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ABC Murders
by Agatha Christie
Definitions
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
abstracted ab STRAK ted removed in thought from the immediate situation, lost in one's own mind
Synonyms >> Antonym >> attentive
The child, thinking of Christmas, had an abstracted look on his face.
1.
Derivatives >> abstractedly, abstractedness
adroit uh DROW it skillful, adept
Synonyms >> clever, cunning, deft, dexterous, ingenious, ingenuity Antonym >> inept
The magician was especially adroit in making the lion disappear.
2.
Derivatives >> adroitly, adroitness
adulterate uh DUL ter ate to make impure by adding lesser substances; to corrupt
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to purify
The authorities were concerned that the drugs might have been adulterated intentionally.
3.
Derivatives >> adulterator, adulterant, adulteration, adulterine, adulterous, adulterated, adulterating
alacrity uh LAK ruh tee prompt and cheerful response
Synonyms >> celerity Antonym >> indolence
I accepted his invitation to the prom with alacrity.
4.
Derivatives >> alacritous
allure uh LUR to influence, sway, or entice with some tempting appeal
Synonyms >> attract, fascinate, charm Antonym >>
The child tried to allure the stray dog into her yard with a piece of bread.
5.
Derivatives >> allured, alluring, allures, allurement, allurer
aloof uh LOOF apart, indifferent
Synonyms >> detached, incurious, unconcerned Antonym >> integrated; friendly
The woman remained aloof during the party, separating herself from everyone else.
6.
Derivatives >> aloofness
angular ANG gyuh ler lean; sharp cornered; gaunt
Synonyms >> Antonym >> rotund
The patient has lost so much weight that his face has become quite angular.
7.
Derivatives >> angulate, angularity, angulation, angulator
animosity an uh MAH suh tee harsh feelings, enmity, resentment, hatred
Synonyms >> animus, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hostility, rancor Antonym >> love
I have a lot of animosity for him, since he attempted to steal my girlfriend.
8.
Derivatives >> animus
audacity aw DAS uh tee excessive boldness, rashness, daring
Synonyms >> cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, temerity Antonym >> meekness
I was surprised that he had the audacity to approach the Queen.
9.
Derivatives >> audacious, audaciousness, audaciously
automaton aw TOM uh ton a creature acting in a mechanical way with no indication of intelligence
Synonyms >> robot Antonym >>
Television often produces dull, unthinking human automatons.
10.
Derivatives >> automatous, automatons
balk BALK to defeat, check, or stop as if by a barrier
Synonyms >> foil, baffle, thwart, demur, frustrate, circumvent, hinder Antonym >>
The steers balked at the sight of the snake and refused to move into the corral.
11.
Derivatives >> balked, balking, balky
ABC Murders
Definitions
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
bland BLAND mild, not irritating
Synonyms >> Antonym >> spicy
American food is bland compared to Mexican food
12.
Derivatives >> blandly, blandness
bombastic bom BASS tik using inflated language, pompous
Synonyms >> claptrap, declamatory, fustian, ranting, rodomontade Antonym >> meek; humble
The politician was bombastic as he railed against big government.
13.
Derivatives >> bombastically, bombastical
buoyant BOY unt capable of floating; cheerful
Synonyms >> Antonym >> likely to sink
Because the log was buoyant, it stayed afloat. The girl's buoyant spirit made her pleasant company.
14.
Derivatives >> buoyancy, buoyance, buoyantly, buoyantness, buoy
capitulate kuh PICH uh late to surrender
Synonyms >> defer, relent, submit, succumb, yield Antonym >> to resist
The army was expected to capitulate after having lost that last battle with so many casualties.
15.
Derivatives >> capitulated, capitulating, capitulation
cavalier kav uh LEER an armed horseman, a knight; treating important matters lightly
Synonyms >> disdainful Antonym >> reserved; humble; meek
His arrogant and cavalier attitude has offended many people.
16.
Derivatives >> cavalierly
conjecture kun JEK chur an inference or conclusion drawn or deduced by surmise or guesswork
Synonyms >> supposition, surmise, guess Antonym >> verified statement
The theory that the scientist offered was only a matter of conjecture.
17.
