Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 44 - Day 1

Word List
  • nullify [nul´ ə fī]
    abolish, cancel
    → “Allowing our parks to decay is a sure way to nullify the beauty given to us by nature.” Freeman Tilden, The National Parks
  • deluge [del´ yüj]
    to flood
    → “The art exhibit brought a deluge of criticism because of its subject matter.” New York Daily News, 9/28/99
  • futility [fyü til´ ə tē]
    uselessness
    → “Resistance to changes in English language rules often ends in futility.” Bill Bryson, Mother Tongue
  • carnage [kär´ nij]
    slaughter
    → “Amid the carnage resulting from the earthquake, many acts of courage can be seen.” New York Times, 9/20/99
  • technology [tek nol´ ə jē]
    applied science
    → “Mr. Greenspan noted that ‘history is strewn’ with miscalculations about technology developments.” Richard Stevenson, “Fed Chief on New-Age Economy,” New York Times, 6/15/99

Natural disasters tend to nullify the best efforts of mankind. It is as though there are forces at work that are contemptuous* of our proud achievements. Who has not read of or seen the waters that deluge our towns and cities, jeopardizing* lives and culminating* in the destruction of the results of endless work in the space of a few moments? We are all vulnerable* to feelings of futility as we view the carnage caused to cattle from the sudden inundation.* Despite the laudable* advances made in technology,* it can be seen that we cannot yet say we have mastered our environment. Disasters of this type, leaving only pathetic* vestiges* of homes and shops, are accepted as inevitable,* and all we can do is to attempt to ameliorate* the conditions that result.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

  1. In spite of his efforts to cajole* the girl, she remained aloof,* and the __________ of his efforts made him lugubrious.*
  2. To our consternation,* modern __________ has made feasible* a spate* of lethal* devices that could lead to the inadvertent* destruction of the world.
  3. In order to __________ the height advantage of his adversary,* he abjured* smoking and did an inordinate amount of exercise until he was the acme* of litheness* and dexterity.*
  4. We found it impossible to mollify* the irate* owner of three prize cats as he viewed the __________ caused by our large dog.
  5. The office was __________ with requests for his autograph as the girls became cognizant* of his identity.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

  1. a. slaughter
  2. b. to flood
  3. c. abolish, cancel
  4. d. applied science
  5. e. uselessness
  1. nullify __________
  2. deluge (v.) __________
  3. futility __________
  4. carnage __________
  5. technology __________

Answer Key
to build upon sand—to have a poor base, or not sufficient preparation
Because they were amateurs and without money, the political campaign was built upon sand and the candidate was a flash in the pan.*

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