Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 5 - Day 1

Word List
  • rampant [ram´ pənt]
    going unchecked, widespread
    → “What’s more curious about the determination to end social promotions is that the practice is far from rampant.” Romesh Ratnesar, “Held Back,” TIME, 6/14/99
  • inane [in ān´]
    foolish
    → “When left with nothing to talk about, people resort to inane remarks about the weather.” Lawrence Kaminer, “A World of Strangers”
  • ethics [eth´ iks]
    code of principles
    → “The vast majority of employees perform in a highly satisfactory manner because good work ethics exist in their kitchens.” Manual for School Food Service Managers in N.Y.C. Public Schools [adapted]
  • concur [kən kėr´]
    agree
    → “Dr. Fishbein did not concur with his colleague’s diagnosis and urged the Harper family to seek an opinion from the head of the Urology Department at Columbia Presbyterian.” “Prostate Update,” Prostate Digest, 9/99
  • clandestine [klan des´ tən]
    secret, undercover
    → “Mr. DeLay’s plan for another ‘independent’ group is nothing less than a proposal to create a clandestine and corrupt slush fund.” Editorial, New York Times, 6/1/99

During my first weeks at the new school I observed that cheating was rampant. I had always considered it rather inane to cheat on a test because of my code of ethics, and because so much was at stake. Apparently the other students didn’t concur. In fact, even the presence of a proctor did not intimidate* them. Far from being a clandestine activity, the cheating was open and obvious.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

  1. When the plague was __________ on the island, Dr. Arrowsmith’s wife died.
  2. The spies thought their meeting was a __________ one, but a throng* of F.B.I. agents gathered outside the building.
  3. A special management committee was asked to investigate business __________ .
  4. Orville Wright was criticized for his __________ desire to fly.
  5. If I can get my parents to __________, I’ll join the Peace Corps.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

  1. a. secret, undercover
  2. b. code of principles
  3. c. foolish
  4. d. agree
  5. e. going unchecked, widespread
  1. rampant __________
  2. inane __________
  3. ethics __________
  4. concur __________
  5. clandestine __________

Answer Key
stock in trade—the goods, tools, and other requisites of a profession
A quick wit and a warm smile were the salesman’s stock in trade.

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