Question 1
Our neighbor is an affluent inventor whose latest brainstorm, a feasible umbrella substitute, has been featured in many magazines. As simply as the eye can discern, it is a hard plastic strip, about the size of a ruler, which fits comfortably into a woman’s handbag or a man’s suit jacket. If a person is caught in a sudden rainstorm, he swings the plastic open in the shape of a cross. Attached to each arm is a clip-like device. Next, he takes the newspaper he is carrying and slides it under each of the four clips. Now, equipped with a rigid head covering he can sally forth to face the elements. To the consternation of the umbrella manufacturers, it has been enjoying a brisk sale, especially among commuters. If it continues to do well, it could have a pernicious effect upon the umbrella industry.
Sample Sentences: Use the new words in the following sentences.
Some prisoners planned a disturbance while others would _____ toward the gate.
To sally (often sally forth) means to rush out suddenly, usually from a place where you are held or protected. The prisoners make a disturbance as a distraction while others sally toward the gate. In the passage, the user can sally forth to face the rain. Not discern, because the prisoners are moving, not seeing something.
Question 2
Under duress from the tax officer, the beggar admitted that he was truly _____.
Affluent means rich or wealthy. The joke is that a beggar, who should be poor, is forced by the tax officer to admit that he is truly affluent. The gap needs an adjective describing a person, and only affluent fits that meaning.
Question 3
To the _____ of the sergeant, there was a paucity of volunteers for the dangerous mission.
Consternation is a feeling of worry, shock or dismay. The fixed phrase to the consternation of someone means 'making someone upset'. The sergeant is dismayed because there are very few (a paucity of) volunteers. The passage uses the same phrase: To the consternation of the umbrella manufacturers.
Question 4
It’s _____ to build an electric auto, but wouldn’t you need a terribly long extension cord?
Feasible means possible or practical, something that can be done. It's feasible to build an electric car, but the joke is that the plan has a practical problem: a very long cord. The pattern It's + adjective + to + verb needs an adjective, so feasible fits. Not affluent, because that describes rich people, not plans.
Question 5
When we could _____ the city lights, we knew we were safe at last.
To discern means to see or notice something, often with difficulty. After could we need a verb, and seeing the city lights in the distance is what made them feel safe. Not sally, because that means to rush out, and it is not used with an object like the city lights.
Question 6
Definitions: Match the new words with their meanings.
affluent
Affluent means rich or wealthy. Example: They live in an affluent part of town with large houses. In the passage, the neighbor is an affluent inventor, a rich one.
Question 7
feasible
Feasible means possible, something that can really be done. Example: The plan is cheap and feasible. The passage calls the new invention a feasible umbrella substitute, a practical replacement for an umbrella.
Question 8
discern
To discern means to perceive: to see, notice or recognize something, often with some effort. Example: In the fog, I could just discern a figure. The passage says As simply as the eye can discern, meaning as far as you can see.
Question 9
sally (v.)
As a verb, sally means to suddenly rush forth or set out boldly, often in the phrase sally forth. Example: The soldiers sallied out of the fort. In the passage, with a newspaper on your head you can sally forth to face the elements.
Question 10
consternation
Consternation means dismay: a feeling of shock, worry or alarm. Example: To our consternation, the train was cancelled. In the passage, the umbrella makers feel consternation because the new invention is selling well.
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Free worksheets for class or home
NEW WORDS
- affluent [af´ lü ənt]
“You are affluent when you buy what you want, do what you wish and don’t give a thought to what it costs.” J. P. Morgan, quoted in Crown Treasury of Relevant Quotations
- feasible [fē´ zə bəl]
“Everyone who has looked at the smart guns said there is no quick, feasible way of doing this.” Leslie Wayne, “Smart Guns,” New York Times, 6/15/99
- discern [də zėrn´ or də sėrn´]
“He could not see that the Justice’s face was kindly nor discern that his voice was troubled.” William Faulkner, “Barn Burning”
- sally [sal´ ē]
“The next morning we decided to sally forth to try to find a site for our new home.” Stephen Leacock, “How My Wife and I Built Our Home for $4.90”
- consternation [kon´ stər nā´ shən]
“Father and son stared at each other in consternation and neither knew what to do.” Pearl Buck, The Good Earth
TODAY’S IDIOM
I’m from Missouri—a skeptic, one who is not easily convinced
You might swallow his promises, but I’m from Missouri.