Derivatives >> conject, conjector, conjectural, conjecturally, conjectured, conjecturing, conjecturer
convivial kun VIV ee ul fond of good company and of festivity
Synonyms >> friendly, sociable Antonym >> unsociable
He was of the convivial sort, fond of people, parties, and pleasures.
18.
Derivatives >> conviviality, convivially, convivium, convivia
cynical SIN uh kul given to faultfinding, sneering, and sarcasm; exhibiting mocking disbelief
Synonyms >> misanthropic, pessimistic, misogynic Antonym >>
Some people are so cynical they sneer at everything that would make life worthwhile.
19.
Derivatives >> cynic, cynically, cynicism
demise duh MIZE death, a loss of status
Synonyms >> Antonym >> birth
The demise of all female colleges is a concern to some.
20.
Derivatives >> demises, demised, demising
demur deh MUR to hesitate, to delay, to object
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to proceed, to agree, to accede
To demur at this time might cause the whole operation to be destroyed.
21.
Derivatives >> demurred, demurring
desultory DES ul tore ee jumping around, aimless, random
Synonyms >> Antonym >> concentrated
The man's desultory attempts at finding employment wasted his time.
22.
Derivatives >> desultorious, desultoriness, desultorily, desultor
discern deh SURN to differentiate between two or more things
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to ignore; to be oblivious; to
Because of the fog, I was barely able to discern the landing strip.
23.
Derivatives >> discerner, discernible, discernable, discernibleness, discernibly, discernably, discerningly, discernment
discrepant deh SKREP unt disagreeing, inconsistent
Synonyms >> Antonym >> same; consistent
The auditor became suspicious when he found the discrepant accounts.
24.
Derivatives >> discrepancy, discrepantly
disdain dis DANE intense dislike; to treat with scorn or contempt, to reject as unworthy
Synonyms >> (to be) arrogant, haughty, high-handed, insolent, lordly, Antonym >> favor, admiration; to love
Never having had to do manual labor, he disdained the idea of becoming a cotton picker.
25.
Derivatives >> disdained, disdaining, disdainer, disdainful, disdainfully, disdainfulness
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
disinclination dis in kluh NAY a desire to avoid, aversion
Synonyms >> hesitance, loathing, reluctance Antonym >> eagerness
I have a disinclination to go to Europe this summer since the dollar is worth less.
26.
Derivatives >> disincline, disinclined
dispassionate dis PAH shun ate lack of passion or emotion
Synonyms >> Antonym >> prejudiced
His dispassionate remarks about the man's death left me feeling cold.
27.
Derivatives >> dispassion, dispassionately, dispassionateness, dispassioned
ecstasy EK stuh see extreme happiness
Synonyms >> rapture, transport Antonym >> wretchedness
The music was so beautiful that it put the crowd into a state of ecstasy.
28.
Derivatives >> ecstatic, ecstatical, ecstatically
elicit eh LIS it to bring out a response, to evoke
Synonyms >> educe, extort, extract Antonym >> to inhibit
I would like to elicit your participation in the blood drive.
29.
Derivatives >> elicitable, elicitate, elicitation
elucidate eh LOO seh date to make clear, to explain
Synonyms >> explicate, expound Antonym >> to confuse
I will try to elucidate some of the important changes in the tax code.
30.
Derivatives >> elucidation, elucidative, elucidatory, elucidator
ensconce en SKONS to settle comfortably
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to uproot
Before the game started, he ensconced himself in the easy chair.
31.
Derivatives >> ensconced, ensconcing
esteem eh STEEM estimate of value; approval and respect often blended with fondness
Synonyms >> regard, valuation, reputation Antonym >> disrespect
The people held their leader in the highest esteem.
32.
Derivatives >> esteemed, esteeming, esteems, esteemable
facsimile fak SIM uh lee a reproduction or exact copy
Synonyms >> Antonym >> original
The artist was commissioned to paint a facsimile of the masterpiece.
33.
Derivatives >> facsimiles, facsimilist, facsimilize
fervent FUR vent ardent, showing great emotion, impassioned
Synonyms >> fervid, passionate, perfervid Antonym >> indifferent
I have a fervent love for that man.
34.
Derivatives >> fervency, fervently, ferventness, fervid, fervidly, fervidity, fervidness
flourish FLUR ish to thrive, to grow well
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to wither
The company flourished after a new board of directors took control.
35.
Derivatives >> flourisher, flourishing, flourishingly, flourishy
foreboding fore BOE ding premonition of evil, an ominous omen
Synonyms >> prediction, portent, presentiment Antonym >> serene
The black clouds overhead were a foreboding of bad weather.
36.
Derivatives >> forebode, foreboder
goad GODE to urge on in a negative sense
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to dissuade
He was goaded by his friends to take drugs.
37.
Derivatives >> goaded, goading
impertinent im PUR tuh nunt insolently rude, not within the proper bounds of good taste or manners
Synonyms >> intrusive, meddlesome, obtrusive, officious Antonym >> reverent; respectful
His impertinent remarks did not help his case in the eyes of the jury.
38.
Derivatives >> impertinence, impertinency, impertinently, impertinentness
incessant in SES unt uninterrupted
Synonyms >> constant, perennial, perpetual, unremitting Antonym >> intermittent
The dog's incessant barking caused the man to have difficulty falling asleep.
39.
Derivatives >> incessancy, incessantly, incessantness, incession
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
incongruity in kon GROO eh tee nonconformity, disagreement, incompatibility
Synonyms >> Antonym >> agreement
The incongruity between the two stories led me to doubt the accuracy of either report.
40.
Derivatives >> incongruent, incongruently, incongruence, incongruous, incongrously, incongruousness
indefatigable in deh FAT uh guh tireless, incapable of being fatigued
Synonyms >> Antonym >> easily tired
The indefatigable army moved ahead steadily over the many days without rest.
41.
Derivatives >> indefatigability, indefatigableness, indefatigably
indignation in dig NAY shun anger as a result of something unjust
Synonyms >> fury, ire, rage, wrath Antonym >> serenity
I have much indignation about the light sentence given to the drunk driver who ran over my child .
42.
Derivatives >> indignant, indignantly, indignance, indignify, indignities
indulgent in DUL junt lenient, especially toward oneself
Synonyms >> Antonym >> harsh; strict
The boy did not learn respect from his indulgent parents.
43.
Derivatives >> indulge, indulged, indulging, indulgence, indulgently, indulger
inertia in UR shuh resistance to motion or action
Synonyms >> Antonym >> disposition to action
In order to move, a force must first overcome a body's initial inertia.
44.
Derivatives >> inert, inertial, inertion, inertness, inertly
infallible in FAL uh bul incapable of error
Synonyms >> Antonym >> erroneous; fallacious
Since everyone makes mistakes, no human is infallible.
45.
Derivatives >> infallibilism, infallibilist, infallibility, infallibleness, infallibly
ingenuity in juh NOO eh tee cleverness, inventiveness, resourcefulness
Synonyms >> adroitness, cunning, deftness, dexterity Antonym >> lack of cleverness
He showed much ingenuity in his unique way of solving the problem.
46.
Derivatives >> ingenious, ingeniously, ingeniousness
innumerable in NUM er uh bul very many; more than can be counted
Synonyms >> Antonym >> very few
There are innumerable ways to succeed in life.
47.
Derivatives >> innumerability,
inordinate in OR duh nit exceeding reasonable limits, excessive
Synonyms >> exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, immoderate Antonym >> small
It is a sign of trouble when a student has an inordinate number of absences.
48.
Derivatives >> inordinately, inordinateness, inordination
insularity in suh LAR eh tee qualities of an island; narrow-mindedness of opinion
Synonyms >> Antonym >> broad-mindedness
The insularity of the president made it difficult to get a motion passed.
49.
Derivatives >> insularly, insular, insularize
insuperable in SOO pur uh bul incapable of being surmounted; incapable of being vanquished
Synonyms >> unsurpassable, impassable, invincible Antonym >> easily overcome, surmountable
These are the insuperable heroes who fought for our country.
50.
Derivatives >> insuperability, insuperableness, insuperably
kudos KOO doze awards or honors
Synonyms >> Antonym >> demerits
She deserves kudos for her work in building the museum.
51.
Derivatives >> kudize, kudized, kudizing
legacy LEG uh see a gift by will, something handed down by an ancestor or predecessor
Synonyms >> Antonym >>
Most presidents wonder what their legacy to the country will be.
52.
