Vocab 7-8 Practice

1. Despite his ​ (a)   behavior and grumpy demeanor, the old man had a soft spot for his grandchildren.

• cantankerous

• deride

• debacle

• temerity

• ennui

• abstain

• haughty

• tenacious

• acquiesce

• lampoon

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'cantankerous' as it means bad-tempered and argumentative, which fits the description of the old man's behavior in the sentence.

1. She couldn't help but ​ (a)   her classmates' efforts, even though she knew it wasn't kind.

• debacle

• temerity

• ennui

• abstain

• haughty

• tenacious

• acquiesce

• lampoon

• cantankerous

• deride

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'deride' which means to mock or ridicule. In this context, the sentence suggests that she couldn't help but mock her classmates' efforts, even though she knew it wasn't kind.

1. The group project turned into a complete ​ (a)   with everyone blaming each other for the failure.

• debacle

• temerity

• ennui

• abstain

• haughty

• tenacious

• acquiesce

• cantankerous

• deride

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'debacle' as it means a sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco. In this context, the group project ended in chaos with everyone blaming each other, fitting the definition of a debacle.

1. I admire her ​ (a)   for speaking up against injustice, even when it's risky and comes across as rude to those who are in authority.

• temerity

• ennui

• abstain

• haughty

• tenacious

• acquiesce

• cantankerous

• deride

• debacle

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'temerity' as it means boldness or audacity, which fits the context of speaking up against injustice despite risks and authority figures. None of the other answer choices convey the same meaning.

1. Summer vacation had barely started, and already a sense of ​ (a)   was creeping in.

• abstain

• haughty

• tenacious

• acquiesce

• cantankerous

• deride

• debacle

• ennui

• temerity

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'ennui' which means a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement. In this context, it indicates a sense of boredom or weariness during the summer vacation.

1. It's not easy to ​ (a)   from social media, but sometimes it's necessary for mental health.

• abstain

• haughty

• tenacious

• acquiesce

• cantankerous

• deride

• debacle

• temerity

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'abstain' as it means to refrain from something, in this case, social media, which is necessary for mental health.

1. His ​ (a)   attitude often rubbed people the wrong way. He came off appearing like he thought he was better than eveyrone else, but deep down, he was just insecure.

• haughty

• tenacious

• acquiesce

• cantankerous

• deride

• debacle

• temerity

• abstain

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'haughty' because it means having a superior or arrogant attitude, which fits the context of the sentence where the person appears to think they are better than others.

1. Despite facing many obstacles, she remained ​ (a)   in her pursuit of her dreams.

• tenacious

• acquiesce

• cantankerous

• deride

• debacle

• temerity

• abstain

• haughty

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'tenacious' as it means to be persistent and determined, which fits the context of facing obstacles but continuing to pursue dreams.

1. In the end, she had to reluctantly ​ (a)   to her parents' demands and stay home from the party to babysit her younger sister.

• acquiesce

• cantankerous

• deride

• debacle

• temerity

• abstain

• haughty

• tenacious

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'acquiesce' which means to reluctantly agree or comply with something. In this context, the girl had to agree to her parents' demands and stay home from the party.

​ The comedian loved to ​ (a)   politicians, using humor to highlight their flaws.

• cantankerous

• deride

• debacle

• temerity

• abstain

• haughty

• tenacious

• acquiesce

• lampoon

Answer explanation

The correct word that fits the blank is 'lampoon' as it means to mock or ridicule someone, which aligns with the comedian's use of humor to highlight politicians' flaws.