Unit 6 Completing the Sentence

At the slightest sound of thunder, my dog Rover dives under the bed in a state of _______ terror.

abject

Since he neither affirms no denies the existence of God, I'd classify him as a(n) _____ rather than an atheist.

agnostic

Those who saw the young woman being assaulted and did nothing to help her were guilty of ______ in the crime

complicity

I would be _________ in my duty to you if I did not warn you against the pernicious effects of smoking cigarettes.

derelict

Every time we did something to anger him, he delivered an intemperate _______ lambasting our "hopeless irresponsibility.

diatribe

The overthrown dictator was hanged in _______ before a vast throng in the town square.

effigy

"Simple _______ demands that we distribute the tax burden as fairly as possible among the populace, " the senator remarked.

equity

It was such a(n) _____ remark that I couldn't keep myself from laughing derisively when I heard it.

inane

The fact that so many released prisoners return to a life of crime is in itself a terrifying _______ of our penal system.

indictment

Though some writers have emphasized Jefferson's human weakness, his greatness is also a(n) _________ part of the historical record.

indubitable

For years, we carried on a(n) _________ correspondence, sometimes allowing months to pass before a letter was answered.

intermittent

How can you call that a(n) ______ question when it is quite clearly a simple matter of right and wrong?

moot

In Wagner's operas, a brief musical ______ associated with the characters of their actions recur again and again.

motifs

How could a mere _______ in the teaching profession question the judgement of so experienced an educator.

neophyte

The ________ of her analysis not only clarified the nature of the problem but also suggested its most promising solution

perspecitacity

During the emergency, the mayor assumed ______ authority and did whatever was needed to provide essential services.

plenary

Throughout the period tat the spy though he had gone undetected, he was actually under close _________ by the CIA.

surveillance

In her garland of leaves and acorns, the child looked very much like someone ________ spirit from an Arthurian myth.

sylvan

I'd say that the phrase "having a short fuse" aptly describes my boss's decidedly ________ disposition.

testy

Since the accused was never really given a chance to defend himself, his so-called trial was nothing but a(n) _________ of justice.

travesty