Derivatives >> legacies
limpid LIM pid clear, transparent
Synonyms >> translucent Antonym >> abstruse; opaque
Many liked the author's limpid writing style because it was easy to understand.
53.
Derivatives >> limpidity, limpidness
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
luxuriant lug ZHOOR ee unt abundant in growth, very fertile
Synonyms >> lavish, lush, prodigal, profuse Antonym >> scanty
The luxuriant farmland of Iowa provides an abundant amount of food.
54.
Derivatives >> luxuriance, luxurancy, luxuriantly, luxuriate, luxurious, luxuriously, luxuriousness, luxury
magnanimity mag nuh NIM eh tee having a lofty, generous, and courageous spirit
Synonyms >> Antonym >> greed; stinginess
The magnanimity of the king endeared him to his subjects.
55.
Derivatives >> magnanimous, magnanimously, magnanimousness
malevolence muh LEV uh lens ill will or evil intentions
Synonyms >> malice, malignity, spite, spleen Antonym >> benevolence
The old man's malevolence was obvious when he removed the girl from his will.
56.
Derivatives >> malevolent, malevolently
malice MAL is desire to harm others
Synonyms >> malevolence, malignity, spite, spleen Antonym >> concern
His death was caused by malice and was not accidental.
57.
Derivatives >> maliceful, malicious, maliciously, maliciousness
melancholy MEL un kol ee depression of spirits
Synonyms >> Antonym >> happiness
After Dad lost his job, he fell into a state of melancholy.
58.
Derivatives >> melancholia, melancholic, melancholiac, melancholically, melancholily, melancholiness, melancholious
mettle MET ul courage or spirit
Synonyms >> resolution, tenacity Antonym >> lack of courage
A crisis like this would test anyone's mettle.
59.
Derivatives >> mettles, mettled, mettlesome
migratory MY gruh tor ee moving from place to place, wandering, transient
Synonyms >> Antonym >> stationary
The migratory whooping cranes always return to Padre Island.
60.
Derivatives >> migrate, migratorial, migrator, migration, migrationist
muse MYOOZ to ponder
Synonyms >> meditate, ruminate Antonym >>
I have often mused about life on a tropical island.
61.
Derivatives >> mused, museful, musefully, museless, musing
nuance NOO awns a subtle distinction or difference
Synonyms >> Antonym >>
The nuance of flavor cannot be described adequately.
62.
Derivatives >> nuances, nuanced, nuancing
obscure ub SKYOOR difficult to see, vague
Synonyms >> abstruse, ambiguous, cryptic, enigmatic, equivocal, recondite Antonym >> clear; apparent
Because the meaning of the play was obscure, I was unable to enjoy it.
63.
Derivatives >> obscuration, obscurative, obscuredly, obscurely, obscurement, obscureness, obscurity
obstinate OB stuh nit unyielding regardless of reason or logic
Synonyms >> Antonym >> yielding
He will not accept advice on many things because of his obstinate attitude.
64.
Derivatives >> obstinacy, obstinancy, obstinance, obstinately, obstinateness, obstination
obviates OB vee ates makes unnecessary, prevents as a result of anticipating
Synonyms >> Antonym >> instigates; begins
I hope that this settlement obviates any further contact between us.
65.
Derivatives >> obviated, obviable, obviation, obviative
pallor PAL ur extreme paleness usually relating to the face
Synonyms >> Antonym >> ruddy color
The strange disease left the man with a sickly pallor.
66.
Derivatives >> pallors
perspicacious pur spu KAY shus having clear insight, shrewd, very perceptive
Synonyms >> astute, sagacious Antonym >> ignorant; stupid
The perspicacious detective was able to determine the perpetrator of the crime.
67.
Derivatives >> perspicaciously, perspicaciousness, perspicacity
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
plausible PLAH zuh bul seemingly acceptable, believable, or possible
Synonyms >> Antonym >> unbelievable
We need someone to develop a plausible solution to this problem.
68.
Derivatives >> plausibleness, plausibly, plausibility
prosaic pro ZAY ik commonplace, uninspired, banal
Synonyms >> Antonym >> imaginative
Because his writings are so prosaic, I find them boring and unimaginative.
69.
