Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 30 - Day 4

Word List
  • wheedle [hwē´ dl]
    coax, persuade, cajole*
    → “The first step of a politician is to wheedle the editorial backing of a newspaper.” Frederick Nebel, A Free Press
  • rustic [rus´ tik]
    countrified, unpolished
    → “This week a rustic setting in the Berkshire Hills was a gathering place for a group that is dedicated to preserving the Yiddish language.” Tina Rosenberg, “Living an American Life in Yiddish,” New York Times, 9/3/99
  • jubilant [jü´ bə lənt]
    joyful, in high spirits
    → “When he finally reached Boston, he received a jubilant welcome.” Keith Ayling, “Race Around the World”
  • decorum [di kôr´ əm]
    politeness, correct behavior
    → “My father’s sense of decorum was shattered by his son’s bad behavior in the restaurant.” Peter Balakian, Black Dog of Fate
  • charlatan [shär´ lə tən]
    pretender, fraud
    → “Many of my friends believe in fortune tellers; I think they are charlatans.” Letter to “Dear Abby,” New York Daily News, 5/16/99

Many incidents that took place aboard his ship are re-told by Twain. One has to do with a wealthy cattle man who was approached by three gamblers. The cattle farmer had let it be known that he had a great deal of money, and the gamblers were trying to wheedle him into a card game. He protested that he knew nothing about cards. His rustic appearance confirmed that fact. On the last night before landing the three gamblers got him drunk. When the first hand was dealt, a jubilant expression came over his face. The betting became furious. All of the proper decorum was put aside, and ten thousand dollars soon lay on the table. With the last wager one of the gamblers showed a hand of four kings. His partner was to have dealt the sucker a hand of four queens. At this point the victim, the charlatan, removed the veneer* of respectability, and showed a hand of four aces! One of the three professional gamblers was a clandestine* confederate of the “rich cattle farmer.” They had been planning this duplicity* for many weeks.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

  1. The child tried to __________ from her mother the place where the cookies had been cached.*
  2. They could discern* that the faith healer was a __________ .
  3. The __________ life is supposed to be a tranquil* one.
  4. Repress* your uncouth manners and act with __________ at the party.
  5. We were __________ when our indolent* cousin got a job.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

  1. a. coax, persuade, cajole*
  2. b. joyful, in high spirits
  3. c. politeness, correct behavior
  4. d. pretender, fraud
  5. e. countrified, unpolished
  1. wheedle __________
  2. rustic __________
  3. jubilant __________
  4. decorum __________
  5. charlatan __________

Answer Key
Achilles heel—weak spot
He wanted to lead an ascetic* life, but his obsession with liquor was his Achilles heel.

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