Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 43 - Day 1

Word List
  • roster [ros´ tər]
    a list of names
    → “The roster of stars for our gala celebration includes Cher, Meatloaf, and Lyle Lovett.” Las Vegas hotel ad
  • stunted [stunt´ id]
    checked in natural growth, held back in growth
    → “Their physical and mental development became stunted during childhood.” Roger Pineles, Shame of the Cities
  • atrophy [at´ rə fē]
    waste away
    → “Some people thought that too much reading would atrophy a girl’s brain forever.” Ann McGovern, The Secret Soldier
  • maim [mām]
    disable, cripple
    → “Films in which characters are maimed or destroyed seem to be most popular with today’s youngsters.” Harold Owen, Jr., “The Motion Picture”
  • ameliorate [ə mē´ lyə rāt]
    improve, relieve
    → “Our aim should be to ameliorate human affairs.” John Stuart Mill

If one were to look at the roster of physical handicaps, one would reach the somber* conclusion that the list is a long one. Included would be stunted development of an arm or leg due to a birth anomaly.* Others would be the result of a crippling disease that has caused muscles to atrophy. The list would go on with illnesses and injuries that maim and debilitate.* Modern medicine has done much to ameliorate the physical problems. However, there are an inordinate* number of problems of the handicapped that have still to be alleviated.* People are not naturally callous,* but in some perverse* way they have the propensity* to repress* any concern with the physically handicapped. The social problems seem to be inherent* in our own attitudes.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

  1. If you heap opprobrium* on an impious* child, it probably will not __________ the conditions that led to the rebelliousness.
  2. The coach knew he would have to add experienced players to the __________ to compensate* for the spate* of freshmen on the team.
  3. There seems to be voluminous* evidence that the mother’s smoking will __________ the baby’s growth.
  4. The prodigy* allowed his musical talent to __________ as he redirected his career.
  5. When it seemed that Reggie would __________ his opponent, we broke up the fight.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

  1. a. checked in natural growth, held back in growth
  2. b. waste away
  3. c. a list of names
  4. d. improve, relieve
  5. e. disable, cripple
  1. roster __________
  2. stunted __________
  3. atrophy __________
  4. maim __________
  5. ameliorate __________

Answer Key
to burn the midnight oil—to study or work until very late
The radio was such an enigma* that he had to burn the midnight oil* for several nights in order to get it working.

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