Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 25 - Day 3

Word List
  • congenial [kən jē´ nyəl]
    sympathetic, agreeable
    → “Susan’s congenial manner made her a favorite in the rodeo.” Lacey Fosburgh, “All-Girls Rodeos,” New York Times, 8/17/99
  • hoard [hôrd]
    hide, store, accumulate
    → “Many people give freely of their affections while you hoard yours.” Joseph Conrad, Victory
  • sage [sāj]
    wise man, philosopher
    → “I am not a visionary, nor am I a sage—I claim to be a practical idealist.” Mohandas Gandhi quoted by John Gunther, Procession, 1965
  • aegis [ē´ jis]
    shield, protection, sponsorship
    → “The Federal Reserve will remain under the aegis of the veteran head who was reappointed by the President yesterday.” New York Times, 1/5/00
  • detriment [det´ rə mənt]
    injury, damage, hurt
    → “The New York City Board of Education voted not to renew the chancellor’s contract as the majority viewed him as a detriment to improvements in education.” New York Newsday, 1/4/00

The presence of an ever-flowing supply of fresh, clean water is taken for granted. Unfortunately, this congenial condition is fast disappearing. As our population increases, as industry consumes more water each year, the level of our underground water supply sinks measurably. There is no way to hoard water; there are many ways to conserve it. During a particularly dry spell, New York City found its reservoirs going dry. Only then did the residents begin to heed the sage advice to limit the wasteful uses of water. Under the aegis of the Water Commissioner, citizens were encouraged to develop habits that would save water. The continued imprudent* waste by each of us of this most basic resource will work to the detriment of all.

Sample Sentences Here’s your opportunity to use your new words.

  1. Isn’t it a pity we can’t __________ the ideal days of autumn?
  2. A man may be a __________ everywhere, but at home he’s called a “square” by his youngsters.
  3. The tree in front of my house has the dubious* honor of being the spot voted the most __________ by the dogs of the neighborhood.
  4. It was fortuitous* that at the last moment the mayor offered the __________ of his office in finding a solution to the problem.
  5. A settlement that causes __________ to neither side is imperative.*

Definitions Remember, words may have many synonyms.

  1. a. injury, damage, hurt
  2. b. sympathetic, agreeable
  3. c. shield, protection, sponsorship
  4. d. hide, store, accumulate
  5. e. wise man, philosopher
  1. congenial __________
  2. hoard (v.) __________
  3. sage __________
  4. aegis __________
  5. detriment __________

Answer Key
in the doldrums—in a bored or depressed state
Mary has been in the doldrums since her best friend moved away.

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