Vocabulary Puzzles The Fun Way to Ace Standardized Tests

DEFINITION
SAMPLE SENTENCE
_____ long, angry speech
A.) My boss never treated the workers 
as equals; he seemed to enjoy
PATRONIZing them instead.
_____ clear verbal exchange; witty 
B.) Since it was cold out, he opened the 
remarks
window a MINUSCULE amount to let
in some air.
_____ given to playful humor
C.) He was brought to the emergency room
suffering severe TRAUMA from the
auto accident.
_____ avoid a responsibility
D.) The FBI tried to thwart his 
NEFARIOUS plan to blow up the
building.
_____ tiny
E.) If you SHIRK your homework, you
won’t get good grades.
_____ shock from a serious injury
F.) The comedian came out on top in his
REPARTEE with the heckler.
_____ talk down to; treat as an 
G.) Instead of discussing his own ideas, the 
inferior
politician launched into a TIRADE
about his opponent’s platform.
_____ help; aid
H.) We hang ORNAMENTAL lights on
our Christmas tree each year.
_____ decorative
I.) The community required SUCCOR
from the government after the 
tornado hit.
_____ extremely wicked or villainous
J.) Though her political cartoons were
focused on the issues, they were often
WHIMSICAL as well.
45
Part 1 


Learning Definitions and Using Words in Context
04_135105 pt01.qxp 7/13/07 7:10 PM Page 45

---

Step 3: Write Sentences
For each word write two sentences that indicate you know the meaning of the word. Then
read aloud quickly three times each set of sentences that came to you. If you hesitated
before coming up with the sentences or had to look up a word, say each of those sen-
tences six times and write the vocabulary word you are studying at least three times. You
can write them anywhere—on the lines after the sentences, in the margin, or on a piece of
paper—as long as you write them.
Word:
ABSTINENCE
Sentence 1: