Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 27 - Day 1

Word List
  • pinnacle [pin´ kəl]
    summit, peak, top, crown
    → “Their little barber-shop quartet reached the pinnacle of their career with a firstplace finish on Major Bowes’ ‘Amateur Hour.’ ” David and Marge Buchanan, “No Business Like You Know What”
  • array [ə rā´]
    arrangement, system
    → “She arrayed herself in what seemed unbelievably beautiful clothes.” Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio
  • obscure [əb sky ůr´]
    unknown, lowly, unclear
    → “This book has serious purpose even if many will find that purpose obscure.” Decision of Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, 11/62
  • ardent [ärd´ nt]
    passionate, eager
    → “There is no more ardent performer than Judy Garland as she allows her emotions to shine through.” Penelope Houston, Sight and Sound, 1954
  • culminate [kul´ mə nāt]
    reach the highest point
    → “The years of physical and mental training culminated in the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.” Vim & Vigor, Summer 1998

Music reached its pinnacle in the nineteenth century. Every leading nation produced its share of great composers. There was a bewildering array of national schools and musical styles as the once obscure musician came into his own. Music became a widespread and democratic art. The ardent music lover turned to Vienna as the music center at the beginning of the nineteenth century. However, Paris was not far behind, especially in the field of operatic music. As the century progressed, the Germans became paramount* in orchestral and symphonic music. The growth of German music can be said to have culminated with Ludwig van Beethoven.

Sample Sentences Take command of the new words in these sentences.

  1. The president faced an imposing __________ of reporters.
  2. The party will __________ with the award for the most original costume.
  3. The __________ of fame and success is often a transient* stage.
  4. The __________ baseball fan went to every home game.
  5. Space telescopes are making our __________ planets ever clearer.

Definitions Match-up time for new words and definitions.

  1. a. passionate, eager
  2. b. summit, peak, top, crown
  3. c. arrangement, system
  4. d. unknown, lowly, unclear
  5. e. reach the highest point
  1. pinnacle __________
  2. array __________
  3. obscure (adj.) __________
  4. ardent __________
  5. culminate __________

Answer Key
to break the ice—to make a beginning, to overcome stiffness between strangers
All after-dinner speakers break the ice by telling a story or joke at the start of their speeches.

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