Vocabulary Puzzles The Fun Way to Ace Standardized Tests

DEFINITION
SAMPLE SENTENCE
_____ incisive; sharp; biting
A.) We tried to convince him not to buy 
the unreliable used car, but he was too
OBDURATE to listen.
_____ delay in impending 
B.) The sharp edge of the paper caused a 
punishment
LACERATION to her finger.
_____ give the privileges of
C.) The symphony ended with a dramatic 
citizenship, particularly the 
CODA.
right to vote
_____ mold or shape to fit a 
D.) He always started his speeches by telling 
specific form
TRITE old jokes.
_____ artificially showy or 
E.) Author Oscar Wilde was known for his 
important; pompous
TRENCHANT wit.
_____ happening every two years
F.) The suffrage movement in American
resulted in women becoming
ENFRANCHISEd.
_____ stubborn; unyielding
G.) Automobile seats are CONTOURed for
passenger comfort.
_____ felt through the imagined 
H.) The candidate’s GRANDIOSE speech 
participation in someone 
offered empty solutions for the nation’s 
else’s experience
problems.
_____ rough; jagged tear
I.) Many sports fans get VICARIOUS 
satisfaction from watching their heroes
perform.
_____ closing musical passage
J.) The prisoner got a REPRIEVE when
new evidence was presented in his case.
_____ stale; lacking freshness or 
K.) The Olympic games are a BIENNIAL 
originality
event.
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Part 1 


Learning Definitions and Using Words in Context
04_135105 pt01.qxp 7/13/07 7:10 PM Page 177

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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:
BIENNIAL
Sentence 1: