AP Lit: Word Smart Quiz 9

Pages 88-96 in the Word Smart book. Revisit this set throughout the year to prepare yourself for the exam in May.

Cull (v.)

to pick out from among many; to select; to collect

The farmer ____ed the best raspberries from his new crop and sold them for twenty-five cents apiece.

Debunk (v.)

to expose the nonsense of

The reporter’s careful exposé ______ed the company’s claim that it had not been

dumping radioactive waste into the Hudson River.

Decry (v.)

to put down; to denounce

The newspaper editorial ____ied efforts by the police chief to root out corruption in

the police department, saying that the chief was himself corrupt and could not be

trusted.

The environmental organization quickly issued a report _____ing the large mining

company’s plan to reduce the entire mountain to rubble in its search for uranium.

Deft (adj.)

skillful

The store detective was so ____ in his capture of the shoplifter that none of the

customers was aware of what was going on.

Deign (v.)

to condescend; to think it not in accordance with one’s dignity (to do something)

When I asked the prince whether he would be willing to lend me five bucks for the

rest of the day, he did not _____ to make a reply.

Delve (v.)

to search or study intensively

_____ originally meant to dig its modern meaning means to dig metaphorically.

Janice was afraid to _____ into her childhood memories because she was afraid of what she might remember.

Demeanor (n.)

behavior; manner

You could tell by Barclay’s ________ that he was a jerk; he picked his nose two nostrils at a time, and he snorted loudly whenever he heard or saw something that he didn’t like.

Demur (v.)

to object; to take exception

Diego _____red when I suggested that he eat the entire plate of “seriously spicy”

chicken wings at Fred’s Diner.

Demure (adj.)

shy; reserved; sedate

Jenna was a ______ child; she sat quietly next to her mother with her hands

folded in her lap.

Denounce (v.)

to condemn

The president publicly ________d, but privately celebrated, the illegal activities of

the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Deplore (v.)

to regret; to condemn; to lament

It is one thing to _______ waste; actually learning to be less wasteful is another.