Exercise 1

In the following exercise, do NOT try to learn the italicized words. Concentrate on developing your ability to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues. Read each sentence carefully, and write a definition, synonym, or description of the italicized word on the line provided.

Note: the italicized words are between //

1. ________ We watched as the cat came quietly through the grass toward the bird. When it was just a few feet from the victim, it gathered its legs under itself, and /pounced/.


2._______ Some people have no difficulty making the necessary changes in their way of life when they move to a foreign country; others are not able to /adapt/ as easily to a new environment.

3. _______ In spite of the fact that the beautiful /egret/ is in danger of dying out completely, many clothing manufacturers still offer handsome prices for their long, elegant tail feathers, which are used as decorations on ladies' hats.

4.________ When he learned that the club was planning to admit women, the colonel began to /inveigh against/ all forms of liberalism; his shouting attack began with universal voting and ended with a protest against divorce.

5.__________ The snake /slithered/ through the grass.


6. __________ The man thought that the children were defenseless, so he walked boldly up to the oldest and demanded money. Imagine his surprise when they began to /pelt/ him with rocks.