Question

set b
choosing the right word
select the boldface word that better completes each sentence. you might refer to the passage on pages 12 - 13 to see how most of these words are used in context. note that the choices might be related forms of the unit words.

1. under the articles of confederation, the thirteen states (hovered, wrangled) so much that the nation seemed to be in danger of breaking up.
2. after i had broken curfew for the third time in one week, my angry parents (precluded, decreed) that i was grounded for the rest of the term.
3. a president needs advisors who will frankly explain what they really think, rather than just offer (servile, discordant) agreement and constant approval.
4. for weeks, an anxious world (wrangled, hovered) between war and peace as diplomats desperately struggled to resolve the crisis.
5. i have always regarded our colleges and universities as (citadels, decrees) of learning and bastions against ignorance and superstition.
6. the committee found it impossible to reach any agreement on the matter because the views of its members were so (servile, discordant).
7. the little club that they set up to talk over community problems (evolved, precluded) over the years into a national political organization.
8. i hate when people (hover, wrangle) over me when im on my computer.
9. as we searched through the (rubble, citadel) after the earthquake, it was heartbreaking to find such articles as a teakettle and a childs doll.
10. every time he quotes an old (rubble, adage), he looks as though he has just had a brilliant new idea.
11. the fact that he was found guilty of a felony many years ago doesnt (evolve, preclude) his running for mayor.
12. after much (wrangling, precluding), the student council was able to convince the principal to give students more passing time between classes.

Explanation:

1. "wrangled" means to argue or dispute noisily, which fits the context of states having disputes.
2. "decreed" means to order or command authoritatively, which is appropriate for parents' decision.
3. "servile" means excessively submissive, and a president needs non - servile advisors.
4. "hovered" means to remain in an uncertain state, which describes the world's state between war and peace.
5. "citadels" are fortified places or strongholds, fitting for colleges and universities as strongholds of learning.
6. "discordant" means disagreeing or inconsistent, which explains the committee's inability to reach an agreement.
7. "evolved" means to develop gradually, which describes the club's development into a national political organization.
8. "hover" means to remain close by without leaving, which is what people do when they hover over someone on a computer.
9. "rubble" is the remains of buildings or walls after destruction, which is what is searched through after an earthquake.
10. "adage" is a proverb or saying, which is what is quoted.
11. "preclude" means to prevent from happening, and a past felony may not prevent running for mayor.
12. "wrangling" means long - drawn - out arguing, which is what the student council did to convince the principal.

Answer:

1. wrangled
2. decreed
3. servile
4. hovered
5. citadels
6. discordant
7. evolved
8. hover
9. rubble
10. adage
11. preclude
12. wrangling