1. After Anthony was insulted by a stranger, he retorted , or replied wittily , to her and drew laughter from other customers in the mall.
Retorted means
2. When the college president left, we found a replacement for the interim , that is, the time in between , during which a search committee was able to interview and select a new leader.
Interim means
3. The coach observed his team’s bizarre behavior (odd actions such as slurring their speech, making unnecessary fumbles, and trying to run on wobbly knees) and concluded that the players were suffering from dehydration.
Bizarre means
4. The Senate hearing committee demanded the corporation’s officers provide credible —believable —documents to explain their unusual accounting procedures.
Credible means
5. Santos knew that the reading class would improve his vocabulary and comprehension, thus increasing his chances of success in subsequent college courses (classes in the following semesters ).
Subsequent means
6. A student of contemporary , or modern , art must also study the classic works of artists from the past, recognizing that these masters produced the modern art of their own time.
Contemporary means
7. Osama bin Laden is infamous —that is, has a terrible reputation throughout the Western world—for his role in the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Infamous means
8. Because of Catherine’s wealth, Matt hesitated to ask her for a date in fear that she would think he would appear mercenary , or interested only in her money .
Mercenary means
9. To commemorate the Fourth of July, members of our community remember and honor the event by participating in a main street parade full of crepe-papered bicycles, handshaking politicians, and homemade floats.
Commemorate means
10. Because Beatrice wanted to adopt a healthy lifestyle, she resolved to abstain from high-fat fast food and sugar-laden sodas, thus willingly giving up foods that have no nutritional value.
Abstain means
Step 2: Using the underlined synonym clues, choose the best definition for the word in bold print. Your instructor will tell you whether to write your answers in your book or to submit your answers online for electronic grading.