"I understand a fury in your words,
But not the words."
Shakespeare. Othello
Words to Learn This Week
volunteer
prejudice
shrill
jolly
witty
hinder
lecture
abuse
mumble
mute
wad
retain
Read the following story to see how the new words are used in it.
Don't Look over My Shoulder!
The kibitzer is a person who volunteers useless information, especially in card games, causing the players to be prejudiced against him. The name comes from a Yiddish word which originally referred to a certain bird whose shrill cry scared the animals away upon the approach of the hunters. Though the kibitzer may think he is being jolly or witty, his advice often hinders more than it helps. We may scowl at him or lecture him for his abuse of our friendship, but he still continues to mumble his unwelcome remarks. The serious player may even wish he could make the kibitzer mute by sticking a wad of cotton in his mouth. The kibitzer, however, may not realize that he is causing torment or distress to his colleagues. Thus we may have to resign ourselves to his annoying habit if we wish to retain him as a friend.
Place one of the new words in each of the blanks below.
01. The culprit __________ his oath in court as if his tongue were numb.
02.The ___________ of material stuffed under Mr. Marlowe's shirt made him look bulky enough to play the part of
Santa.
03. With the evidence mounting against him, Dr. Parkman was persuaded to _____________ the best lawyer in the
state.
04. In a fine showing of loyalty, many ____________responded to the fire.
05. Our party was a ___________ blend of good fellowship, song, and dance.
06. The defense attorney made a desperate plea to the jury not to allow the hazy evidence to ______________ them
against his client.
07. Edith's fierce loyalty has ____________ the investigation of the crime.
08. Flynn was usually talkative but the accident left him ____________ .
09. There were visible signs that the child had been severely _______ ____ .
10. The __________ screams of the jet planes lead many people to envy the quiet country life.
11. Father gave Steve a __________ for neglecting to wash the car.
12. A __________ Iine in Shakespeare's plays may not get a chuckle in our century.
