AP Lit: Word Smart Quiz 5

Pages 53-60 in the Word Smart book. Revisit this set throughout the year to prepare yourself for the exam in May.

Boor (n.)

a rude or churlish person

The ____ at the next table kept climbing up on his chair and shouting at the waitress.

Brandish (v.)

to wave or display threateningly

________ing a knife, the robber told the frightened storekeeper to hand over all the money in the cash register.

Bravado (n.)

a false show or ostentatious show of bravery or defiance

The commander’s speech was the product not of bravery but of _______; as soon as the soldiers left the room, he collapsed in tears.

Brazen (adj.)

impudent; bold

The students’ ______ response to their teacher’s request was to stand up and walk out of the classroom.

Brouhaha (n.)

uproar; hubbub

The ________ arising from the party downstairs kept the children awake for hours.

Brusque (adj.)

abrupt in manner; blunt

The critic’s review of the new play was short and _______; he wrote, “It stinks.”

Calamity (n.)

a disaster

During the first few months we lived in our house, we suffered one ________ after another: First the furnace exploded; then the washing machine stopped working; then the roof began to leak.

Calumny (n.)

slander; a maliciously false statement

The candidate resorted to _______ whenever he couldn’t think of anything merely mean to say about his opponent.

Canvass (v.)

to seek votes or opinions; to conduct a survey

In the last few days before the election, the campaign volunteers spread out to _______ in key districts.

The polling organization _______ed consumers to find out which brand of drain cleaner made them feel most optimistic about the global economy.

Captivate (v.)

to fascinate; to enchant; to enrapture

Frank wasn’t ________ing when Melinda came to call on him; he was wearing Ninja Turtle pajamas, and he hadn’t brushed his teeth.