Prunella and Paula are sisters, but they’re very different. Just look at how they dress. Prunella doesn’t care what she

wears. Paula, on the other hand, is quite chic [sheek].

I looked at the plans for your new house. This is earthquake country. You need to fortify the frame or you’ll have a

disaster with the first tremor.

Helen’s attitude toward dealing with criminals has changed over the years. She used to believe that everyone can

change and deserves a second chance. She now believes that some crimes are so heinous that those responsible should be shown no mercy.

There may be some parts of my plan to arrest the thieves that should be changed. But I feel very strongly that renting the apartment over their headquarters is the linchpin of the scheme. We must do that immediately!

Amy was feeling low. Every business she tried lost money or made only pennies a day. Her newest idea was selling chocolate covered baby shoes. She was convinced that it would be a lucrative business. Her friends tried to warn her that it was not a certain road to riches.

The signal from the cable is too strong for our television. We’ll have to use a filter to attenuate it.

When you attenuate something, you _______________.

“If you knew the gravity of the situation, you wouldn’t be laughing,” Mr. Farmer said quietly. He didn’t have to say

more to get everyone’s attention.

What does “gravity” mean in this context?

Her cardinal rule is this: Be kind to others! She believes that everything else in life will fall properly into place if one

follows that rule.

What does “cardinal” mean in this context?

The owner of the restaurant wouldn’t allow Samantha to walk through the door. “I’m sorry,” she said, “but you

started a food fight the last time you were here. You may not have ingress to my restaurant!”

What does “ingress” mean in this selection?

Murphy Mole is the protagonist in the new novel by Trent Troll. Murphy must stop Oscar Rat and Shrimpy Shark

from enslaving the inhabitants of Lazy Woods Park. He risks his life in a series of events that lead to a final battle between good and evil.

What is a protagonist?

I just can’t beat Paula when we play chess! Every time I make a move that should lead me to victory, she makes a

better move that thwarts my plan.

If you thwart a robbery, you __________.

Don’t feel stupid. Yes, you thought this worthless replica was a valuable work of art. But it even fooled a lot of experts. It certainly looked like the real thing!

A replica is __________.

Your poster is very good. The drawing really lets people know what our club is all about. I do think that you could

enhance it by adding some more color. That will tend to grab everyone’s attention.

When you enhance something, you __________.

INFERENCE

Turner almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He would feel

silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.

Which probably happened?

INFERENCE

“Larry, as your boss, I must say it’s been very interesting working with you,” Miss Valdez said. “However, it seems that our company’s needs and your performance style are not well matched. Therefore, it makes me very sad to have to ask you to resign your position effective today.”

What was Miss Valdez telling Larry?

INFERENCE

No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon.

What is the message?

INFERENCE

Bill and Jessica were almost done taking turns choosing the players for their teams. It was Jessica’s turn to choose, and only Kurt was left.

Jessica said, “Kurt.”

We can infer that ________