Vocabulary Workshop Level D - Unit 1: Choosing the Right Word

The dean __________ the members of the team for neglecting their homework assignments.

Admonished

Even her refusal to dance with him did not seem to make a __________ in his gigantic conceit.

Breach

The robber barons were a group of nineteenth-century captains of industry who amassed wealth by means that a __________ might use.

Brigand

To ensure they are not resented, the most powerful nations in the world must be extremely __________ in their foreign policy.

Circumspect

Instead of trying to __________ the support of the student body, we must earn it by showing our sincerity and ability.

Commandeer

The organization of some government agencies is so __________ that it is all but impossible to know who is responsible for various activities.

Cumbersome

My mother broke the __________ in the quarrel between my brother and me by saying that neither of us could use the car.

Deadlock

After we agreed on the lineup of songs, we then __________ over the choice of name for our band.

Deadlocked

After the fire, investigators searched through the __________ for clues that might reveal the cause.

Debris

Although he was the world's expert on the subject, his lectures were so __________ that even his greatest fans grew bored.

Diffuse

Like the rings a pebble makes when tossed in a pool of water, the good feelings generated by the speech __________ through the crowd.

Diffused

The nation was faced with a __________ in which either to advance or to retreat might endanger its vital interests.

Dilemma

If only I could __________ the memory of the look of shock and disappointment on my mother's face!

Efface

In spite of the weeks of practice, he made a __________ of his performance.

Muddle

Our city government seems to have __________ into a first-rate financial crisis.

Muddled

Since she is so convinced that there is only one right way—her way—I find her too __________ for my liking.

Opinionated

Developing nations in all parts of the world face the __________ problem of gaining a higher level of economic growth.

Perennial

When his precious collection of __________ was torn up and trampled, the gardener was first heartbroken, then angry.

Perennials.

How can you expect to succeed at your new job when you are _________ to believe that it is "not right" for you?

Predisposed

The senator refused to __________ the floor to any other speaker before he had finished his statement.

Relinquish

In general, she is a confident person, so I'm sure she will be able to __________ a few shreds of self-respect from her humiliating failure.

Salvage

His attempts to rid of his administration of inefficiency were so __________ that he came to be called the "reformer by fits and starts."

Spasmodic

The evidence intended to show that some races or nationalities are superior to others proved to be completely __________.

Spurious

When we discovered that she had never completed college, we knew that her claims of having once been a lawyer were __________.

Spurious

An economy in which the marketplace is considered "open" is one in which competition is more or less __________.

Unbridled