Unit 7 Choosing the right word

jaunty

The captain was deeply worried, even though he tried hard to appear confident and (haggard, jaunty) to the passengers.

attributed

The general (belittled, attributed) our failure to win the battle to a lack of sufficient forces rather than to a lack of courage.

wavered

The immigrants never (excised, wavered) in their determination to become American citizens.

excise

"If we are to keep the body politic healthy," the senator remarked, "we must (excise, attribute) the cancer of racial prejudice from it."

haggard

After waiting for news of her loved ones for several days, the woman looked careworn and (haggard, menial).

stance

Americans expect candidates to take a definite (stance, parry) on each of the important issues in a national election.

wallow

Did you know that pigs can't pant, so they (ravage, wallow) in mud to keep their bodies cool on hot summer days.

exotic

During our trip to China, we sampled such ( predatory, exotic) dishes as thousand-year-old eggs and bird's nest soup.

unassuming

Even after pitching two no-hit games this season, Stan was the same quiet and (exotic, unassuming) boy we had always known.

ravages

For many years the towns and villages along the Normandy coast of France showed the (ravages, doctrines) of the great invasion of 1944.

acme

He hoped that election to the presidency would be the (acme, juncture) of his long and brilliant career in public service.

convey

He is so conceited that it is hard to (convey, wallow) to him the simple idea that he did not win the essay competition.

turncoats

History teaches us that in any great conflict, there will be some (turncoats, menials) willing to go over to the enemy.

belittling

I am thoroughly disgusted by people who try to make themselves seem more important than they really are by (belittling, conveying) others.

parried

Instead of answering my question, the skillful debater (parried, ravaged) by asking a question of her own.

attributed

My doctor ( attributed, parried) my dizziness and vertigo to an inner ear infection.

exotic

My mother's dream vacation is to spend several weeks on an (exotic, menial) island in the South Pacific.

menial

No matter how (menial, tawdry) the assignment may be, take pride in your work, and do your best.

predatory

One must be careful these days, as (excise, predatory)phone calls from dishonest companies are on the rise.

doctrine

Our system of justice is based on the (acme, doctrine) that defendants are presumed innocent unless the prosecution can prove them guilty.

wallow

So long as you continue to (waver, wallow) in self-pity, you will lack the strength needed to solve your problems.

predatory

Thieves are essentially a (predatory, jaunty) class of criminals because they live off what they can take from others.

tawdry

We were infuriated by the (unassuming, tawdry) speech in which he tried to portray himself as a great national leader.

juncture

When I arrived at the critical (stance, juncture) in my career, I realized that my whole future would depend on the decision I was about to make.

waver

When asked about your commitment to your values, do not (waver, convey), but stand firm in your beliefs.