Derivatives >> prosaical, prosaically, prosaicalness, prosaicism, prosaism, prosaist
resolute REZ uh loot characterized by a decided purpose
Synonyms >> staunch, steadfast, determined, resolved, faithful, firm Antonym >>
The business was run by a resolute man who set his mind on a goal and followed through with it.
70.
Derivatives >> resoluter, resolutest, resolutely, resoluteness, resolution, resolutionary, resolutioner, resolutive
reticence RET uh sunt restraint in speech, reluctance to speak
Synonyms >> reserve, taciturnity Antonym >> candor
A lawyer must have great reticence in discussing matters that could violate his client's rights.
71.
Derivatives >> reticency, reticent, reticently
reverie REV uh ree daydreaming
Synonyms >> Antonym >> attentiveness
Spring seems to lend itself to reverie.
72.
Derivatives >> reveries, reverist
rue ROO to be sorry for, to regret
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to consider happily
He will rue the day that he tangles with me.
73.
Derivatives >> rueful, ruefully, ruefulness, rues
scanty SKAN tee less than or barely sufficient, meager
Synonyms >> Antonym >> copious; abundant
Because the details of the incident are so scanty, we are not able to make any firm conclusions at this time.
74.
Derivatives >> scantiness, scantily, scantly
seethe SEETH to boil , to be agitated
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to be at peace
The nation seethed with anger when the terrorists took the men as hostages.
75.
Derivatives >> seething, seethingly
serene suh REEN calm, placid
Synonyms >> tranquil Antonym >> agitated
The mountain on a clear spring morning is a serene setting.
76.
Derivatives >> serenely, sereneness, serenity
shrill SHRIL high-pitched or piercing (sound)
Synonyms >> Antonym >> muted
The shrill sounds of the sirens pierced the night.
77.
Derivatives >> shriller, shrillest, shrilling, shrillness, shrilly
somnambulist som NAM byuh list a sleepwalker
Synonyms >> Antonym >>
Many people with sleeping disorders are classified as somnambulists.
78.
Derivatives >> somnambulic, somnambulant, somnambular, somnambulation, somnambule, somnambulism, somnambulistic
sordid SOR did filthy, foul
Synonyms >> abject, ignoble, mean Antonym >> nice; harmless
The sordid details of the brutal ax murder sickened the jurors.
79.
Derivatives >> sordidness, sordidly
stolid STOL id showing little emotion
Synonyms >> apathetic, phlegmatic, stoic Antonym >> emotional
He always has a stolid appearance at the poker table.
80.
Derivatives >> stolidly, stolidity
subtle SUT ul delicate, elusive, not obvious
Synonyms >> Antonym >> obvious; gross; blunt
To avoid being obtrusive in the elegant restaurant, he used subtle gestures to call the waiter to his table.
81.
Derivatives >> subtilist, subtility, subtilization, subtilize, subtilizer, subtleness, subtlety
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
supercilious soo pur SIL ee us haughty, vain and arrogant
Synonyms >> disdainful, high-handed, insolent, lordly Antonym >> servile
I do not like your arrogant and supercilious attitude toward poor people.
82.
Derivatives >> superciliously, superciliousness
symmetry SIM eh tree balanced proportions
Synonyms >> Antonym >> lack of balance
The symmetry of the gardens of Versailles creates a beautiful and balanced atmosphere.
83.
Derivatives >> symmetrical, symmetric, symmetrically, symmetricalness, symmetrization, symmetrize
tentative TEN tuh tiv not fully worked out, provisional, uncertain
Synonyms >> Antonym >> permanent
We have a tentative arms-control agreement, but we hope to have a signed agreement by the end of the year.
84.
Derivatives >> tentatively, tentativeness
terminate TER muh nate to bring to an end
Synonyms >> Antonym >> begin
I will terminate my position with the company on July 15.
85.
Derivatives >> terminated, terminating, terminates, termination, terminational, terminative
tinge TINJ to add a bit of color; to affect slightly; a slight coloration
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to blanch
I wanted to add a tinge of red to the picture. The roses tinged the air with their fragrance.
86.
Derivatives >> tingent, tinged, tinging, tinges
transparent trans PARE unt quality of being able to be seen through, clear
Synonyms >> limpid, translucent Antonym >> opaque
Glass is a transparent substance.
