Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 9 - Day 1

Word List
  • impresario [im´ prə sär´ ē ō]
    one who presents cultural series, organizer
    → “He was an egregious impresario of letters who kept a squad of writers churning out copy marketed under his signature.” C. J. Rolo, No Business Like Show Business [adapted]
  • extortion [ek stôr´ shən]
    getting money by threats
    → “To the prince who goes forth with his army, supporting it by pillage and extortion, this open-handedness is necessary.” Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince
  • adverse [ad´ vėrs]
    unfavorable, harmful
    → “Illogical as it may seem, adverse criticism can be very rewarding.” S. Andhil Fineberg, “Deflating the Professional Bigot”
  • asset [as´ et]
    a valuable thing to have
    → “Berkshire Hathaway is a diversified holding company with assets in manufacturing, insurance, aircraft safety training, etc.” “Warren Buffet’s Fabulous Fund,” Mutual Funds Magazine, 6/99
  • bigot [big´ ət]
    a narrow-minded, prejudiced person
    → “For only by claiming the limelight can the bigot draw followers and an income.” S. Andhil Fineberg, “Deflating the Professional Bigot”

P. T. Barnum, the great circus impresario, was once accosted* by a woman who showed him a scurrilous* manuscript about himself, and said that unless he paid her, she would have the book printed. Barnum rejected the extortion attempt. “Say what you please,” he replied, “but make sure that you mention me in some way. Then come to me and I will estimate the value of your services as a publicity agent.” Barnum obviously felt that adverse criticism was an asset for a public figure. A man who seeks the limelight should not care what is written about him but should be concerned only when they stop writing about him. Barnum’s philosophy suggests that we might do well to review the plethora* of publicity given to rabble-rousers and bigots.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

  1. When the business manager was accused of ________________ , his colleagues sought to oust* him from the firm.
  2. The eminent* ________________ brought many cultural spectacles to our shores.
  3. Attacked by the irate* crowd, the ________________ asked the police for sanctuary.*
  4. President Obama found that texting was an ________________ to his communication skills.
  5. It was excruciatingly* painful for the actors to read the ________________ reviews that their performances had received.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

  1. a. a narrow-minded, prejudiced person
  2. b. unfavorable, harmful
  3. c. one who presents cultural series, organizer
  4. d. a valuable thing to have
  5. e. getting money by threats
  1. impresario __________
  2. extortion __________
  3. adverse __________
  4. asset __________
  5. bigot __________

Answer Key
to spill the beans—to give away a secret
Although he was naturally reticent,* when the felon* was intimidated* by the members of the rival gang, he spilled the beans.

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