Question

choosing the right word
select the boldface word that better completes each sentence.
you might refer to the passage on pages 88 - 89 to see how most
of these words are used in context.

1. to say that the u.s. constitution is one of the greatest

documents of all time does not mean that it is entirely
without (momentum, flaws).

1. romeo and juliet opens with members of the rival

ouses of montague and capulet (brawling,
perjuring) in the streets of verona.

1. she may have given wrong information in court, but

ns was an honest mistake and certainly does not
make her guilty of (perjury, wrath).

1. how can you expect the court to excuse your repeated

and (flagrant, vigilant) violations of the traffic laws?

1. though i hadnt expected to be treated quite so

unkindly by the audience, i didnt become (flustered,
nurtured) or lose my professional cool.

1. as support for our candidate continued to gain (momentum, salvo), it soon

became clear that she would win the election by a landslide.

1. nowadays (domestics, fledglings) are seen more often in old books and movies

than in real life.

1. no parent can ever be (vigilant, amiss) enough to prevent a small child from

taking many a painful tumble.

1. under the american system of justice, any person accused of a crime is

(presumed, flawed) to be innocent until proven guilty.

1. i am disturbed by the (momentum, paradox) of impoverished people in the

richest land on earth.

1. because there had been no (prior, proficient) notice of the scholarship

competition, we had practically no time to prepare for it.

1. \something is (foremost, amiss) in this room,\ said the detective, peering over

the back of the sofa, \and i intend to discover what it is.\

1. abraham lincoln had very little formal schooling, but his mind was (nurtured,

flawed) by such great literary works as the bible and the plays of shakespeare.

1. it was an error only a (flaw, fledgling), not a more experienced officer, could

have committed.

1. i can forgive an honest mistake, but i (presume, detest) any attempt to cover up

errors by lying.

Explanation:

1. "Flaws" means imperfections. Saying the U.S. Constitution is great doesn't mean it has no imperfections.
2. "Brawling" means fighting. In Romeo and Juliet, the Montague and Capulet members fight in the streets.
3. "Perjury" is lying under oath. If it was an honest mistake, she isn't guilty of perjury.
4. "Flagrant" means obvious and offensive. Repeated and obvious traffic law violations are hard to excuse.
5. "Flustered" means confused or upset. Not being treated kindly but not getting flustered.
6. "Momentum" means increasing force. Support gaining momentum leads to a landslide win.
7. "Domestics" (in the old - fashioned sense of household servants) are more common in old books/movies. "Fledglings" are young birds or beginners.
8. "Vigilant" means watchful. Parents need to be watchful to prevent children's falls.
9. "Presumed" means assumed. In American justice, accused are presumed innocent.
10. "Paradox" is a contradiction. Poor people in the richest land is a paradox.
11. "Prior" means before. No prior notice means no time to prepare.
12. "Amiss" means wrong. The detective senses something wrong.
13. "Nurtured" means developed. Lincoln's mind was developed by great works.
14. "Fledgling" (beginner). An error a beginner, not an experienced officer, would make.
15. "Detest" means hate. Forgive honest mistakes but hate covering up with lies.

Answer:

1. flaws
2. brawling
3. perjury
4. flagrant
5. flustered
6. momentum
7. domestics
8. vigilant
9. presumed
10. paradox
11. prior
12. amiss
13. nurtured
14. fledgling
15. detest