Ultimate word power

03_WP_fin.qxp 2/7/06 4:50 PM Page 9 CITIZENSHIP WORDS Our nation, its welfare, and our relationships with other countries have been much on our minds lately. So it is an opportune time to review words that relate to citizenship, diplomacy and current events. The final word (number 15) was new to us—and it’s tough, but give it a try! 1 . nationalism n.—A: ethnic heritage. B: political party. C: patriotism. D: pride. 2. unilateralist n.—someone who A: acts alone. B: acts suspicious. C: is tenacious. D: is dogmatic. 3. preempt v.—A: to claim. B: arrive early. C: select. D: oppose. 4. stateless adj.—lacking a A: passport. B: nationality. C: bank statement. D: visa. 5. civitas n.—A: body of people. B: body of law. C: good manners. D: characteristics of civilians. 6. mandate n.—A: division of the United Nations. B: legal impediment. C: South African township. D: authorization to act. 7. enfranchise v.—A: to vote. B: extend credit. C: grant citizenship. D: open a store. 8. appeasement n.—A: forgiving and forgetting. B: yielding to demands. C: real estate regulation. D: obsession with one’s appearance. 9. despotic adj.—A: despairing. B: magical. C: extremely bombastic. D: tyrannical. 10. casus belli n.—an event that A: triggers a declaration of war. B: causes confusion. C: makes church bells ring. D: is an omen of good weather. 11 . sanctions n.—A: rewards. B: rooms in a church. C: punitive measures. D: terms of employment. 12. consensus n.—A: implicit social contract. B: burden. C: collective opinion. D: understanding between two people. 13. accord n.—A: treaty. B: diplomatic agreement. C: peace. D: letter of intent. 14. onus n.—A: misrepresentation. B: body of work. C: guilt. D: obligation. 15. vexillology* n.—A: the art of annoying people. B: the study of flags. C: a branch of meteorology. D: a military science. *Give yourself an extra 5 ratings points if you know this one! 9 03_WP_fin.qxp 2/7/06 WORD POWER I 4:50 PM Page 10 F AV O R I T E S U B J E C T S ANSWERS 1 . nationalism —[C] Patriotism; loyalty to one’s own nation; as, The rally in Washington was imbued with the spirit of nationalism. 2. unilateralist —[A] Someone who acts alone or on behalf of only one side, party or nation; as, Recent newspaper accounts have described President Bush as a unilateralist. 3. preempt —[A] To claim; forestall by acting first. From preemption, based on Latin praeemere (buy beforehand). 4. stateless —[B] Lacking a nationality; as, Those who seek political asylum are sometimes stateless. From Latin status. 5. civitas —[A] Body of people constituting a politically organized community; as, Flags visually represent the civitas of a nation. Latin. 6. mandate —[D] Authorization to act, given to a representative by the electorate; any authoritative order or command. From Latin mandare (give as commission). 7. enfranchise —[C] To grant or admit to citizenship; to set free; as, Liberation movements seek to enfranchise the citizenry. From Middle French enfranchir (to free). 9. despotic —[D] Tyrannical; oppressive; as, Many Third World governments are despotic. From the Greek despotes (master). 10. casus belli —[A] An event that triggers or justifies a declaration of war; as, Pearl Harbor was a casus belli. 11 . sanctions —[C] Punitive measures usually taken by several nations together, designed to put pressure on another country; also, approvals. Latin sancto. 12. consensus —[C] Collective opinion or judgment; as, It was the consensus we should act now. Latin consentire. 13. accord —[B] Diplomatic agreement without the binding force of a treaty; as, The Camp David accords were meant to be a framework for peace in the Middle East. 14. onus —[D] Obligation or task, especially a difficult one; as, The onus of peacekeeping around the world has often fallen to Americans. Latin (load, burden). 15. vexillology —[B] Study of flags; as, Someone with no background in vexillology may confuse the Irish and Italian flags. Latin vexill(um). 8. appeasement —[B] Yielding to often unreasonable demands; pacification; as, Allowing a dictator free rein is appeasement of the worst sort. Middle English apesen. VOCABULARY RATINGS 10-11 Good 12-13 Excellent 14-15 Exceptional 10 03_WP_fin.qxp 2/7/06 4:50 PM Page 11 LAW ENFORCEMENT WORDS Back in a simpler time, the only cop lingo you had to know was “Book ’em, Danno.” It’s a lot tougher to follow the dialogue between the detectives and the DAs on “Law and Order” and the many other police shows that seem to dominate television these days. Here are some words to help you talk the talk. 1 . Mirandize v.