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 __________.

Connie is never happy when everyone is getting along. She always instigates fights and then acts like little Miss Innocent.

When you "instigate" something, you __________.

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.

What does "lucrative" 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?

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?

I like that store. All the employees strive to make the customers feel right at home.

Which word is a synonym of “strive”?

“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?

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 __________.

“I am going to rescind the permission I gave you to use my car!” T. J. announced angrily. “I thought you would take good care of it, but I was wrong!”

What does "rescind" mean in this context?

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 _______________.

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.

What does "heinous" mean in this context?

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!

A "linchpin" is a...

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.

What does "fortify" mean in this context?

David hoped that nobody would know that he was in the building. Didn’t he realize that parking his new car in the driveway made his presence rather conspicuous?

If something is "conspicuous," it is __________.