Question 1
DOING THE RIGHT THING
The obstacles that frustrate the physically handicapped person who is seeking employment may turn him into a cynic. Too often a prospective employer, with a rather unctuous manner, actually tends to degrade the handicapped person by proffering employment that is really beneath his abilities. The employer appears to be acting in a benevolent manner, but this attitude shows no compassion, for he really expects the person seeking the job to remain subservient. This iniquity cannot but give the handicapped person a feeling that he is being discriminated against. He does not expect a sinecure, but he has an aversion to the prevalent belief that he should consider himself lucky to find any employment.
Sample Sentences: Use the new words in these sentences.
We had to wince as we watched the newcomer try to wheedle and ingratiate himself into the teacher’s favor in the most _____ manner.
Unctuous means oily, excessively smooth and falsely flattering. The clues wheedle and ingratiate himself both describe insincere flattery, so in the most unctuous manner fits. Not subservient: that means obedient and servile, not falsely charming.
Question 2
It is easy to become a _____ when the same adults who inveigh most vehemently against the uncouth actions that they say permeate our youth drink to satiety and behave fatuously.
A cynic is a person who distrusts other people's motives and expects the worst. Adults who criticise young people and then behave badly themselves are hypocrites, and seeing this makes it easy to become a cynic. The article a before the gap also calls for a noun naming a person.
Question 3
We all have moments when we vacillate between selfish and _____ desires.
Benevolent means kind and wishing to help others. The sentence contrasts two opposites with between selfish and ..., and the opposite of selfish is benevolent, e.g. a benevolent gift to charity.
Question 4
While his demeanor remained imperturbable, there was latent anger at the ignominious and _____ role he had to play.
Subservient means too willing to obey others, servile. A subservient role is a low, obedient position, which matches ignominious (humiliating) and explains his hidden anger. Not unctuous: that describes a falsely flattering manner, not a role someone is forced into.
Question 5
Those who are complacent about any _____ in our society should be wary of the unsavory consequences for all.
Iniquity means injustice or wickedness. After any the gap needs a noun for something bad in society, and being complacent (too relaxed) about injustice can lead to unsavory consequences for all.
Question 6
Definitions: Match the new words with their definitions.
cynic
A cynic is a pessimist or skeptic: someone who believes people act mainly out of self-interest. Example: Years of broken promises turned him into a cynic.
Question 7
unctuous
Unctuous means oily, excessively smooth, or affectedly emotional: showing feelings or charm that are not sincere. Example: The salesman's unctuous smile made us distrust him. Not "servile, obsequious", which is the definition of subservient.
Question 8
benevolent
Benevolent means kindly and charitable, wishing good to others. Example: A benevolent donor paid for the new library.
Question 9
subservient
Subservient means servile or obsequious: too eager to obey and please others. Example: He refused to stay in a subservient position. Not "affectedly emotional", which defines unctuous.
Question 10
iniquity
Iniquity means injustice or wickedness, a grossly unfair or immoral act or situation. Example: the iniquity of paying women less for the same work.
Print this test
Free worksheets for class or home
NEW WORDS
- cynic [sin´ ik]
“A cynical view of phone calls or mail offering free merchandise or membership is the safest approach.” Newsweek, 6/7/98
- unctuous [ungk´ chů əs]
“Today’s car salesmen are a far cry from the high-pressured and unctuous ones of the past.” Car and Travel, 9/99
- benevolent [bə nev´ ə lənt]
“My relationship to this land is purely spiritual: It’s a place of absolute silence, absolute benevolence.” Stephen Trimble, Wilderness
- subservient [səb sėr´ vē ənt]
“From the earliest times, including the Bible, women have been counseled to be subservient to men.” Barbara G. Walker, The Women’s Encyclopedia
- iniquity [in ik´ wə tē]
“I lack iniquity Sometime to do me service.” William Shakespeare, Othello
TODAY’S IDIOM
to lay one’s cards on the table—to talk frankly
He knew he was out of his depth* so he laid his cards on the table and asked for assistance.