Question

choosing the right word select the boldface word that better completes each sentence. you might refer to the selection on pages 22 - 23 to see how most of these words are used in context. 1. in ancient egypt, (talismans, sacrileges) with the image of a scarab beetle were considered sacred and believed to have healing and protective powers. 2. the infatuated schoolboy, in one of his more restrained expressions, described himself as \a (sacrilege, suppliant) at the altar of love.\ 3. \i realize that this kind of financial (gambit, sacrilege) has its risks,\ she said, \but i expect it to pay off handsomely in the end.\ 4. \his acts of defiance have been so (myopic, overt) and premeditated that i have no choice but to fire him,\ she said sadly. 5. john masefields poem \sea - fever\ has an (avid, undulating) rhythm that actually gives one the feeling of being on a rolling ship. 6. walt tends to react slowly, but when he feels that his own interests are at stake he can move with striking (celerity, myopia). 7. although all politicians must have some ability to dramatize themselves, it is very easy to overdo the (proprieties, histrionics). 8. the adoring fan regarded my negative comments about his favorite singer as tantamount to (maelstrom, sacrilege). 9. without even considering the new evidence that i was prepared to present, they (deviously, summarily) denied my appeal to reopen the case. 10. she was buffeted about in a veritable (gambit, maelstrom) of emotions, caused mainly by her own dissatisfaction with herself. 11. he regarded his phi beta kappa key as a(n) (talisman, animadversion) that would open all doors and win him universal acceptance. 12. he is the kind of person who is concerned not with real moral values but simply with appearances and (propriety, celerity). 13. only a ripple disturbed the (halcyon, brackish) calm of the sea on that glorious summers afternoon. 14. instead of imbibing the (brackish, suppliant) waters of superstition, let us refresh ourselves with long drafts of pure, clean common sense. 15. because the word appeasement is associated with disastrous concessions to adolf hitler, it has acquired a(n) (pejorative, overt) connotation. unit 2 · 27

Explanation:

1. Talismans are objects believed to have magical powers. In ancient Egypt, scarab - beetle - imaged talismans were considered sacred and had healing and protective powers.
2. A suppliant is a person who asks humbly for something, like a schoolboy at the altar of love.
3. A gambit is a risky move in business or other fields, which fits the financial context here.
4. Overt means open and obvious, which describes pre - meditated acts of defiance.
5. An undulating rhythm gives a rolling feeling, which is appropriate for a poem about the sea.
6. Celerity means speed, which is what is described when someone moves quickly when their interests are at stake.
7. Proprieties are proper behaviors, and politicians need to be careful not to overdo them.
8. Sacrilege is an act of disrespect to something sacred, which is how a fan might view negative comments about a favorite singer.
9. Summarily means without much consideration, which fits the context of denying an appeal without considering new evidence.
10. A maelstrom is a whirlpool of emotions, which describes being buffeted by emotions.
11. A talisman is an object believed to bring good luck or open doors, like a Phi Beta Kappa key.
12. Propriety is about proper appearance and behavior, which is what the person is concerned with.
13. Halcyon means calm and peaceful, which describes the calm of the sea.
14. Brackish refers to water that is slightly salty, and is not related to common sense.
15. Pejorative means having a negative connotation, which is true of the word "appeasement" associated with Hitler.

Answer:

1. Talismans
2. Suppliant
3. Gambit
4. Overt
5. Undulating
6. Celerity
7. Proprieties
8. Sacrilege
9. Summarily
10. Maelstrom
11. Talisman
12. Propriety
13. Halcyon
14. Brackish
15. Pejorative