New Words
corpse
conceal
dismal
frigid
inhabit
numb
peril
recline
shriek
tempt
sinister
wager
Read the following story to see how the new words are used in it.
I like to bet on anything that is exciting, so when my friends tried to tempt me with an offer, I took it. The idea was for me to spend a frigid December night in a cemetery, all alone, in order to win twenty dollars. Little did I realize that they would use dirty tricks to try to frighten me to abandon the cemetery and, therefore, lose my wager.
My plan was to recline in front of a large grave, covered by a warm blanket, with a flashlight to help me cut through the dismal darkness. After midnight, I heard a wild shriek. I thought I saw the grave open and a corpse rise out of it! Although I was somewhat numb with fear, I tried to keep my senses. Using good judgment, I knew that no peril could come to me from that sinister figure. When I did not run in terror, my friends, who had decided to conceal themselves behind the nearby tombstones, came out and we all had a good laugh. Those spirits that may inhabit a cemetery must have had a good laugh, too
Place one of the new words in each of the blanks below.
1.The chances of my winning the election were so dismal____that I decided to quit before the votes were counted.
2.I won the ___wager_______ that my bachelor friend would be married by June.
3.Kit Carson's keen eyesight protected him from the _peril_________ in the forest.
4.While escaping from the bank, the robbers forced the teller to __recline________ on the floor of their car.
5.Since the shack was vacant, we did not expect to hear the terrible _shriek_________ which came from it.
6.With a _sinister_________ smile, the gangster invited Martha into his Cadillac.
7.You cannot __conceal________ the truth when you are questioned by the keen lawyer.
8.It is said that many ghosts __inhabit________ the old Butler house.
9.In frigid______ weather I always wear three or four sweaters.
10.After standing guard duty for four hours, I became completely __numb_______ .
11.As the closet was opened, the _corpse________ fell out, frightening the janitor.
12.With the promise of a rise in pay, my boss tried to __tempt_______ me to stay on in the job.