87.
Derivatives >> transparently, transparentness, transparency
unmitigated un MIT uh gay tid not made less severe or intense
Synonyms >> unrelieved Antonym >>
The witness exhibited the most unmitigated contempt in the courtroom.
88.
Derivatives >> unmitigatedly, unmitigable
utter ,<<utterUT UT ur to express by speaking
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to leave unspoken
The teacher told me not to utter another word.
89.
Derivatives >> utters, uttered, uttering, utterance
vacillating VAS uh lay ting changing, fluctuating
Synonyms >> Antonym >> static; stable; not easily changed
I have vacillating opinions concerning my future career.
90.
Derivatives >> vacillate, vacillatingly, vacillation, vacillatory, vacillator
vanquished VAN kwishd conquered, overpowered
Synonyms >> Antonym >> submitted
Hitler's armies vanquished Poland with aid from Russia.
91.
Derivatives >> vanquishable, vanquisher, vanquishment
vehement VEE uh munt forcefully expressing emotion or conviction
Synonyms >> Antonym >> meek
He vehemently denied that he had said those harsh words.
92.
Derivatives >> vehemence, vehemency, vehemently
vindicated VIN duh kay ted cleared of accusations or charges
Synonyms >> absolved, acquitted, exculpated, exonerated Antonym >> accused
I am willing to go to trial and believe that I will be vindicated of all charges.
93.
Derivatives >> vindicate, vindication, vindicative, vindicator, vindicatory, vindictive, vindictively, vindictiveness
voluble VOL yuh bul ability to use words easily, fluent and glib
Synonyms >> garrulous, loquacious Antonym >> taciturn
A disc jockey needs to be a voluble speaker.
94.
Derivatives >> volubility, volubleness, volubly
wispy WIS pee small in amount, fragile, or slight
Synonyms >> Antonym >> substantial
A baby hummingbird is a wispy little creature.
95.
Derivatives >> wispily, wispiness, wispish, wisps
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
ABC Murders
by Agatha Christie
1
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
ABC Murders
by Agatha Christie
These words which appear in ABC Murders have been identified as words or derivatives
of words that have appeared on past SAT tests. They are listed here in alphabetical
order.
1. abstracted
2. adroit
3. adulterate
4. alacrity
5. allure
6. aloof
7. angular
8. animosity
9. audacity
10. automaton
11. balk
12. bland
13. bombastic
14. buoyant
15. capitulate
16. cavalier
17. conjecture
18. convivial
19. cynical
20. demise
21. demur
22. desultory
23. discern
24. discrepant
25. disdain
26. disinclination
27. dispassionate
28. ecstasy
29. elicit
30. elucidate
31. ensconce
32. esteem
33. facsimile
34. fervent
35. flourish
36. foreboding
37. goad
38. impertinent
39. incessant
40. incongruity
41. indefatigable
42. indignation
43. indulgent
44. inertia
45. infallible
46. ingenuity
47. innumerable
48. inordinate
49. insularity
50. insuperable
51. kudos
52. legacy
53. limpid
54. luxuriant
55. magnanimity
56. malevolence
57. malice
58. melancholy
59. mettle
60. migratory
61. muse
62. nuance
63. obscure
64. obstinate
65. obviates
66. pallor
67. perspicacious
68. plausible
69. prosaic
70. resolute
71. reticence
72. reverie
73. rue
74. scanty
75. seethe
76. serene
77. shrill
78. somnambulist
79. sordid
80. stolid
81. subtle
82. supercilious
83. symmetry
84. tentative
85. terminate
86. tinge
87. transparent
88. unmitigated
89. utter
90. vacillating
91. vanquished
92. vehement
93. vindicated
94. voluble
95. wispy
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
ABC Murders
by Agatha Christie
These words which appear in ABC Murders have been identified as words or derivatives
of words that have appeared on past SAT tests. They are listed here in the order in which
they appear in the novel.
