Salutations, word lovers! How much of the English language did you unlock this week? Answer the following questions and review the answers on your own or with a friend, teacher, or tutor.
[Note that this is a new feature that we definitely want your feedback on. Please share your detailed thoughts about the specific exercises and the ideal timing of a weekly quiz.]
WORD MATCH
Match each number of each word to the matching phrase. One word has no matching phrase.
1. idiosyncrasy | 2. aplomb | 3. impertinent | 4. belligerence | 5. saunter | 6. rudimentary
________ To stroll aimlessly
________ Insolent, uncivil, or just plain rude
________ Unshakeable poise, style, and self-assurance
________ Back to basics
________ This means war!
QUOTE MATCH
Complete each quote using the words from the word bank.
1. plumbed | 2. diminutive | 3.idiosyncrasy | 4. impertinent | 5. belligerence
“Ask an ________ question and you are on the way to the pertinent answer.” —Jacob Bronowski
“Neutrality is at times a graver sin than ________.” —Louis D. Brandeis
“I've learned to appreciate ________. The fact is, there is really no such thing as 'normal' - everybody's different, and that is the essence of their beauty.” —Kevyn Aucoin
At the time Gothic cathedrals were designed, most people lived in dark huts, so just walking into a space vastly larger than what they were habituated to, lit by stained glass windows, was literally awe-inspiring. Today, we're not as impressed by big buildings, so we have to go to very large mountains to experience that ________ effect.'" —Michael Persinger
“How many of us can honestly say that we have ________ the depths of our minds and hearts? How many of us regularly listen to ourselves with empathy and understanding—in the supportive way that a trusted friend can?” —William Ury
ROOT QUIZ
For each of the following words, fill in the meaning of each prefix, suffix, and base.
IM- ( ________ ) + PER- (thoroughly) + TIN- ( ________ ) + -ENT (being)
IDIO- ( ________ ) + SYN- ( ________ ) + CRA- (mixture) + -SY (state of)
DE- (fully) + MINU- ( ________ ) + -TE (state) + -IVE (being)
PLUMB- ( ________ ) + -EOUS (having qualities of)
RUD- ( ________ ) + -MENT ( ________ ) + -ARY (pertaining to)
BELL- ( ________ ) + GER- ( ________ ) + -ENCE (quality)
Scroll down for answers. But first, revisit A Dozen Delightful Portmanteaus.
WEEKLY QUIZ ANSWERS
WORD MATCH
1. idiosyncrasy | 2. aplomb | 3. impertinent | 4. belligerence | 5. saunter | 6. rudimentary
____5___ To stroll aimlessly
____3___ Insolent, uncivil, or just plain rude
____2___ Unshakeable poise, style, and self-assurance
____6___ Back to basics
____4___ This means war!
QUOTE MATCH
“Ask an impertinent question and you are on the way to the pertinent answer.” —Jacob Bronowski
“Neutrality is at times a graver sin than belligerence.” —Louis D. Brandeis
“I've learned to appreciate idiosyncrasy. The fact is, there is really no such thing as 'normal' - everybody's different, and that is the essence of their beauty.” —Kevyn Aucoin
At the time Gothic cathedrals were designed, most people lived in dark huts, so just walking into a space vastly larger than what they were habituated to, lit by stained glass windows, was literally awe-inspiring. Today, we're not as impressed by big buildings, so we have to go to very large mountains to experience that 'diminutive effect.'" —Michael Persinger
“How many of us can honestly say that we have plumbed the depths of our minds and hearts? How many of us regularly listen to ourselves with empathy and understanding—in the supportive way that a trusted friend can?” —William Ury
ROOT QUIZ
IM- (not) + PER- (thoroughly) + TIN- (hold) + -ENT (being)
IDIO- (peculiar) + SYN- (together) + CRA- (mixture) + -SY (state of)
DE- (fully) + MINU- (small) + -TE (state) + -IVE (being)
PLUMB- (lead) + -EOUS (having qualities of)
RUD- (rough) + -MENT (state) + -ARY (pertaining to)
BELL- (war) + GER- (to bear) + -ENCE (quality)