Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 43 - Day 2

Word List
  • cynic [sin´ ik]
    pessimist, skeptic
    → “A cynical view of phone calls or mail offering free merchandise or membership is the safest approach.” Newsweek, 6/7/98
  • unctuous [ungk´ chů əs]
    affectedly emotional
    → “Today’s car salesmen are a far cry from the high-pressured and unctuous ones of the past.” Car and Travel, 9/99
  • benevolent [bə nev´ ə lənt]
    kindly, charitable
    → “My relationship to this land is purely spiritual: It’s a place of absolute silence, absolute benevolence.” Stephen Trimble, Wilderness
  • subservient [səb sėr´ vē ənt]
    servile, obsequious*
    → “From the earliest times, including the Bible, women have been counseled to be subservient to men.” Barbara G. Walker, The Women’s Encyclopedia
  • iniquity [in ik´ wə tē]
    injustice, wickedness
    → “I lack iniquity Sometime to do me service.” William Shakespeare, Othello

The obstacles that frustrate* the physically handicapped person who is seeking employment may turn him into a cynic. Too often a prospective employer, with a rather unctuous manner, actually tends to degrade* the handicapped by proffering* employment that is really beneath them and their abilities. The employer appears to be acting in a benevolent manner, but this attitude shows no compassion,* for he really expects the person seeking the job to remain subservient. This iniquity cannot but give the handicapped a feeling that they are being discriminated against. He does not expect a sinecure,* but he has an aversion* to the prevalent* belief that he should consider himself lucky to find any employment.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

  1. We had to wince* as we watched the newcomer try to wheedle* and ingratiate* himself into the teacher’s favor in the most __________ manner.
  2. It is easy to become a __________ when the same adults who inveigh* most vehemently* against the uncouth actions that they say permeate* our youth drink to satiety* and behave fatuously.*
  3. We all have moments when we vacillate* between selfish and __________ desires.
  4. While his demeanor* remained imperturbable,* there was latent* anger at the ignominious* and __________ role he had to play.
  5. Those who are complacent* about any __________ in our society should be wary* of the unsavory* consequences for all.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

  1. a. servile, obsequious*
  2. b. pessimist, skeptic
  3. c. affectedly emotional
  4. d. kindly, charitable
  5. e. injustice, wickedness
  1. cynic __________
  2. unctuous __________
  3. benevolent __________
  4. subservient __________
  5. iniquity __________

Answer Key
to lay one’s cards on the table—to talk frankly
He knew he was out of his depth* so he laid his cards on the table and asked for assistance.

Favorite Books
Table of Contents