Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 6 - Day 1

Word List
  • affluent [af´ lü ənt]
    rich
    → “You are affluent when you buy what you want, do what you wish and don’t give a thought to what it costs.” J. P. Morgan, quoted in Crown Treasury of Relevant Quotations
  • feasible [fē´ zə bəl]
    possible
    → “Everyone who has looked at the smart guns said there is no quick, feasible way of doing this.” Leslie Wayne, “Smart Guns,” New York Times, 6/15/99
  • discern [də zėrn´ or də sėrn´]
    perceive
    → “He could not see that the Justice’s face was kindly nor discern that his voice was troubled.” William Faulkner, “Barn Burning”
  • sally [sal´ ē]
    suddenly rush forth
    → “The next morning we decided to sally forth to try to find a site for our new home.” Stephen Leacock, “How My Wife and I Built Our Home for $4.90”
  • consternation [kon´ stər nā´ shən]
    dismay
    → “Father and son stared at each other in consternation and neither knew what to do.” Pearl Buck, The Good Earth

Our neighbor is an affluent inventor whose latest brainstorm, a feasible umbrella substitute, has been featured in many magazines. As simply as the eye can discern, it is a hard plastic strip, about the size of a ruler, which fits comfortably into a woman’s handbag or a man’s suit jacket. If a person is caught in a sudden rainstorm, he swings the plastic open in the shape of a cross. Attached to each arm is a clip-like device. Next, he takes the newspaper he is carrying and slides it under each of the four clips. Now, equipped with a rigid head covering he can sally forth to face the elements. To the consternation of the umbrella manufacturers, it has been enjoying a brisk sale, especially among commuters. If it continues to do well, it could have a pernicious* effect upon the umbrella industry.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

  1. Some prisoners planned a disturbance while others would __________ toward the gate.
  2. Under duress* from the tax officer, the beggar admitted that he was truly __________ .
  3. To the __________ of the sergeant, there was a paucity* of volunteers for the dangerous mission.
  4. It’s __________ to build an electric auto, but wouldn’t you need a terribly long extension cord?
  5. When we could __________ the city lights, we knew we were safe at last.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

  1. a. suddenly rush forth
  2. b. possible
  3. c. dismay
  4. d. rich
  5. e. perceive*
  1. affluent __________
  2. feasible __________
  3. discern __________
  4. sally (v.) __________
  5. consternation __________

Answer Key
I’m from Missouri—a skeptic, one who is not easily convinced
You might swallow his promises, but I’m from Missouri.

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