Vocabulary (U1+U2)

adulterate

To corrupt, make worse by the addition of something of lesser value. 

ambidextrous

Able to use both hands equally well; very skillful; deceitful, hypocritical. 

augment

To make larger, increase 

bereft

Deprived of; made unhappy through a loss

deploy

To position or arrange; to utilize; to form up

dour

stern , unyielding, gloomy, ill-humored

fortitude

Courage in facing difficulties

gape

To stare with open mouth; to open the mouth wide; to open wide

gibe

(verb) To utter taunting words 

(noun) an expression of scorn

guise

An external appearance, cover, mask

insidious

Intended to deceive or entrap; sly, treacherous 

intimation

A hint, indirect suggestion

opulent

Wealthy, luxurious; ample; grandiose

pliable

Easily bent, flexible; easily influenced

reiterate

To say again, repeat

stolid

Not easily moved mentally or emotionally; dull, unresponsive 

tentative

Experimental in nature; uncertain, hesitant

unkempt

Not combed; untidy; not properly maintained; unpolished, rude

verbatim

(adjective) word for word; exactly as written or spoken

(adverb) word for word; exactly as written or spoken

warily

Cautiously, with great care

adroit

Skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind. 

amicable

Peaceable, friendly

averse

Having a deep-seated distaste: opposed, unwilling

belligerent

Given to fighting, warlike: combative, aggressive (adjective)

One at war, one engaged in war

benevolent

Kindly, charitable 

cursory

Hastily, not thorough

duplicity

Treachery, deceitfulness

extol

To praise extravagantly 

feasible

Possible, able to be done

grimace

A wry face, facial distortion (noun)

To make a wry face (verb)

holocaust

A large-scale destruction, especially by fire; a vast slaughter, a burnt offering

The Holocaust: massacre of civilians, mainly Jewish, by the Nazis in WW2.

impervious

Not affected or hurt by; admitting of no passage or entrance

impetus

A moving force, impulse, stimulus

jeopardy

danger

meticulous

Extremely careful; particular about details

nostalgia

A longing for something past; homesickness

quintessence

The purest essence or form of something; the most typical example

retrogress

To move backward; to return to an earlier condition

scrutinize

To examine closely

tepid

Lukewarm; unenthusiastic, marked by an absence of interest