1. inordinately
2. luxuriant
3. convivial
4. demise
5. vindictively
6. elicited
7. legacy
8. malevolent
9. incongruous
10. vehemence
11. stolidly
12. flourishes
13. plausible
14. adroitly
15. terminated
16. utterance
17. disinclined
18. desultory
19. kudos
20. ensconced
21. unmitigated
22. automaton
23. magnanimity
24. adulterating
25. vanquished
26. mettle
27. indulge
28. seething
29. dispassionately
30. nuance
31. ruefully
32. melancholy
33. buoy
34. mused
35. goaded
36. tentatively
37. innumerable
38. limpid
39. abstracted
40. transparently
41. audacious
42. shrill
43. obscure
44. bombastic
45. insuperable
46. obstinate
47. alacrity
48. superciliousness
49. insular
50. elucidating
51. malice
52. symmetry
53. foreboding
54. ingenuity
55. sordid
56. scanty
57. voluble
58. reticence
59. alluringly
60. conjecture
61. desultory
62. wispy
63. aloofly
64. tinge
65. angularity
66. mitigated
67. disdainful
68. capitulated
69. balking
70. animosity
71. discrepancies
72. resolute
73. pallor
74. facsimiled
75. incessantly
76. indefatigable
77. inertia
78. indignant
79. impertinence
80. serenity
81. demured
82. bland
83. cavalier
84. prosaic
85. ecstasy
86. reverie
87. fervent
88. somnambulism
89. esteem
90. infallible
91. obviates
92. vacillating
93. cynical
94. perspicacious
95. subtleties
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
Directions: Match the word in the left column with the correct definition in the right column.
Exercise A
_________ 1. abstracted
_________ 2. adroit
_________ 3. adulterate
_________ 4. alacrity
_________ 5. allure
_________ 6. aloof
_________ 7. angular
_________ 8. animosity
_________ 9. audacity
_________ 10. automaton
Exercise B
_________ 11. balk
_________ 12. bland
_________ 13. bombastic
_________ 14. buoyant
_________ 15. capitulate
_________ 16. cavalier
_________ 17. conjecture
_________ 18. convivial
_________ 19. cynical
_________ 20. demise
Exercise C
________ 21. demur
_________ 22. desultory
_________ 23. discern
_________ 24. discrepant
_________ 25. disdain
_________ 26. disinclination
_________ 27. dispassionate
_________ 28. ecstasy
_________ 29. elicit
_________ 30. elucidate
_________ 31. ensconce
ABC Murders
by Agatha Christie
a. prompt and cheerful response
b. lean; sharp cornered
c. removed in thought from the immediate situation
d. apart; indifferent
e. to make impure; to corrupt
f. a creature acting in a mechanical way
g. excessively bold; very rash; daring
h. harsh feelings; enmity; resentment; hatred
i. skillful; adept
j. to influence or entice with some tempting appeal
a. given to faultfinding, sneering, and sarcasm
b. capable of floating; cheerful
c. mild; not irritating
d. fond of good company and festivity
e. death; loss of status
f. to defeat, check, or stop as if by a barrier
g. using inflated language; pompous
h. an inference or conclusion drawn or deduced
i. to surrender
j. an armed horseman; a knight; disdainful
a. intense dislike; to treat with scorn or contempt
b. lack of passion or emotion
c. to differentiate differences in two or more things
d. to settle comfortably
e. to hesitate; to delay; to object
f. disagreeing; inconsistent
g. to make clear; to explain
h. to bring out a response; to evoke
i. jumping around; aimless; random
j. desire to avoid; aversion
k. extreme happiness
Vocabulary Test 1
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
Directions: Match the word in the left column with the correct definition in the right column.
