Question

fill in the blank with the best word from the choices below. one word will not be used.
malign negligent pejorative malinger impeccable

1. leigh explained that her remark was not meant to be _, regardless of how offensive it had sounded.
2. andys _ study skills ensured that he never missed a days homework.
3. although other writers _ craig for his strange style, he continues to write in an experimental fashion.
4. stus habitual _ exasperated his boss and cost stu his job.

fill in the blank with the best word from the choices below. one word will not be used.
negligible impair negligent peccant negate

1. studies have found that missing breakfast in the morning may _ a childs ability to pay attention in class.
2. a(n) _ camper had left a pit fire burning, and the flames soon spread to the nearby forest.
3. the nun scolded her group of children, warning them to mend their _ ways.
4. mollys mother advised her that all the regret in the world could not _ a hurtful word or deed.

exercise iii. choose the set of words that best completes the sentence.

1. the counselor says that minor flaws and _ may be considered _, but they can lead to greater problems in a marriage.

a. malaise; negligent
b. peccadilloes; negligible
c. pejoratives; impeccable
d. malaise; pejorative

1. charlie was shocked to find his _ academic record _ by a hostile professor.

a. negligent; negated
b. peccant; malingered
c. impeccable; maligned
d. negligible; impaired

Explanation:

1. "pejorative" means having negative or derogatory connotations, which fits as Leigh says her remark wasn't meant to be offensive.
2. "impeccable" means flawless or perfect, which describes Andy's study - skills that ensure he never misses homework.
3. "malign" means to speak of someone in a negative or defamatory way, which is what other writers do to Craig.
4. "malinger" means to feign illness or incapacity to avoid work, which is a habitual behavior that could cost someone their job.
5. "impair" means to weaken or damage, so missing breakfast may damage a child's ability to pay attention.
6. "negligent" means failing to take proper care, which describes the camper who left a fire burning.
7. "peccant" means guilty of a fault or sin, which fits the context of the nun scolding children.
8. "negate" means to make ineffective or nullify, so regret can't nullify a hurtful word or deed.
9. "peccadilloes" are minor faults and "negligible" means not significant, which makes sense in the context of marriage problems.
10. "impeccable" describes a perfect academic record and "malign" means to speak of it in a negative way, which is what a hostile professor does.

Answer:

1. pejorative
2. impeccable
3. malign
4. malingering
5. impair
6. negligent
7. peccant
8. negate
9. B. peccadilloes; negligible
10. C. impeccable; maligned