Question

1. a sitting president can ___________________ a measure passed by a majority of congress, but lawmakers can overrule his decision.
2. since the defendant was never given a chance to prove his innocence, his so - called \trial\ was nothing more than a _________________.
3. i know what it is that i have to do, and you may be certain that i will not _______________ my duty.
4. it is a curious fact of nature that most ________________ are unable to survive when they are separated from the organisms they feed on.
5. the practice session was so ________________ that we scarcely had the strength to get to the dressing room and take our showers.
6. ever since the new tax laws went into effect, there has been speculation as to who the real _______________ of the changes will be.
7. all the members of that family are such _______________ people that we are always completely at ease whenever we visit them.
8. the _______________ of food produced each year in the united states is desperately needed to feed hungry people all over the world.
9. many people both here and abroad seem to have a _______________ fascination with the tragic fate of the russian royal family.
10. it is hard to believe that a teenager so courageous and able on a camping trip can show so much _______________ when invited to a dance.

Explanation:

This is a vocabulary fill - in - the - blank exercise. To solve it, we need to consider the context of each sentence and choose appropriate words. For example, in sentence 1, the context is about a president's power over a measure passed by Congress. The word "veto" is appropriate as a president can veto a bill passed by Congress, and Congress can override the veto. In sentence 2, since the defendant had no chance to prove innocence, the "trial" was a "farce" (a mockery of a trial). In sentence 3, the context is about not neglecting one's duty, so "shirk" (avoid or neglect) fits. In sentence 4, organisms that feed on others and can't survive without them are likely "parasites". In sentence 5, a practice session that leaves people with little strength is "grueling" (extremely tiring). In sentence 6, with new tax laws, people speculate about the "beneficiaries" (those who benefit) of the changes. In sentence 7, people who make others feel at ease are "hospitable" (friendly and welcoming). In sentence 8, the "surplus" (excess amount) of food produced in the US is needed to feed the hungry. In sentence 9, a "morbid" (unhealthy or obsessive) fascination with a tragic fate makes sense. In sentence 10, a teenager who is courageous in camping but shows "timidity" (shyness or fear) at a dance shows a contrast.

Answer:

1. veto
2. farce
3. shirk
4. parasites
5. grueling
6. beneficiaries
7. hospitable
8. surplus
9. morbid
10. timidity