ABC Murders
by Agatha Christie
Vocabulary Test 2
Exercise A
_________ 1. esteem
_________ 2. facsimile
_________ 3. fervent
_________ 4. flourish
_________ 5. foreboding
_________ 6. goad
_________ 7. impertinent
_________ 8. incessant
_________ 9. incongruity
_________ 10. innumerable
Exercise B
_________ 11. indefatigable
_________ 12. indignation
_________ 13. indulgent
_________ 14. inert
_________ 15. infallible
_________ 16. ingenuity
_________ 17. inordinate
_________ 18. insularity
_________ 19. insuperable
_________ 20. magnanimity
Exercise C
________ 21. kudos
_________ 22. legacy
_________ 23. limpid
_________ 24. luxuriant
_________ 25. malevolence
_________ 26. malice
_________ 27. melancholy
_________ 28. mettle
_________ 29. migratory
_________ 30. muse
_________ 31. nuance
a. to urge on in a negative sense
b. nonconformity; disagreement; incompatibility
c. very many; more than can be counted
d. premonition of evil; an ominous omen
e. estimate of value
f. a reproduction or exact copy
g. ardent; showing great emotion; impassioned
h. uninterrupted
i. to thrive; to grow well
j. insolently rude; not within the proper bounds of
good taste or manners
a. qualities of an island
b. cleverness; inventiveness; resourcefulness
c. incapable of being surmounted
d. having a lofty, generous and courageous spirit
e. incapable of error
f. lenient; especially towards oneself
g. unable to move or act; sluggish
h. tireless; incapable of being fatigued
i. exceeding reasonable limits; excessive
j. anger as a result of something unjust
a. depression of spirits
b. moving from place to place; wandering
c. clear; transparent
d. ill will or evil intentions
e. a subtle distinction or difference
f. abundant growth; very fertile
g. a gift by will
h. awards or honors
i. desire to harm others
j. courage or spirit
k. to ponder
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
Directions: Match the word in the left column with the correct definition in the right column.
a. seemingly acceptable; believable; possible
b. daydreaming
c. having clear insight; shrewd very perceptive
d. unyielding regardless of reason or logic
e. characterized by a decided purpose
f. restraint in speech; reluctance to speak
g. makes unnecessary; prevents as a result of anticipating
h. commonplace; uninspired; banal
i. difficult to see; vague
j. extreme paleness (usually of the face)
a. showing little emotion
b. to boil; to be agitated
c. a high-pitched or piercing sound
d. haughty; vain; arrogant
e. delicate; elusive; not obvious
f. calm; placid
g. a sleepwalker
h. less than or barely sufficient; meager
i. to be sorry for; regret
j. filthy; foul
a. quality of being able to see through something
b. to add a bit of color; to affect slightly
c. conquered; overpowered
d. ability to use words easily; fluent and flib
e. changing; fluctuating
f. not fully worked out; provisional; uncertain
g. to express by speaking
h. forcefully expressing emotion or conviction
i. small in amount; fragile; slight
j. not made less severe or intense
k. balanced proportions
l. cleared of accusations or charges
m. to bring to an end
Exercise A
_________ 1. obscure
_________ 2. obstinate
_________ 3. obviates
_________ 4. pallor
_________ 5. perspicacious
_________ 6. plausible
_________ 7. prosaic
_________ 8. resolute
_________ 9. reticence
_________ 10. reverie
Exercise B
_________ 11. rue
_________ 12. scanty
_________ 13. seethe
_________ 14. serene
_________ 15. shrill
_________ 16. somnambulist
_________ 17. sordid
_________ 18. stolid
_________ 19. subtle
_________ 20. supercilious
Exercise C
________ 21. symmetry
_________ 22. tentative
_________ 23. terminate
_________ 24. tinge
_________ 25. transparent
_________ 26. unmitigated
_________ 27. utter
_________ 28. vacillating
_________ 29. vanquished
_________ 30. vehement
_________ 31. vindicated
_________ 32. voluble
_________ 33. wispy
ABC Murders
by Agatha Christie
Vocabulary Test 3
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
ABC Murders
by Agatha Christie
Test 1
1. c
2. i
3. e
4. a
5. j
6. d
7. b
8. h
9. g
10. f
11. f
12. c
13. g
14. b
15. i
16. j
17. h
18. d
19. a
20. e
21. e
22. i
23. c
24. f
25. a
26. j
27. b
28. k
29. h
30. g
31. d
Test 2
1. e
2. f
3. g
4. i
5. d
6. a
7. j
8. h
9. b
10. c
11. h
12. j
13. f
14. g
15. e
16. b
25. i
26. d
27. a
28. j
29. b
30. k
31. e
Test 3
17. d
18. a
19. c
20. i
21. h
22. g
23. c
24. f
1. i
2. d
3. g
4. j
5. c
6. a
7. h
8. e
9. f
10. b
11. i
12. h
13. b
14. f
15. c
16. g
17. j
18. a
19. e
20. d
21. k
22. f
23. m
24. b
25. a
26. j
27. g
28. e
29. c
30. h
31. l
32. i
33. d
Copyright 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org