—A: to frisk. B: advise of legal rights. C: question. D: coerce a confession from. 2. appellant n.—someone who A: makes a plea. B: files a police report. C: falsifies his name. D: recruits. 3. expedite v.—A: to turn over. B: issue a warning. C: walk the beat. D: do quickly. 4. skell n.—A: tainted physical evidence. B: vagrant. C: con man. D: police informant. 5. recidivism n.—A: withholding information. B: racial profiling. C: fingerprint analysis. D: relapse into crime. 6. arraign v.—A: to postpone. B: bring before a court to answer charges. C: testify. D: award a favorable verdict. 7. backlog n.—A: intentional delay. B: low-priority incident. C: unfinished cases. D: cop hangout. 8. adjudicate v.—A: to do paperwork. B: treat equally. C: determine. D: bribe. 9. bailiff n.—A: court officer. B: bondsman. C: fugitive. D: judicial assistant. 10. recognizance n.—A: lineup. B: disguise. C: obligation. D: increased patrols. 11 . remand v.—A: to set free. B: bring to trial again. C: send back. D: handcuff. 12. bench warrant n.—A: security guard. B: order to arrest. C: superior court judge. D: permission to speak. 13. perpetrator n.—A: snitch. B: crime-doer. C: suspect. D: repeat offender. 14. depose v.—A: to affirm under oath. B: corroborate. C: speculate. D: slouch. 15. due process n.—A: just punishment. B: waiting period. C: bureaucratic red tape. D: course of laws and procedures. 16. exculpatory adj.—relating to A: opening trial arguments. B: disavowal. C: criminal behavior. D: exoneration. 11 03_WP_fin.qxp 2/7/06 WORD POWER I 4:50 PM Page 12 F AV O R I T E S U B J E C T S ANSWERS 1 . Mirandize —[B] To advise someone being arrested of his rights, under the Miranda rule, to remain silent and have an attorney present during questioning. From the U.S. Supreme Court decision Miranda v. Arizona. 2. appellant —[A] A person who makes a plea for judgment from a higher authority; as, The appellant hoped a technicality would void his verdict. Latin appellare (accost). 3. expedite —[D] To complete 9. bailiff —[A] An officer, similar to a sheriff, who keeps order in the court. Old French (porter). 10. recognizance —[C] A legal obligation or bond binding a person to appear for trial. Middle English. 11 . remand —[C] To send a prisoner or accused person back into custody to await trial or further investigation; as, He was remanded to the county jail while the grand jury was selected. Old French remander (to send word back). quickly or in a timely fashion; as, Defense motions made it impossible to expedite the trial. From Latin ex- (out) and pedis (foot), meaning to free feet from fetters. 12. bench warrant —[B] Order issued 4. skell —[B] Vagrant; police term for commits a crime; as, A SWAT team searched the abandoned building for the perpetrator. (In cop talk, shortened to perp.) someone who looks like a drug user or seems down-and-out. Shortened form of skeleton. 5. recidivism —[D] Relapse into a former behavior, especially criminal activities. From Latin re- (back) and cadere (to fall). 6. arraign —[B] To bring before a court to hear and answer charges. Latin ad- (to) and ratio (reason). 7. backlog —[C] An accumulation of cases that the legal system is incapable of dealing with in a timely manner; as, Busy municipal courts often have a backlog of months. by a judge or court for an arrest; as, Worried the suspect might flee, the DA requested a bench warrant. 13. perpetrator —[B] A person who 14. depose —[A] To affirm or testify under oath, often in writing; as, The witness was deposed beforehand. Old French deposer (to put down). 15. due process —[D] The course of legal proceedings that protect an individual’s rights and liberties; as, In democracies, citizens are entitled to due process of the law. 16. exculpatory —[D] Relating to vindication; tending to clear from guilt. Latin ex- and culpare (to blame). 