Mastering Vocabulary

Everyone was surprised by the BREVITY of the principal's speech at graduation. She spoke for less than 5 minutes.

• a. strength

• b. intelligence

• c. briefness

The convicted murdere was executed, even though religious leaders aked the court to show CLEMENCY and reduce his sentence to life in prison.

• mercy

• haste

• strength

We were laughing over some ridiculous joke when the news of our friend's injury put an end to our FRIVOLOUS mood.

• lighthearted

• cold-hearted

• brokenhearted

The biggest art HEIST in history took place in 1990 when 13 paintings valued at $500 million were stolen from a Boston museum.

• a purchase

• an imitation

• a theft

My brother LAMPOONED Dad's terrible sense of style by wearing black socks wiht sandals, too-short pants, and a Hawaiian shirt. Even Dad had to laugh.

• to summarize

• to make fun of

• to praise

The spoiled little boy reacted to his pile of birthday presents with the QUERULOUS remark: "I got more presents last year!"

• shaky

• dishonest

• discontented

During the campaign, both candidates drew REPROACH from the media for making untruthful statements and generally behaving very badly.

• thanks

• disapproval

• respect

Emergency room doctors work long shifts. Their only RESPITE sometimes is a short nap on a couch.

• time off

• a salary

• a mark of respect

When Brendan took a midwinter vacation in Florida, the unaccustomed heat drained his energy. His TORPOR was so overwhelming that all he wanted to do was lie in a hammock

• hostility

• curiosity

• drowsiness

"Thanks to my seat belt," said Jermaine, "I was able to walk away from the collision UNSCATHED. Without it, I would probably have been badly injured."

• strengthened

• angry

• unhurt