Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 25 - Day 2

Word List
  • obliterate [ə blit´ ə rāt]
    erase, wipe out
    → “They went out to survey the land for a possible railroad, but met with Indians on the warpath and were obliterated.” Freeman Tilden, The National Parks [adapted]
  • deplorable [di plôr´ ə bəl]
    sad, pitiable
    → “The troops were amazed at the deplorable conditions in the refugee camp.” Newsweek, 5/12/97
  • initiate [i nish´ ē āt]
    start, set going
    → “The Russian army seems ready to initiate a new offensive against the defenders of the capital of Chechnya.” New York Post, 1/10/00
  • conflagration [kon´ flə grā´ shən]
    great fire
    → “Did the firing of incendiary tear gas canisters cause or contribute to the conflagration?” New York Times, 9/3/99
  • rue [rü]
    regret
    → “When they make a mistake they will rue it.” Randi Feigenbaum, “Realtors’ Deal Irks Lawyers,” Newsday, 9/3/99

Man’s ability to obliterate life on this planet has increased at a rapid rate. We are now faced with the deplorable prospect of new weapons that can cause destruction of life and property on a scale far beyond our imagination. No matter who takes the first step to initiate a conflict, the possibility exists that the conflagration will spread and envelop the world. Much thought has been given to ways and means of preventing this catastrophe.* Some consider it mandatory* that the nuclear powers seek agreement on methods of limiting and controlling these weapons, for in the absence of such an agreement, we may rue the day atomic energy was made practical.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

  1. Who could imagine a more bizarre* story than the one having to do with a cow causing the __________ in Chicago?
  2. No matter how one tries to delete material from a computer, it is almost impossible to __________ it.
  3. You will __________ that display of histrionics* when I asked you to help.
  4. She could not imagine how she was going to get him to __________ a conversation about marriage.
  5. The hometown fans thought the umpire’s decision was __________.

Definitions Let’s put the new words together with their meanings.

  1. a. regret
  2. b. sad, pitiable
  3. c. erase, wipe out
  4. d. start, set going
  5. e. great fire
  1. obliterate __________
  2. deplorable __________
  3. initiate __________
  4. conflagration __________
  5. rue __________

Answer Key
blow hot and cold—swing for and against something
I told Charlie to give up his summer job and come cross-country biking with us. He’s blowing hot and cold on the deal at this point.

Favorite Books
Table of Contents