Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 4 - Day 3

Word List
  • tangible [tan´ jə bəl]
    having actual form
    → “I hated it, not because of our one overcrowded closet, but because of intrusions and discomforts of a far less tangible nature.” Mary Ellen Chase, “A Room of My Own”
  • laceration [las ə rā´ shən]
    jagged wound
    → “He pressed only the already tired horse at such speed that his spurs made lacerations in its sides, and at last the poor animal died.” Honore De Balzac, A Passion in the Desert
  • castigate [kas´ tə gāt]
    to correct by punishing
    → “Here is Holofernes commenting upon Armando, a mad wordman who castigates another while himself vocalizes into a fine frenzy.” Harold Bloom, Shakespeare
  • sordid [sôr´ did]
    dirty, base
    → “The workmen used revolting language; it was disgusting and sordid.” Katherine Mansfield, “The Garden Party”
  • octogenarian [ok´ tə jə nār´ i ən]
    person in his or her eighties
    → “Octogenarian film and stage director Elia Kazan received a mixed reception when he came up to collect his Lifetime Achievement Award.” Associated Press report, 4/7/98

The irate* 80-year-old manager pressed charges against K.O. Mullins, suing him for assault. As tangible evidence of the attack, he pointed to a deep laceration over his eyebrow that had required ten stitches. When the case was brought before the court, the judge castigated Mullins for the sordid incident. In addition to a costly financial settlement, Mullins was required to make a public apology to the octogenarian.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

  1. The medic reached into his kit to find a bandage for the ugly __________ .
  2. Mr. Dixon belittled* our request for __________ proof of his loyalty.
  3. The kindly foreman was too reticent* to openly __________ the clumsy new worker.
  4. When the teenager announced her engagement to the __________ , the public suspected it to be a publicity stunt.
  5. Stories of their __________ youth poured forth from the unhappy felons.*

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

  1. a. having actual form
  2. b. to correct by punishing
  3. c. jagged wound
  4. d. dirty, base
  5. e. person in his or her eighties
  1. tangible __________
  2. laceration __________
  3. castigate __________
  4. sordid __________
  5. octogenarian __________

Answer Key
Hobson’s choice—to have no choice at all (Mr. Hobson owned a livery stable but he did not allow the customers to pick their own horses)
Despite all the talk about democracy in my family, my father usually gives the rest of us Hobson’s choice.

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