Vocabulary Puzzles The Fun Way to Ace Standardized Tests

Part 1 


Learning Definitions and Using Words in Context
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Step 2: Matching Columns
Work as long as necessary on these matching columns. Try to match every word with its
definition. If you read carefully the sentences in which the words appear, you will in most
cases be able to figure out the meaning of the words. Work diligently at figuring them out;
it is a wonderful way to learn vocabulary. If there are words you cannot match, use the
flashcards at the back of the book to complete this section. When you have finished, read
through the matching columns four times. Each time you read the definition try to use the
word in a new sentence. Slow down when you come to the word you’re studying and write
it. In this exercise, there’s no need to write out the entire sentence or even the phrase in
which it appears, unless you think that would help you remember the word.
DEFINITION
SAMPLE SENTENCE
_____ quality of being brief and to 
A.) Even without radar, a police car parked 
the point
at the side of the road can DETER
speeders.
_____ discourage from acting
B.) When you have only a few minutes to
tell a story, BREVITY is necessary.
_____ indifferent; uncaring; 
C.) She FREQUENTs antique shops in 
thoughtless
order to add to her collection.
_____ tongue-in-cheek; joking
D.) Jokes tend to become BANAL once
you’ve heard them a few times.
_____ approach or greet aggressively
E.) The thief finally revealed where he had
hidden his CACHE of stolen goods.
_____ visit often
F.) The player’s CAVALIER attitude about
missing practice got him kicked off the
team.
_____ dull, especially due to over-
G.) He was always being FACETIOUS, so 
familiarity
when he was finally serious no one
believed him.
_____ insulting
H.) Since he knew nothing about carpentry,
his attempts to fix the deck were
FUTILE.
_____ useless; producing no result
I.) When he began making 
DEROGATORY remarks about how
she hung the curtains, she finally told
him to hang them himself.
_____ stockpile or hiding place
J.) The instant I walked into the store I was
ACCOSTed by a salesman.
Vocabulary Puzzles
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