ smoke emitted from cars and buses.

• august

• acrid

Just before going to sleep, we set traps to discourage the ___ raids of the raccoons on our food supply.

• indelible

• nocturnal

After listening to the senator's ___ analysis, I have a clearer idea of what is involved and where I should stand on the issue.

• trenchant

• tacit