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
_____ ease of speaking or writing
A.) The best teachers know how to ELICIT
answers from students rather than just tell
them.
_____ pronounce clearly
B.) The teacher became annoyed when the stu-
dent acted BLASÉ about missing the test.
_____ dependent; subject to
C.) The negotiator used quite a bit of
FINESSE to convince the two sides to
compromise.
_____ wanderer
D.) His afternoon of golf was 
CONTINGENT on completing the 
company project by noon.
_____ authority granted a ruler by 
E.) In ancient times, many NOMADs traveled 
an overwhelming vote
from place to place in search of food.
_____ nonchalant; cool
F.) We had to ask her to repeat herself fre-
quently because she didn’t ENUNCIATE
her words.
_____ deduce from facts
G.) Though he’d only been in the U.S. for two
years, his FLUENCY in English was
impressive.
_____ draw out
H.) It’s fun to watch the little ones dress up as
ghosts and GOBLINS on Halloween.
_____ delicate skill
I.) Many felt that the president’s small 
margin of victory did not give him a
MANDATE to raise taxes.
_____ mischievous spirit
J.) When the detective found that the car’s
engine was still warm, he INFERred that
the suspect had gone out recently.
Vocabulary Puzzles
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