Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 15 - Day 4

Word List
  • paragon [par´ ə gon]
    model of excellence
    → “An angel! or, if not An earthly paragon!” William Shakespeare, Cymbeline
  • nomadic [nō mad´ ik]
    wandering
    → “After buying the big trailer, they spent a nomadic year visiting national parks out west.” “On the Road Again,” Travel Ideas International
  • asperity [a sper´ ə tē]
    harshness of temper
    → “The path of beauty is not soft and smooth, but full of harshness and asperity.” Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life
  • epithet [ep´ ə thet]
    descriptive name
    → “Four scowling men sat in the dinghy and surpassed records in the invention of epithets.” Stephen Crane, “The Open Boat”
  • controversial [kon´ trə ver´]
    debatable
    → “His three-year tenure was controversial and contained charges of racism.” Monte Williams, “Roosevelt Island Chief,” New York Times, 6/10/99

After Danny Escobedo’s release from prison, hundreds of inmates began suits for their freedom on the grounds that their rights had been violated, too. Each case was heard on its merits, and in numerous instances people who had been convicted of serious offenses were freed because of the new standards established in the Escobedo case. After getting out, Danny was not a paragon of virtue, according to the police. He led a nomadic existence, drifting from job to job, and was arrested frequently. With asperity, and a few choice epithets, Danny referred to police harassment.* Although the Escobedo case was a controversial one, most agree that it inspired better police training, better law enforcement procedures, and improved scientific crime detection.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

  1. In the desert, __________ tribes wander back and forth, enduring much privation.*
  2. The town planners looked upon their utopia* as a __________ for other communities.
  3. Some school principals attempt to repress* the publication of __________ editorials.
  4. We were amazed at the display of __________ from our normally phlegmatic* neighbor.
  5. A bitter quarrel was precipitated* when both politicians hurled vile __________ at each other.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

  1. a. harshness of temper
  2. b. model of excellence
  3. c. wandering
  4. d. debatable
  5. e. descriptive name
  1. paragon __________
  2. nomadic __________
  3. asperity __________
  4. epithet __________
  5. controversial __________

Answer Key
the grapevine—a secret means of spreading information
The grapevine has it that Ernie will be elected president of the school’s student council.

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