8. adjudicate —[C] To determine or judge; as, His claim will be adjudicated. Latin ad- and judicare (judge). VOCABULARY RATINGS 10-12 Good 13-14 Excellent 15-16 Exceptional 12 03_WP_fin.qxp 2/7/06 4:50 PM Page 13 TRAVEL WORDS It may be two weeks at the shore, or perhaps a grand tour of Europe, or something as simple as a long weekend with the grandparents. Whatever we choose, most of us sure love our vacations. Before you hit the road or fly the friendly skies, take our quiz of words you might need on holiday. 1 . agoraphobia n.—fear of A: flying. B: getting lost. C: public places. D: furry animals. 2. cay (key) n.—A: passageway. B: reef. C: monetary unit. D: valley. 3. amenities n.—A: useful features. B: formal introductions. C: taxes. D: young pickpockets. 4. halcyon adj.—A: foreign. B: tiring. C: happy. D: mazelike. 5. traipse v.—A: to rush. B: walk aimlessly. C: violate. D: crush. 6. red-eye n.—A: complicated form. B: poorly lit room. C: bar. D: overnight flight. 7. brasserie n.—A: lingerie shop. B: airplane crew. C: restaurant. D: souvenir stand. 8. queue n.—A: question. B: side road. C: gate. D: waiting line. 9. concierge n.—A: wine specialist. B: headwaiter. C: service representative. D: busboy. 10. baksheesh n.—A: tip. B: hallucinogenic drug. C: babble. D: head covering. 11 . sultry adj.—A: unhappy. B: sweltering. C: assorted. D: colorful. 12. antipodean adj.—A: on foot. B: opposite. C: unhealthful. D: cleansing. 13. turista n.—A: tour bus. B: illness. C: visa stamp. D: foot pain. 14. contraband n.—A: money belt. B: Latin musical group. C: customs inspector. D: illegal goods. 15. tarn n.—A: tall tale. B: mountain lake. C: meadow. D: runway. 16. ambiance n.—A: hostility. B: temporary camp. C: atmosphere. D: medical vehicle. 17. incidentals n.—A: short encounters. B: minor expenses. C: forbidden carry-ons. D: mementos. 18. estivate v.—A: to change clothes. B: guess at. C: exert oneself. D: pass the summer. 13 03_WP_fin.qxp 2/7/06 WORD POWER I 4:50 PM Page 14 F AV O R I T E S U B J E C T S ANSWERS 1 . agoraphobia —[C] Extreme fear of public places or crowds; as, My agoraphobia kept me housebound. Greek agora (marketplace). 2. cay —[B] Reef or low bank of coral or sand; as, We went snorkeling to explore the cay. Spanish cayo. 3. amenities —[A] Useful or desirable features of a place; as, a resort with impressive amenities. Latin amoenus (pleasant). 4. halcyon —[C] Idyllically happy; peaceful; as, the halcyon summers on Cape Cod. From Greek alkyon (kingfisher), in legend a bird that could calm the seas. 5. traipse —[B] To walk aimlessly or wearily; wander; as, We traipsed all over town looking for an ATM. Of uncertain 16th-century origin. 6. red-eye —[D] Overnight flight; as, I took the red-eye to be at work on Monday morning. 7. brasserie —[C] Informal restaurant, usually with a selection of drinks. French, from brasser (to brew). 8. queue —[D] Waiting line; as, a queue that stretched for blocks. French, from Latin cauda (tail). 9. concierge —[C] Hotel service representative who assists guests with special arrangements. French (originally, warden of a castle or prison). 10. baksheesh —[A] In Egypt, a form 11 . sultry —[B] Sweltering; hot and humid; as, sultry August days. From Middle English swelten (to swoon away). 12. antipodean —[B] Directly opposite, especially in reference to sides of the earth; as, The antipodean day is the day gained when crossing the International Dateline. Greek antipodes (having the feet opposite). 13. turista —[B] Gastrointestinal illness afflicting travelers; as, A street snack gave me turista. Spanish (tourist). 14. contraband —[D] Goods that have been imported or exported illegally. From Italian contra (against) and bando (ban). 15. tarn —[B] Mountain lake; as, This trail through the woods leads to the tarn. Old Norse tjörn (literally, a hole filled with water). 16. ambiance —[C] Atmosphere; character; as, the hotel’s luxurious ambiance. French (surroundings). 17 . incidentals —[B] Minor expenses or items; as, Make sure you have cash for incidentals. From Latin incidere (to fall upon, happen to). 18. estivate —[D] To pass or spend the summer in a certain activity, especially (like some animals) in a dormant state; as, Snails estivate, but children shouldn’t. From Latin aestivatus (resided during summer). of tip or bribe; as, A little baksheesh might get you in the museum a lot quicker. From Persian bakhshidan (to give). VOCABULARY RATINGS 10-12 Good 13-15 Excellent 16-18 Exceptional 14